More floods, storms, and droughts are a-comin’, and the U.S. lacks funding to predict and prepare for ’em, say eight scientific organizations. The groups, including the American Geophysical Union and American Meteorological Society, made a plea Wednesday for Congress and the next U.S. president to double the current budget for climate research and forecasting between 2010 and 2014. “With more than a quarter of the U.S. gross national product sensitive to weather and climate events, these events substantially impact our national health, safety, economy, environment, transportation systems, and military readiness,” says the document. “All 50 states are impacted by these events, and many of these events will be exacerbated by climate change.” The organizations say $9 billion is needed to improve five areas: observation, computing power, research, educational and communication programs, and leadership, evaluation, and management. The U.S. needs better leadership? You don’t say.
