In brief
The Trump administration's recent decision to reduce funding and staffing for the National Climate Assessment has alarmed scientists, raising doubts about the feasibility of future reports aimed at evaluating global warming's impact on the U.S.
The Trump administration has taken a controversial step by cutting back on funding and personnel associated with the National Climate Assessment, a critical report mandated by Congress to evaluate the effects of climate change on various sectors in the U.S. The latest report was released in 2023 and plays a vital role in informing state governments and private industries about climate-related preparation.This important assessment is managed by the Global Change Research Program, which was created by Congress in 1990 and collaborates with NASA, 14 federal agencies, and numerous external scientists to compile data and insights. However, recent developments have escalated concerns about the future of the program. NASA has issued stop-work orders on contracts with ICF International, the primary consulting firm that provided extensive technical support and staff to the program.Originally signed in 2021, the five-year contract worth over $33 million was essential for sustaining the workforce necessary to construct the climate assessment. The abrupt withdrawal of ICF's support has left scientists worried about the program's survival, with Donald Wuebbles, an atmospheric sciences professor at the University of Illinois, noting the challenges this poses for releasing the next report, which is due in 2027 or 2028.In a statement regarding these changes, a NASA spokesperson remarked on the efforts to streamline contract operations in alignment with President Trump's directives, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to fulfilling its congressional obligations but with increased efficiency. The collaboration with the White House aims to find ways to balance these requirements while managing resources effectively across 14 different federal agencies.
