To have a healthy ocean, we need a healthy NOAA. We must stand up against the unprecedented approach by the Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE, that has laid the groundwork this week to begin dismantling NOAA which, ultimately, risks the health, safety, and economies of the American people.

Since The Marine Mammal Center’s founding 50 years ago, NOAA has been a critical partner in our work to advance ocean health. NOAA protects marine life, monitors climate change, and safeguards all communities – coastal and inland – as every community is directly impacted by the health of our ocean. Every day, the American people rely on NOAA services and data for accurate weather forecasts, tide charts, emergency storm alerts, and more. As we have seen in recent weeks, access to accurate, real-time weather data is lifesaving.

At The Marine Mammal Center, we have personally seen the remarkable value NOAA delivers to American taxpayers. Dismantling it is an incredibly dangerous decision and will cost the American people dearly in the future by deprioritizing our most essential resource – our ocean.

The ocean has always sustained us, and now we must safeguard its protectors and advocates. Congress has the power to stop this, but only if the American people demand action. Please, reach out to your congressmember and let them know how vital NOAA’s work is to you and all the American people.

Not sure who to reach out to or what to say? You can find your representative and their contact information at https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative and use or adapt this script:

I’m reaching out today as your constituent to urge you to do everything in your power to protect NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This vital agency provides critical services to the American people, such as accurate weather forecasts, emergency alerts, fisheries management, marine mammal conservation and management, and more. Failure to protect NOAA is a failure to protect the American people.