EU Moves to End Reliance on US Scientific Data

European governments are taking steps to reduce their reliance on scientific data historically provided by the United States. They are bolstering their own data collection systems to monitor climate change and extreme weather events.

This effort marks a response to the U.S. government's retreat from scientific research, including budget cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other agencies.

European officials have expressed concerns about access to meteorological and climate data, crucial for planning for extreme weather events and infrastructure investments.

More than a dozen European countries have called on the European Commission to recruit American scientists who are losing their jobs.

The EU plans to expand its European Marine Observation and Data Network, aiming to replace U.S.-based services. Concerns also exist regarding NOAA funding cuts, which would impact the Global Ocean Observing System.

The insurance industry relies on the Global Ocean Observing System's disaster records for risk modeling.