1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

The Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii provides critical climate data that cannot be replaced by satellite monitoring alone. Its continuous measurements of atmospheric greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide stretch back decades, giving scientists invaluable insights into long-term trends and Earth system changes driven by human activities. Shuttering this renowned facility would tear a devastating hole in our understanding of the climate crisis and our ability to prepare for its intensifying impacts. I urge you to ensure funding for the Hilo offices that support Mauna Loa's vital operations. Preserving this irreplaceable climate record is a necessity, not a luxury we can afford to sacrifice on the altar of short-term cost-cutting. The observatory's continuity upholds scientific integrity and our commitment to evidence-based policymaking in confronting the existential threat of global warming.