Data Needs in a Changing Climate: Highlights from the 116th Congress

As the climate changes, scientists and policymakers continually require up-to-date data to understand Earth processes and inform decision-making. Throughout the 116^th Congress, Members have heard from a range of experts in an effort to direct agencies to collect more data on key topics such as geophysical and hydrologic conditions, extreme weather forecasting, planetary-scale observations, and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in responding to climate impacts. On-going collection of a variety of data is critical to help federal agencies and communities understand how systems change and adapt to climate impacts.

Geophysical and Elevation Data

The 3-Dimensional Elevation Program (3DEP), run by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), began in 2016 and aims to obtain Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data for all of the nation’s natural and constructed features. LiDAR is similar to radar, but uses light instead of radio waves to measures distances. It can produce highly accurate three-dimensional representations of terrain and buildings. The USGS has identified 600 applications of 3DEP data, ranging from water resource management to emergency response. According to Michael Grimm, Assistant Administrator for Risk Management at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), one key use of 3DEP data is generating flood maps that communities use to manage flood risks. Flood maps have saved $100 billion in avoided losses over the past 40 years, but new technology (such as LiDAR) and a changing climate require new data to be collected to modernize maps. In a hearing before the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on flood mapping, Ryan Branfort of Wilson & Company, Inc. Engineers & Architects testified that 67 percent of the nation has been mapped so far. He stated that the program must continue to be funded so that the country can be fully mapped and outdated maps can be updated to reflect changing conditions.

Hydrologic Data

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) collects and publicizes a variety of data on the nation’s water resources and associated hazards. According to Grimm, bathymetry data (measurements of the depths of water bodies) from 3DEP and hydrologic modeling from NOAA are useful in predicting and preparing for floods. NOAA Senior Advisor for Coastal Inundation and Resilience, Mark Osler, explained NOAA’s Digital Coast resource, which is a data repository that communities can use to assess their flood risks. The Digital Coast repository includes data visualization tools such as the Coastal Flood Exposure Mapper and the Sea Level Rise Viewer.

Extreme Weather Forecasting

Advances in data modeling, and computing have improved the National Weather Service’s (NWS) ability to forecast and monitor extreme weather. Many of these improvements were driven by the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017, which established a publicly-accessible community weather model called the Earth Prediction Innovation Center (EPIC). In the hearing Weathering the Storm: Improving Hurricane Resiliency Through Research, NWS Director Dr. Louis Uccellini testified on the need for additional EPIC funding and the importance of aircraft reconnaissance data collected during cyclones. Dr. Adam Sobel of Columbia University listed other data collection needs in the hearing Understanding, Forecasting, and Communicating Extreme Weather in a Changing Climate. He testified that a constant observational network and continuous data collection is crucial so that climate models can continually improve by incorporating new data points.

Planetary-Scale Observations

Satellite programs run by NASA and NOAA produce data with high spatial resolution, global coverage, uniform accuracy, and regular sampling collected over decades. According to testimony from Dr. Michael Freilich, Director of NASA’s Earth Science Division, the observations from satellite programs such as Landsat provide critical data for understanding Earth systems and improving resource management and decision-making. Dr. Neil Jacobs of NOAA testified on the role of data collected by weather balloons, aircraft, radar, and polar-orbiting satellites in monitoring sea surface temperature, cryosphere changes, desertification, atmosphere composition, and vegetation changes. This data has been used to both understand and respond to climate change by informing the Fourth National Climate Assessment and has played a key role in the NWS’s hurricane monitoring, modeling, and forecasting.

Artificial Intelligence

In the hearing Weathering the Storm: Improving Hurricane Resilience Through Research, Emily Grover-Kopec of One Concern, Inc., detailed the potential for climate data and new AI technology to improve disaster prediction, emergency preparation, response, and recovery, and the creation of more resilient communities and systems. AI technology uses algorithms, which incorporate data and concepts from engineering, hydrology, fluid mechanics, and seismic and atmospheric science, to provide thorough analyses of potential climate or natural disaster scenarios. Many AI programs are also able to incorporate real-time data into models, which can improve responses to flood events by predicting how forecasted weather will impact water flows. For the potential of AI to be fully realized, large amounts of data must be continually collected and communities and agencies must have access to powerful computers and advanced technology. The 116th Congress has shown interest in developing AI technology. The Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act (S.1558) and the Growing Artificial Intelligence Through Research Act (H.R.2202) would establish a National AI Initiative to invest in AI research and development through the Office of Science and Technology Policy, National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Science Foundation, and Department of Energy.

Climate data is crucial to decision-making at all levels and in all sectors. To learn more about the latest in how using data informs climate adaptation, check out EESI’s climate adaptation data week.

Author: Abby Neal