The Trump administration is dismantling the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), a leading U.S. earth science institution founded in 1960. The move, first reported by USA Today, has drawn sharp criticism from scientists who warn it will severely damage climate and weather research capabilities. The decision comes as part of a broader pattern of cutting funding and undermining climate science initiatives.
Why NCAR Matters
NCAR, based in Boulder, Colorado, is not just another research facility; it’s a central hub for critical atmospheric studies. The center’s work spans a wide range of disciplines, including weather modeling, space weather forecasting, climate analysis, and paleoclimate reconstruction. This comprehensive approach makes it unique and irreplaceable.
As Katharine Hayhoe, a climate scientist at Texas Tech University, put it, “Dismantling NCAR is like taking a sledgehammer to the keystone holding up our scientific understanding of the planet.” The center’s Mesa Laboratory, an architectural landmark in itself, will be fully closed as part of the restructuring.
The White House Rationale
Russ Vought, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, justified the move by citing “climate alarmism” as a reason for targeting the center. The administration plans to shift weather modeling and supercomputing operations to other research facilities. However, experts argue that fragmenting these capabilities will weaken overall research capacity.
Gavin Schmidt, director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, emphasized that NCAR’s value goes far beyond its specific research areas. He described it as a “unique & valuable asset” covering a vast spectrum of atmospheric science, from current weather patterns to long-term climate trends.
Broader Trends and Implications
This decision is consistent with the Trump administration’s systematic efforts to curtail climate change research. Previous actions include significant cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and attempts to roll back EPA pollution regulations. The move also affects NCAR’s workforce: the center employs around 830 people under the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), which manages the facility under contract with the National Science Foundation.
The NSF provided roughly half of NCAR’s operating budget for 2025, meaning the closure will have significant financial and operational repercussions. This restructuring raises questions about the future of U.S. leadership in atmospheric science and its ability to address pressing climate challenges effectively.
The dismantling of NCAR is set to begin immediately, signaling a clear intent to reshape the nation’s approach to climate and weather research. The long-term effects on scientific progress, policy-making, and public understanding remain to be seen.
