Last year, AMS sent out multiple calls to action asking you to reach out to your Congressional delegation and show your support for weather, water, and climate science and services in our communities, states, and country. A huge thank you to everyone who wrote an email, placed a phone call, or visited with our public officials. The great news is that Congress did not enact the large 2026 budget reductions proposed for federal science agencies!
The bad news is that the administration’s 2027 budget request once more outlines very large funding cuts to federal science agencies. AMS again encourages every member to reach out to Congress and share your thoughts regarding federal funding for the weather enterprise that helps grow our economy. You can find resources to help you on the AMS website.
The past year has reminded us that outreach to Congress and the public is essential and needs to become a routine part of our daily lives. The current geopolitical situation places additional demands on the federal budget, and the benefits of the weather enterprise in terms of protecting lives and property, as well as bolstering economic development, could easily be overlooked. We also know that threats arising from federal agency staff reductions, slow approvals of federal spending plans, the proposed dismantling of the National Science Foundation’s National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR), firing of the members of the National Science Board, and other administrative actions continue; we are living in a time when public outreach is vital to the long-term health of the weather, water, and climate enterprise and our members. AMS and other science societies have shown that our voices matter and are heard. Communication with our elected representatives continues to be critical.
Use your voice!
Whichever sector you work in, or plan to have a career in, you are a valued and integral part of the weather, water, and climate enterprise, and you should be proud of all that we have accomplished. The work we do is a vital part of our nation’s infrastructure and contributes to its security and prosperity. Help us to tell our story!
- Contact your Congressional Representative.
- Contact your Senator.
