Project 2025: Why Dismantling NOAA and the National Weather Service is a Dangerous Mistake

Recently, Project 2025 has made headlines for its controversial proposal to dismantle the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service. Project 2025, a sweeping plan aimed at restructuring various federal agencies and policies, has been developed with significant input from figures associated with the previous Republican administration. Its recommendations range from social policies to environmental deregulation. However, its call for the demolition of NOAA and the National Weather Service is particularly concerning and nonsensical.

What is Project 2025?

Project 2025 is a comprehensive initiative designed to bring about significant changes across the federal government. It includes several proposals that resonate strongly with conservative values, such as restricting abortion and contraceptives, cutting social security, outlawing pornography, ending marriage equality, and eliminating federal agencies like the Department of Education. The project also advocates for increased Arctic drilling, deregulation of the oil industry, and withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement. These proposals aim to reduce government overreach, promote individual liberties, and ensure economic growth by reducing regulatory burdens.  

The section of Project 2025 concerning NOAA was authored by Thomas Gilman, a former assistant secretary of commerce and chief financial officer of the U.S. Department of Commerce during the Trump administration. Gilman's background includes over four decades in the global automotive industry, particularly in roles connected to oil and gas interests. He has held executive positions, including as CEO of Chrysler Financial, and is currently involved with advocacy and industry groups.

NOAA and the National Weather Service: Vital to Public Safety

NOAA and the National Weather Service provide indispensable services that ensure the safety and well-being of the public. These agencies are responsible for monitoring weather patterns, issuing warnings for severe weather events, and conducting critical research on climate change and environmental hazards. Their work is not just about forecasting rain or shine; it's about saving lives and property from devastating weather events like hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods.

Project 2025's Flawed Rationale

Project 2025's rationale for dismantling NOAA and the National Weather Service appears to be rooted in a misunderstanding of their roles and contributions. The project argues that these agencies should be commercialized, claiming that their current operations are inefficient and politically motivated. However, this perspective overlooks the fact that NOAA and the National Weather Service provide free, unbiased, and scientifically rigorous data that is crucial for public safety and scientific research.

Privatizing these services would lead to reduced access to critical weather information, especially for vulnerable populations who might not afford commercial weather services. This move could result in delayed warnings and inadequate preparedness, increasing the risk of harm during severe weather events. The notion that privatization would improve efficiency is contradicted by examples from other countries, where similar attempts have led to decreased availability of weather data for the public and researchers.

Making It Local

In the Tampa Bay area, Tidings Media serves as a brand ambassador for NOAA's Weather Ready Nation program. This program is designed to prepare communities for severe weather events by enhancing public awareness and preparedness. As a brand ambassador, Tidings Media works to promote the program's initiatives and educate the local community on the importance of weather readiness.  We were the first in the Tampa Bay Area in the latest storm to predict the intensification to a Category 1 Hurricane, in part based on weather data provided by AccuWeather and the National Weather Service.  

The Tidings TideWatch Storm Center, a local free community forecast service, relies on data from AccuWeather, which in turn sources its forecast information from the National Weather Service. This connection underscores the critical role that NOAA and the National Weather Service play in providing accurate and timely weather information that local forecasting services depend on.  You can see our latest forecast here :  https://tidings.town.news/g/tampa-fl/weather

A Conservative Perspective

As hard-core conservatives, we believe in the principles of limited government, personal responsibility, and free markets. However, we must also recognize the essential role that certain government agencies play in protecting the public and advancing our national interests. NOAA and the National Weather Service are prime examples of agencies that provide critical services that the private sector simply cannot replicate in a cost-effective or equitable manner. Their work is fundamental to our safety, economic stability, and environmental stewardship.  You can certainly find areas to cut within the bloated NOAA and National Weather Service budget, but to suggest the agency itself be dismantled is juvenile and short sighted.  

Project 2025 has many commendable aspects that align with conservative values, such as reducing government overreach and promoting individual liberties. However, dismantling NOAA and the National Weather Service is a step too far. It undermines the very principles of prudence and responsibility that we hold dear. We must ensure that our efforts to reform government do not come at the expense of public safety and scientific integrity.  Public safety goes hand in hand with national security, and is one of the few core competencies of the government that Tidings Media supports.  

In defending NOAA and the National Weather Service, we are standing up for conservative values that prioritize the well-being of our communities and the efficient functioning of essential public services. Let's support sensible reforms that enhance the effectiveness of these agencies while rejecting proposals that threaten their vital contributions to our nation.

NOAA and the National Weather Service are cornerstones of our national infrastructure for weather and climate resilience. Their contributions to public safety, scientific research, and environmental stewardship are invaluable. Any attempt to dismantle these agencies, as proposed by Project 2025, should be met with strong opposition. Instead, we should focus on supporting and enhancing the capabilities of NOAA and the National Weather Service to ensure they can continue to serve the public effectively.  We're all for examining their expenditures and restructuring their budget, but not at the expense of the service they provide.  

In conclusion, while most aspects of Project 2025 may deserve consideration, its position on NOAA and the National Weather Service is unequivocally nonsensical. These agencies are not just beneficial; they are essential to our nation's safety and environmental health. Let's stand together in defending NOAA and the National Weather Service, and ensure they continue to serve the public with integrity and excellence.