During the 2008 presidential campaign, Barack Obama promised to "strengthen baseline climate observations and climate data records to ensure that there are long-term and accurate climate records. He will not use climate change research data for political objectives."

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration launched a Satellite Climate Data Record Program in 2009, using funds from the stimulus bill.

"The mission of NOAA's Climate Data Record Program is to develop and implement a robust, sustainable and scientifically defensible approach to producing and preserving climate records from satellite data," according to the office"s website. The data incorporates information compiled by NOAA for more than 30 years.

"These data comprise the longest record of global satellite mapping measurements in the world, and are complemented by data from other sources including NASA and Department of Defense satellites as well as foreign satellites," the office says.

Under the program, a total of 18 grants have been awarded to private industry, universities and government agencies.

Among the information being collected and organized is the fraction of sunlight bouncing off Earth and back into space; energy emitted from clouds, oceans or land; energy emitted from atmospheric water vapor; particulates in the atmosphere; temperatures at various atmospheric layers; ocean surface temperatures; and the extent of sea ice at the poles.

The government has also worked with the World Meteorological Organization and the Committee on Earth Observing Satellites to collaborate on climate data records internationally.

We rate this a Promise Kept.