The Trump administration has dismissed all scientists and experts working on the National Climate Assessment, a key report required by Congress that evaluates the impact of global warming on various aspects of American life. This decision jeopardizes the future of the assessment, which state and local governments, as well as private companies, rely on to prepare for climate-related challenges. The dismissal follows a series of disruptions under the Trump administration, including the cancellation of a major support contract for the Global Change Research Program. Concerns have been raised that the administration might attempt to create a new report that downplays climate risks, potentially undermining the credibility and utility of the assessment. The loss of the current assessment process could result in outdated information being used for critical decision-making regarding climate adaptation and mitigation measures.

The National Climate Assessment, mandated by Congress, provides a comprehensive analysis of how global warming affects public health, agriculture, water supplies, and the economy, and is used by policymakers and businesses for planning and adaptation.

The Trump administration's dismissal of the report's contributors halts progress on the sixth assessment, originally planned for release in 2028, creating uncertainty about its completion and integrity.

The Global Change Research Program, responsible for overseeing the assessment, faced disruptions under the Trump administration, including the cancellation of a key contract with ICF International that provided essential technical support.

President Trump and members of his administration have historically dismissed or downplayed the risks of global warming, with some officials criticizing the climate research community as alarmist.

Previous attempts by the Trump administration to undermine the National Climate Assessment included timing the release of the 2018 report to minimize public attention, despite its urgent findings on climate threats.

The scientific community fears that without the current assessment framework, future reports may lack credibility and fail to provide actionable insights for communities to combat climate change.

The loss of updated climate assessments risks leaving decision-makers with outdated information on effective adaptation and mitigation strategies, potentially hindering efforts to address climate challenges effectively.