The Trump administrationhas once more undone a significant choice about critical climate-related evaluations, with numerous specialists raising concerns.
What’s happening?
In June, the Trump government announced that it wasshutting downThe website of the U.S. Global Change Research Program, globalchange.gov, which provides the National Climate Assessments required by Congress along with additional climate-related studies.
This choice eliminated the public’s ability to access detailed information about howclimate-related issues impact the United States.
The action faced disapproval from scientists who saw it as an effort to impede the country’s capacity to get ready for what lies ahead.
As reportedBy The Associated Press, NASA stated on July 3 that “all previous reports will be available on the NASA website, maintaining consistent coverage.”
Nevertheless, the Trump administration seems to have reversed its position on the data for a second time.
“The USGCRP fulfilled its legal requirements by submitting its reports to Congress. NASA does not have any legal responsibilities to maintain the data on globalchange.gov,” wrote Bethany Stevens, a NASA press secretary, in an email.
What makes the elimination of public access to the National Climate Assessment troubling?
According to Katharine Hayhoe, aclimate scientistAt Texas Tech University, the absence of hosting the National Climate Assessment might result in the public not being adequately informed.
Hayhoe, who has contributed to several National Climate Assessments, criticized the choice made by the Trump administration.
“This document was created for the American public, funded by citizens, and includes essential information we must use to protect ourselves in an evolving climate, as the ongoing disasters clearly show,” Hayhoetold the AP.
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Hayhoe’s views were shared by John Holdren, another climate scientist and former science advisor under the Obama administration. Holdren criticized the current administration’s approach to climate-related information, alleging that it is deliberately withholding data from the public.
They merely wish to prevent the public from viewing the carefully compiled and scientifically supported details regarding whatclimate changeis already affecting our farms, forests, and fisheries, as well as tostorms, floods, wildfires, and coastal property — and regarding how all those damages will increase without coordinated corrective measures,” HoldrenwroteIn an email to the AP, “Trump doesn’t want people to know.”
What actions are being taken to address increasing global temperatures?
As notedaccording to the latest National Climate Assessment, published in 2023, the more theplanet warms, the more significant the effects will be.
The report states, ‘Without significant and swift cuts in global greenhouse gas emissions from human sources, the dangers of rising sea levels, more severe weather events, and other damaging climate effects will keep increasing.’
To assist in addressing this, 195 nations have embraced theParis Agreementin 2015, the initiative seeks to keep the increase in global temperature under 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit relative to preindustrial times. It includes a set of pledges from countries involved toreduce planet-warming gas pollutionand encourage the development ofrenewable energy resources, such as wind and solar energy.
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Experts sound alarms as the White House reverses course on a crucial public asset: ‘They don’t want people to know’ first appeared on The Cool Down.
