1. United States
2. N.C.
3. Letter

The Department of Defense's decision to stop providing crucial satellite weather data is deeply concerning and will hinder our ability to accurately forecast hurricanes and monitor sea ice changes. This data has been invaluable for decades, allowing forecasters to track storm intensification and issue timely warnings to protect lives and property. Without near real-time information from DoD satellites, there will be larger gaps in monitoring rapidly intensifying hurricanes, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change. The loss of this data will also significantly impact monitoring of sea ice at both poles. Permanent sea ice is shrinking at an alarming rate, with potentially catastrophic consequences for sea level rise and global shipping routes. Researchers have relied heavily on DoD data to study these changes and plan accordingly. While alternate data sources exist, they cannot fully replace the comprehensive coverage provided by DoD satellites. The abrupt cutoff, moved up to June 30th, leaves little time to properly calibrate replacements. Congress must act to ensure the Department of Defense continues sharing this critical weather data with the scientific community. The potential risks to public safety and scientific understanding are too great. Robust environmental monitoring is crucial for preparedness and our collective understanding of the climate crisis. Reinstating access to this data is in the national interest.