NPR

Trump administration dismantling deep-sea observation system

The Trump administration is dismantling a deep-sea observation system that provides data to scientists worldwide. The Ocean Observatories Initiative has provided real-time data on the world’s oceans for a decade. It’s made up of more than 900 scientific instruments, some calibrated to withstand the intense pressure of the deep sea. It’s helped researchers better understand marine ecosystems, ocean currents and the effects of global warming. Starting this month, the National Science Foundation says, it will begin removing instruments from the system, which costs nearly $50 million annually to operate. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, recommended closing the system in its Project 2025 playbook, calling it a source of “climate alarmism.” Check out NPR News Now wherever you listen to podcasts for more of today’s news.