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cover of episode Are You Affected by the NOAA Layoffs?

Are You Affected by the NOAA Layoffs?

2025/3/10
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People
C
Carly
D
Daniel Swain
H
Heather Welch
K
Kayla B. Song
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Kayla B. Song: 我是NOAA太平洋海啸预警中心的一名值班科学家,负责24/7监控潜在海啸,并向相关部门发出预警。NOAA的裁员让我非常担忧,因为人员短缺和士气低落会导致错误,从而危及公共安全。成为NOAA太平洋海啸预警中心的值班科学家需要很高的要求,例如拥有博士学位或丰富的经验和学位组合。 Daniel Swain: NOAA的工作范围广泛,包括提供天气预报、海啸预警和气候变化研究等对公共安全至关重要的服务,其裁员令人担忧。NOAA的数据对许多行业至关重要,从个人天气应用到航空公司和邮政服务等都依赖于NOAA的数据。NOAA的裁员目标是“试用期员工”或新员工,但这些人中也包括为了填补关键职位空缺而被雇佣的人员,以及一些最近获得晋升的资深员工。NOAA裁员导致气象仪器的维护和修理人员短缺,例如气象气球的释放减少,这会影响天气预报的准确性。NOAA的裁员导致当地气象雷达站的维修人员短缺,这会影响天气预报的及时性和准确性。NOAA的裁员甚至波及到负责发布灾害预警的气象学家,这会直接影响公共安全。对NOAA的裁员是出于私有化政府服务、节省资金或淡化气候变化威胁等多种动机。私营部门无法完全取代NOAA的功能,因为私营部门严重依赖NOAA提供的数据和基础设施。 Heather Welch: 我在NOAA渔业部门工作多年,由于职位变动被列入“新员工试用期名单”,最终被解雇。我作为一名生态学家,利用物种分布模型预测海洋动物的活动范围,并以此帮助行业避免人与野生动物的冲突。 Carly: 我是萨克拉门托办事处的新员工,工作了一个多月后被解雇,我的工作是帮助解决孵化场遗传管理计划的积压问题。我被雇佣来解决加州孵化场遗传管理计划的积压问题,以支持加州和美国的渔业经济。

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Shownotes Transcript

Scientists who study and keep the public informed about wildfires, hurricanes, avalanches and climate change are reeling from the Trump administration’s mass firings at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which includes the National Weather Service. We talk to climate scientist Daniel Swain about the essential work NOAA does in California and nationwide and the impacts of the firings on public safety and mission-critical scientific research. Tell us: Are you affected by the NOAA layoffs?

Guests:

**Daniel Swain, **climate scientist, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources & UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability

**Heather Welch, **terminated research biologist at NOAA Fisheries who worked on the NOAA Climate, Ecosystems and Fisheries Initiative in Monterey, California

**Kayla Ann Besong, **terminated duty scientist for NOAA’s Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu, HI