"Will strengthen baseline climate observations and climate data records to ensure that there are long-term and accurate climate records. He will not use climate change research data for political objectives."
During the 2008 presidential campaign, Barack Obama promised to "strengthen baseline climate observations and climate data records to ensure that there are long-term and accurate climate records. He will not use climate change research data for political objectives."
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration launched a Satellite Climate Data Record Program in 2009, using funds from the stimulus bill.
"The mission of NOAA's Climate Data Record Program is to develop and implement a robust, sustainable and scientifically defensible approach to producing and preserving climate records from satellite data," according to the office"s website. The data incorporates information compiled by NOAA for more than 30 years.
"These data comprise the longest record of global satellite mapping measurements in the world, and are complemented by data from other sources including NASA and Department of Defense satellites as well as foreign satellites," the office says.
Under the program, a total of 18 grants have been awarded to private industry, universities and government agencies.
Among the information being collected and organized is the fraction of sunlight bouncing off Earth and back into space; energy emitted from clouds, oceans or land; energy emitted from atmospheric water vapor; particulates in the atmosphere; temperatures at various atmospheric layers; ocean surface temperatures; and the extent of sea ice at the poles.
The government has also worked with the World Meteorological Organization and the Committee on Earth Observing Satellites to collaborate on climate data records internationally.
We rate this a Promise Kept.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Climate Data Record Program website, accessed Mar. 12, 2012
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration received $830 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and the agency plans to use $170 million of that to improve climate research.
NOAA said the money would go to two high-performance computing systems in separate locations to improve the accuracy of seasonal climate and global climate change assessments. The two sites will be selected by a competitive process and create jobs in manufacturing, construction and software engineering, the agency said.
"These proposed funds will put thousands of Americans to work while restoring our coasts and combating climate change,” Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said.
President Barack Obama said he would improve climate change data records. Stimulus money is being spent on that goal. We rate this In the Works.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA Submits Proposed Recovery Plan to Congress to Help Create Jobs, Improve Coastal Communities and Protect Habitat , April 7, 2009