NOAA Budget Cuts to Gut Climate Research, Slash Jobs
A tropical analysis meteorologist at his station at the NOAA research center in Miami.
Photographer: Chandan Khanna/AFP/Getty ImagesThe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is proposing cutting about 18% of its workforce and slashing $1.5 billion from its budget, including terminating programs to protect coastal communities and research that supports better forecasts and natural disaster prediction.
At least 2,256 positions, out of 12,596 have been targeted for elimination, according to budget estimate released Monday. NOAA’s Oceanic and Atmospheric Research office, described as “the engine that drives the next-generation” of science and technology, will be eliminated, with some of its functions going to other departments.