KQED's Forum What Trump’s Massive Cuts Mean for Science and Research
May 8, 2025
EW (Joe) Friday, former director of the National Weather Service, warns about severe funding cuts to NOAA that threaten weather accuracy and safety. Geoff Brumfiel from NPR discusses how the cuts impact crucial scientific groups like the atomic spectroscopy unit at NIST, affecting national security. Katherine Wu from The Atlantic highlights the grassroots monitoring of terminated grants by independent scientists. Together, they explore the looming consequences of these budget reductions on public health, research innovation, and the future of science under political pressures.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
NWS Staffing Cuts Threaten Service
- The National Weather Service cut probationary employees who are often the best and brightest.
- Early retirements and hiring freezes have caused a staffing shortage down to the lowest in 100 years.
Cuts Reduce Weather Forecast Accuracy
- Cutting weather balloon launches reduces data quality feeding forecasting models.
- This leads to a measurable 10% drop in forecast accuracy, affecting safety and economy.
Small Group, Huge Scientific Impact
- The Atomic Spectroscopy Group maintains an essential spectral database used globally.
- Its potential elimination threatens scientific research and industry innovation worldwide.