How Trump’s Climate Cuts Threaten Australia’s Weather Forecasting: What You Need to Know

The future of vital ocean monitoring programs is at risk, and Australia could feel the impact. One key system in jeopardy is the Argo float program, which consists of 3,800 drifting devices. These floats measure ocean temperature and salt levels from the top two kilometers of the ocean every ten days. The U.S. currently covers more than half of the program’s $60 million budget. Without this funding, about 900 floats could be removed each year, and the crucial data they provide might stop coming in.

The loss of these floats would hinder short-term ocean forecasts, especially in tropical regions where U.S. Argo floats are most active. This could compromise national security by affecting services like Bluelink, which recently won an award for its contributions to protecting Australia’s safety.

Another concern is the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL), a climate research hub that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) plans to shut down. For over 30 years, Australia has depended on PMEL for vital early warnings of El Niño and La Niña effects, events that greatly influence weather patterns. Without PMEL, the ability to predict these changes will be significantly affected.

Moreover, Australia’s climate models, developed with NOAA’s help, could severely lag. The Australian Community Climate and Earth System Simulator (ACCESS) relies on data from NOAA’s Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory. Losing this resource could slow the advancement of models essential for governmental and industrial planning.

Recent reports from the Climate Change Authority highlight these challenges. One such report focuses on the daunting outlook for the Great Barrier Reef, which relies on data from NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch. If these data services are compromised, it will be difficult to track and respond to rising sea temperatures effectively.

Experts suggest that Australia must bolster its domestic research capabilities and forge new global partnerships to tackle climate change. The need for cooperation is becoming increasingly clear. Historical collaboration on weather forecasting continued even through tense periods like the Cold War, highlighting the importance of global efforts in science and safety.

As climate change leads to more extreme weather patterns, collaborative efforts will be essential, no matter the political climate in the U.S. Future discussions on climate action will take center stage at this year’s global climate summit in Brazil, emphasizing the need for unity against a shared challenge.

For more information about ongoing climate initiatives and research, you can visit NOAA’s official site or check out reports from the Climate Change Authority.

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