In brief
In a significant move regarding the future of climate science in the United States, the American Geophysical Union and the American Meteorological Society have pledged to move forward with the publication of the National Climate Assessment (NCA6) after the Trump administration's controversial decision last week to remove the report’s authors. This abrupt termination has raised concerns about the administration’s commitment to addressing climate change as it left the future of the report, which is crucial in evaluating climate impacts across the nation, uncertain.
Brandon Jones, president of the American Geophysical Union, emphasized the necessity of providing communities with accurate scientific information on climate risks. He highlighted the importance of collaboration among researchers to find solutions to climate change, stating, “It’s incumbent on us to ensure our communities, our neighbors, our children are all protected and prepared for the mounting risks of climate change.” The sixth edition of the National Climate Assessment was initially scheduled for release in early 2028 and is mandated by Congress, meaning this new plan by the scientific organizations will not replace the federal report but aims to deliver critical insights amid ongoing shifts in policy and funding.The White House has yet to comment on the dismissal of the NCA6 authors or the new initiative from the scientific groups. The administration’s email to the dismissed authors expressed that “the scope of the report is currently being re-evaluated,” which ties back to legislation from 1990 that established the U.S. Global Change Research Program. This approach raises alarms for many in the scientific community, as the staffing and funding cuts implemented in April can significantly impact the research vital for understanding and combating climate change in the United States.
