Whereas there is scientific consensus based on peer-reviewed research and scientific evidence that— (1) climate change is occurring due to increases in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere; and (2) human activity has caused a significant increase in the atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases; Whereas scientific measurements show that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere ranged from 170 to 300 parts per million for at least 800,000 years (4 times as long as the species homo sapiens has existed), but has now, according to measurements taken at the Mauna Loa Observatory, exceeded 400 parts per million in each of the last 5 years; Whereas the National Science Foundation (referred to in this preamble as the NSF ) is an independent Federal agency created by Congress to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; [and] to secure the national defense ; Whereas the approval of any grant awards by NSF must undergo a rigorous merit review standard, including review by outside independent reviewers who do not work for the NSF or the institution that employs the researchers applying for the grant; Whereas Congress reaffirmed the rigorous merit review standard of the NSF in Public Law 114–329 ; Whereas the authorizing statute of the NSF states that the long-term goals of the NSF include promoting the discovery, integration, dissemination, and application of new knowledge in service to society ; Whereas the American Meteorological Society, the premier professional organization of the United States for individuals who work in the atmospheric and related sciences— (1) promotes broadcast meteorologists as station scientists ; and (2) equips broadcast meteorologists with tools and skills necessary to cover weather and climate effects on public health, transportation, agriculture, and energy use