Trump’s administration plans a large -scale reduction in climate research
Donald Trump
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US Presidential Administration Donald Trump has initiated a sharp reduction in the funding of key climate, oceans and space research.
According to internal budget documents, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (NOAA), the NASA Space Agency, and a number of important programs that affect the US security, economy and environmental policy, were threatened. reports The Guardian.
The office of oceanic and atmospheric research (OAR) – its budget want to reduce more than doubles: from $ 485 million to $ 171 million. This means a complete elimination of structure as a separate NOAA unit.
Also, the financing of climatic, meteorological and oceanographic laboratories is almost completely stopped.
Former OAR -Craig McLine Director called the Dragon’s reduction and warned that they would « jeopardize the security, economic competitiveness and national security of Americans. »
The former NOAA Administrator, Spinard, called the elimination of the NOAA research office and his capabilities « a devastating blow to the country’s ability to protect their citizens and lead in the world. » He also added that the document contains « extremely devastating proposals ».
Reductions will also affect the services of national maritime fishing – it is planned to be reduced by more than $ 324 million, as well as to be transferred under the guidance of the US Fisheries and Wildlife Service.
This will actually destroy the financing of programs for the restoration of population populations, conservation of habitats and joint management of resources between the states, experts say.
NOAA generally expects a $ 1.3 billion budget reduction, with the National Ocean Service planned to halve.
Science outside the agency will also suffer – a NOAA climate program will be curtailed, which is raised every year every year.
If Congress approves the presidential plan, the consequences of such deep abbreviations, will feel communities around the world, as well as different sectors – from agriculture to emergency response systems.
« By fulfilling full alienation from science and our research structures, we essentially state that they are not interested in improving the quality of life or economy », Spinrad said.
NASA is also waiting for difficult times: the space agency risks losing 20% of the total budget, with the largest reductions will be concerned with planetary research, land sciences and astrophysics.
The blow will also be caused by existing missions, which have already invested a lot of money. It is, in particular, the Mars sample Return mission, Venus Davinci mission, and the launch of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which was to take place next year.
The Hodard Space Flight Center in Maryland, where about 10,000 people work, will also be closed.
« It is an event of extinction level for NASA science. It is a senseless waste of billions of dollars and destroying existing scientific programs, » – Casey Dreyer stressed Planetary Society.
Although the documents still have the status of the previous ones, they clearly outline the administration’s priorities and cause serious concern in the scientific community. The final decision will be made by Congress, and a tough political and social reaction is now expected.
What happens in American education and science
In early March Harvard University announcedwhich temporarily suspended the hiring of teachers and staff because of « financial uncertainty ».
Subsequently about the largest cutting jobs also reported John Hopkins University. It applies to 247 employees in the United States and 1975 in other 44 countries.
In addition, the US National Institute of Health (NIH) began a mass termination Grant actions for research related to gender identity, inclusion and ecology.
Politico edition statedthat EU countries seek to lure scientists from the United States who have lost their research funding through Trump’s policies.
And three critics scientists Donald Trump announced About dismissal from Yale University against the backdrop of White House attacks on higher education. It is a professor of philosophy Jason Stanley and professors of history – Timothy Snyder’s spouses and Marsy Shar.
