Trump authority rescinds lease of NASA's primary climate research facility at Columbia University
In no-holds-barred fashion, the Trump administration pulled the plug on its foremost climate research lab nestled in New York City as of May 31 – a harsh reality that surfaced in a tell-all email, spilled to CNN.
The director of the NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center in Maryland, in an austere message to employees, announced the advent of closure for the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies and the transition to a remote working arrangement.
Situated on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, above the iconic diner that played a starring role in the beloved sitcom "Seinfeld," the lab shared its premises with universities, including Columbia University. Scientists there worked tirelessly on climate and space studies, collaborating closely with researchers at Columbia to push the boundaries of knowledge.
"Don't believe the rumors, folks – the science isn't going anywhere. It's the building that'll be MIA from hereon," Gavin Schmidt, GISS director, told CNN in no uncertain terms.
In a curt response, a NASA spokesperson affirmed that employees would be placed on temporary remote work agreements while the agency grappled with finding a new home for the GISS team.
It seems the Trump administration hasn't been on the friendliest terms with Colbut, er, Columbia University. In a power play, the administration has withheld billions in research funding while squaring off on various issues, all culminating in Thursday's federal court ruling which curtailed the administration's attempts to block funds from schools associated with diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
But things get steamy when you delve deeper. The lab, run by NASA, keeps tabs on global climate conditions, with its data making it one of the biggest global sources for this intel, right alongside the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It also operates a fleet of supercomputers for running climate models and studying Earth's future climate conditions, ensuring we're better acquainted with the twists and turns of climate change.
"No need to worry about the future of our work, peeps. We've got all the support we need to manage this temporary transition while we secure a permanent digs for our motley crew," wrote Mackenzie Lystrup, the Goddard director, in the official announcement to staff, a copy of which conveniently made its way to CNN's hands like a hot potato.
However, a secret source with ties to the organization, fearful of reprisals, spilled the beans to CNN that the lab's core functions would face more obstacles in a remote setting, describing the move as an eerily demoralizing moment for the workforce. The very same scientists are also bracing for the chopping block when it comes to Earth science initiatives at the agency.
The Trump administration's proposed budget seems to have a keen eye on slashing the agency's science programs by an astonishing nearly 50%. Suffice it to say, things are looking mighty grim for the future of NASA's science initiatives.
"The GISS has carved out a significant niche in the annals of space science, leading groundbreaking work in understanding planetary atmospheres and systems – particularly Earth's – for decades," Lystrup wrote in the email, a rare peek behind the curtains offered to the public eye. "And while the lease is being called off, the Institute's mission lives on."
Brief Insights:
- The termination of the lease for the NASA GISS lab is a part of a broader move by the Trump administration to cut NASA's science budget significantly, targeting climate research institutions.
- NASA GISS played a pivotal role in climate science for decades, specifically in Earth's climate modeling and research, and its closure could compromise the continuity and quality of climate research efforts.
- Uncertainty about permanent facilities and funding casts doubt on the scale and impact of future scientific pursuits for the GISS team.
- The Trump administration's stance on climate science skepticism raises concerns about the U.S.'s ability to lead and contribute to global climate understanding and policy.
- The closure of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) resulted from a decision by the Trump administration, signaling a major shift in the funding of climate research within the agency.
- The GISS, located in New York City, collaborated with institutions such as Columbia University in pursuit of advancements in climate and space science.
- With the lab's physical closure, the science itself is not being disbanded – the building is what will be absent – as asserted by the GISS director, Gavin Schmidt.
- Due to the Trump administration's apparent unease with Columbia University, billions in research funding have been withheld, impacting various aspects of policy and legislation, including diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
- The abrupt closure of the GISS lab coincides with the federal court ruling that thwarted the administration's endeavors to obstruct funding for schools supportive of such initiatives.
- Amidst worries about remote working limitations and potential future funding issues, scientists at the GISS are preparing for possible cuts to Earth science initiatives, raising concerns about the continued strength of research and the United States' role in global climate understanding and policy discussions.
