The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is facing severe staffing cuts, with plans to reduce 1,000 jobs, in addition to recent firings and resignations. The agency’s ability to produce lifesaving forecasts could be compromised as hurricane and disaster season approaches.
According to sources, NOAA managers have been asked to draw up proposals for layoffs and reorganizations by Tuesday, which could lead to the elimination of some functions. This comes as part of President Trump’s executive order to reduce federal bureaucracy, with billionaire Elon Musk also involved in large-scale cuts.
The recent employee departures have already affected NOAA’s operations, including predicting hurricanes and tornadoes, overseeing fisheries and endangered species, and monitoring climate change. Scientists and meteorologists are concerned about the potential impact on public safety and the economy.
Organizations, including the American Geophysical Union, have called on Congress to oppose the administration’s actions, warning that undermining NOAA’s operations could risk the safety of millions of Americans and destabilize industries. Experts argue that private companies cannot replace NOAA in forecasting weather, as they rely heavily on agency data.
Employees at NOAA are experiencing anxiety due to uncertainty about their jobs and the potential loss of government-issued credit cards for research projects. The administration has also flagged several federal properties, including at least three NOAA facilities, for possible sale.
The cuts come as the nation faces increased extreme weather events due to climate change. As President Trump and other officials make rapid cuts to the federal bureaucracy, scientists are sounding the alarm about the potential consequences for America’s modern scientific leadership.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/08/climate/noaa-layoffs-trump.html