1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

It is deeply concerning to learn that NASA has been ordered to destroy the invaluable Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) satellites, despite their critical importance for monitoring carbon dioxide levels and climate change. These satellites provide vital data that enhances our understanding of the carbon cycle and contributes to improving predictions of future atmospheric CO2 increases and their impact on Earth's climate. Terminating these missions would be an egregious waste of the substantial resources already invested in designing, manufacturing, and launching the satellites. Moreover, the relatively modest annual maintenance cost of $15 million is a small price to pay for the invaluable scientific insights they yield, including insights that support the goals of the Paris Agreement. The administration's proposed cuts to these congressionally funded missions are illegal and undermine our ability to forecast, manage, and respond to severe weather and climate disasters effectively. Eliminating funds or scaling down the operations of these Earth-observing satellites would be catastrophic for climate science and our planet. I urge you to take immediate action to prevent the termination of these crucial satellites and ensure their continued operation. Protecting and sustaining these missions is essential for advancing our understanding of climate change and guiding our efforts to mitigate its devastating consequences.