Trump's Plan to Shut Down Key Climate Research Lab

The Trump Administration's Plan to Dismantle a Key Research Institution

The Trump administration has unveiled plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), a globally recognized institution that has made significant contributions to Earth science research. Based in Boulder, Colorado, NCAR has been at the forefront of scientific advancements since its establishment in 1960. Its work spans various fields, including weather data collection, atmospheric modeling, and lidar technology.

However, the Trump administration, which has shown skepticism toward the scientific consensus on climate change, views NCAR as a hub of what it calls "climate alarmism." Russell Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, expressed this sentiment on social media, stating that the center would be dismantled and that any essential activities would be relocated elsewhere.

Antonio Busalacchi, president of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, which oversees NCAR, strongly opposed this decision. In a statement, he emphasized that dismantling NCAR would hinder the nation’s ability to predict and respond to severe weather and natural disasters. Many scientists echoed this concern, criticizing the administration for targeting critical research institutions.

Peter Geick, founder of the Pacific Institute, called the planned dismantling of NCAR an "intellectual war crime." Katharine Hayhoe, an atmospheric scientist, described the move as "like taking a sledgehammer to the keystone holding up our scientific understanding of the planet."

Even within the American Enterprise Institute, a center-right think tank, the decision drew criticism. Roger Pielke Jr., a senior fellow, stated that while he acknowledges concerns about climate alarmism and the politicization of science, he believes NCAR is a "crown jewel" of U.S. scientific enterprise that should be strengthened, not dismantled.

The Impact on Scientific Research and Workforce

NCAR employs approximately 830 people and is operated by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, a consortium of dozens of universities. Most of its funding comes from the federal government.

Over the years, NCAR scientists have gained recognition for their innovations in atmospheric science. Notably, they developed GPS dropsondes—devices released from aircraft into hurricanes to collect real-time data.

The White House defended the decision to shut down the center, claiming that the restructuring aims to bring NCAR back to its core mission. According to reports, the administration will eliminate what it describes as "green new scam research activities." These include projects focused on protecting wind turbines from severe storms and integrating Indigenous knowledge into climate change studies.

Pielke Jr. disputed this framing, noting that NCAR is "way down" on the list of climate research institutions that have become politicized. He added that much of NCAR's work involves atmospheric science beyond climate change, such as improving short-term weather forecasts. "Destroying it makes no sense," he said.

Political Reactions and Broader Implications

Elected officials have also weighed in on the decision. Many Democrats expressed concern, with Colorado Governor Jared Polis calling the move "deeply alarming" and emphasizing that NCAR's work is "essential to protecting lives." Colorado Representative Joe Neguse called the decision "a deeply dangerous [and] blatantly retaliatory action."

At least one Republican, North Carolina Representative Mark Harris, supported Vought’s decision, responding to his post with a simple "Thank you!"

This move is part of a broader pattern of actions by the Trump administration to dismantle, defund, or sideline climate science institutions. This summer, the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration announced plans to reduce its budget by $2 billion and cut staff by 18 percent. The administration has also terminated over 100 NSF grants for climate-related projects, according to the MIT Technology Review.

Meanwhile, the administration has rolled back environmental regulations around energy production and directed agencies to use all available authorities to increase production, including fossil fuels.

Trump himself has long been skeptical of climate science. In September, he told an audience at the U.N. that climate change is the "greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world."