I think it's awful that they have to think like that but it might be a good idea. They fear that the data might vanish under a Trump administration so as a precaution there backing up the data and storing it on independent servers. if you google "scientists backing up environmental information" you can read more about it. Also included a link about it. Cheers!
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/12/13/scientists-are-frantically-copying-u-s-climate-data-fearing-it-might-vanish-under-trump/