The Trump Administration’s fiscal year 2027 budget proposal released this week lays out significant changes to federal funding for ocean and climate programs, including cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Specifically, the White House is proposing US$1.6 billion/~€1.4 billion in cuts to NOAA, targeting climate research programs and educational grants. The administration claims that these programs and grants are “not aligned with Administration policy of ending Green New Scam initiatives.”
Experts warn that cutting certain NOAA programs could:
- Undermine safety and security: The general public could lose access to weather forecasts, emergency storm alerts and critical preparedness programs if NOAA’s operations are stalled. In 2024, climate-related natural disasters and extreme weather events cost Americans over $182 billion.
- Jeopardize vital US industries and economies: Every day, communities across the US and industries including energy, agriculture, fishing, tourism and transportation rely on NOAA services, research and data for accurate weather forecasts, tide charts, water quality data and storm alerts.
- Harm the ocean and coastal communities: Four in ten US residents live near the coasts, with coastal counties contributing $10 trillion/~€8.7 trillion in GDP from the goods and services they provide each year.
Gib Brogan, senior campaign director at Oceana, said:
“The president’s proposed cuts to NOAA are no surprise — but they are no less alarming. Last year, Congress pushed back and acknowledged the agency’s importance, necessity, and stewardship that Americans rely upon. Lawmakers, once again, must say no to these cuts. Healthy oceans are essential for wildlife, fisheries, the livelihoods they support, and coastal communities. Oceana encourages Congress to reject this proposal and ensure that NOAA has the resources and staff needed to support science-driven, effective management of our oceans.”
Katherine Tsantiris, the Ocean Conservancy’s director of government relations, issued the following statement in response:
“The proposed cuts to NOAA fly directly in the face of the clear bipartisan support Congress showed earlier this year by protecting funding for this critical agency. Slashing NOAA’s budget would weaken weather forecasting, disrupt fisheries management and stall ocean research — putting American lives, livelihoods and global scientific leadership at risk. Congress should once again reject these cuts to ensure NOAA has the resources it needs to support our economy, protect our ocean and keep Americans safe.”
While Pamitha Weerasinghe, campaign director for Knowledge for a Competitive America, said:
“The proposed cuts to America’s earth science and weather intelligence programs represent a concerning trend with serious consequences for the competitiveness, prosperity, and security of the United States. These are not abstract research programs — they are the backbone of industries that millions of Americans depend on every day such as agriculture, aviation, and housing. Gutting the programs that produce this information does not save money, it shifts costs and risks onto the very American workers, businesses, and communities that this, and every Administration, is responsible for protecting. We hope Congress steps up once again to pass a bipartisan spending package that ensures America’s scientific enterprise is protected and supported.”
