Trump Plans to Eliminate Important Climate-Focused NASA Satellites

Former and current NASA employees have shared that Trump has put out requests for plans to end two satellite missions. These two satellites have been responsible for collecting data related to the Earth’s climate including monitoring the amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere as well as plant growth, and they are the only ones of their kind. Farmers and other scientific entities use this data to drive their decision-making and other research efforts. 

Hundred of millions of dollars went into the creation and implementation of these satellites, and the data they provide has been reported as highly pertinent according to NASA scientists. The funding for these satellites will continue through the end of the fiscal year till September 30th. NASA is considering proposals from private entities to potentially take on the financial cost of maintaining the satellites. It would be detrimental as well as expensive to terminate these missions and the data they provide.

Democratic Representative of California, Zoe Lofgren, calls these proposed cuts illegal since the funding for the 2025 fiscal year has already been appropriated and claims that the termination of these satellites could be catastrophic because it will hinder our ability to respond to weather disasters and political instability.

These satellites have revolutionized climate science, and I hope that all the work that was put into their creation does not go to waste.

Read more about this issue in this NPR article.

Flash Floods Continue in NYC area

Last Thursday, New York and the Northeast area saw another episode of flash flooding. New Jersey was under a state of emergency, and Governor Kathy Hochul declared the same for New York City and surrounding counties. 

Weather delayed closures and travel cancellations occurred across New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland – including roads and airports.

Water reached depths of almost 22 inches in Staten Island! First responders had to rescue two people from partially submerged cars in Baltimore.

These flash floods seem to be becoming part of normal life here in the Northeast, but this is anything but normal. We need a government that cares about the impacts of climate change on its population.

In the case of future flash flooding situations, check out FloodNetNYC which provides real-time flood monitoring.

Read more about this situation in this New York Times article.

FEMA Denies Grants For Disaster Relief

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) publicized grant notices that set new eligibility requirements for cities and states that need funding after weather disasters and related incidents. Of course this news comes as we are entering hurricane season. 

The Department of Homeland Security, which is the parent agency of FEMA, prohibits cities and states that receive grants from “limiting commercial relations specifically with Israeli companies.” Trump is essentially equating the eligibility of funding to the supporting of Israeli businesses. It’s another way of saying that if anyone disagrees with him or his policies, they won’t receive federal funding. Sounds sickeningly authoritarian to me.

This could prevent states like California from getting wildfire disaster relief funding due to a city council vote to divest from companies doing business in Israel. This may become a problem for other states like New York that have low approval rates of Trump and his policies.