Trump To Scrap NASA's ‘Politically Correct’ Climate Research, Chooses Space Over Earth

President-elect Donald Trump wants to put NASA's focus back on space exploration and scrap programs that study climate change. Trump apparently wants to keep NASA away from politically correct science, according to his adviser Bob Walker.

"We see NASA in an exploration role, in deep space research," Walker told the The Guardian. "Earth-centric science is better placed at other agencies where it is their prime mission." Furthermore, it was added that, Trump's decisions will be based on "solid science, not politicized science."

Trump has previously called climate change is a "hoax" perpetrated by the Chinese. However, on Tuesday he has reportedly agreed that there is some connection between human actions and the climate, and that he could reconsider his position on the Paris agreement. "I'm looking at it very closely. I have an open mind to it," Trump said.

As noted by adn.com, NASA's Earth science division could receive setbacks in funding in favor of space exploration. Trump had reportedly set a goal during his campaign to explore the whole solar system by the end of this century. Although, of course, this means good news for space exploration, it comes at the cost of ignoring the immediate needs of the planet. Scrapping NASA's climate research means elimination of the study that goes into understanding clouds, ice and other climate phenomena.

According to climate scientist Michael Mann from Penn State University, NASA has a unique and critical role in investigating Earth and climate change. Therefore, without its support, not only the U.S. but also the entire world will be affected by human-caused climate change.

"We live on planet Earth and there is much to discover, and it is essential to monitor and track many things from space," added Kevin Trenberth, senior scientist from National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). "Information on planet Earth and its oceans and atmosphere is essential for our way of life. Space research is a luxury, Earth observations are essential."