The Trump administration's recent budgetary cuts to climate programs casts doubt on the future of the National Climate Assessment, pivotal to understanding the impacts of global warming.
Trump Administration Rethinks Climate Change Funding Amidst Congressional Mandate
Trump Administration Rethinks Climate Change Funding Amidst Congressional Mandate
Concerns Grow as Funding Cuts Threaten National Climate Assessment's Future
April 9, 2025, 6:00 p.m. ET
The Trump administration has initiated significant budget cuts to the National Climate Assessment, raising alarm among scientists who believe the integrity of the vital report is at stake. Mandated by Congress to be produced every four years, the National Climate Assessment provides critical insights into how climate change affects various elements of American life, including health, agriculture, and infrastructure. The previous assessment was published in 2023, serving as a crucial resource for policymakers and industry leaders alike to strategize against climate change.
The assessment is managed by the Global Change Research Program, a federally established entity supported by NASA and other agencies, which collaborates with numerous scientists. Recent decisions by NASA to halt contracts with ICF International, the main provider of technical support for the program, have prompted serious concerns regarding the assessment's progression. ICF had a five-year contract worth over $33 million that included providing essential personnel and expertise to the program.
Experts express skepticism about how the National Climate Assessment can realistically proceed without ICF's backing, despite the insistence by some that it remains a congressional requirement. A NASA representative noted that actions were being taken to “streamline” support efforts in accordance with the current administration’s directives, with an emphasis on improving efficiency across involved agencies. The future of the National Climate Assessment hangs in the balance, with scientists worried about the program's capability to fulfill its obligations under these new constraints.
The Trump administration has initiated significant budget cuts to the National Climate Assessment, raising alarm among scientists who believe the integrity of the vital report is at stake. Mandated by Congress to be produced every four years, the National Climate Assessment provides critical insights into how climate change affects various elements of American life, including health, agriculture, and infrastructure. The previous assessment was published in 2023, serving as a crucial resource for policymakers and industry leaders alike to strategize against climate change.
The assessment is managed by the Global Change Research Program, a federally established entity supported by NASA and other agencies, which collaborates with numerous scientists. Recent decisions by NASA to halt contracts with ICF International, the main provider of technical support for the program, have prompted serious concerns regarding the assessment's progression. ICF had a five-year contract worth over $33 million that included providing essential personnel and expertise to the program.
Experts express skepticism about how the National Climate Assessment can realistically proceed without ICF's backing, despite the insistence by some that it remains a congressional requirement. A NASA representative noted that actions were being taken to “streamline” support efforts in accordance with the current administration’s directives, with an emphasis on improving efficiency across involved agencies. The future of the National Climate Assessment hangs in the balance, with scientists worried about the program's capability to fulfill its obligations under these new constraints.
