WASHINGTON D.C. – Sen. John Kerry sought answers from government and academic science experts at a Commerce Committee hearing today, that examined America’s compromised climate and weather satellite system. Recent decisions to eliminate and scale back sensors that collect weather and climate data limit our understanding of climate impacts like sea level rise and storm activity.  Our ability to forecast hurricane patterns and intensity also may be at risk. 

“We owe it to those affected by major Hurricanes in New Orleans and elsewhere to stick to our promise of ‘Never again,’” said Kerry.  “We can prevent lives being lost and damage being done only if we have the best information on weather and climate patterns.  Recent decisions to cut funding and eliminate satellites put our coastal communities at risk.  In the face of the increasing risks from climate change, we cannot afford to be blinded to rising seas, increasing temperatures and surging storms.  We need to ensure that our federal agencies protect the public by continuing to collect the best and most comprehensive information available.” 
 

Among the witnesses testifying:

Mary Ellen Kicza, Assistant Administrator for Satellite and Information Services at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Dr. Michael Freilich, Director, Earth Science Division at the Science Mission Directorate, National Aeronautics and Space Administration; David Powner, Director, Technology Management Issues of the Government Accountability Office; Greg Holland, Director, Mesoscale and Microscale Meteorology Division of the Earth and Sun Systems Laboratory, National Center for Atmospheric Research; and Antonio Busalacchi, Professor and Director, Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center at the  University of Maryland

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