Our Society's Undervaluing of Weather Science

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The University of Nebraska Regents are about to make a huge mistake: the elimination of most of its earth science programs including geology and atmospheric science. This in spite of the fact that atmospheric science degrees are highly valued by employers. 

This comes back to the highly unfortunate "weather is/should be 'free'" culture in our nation. Why does this matter? The regents would never consider eliminating the law or MBA programs -- as they are seen as producing "valuable" students. Yet saving lives in hurricanes and tornadoes or saving billions by averting property damage -- in the view of the majority of the population -- those things "just happen."

I've known some excellent meteorologists who graduated from NU. Regents: Please keep the atmospheric science department!

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