The US may lose its only research icebreaker, which was used to study glacier melt in Antarctica, according to NBC.

According to the TV channel, the US National Science Foundation plans to decommission the icebreaker Nathaniel B. Palmer and postpone the construction of its replacement. This decision is linked to the current administration's critical attitude towards climate research: budgets, grants and jobs are being cut, and the publication of relevant reports is being discontinued.

The foundation intends to focus its remaining resources on maintaining the US Antarctic stations and trying to find a replacement for the icebreaker. 

Earlier, it was reported that in April, Secretary of State Marco Rubio abolished the Office of Global Change, which was responsible for coordinating US international policy on climate change.

According to one official, this decision could complicate international cooperation on climate issues at the most inopportune moment.