Why is America switching off its climate warning system?

As scientists monitor the development of a potentially powerful El Niño event in the Pacific and continue to investigate major Earth systems like the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), the quality and continuity of our climate observations have arguably never been more important. Recent proposals affecting US climate monitoring programmes have raised serious concerns among researchers about the future of long-running datasets from ocean observatories and iconic locations like Mauna Loa. So, what exactly is being lost. And what might the consequences be?

🎉 Hoodie Giveaway Winners 🎉

Thanks to everyone who took part – I’ve now randomly selected the 10 winners:

@lorenzoventura7701
@neilgarcia9127
@mikaellinberger6645
@angelaanderson2662
@marsupialdungbucket
@annieellison2046
@joshMorland
@catherinegreen8440
@rivmey
@michaelreid2329

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Reference Links

Guardian Article
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/02/trump-administration-ocean-observatories-initiative

PBS reporting
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/trump-administration-dismantles-ambitious-ocean-monitoring-program#transcript

New Scientist article
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2529420-cuts-to-us-ocean-programme-will-hinder-monitoring-of-el-nino-and-amoc/

Climate Facts - The Mauna Loa observatory
https://climatefactchecks.org/worlds-longest-climate-record-at-risk-as-us-plans-to-defund-mauna-loa-observatory/

New York Times update article (may be paywall protected - sorry!)
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/18/climate/trump-ocean-observatories-initiative.html

Check out other YouTube Climate Communicators

Simon Clark:
youtube.com/user/SimonOxfPhys

ClimateTown:
youtube.com/channel/UCuVLG9pThvBABcYCm7pkNkA

Dr Gilbz
youtube.com/@DrGilbz

zentouro:
youtube.com/user/zentouro

Climate Adam:
youtube.com/user/ClimateAdam

Kurtis Baute:
youtube.com/user/ScopeofScience

Sarah Karvner:
youtube.com/channel/UCRwMkTu8sCwOOD6_7QYrZnw

Beckisphere: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT39HQq5eDKonaUV8ujiBCQ

Our Changing Climate :
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNXvxXpDJXp-mZu3pFMzYHQ