The recent budget cuts from the Trump administration to the Global Change Research Program have prompted scientists to express concerns regarding the National Climate Assessment's viability, a critical tool in addressing climate change.
Trump Administration's Cuts to Climate Report Program Sparks Alarm Among Scientists
Trump Administration's Cuts to Climate Report Program Sparks Alarm Among Scientists
Funding and staff reductions threaten the vital National Climate Assessment, crucial for understanding climate impacts on the U.S.
April 9, 2025, saw significant actions taken by the Trump administration as it implemented cuts in funding and personnel within the program responsible for the federal government's key climate report. These changes have raised alarms among scientists and officials about the future of the National Climate Assessment, a mandate from Congress that requires the federal government to produce comprehensive evaluations of the effects of climate change every four years.
This assessment is essential for understanding the myriad impacts of rising temperatures on public health, agriculture, energy, and more—insights that state governments, municipalities, and businesses rely on to formulate strategic plans in addressing climate change.
Overseeing the National Climate Assessment is the Global Change Research Program, a collaborative federal entity formed by Congress in 1990. Supported by NASA and various federal agencies, as well as hundreds of external scientists, the program coordinates the development of this pivotal report. A crucial component of this operation was ICF International, a consulting firm that provided essential staffing and technical support through a $33 million contract for five years. However, on April 9, 2025, NASA issued stop-work orders on two contracts with ICF, jeopardizing the foundational support for the assessment.
Experts have voiced their concerns about the implications of these cuts. Notably, Donald Wuebbles, a professor from the University of Illinois specializing in atmospheric sciences and a contributor to previous assessments, stated, “It’s hard to see how they’re going to put out a National Climate Assessment now.” Despite the challenge, he reiterated that the assessment remains a congressional requirement.
In response to these cuts, a NASA spokesperson explained that the agency is “streamlining its contract” with ICF to adhere to President Trump’s executive orders, all while ensuring compliance with the congressional mandate. The spokesperson emphasized that NASA is collaborating with the White House to determine the best way to support this essential program while enhancing efficiency across the associated agencies.
This assessment is essential for understanding the myriad impacts of rising temperatures on public health, agriculture, energy, and more—insights that state governments, municipalities, and businesses rely on to formulate strategic plans in addressing climate change.
Overseeing the National Climate Assessment is the Global Change Research Program, a collaborative federal entity formed by Congress in 1990. Supported by NASA and various federal agencies, as well as hundreds of external scientists, the program coordinates the development of this pivotal report. A crucial component of this operation was ICF International, a consulting firm that provided essential staffing and technical support through a $33 million contract for five years. However, on April 9, 2025, NASA issued stop-work orders on two contracts with ICF, jeopardizing the foundational support for the assessment.
Experts have voiced their concerns about the implications of these cuts. Notably, Donald Wuebbles, a professor from the University of Illinois specializing in atmospheric sciences and a contributor to previous assessments, stated, “It’s hard to see how they’re going to put out a National Climate Assessment now.” Despite the challenge, he reiterated that the assessment remains a congressional requirement.
In response to these cuts, a NASA spokesperson explained that the agency is “streamlining its contract” with ICF to adhere to President Trump’s executive orders, all while ensuring compliance with the congressional mandate. The spokesperson emphasized that NASA is collaborating with the White House to determine the best way to support this essential program while enhancing efficiency across the associated agencies.
