Read on PBS NewsThe Trump Administration's Plan to Dismantle NCAR: Implications for Climate and Weather Science
The Trump administration has announced plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Colorado, labeling it a source of "climate alarmism." Founded in 1960, NCAR is the nation's premier atmospheric science center, responsible for generations of breakthroughs in weather forecasting and climate understanding. This move has drawn significant criticism from the scientific community, who warn that dismantling this critical research hub could jeopardize public safety, economic stability, and America's leadership in atmospheric science. Experts argue the decision reflects a broader pattern of politicizing science and could have long-term negative consequences for our ability to predict and respond to extreme weather and climate change.
The Trump administration's recent announcement to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Colorado marks a significant and controversial shift in federal science policy. Budget Director Russell Vought labeled the center "one of the largest sources of climate alarmism in the country," framing the closure as an ideological move. This decision targets an institution that has been foundational to American atmospheric science since its establishment in 1960, raising profound questions about the future of climate research, weather forecasting, and the role of scientific evidence in public policy.
What is NCAR and Why is it Critical?
The National Center for Atmospheric Research is not merely another government laboratory; it is the nation's premier hub for atmospheric science. As climate scientist Kim Cobb of Brown University explains, NCAR has "woven itself into the fabric of both weather and climate science across the country and around the world." Its value lies in its unique combination of cutting-edge infrastructure, including supercomputers and specialized research aircraft, and its staff of over 800 top-tier scientists and engineers. This center serves as a vital nexus for collaboration, training the next generation of leaders and producing data used by climate scientists globally.
The Tangible Impact on Weather Forecasting and Public Safety
The potential dismantling of NCAR threatens more than abstract climate models; it risks tools that directly protect lives and property. Senior meteorologist Matthew Cappucci highlights several life-saving innovations born at NCAR. These include the invention of dropsondes—probes dropped into hurricanes to measure their strength—and systems designed to detect dangerous wind shear for aviation safety, preventing potential plane crashes. Furthermore, NCAR's research into atmospheric phenomena like the Madden-Julian Oscillation is crucial for understanding and predicting hurricane behavior. The center's work spans the entire continuum from short-term weather forecasting, which keeps people safe during storms, to long-term climate projections essential for planning and resilience.
Political Ideology vs. Scientific Integrity
The administration's justification for targeting NCAR rests on the claim that its work is politicized. However, experts uniformly reject this characterization. "The atmosphere does not possess a voter registration card," Cappucci states, emphasizing that the science conducted at NCAR is objective. The concern among scientists is that this move represents a dangerous trend of demonizing academia and shutting down research that produces inconvenient findings. This pattern, they warn, risks repeating historical mistakes where scientific inquiry was suppressed for political reasons, ultimately to society's detriment.
Broader Implications for Climate Science and National Preparedness
Dismantling NCAR occurs within a broader context of the Trump administration's skepticism toward climate science. The decision to focus on the climate portion of NCAR's portfolio is particularly alarming as the world grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change. 2025 is on track to be tied for the second warmest year on record, and climate-fueled disasters cost the U.S. economy billions annually. Cobb argues that Americans need the best available science to protect themselves, and NCAR is central to providing that information. Breaking up this integrated center could irreparably damage the nation's capacity to innovate and understand the intersection of weather and a changing climate.
Conclusion: A Shortsighted Decision with Long-Term Consequences
The plan to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research appears to be a politically motivated decision that overlooks the center's immense value to public safety, economic stability, and scientific leadership. Experts caution that the administration has not fully considered the implications, potentially putting critical weather forecasting capabilities at risk. Once dismantled, the unique collaborative environment and institutional knowledge built over six decades would be nearly impossible to reconstruct. As the frequency and intensity of weather extremes increase, the nation's reliance on robust, non-political atmospheric science has never been greater. Preserving institutions like NCAR is not a partisan issue but a fundamental requirement for an informed and resilient society.
