Scientists push back on TRUMP plan to break up a critical climate and weather center

Sunday, December 21, 2025 -Scientists and climate experts are raising alarm over the Trump administration’s recent announcement to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado, one of the world’s most respected climate and weather research institutions. 

The White House Office of Management and Budget described the move as part of a “comprehensive review,” saying that some research activities will be relocated elsewhere. However, critics warn that breaking up NCAR could jeopardize the accuracy of weather forecasts and climate predictions that millions of people and governments rely on.

Scientific leaders and policymakers have blasted the decision as politically motivated and dangerously shortsighted, arguing that climate and weather science are inseparable and vital for safeguarding communities. 

NCAR’s work supports advanced forecasting models, disaster preparedness tools, and global climate research collaborations; experts say its dissolution would erode the nation’s ability to anticipate and respond to extreme weather events. Colorado officials, including the governor, have also condemned the plan, warning it puts public safety at risk and undermines U.S. scientific leadership.

The backlash extends across the scientific community, with researchers emphasizing that NCAR’s contributions range from sophisticated models used worldwide to observational tools that inform everything from hurricane tracking to agricultural planning. 

Many scientists stress that undoing decades of investment in atmospheric research would slow progress in climate science just as the world faces intensifying climate threats. As debate continues, advocates are pushing for sustained support and funding to ensure that critical climate and weather research remains robust and resilient.