• Proposed cuts would reduce NOAA's funding by over 25% for 2026.
• The Trump administration aims to eliminate NOAA’s Oceanic and Atmospheric Research office.
• Approximately 75% of funding for climate research programs could be slashed.
• Experts warn of severe consequences for weather forecasting and climate research.
• Legislation requires Congress's approval for the proposed budget cuts.

The Trump administration has revealed plans for significant budget cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), aiming to reduce its overall budget by over 25% in 2026. Internal documents indicate a proposal to eliminate the agency's Oceanic and Atmospheric Research office, drastically slashing its funding from approximately $485 million to just over $170 million. This reduction threatens vital scientific operations, including early warning systems for natural disasters and climate change studies, according to The New York Times.

Under the proposed budget, about 75% of funding for climate, weather, and ocean research would be cut. This would undermine the scientific community's capacity to track climate trends and natural disasters. Craig McLean, a former NOAA official, likened the potential impact of the cuts to regressing back to the 1950s in terms of scientific capabilities, emphasizing the critical role NOAA plays in both national and global weather forecasting, noted NPR.

Lawmakers and scientists have expressed their concerns regarding the potential consequences of the cuts. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren described Trump’s budget plan as "outrageous and dangerous," warning that it would "destroy essential services" that provide life-saving weather information to the public. Experts fear that these cuts will lead to the elimination of hundreds of jobs at NOAA, severely impacting its research capabilities and ability to provide timely forecasting, according to India Times.

Furthermore, the budget plan proposes relocating many functions within NOAA to other offices, effectively dismantling its research capacity. It also draws parallels to discussions within conservative circles that see NOAA as part of the "climate alarm industry." As part of a broader agenda, the proposed cuts are part of a strategy to diminish climate science resources and impact various government agencies, including NASA, as reported by The Hill.