Severe weather events, most notably hurricanes, have begun increasing in frequency and intensity, putting Georgia at risk for increased coastal erosion, severe flooding, and destruction of communities.

Forecasting experts are concerned about the future of storm-prevention services and outcomes as extreme weather continues to increase. Many Georgians are still recovering from Hurricane Helene, and the lack of available data worsens the ability to prepare for future hurricanes, leaving communities in vulnerable and life-threatening situations.

The rising frequency and severity of natural disasters like Hurricane Helene highlights the urgent need for science-based planning and policy. As disaster costs soar and federal aid becomes less reliable, understanding climate trends and improving forecasting, infrastructure resilience, and emergency response strategies through scientific research is essential. Without it, states like Georgia will face mounting economic losses, human tragedies, and long-term instability.

Farmers are one of the population groups that rely the most on climate and weather data. Not only are they essential for timing planting and harvesting, but they also provide crucial information on how farmers can adapt to changes in the climate.

Late last year, Hurricane Helene ripped through farmland across the East Coast, costing Georgia farmers an estimated $5.5 billion in losses, including destroyed crops, infrastructure, and property. Nearly a year later, many farms have yet to recover, and with current cuts in aid, it may take at least 2 years to recover.

Outside of slow recovery efforts, farms suffer from funding freezes on other benefits that keep businesses afloat, putting many farmers at risk of bankruptcy. For local food pantries and schools who rely on local produce for the communities they serve, this means the inability to feed their people

Trump vowed to help US farmers. These four say his policies are ‘wreaking havoc’ | Farming | The Guardian | 23 May, 2025

Along with the Trump Administration’s attack on scientific research and support, changes in legislation have also impacted the heart of Georgia, from the state’s nature preserves and parks to education. These cuts not only represent a budgetary decision. They represent an attack on Georgia’s culture, eroding the unique heritage of people and the environment that has been preserved, built, and experienced for centuries.

There are more than 60 Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites across the state. Each one offers visitors a different piece of Georgia’s history. Neighborhood parks make up the majority of parks and recreation centers in the state, with large cities like Atlanta having around 500 local parks.  Each location serves as a living classroom, connecting people to the natural history of our home.

The Trump administration’s 2026 budget proposal could strip all this away, with approximately $1.2 billion being cut from the National Park Service (NPS), putting many of these locations at risk of losing services and closure.

Along with funding cuts, massive workforce reductions continue to leave parks scrambling, with the NPS having a nationwide estimated loss of 24% of permanent staff since January 2025.

It is projected that more than 300 locations could lose operations and staff, many of which serve as a means of income for smaller communities and tourism in the state.

Georgia is not only a place of natural beauty, but also a pillar within the education and research industries. Funding cuts to education strike at the very foundation of progress, curiosity, and innovation. This means fewer chances to engage in hands-on learning, reduced pathways to STEM careers, and setbacks to ongoing research.

The federal government wishes to dissolve the Department of Education. The 2026 budget would strip “$18 billion from the National Institutes of Health, $12 billion from the Education Department, and nearly $5 billion from the National Science Foundation.” Budget cuts are strategically enforced in programs related to STEM, especially climate science, energy, and history.  For some schools, this means closure of research labs and reduced financial aid for college students. For others, it means the elimination of certain majors. Most K-12 and higher schools are now forced to choose between DEI programs or possible termination of funding.

Even as we remain vigilant about challenges and attacks on key public services across the state, Georgia is seeing encouraging signals in the world of services, innovation, and community investment.

The University System of Georgia (USG) continues to be a powerhouse for the state’s economy and opportunity. In 2024, USG generated $23.1 billion in economic output, a 5.4 % increase over the previous year, supporting 168,635 jobs across Georgia. Graduates from USG institutions are projected to earn, on average, $1.4 million more over their lifetimes because of their degrees. These results underscore education as a critical service that ripples through local economies, boosting workforce skills, and stabilizing regional growth.

Even in Georgia’s agricultural supply and retail services, local developments are promising. Growers and researchers in the state are experimenting with new refrigeration techniques to preserve the flavor and quality of peaches as they move through grocery supply chains, a small but meaningful improvement in how service and freshness reach Georgia consumers.

Despite mounting attempts to gut or silence essential services, Georgians, from elected officials to scientists, are proving they won’t back down.

In a standout victory during this turbulent climate for public services, Georgia’s own Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock successfully pressured the Trump Administration to reverse its plan to shutter the USGS Water Science Center in Norcross. That center plays a key role in testing water quality across metro Atlanta and maintaining gages on rivers like the Chattahoochee and at Lake Lanier, essential tools for everything from agricultural planning to ensuring safe drinking water. After strong pushback, the Department of the Interior and GSA rescinded the facility’s lease termination, keeping the Norcross office open.

Another win comes from the side of farmers. Data deletions have affected various government agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This data included information about risks linked to climate change, which farmers use to make timely decisions about cultivation, harvesting, and planting systems. However, following a lawsuit in February against the USDA, farmers were able to pressure the government to return all this data to their databases.

And even under threats of retaliation, federal and state scientists have pushed forward with climate research that’s vital for Georgia’s future. A recent report revealed how some researchers resisted attempts to bury findings about climate risks, ensuring communities could still access the data they need to prepare for worsening heat, storms, and flooding.

All of this comes despite, and even in response to, intensifying pressures and attacks on public services in Georgia. Whether those attacks target social infrastructure, public education, or access to essential services, the stories above show we also have powerful counterweights: institutions, communities, and individuals pushing back with constructive investment, innovation, and resilience.