Trump Admin Threatens to Break Up Major Climate Research Center
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Scientists Decry Potential Dismantling of National Center for Atmospheric Research
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The potential closure of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) has drawn sharp criticism from leading climate scientists, who warn of notable damage to U.S. climate and weather research capabilities. The move,reportedly under consideration by the Trump governance,reflects a broader pattern of dismissing scientific expertise in favor of ideological conclusions.
Updated December 17, 2023: This story has been updated to reflect a recently issued statement by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
What is NCAR and Why Does it Matter?
The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, is a federally funded research and advancement center dedicated to advancing understanding of the atmosphere and related Earth system sciences. Established in 1960, NCAR operates major facilities like the NCAR high Altitude Research Laboratory (HAREL) and the Mesa Laboratory, and is renowned for its supercomputing resources, modeling capabilities, and extensive data archives. NCAR’s website provides a comprehensive overview of its mission and research areas.
Scientific Community Reacts with Alarm
Scientists have expressed profound dismay at the prospect of NCAR’s dismantling. Katharine Hayhoe, a climate researcher at Texas Tech University, stated on Bluesky, “Dismantling NCAR is like taking a sledgehammer to the keystone holding up our scientific understanding of the planet. everyone who works in climate and weather has passed through its doors and benefited from its amazing resources.”
Gavin Schmidt, director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, described NCAR as a ”unique and valuable asset,” highlighting the breadth of research conducted at the center. This research spans areas such as weather forecasting, climate modeling, atmospheric chemistry, and space weather.
The concern extends beyond the immediate loss of research capacity. NCAR plays a vital role in training the next generation of atmospheric scientists and providing crucial data to policymakers and the public.
Ideology Over Science: A Pattern of Disregard
The potential closure of NCAR is not an isolated incident. The article points to a broader trend within the trump administration of prioritizing ideological beliefs over scientific evidence. The author argues that the administration views scientists as ideological opponents and equates its own conclusions with empirically derived facts.
This viewpoint, the article suggests, has led to a willingness to undermine scientific institutions and harm scientists, even at the potential expense of public well-being. The dismantling of NCAR, if carried out, would be a further example of this pattern.
The Science Will Continue, But at What Cost?
The article acknowledges that shutting down NCAR will not alter the fundamental laws of physics governing climate change. Greenhouse gases will continue to trap heat, and global temperatures will continue to rise. However, the loss of NCAR’s expertise and resources would significantly impede the ability to understand, predict, and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
This loss would affect not only scientific research but also practical applications such as weather forecasting, disaster preparedness, and the development of climate adaptation strategies.