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Following protests from scientists and congress members, the US reversed the decision to dismantle a sensor network

The US National Science Foundation (NSF) has reversed its decision to dismantle a large-scale ocean observation network after protests from Democrats in Congress and the scientific community, reports the Associated Press.

Following protests from scientists and congress members, the US reversed the decision to dismantle a sensor network

TL;DR

  • The National Science Foundation (NSF) has canceled its plan to dismantle the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI).
  • The OOI is a $386 million network of over 900 underwater sensors that monitor ocean currents, ecosystems, climate, and extreme weather.
  • The decision to dismantle was met with protests from Democrats in Congress and the scientific community, who accused the NSF of violating the law.
  • The NSF stated it will not remove or disconnect equipment and will reconvene an expert committee to determine the network's future.
  • The NSF's initial decision was seen as part of a broader trend under the Trump administration to cut funding for environmental and climate science.

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