Climate experts worry that Donald Trump may follow a strategy proposed by his allies to dismantle the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), potentially shifting its focus away from climate science to serve business interests.
Under Joe Biden, NOAA has gained prominence, but its future is uncertain if Trump returns to office, especially as climate impacts intensify.
The plan to weaken NOAA is detailed in the Project 2025 document, created by over 350 conservatives and led by the Heritage Foundation. Titled “Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise,” it outlines a vision for a new Republican administration’s first 180 days.
Privatizing weather forecasts may reduce accuracy and accessibility for underserved communities.The proposal, influenced by Trump allies like Johnny McEntee, suggests dismantling NOAA and redistributing its functions, or privatizing them.
Chris Gloninger, a former meteorologist who left his position due to threats over his climate reporting, criticizes this strategy. He argues that it reflects a disregard for climate science.
The document, highlighted by E&E News, describes NOAA as a “major driver of climate change alarm” and proposes eliminating the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, citing its role in climate science as problematic.
Andrew Rosenberg, a former NOAA official, counters that NOAA’s research is neutral and cautious, and not driven by any agenda. He warns that privatizing weather forecasting could lead to uneven access and compromised accuracy.
Rosenberg points out that private forecasts, reliant on NOAA data, often lack reliability, and argues that commercialization might reduce the quality and accessibility of crucial weather information.
The potential shift away from publicly funded weather services could undermine decades of progress in weather forecasting and threaten the availability of critical information for underserved communities, emphasizing the need for careful consideration before any drastic changes.