The Trump administration has withdrawn from a group of scientists and researchers to engage in federal assessments of the impact of climate change, citing the need to reassess its approach to the project. [emphasis, links added]
Climate scientists and environmental groups said Tuesday that the move to dismiss participants in the report called the National Climate Assessment has raised doubts about the review of the future, which Congress has called for for the past three decades.
Researchers involved in the sixth national climate assessment received an email on Monday stating:
“Currently, the scope of NCA6 is currently being re-evaluated under the Global Change Research Act of 1990. We are now releasing the roles of all current assessment participants.”
“As the evaluation plan is developed, there may be opportunities for future contribution or participation. Thank you for your service.”
The White House did not immediately comment on the decision, a report by The New York Times earlier.
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Written by one’s own beneficiaries, funded by fear and error.
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National Climate Assessment: Science or Sales Promotion?
Read now 👇 https://t.co/e2wqah0gcv-Dr. Matthew M. Wielicki (@matthewwiecki) April 30, 2025
The notice effectively ceased the report, which began in 2024 and is scheduled to be released in late 2027 or early 2028.
National climate assessments are produced every four years and are considered an authoritative document on climate change used by stakeholders and policy makers.
“This means it's the dissolution of the function of the assessment, process and work,” said Jesse Keenan, associate professor at Tulane University and one of the assessment authors. “It's the termination.”
The authors said Monday's decision affected hundreds of researchers, scientists and experts who contributed to the report.
The latest version, released in November 2023, found that extreme weather events cost the U.S. economy nearly $150 billion a year and disproportionately hurt poor and disadvantaged communities.
Reading Break on WSJ
