The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the leading agency for climate and weather science in the United States, is facing additional staff cuts as directed by the Trump administration. This decision could lead to a reduction of about 1,000 employees, compounding the recent loss of approximately 1,300 workers due to resignations and layoffs. With hurricane season on the horizon, scientists and meteorologists warn that these cuts may severely impact the agency’s ability to deliver lifesaving weather forecasts.
NOAA Faces More Staff Cuts Amid Weather Prediction Concerns
NOAA Faces More Staff Cuts Amid Weather Prediction Concerns
The Trump administration plans to cut NOAA's workforce by 20%, raising alarms about its crucial forecasting capabilities.
Managers within NOAA have been instructed to propose layoffs and reorganize to comply with an executive order issued by President Trump, aiming at a significant reduction in the federal workforce. These proposed layoffs are expected to be submitted shortly, although details regarding which programs will be prioritized for cuts remain unclear. The staff reductions would amount to nearly 20 percent of NOAA’s workforce, which totals around 13,000 personnel.
Recent staff departures have already limited the agency's operations, disrupting vital activities such as hurricane forecasting, monitoring endangered species, and overseeing fisheries. The impending cuts are generating widespread concern among scientists and environmentalists about the lasting impacts on the agency’s crucial work as it strives to respond to climate change and natural disasters.
Recent staff departures have already limited the agency's operations, disrupting vital activities such as hurricane forecasting, monitoring endangered species, and overseeing fisheries. The impending cuts are generating widespread concern among scientists and environmentalists about the lasting impacts on the agency’s crucial work as it strives to respond to climate change and natural disasters.
