The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), one of the world's leading institutions for weather and climate observation, is facing drastic changes. Under the renewed presidency of Donald Trump, who also recently the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico caused a stir, the agency is facing massive budget cuts and radical staff reductions. Experts warn of far-reaching consequences for global climate research and weather forecasting.
According to media reports, Trump is planning to cut the NOAA's budget by 30 per cent and reduce its workforce by half. The agency, which currently has around 12,000 employees, operates a global network of weather stations, research vessels and satellites. It provides indispensable data for climate modelling and weather forecasts.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk is also set to play a key role in the reorganisation. His newly created "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) has apparently been given far-reaching powers to cut government spending. The drastic savings plans became known following a visit by Musk's team to NOAA headquarters in Maryland.
Impact on hurricane forecasts and marine weather warnings feared
The NOAA also plays a central role in forecasting and monitoring hurricanes, among other things. The agency's National Hurricane Centre provides vital warnings for the US coastal regions. Weakening these capacities is considered irresponsible by experts.
The organisation has also been of great importance to sailors, providing comprehensive weather forecasts and marine weather warnings. In addition, NOAA has been responsible for regularly updating nautical charts, including all the details necessary for safe navigation.
If the work of NOAA is now restricted by the US government, sailors could also suffer considerable disadvantages. Safety at sea is likely to be significantly impaired.
Censorship of climate information by US President Trump?
In addition to the budget cuts, however, there are also fears that climate information will be censored. During his first term in office, Trump already had references to climate change removed from government websites. The NOAA website still contains extensive information on global warming and its consequences. It is uncertain how long this information will still be available there.
Trump himself has repeatedly labelled man-made climate change a "hoax". His government is pushing the promotion of fossil fuels and has withdrawn from the Paris Climate Agreement. The weakening of NOAA fits into this pattern.
Experts are particularly critical of the planned replacement of the NOAA leadership. Neil Jacobs, who already held this post under Trump, is being discussed as the new head. Jacobs was criticised at the time because he apparently gave in to political pressure and covered up an erroneous hurricane forecast by Trump. The incident went down in history as "Sharpie-Gate".
Democrats and scientists want to put up resistance
The cuts would also be a serious blow to global ocean research. NOAA operates a fleet of research vessels and deep-sea robots that provide indispensable data on ocean warming and acidification.
Resistance to the plans is already forming. Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen has announced that he will oppose the dismantling of NOAA. Protest is also growing in the scientific community. Nevertheless, there are fears that NOAA could emerge from the conflict permanently weakened.
