Wisconsin Scientists Warn of National Climate Center’s Potential Closure
Concerns are growing among Wisconsin scientists and students regarding the proposed closure of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Colorado. The White House announced this plan last week, prompting alarm among academic circles. The National Center has been a pivotal institution in climate research, and its dismantlement is seen as a significant setback.
Impact on Wisconsin Research and Education
Students from notable institutions like the University of Wisconsin-Madison and UW-Milwaukee have utilized NCAR for various research projects. This center has been responsible for foundational studies concerning severe weather patterns, climate change, and atmospheric phenomena.
Ankur Desai, chair of the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at UW-Madison, emphasized the importance of NCAR in climate research. “It is where everything we know and have learned about climate comes from,” he stated, clarifying that NCAR operates on a base of factual and scientific data rather than alarmism.
Research Projects at Risk
- UW-Madison assistant professor Elizabeth Maroon and her team have been studying ocean temperature extremes, utilizing data developed at NCAR.
- Maroon noted the significance of NCAR in researching severe weather events, such as tornadoes and floods.
She warned that dismantling NCAR would hinder these critical studies, which have relied on decades of advanced technologies for observing weather patterns.
The Legacy of NCAR
Established 60 years ago, NCAR was designed to address challenges related to global weather, water, and climate. Managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, the center collaborates with over 130 universities, including prominent institutions in Wisconsin.
Desai raised concerns that a large-scale reduction of NCAR’s facilities and expertise would jeopardize countless projects across the University of Wisconsin system. He mentioned that disruption to NCAR would impact not just his department but all disciplines relying on climate data.
Student Perspectives
Nick Bostedt, a sophomore at UW-Madison aspiring to become a meteorologist, reflected on the anxiety among students regarding potential federal funding cuts. “We’re known for having some of the top meteorologists in the world, and if we don’t continue investing in it, we’re going to lose that,” he stated.
Many students are currently reconsidering their career paths due to the uncertain future of climate research funding.
Public Response and Political Action
Since the announcement of NCAR’s potential closure, protests have erupted in Colorado, reflecting widespread concern over the implications for public safety and science. Lawmakers from both political parties have paused an appropriations package as they debate NCAR’s fate.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis expressed alarm at the prospect of dismantling NCAR, stating, “Public safety is at risk and science is being attacked.”
The ongoing conversation signals a pivotal moment for research institutions, especially in the context of climate change discussions in the United States.
