Top Scientific Bodies Step Up to Ensure Continuation of National Climate Assessment Post-Trump Dismissals
May 3, 2025
Both the NCA and the National Nature Assessment aim to synthesize current scientific knowledge on climate and ecological issues, which is critical for guiding public policy and community actions.
The AMS and AGU plan to publish their findings across 29 peer-reviewed journals, covering various aspects of climate change in the U.S., to maintain momentum in climate research.
Despite setbacks, some scientists are exploring the possibility of publishing the assessment through independent channels, inspired by previous efforts that were canceled by the administration.
The Trump administration's actions have significantly altered the development of the sixth edition of the NCA, which is scheduled for release in 2028, as they have indicated a reevaluation of the report's scope.
Congress mandates the NCA to provide vital information on climate change impacts in the U.S., including extreme weather events and strategies for adaptation and mitigation.
The American Meteorological Society (AMS) and the American Geophysical Union (AGU) have announced plans to produce a national climate assessment following the Trump administration's dismissal of nearly 400 scientists involved in the previous report.
This dismissal raised significant concerns among researchers about the integrity and future of the National Climate Assessment (NCA), which is required by law to be updated every four years.
Texas Tech University climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe stressed the necessity of summarizing the latest climate science to inform decisions on infrastructure and community planning.
This new collection will focus on localized impacts of climate change, differing from global reports by addressing specific regional challenges.
AMS President David J. Stensrud emphasized the importance of the NCA as a vital resource for decision-makers, highlighting its role in understanding the economic and societal impacts of climate change.
AGU President Brandon Jones noted that the new assessment aims to fill the gap left by the federal government's changes, ensuring the continuation of reliable climate science.
Concerns have been raised about the quality and scientific integrity of future reports from the Trump administration, with scientists emphasizing the importance of independent scientific efforts.
Summary based on 9 sources
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Sources

The Guardian • May 3, 2025
Scientific societies to do climate assessment after Trump administration dismissed authors
Nature • May 2, 2025
Trump gutted two landmark environmental reports — can researchers save them?