Climate Scientists Revive Public Information Hub After Federal Suppression

A coalition of climate communication experts, many of whom were dismissed from federal service during the Trump administration, has launched an independent initiative to restore public access to critical climate science information. The new non-profit website, Climate.us, is set to become an essential resource, aiming to fill the void left by the intentional sidelining and effective mothballing of official government climate data portals. This move represents a significant effort by scientists to safeguard the dissemination of factual, accessible climate information amidst concerns over political interference in scientific communication.

Reclaiming the Narrative: The Birth of Climate.us

The new independent platform, Climate.us, is spearheaded by Rebecca Lindsey, the former managing editor of the popular federal website climate.gov. Lindsey, along with several of her former colleagues, has volunteered to resurrect the content and mission of the government site, which had its production team fired and its content intentionally obscured under the Trump administration. The newly formed non-profit organization aims not only to offer public-facing interpretations of climate science but also to expand its mission to include practical climate-related services, such as aiding local governments in mapping increased flood risks. This initiative signals a determination by the scientific community to maintain an impartial flow of information, ensuring that critical data remains readily available to the public, educators, and decision-makers.

The genesis of Climate.us stems directly from the systematic disruption of climate information channels within the U.S. government. Access to climate.gov, once a widely utilized portal for climate information, was actively thwarted, and its extensive collection of accessibly written material on climate science was deliberately made harder to find. While the original site technically remains online, its content is no longer updated and has been "intentionally buried" by political appointees within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The new venture, Climate.us, is being developed with outside support, including legal assistance and initial grant funding, with plans to establish a self-sustaining non-profit through crowdfunding. This independent structure aims to insulate the crucial climate information from future political shifts and pressures.

A Pattern of Data Suppression: The Trump Administration's Approach to Climate Science

The efforts to launch Climate.us come in response to a broader pattern of federal climate data suppression and scientific dismissals that characterized the Trump administration. During President Donald Trump's second term, a concerted campaign was observed to scrub critical environmental resources and datasets from federal agency websites. This included the removal of the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) from the Council on Environmental Quality, which was vital for directing federal climate and clean energy funds to underserved communities. Other affected agencies included the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and potentially NOAA and the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), with over 2,000 datasets reportedly disappearing from data.gov.

The administration's actions extended to the U.S. Global Change Research Program's website, globalchange.gov, which was taken down along with all five versions of the congressionally mandated National Climate Assessment reports. These reports, compiled by hundreds of scientists, translate complex scientific data into accessible information crucial for policymakers, farmers, and businesses to prepare for impacts like heat waves, droughts, and floods. The staff responsible for these critical assessments, many of whom were highly experienced climate scientists, were reportedly dismissed en masse. Critics argued these deletions and dismissals were aimed at hiding climate risks from the public and hindering the nation's ability to prepare for worsening climate impacts.

The Original Mandate: Climate.gov's Role in Public Education

Before its effective dismantling, climate.gov served as a cornerstone for public climate literacy, providing years' worth of carefully curated and accessible scientific material. The website offered the latest news and research updates, data, tools, expert blogs, and visual status reports on key climate indicators. Its resources were invaluable for a diverse audience, including educators, journalists, decision-makers, and communities seeking to understand climate change's complexities. The site’s content included interactive maps and data pathways, climate literacy resources, and classroom materials, all designed to foster a deeper understanding of both natural climate processes and human-induced climate change.

The website was particularly popular for its ability to convey complex scientific concepts in plain language, making it an essential tool for those seeking reliable information on a subject often characterized by scientific jargon. The intentional disruption of such a widely used and trusted resource underscored the challenges faced by scientists and communicators in maintaining the integrity of public science education during periods of political opposition to climate action. The loss of these resources meant that communities, farmers, and local governments were stripped of vital planning resources necessary for managing environmental challenges.

The Broader Implications: Safeguarding Scientific Integrity and Public Access

The resurrection of a public climate information hub by former federal scientists carries significant implications for scientific integrity and the public's right to information. It highlights a growing trend where independent groups and civil society organizations step in to preserve and disseminate scientific data that governments may suppress. Organizations like the Environmental Data and Governance Initiative (EDGI), the Data Rescue Project, and Harvard's Library Innovation Lab have actively worked to archive federal datasets and rebuild access to crucial tools, demonstrating a collective commitment to protecting scientific knowledge. For instance, when the CEJST tool disappeared from federal websites, EDGI rebuilt it within three days, ensuring continued access to vital environmental justice data.

The establishment of Climate.us as an independent, non-profit entity underscores the critical need for resilient, apolitical platforms for scientific communication. It serves as a testament to the dedication of climate experts who view their work not merely as a job but as a vocation to inform and protect the public. By providing trusted, science-reviewed content and potentially offering direct assistance to communities, Climate.us aims to bridge the information gap created by federal actions and empower individuals and institutions with the knowledge necessary to confront the challenges of a changing climate. This ongoing effort emphasizes the importance of accessible data for informed decision-making and underscores the enduring commitment of scientists to public service, even outside traditional government structures.

Conclusion

The launch of Climate.us by former federal climate scientists marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing effort to preserve and disseminate objective climate information. Born from the suppression of scientific data during the Trump administration, this independent initiative seeks to restore a vital resource for public understanding and resilience in the face of climate change. By resurrecting the mission of the popular climate.gov website and expanding its reach, these dedicated experts are reaffirming the critical role of accessible, unbiased science in an informed society. Their efforts ensure that vital climate data remains available, empowering communities and policymakers to navigate an increasingly complex environmental landscape, irrespective of prevailing political winds.