The Commerce Department has directed the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to review and identify climate-related grants, prompting concerns that funding for climate research and mitigation efforts could be at risk.
Christopher Flavelle, Austyn Gaffney and Raymond Zhong report for The New York Times.
In short:
- NOAA staff must identify grants linked to “climate science,” “climate crisis,” and similar topics, following President Trump’s executive orders targeting federal climate programs.
- The review aligns with Project 2025, a policy plan urging NOAA’s dismantling and the privatization of the National Weather Service.
- Environmentalists, lawmakers and NOAA supporters plan to rally against the move, warning it could disrupt efforts to protect communities from climate-related disasters.
Key quote:
“I’m concerned that such a search would yield threats to important programs aimed at protecting communities from extreme weather and other climate-related disasters.”
— Rick Spinrad, former NOAA administrator
Why this matters:
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration serves as a cornerstone of the United States’ climate research, weather forecasting and disaster preparedness. From tracking hurricanes to studying long-term climate shifts, its work informs decisions that affect everything from agriculture to emergency response. Cutting funding for NOAA’s programs could slow research on rising sea levels, extreme weather patterns and the broader effects of climate change. It could also weaken early warning systems that help communities prepare for disasters like wildfires, floods and hurricanes.
Related: Trump renominates former NOAA chief tied to ‘Sharpiegate’
