Trump Administration’s Plans for the National Climate Assessment
The U.S. Global Change Research Program produces a comprehensive document called the National Climate Assessment, which is mandated by Congress. This report serves as a vital resource for understanding and addressing climate issues by providing essential scientific information on how climate change affects the United States, aiding policymakers in developing strategies to combat global warming. Experts are concerned that the incoming Trump administration plans to introduce biased and inaccurate perspectives into the report, undermining trust in climate science and potentially harming the country’s international standing. These concerns stem from decisions by Trump’s team to incorporate “diverse viewpoints” that may elevate climate science skeptics, increase White House control over scientist selection for shaping the report, and reject or modify sections created during the Biden administration.
The Trump administration has previously attempted to minimize or discredit climate science. In Trump’s first term, his team released the climate report the day following Thanksgiving, hoping to reduce public attention. However, this strategy backfired, resulting in extensive media coverage. Weakening the report’s credibility could erode global confidence in U.S. climate leadership, hinder progress on global warming policies, and potentially limit the ability to make climate-friendly policies or defend against legal challenges related to environmental regulations.
Photo Credit: Jaymantri via Canva
