The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) plays a crucial role in providing essential scientific data that impacts our daily lives and economy. As an economist working with an interdisciplinary team focused on climate impacts, I can attest to the importance of NOAA’s work in our advocacy for smart solutions.
NOAA’s data on sea level rise has been instrumental in our analysis of flooding impacts on coastal real estate and critical infrastructure. We also rely on NOAA’s weather alerts for our Danger Season mapping tool. Climate change has become pervasive in all aspects of our lives, and having access to robust scientific information from NOAA is essential in effectively addressing these challenges.
In addition to providing forecasts for hurricanes and marine conditions, NOAA also monitors wildfire smoke and contributes to global scientific endeavors. The upcoming nominee to lead NOAA under the new administration must prioritize scientific integrity and commit to safeguarding the agency’s mission and its dedicated staff.
The incoming NOAA administrator must understand and support the agency’s scientific work across its six branches. They must uphold NOAA’s scientific integrity policy, protect the agency from attacks that seek to dismantle or privatize its functions, advocate for necessary resources and funding, and invest in cutting-edge tools and data.
NOAA’s work ranges from providing hurricane forecasts to monitoring sea level rise and wildfire smoke conditions. The agency’s data and tools are vital for public safety, maritime traffic, fisheries, and marine conservation efforts. NOAA collaborates with scientific agencies worldwide and contributes to global initiatives like the Famine Early Warning System and the World Meteorological Organization.
The federal government’s data portal links to over 100,000 datasets from NOAA, enabling policymakers to develop effective solutions for communities facing climate challenges. As we advocate for a new NOAA administrator, we aim to ensure that the agency continues to serve the nation effectively, promoting safety and prosperity for all.
