The Risks of Contracting the Acquisition and Processing of the Nation’s Weather and Climate Data to the Private Sector

Abstract

We are deeply concerned with the trend toward the purchase of commercial weather and climate data by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other government agencies that may follow. One major concern is for the stability of both the raw and processed forms of these datasets as commercial enterprises come and go. Also of concern is the loss of free, publicly available data, which provide the backbone for much of the non-profit research at universities, government laboratories, and other nonprofit organizations. Related to this latter point is the questionable practice of private companies gaining the rights over data collected by instruments paid for by United States taxpayers. This letter highlights recent events that prompted our concerns and provides arguments in favor of maintaining an open and free data policy, which has established the United States as the global leader in supporting weather and climate operations, applications, basic research, and education.