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trump administration has announced plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), considered one of the world’s leading research institutes in the field of atmospheric pressure. geology,
Headquartered in Boulder, coloradoThe federally funded center has made many scientific breakthroughs since its founding in 1960, including pioneering advances in weather data collection, atmospheric modeling, and lidar technology.
However, for the Trump administration – whose senior officials remain largely skeptical of the scientific consensus Climate change – It is seen as a center for scaremongering rhetoric.
“This facility is one of the largest sources climate alarmism In the country,” Russell WattThe director of the Office of Management and Budget wrote on Tuesday. He said the center would be torn down and any “critical activities” would be housed elsewhere.
Antonio Busalacci, president of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, which oversees NCAR, immediately condemned Vought’s decision, writing in a statement, “Any plan to eliminate NSF NCAR will set back our nation’s ability to predict, prepare, and respond. severe weather and other natural disasters.
Many other scientists echoed this sentiment and accused the Trump administration of carrying out an all-out attack on important research institutions.
Peter Geek, founder of the Pacific Institute, an environmental research nonprofit, characterized the planned dismantling of NCAR as “an intellectual war crime,
“Unbelievable,” atmospheric scientist Katherine Hayhoe wrote on social media, adding that Watt’s closure of the center “is like taking” a hammer “Key to maintaining our scientific understanding of the planet.”
The move was criticized even within the center-right think tank American Enterprise Institute. Roger Pielke Jr., a senior partner, told USA Today Although he considers the climate threat and the perceived politicization of science to be real concerns, he considers NCAR to be a major issue.a crown jewel The American scientific enterprise must be strengthened, not destroyed.”
The center, which employs about 830 people, is operated by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, a consortium of dozens of universities. Most of its funding comes from the federal government.
Over the past few years, NCAR scientists have earned recognition as leading innovators in atmospheric science. Remarkably, he developed gps dropsondes – Instruments dropped into storms from aircraft to collect real-time data.
The White House defended its decision to close the center, saying that the restructuring was an attempt to return NCAR to its core mission. USA TodayWho first reported the decision. The administration will identify and remove what it describes as “green new scam research activities.”
These efforts also include a research project that focuses on safety of wind turbines from severe storms and another aimed at integrating indigenous knowledge into climate change studies the new York Times,
Pielke Jr. disputed this framing, telling the outlet that NCAR is “far down” on the list of climate research institutions that have become politicized.
“A lot of what NCAR does is atmospheric science beyond climate change, such as improving short-term weather forecasts,” said Pielke Jr., who previously worked at the center. “There’s no point in destroying it.”
Elected officials also weighed in, with many Democrats expressing concerns.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis condemned the move, writing on Twitter that he “deeply concerned” and NCAR’s work “is essential to protect life.” Colorado Representative Joe Neguse called the decision to close the center a ” deeply dangerous [and] “Clearly retaliatory action.”
At least one Republican praised Vought’s decision. In response to the OMB director’s post, North Carolina Representative Mark Harris wrote “Thank you!,
It is the latest in a series of actions by the Trump administration to dismantle, defund or sideline climate science institutions.
This summer, the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration plans to reduce its budget by nearly $2 billion And cut its workforce by 18 percent. The administration has also finished 100 NSF grants For projects related to climate change, according to MIT Technology Review.
Meanwhile the administration has cut environmental regulations around energy production and directed agencies to use all their available authorities increase productionWhich also includes fossil fuels.
Trump himself has long been a skeptic of climate science. In September, he told an audience at the United Nations that climate change “the biggest thief work Ever oppressed the world.