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NOAA Climate Service Proposal 22 June 2011
The House Committee on Science Space and Technology held a full committee hearing to examine the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Climate Service proposal on Wednesday, 22 June 2011. The hearing addressed three issues: whether the reorganization would detract from NOAA's other functions; whether the creation of such a Climate Service would serve more of a political, rather than scientific, purpose; and whether NOAA has already begun to implement its Climate Service, and has subsequently violated congressional mandates.
The proposed restructuring would affect over 50% of NOAA, with the goal of streamlining NOAA's five different climate service branches into one efficient division. The current disparity makes it difficult to obtain necessary information and produce climate-related products for end users.
Witness testimony was provided by NOAA's Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco; and by Deputy Oceanographer and Director of the Climate Change Task Force for the U.S. Department of the Navy, Mr. Robert Winokur.
In her opening statements, Dr. Lubchenco spelled out the benefits of the Climate Service. A Climate Service, she believes, would strengthen the science produced by NOAA, and improve organization within the Administration. Dr. Lubchenco testified that the Climate Service would better support civilian and national security priorities by creating a closer connection between strong science and service delivery.
Mr. Winokur testified that although the Navy takes no official position on the creation the Climate Service itself, they are in full support of any action NOAA takes to streamline the dissemination of their climate-related data. Mr. Winokur emphasized that operations at sea are extremely susceptible to climate variations. As such, accurate models provided by NOAA have allowed them to anticipate hazardous weather situations and perform their duties more efficiently.
Rep. Wu (D-OR) asked Dr. Lubchenco to clarify the difference between weather and climate for the Committee. Weather involves short-term predictions: for example, will it rain tomorrow? Alternatively, climate involves long-term forecasting. Any predictions beyond two weeks fall under climate.
Representatives Harris (R-MD), Rohrabacher (R-CA), Broun (R-GA), and Adams (R-FL) questioned Dr. Lubchenco regarding the motives behind the proposed reorganization. Dr. Lubchenco reassured the Members of Congress that this is not a political move. The suggested streamlining, she asserted, is merely a way to make NOAA's data collection and distribution more efficient. Dr. Lubchenco maintained that NOAA would continue to distribute unbiased, accurate information to the public. Additionally, the proposed reorganization would not detract from any other functions provided by NOAA.
Other Members of Congress inquired how the Climate Service would benefit the American people. Rep. Fudge (D-OH), asked Dr. Lubchenco how the restructuring would impact the constituents in her district. In her response, Dr. Lubchenco highlighted that NOAA already provides information that is vital to saving lives and businesses in communities that are prone to floods, such as districts in Ohio. She emphasized that the formation of a Climate Service would make obtaining that information easier.
For more detailed information, and to watch the archived webcast, click here.