US to Cease Tracking Costs of Climate Change-Driven Extreme Weather: What This Means for You

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has decided to stop tracking the economic impact of weather disasters linked to climate change, such as floods and wildfires. This change reflects ongoing shifts within the agency under the Trump administration, which has reduced federal resources dedicated to climate issues.

NOAA, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is responsible for weather forecasting, severe storm warnings, and climate monitoring. Its Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters database will not be updated after 2024. This database has been essential for tracking significant weather events dating back to 1980, documenting the financial damage from hurricanes, droughts, and other extreme weather.

In a recent statement, NOAA Communications Director Kim Doster explained that the change aligns with new priorities and staffing adjustments. However, many scientists are concerned. They see these weather events becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change. For example, the recent surge in intense heatwaves and devastating hurricanes is directly linked to our changing climate.

Understanding the impact of these disasters is crucial, especially as insurance rates rise in vulnerable areas. According to a report from the Insurance Information Institute, insurance premiums in flood-prone regions have skyrocketed, reflecting the growing risks associated with extreme weather.

Experts emphasize that NOAA’s database is a pivotal resource. Jeff Masters, a meteorologist, described it as the “gold standard” for assessing the costs of extreme weather. He warns that losing this resource during a time when understanding climate-related damages is more critical than ever could hinder effective responses to future disasters.

Interestingly, Kristina Dahl, vice president of Climate Central, highlighted that tracking these events publicly increases awareness of climate change’s effects. “Extreme weather events show people that climate change is real and affecting their daily lives,” she said.

Historically, weather tracking has shifted dramatically. In the past, agencies like NOAA played a robust role in presenting data for public review. Now, with this database being archived and no longer updated, many worry that it could diminish public understanding of climate-related risks.

In addition to NOAA’s changes, the Trump administration has made other cuts, including the dismissal of hundreds of NOAA employees, which has raised alarms about the agency’s future ability to provide reliable weather forecasts. As observed, fewer weather balloon launches and reduced staffing can lead to less accurate forecasting, threatening public safety.

As disasters continue to escalate due to climate change, maintaining transparency and data collection will be more important than ever. The efforts to downsize NOAA mirror broader trends where climate change discussions are minimized in federal policy, raising concerns among scientists and the public alike. Moving forward, the focus on climate-related data will be vital to prepare for and respond to extreme weather events.

For more insights on climate change and its impact on extreme weather, you can visit [NOAA’s official site](https://www.noaa.gov) or read more about these changes in recent coverage from [CNN](https://www.cnn.com).

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