The Trump administration plans to break up a leading US climate research centre, citing ‘climate alarmism’, a move opposed by scientists and local officials.
WASHINGTON: The Trump administration plans to dismantle a leading US climate research centre, citing concerns over “climate alarmism”.
White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought announced the move on social media platform X.
“This facility is one of the largest sources of climate alarmism in the country,” Vought said.
The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado, will be broken up with operations deemed “vital” moved elsewhere.
Moves to dismantle NCAR will begin immediately, according to a USA Today report.
The plan aims to “fully close the center’s Mesa Laboratory,” the report added.
Kevin Trenberth, a distinguished NCAR scholar, warned breaking up the laboratory would cause a major loss of scientific research.
Trenberth said the centre was crucial for advanced climate science discoveries.
Democratic Colorado Governor Jared Polis said he had not been briefed on the plans by White House officials.
He stated NCAR’s work provides data on severe weather events “that help our country save lives and property”.
“If true, public safety is at risk and science is being attacked,” Polis said.
President Donald Trump has sought to roll back clean energy and climate initiatives established under his predecessor, Joe Biden.
Trump has previously referred to climate change as a “con job” and “the biggest hoax ever perpetrated” against the world.
