White House Orders NCAR Dismantling Over "Climate Alarmism"
In a significant move against a major scientific institution, the White House has ordered the dismantling of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), a Colorado-based facility celebrated for its contributions to climate and weather science.
Administration Targets "Climate Alarmism"
The directive came from Russell Vought, the director of the White House's Office and Management Budget, who asserted that the research center is a primary source of what he termed "climate alarmism." He announced that a thorough review is in progress and that essential functions, such as weather research, will be reassigned to other organizations or relocated.
This action is the latest in a pattern of decisions reflecting the administration's skepticism toward climate science, part of a stated goal to halt what it describes as wasteful research activities. The White House specifically criticized NCAR for adopting a "woke direction." According to reports, administration officials have singled out several of the center's projects as frivolous. Among the criticized initiatives are the Rising Voices Center for Indigenous and Earth Sciences, which aims to foster inclusivity and justice in the sciences, and research related to wind turbines, a technology frequently disparaged by the president.
Fierce Backlash from Experts and Officials
The announcement triggered immediate and strong condemnation from scientific experts and political leaders. Roger Pielke Jr., a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, described the facility as a prized asset of the U.S. scientific community that should be enhanced, not closed. He warned that such politically motivated decisions could undermine America's global leadership in the atmospheric sciences.
The move also drew criticism from Colorado Governor Jared Polis, who argued that shuttering the center jeopardizes public safety. He stressed that NCAR's work extends far beyond climate science, providing crucial data for severe weather events like wildfires and floods. This information, he noted, is vital for protecting lives and property across the country.
A Pillar of Atmospheric and Weather Research
The National Center for Atmospheric Research is a major employer with approximately 830 staff members. Its operations include the iconic Mesa Laboratory in Boulder, which Vought confirmed would be shut down. The center also utilizes a fleet of two specialized aircraft for atmospheric studies and oversees a government-owned supercomputing facility in Wyoming. For decades, it has been recognized for producing groundbreaking research on weather patterns, including the behavior of tropical cyclones.
This decision aligns with the administration's broader policy agenda, which includes a proposed 30% funding reduction for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). That cut would heavily impact its climate, weather, and ocean laboratories, which are dedicated to improving forecasts and deepening the understanding of complex weather systems.
