Former government scientists are expressing outrage following the Trump administration’s decision to dismantle a significant climate tracking website. The move, reported by ABC News on Tuesday evening, has left many in the scientific community alarmed and concerned about the future of climate data accessibility.
The website of the U.S. Global Change Research Program, which was a repository for numerous climate change reports and resources, including the National Climate Assessments, has been taken offline. According to a NASA spokesperson, this action has rendered all five editions of the National Climate Assessment and a wealth of information on human-amplified climate change impacts in the United States inaccessible.
The Dismantling of Climate Research
This development follows the administration’s April announcement to cancel all research for the program and terminate all researchers involved in the sixth edition slated for 2028. This decision, despite the program being mandated by congressional appropriations, has sparked significant controversy.
The Trump administration has increasingly asserted its right to withhold funds allocated by Congress from programs it opposes, a stance that conflicts with the 1974 Impoundment Control Act, which prohibits such actions. In response, Trump officials have stated that previous reports from the Global Change Research Program will now be hosted directly by NASA.
Reactions from the Scientific Community
The dismantling of the climate program has set off alarm bells among scientists who have worked for the federal government. Haley Crim, a former National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration climate staffer, voiced her concerns:
“The National Climate Assessment, and all special reports and past assessments, are now offline. Federal climate science is being systematically erased,”
she said. Crim further explained that the administration’s actions are not outright censorship but rather a culmination of expired contracts, decisions on individual products, and a lack of staffing and resources.
Meanwhile, Zach Labe, another NOAA climate scientist, expressed his frustration on Bluesky, stating,
“Every day is a trainwreck for climate science. Stay aware of what is happening, and speak out!”
Historical Context and Implications
This move represents a broader pattern observed during the Trump administration, where several federal websites on sensitive topics, including climate science, LGBTQ issues, AIDS prevention, and minority inclusion, have faced similar fates. Earlier this year, anticipating such purges, concerned experts began privately archiving these at-risk federal websites.
According to sources, the decision to dismantle the U.S. Global Change Research Program’s website is seen as part of a larger strategy to undermine climate science. The implications of this are far-reaching, potentially hindering future research and policy-making efforts that rely on comprehensive climate data.
Looking Forward
The scientific community is calling for increased vigilance and advocacy to protect climate information. As the situation unfolds, experts emphasize the importance of preserving data and continuing research efforts independently if necessary.
While the Trump administration maintains that the reports will still be available through NASA, the lack of a centralized, dedicated platform for climate research raises concerns about accessibility and transparency. The coming months will likely see further debates and discussions on the role of government in supporting and disseminating scientific research.
As the global climate crisis continues to escalate, the need for accurate and comprehensive data becomes ever more critical. The scientific community remains committed to ensuring that vital climate information remains available for future generations.
