Trump Administration Cuts Pollution Monitoring from Future Weather Satellites

**Title:** Trump Administration Cuts Key Pollution Instruments from Weather Satellites

The Trump administration has decided to significantly reduce the capabilities of future weather and climate satellites by eliminating essential pollution monitoring instruments. This decision, revealed by sources to CNN, occurs amidst the impending hurricane season, signaling a broader agenda to undermine environmental protections and reduce data on climate change impacts.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will no longer include instruments that measure air quality and ocean conditions in its upcoming satellite program. This change is particularly troubling as it appears to be a targeted effort to minimize understanding of the atmosphere and oceans, which critics say undermines public health and environmental regulations.

An NOAA official expressed concern that such cuts jeopardize critical data on air pollution and climate changes that could improve public health outcomes, stating that “this administration has taken a very narrow view of weather.” The projected cost savings of the satellites come at the expense of comprehensive data collection, making future forecasting and environmental assessments less reliable.

The budget request for fiscal year 2026 also indicates plans to close key NOAA research facilities and dismantle its greenhouse gas monitoring network, further cementing a regression in U.S. environmental leadership. These cuts stem from the administration’s perceived focus on strictly weather forecasting while largely neglecting climate change mitigation efforts, directly contradicting scientific advice.

As a result of these actions, the advantages of advanced climate monitoring systems and protections for public health through air quality assessments are being sacrificed for short-term financial savings. This approach, which is consistent with the Republican party’s disregard for scientific consensus on climate issues, poses serious long-term risks to both environmental sustainability and public well-being.