In an era of rapid environmental change, few organizations are as critical yet as overlooked as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Tasked with everything from weather forecasting to marine conservation, NOAA touches nearly every aspect of our daily lives—whether we realize it or not. But as political tides turn and federal budgets tighten, NOAA’s future hangs in the balance.
Until recently, Lori Arguelles, former director of strategic communications and partnerships for NOAA, had a front-row seat for the agency’s evolution over the past three decades. Having served under both the Clinton and Biden administrations, she navigated shifting political landscapes while championing NOAA’s mission. Now, as the agency faces unprecedented funding cuts and structural changes, Lori reflects on NOAA’s indispensable role and the challenges that lie ahead.
In this conversation, we explore NOAA’s far-reaching impact, the stakes of diminishing its capacity, and why—despite political headwinds—she remains hopeful for the future.
This interview was edited for length and clarity.
Clairissa: Tell me a bit about what took you to NOAA and the work you did there.
Lori: I’m actually a NOAA recidivist. The first time I walked in the door at NOAA was almost 31 years ago. What brought me to NOAA the first time around was a wonderful set of quirky circumstances. I had worked on the Hill as a press secretary and been a member of the fourth estate as a radio journalist. One day, as I was leaving a congressional office, I casually placed my resume in a pile. Shortly after, I received a call, and it felt like a wonderful domino moment in my life. At the age of 28, I began my role of running the communications department for this remarkable agency.
I was delighted to return to NOAA under the Biden–Harris Administration as part of the “boomerang gang.” I, like many others, am driven by a deep-seated love for the agency and a strong belief in the importance of its mission. Being part of this work is a tremendous privilege.
Clairissa: Can you explain the difference between those with career positions at NOAA and those considered to be political appointees?
Lori: My role was a Schedule C position, which means I was a political appointee. At NOAA, political appointees serve in leadership roles to help each administration achieve its goals. I was the head of the communications department during both the Clinton and Biden administrations.
The Trump administration is interesting because it aims to replace traditional career civil service positions—filled by experts—with political appointees. Career civil servants have always been there, regardless of the administration. As a result of this shift, which is currently unfolding, there could be more political appointees involved in what expert career civil servants previously did.
Clairissa: Have you always been interested in public service?
Lori: My grandfather was a member of Congress from southern Ohio many, many years ago, and so I feel very honored to be a part of public service—it’s in my blood. People work incredibly hard every day and use their expertise and experience to serve the public.
Clairissa: What was your experience like working with the Clinton and Biden administrations?
Lori: NOAA will be 55 this year, though parts of NOAA, like the US Coast and Geodetic Survey, which was created by Thomas Jefferson in the early 1800s, are much older. So when I think about being there 30 years ago, the agency as a whole was still going through some growing pains. Reflecting on my experience during Biden’s term, I would say that NOAA functioned as a well-integrated and comprehensive machine.
Clairissa: Though you weren’t with NOAA for 31 consecutive years, in a way, it seems you were still a witness to its operational evolution.
Lori: For me, it’s been interesting to be an amateur historical archivist. I think as human beings, we tend to think that what is today has always been, and that’s just not the case. There’s evolution that brings us to this moment. You don’t always know the threads that you’re holding in your hand when you’re at the loom, but you step back after you’ve woven them together and you see what has been created. Philosophy aside, I think that NOAA has grown in its ability for the whole to be greater than the sum of its parts.
Clairissa: Reflecting on the cuts happening now under the Trump administration, do you see history repeating parts of itself, or does this feel entirely new?
Lori: There were efforts to reduce the size of government back in the Clinton–Gore days too, but it was much more methodical and well-thought-out. They examined what functions are necessary and what government can uniquely do, as opposed to what the government and private sector can do in partnership and just what the private sector can do.
Back in those days, for example, there were discussions about how much weather data should be public versus private, focusing on the role of value-added companies. While these partnerships can be beneficial, we must protect the core data that underpins NOAA. It’s interesting that we’re coming back around to that again, and I hope we can learn from history.
Clairissa: You noted that the average person doesn’t know much about NOAA’s inner workings. I’ll raise my own hand to say I didn’t understand NOAA’s full scope prior to prepping for this interview. Can you give me an example of how NOAA helps us live our lives?
Lori: NOAA touches your life every day in some way, whether you know it or not. The most obvious way, of course, is through weather forecasting. But you might not really appreciate some of the ways that NOAA touches your life. I’m willing to bet you’re either wearing, sitting on, or using something that came from another country.
Clairissa: My Everlane tee was, in fact, made in Vietnam.
