US President Donald Trump’s drastic budget cuts to the National Science Foundation (NSF) are putting the nation’s research stations in Antarctica at risk. The NSF has been struggling to fund Antarctic work, and Trump’s cancellation of the construction budget for the current fiscal year has left scientists fearing for the future of their research. If support for the Antarctic programme is slashed, the NSF might not be able to fund substantial field research for at least a couple of years, potentially leading to the winding down of research at the bases.
Forecast for 6 months: Trump’s budget cuts will lead to a significant reduction in NSF funding for Antarctic research, resulting in a decrease in the number of research projects and fieldwork conducted in the next 6 months.
Forecast for 1 year: The NSF will struggle to maintain its research stations in Antarctica, and some projects may be cancelled or postponed due to lack of funding. This will lead to a decline in the quality and quantity of research conducted in the next year.
Forecast for 5 years: If Trump’s budget cuts continue, the US will lose its leadership in Antarctic research, and other nations will take advantage of the opportunity to expand their presence on the continent. This will lead to a shift in the global balance of power and a decline in US influence in the region.
Forecast for 10 years: The US will have largely withdrawn from Antarctic research, and other nations will have established themselves as the dominant players on the continent. This will have significant implications for global climate change research and policy, as well as the balance of power in the region.
