In a bold statement against political interference, two leading U.S. scientific organizations have asserted their commitment to publish the National Climate Assessment (NCA) despite recent dismissals by the Trump administration of nearly 400 authors involved in the project. The American Geophysical Union and the American Meteorological Society announced their intention to maintain the timeline of the report, which is pivotal for understanding the impacts of climate change across the nation.
Brandon Jones, president of the American Geophysical Union and a program director at the National Science Foundation, emphasized the community’s responsibility to safeguard future generations against the escalating threats posed by climate change. “It’s incumbent on us to ensure our communities, our neighbors, our children are all protected and prepared for the mounting risks of climate change,” he stated. This collaborative effort aims to unite various researchers to produce essential scientific findings that support ongoing global solutions to climate change.
The National Climate Assessment is a comprehensive articulation of climate science and its implications for the U.S., with a series of reports published since 2000. The upcoming sixth edition, known as NCA6, is slated for release in early 2028.
While this initiative will extend crucial scientific insights to the public, it does not aim to replace the federal report, which is mandated by Congress. The recent decision by the Trump administration to review the report’s scope, citing the Global Change Research Act of 1990, has raised significant concerns about potential cuts to staff and funding for the U.S. Global Change Research Program.
The scientific community’s commitment to uphold transparency and deliver necessary climate insights stands as a reminder of the importance of independent research in the face of political challenges. The White House has not offered any immediate comment regarding the scientific organizations' next steps.
