Trump Administration Moves to Dismantle Climate Research Center

The Trump administration plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research, or NCAR, located in Boulder, Colorado. Russell Vought, the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, announced this decision, claiming NCAR is a major source of climate alarmism.

This has raised concerns among scientists and local officials, who argue that the closure would undermine decades of progress in climate research and public safety. NCAR employs about 830 staff members and plays a critical role in predicting severe weather and other climate-related hazards.

Experts warn that dismantling NCAR will leave millions vulnerable to climate threats like hurricanes and wildfires. The center's research is vital not only for climate science but also for air pollution monitoring and disaster response planning.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis expressed alarm, stating that the closure could jeopardize public safety and scientific progress. Local economic impacts could be severe, with potential payroll losses estimated at nearly $49 million, affecting the surrounding community significantly.

Many in the scientific community view this move as politically motivated, arguing it threatens the U.S.'s competitiveness in climate research. The National Science Foundation, which funds NCAR, has stated it is reviewing the center's structure and exploring options to transfer its operations, although details remain unclear.

The decision has sparked outrage among climate scientists and local officials, with plans for protests in support of NCAR already underway. Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA, emphasized the center's invaluable contributions to weather prediction and disaster preparedness, characterizing the administration's move as a self-inflicted wound to American science.