On 18 July, AGU sent a letter to the office of Representative Haley Stevens endorsing H.R.4082, the Severe Turbulence Research and Development Act. 

On behalf of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and our global community of more than half a million Earth and space scientists and allies, I am writing to thank you for introducing H.R.4082, the Severe Turbulence Research and Development Act and to offer AGU’s support for this important bill.

We applaud the bill’s aim of addressing through comprehensive data collection and research support the growing safety risks posed by severe turbulence. Scientific evidence shows not only that severe turbulence occurrences are increasing but now ties this increase to rising global temperatures. Further research into the effects of climate change on air turbulence will be critical to improving prediction capabilities and informing mitigation efforts to safeguard travelers and crew.

As an organization dedicated to ensuring that science is not only useable but used, we appreciate your leadership in ensuring that air turbulence research translates into the protection of lives and property. AGU looks forward to working with you on this critical issue in the future.