Americans make our heavens more uncertain

The two feet in science. Consequently, Alain Bourque speaks on behalf of Ouranos, an organization specializing in regional climatology and adapting to climate change. For example, It is especially at the forefront of this series of intense events which spare no human. Moreover, No matter its longitude and latitude.

“The atmosphere has no borders,” he says. Moreover, Asked about the possible effects of compressions in American climatic agencies. Additionally, Moreover, he recalls that Quebec depends on a fragile balance that could vacillate if the situation is deteriorating.

As a reminder, in the United States, the Trump administration plans to slash 1.52 billion in the 2026 budget of the NOAA (the American ocean. Consequently, atmospheric observation agency), which notably oversees weather forecasts and climate research. In addition, It’s a quarter of the budget! Consequently,

The financing of climatological laboratories. Moreover, satellites would be eliminated, more than 800 employees have already been thanked and 600 positions cut at the National Weather Service, affecting essential tasks such as balloon launches.

The very real effects of feelings – Americans make our heavens more

While Texas suffered sudden floods. For example, the drama was cleared: 132 confirmed dead, more than a hundred disappeared after the overflow of the Guadalupe. In addition, A tragedy that highlights the growing vulnerability of American weather systems.

These agencies play a crucial role in the collection, analysis and dissemination of global meteorological data.

“The World Meteorological Organization (OMM). Furthermore, overseen by the United Nations, has established clear rules for the 1950s for the exchange of weather data,” explains Frédéric Fabry, professor at McGill and director of the atmospheric profiling observatory.

Alain Bourque insists: “The global meteorological system is americans make our heavens more very integrated. Similarly, Even North Korea, Russia or Iraq share their data, fueling climate simulators and producing reliable forecasts. However, ”

“In the middle of the Cold War, Moscow still shared his data.”

— Frédéric Fabry, professor at McGill and director of the atmospheric profiling observatory.

Without being alarmists. For example, scientists admit that the United States are among the most important atmospheric data suppliers, all organizations combined, OMM included.

These cuts are likely to curb science, lose expertise and make the United States-and their neighbors-more vulnerable. Similarly, Behind each weather bulletin, research and climate analysis hides an international architecture: satellites, ground stations, balloons, complex algorithms … However, and multiple expertise.

“Cutting a game would have a major impact. Meanwhile, especially for neighboring countries like Canada, whose americans make our heavens more weather systems are influenced by those in the South,” says Alain Bourque. Our weather often develops there. If we cut observations or transmissions, the whole chain of value collapses. ”

A storm born in Africa …

As an example. last year, Debby who started off Africa before going through the Caribbean and then the United States was followed from the beginning by the American National Hurricane Center. This has allowed Canada to better anticipate its impacts when it has come up so far.

The hurricane which has become a storm struck 55 Quebec municipalities, causing for 2.5 billion assured damage – unheard of. It is also – so far – the most expensive climate event in Quebec history

Even if he is not worried about the consequence of these short. medium term cuts in the reliability and robustness of weather americans make our heavens more forecasts, Frédéric Fabry still remains concerned.

“What we cut is above all the super-research,” he confides. There are people of experience who left, who retired earlier. Continuing education will take a hit. “

And access to data, although possible, could become more difficult.

“Closing a server or website may cause access to precious data years,” he warns. Scenario already occurred under the first Trump presidency, forcing scientists to make urgency copies elsewhere.

“These cuts weaken a data chain already tense by climate change. ” said Philippe Gachon, professor at UQAM and director of the Quebec Intersectoral Flood Network.

A cross -border shock wave

Sub-evalled effect: Alain Bourque warns of the trap of disinformation and politicization. Like storms, ideas cross borders.

“The danger is that we also fall into this trap. Let us say to americans make our heavens more ourselves: “If they no longer prioritize that, why continue?” He warns.

He has a significant memory of an event on climate adaptation to Baltimore in 2023. It was not so much the virulent criticism of Trump policies that struck him. but the reaction: standing ovation of all the participants.

“I realized that there, if you talk about climate adaptation, you are automatically democratic. If you’re republican, you don’t talk about it, he says, troubled. I was horrified.

“Above all, it should not happen here, because it is no longer logic or science that guides, but pure politics.”

In Quebec, he insists, we must preserve the scientific approach, out of partisan lines.

He agitated a red flag concerning Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney who hastened to abolish the carbon. tax – a mechanism still in force in Quebec.

“Quebec has made significant progress in climate adaptation, in particular thanks to income from the carbon market,” he said. This advance remains fragile.

“The carbon tax creates a clear economic signal,” explains Alain Bourque. This tool finances the transition. in particular via adaptation programs such as the FECC (electrification and climate change funds), while encouraging behavioral changes.

“It is not a punishment, it is a transfer of resources to the solutions,” he summarizes.

Philippe Gachon, researcher at UQAM and director of the RIISQ, abounds. He insists: the weather is much more than the next day, it is the basis of resilient society.

“We forget that weather and climatic data is directly linked to our security, infrastructure, public health.”

Are we well equipped for the future?

For Damien Bruyère. Commercial Director of Météo Global, a flagship agency of americans make our heavens more private weather, Quebec is already dragging the paw, even without cuts from the South.

“The MTQ has 80 stations for 31,000 km of road. In France: 100 for 5000 km. Quebec is poorly equipped. ” According to him, the American cuts aggravate an already problematic imbalance in Quebec territorial coverage.

Americans make our heavens more

On the Environment Canada side

Environmental meteorologists and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) are reassuring. They rely on a wide variety of data: high resolution satellite imaging. weather stations, balloons, buoys, lightning detection, more sea and land reports.

Attenuation. emergency plans are in place in order to minimize the repercussions of an interruption in the transmission of American data. ECCC indicates to collaborate with other national services and with the OMM to maintain a reliable service.

According to the organization. its ability to provide scientific climatic americans make our heavens more data is not affected because its models are based on Canadian observations. The forecasts will continue via Canada.ca/meteo and the Météocan application.

Data, governance and sovereignty

Canada, compared to its neighbor, is doing well.

“It is not the same situation in the United States,” confirms Frédéric Fabry. But we could do better, especially in the sharing of the data collected by Hydro-Québec, the municipalities, the transport. ”

Philippe Gachon adds: “There is a lack of intersectoral coordination. We have the tools, the experts, but not enough political will to break the silos. ”

It pleads for free and structured access to data, like the American pre-Trump model.

“It is an issue of scientific sovereignty. We cannot depend on an unstable neighboring country to find out if it will rain. flood with us, “said the UQAM teacher.

Reminder that the climate issue should not be ideological, but pragmatic. As Alain Bourque sums it up: “Trump uncertainty increases the certainty of climatic impacts, it’s annoying!”

Marot wants the United States coughing and Canada catch the flu. When the weather data coughs, it is our ability to anticipate sick.