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

The document outlines the critical role of up-to-date data in understanding Earth processes and managing climate risks. It highlights the use of LiDAR for flood mapping via the 3-Dimensional Elevation Program, the importance of NOAA's hydrologic and coastal data, and the role of the Earth Prediction Innovation Center in extreme weather forecasting. It also emphasizes the value of NASA and NOAA's planetary-scale satellite observations and the potential for artificial intelligence to enhance disaster prediction and community resilience through the proposed National AI Initiative.

• The 3-Dimensional Elevation Program (3DEP), managed by the USGS, uses LiDAR to create accurate 3D terrain representations, which FEMA utilizes for flood maps that have helped avoid $100 billion in losses over 40 years; however, only 67 percent of the United States has been mapped to date.
• NOAA provides critical hydrologic data and tools, such as the Digital Coast repository, the Coastal Flood Exposure Mapper, and the Sea Level Rise Viewer, to help communities assess and prepare for flood risks.
• Extreme weather forecasting has been improved by the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017, which created the Earth Prediction Innovation Center (EPIC), though experts emphasize the need for continued funding and constant observational networks to refine climate models.
• Satellite programs from NASA and NOAA, including Landsat, provide global, high-resolution data essential for monitoring the cryosphere, sea surface temperature, and atmosphere composition, which informed the Fourth National Climate Assessment.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) can improve disaster prediction and recovery by integrating real-time data with engineering and atmospheric science; the 116th Congress considered the Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act (S.1558) and the Growing Artificial Intelligence Through Research Act (H.R.2202) to establish a National AI Initiative.

APA

Neal, A. (2020). Data Needs in a Changing Climate: Highlights from the 116th Congress. Environmental and Energy Study Institute. https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/data-needs-in-a-changing-climate-highlights-from-the-116th-congress

Chicago

Neal, Abby. Data Needs in a Changing Climate: Highlights from the 116th Congress. Environmental and Energy Study Institute, 2020. https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/data-needs-in-a-changing-climate-highlights-from-the-116th-congress.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Neal |first1=Abby |title=Data Needs in a Changing Climate: Highlights from the 116th Congress |publisher=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |date=13 April 2020 |url=https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/data-needs-in-a-changing-climate-highlights-from-the-116th-congress |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{neal2020data, author = {Neal, Abby}, title = {{Data Needs in a Changing Climate: Highlights from the 116th Congress}}, institution = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, year = {2020}, month = apr, url = {https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/data-needs-in-a-changing-climate-highlights-from-the-116th-congress}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }