The American scientific community is reeling from the Trump administration’s latest move: a planned dismantling of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado. This decision, announced Tuesday night, represents another severe blow to federally funded research and has cast a somber mood over the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union in New Orleans.
The Impact on Climate and Weather Science
NCAR is a globally respected institution, employing 830 scientists and operating cutting-edge supercomputers used by researchers worldwide. It plays a critical role in weather, climate, and energy systems research, with direct contributions to fields like aviation, hurricane prediction, and space weather forecasting. The center also collaborates with the insurance industry to better assess extreme weather risks.
Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, framed the closure as a way to curb “climate alarmism.” However, experts argue that this move will significantly hinder scientific progress in the US.
Collaboration and Technological Advances at Risk
The decision impacts not only NCAR staff but also thousands of scientists who rely on its resources for collaborative research. Mohammed Shehzaib Ali, a graduate student at North Carolina State University, emphasized that NCAR is “the pathway through which we collaborate.” Shutting it down will disrupt vital international partnerships and impede breakthroughs in climate modeling, weather prediction, and atmospheric pollution studies.
Antonio Busalacchi Jr., president of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, warned that the closure would “set back science in this country by decades.” The loss of NCAR’s advanced computing capabilities and collaborative environment will likely drive researchers elsewhere, further weakening the US position in critical scientific fields.
A Pattern of Cuts and Departures
This move follows a broader trend of federal funding cuts to science and the forced departures of experienced government scientists. The dismantling of NCAR reinforces a pattern of devaluing scientific expertise and undermining climate research, potentially jeopardizing future innovation and preparedness for environmental challenges.
The decision underscores a growing tension between political agendas and evidence-based science, raising concerns about long-term implications for American leadership in the global scientific community.
The move will likely accelerate an exodus of talent and resources from US science, as researchers seek more stable environments for their work.
