Trump Administration Announces Plans to Dismantle National Center for Atmospheric Research

Administration Targets Colorado Climate Research Hub

The Trump administration has announced its intention to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), a federally funded research and development center headquartered in Boulder, Colorado. The announcement was made by Russell Vought, Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), who stated via a social media post that NCAR is 'one of the largest sources of climate alarmism in the country.'

According to Vought, a comprehensive review of the center is underway, with plans to move 'vital activities such as weather research' to another entity or location. A senior White House official, speaking anonymously, indicated the administration aims to 'eliminate Green New Scam research activities' and cited instances of the lab's 'woke direction,' including an Indigenous and Earth Sciences center and air pollution tracing, as 'frivolous pursuits and ideologies' wasting taxpayer funds.

NCAR's Role in Earth System Science

Established in 1960, NCAR is sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), a nonprofit consortium of over 130 colleges and universities. The center employs approximately 830 staff members and focuses on a broad range of Earth system science topics, including climate science, meteorology, atmospheric chemistry, solar and space weather, and the environmental and societal impacts of weather and climate.

NCAR provides critical resources to the scientific community, such as:

• Supercomputers for complex weather and climate models
• Research aircraft and specialized instrumentation
• Sophisticated atmospheric models and extensive datasets

Its work is foundational for improving weather forecasts, developing climate models, and informing emergency planning for severe weather events, including hurricanes, floods, heatwaves, and wildfires.

Widespread Criticism and Concerns

The administration's plan has been met with strong opposition from the scientific community and Colorado officials. Katharine Hayhoe, a climate scientist and Distinguished Professor at Texas Tech University, described NCAR as 'quite literally our global mothership' and stated that 'Dismantling NCAR is like taking a sledgehammer to the keystone holding up our scientific understanding of the planet.'

Antonio Busalacchi, president of UCAR, warned that dismantling NCAR 'would set back our nation's ability to predict, prepare for, and respond to severe weather and other natural disasters.' Scientists also expressed concerns that the move would undermine U.S. scientific competitiveness and leave millions vulnerable to worsening climate hazards.

Colorado's political leaders have also voiced strong disapproval. Governor Jared Polis stated that if the cuts proceed, 'public safety is at risk and science is being attacked,' and that the state would lose its 'competitive advantage against foreign powers.' Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, along with Representative Joe Neguse, characterized the action as 'deeply dangerous & blatantly retaliatory.' Some reports suggest the move may be linked to a political dispute between the Trump administration and Governor Polis.

Potential Impacts on Forecasting and Preparedness

Critics emphasize that NCAR's research is not abstract but directly impacts daily life, providing data for aviation safety, agricultural planning, and disaster preparedness. The loss of NCAR's capabilities could lead to weakened forecasting accuracy, slower innovation, and increased risks to lives and property as extreme weather events become more frequent and intense.