Lori: More than 95 percent of imported and exported goods move through our nation’s ports and harbors. NOAA’s Ocean Service helps mariners navigate safely. One key tool is NOAA’s PORTS system, which mitigates those risks by integrating real-time data (such as water levels, tides, currents, waves, salinity, and air gap) to help ships get safely to shore.
A team at NOAA is doing all of that: supporting you in your buying habits, me in my buying habits, and all of the manufacturers in our country who are selling to other countries, all while reducing risks to people and the environment.
Clairissa: And I’m guessing we’re not just talking about the clothes on our backs but also our food chains.
Lori: NOAA affects every sector of the economy; there’s no question about that. Thirty years ago, fisheries management received little attention, allowing international fishers to overfish in US waters. In the past three decades, we’ve seen remarkable leadership in rebuilding fish stocks to sustainable levels, which provides those who fish for a living with certainty and clarity. They might not always like the rules, but they see the results in sustainable stocks that will be maintained for generations to come. NOAA scientists conduct those stock assessments, analyze the data, and issue the regulations for both commercial and recreational fisheries. They also inspect imported seafood to make sure it is safe.
Clairissa: In your opinion, has the work NOAA does been taken for granted?
Lori: I’ve been reflecting on this a lot lately, Clair. When the government works, you don’t really know it’s there. It supports you; you get your Social Security checks that you have paid into the system to get. You’re able to fly thanks to air traffic controllers and drive on federally funded and maintained highways. And you get a weather forecast that will guide your day. You may not always like the forecast, but they get it right 98 percent of the time. Unfortunately, we tend to only remember the 2 percent they didn’t get right.
It surprises me when people say we don’t need the National Weather Service because there are meteorologists on TV. Where does that forecaster’s data come from? NOAA! Anyone in the industry knows that NOAA is essential—it’s the backbone of weather forecasting and the source of critical environmental data used across all sectors to make important decisions and, at times, even life-and-death decisions.
We often take this support for granted. Again, when the government is functioning, it’s invisible. But we’re starting to see the consequences of its absence.
Clairissa: Speaking of impact, what does a future with a reduced version of NOAA look like for current generations and those to come?
Lori: The insurance industry wants to understand key trends and what long-term changes we need to prepare for, as do other organizations, like the American Association of Port Authorities or the American Society of Civil Engineers, which uses NOAA’s environmental intelligence to inform future building codes. We need to know how to prepare. They’re constantly looking ahead and asking, for example: Should we build roads higher to accommodate rising sea levels? What building code changes do we need to protect against intense storms like hurricanes?
Whether you’re a parent deciding if your kid needs to wear a raincoat to school or the manager of a supply chain who needs to know what conditions their ship is going to encounter on its way to or from a country, those are all incredibly important, valuable facts, data, information, products, and services. NOAA provides all of that to the public to the tune of about six cents a day for every person in the country. And you’ve paid for it already. You pay it in your taxes. It’s a pretty darn good deal.
My suspicion is that as more people, including new members of Congress, learn about the effects of climate change, they will support NOAA’s work and recognize the benefits it brings to the public.
Clairissa: How does NOAA collaborate with other countries, and do you foresee there being a disruption to our partnerships as a result of the cuts?
Lori: I think there’s a notion that the United States runs around the world giving away your tax dollars for no good reason. And in fact, upon examination, nothing could be further from the truth.
NOAA has a very robust set of mutually beneficial relationships with countries for everything from the World Meteorological Organization to international fishing treaties. Unfortunately, at the moment, it seems these robust relationships around the world have ground to a halt.
Clairissa: It’s been great speaking with you, Lori. Before you go, tell us: What is keeping you up at night?
Lori: I have a member of the next generation living under my roof, and I worry about the future she will encounter. There are long-term challenges and problems that will impact her life in ways I can’t begin to imagine. We’re already seeing challenges such as climate refugees, competition for resources, and scarcity of essentials. We are falling behind in addressing these issues at a time when we need to be moving forward.
Each of us has the capability to be the best of ourselves or the worst of ourselves on any given day. To be unifying or divisive. To stir compassion or fear. Recently, it feels our leaders have celebrated and encouraged the worst in us, as though it is somehow the best. My hope is that we can individually and collectively keep what is best as our goal, as our raison d’être. The notion of believing in the best of us is ultimately what gets me to sleep at night.
Behind the scenes
This interview is part of LEFF’s Into the Weeds interview series, which amplifies individuals and organizations whose work contributes to building a more sustainable future at every level. We’ll bring you insights from renowned experts, the leaders of global organizations, and innovative local businesses. Clairissa Myatt (she/her) is the manager of LEFF Sustainability Group, for which Katie Parry (she/her) is the vice president of sustainability.
To get in touch with LEFF Sustainability Group, please reach out to Katie Parry.
