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Federal Funding for Climate Change Research at Princeton University Scaled Back
The Trump administration has announced reductions in federal funding, totaling approximately $4 million, for climate change research initiatives at Princeton University. The administration stated the decision was based on concerns that the research projects promoted “exaggerated and implausible climate threats” and contributed to heightened “climate anxiety,” particularly among younger demographics.
Commerce Department Announces Funding Reductions
The funding adjustments, impacting programs focused on critical areas such as sea-level rise and coastal inundation, were disclosed on Tuesday by the Commerce Department. This department oversees the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a leading global authority in climate science. This action follows previous announcements from federal entities, including NASA and the Energy Department, regarding the pausing of numerous research grants at Princeton University the previous week.
NOAA’s Climate Research Budget Under Review
NOAA’s current annual expenditure on climate research is approximately $220 million. However, the Trump administration has indicated its intention to curtail these financial commitments.
Impact on Cooperative Institute for Modeling the Earth System
Among the specific programs affected by the recent funding adjustments is the Cooperative Institute for Modeling the Earth System. This collaborative venture between NOAA and Princeton University is dedicated to refining computer models used to project changes in oceanic and atmospheric conditions. Notably, Syukuro Manabe, a meteorologist associated with this program, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2021 for his pioneering work in climate modeling and predictions of global warming effects.
Concerns Over “Exaggerated Climate Threats”
The Commerce Department, in its rationale for withdrawing funding from the cooperative program, asserted that the collaboration “promotes exaggerated and implausible climate threats, contributing to a phenomenon known as ‘climate anxiety,’ which has increased significantly among America’s youth.” The agency further stated that financial support would cease for the program’s educational outreach aimed at students from kindergarten through high school.
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Additional Research Projects Affected
The Commerce Department has also decided to discontinue funding for:
- A five-year research endeavor at Princeton University designed to analyze fluctuations in Earth’s water availability due to global warming.
- A separate five-year research project focused on forecasting the impacts of evolving rainfall patterns and sea-level rise on coastal flooding.
According to the agency, “Utilizing federal resources to perpetuate these narratives does not align with the priorities of this Administration, and such time and resources can be more effectively deployed elsewhere.”
The precise repercussions of these funding reductions on ongoing research initiatives remain unclear. Princeton University has not issued further comments regarding the matter.
Reactions from Climate Science Community
Climate scientists have voiced criticism regarding the funding pullback, emphasizing the esteemed reputation of Princeton’s climate modeling researchers within the global scientific community.
Valérie Masson-Delmotte, a climate scientist at University of Paris-Saclay, expressed her concerns in a social media post, stating, “Sadly, climate-related risks will not vanish if they are denied. With the deliberate choice to undermine climate science, knowledge production and science-based university programs, people will be less informed, less prepared.”
Rick Spinrad, who served as the administrator of NOAA during the Biden administration, described the Princeton cuts as “a slap in the face” to professionals who rely on improved seasonal precipitation forecasts across sectors like agriculture, transportation, and energy. He characterized the actions as a “nose-thumbing” directed at Dr. Manabe’s climate model work and his team of scientists.
Potential for Further Funding Reductions
Researchers anticipate the possibility of additional funding cuts in the future. In February, NOAA personnel were instructed to review all existing grants for terms such as “climate science,” “climate crisis,” “clean energy,” “environmental quality,” and “pollution,” raising concerns about the potential cancellation of these grants.
Currently, Howard Lutnick, the Commerce Secretary, is reportedly reviewing all grants, contracts, contract modifications, and contract extensions exceeding $100,000. This information comes from sources with knowledge of the policy who requested anonymity due to apprehension of potential repercussions.