Mass Firings at NOAA, National Weather Service Ignite Fury

Scientists and Environmental Advocates Decry Cuts, Warning of Harm to Americans

As federal job eliminations struck the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service on Thursday, scientists and environmental advocates denounced the cuts, saying they could cause real harm to Americans.

The Full Extent of the Cuts Unclear, But Hundreds of Scientists and Experts Affected

The full extent of the layoffs across NOAA were not immediately clear, but Democratic legislators said hundreds of scientists and experts had been notified of terminated employment. NOAA — which includes the National Hurricane Center and the Tsunami Warning Center — is the latest in a string of federal agencies targeted for cuts by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.

Criticism from Congress and Scientists

“Elon Musk’s sham mission is bringing vital programs to a screeching halt,” U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), the ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee, wrote in a statement Thursday. “People nationwide depend on NOAA for free, accurate forecasts, severe weather alerts, and emergency information. Purging the government of scientists, experts, and career civil servants and slashing fundamental programs will cost lives.”

NOAA Response

Susan Buchanan, a spokesperson for NOAA, declined to comment on the cuts, saying in a statement that the agency would not be discussing personnel matters, “per long-standing practice.” “NOAA remains dedicated to its mission, providing timely information, research, and resources that serve the American public and ensure our nation’s environmental and economic resilience,” Buchanan said. “We continue to provide weather information, forecasts, and warnings pursuant to our public safety mission.”

Employees React on Social Media

Several people who identified themselves as NOAA or weather service employees wrote on social media that they, or family members, had received an email Thursday notifying them that they had been terminated. It appeared that many were considered probationary employees, meaning they were recently hired or promoted.

Concerns from the Scientific Community

NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory posted on X that it would be ending its public communication services “due to a reduction in staff.” It wasn’t immediately clear how other operations might suffer, but scientists across the globe worried there could be dangerous effects. NOAA agencies provide key alerts and forecasts during weather emergencies and monitor for extreme events, such as hurricanes, tsunamis, and dangerous fire weather.

Consequences of the Cuts

“The fact of the matter is that the private sector, as it presently exists, simply cannot quickly spin up to fill any void left by substantial dismantling of NOAA and/or the NWS,” Daniel Swain, a UCLA climate scientist, said in a statement on social media. “The now-confirmed and rumored additional cuts to come at NOAA/NWS are spectacularly short-sighted, and ultimately will deal a major self-inflicted wound to the public safety of Americans and the resiliency of the American economy to weather and climate-related disasters.”

Conclusion

The mass firings at NOAA and the National Weather Service have sent shockwaves through the scientific community and environmental advocacy groups. The cuts are likely to have far-reaching consequences for the nation’s ability to prepare for and respond to weather-related emergencies and climate change.

FAQs

* What is the extent of the layoffs at NOAA and the National Weather Service?
+ The full extent of the layoffs is not yet clear, but hundreds of scientists and experts have been notified of terminated employment.
* Why are the cuts happening?
+ The cuts are part of a broader effort by the Department of Government Efficiency to reduce the federal workforce.
* How will the cuts affect the public?
+ The cuts are likely to have a significant impact on the nation’s ability to prepare for and respond to weather-related emergencies and climate change, potentially putting lives at risk.
* What are the long-term consequences of the cuts?
+ The cuts could have long-term consequences for the nation’s ability to respond to natural disasters and protect the environment, potentially leading to increased costs and losses.