Trump pulls plug on UK research into air pollution and global warming

2 comments

1. UK-based climate scientists have had research projects cancelled and lost access to crucial data as a result of [Donald Trump’s sweeping funding cuts](https://inews.co.uk/news/media/trump-climate-misinformation-follow-3496350?ico=in-line_link).

   US institutions such as NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which play a similar role to the Met Office, are having billions cut from their budget by the [US President](https://inews.co.uk/news/environment/trump-pulling-out-paris-climate-pact-means-uk-3493907?ico=in-line_link).

   [The Trump administration](https://inews.co.uk/news/world/donald-trumps-plan-rip-up-environmental-laws-3077407?ico=in-line_link) has also cancelled billions of dollars worth of research grants, including funding for climate research at US universities.

   *The i Paper* has spoken to researchers based at universities across the UK who say they have been impacted by the loss of US collaborators and access to vital data sources.

   Laura Wilcox, a professor at the National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS) in the University of Reading, has lost access to a dataset called AirNow, which records pollution in cities across the world using sensors on the top of over 80 US embassies and consulates.

   The data, which has been published for over 15 years, was taken offline in March, with the US state department citing “budget constraints”.

   Professor Wilcox is also concerned [about reports](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/climate/noaa-lease-mauna-loa.html) that the NOAA may be forced to close its world-famous observation sites in Mauna Loa, Hawaii and Boulder, Colorado.

2. Can we eat the rich now? I been hungry.

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