By Rev. Dr. Becca Edwards
Since the Trump Administration took office in January, we have heard many troubling announcements about changes made to the federal workforce. As United Methodists who feel called to work for a healthy environment and safe climate, perhaps the most troubling news has been the reduction of workforce and suspension of funding for research at two government agencies: the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The EPA oversees regulations, enforcement of the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act, enforcement against industrial pollution of land and waterways. It also regulates and monitors atmospheric carbon dioxide as a pollutant, thanks to the Endangerment Clause. The EPA’s job is to ensure a safe environment. Many of the proposed cuts to that agency would come from the Office of Research and Development, which ensures scientific accuracy for agency work. More information about proposed changes at EPA is available here.
NOAA is the agency responsible for our weather forecasts, severe and hazardous weather warnings for things like tornadoes and hurricanes; and maintaining our weather observation infrastructure, which includes satellites, ground monitoring systems, and weather balloon launches that give us valuable data that makes forecasts more accurate. Private weather companies and weather apps rely on this NOAA infrastructure for their forecasts. NOAA also has a research arm, which helps us better understand the atmosphere for the purpose of keeping the public safe and informed. The services NOAA provides cannot be provided efficiently by the private sector.
NOAA also serves important economic functions for the U.S. government: monitoring and regulating our fisheries, providing forecasts and other products to mariners and shipping companies, and more. NOAA is a global leader in climate change research and understanding. Their work is critical to the future prosperity of the United States.
Consequences of Proposed Changes to NOAA and EPA
- Gutting the NOAA Storm Prediction Center: changes include firing scientists and canceling lease of the building. (The NOAA SPC issues warnings, forecast discussions, and other products that keep the public safe from severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.)
- Reducing NOAA workforce and budget: 20% reduction in workforce and 30% reduction in budget at NOAA
- Dismantling climate-related research and policy agencies
- Firing of 1,155 scientists
- Depleting the Office of Research and Development, which could lose 50–75 percent of the workers who detect pollutants, evaluate toxic risks, and develop technology to remove environmental contaminants
- Eliminating programs dedicated to Environmental Justice, an effort that has been developed and invested in for decades
In the United Methodist Social Principles, the “Community of All Creation” section begins with the words of John Wesley:
“…God is in all things, and that we are to see the Creator in the glass of every creature, that we should look upon nothing as separate from God… who pervades and actuates the whole created frame, and is, in a true sense, the soul of the universe.”
Care for the environment, including the ways that care ensures a safe and healthy living environment for our neighbors, is a fundamental expression of United Methodism. Cynthia Astle writes more about the connection between our Social Principles and the recent changes at the EPA in United Methodist Insight.
It was announced this week that some fired federal employees at NOAA have been brought back on after a court order. But their long-term employment depends on the outcome of ongoing litigation. Now is the best time for people of faith and conscience to let your elected officials know that you value the life-saving work done by the EPA and NOAA.
We suggest making four phone calls:
- The office of Lee Zeldin, EPA Administrator
- The office of Vice Admiral Nancy Hamm, Deputy Under Secretary for Operations
- The Representative from your district
- The Senators from your state
You can find phone numbers for members of Congress by simply putting their names into your web browser. Their websites will list contact numbers. It is okay to call either their national offices or their district/state offices. Many House District maps were redrawn after the 2020 census. You can find who your House Member is by zip code at this link.
Rev. Dr. Becca Edwards (she/her)
Climate Action Fellow
Texas Impact
United Methodist General Board of Church and Society