The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has laid off over 300 climate scientists and probationary staff following a federal appeals court ruling that removed a prior injunction blocking the dismissals. These cuts are part of the Biden administration’s 2025 budget proposal, which includes a $1.6 billion reduction to NOAA’s funding and the complete elimination of its Climate Program Office—an essential branch focused on long-term research, atmospheric monitoring, polar ice studies, and satellite-based climate tracking. Many of the terminated employees were early-career researchers working on climate modeling, renewable energy, and disaster response.
The move has triggered national outrage and protests, with over 1,000 people rallying in Boulder, Colorado—home to one of NOAA’s primary research hubs. Scientists and environmental advocates warn that gutting NOAA’s climate capacity will hinder the U.S. government’s ability to forecast extreme weather, respond to natural disasters, and lead in global climate science. While legal challenges are ongoing, critics argue the decision reflects a dangerous shift in federal environmental priorities at a time when the effects of climate change are accelerating. Experts call the dismissals a major blow to science-based policy and public safety in the face of rising environmental risks. More