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This might look like another layer of #SharpieGate, but NOAA leadership trading scientific integrity for political appeasement is a much bigger deal and one that threatens the safety of the nation.
Employees of @NWS work around the clock, in every corner of the country, to keep the nation safe from hurricanes, tornadoes, heatwaves, and floodwaters. Communication with the public is a crucial part of that work.
@NWS @NWSBirmingham meteorologists were doing this vital job when @NOAA leaders betrayed them. Adding to the disappointment, this is the same Birmingham office that won national awards for their tireless work to save lives during the historic 2011 tornado outbreak.
@NWS @NWSBirmingham @NOAA The @NWS has worked for decades to build public trust in its forecasts to ensure people take weather threats seriously. NOAA leadership just broke down that trust in one shameful statement.
@NWS @NWSBirmingham @NOAA This move was more disappointing given how far NOAA has come on scientific integrity. After censoring and interference of NOAA scientists under Bush II, NOAA became the gold standard in scientific integrity: A stellar policy, strong leadership, and lots of scientific freedom.
@NWS @NWSBirmingham @NOAA Importantly, NOAA's leadership showed that scientists could be trusted to talk directly to the public and the media--freedoms not granted at other federal science agencies. That's why this statement from leadership is a slap in the face.
@NWS @NWSBirmingham @NOAA Even under the Trump administration, where we've seen unprecedented attacks on science, NOAA has been relatively insulated, continuing to do its important work free from political interference. Its leaders seemed to be carrying the torch on scientific integrity. Until yesterday.
@NWS @NWSBirmingham @NOAA One sad outcome of moves like this is the culture of fear it creates. How can government scientists speak up (even when the science is politically inconvenient), if they don't trust that their leaders will support them?
@NWS @NWSBirmingham @NOAA NOAA employees and the public deserve better than leadership that doesn't have the moral courage to defend its scientific work. All these thoughts and links in my new post: blog.ucsusa.org/gretchen-goldm…
Unbelievable. Now it gets even more damning for NOAA leadership: Rather than do their jobs of communicating weather risks, @NWS employees were told not to contradict the president's tweets. beta.washingtonpost.com/politics/noaa-…
