Donald Trump is planning to cut the funds of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) by 26 percent. This news was revealed through a leaked memo, and if it is true, that would mean fewer funds for climate change research.
While the U.S President says he is willing to increase the military budget, he is planning to reduce the resources of one of the most important scientific agencies of the country. This proposal would still require approval from the Congress. In the case of it being approved, then NOAA’s budget would be slashed by $126 million even when it requires $513 million just for its satellite data department.
“Cutting NOAA’s satellite budget will compromise NOAA’s mission of keeping Americans safe from extreme weather and providing forecasts that allow businesses and citizens to make smart plans,” said Jane Lubchenco, the organization’s administrator under Barack Obama.
Trump: “We have to start winning wars again.”
The proposal was submitted by Trump Administration’s Office of Management and Budget. According to its resources for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) would be cut by 26 percent or what is equal to $126 million.
This cuts would be specially applied to the departments whose mission is to research and accumulate data regarding climate change. The memo was leaked to the Washington Post.
On the other hand, Trump reiterated earlier this week, his willingness to increase the defense budget by $54 million, which is expected to be funded by the cut made in NOAA and the Environmental Protection Agency’s funds. Trump said it was important to direct these funds toward military to make sure the U.S can win wars.
“We must ensure that our courageous servicemen and women have the tools they need to deter war and when called upon to fight in our name, only do one thing: win,” he said. “We have to win. We have to start winning wars again.”
What will happen with NOAA’s Joint Polar Satellite System?
NOAA is expecting to launch the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS-1) satellite, later this year. This would give NOAA an unprecedented amount of atmospheric data, which is of utmost importance to set disaster plans and keep weather forecasts.
NOAA had budgeted $800 million for the JPSS this year alone. However, with this new plans coming from the White House, the future of the JPPS program is unsure just further research on climate change.
Right now the agency has a budget of $8.2 billion, but this could all change in October, which is when the new fiscal year starts. Therefore, though climate change rate is not decreasing, maybe NOAA’s efforts are about to be.
Though this has been terrible news for the personnel at NOAA and climate change scientists, it is not shocking at all, given the fact that Trump has appointed a bunch of climate change deniers to the main positions in the White House. This includes, naturally, Scott Pruitt as the head of the EPA.
Source: The Christian Science Monitor