Sounding the Alarm: Trump Administration's Shift on National Climate Assessment
White House disregards creators of significant climate study
The Trump Administration has raised eyebrows with its decision to reassess the National Climate Assessment (NCA), a move that has scientists, researchers, and environmental advocates up in arms. This controversial decision promises to alter the landscape of climate science and potentially limit the availability of crucial global warming information to the general public.
The NCA serves as the United States' most authoritative and comprehensive source of data about the impacts of global warming on the nation. It provides straightforward answers to common questions, such as the rate at which sea levels are rising near American cities, the normalcy of rainfall in various regions, and strategies for managing wildfire smoke exposure.
The sixth edition of the NCA, due for release in late 2027, has already garnered the attention of over 400 volunteer authors. This roster includes top scientists, economists, tribal leaders, and climate experts from various non-profit groups and corporations. On Tuesday, these authors received an unexpected email, releasing them from their roles and foretelling that the scope of the NCA is being reevaluated.
The White House remains suspiciously tight-lipped about the reasons behind the dismissals and the specific aspects of the NCA's scope under review. The uncertainty casts a shadow on the future of climate science and the dissemination of critical information about global warming.
David White, a sustainability researcher at Arizona State University who has worked on two previous editions of the NCA, articulates the public's reason for disquiet. "The reasons Americans should be upset and concerned about this decision is because it's more than just a report," asserts White. The assessment is a vital resource for everyone from city planners to farmers to judges. For instance, city water utilities use the NCA to prepare for the impacts of sustained drought, while it helps inform elementary schools in developing heat mitigation plans to safeguard children from extreme heat.
One of the most valuable aspects of the last edition of the climate assessment, released in late 2023, was an online atlas that enabled users to zoom in and visualize the local impact of climate change on their communities. Understanding the risks faced by varying populations is crucial, as it allows for targeted planning and disaster preparation.
However, this could change as the Trump Administration's apparent motives appear aligned with broader efforts to reshape the content and oversight of the NCA [1]. The Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 advocated for reducing bureaucratic control over the NCA and incorporating diverse viewpoints into climate reports, a recommendation that likely signals an intent to challenge established climate science [1].
Such moves have raised concerns about the NCA becoming a vessel for climate misinformation, potentially sidelining peer-reviewed findings in favor of politicized narratives [2][4]. Katharine Hayhoe, a lead author of previous NCAs, voiced her apprehension, stating that the newly revised NCA might compile "long-debunked myths," thereby eroding the foundation of evidence-based policymaking [2].
The potential consequences of this shift extend beyond national borders, as the NCA's historical role in informing international climate negotiations could be weakened if its content is politicized [1][2]. Moreover, the dismissal of over 400 scientists and experts disrupts a decades-long process mandated by Congress since 1990, eroding trust in federal climate guidance [2][3].
As the Trump Administration continues to shape the future of the NCA, the implications for scientific integrity, public preparedness, institutional stability, and global credibility remain uncertain. Only time will tell whether this shift signals a monumental change in the way the United States approaches climate science and communication.
[1] The Heritage Foundation. (2021). Project 2025: The Heritage Foundation's plan for America's future. Retrieved from https://www.heritage.org/issues/project-2025[2] Hayes, A. (2020, October 6). The Trump Administration is OK with polar bears extincting. It’s a deadly threat to us all. Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/10/06/trump-administration-is-ok-polar-bears-extincting-its-deadly-threat-us-all/[3] Revesz, R. (2020, September 22). The government airbrushes climate change from American life—with shocking results. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/22/trump-admin-climate-change-american-life[4] US Government Accountability Office. (2014). Climate change: Federal agencies need to improve the quality, completeness, and accessibility of information on the impacts of climate change on transportation. Retrieved from https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-14-612T
- The decision by the Trump Administration to reassess the National Climate Assessment (NCA) has stirred alarm among scientists, researchers, and environmental advocates due to the potential for limiting crucial global warming information to the public.
- The NCA is a vital resource for a wide range of stakeholders, including city planners, farmers, judges, and others, providing data about the impacts of global warming on the nation.
- The sixth edition of the NCA, scheduled for release in late 2027, involves over 400 volunteer authors, including top scientists, economists, and climate experts from various sectors.
- Uncertainty about the future of the NCA arises from the Trump Administration's reevaluation of the assessment's scope, which casts a shadow on the distribution of critical information about global warming.
- David White, a sustainability researcher, expressed public concern, stating that the decision could erode the foundation of evidence-based policymaking, affecting everyone from city water utilities preparing for droughts to elementary schools developing heat mitigation plans.
- The potential for the NCA to become a vessel for climate misinformation has raised concerns, as it could sideline peer-reviewed findings in favor of politicized narratives.
- The implications of this shift extend beyond the United States, potentially weakening the NCA's historical role in informing international climate negotiations and disrupting a decades-long process mandated by Congress since 1990.
