Preserve NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatories for climate research

The decision to terminate NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatories is deeply concerning and poses a grave threat to our understanding of climate change and its impacts. These satellites provide crucial data on carbon dioxide levels, which is vital for monitoring greenhouse gas emissions and their effects on everything from agriculture to energy industries. Shutting them down would undermine our ability to comprehend and address one of the most pressing challenges of our time. This move risks compromising scientific progress and undermining efforts to mitigate climate change's detrimental consequences. The observatories operate at a relatively low cost of $15 million per year, a minuscule fraction of NASA's budget, making their continued operation a prudent investment. Terminating these missions would be a significant setback, causing irreparable harm to our understanding of the planet's changing climate and its far-reaching implications. We urge a reconsideration of this decision, as it jeopardizes our capacity to make informed choices about environmental policies and sustainable practices. The well-being of our planet and future generations depends on our commitment to scientific inquiry and data-driven decision-making. Preserving these vital missions is not only a matter of scientific integrity but also a moral imperative.