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National Climate Assessment: A Critical Overview Amid Uncertain Futures

Under the provisions of the Global Change Research Act of 1990, Congress established a mandate for the government to produce a National Climate Assessment every four years. This essential document serves to track the evolution of climate science and its ramifications on environmental conditions. Historically, it has involved extensive contributions from a multitude of scientists, supported by the US’s Global Change Research Program.

The forthcoming assessment raises questions about its structure and content. Recently, after defunding efforts related to the report’s coordination, the Trump administration reportedly informed all contributing authors that they will no longer be needed for the project.

Traditionally, the National Climate Assessment has been akin to a more focused version of the IPCC reports, centering specifically on the impacts within the United States. It offers a comprehensive analysis of current climate science, the effects observed in the U.S., and measures taken to mitigate warming and address its derived consequences. Various governmental agencies and jurisdictions have utilized insights from the report to strategize for anticipated climate-related challenges.

However, the assessment process has not been immune to political influence. The first Trump administration was presented with a nearly finished report, which it opted to release hastily the Friday after Thanksgiving to minimize media attention. Subsequently, the administration did not proceed with developing the next assessment. This gap allowed the Biden administration to put together a detailed report, albeit slightly delayed.

Under Biden, preparations for the upcoming sixth report—due by 2028 under legal requirements—began in earnest. However, the second Trump administration has now taken over a process already in motion. In a move that sparked concerns about adherence to the timeline, the government canceled agreements with an external consulting firm responsible for providing support to the Global Change Research Program to finalize the report.

These developments raise significant concerns regarding the future of the National Climate Assessment and its ability to inform policy and planning against the backdrop of ongoing climate challenges.

Source
arstechnica.com