Scientists Defy Trump's Censorship Efforts, Launch Alternative Climate Data Platforms

Climate Scientists Raise a Middle Finger to Trump's Censorship Efforts In a bold move against the Trump administration's attempts to suppress climate research, thousands of scientists and allies have come together to create alternative platforms for sharing critical climate data. The effort, which began in response to budget cuts and website scrubbing, aims to maintain momentum on climate research and educate the public about the importance of this work. The initiative was sparked by a group of researchers who formerly worked for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). They launched Climate.us, a portal that replicates much of the public-oriented climate content from Climate.gov. The website is part of a larger effort to protect climate data and research from censorship. "We're not just scientists; we're also citizens," said Dr. Katharine Haynes, a lead researcher on the project. "We have a responsibility to share our findings with the public, even if it means doing so outside of official channels." The Trump administration's attempts to suppress climate research have been widely criticized by the scientific community and environmental groups. In 2018, the administration announced plans to cut funding for several climate-related programs, including NOAA's Climate.gov website. Climate.us is just one example of a growing movement to create alternative platforms for sharing climate data. The American Geophysical Union (AGU) and the American Meteorological Society (AMS) have also launched a joint initiative to maintain momentum on climate research. They are soliciting studies for a special Climate Collection, which will be published in conjunction with the 6th National Climate Assessment. "This is not just about science; it's about democracy," said Dr. Haynes. "We need to ensure that the public has access to accurate and unbiased information about climate change." The implications of this effort are far-reaching. By creating alternative platforms for sharing climate data, scientists are pushing back against censorship and ensuring that critical research continues to be shared with the public. Background and Context Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing humanity today. Rising temperatures, more frequent natural disasters, and changing weather patterns all have significant impacts on human health, economies, and ecosystems. Despite this, the Trump administration has consistently downplayed the importance of climate research and attempted to suppress it through budget cuts and censorship. Additional Perspectives Dr. Haynes emphasized that Climate.us is not just a response to the Trump administration's actions but also an opportunity for scientists to engage with the public in new ways. "We're not just sharing data; we're also sharing our expertise and our passion," she said. "We want to educate people about climate change and inspire them to take action." Current Status and Next Developments Climate.us is currently live, and researchers are working to populate it with a wealth of climate-related information. The AGU and AMS Climate Collection will be published in the coming months. As for next steps, Dr. Haynes said that the team is exploring ways to expand their efforts and engage more scientists and experts. "We're just getting started," she said. "We want to create a network of alternative platforms that can share climate data and research with the public." Sources Dr. Katharine Haynes, lead researcher on Climate.us American Geophysical Union (AGU) American Meteorological Society (AMS) *Reporting by Motherjones.*