The critical research that unlocks our climate's past and future may be on thin ice

Ice cores have provided some of the best data for tracking climate change.

As the planet warms up, the historical record captured in the ice is slowly melting.

President Donald Trump ’s assault on science has put this invaluable resource at risk.

Trump administration also has proposed slashing the budget of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , another key funder of climate research.

The administration has continued to chip away at Arctic science, alongside widespread cuts to all US science disciplines.

In April , the Polar Geospatial Center at the University of Minnesota lost its funding.

A mid-May analysis by the New York Times found that there is an 88 percent reduction in the average grants awarded this year for polar science.