Budget Agreement Only First Step in Restoring Support for Science Funding

American Geophysical Union Urges Appropriators to Act Quickly

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following statement is attributable to Christine McEntee, executive director/CEO of the American Geophysical Union (AGU):

"On behalf of the American Geophysical Union's more than 62,000 members, we are pleased that Congress has passed a compromise budget that has a chance of providing much needed stability for science funding in the next few years. However, appropriators must now follow up by ensuring that critical Earth and space science programs get the financial support they need. 

"Federal science spending has plummeted by 16% over the last three years (FY10-13), the largest decrease in decades. And this past year alone, funding was cut by 9.6 billion, a 7% decrease over the previous year. We are now at the lowest level of science investment in more than a decade.

"These cuts threaten our nation's capacity for scientific innovation and undermine our access to data and information critical to addressing some of the world's greatest challenges. Many Earth and space programs hang in the balance, including climate change research and solutions, monitoring and addressing natural hazards and disasters, NASA research efforts—including the MARS project—and science education, among numerous others.

"Every day, these programs help to save lives, create jobs, support economic competitiveness, and promote national security for millions of Americans and businesses across the country and around the world.  We must begin to repair the damage done to scientific research and development by years of under-funding and sequestration. Congress must take action now to fund Earth and space science programs."

The American Geophysical Union is dedicated to advancing the Earth and space sciences for the benefit of humanity through its scholarly publications, conferences, and outreach programs. AGU is a not-for-profit, professional, scientific organization representing more than 62,000 members in 144 countries. Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and our other social media channels.

SOURCE American Geophysical Union