The Trump administration's recent funding and staffing reductions for the National Climate Assessment have left scientists worried about the future of this essential climate report.
**Trump Administration Slashes Funding for Key Climate Report, Sparking Alarm Among Scientists**
**Trump Administration Slashes Funding for Key Climate Report, Sparking Alarm Among Scientists**
Funding cuts could undermine critical National Climate Assessment required by Congress.
The Trump administration has announced significant cuts to funding and staffing for a crucial program responsible for the National Climate Assessment, which evaluates the impacts of climate change across various sectors in the United States. This decision raises deep concerns among scientists regarding the future of the assessment, which is mandated by Congress to provide vital insights every four years into how global warming affects aspects such as health, agriculture, and water resources.
The National Climate Assessment is managed by the Global Change Research Program, a federal initiative established by Congress in 1990. This program, supported by NASA and involving collaboration from 14 federal agencies, the Smithsonian Institution, and numerous external scientists, plays a critical role in compiling and analyzing information presented in the report.
On Tuesday, NASA announced stop-work orders on contracts with ICF International, a consulting firm that delivered substantial technical and staffing resources for the Global Change Research Program. ICF had a five-year contract worth over $33 million and provided essential personnel who contributed to the program alongside federal employees.
Experts have expressed doubts about the feasibility of producing the next National Climate Assessment without ICF's support. Donald Wuebbles, a professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Illinois and contributor to past assessments, indicated skepticism regarding the possibility of moving forward with the essential report, although he noted that its production remains a congressional requirement.
In response to inquiries, a NASA spokesperson stated that the agency is "streamlining" its contracts to improve efficiency in alignment with President Trump's directives. She noted that NASA would work with the White House to determine the best approach to support the program while optimizing operations across the involved agencies and advisory panels.
The National Climate Assessment is managed by the Global Change Research Program, a federal initiative established by Congress in 1990. This program, supported by NASA and involving collaboration from 14 federal agencies, the Smithsonian Institution, and numerous external scientists, plays a critical role in compiling and analyzing information presented in the report.
On Tuesday, NASA announced stop-work orders on contracts with ICF International, a consulting firm that delivered substantial technical and staffing resources for the Global Change Research Program. ICF had a five-year contract worth over $33 million and provided essential personnel who contributed to the program alongside federal employees.
Experts have expressed doubts about the feasibility of producing the next National Climate Assessment without ICF's support. Donald Wuebbles, a professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Illinois and contributor to past assessments, indicated skepticism regarding the possibility of moving forward with the essential report, although he noted that its production remains a congressional requirement.
In response to inquiries, a NASA spokesperson stated that the agency is "streamlining" its contracts to improve efficiency in alignment with President Trump's directives. She noted that NASA would work with the White House to determine the best approach to support the program while optimizing operations across the involved agencies and advisory panels.
