The US administration’s recent funding cuts to climate research have been met with strong opposition from universities. The Department of Commerce plans to suspend nearly $4 million for Princeton University, targeting its climate programs deemed inconsistent with the administration’s policy priorities. In addition, over $2.2 billion in federal funding for Harvard University has been frozen because the institution refused to comply with government directives on governance and research practices, which the administration claims are necessary to combat antisemitism.
NASA has also terminated contracts with ICF International, jeopardizing the future of the US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) and the Sixth National Climate Assessment, which is crucial for understanding and preparing for climate change impacts. Experts argue that undermining climate science could worsen public ignorance about climate risks and harm sectors reliant on scientific findings.
The Association of American Universities warns that these actions could threaten the US’s global leadership in science. Critics, including Harvard’s president and former President Obama, argue that the government’s attempts to dictate academic inquiry compromise academic freedom. The administration’s rhetoric frames climate threats as exaggerated, fostering skepticism about established scientific evidence and shifting the narrative toward an ideological battle rather than fact-based discussions. Some experts assert that this anti-science stance is detrimental to public welfare, especially as climate impacts are increasingly evident.
