By Peter Gately

Guest Column

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a foundational component in the U.S.’s approach to climate science, local and worldwide meteorological monitoring and forecasting, and assessing and regulating essential U.S. biological marine resources.

Project 2025 proposes dismantling NOAA.

Thomas F. Gilman, chief financial officer in the Department of Commerce under the Trump administration, wants to break up NOAA “from a colossal operation that has become one of the main drivers of the climate change alarm industry and as such is harmful to future U.S. prosperity.” He proposes changing some agencies from federal to state-run, moving some into the private sector due to his view they are not profitable, and completely halting others. 

Project 2025’s approach to climate change science and science in general promotes short term, often economically-driven, and simplistic solutions to complex issues. Tying the lack of future economic prosperity to the “climate change alarm industry” is a great example. The authors conveniently ignore the other side of the cost/benefit analysis. The cost of dismantling the current standard of excellence in the National Weather Service creates negative short- and long-term economic impacts associated with an absence of scientific monitoring and timely forecasting, at a time when damage from more intense/extreme weather events is accelerating.

Here in Maine, we are fortunate to have one of the most sustainably managed marine resources in the world. State and federal agencies work together within an institution that is an integral part of our economy, however, it is well documented that the Gulf of Maine is exhibiting alarming rates of warming. All one has to do is to look to southern New England states to see how quickly their lobster industries have collapsed in the face of warming sea temperatures. Imagine losing critical support for Maine fisheries through reduced monitoring of factors that have led to collapse in southern New England waters.

So, if you think that Maine will not be impacted by the dramatic alterations proposed to NOAA by those that support dismantling it, think again.

Peter Gately is a resident of Bridgton.