This week's climate news brings attention to two significant developments off the Southeast U.S. and Mexican Pacific coast. The tropics in the Northern Hemisphere are notably quiet this year, a contrast to the persistent storms and their aftermath widely experienced. Meanwhile, concerns arise over President Trump's proposed budget for NOAA, which threatens to dismantle fundamental weather research infrastructure. This proposal raises apprehensions about the capacity to understand and respond to weather-related phenomena, especially given the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. The implications of this potential budget cut warrant continued scrutiny as the hurricane season approaches. Another noteworthy story highlights the escalating impact of industrialization and shipping in the Arctic, causing increased noise levels that disrupt whale communication and behavior. As melting ice opens new passageways, more ships traverse these areas, compounding the threats to marine wildlife. This trend calls for measures to mitigate human activities that disturb crucial ecosystems and further imperil vulnerable species. In addition, a concerning development in space pertains to the reported loss of the $88 million pollution-tracking satellite, MethaneSat. The satellite was designed to monitor potent greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas production, critical data for understanding and addressing methane's contributions to climate change and air quality. The satellite's absence underscores the importance of continual investment in technologies that bolster environmental monitoring and facilitate evidence-based policy decisions.