Re: “Disasters? What disasters? End to weather-loss tallies worries insurers” (May 13, Nation & World):
This article reported that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will no longer maintain its database of climate and weather disasters that caused at least $1 billion in damages due to “evolving priorities, statutory mandates, and staffing changes.”
Unfortunately, the loss of this widely used data source will leave citizens unable to track and measure climate and weather disasters, leaving it to insurance companies and others who have the resources to create their own data system. The loss of NOAA’s accurate and generally accepted data will impact all of us.
The data vacuum could be used by climate deniers as another tool to downplay reality. That’s not good for people who must pay for insurance. It’s not good for any of us.
Susan Oatis, Seattle
