Proposed NOAA Cuts Raise Concerns Over Public Safety and Climate Research

The Trump administration's potential downsizing of NOAA could impact weather forecasting, disaster preparedness, and climate data access.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a critical agency for weather forecasting and climate research, faces potential downsizing under proposals linked to the Trump administration's Project 2025.
NOAA provides essential weather data and alerts, which are foundational for public safety, private weather services, and industries like insurance, agriculture, and transportation.
Critics warn that privatizing NOAA's functions could result in less accessible and inconsistent weather forecasts, particularly affecting rural and underserved communities.
The agency's climate research and historical data archives, vital for understanding long-term environmental trends, are also at risk of being curtailed or eliminated.
NOAA's current budget of $6.5 billion supports over 12,000 employees and numerous programs, with every dollar invested yielding significant economic and safety benefits.