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• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has stopped tracking the costs of extreme weather disasters fueled by climate change.
• This decision is part of broader changes under the President Trump administration to limit federal resources on climate change.
• The move affects data on floods, heat waves, wildfires, and other climate-related disasters.

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

NOAA’s decision to cease tracking the costs of climate change-fueled weather disasters marks a significant shift in how the U.S. approaches climate data. This change is aligned with the President Trump administration’s broader efforts to reduce federal involvement in climate change initiatives.

Core Players

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – Primary agency for climate and weather data.
• President Trump Administration – Current federal administration influencing climate policy.
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Agency also impacted by climate policy changes.

Key Numbers

• $2.660 trillion – Cumulative cost of weather and climate disasters from 1980 to 2023[2).
• 28 – Number of billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in 2023, a record year[2).
• 23 – Average number of billion-dollar climate and weather disasters per year from 2020 to 2024[3).
• $92.9 billion – Total cost of weather and climate disasters in 2023[2).

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

The decision to stop tracking these costs is part of a broader trend under the President Trump administration to downplay the impact of climate change. This move follows other changes, such as reduced funding for climate research and the rollback of climate-related regulations.

This shift has significant implications for how the U.S. prepares for and responds to extreme weather events.

Inside Forces

NOAA’s role in tracking climate data has been crucial for understanding the economic and social impacts of weather disasters. The cessation of this tracking will likely affect policy decisions and disaster preparedness efforts.

Internal dynamics within the agency and the administration suggest a strategic alignment to minimize the emphasis on climate change.

Power Dynamics

The relationship between NOAA and the President Trump administration has been contentious, particularly regarding climate policy. The administration’s influence over NOAA’s activities reflects a broader power dynamic where federal agencies are directed to align with the administration’s priorities.

This alignment has led to concerns among scientists and environmental groups about the integrity of climate data and research.

Outside Impact

The decision has broader implications for national and global climate efforts. It may hinder international cooperation on climate issues and undermine trust in U.S. climate data.

Environmental groups and some lawmakers have expressed strong opposition, arguing that this move will exacerbate the country’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters.

Future Forces

Looking ahead, the absence of detailed cost tracking for climate-related disasters could lead to inadequate preparedness and response strategies. This could result in higher costs and greater human impact from future disasters.

There is also a potential for increased scrutiny from Congress and the public, which could lead to legislative actions to reinstate or enhance climate data tracking.

Data Points

• 1980-2023: Period during which NOAA tracked billion-dollar weather and climate disasters, totaling 376 events[2).
• 2023: A record year with 28 billion-dollar weather and climate disasters[2).
• $150 billion: Estimated annual U.S. spending on climate-related disaster relief[3).
• 23.1: Average number of billion-dollar climate and weather disasters per year in the 2010s[3).