AI Generated Image
National Science Foundation halts plans to dismantle oceans observatory project
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- The National Science Foundation (NSF) reversed its decision to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) network following strong objections from Democratic lawmakers and scientists who depend on its data for ocean and climate research.
- NSF will halt the removal or disabling of equipment, redeploy previously removed instruments, and convene an expert panel to determine the network's future.
- The OOI, a $386 million project with over 900 ocean sensors, has provided critical data on ocean circulation, ecosystems, climate change, and extreme weather for over a decade, supporting more than 500 scientific publications.
- The initial plan to remove most instruments by 2027, described by NSF as a "descoping" to align with shifting scientific priorities, faced criticism for lacking scientific review and warning.
- The reversal comes amid broader concerns about reductions in environmental and climate science funding and staffing under the previous administration, with lawmakers accusing NSF of acting illegally in its initial decision.
