
NOAA Research Websites Go Dark Amid Controversy and Reversal
On Saturday night, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) unexpectedly shut down dozens of its research websites, sparking widespread concern among scientists and the public. The move, which was scheduled to occur at midnight, was part of a broader initiative to streamline NOAA's online presence. However, the sudden blackout of these resources, crucial for climate and weather research, led to immediate backlash.
Following the outcry, Bloomberg reported that the U.S. weather agency decided to reverse its decision, promising to preserve the research websites. This reversal came after intense pressure from the scientific community and environmental groups, who argued that the loss of these platforms would severely hamper ongoing research and public access to vital data.
The controversy deepened with reports from Splinter, suggesting that the decision to shut down the websites was influenced by external pressures from figures like Howard Lutnick and the cryptocurrency community, specifically those involved with Dogecoin. This alleged 'hostile takeover' has raised questions about the integrity and future direction of NOAA's digital resources.