U.S. National Climate Assessment Website Taken Offline

Quick Summary

• Event: The U.S. National Climate Assessments website (USGCRP) and links to climate reports disappeared from the internet on Monday.
• Background: The National Climate Assessments are mandated by Congress and published periodically,warning of catastrophic risks from climate change.
• Previously Active: An archived version showed the USGCRP site was functional as of Sunday.
• Scientific Reaction: Scientists expressed concern, with comments like “Federal science is being systematically erased.”
• Legal Questions: These reports are classified as Highly Influential Scientific Assessments, required to be digitally accessible under federal guidelines, possibly paving the way for legal opposition.
• Context under Trump Administration:

– Recent actions include dismantling programs supporting climate research and dismissing scientists working on future assessments.
– Major personnel cuts reported across agencies like NOAA, NASA, and EPA affecting climate monitoring capacity.
– Efforts reportedly align with conservative priorities aimed at reshaping federal climate research.

!Scientific American