Wed Mar 12 05:58:18 UTC 2025: ## NASA Cuts Climate Change Research Staff Amidst Trump Administration Orders

**Washington D.C.** – NASA announced the dismissal of 23 employees, including its chief scientist, renowned climatologist Katherine Calvin, in a move attributed to an executive order from the Trump administration. The cuts, described as a “reduction in force” (RIF), also eliminated the Office of the Chief Scientist, the Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy, and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Branch. While NASA spokeswoman Cheryl Warner cited workforce optimization as the reason, the dismissals are raising concerns about a shift away from climate change research.

The agency initially planned far broader layoffs, but a reported intervention by Jared Isaacman, Trump’s nominee for NASA chief, reportedly halted those plans. This latest round of cuts follows the Trump administration’s previously announced and extensive cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Dr. Calvin’s dismissal is particularly significant, given her contributions to key UN climate reports. Furthermore, she and other US delegates were previously barred from attending a major climate science meeting in China. The cuts have led to speculation that the administration is prioritizing space exploration, particularly a human mission to Mars, a key goal championed by both President Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. This aligns with Trump’s recent State of the Union address, where he declared a US mission to plant the American flag on Mars.

NASA’s role in climate research is substantial, encompassing satellite monitoring, ground-based studies, and the development of climate models. The elimination of key personnel and offices dedicated to climate research raises questions about the future of this critical work within the agency. This action comes against a backdrop of President Trump’s repeated dismissal of climate change as a hoax and his withdrawal of the US from the Paris Agreement. The full impact of these cuts on NASA’s climate research capabilities remains to be seen, but the agency has indicated that further reductions are anticipated.

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