Skip to primary navigation Skip to content
January 17, 2024

Committee Leaders React to NASA & NOAA Annual Climate Report, Call for Advanced Support for Climate Solutions

(WASHINGTON, DC)— Last week, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released their annual assessments of global temperatures and climate trends for 2023. The reports confirm that 2023 was the warmest year on record.

Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Subcommittee on Environment Ranking Member Deborah Ross (D-NC), and Subcommittee on Space & Aeronautics Ranking Member Eric Sorensen (D-IL) made the following statement:

“Americans in every corner of the nation faced a devastating year of extreme climate events in 2023. Unfortunately, the climate reports released by NOAA and NASA today are as alarming as we expected. Each year, the climate crisis claims lives and costs the country billions of dollars. Climate change is the greatest threat we face, and we must address it using every tool at our disposal.

“As leaders of the Science Committee, building climate solutions is at the forefront of what we work on every day, from advancing fusion energy science and monitoring methane emissions to expanding our climate and weather forecasting capabilities. NASA and NOAA’s reports are a great example of how government collaboration and coordination can strengthen our knowledge and understanding of climate change so we can better address it. Our premiere federal science agencies take on a broad range of cutting-edge climate research, development, modeling, and more. These efforts require strong support from policymakers, especially as we look to pass the Weather Reauthorization Act which helps us better prepare for climate emergencies.  We remain committed to ensuring our agencies are well-equipped as they build climate solutions that will save lives and sustain our planet.”