In a move that has sparked outrage among former government scientists, the Trump administration has reportedly dismantled a major climate tracking website, according to a report by ABC News on Tuesday evening. The website of the U.S. Global Change Research Program, which housed critical climate change reports and resources, is no longer operational, a NASA spokesperson confirmed.
This website, which included all five editions of the National Climate Assessment and a wealth of information on how human-amplified climate change is impacting the United States, has gone offline. The shutdown follows the administration’s April announcement to cancel all research for the program and terminate researchers working on the sixth edition, slated for 2028, despite congressional appropriations mandating its continuation.
Background on the U.S. Global Change Research Program
The U.S. Global Change Research Program has been a cornerstone in the nation’s efforts to understand and respond to climate change. Established by a mandate from Congress, the program has provided comprehensive assessments of climate science and its impacts on the United States. The National Climate Assessment, a key output of the program, has been widely cited by policymakers, scientists, and educators.
The Trump administration’s decision to dismantle the program is seen by many as part of a broader effort to undermine climate science. The administration has increasingly asserted its right to withhold funds from programs it disagrees with, a move that critics argue violates the 1974 Impoundment Control Act, which prohibits the executive branch from unilaterally withholding funds allocated by Congress.
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 climate staffer at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), expressed her concerns, stating,
“The National Climate Assessment, and all special reports and past assessments, are now offline. Federal climate science is being systematically erased.”
Crim noted that while the administration isn’t censoring all climate resources, the lack of staffing, resources, and protection for climate information is deeply troubling.
Another NOAA climate scientist, Zach Labe, took to social media to voice his frustration, posting on Bluesky,
“Every day is a trainwreck for climate science. Stay aware of what is happening, and speak out!”
Implications and Future Prospects
The removal of the climate tracking website has significant implications for the scientific community and policymakers who rely on this data to make informed decisions. The administration has stated that previous reports from the Global Change Research Program will now be hosted by NASA. However, the lack of a centralized platform for accessing this information raises concerns about accessibility and transparency.
Meanwhile, many experts, anticipating such a purge, have begun privately archiving federal websites at risk of being shuttered. These efforts include preserving information on climate science, LGBTQ issues, AIDS prevention, and minority inclusion, ensuring that these critical resources remain available to the public.
As the scientific community grapples with these developments, the future of federal climate research remains uncertain. The dismantling of the U.S. Global Change Research Program represents a significant setback in the nation’s efforts to address climate change. Moving forward, scientists and policymakers will need to find new ways to collaborate and share information to continue advancing climate science and policy.
