The article discusses the impact of the Trump administration's policies on the US government's ability to prepare for and respond to natural disasters. The author highlights several areas where the administration has made significant cuts, including:
1. Funding for climate and resilience programs: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reduced funding for climate and resilience programs, limiting the agency's ability to conduct research and provide resources for communities affected by extreme weather events.
2. Staffing at NOAA: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has lost over 27,000 years of collective experience from scientists who left their jobs due to budget cuts. This has a significant impact on the agency's ability to track weather patterns, monitor ocean currents, and provide critical data for disaster response.
3. Cancellation of national climate assessments: The Trump administration canceled the contracts that produced nationally recognized climate assessments, websites, and resources that were relied upon by local governments, states, businesses, and residents to prepare for climate events.
4. Reductions in funding for research and development: The government has reduced funding for research and development, including projects focused on renewable energy, clean air and water initiatives, and disaster preparedness.
The author argues that these cuts will have a significant impact on the country's ability to prepare for and respond to natural disasters, particularly as extreme weather events are expected to worsen in the coming years. The article concludes by highlighting the importance of community-level preparedness efforts and the need for individuals to take an active role in disaster response.
Key quotes from the article include:
* "You can't just buy the data you never collected." - Medina, highlighting the impact of lost research on climate understanding.
* "Each year above 1.5 degrees will hammer economies, deepen inequalities and inflict irreversible damage." - UN Secretary-General AntΓ³nio Guterres, emphasizing the urgency of addressing climate change.
* "We are trying to break down that misconception that after a major disaster, the state or federal government will be able to come in and make you whole." - Turner, highlighting the need for community-level preparedness efforts.
1. Funding for climate and resilience programs: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reduced funding for climate and resilience programs, limiting the agency's ability to conduct research and provide resources for communities affected by extreme weather events.
2. Staffing at NOAA: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has lost over 27,000 years of collective experience from scientists who left their jobs due to budget cuts. This has a significant impact on the agency's ability to track weather patterns, monitor ocean currents, and provide critical data for disaster response.
3. Cancellation of national climate assessments: The Trump administration canceled the contracts that produced nationally recognized climate assessments, websites, and resources that were relied upon by local governments, states, businesses, and residents to prepare for climate events.
4. Reductions in funding for research and development: The government has reduced funding for research and development, including projects focused on renewable energy, clean air and water initiatives, and disaster preparedness.
The author argues that these cuts will have a significant impact on the country's ability to prepare for and respond to natural disasters, particularly as extreme weather events are expected to worsen in the coming years. The article concludes by highlighting the importance of community-level preparedness efforts and the need for individuals to take an active role in disaster response.
Key quotes from the article include:
* "You can't just buy the data you never collected." - Medina, highlighting the impact of lost research on climate understanding.
* "Each year above 1.5 degrees will hammer economies, deepen inequalities and inflict irreversible damage." - UN Secretary-General AntΓ³nio Guterres, emphasizing the urgency of addressing climate change.
* "We are trying to break down that misconception that after a major disaster, the state or federal government will be able to come in and make you whole." - Turner, highlighting the need for community-level preparedness efforts.