Trump Administration Moves to Dismantle NCAR Climate Programs, Retaining Weather Functions
The Trump administration will dismantle NCAR's climate programs, retaining weather functions, citing 'climate alarmism.' Critics warn this move jeopardizes disaster preparedness and U.S. competitiveness.
CNNClimate scientists face the loss of a critical research center — and vow to fight back
The GuardianTrump administration to dismantle key climate research center in Colorado
ARS TechnicaTrump admin threatens to break up major climate research center
NBC NewsTrump administration plans to break up largest federal climate research center
Overview
The Trump administration, via OMB Director Russell Vought, announced plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Colorado, a federally funded climate research facility.
NCAR's climate programs will be ended, with the administration citing "climate alarmism" as the reason, though supercomputing and weather-related functions are slated for retention.
NCAR, managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and funded by the National Science Foundation, is a prominent U.S. hub for earth science and climate research.
Jared Polis warned that disregarding NCAR's crucial data on disaster preparedness could significantly weaken U.S. competitiveness, emphasizing the center's vital contributions.
Critics contend this decision, part of a broader climate research reorganization, will harm U.S. weather forecasting and increase vulnerability to dangers.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story by portraying the Trump administration's move to break up NCAR as a destructive, ideologically driven attack on climate science. They use evaluative language to highlight the negative impact on research and question the legality and motivations behind the decision, while dismissing the administration's stated reasons as politically motivated.