Climate assessment in dispute as Trump discards report's authors

In an email sent to contributors of the Sixth National Climate Assessment (NCA6) on Monday, the administration stated the report's scope was under review, and they were being let go from their roles. This decision came after mass terminations earlier this month at the US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), the body supervising the congressionally mandated report, marking another flashpoint in Trump's mission to restructure the federal government.

"Those working on this report are dedicated to informing the public about the latest scientific knowledge, how it might impact people, and what some potential solutions could be for combating climate change," Abby Frazier, a climatologist at Clark University who was set to author a chapter on Hawaii and US-affiliated Pacific Islands, told AFP. "I'm heartbroken by this news."

She added that the previous report had helped people understand how climate change affected their communities, particularly in the Pacific Islands.

Rachel Cleetus, a senior policy director at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and a former author on NCA6's chapter on coastal impacts, condemned the move as irresponsible and politically motivated.

"The Trump administration recklessly dismantled a critical and comprehensive US climate science report by dismissing its authors without reason or a plan," she said in a statement. "Attempting to suppress this report won't change the scientific facts in the slightest, but without this information, our country risks blindly charging into a world made more hazardous by human-induced climate change."

The White House did not respond to a request for comment. Other authors took to social media to confirm they had received identical notices, expressing anger and concern.

Dismantling research

Since retaking the White House, Trump has embarked on a relentless overhaul of federal institutions, firing thousands of civil servants, including climate scientists and public health experts. It has also diverted agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National Institutes of Health away from climate and environmental research.

The disruption of NCA6 comes at a critical time: global temperatures have started to surpass 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming above preindustrial levels, as per recent international analyses, leading to worse wildfires, droughts, floods, and storms across the United States.

The National Climate Assessment, first published in 2000, serves as a linchpin of US government climate comprehension, synthesizing input from federal agencies and hundreds of external scientists. Previous editions have issued stark warnings about mounting risks to America's economy, infrastructure, and health if greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced.

Though not prescriptive on policy, the reports have served as guides for lawmakers, businesses, and local governments planning climate resilience. The administration’s actions remain unclear, leaving the NCA6’s future uncertain: will they recruit replacement contributors or alter the report’s mandate to reflect political priorities rather than scientific consensus?

Enrichment Data:The Sixth National Climate Assessment (NCA6), legislated by Congress and slated for release in 2027, currently faces uncertainty after the Trump administration dismissed nearly 400 scientists and contributors[1][4]. Key developments include:

Program Pause: The administration has halted preparatory work, aiming to reassess the report’s scope and ensure compliance with federal law[1]. This includes canceling contracts with supporting firms like ICF International[2].
Delayed Review: A detailed outline submitted by scientists in February 2025 remains unreviewed, and agency feedback periods are postponed[2][3]. Long-term risks involve:
Credibility Threats: The dismissal of non-federal volunteer experts—including economists, tribal leaders, and climate scientists— potentially undermines the report’s credibility as a trusted resource for policymakers[4].
Data Omissions: Without specialists analyzing greenhouse gas emissions and climate impacts, the assessment risks overlooking critical data required to inform regulations and adaptation strategies[3]. The NCA6’s future hinges on whether the administration recruits replacement contributors or alters its mandate to prioritize political interests over scientific consensus[2][4].

The United States administration has reviewed the scope of the Sixth National Climate Assessment (NCA6), citing the need for compliance with federal law, and has terminated roles of nearly 400 scientists and contributors.
Abby Frazier, a climatologist, lamented the decision, stating that the report informs the public about the latest scientific knowledge, potential impacts, and solutions for climate change.
Rachel Cleetus, a senior policy director at the Union of Concerned Scientists, denounced the move as politically motivated and reckless, potentially risking the country's blind charge into a world affected by human-induced climate change.
In the face of rising global temperatures and increased environmental disasters, the discontinuation of NCA6 raises international concerns, as the report serves as a critical resource for US policy, business, and local government planning related to climate resilience.
The administration's actions have raised questions about the future of the NCA6, with uncertainty surrounding whether they will recruit replacement contributors or alter the report's mandate to reflect political priorities rather than scientific consensus.
The disruption comes at a time when the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other agencies have been diverted away from climate and environmental research by the Trump administration as part of a broader overhaul of federal institutions.
The dismissal of the NCA6 contributors marks another flashpoint in Trump's mission to restructure the US federal government, following thousands of civil servant firings, including climate scientists and public health experts.
Concerns about the future of the NCA6 have been raised by various environmental science and policy and legislation organizations, as well as by affected contributors, who have expressed anger and concern over the decision to dismiss them without reason or a plan.