Key facts
- Trump administration dismantled most of a $386 million federal ocean-observing network.
Trump administration dismantles federal ocean-observing network
IN SHORT
The Trump administration has dismantled most of a $386 million federal ocean-observing network, removing a key data source for climate change research. Proposed funding controls by the Office of Management and Budget are also criticized by scientists.
Key Numbers
$386 millioncost of federal ocean-observing network
$368 millionplanned investment in deep-sea ocean monitoring
Who's Involved
Trump administration
dismantled federal ocean-observing network and proposed funding controls
Scientists
used network data for climate, ecosystem, and coastal flooding research
Office of Management and Budget
proposed additional funding controls
Critics
warn proposed funding controls will hinder new scientific discoveries
↳ Why This Matters
The dismantling of this network removes a critical source of data for understanding climate change impacts on oceans, potentially hindering future scientific discoveries and our ability to address environmental challenges.