Scientists warn that the consequences of neglecting Earth-observing satellites could have more than academic consequences. It is possible that when a big volcano starts rumbling in the Pacific Northwest, a swarm of tornadoes sweeps through Oklahoma or a massive hurricane bears down on New Orleans, the people in harm's way -- and those responsible for their safety -- will have a lot less information than they'd like about the impending threat.
"We may be losing something here, something that is good for all of us," said Francisco P.J. Valero, an atmospheric scientist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Environment-monitoring funding cuts
Stygius points us to an AP report on funding cuts for environment-monitoring satellites. Scientists often complain about budget cuts. I don't have much sympathy, coming as I do from philosophy where we simply ask, "what is a budget?" But doesn't this sound especially stupid given, you know, the recent spate of big hurricanes and stuff?
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I suspect they've all been repurposed so that we can drive a virtual car thought a virtual street in a virtual Seattle.
And didn't Dr. Valero say a mouthful?
"We may be losing something here, something that is good for all of us," said Francisco P.J. Valero, an atmospheric scientist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego." Hey, Frank! Be careful out on that limb, buddy!
No matter how hard I try, I can't crash that car into Puget Sound.
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