Admin ditches plan to close critical ocean monitoring system after backlash
4 hours ago
- #Ocean Monitoring
- #Bipartisan Backlash
- #NSF Reversal
- Trump administration reverses decision to dismantle critical ocean monitoring system after bipartisan backlash.
- Ocean Observatories Initiative, established in 2016, uses 900 instruments in Pacific and Atlantic to monitor ocean health.
- National Science Foundation initially planned 'descoping' of arrays off Alaska, Washington, Oregon, North Carolina, and Greenland.
- NSF halts removal plans, convenes expert panel for sustainable path; equipment from Oregon/Washington array already removed.
- Experts criticized decision as 'foolish,' citing risks of ignoring ocean changes like temperature spikes and current collapses.
- Bipartisan legislation passed in Senate to block funding for dismantling until NSF conducts thorough review.
- Lawmakers like Sen. Jeff Merkley and Sen. Lisa Murkowski applauded reversal, calling it a 'massive win.'
- House Science Committee's Zoe Lofgren welcomed reversal but expressed concern about damage already done.