In a controversial decision, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced it would cease tracking the costs of extreme weather events that inflict at least $1 billion in damages. This action leaves crucial gaps in data, undermining efforts by insurance companies and researchers who rely on this information to comprehend and address the escalating financial consequences of disasters such as hurricanes, droughts, and wildfires—events that are becoming more common as global temperatures rise.
Critics have branded this move as part of the Trump administration's ongoing efforts to curtail climate-related research. Recently, the administration has dismissed leading authors from the nation's prominent climate assessment, proposed cutting National Park grants aimed at climate change studies, and put forth a budget plan that significantly reduces climate science funding across major federal agencies, including the U.S. Geological Survey and the Departments of Energy and Defense.
Experts, including Jesse M. Keenan of Tulane University, argue that the termination of this data collection will severely impair governmental ability to make informed decisions on resource allocation and infrastructure investment. "Without this database, the U.S. government is essentially blind to the economic impact of extreme weather and climate change," Keenan stated.
Feedback from lawmakers has been sharp. Senator Ed Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts, took to social media to condemn the decision, describing it as “anti-science, anti-safety, and anti-American.” The growing concern among legislators and researchers reflects apprehension over the weakening of knowledge that guides climate policy and disaster preparedness in an increasingly unpredictable world.
