There are many media stories circulating today stating that the key U.S. weather and climate facility in the U.S. is going to be sold off: The NOAA Center for Weather and Climate Prediction.
This location houses many of the key groups overseeing U.S. weather and climate prediction. I have attended meetings in the facility or met with NOAA/NWS scientists there literally dozens of times.
Selling off this building and dispersing the groups housed there would be a death blow to US environmental prediction capabilities.
The question: Is there any truth to this? Certainly, this story has been distributed through dozens of major and minor media outlets. But as you know from my previous blogs, I am not a little cynical about the "facts" found in many media outlets--so let's check it out.
This story originated from two sources. One is a story in Axios (see below).
Neither of these websites can point to any official statement or documents to support these claims, just unnamed "sources."
I went to governmental websites, such as the DOGE lease cancelation list (see below). No mention of the NOAA Prediction Center. None.
Checked the GSA website. The NOAA facility is not on it.
The NOAA Prediction Center was a custom-built building designed for the important role it is now playing. To sell it off would be a catastrophic error, with profound impacts on weather and climate prediction in the U.S.
There is no sign of any official intent to sell the building, and I suspect the stories noted above are not correct.
NOAA plays a crucial role in collecting weather and climate data, ocean and atmospheric research, and predicting weather and ocean conditions. Although essential, NOAA needs reform, particularly in dealing with an ineffective bureaucracy and loss of innovation.
When will DOGE and the new administration talk to the atmospheric and ocean community to learn about these problems and how to correct them?
With reform and rational change, U.S. weather and environmental prediction could be substantially improved.
"When will DOGE and the new administration talk to the atmospheric and ocean community to learn about these problems and how to correct them?"
ReplyDeleteEasy answer: never. They're obviously not interested in this.
DOGE having a nuanced conversation about something like this. . . yea, I wouldn't hold my breath.
DeleteDo not give DOGE way too much credence. They're after personnel.
ReplyDeleteTypical US citizen: "yes certainly we need to cut back on government spending. Just don't cut out anything I like myself". Now, multiply this by 300,000,000 and what do you end up with?
ReplyDelete"When will DOGE and the new administration talk to the atmospheric and ocean community to learn about these problems and how to correct them?
ReplyDeleteWith reform and rational change, U.S. weather and environmental prediction could be substantially improved."
You're funny, Cliff ... associating the term "rational" with this administration. This is the era of science haters. Have you not noticed yet?
Mr. Mass has been a fool for a long time. But this foolishness, I should not be paying for with my tax dollars. This fool, has no business teaching anyone anything.
DeleteThis is a sample of the kind of hateful, irrational, and mean-spirited comments that I have to deal with. Some folks are so full of anger and emotional issues...
DeleteDon't let 'em get you down, Cliff. You're a major asset to our state.
DeleteEvidently, President Biden had already planned to make cuts to NOAA. "On March 11, 2024, President Biden released his budget proposal for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. The proposed budget would decrease overall funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) by 2.4% from FY24 and drastically cut several key programs......" https://climate.law.columbia.edu/content/noaa-budget-cuts-proposed-fy2025
ReplyDeleteUm, I'd not put any amount of trust in the Trump administration, nor Musk's Doge for ANYTHING truthful about ANYTHING. About the ONLY thing we can "count on" is if it's on the websites or not for surplus/sell off.
ReplyDeleteOutside of that, I'd not give them any credit at all. Take it with a HUGE grain of salt.
Really, the entire cabinet, Musk/DOGE included need to be canned and replaced, preferably post haste. Reality is, this may take a while, and I'm seeing potential push back from a lot of folks of late, and all this has just begun too.
Otherwise, I agree, NOAA/NWS needs reform, but not eliminated.
When will they talk to you and your colleagues? I don't know. There must be formal and informal groups, organizations, that are hoping to give input to the various government agencies. Certainly action is needed. What can ordinary citizens do to support and improve NOAA, NIH, NSF? I've emailed Senator Cantwell, but have not heard back. I've waved signs at the state Capitol. Surely all of us can take some steps toward solutions. Professors with tenure have some job protection. Go for it! Make demands!
ReplyDelete