Instant Insight
30-Second Take
- The Trump administration has shut down a federal website hosting critical climate change reports.
- The removed reports include the National Climate Assessment and data from the U.S. Global Change Research Program.
- Scientists and experts condemn the move as “scientific censorship” that hampers climate preparedness.
+ Dive Deeper
Quick Brief
2-Minute Digest
Essential Context
On July 1, 2025, the Trump administration took down the globalchange.gov website, which was a central hub for congressionally mandated climate change reports. This move has been widely criticized by scientists and experts who argue it undermines the nation’s ability to prepare for and respond to climate-related disasters.
Core Players
- Donald Trump – President Trump and current Republican frontrunner
- U.S. Global Change Research Program – Federal program responsible for climate change research and reports
- NASA – Agency where the climate reports are supposed to be housed according to the White House
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – Agency that coordinated the climate assessments
Key Numbers
- 5 – Number of versions of the National Climate Assessment report removed from the website
- Hundreds – Number of scientists and experts no longer involved in compiling the next national climate assessment
- 2000 – Year the first National Climate Assessment was published
- 2014 – Year the third National Climate Assessment was coordinated by Kathy Jacobs
+ Full Analysis
Full Depth
Complete Coverage
The Catalyst
The removal of the climate change reports from federal websites was part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reshape how climate science is presented and utilized in policy decisions.
“They’re public documents. It’s scientific censorship at its worst,” said Peter Gleick, a California water and climate scientist.
Inside Forces
The Trump administration has been critical of climate change research, particularly the use of “worst-case scenario” projections. In May 2025, President Trump signed an executive order emphasizing the need for “transparent, rigorous” science and criticizing previous federal agencies for using “highly unlikely assumptions” in their climate models.
This move aligns with the administration’s broader stance on climate science and its efforts to influence how federal research is conducted and presented.
Power Dynamics
The decision to remove these reports reflects a significant shift in power dynamics within the federal government regarding climate policy. The Trump administration has consistently challenged the scientific consensus on climate change, leading to conflicts with scientists and environmental groups.
“It’s critical for decision makers across the country to know what the science in the National Climate Assessment is,” said Kathy Jacobs, a University of Arizona climate scientist.
Outside Impact
The removal of these reports has broader implications for state and local governments, as well as the general public. These reports provided essential information on how climate change affects different regions, helping in planning and mitigation efforts.
Scientists warn that this move could increase the risk of people being harmed by climate-related impacts due to reduced access to critical information.
Future Forces
The future of climate change research and reporting under the current administration remains uncertain. While the White House has stated that the information will be housed within NASA, searches on NASA websites have not turned up the reports, raising concerns about accessibility.
Key areas to watch include:
- Accessibility of climate change data and reports
- Impact on state and local climate change mitigation efforts
- Potential legal challenges to the removal of the reports
- Future policy decisions influenced by the availability of climate science data
Data Points
- June 29, 2025: The globalchange.gov website was last accessible.
- July 1, 2025: The website was taken down along with the climate reports.
- May 2025: President Trump signed an executive order on federal research standards.
- 2014: The third National Climate Assessment was published.
The removal of these climate change reports highlights a critical juncture in the nation’s approach to climate science and policy. As the country navigates the complexities of climate change, the availability and accessibility of reliable scientific information will be crucial.
