What's lost when we lose critical data?

Federal Funding and Public Media's Future

The potential elimination of federal funding poses a significant threat to local public radio stations, which heavily rely on these funds to operate and provide essential services such as broadcasting critical market news. Without this financial support, the availability of crucial information regarding the economy and disasters may diminish, impacting public awareness and response to events like hurricanes and floods. This loss is intensified by the government's decision to discontinue tracking the financial costs associated with major disasters, complicating the understanding of climate-related impacts and financial implications over time. Experts contend that the absence of reliable data undermines efforts to address climate change and its economic consequences, as it obscures the historical context of disaster expenditures.