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The Socioeconomic Benefits of Earth Science and Applications Research: Reducing the Risks and Costs of Natural Disasters in the United States

The federal investment in Earth science research from space, funded primarily through the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has led to an improved understanding of the critical forcing functions behind changes in weather and climate. Earth science research has also resulted in a deeper understanding of the basic characteristics and observable phenomena of earthquakes and volcanic activity, as well as provided insights into the long term effects of worldwide changes in land cover and land use. Based on these results, scientists can reasonably expect that further investment in Earth science satellite data, modeling, and algorithm development will, among other things, vastly improve the ability to predict future weather and climate trends, and the onset of destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity. Such research will also contribute to the development of methods that enable more informed community and personal decisions regarding land use and other mitigative or preventative actions. Changes in our environment can have profound effects on our lives. Severe storms and earthquakes often lead to sudden, extensive losses of property, business disruptions, and even loss of life. More gradual changes of weather and climate, such as drought and desertification, can be just as destructive over longer periods. The interannual cycles of El Niño and La Niña also lead to extremes of drought and precipitation (flooding) that stress communities and significantly affect their economic activities. Earthquakes and volcanic activity also exact major human and economic costs. Changes in the patterns of where we live and the way we live also have a profound effect on the environment and on the magnitude of losses from natural climatological events. The dramatic increase in population density in coastal areas puts more lives and higher value property in the path of hurricanes. The growth of the industrial society has increased the introduction of potentially harmful chemicals into the atmosphere with possible effects on global temperature and storm patterns. Within the United States and its territories alone, between 1980 and 2001, major weather and climate disasters created losses of more than $248 Billion (1998 dollars) and led to the loss of some 690 human lives. 1 In that same period, earthquakes and volcanoes cost the United States an additional $41 billion and 193 lives. Natural disasters in other parts of the world have been even more destructive to human life and national economies. For example, in 1999, …