White House Plans to Dissolve National Climate Research Center

Key Takeaways:

• The Trump administration plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), a Boulder-based research hub that studies Earth’s weather systems.
• The administration claims NCAR is a source of "climate alarmism" and plans to move vital activities to another entity or location.
• The move has faced pushback from Colorado’s state and congressional leaders, who argue that it will harm public safety and scientific discovery.
• The decision may be retaliation for Colorado’s refusal to release Tina Peters, a former Mesa County Clerk who was pardoned by President Trump for a state crime.
• The Trump administration has also canceled $109 million in transportation grants for Colorado-based projects with climate protection benefits.

Introduction to the Controversy
The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) has been a cornerstone of scientific research in the United States for over half a century. Established in 1960 by the National Science Foundation, NCAR has been at the forefront of studying Earth’s weather systems and has made significant contributions to our understanding of the planet’s climate. However, the Trump administration has recently announced plans to dismantle the research center, citing its alleged role in promoting "climate alarmism." This move has been met with widespread criticism from Colorado’s state and congressional leaders, who argue that it will harm public safety and scientific discovery.

The History and Significance of NCAR
NCAR was established to accelerate research into the fundamental science behind Earth’s weather systems. The research center has a long history of innovation, having developed supercomputers and radar tools to improve weather predictions. The Mesa Lab, built on a hill overlooking Boulder, has become an iconic symbol of the nation’s investment in atmospheric science and Colorado’s role as a global destination for top researchers. With a staff of around 830 employees, NCAR has been a vital part of the scientific community, and its dismantling would have significant implications for the field of atmospheric research.

Reaction to the Announcement
The announcement of NCAR’s dismantling has been met with swift pushback from Colorado’s state and congressional leaders. Governor Jared Polis has stated that public safety is at risk and that science is being attacked. Rep. Joe Neguse has suggested that the move is retaliation for Colorado’s refusal to release Tina Peters, a former Mesa County Clerk who was pardoned by President Trump for a state crime. The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), which manages NCAR on behalf of the federal government, has claimed that it has not received any additional information about plans to break up the research center.

The Potential Motivations Behind the Decision
The Trump administration’s decision to dismantle NCAR may be motivated by a desire to retaliate against Colorado for its refusal to release Tina Peters. President Trump issued a symbolic pardon for Peters, which was met with resistance from Governor Polis and Attorney General Phil Weiser. The pardon was seen as an attempt to exert federal authority over a state crime, and Colorado’s refusal to honor it may have led to the Trump administration’s decision to target NCAR. Additionally, the administration’s cancellation of $109 million in transportation grants for Colorado-based projects with climate protection benefits may also be seen as retaliation.

The Implications of the Decision
The dismantling of NCAR would have significant implications for the field of atmospheric research and for public safety. The research center has played a critical role in improving weather predictions and understanding climate change. Without NCAR, the United States would be at a disadvantage in terms of scientific discovery and would lose its competitive advantage against foreign powers. The decision would also harm the local economy, as NCAR is a major employer in the Boulder area. Furthermore, the cancellation of transportation grants would harm Colorado’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainable transportation.

Conclusion
The Trump administration’s decision to dismantle NCAR is a controversial move that has been met with widespread criticism. The research center has a long history of innovation and has made significant contributions to our understanding of the planet’s climate. The decision may be motivated by a desire to retaliate against Colorado for its refusal to release Tina Peters, and would have significant implications for the field of atmospheric research and public safety. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen what the ultimate outcome will be for NCAR and the scientific community.