Trump's NOAA layoffs are a step toward destruction

March 11, 2025

Opinion Story

by Tara Malhotra

"Tara Talks" Recurring Column

I want the government to keep me safe in the event of severe hurricanes, fires, and flooding. This should not be a controversial statement. Yet, in today’s political environment, even the expectation of basic public safety has become a debate.

This month, the Trump administration directed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to lay off 1,300 workers. This is only the first round of job cuts—later in March, another 1,000 employees are expected to be fired. According to The New York Times, by the time the March layoffs have finished, NOAA will have lost around 20% of its workforce.

So why does this matter? NOAA is the leading climate agency in the United States and was founded to protect Americans and the environment. It is responsible for researching changes in climate, oceans, coasts, weather, and space traffic management.

NOAA is best known for its daily weather forecasts that anticipate extreme events like floods and wildfires, giving local governments time to prepare and saving lives. Furthermore, NOAA’s seasonal outlooks and drought monitoring support our economy by informing farmers what to harvest and where. If you take a flight, NOAA is the administration that provides updated aviation weather forecasts so that your flight is safe.

Cutting NOAA’s workforce is not merely a bureaucratic reshuffle—it is a direct threat to public safety. As global warming worsens, agencies like NOAA are more important than ever in combating climate change and its detrimental effects. The New York Times reported that fewer scientists and meteorologists result in less accurate forecasts and thus a slower response to natural disasters. If our government was built to protect its citizens, then I would argue these job cuts are fundamentally failing that duty.

Beyond safety, the Associated Press found that weakening NOAA also harms our national economy. Farmers will lack information about how to maximize their crop productions; the fishing industry will lose research that helps with sustainable tracking and catching; and airlines will likely lose money as disrupted aviation forecasts cause delays, cancellations, and safety concerns. These cuts do not just strip away jobs, they undermine critical services that Americans depend on.

It is incredibly disappointing to witness the continued deterioration of the systems designed to keep us safe. Not only do these layoffs reflect a disregard for science, but also our government’s willingness to gamble with our economy and lives. At a time when we need stronger climate action, gutting NOAA is a reckless step in the wrong direction.

Protestors gather in support of NOAA. Image courtesy of Reuters.