The White House is trying to cut funds for the government’s top climate science agencies, which would affect research funding and satellite programs. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) would be their focus, but smaller programs would also be affected by the budget cuts.
Trump administration seeks deep cuts from budget of NOAA, a leading climate science agency https://t.co/nzJKPu9Igd
— Washington Post (@washingtonpost) March 4, 2017
According to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the NOAA faces at least a $126 million loss in its research division and $513 million in its satellite data division.
Cuts to climate science are occurring in order for the White House to focus on “rebuilding the military” and seeking “savings and efficiencies to keep the Nation on a responsible fiscal path.”
Deep budget cuts to the NOAA and other climate science agencies could threaten public safety and academic programs.
“I think the cuts are ill-timed given the needs of society, economy and the military. It will be very hard for NOAA to manage and maintain the kind of services the country requires” says Conrad Lautenbacher, a retired vice admiral, who was the NOAA administrator under President George W. Bush.
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