Scientists Defy Trump's Censorship: Thousands Mobilize Alternative Climate Research Platforms

Climate Scientists Raise Middle Finger to Trump's Censorship Efforts In a bold move against the Trump administration's attempts to silence climate research, thousands of scientists and allies have come together to create alternative platforms for sharing critical climate data and information. This effort is a direct response to the administration's budget cuts, firings, and scrubbing of federal websites aimed at suppressing climate-related content. The initiative, spearheaded by researchers who formerly worked for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has resulted in the launch of Climate.us, a new portal that aims to replicate much of the public-oriented climate content from Climate.gov. This platform is part of a larger effort to maintain momentum on critical climate research, particularly the 6th National Climate Assessment, which was mandated by Congress. "We're not just preserving data; we're ensuring that the American people have access to accurate and unbiased information about our changing climate," said Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, a former NOAA administrator who played a key role in developing Climate.us. "This is a testament to the resilience of the scientific community and its commitment to serving the public interest." The Trump administration's efforts to suppress climate research have been widely criticized by scientists and experts. In 2019, the administration attempted to scrub federal websites of climate-related content, including information on sea-level rise, extreme weather events, and the impacts of climate change on human health. "This is not just about science; it's about democracy," said Dr. Michael Mann, a renowned climatologist who has been critical of the Trump administration's attempts to silence climate research. "When governments try to suppress scientific information, they're undermining the public's right to know and making it harder for us to make informed decisions about our future." The launch of Climate.us is part of a broader effort by scientists and experts to maintain momentum on critical climate research. The American Geophysical Union (AGU) and the American Meteorological Society (AMS) have also started soliciting studies for a special Climate Collection, which will help to preserve and build upon the work already underway on the 6th National Climate Assessment. "This is a moment of great urgency," said Dr. Sullivan. "We're not just fighting against censorship; we're fighting for the future of our planet. We hope that this effort will inspire others to join us in standing up for science and serving the public interest." The implications of this effort are far-reaching, with potential impacts on climate policy, public awareness, and scientific research. As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, it's clear that scientists and experts will continue to play a critical role in shaping our understanding of this complex issue. Background: In 2019, the Trump administration announced plans to cut funding for several federal agencies responsible for climate research, including NOAA. The administration also attempted to scrub federal websites of climate-related content, sparking widespread criticism from scientists and experts. Additional Perspectives: Dr. Mann notes that the launch of Climate.us is a testament to the resilience of the scientific community and its commitment to serving the public interest. "This is not just about science; it's about democracy," he said. "When governments try to suppress scientific information, they're undermining the public's right to know and making it harder for us to make informed decisions about our future." Current Status: Climate.us has launched as a beta platform, with plans to expand its content and features in the coming months. The AGU and AMS are also soliciting studies for their special Climate Collection, which will help to preserve and build upon the work already underway on the 6th National Climate Assessment. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change, it's clear that scientists and experts will play a critical role in shaping our understanding of this complex issue. The launch of Climate.us is a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving scientific information and serving the public interest. *Reporting by Motherjones.*