Trump administration shuts down key climate assessment website

The United States has witnessed a significant change in its approach to climate science communications since the Trump administration took office. In June 2025, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) took the drastic step of shutting down the climate.gov website. This site was previously a crucial platform for sharing information about climate change with the public, hosting the National Climate Assessment among other resources. Following Executive Order 14303, the website was redirected to NOAA’s main page, causing widespread concern about transparency in climate science communication in the U.S. The removal of the climate.gov site is seen by some experts and former staff members as an effort to limit public access to critical climate data. Rebecca Lindsey, a former program manager of climate.gov, reported that staff responsible for content production were let go. This action coincided with significant cuts to NOAA's climate information programs, raising alarms regarding the federal government’s commitment to disseminating scientific information about climate change. Many believe that the discontinuation of the website serves a political agenda rather than public interest. Furthermore, key reports such as the National Climate Assessment, which provides essential insights for local and state governments to prepare for climate impacts, have also become less accessible. The 2023 edition of this assessment emphasized the severe consequences and costs of climate change, offering a detailed overview of rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and food security threats. However, under the current administration, efforts to update and publish future editions have stalled, leaving a significant informational void as the public grapples with the realities of a changing climate. In addition, there are concerns regarding the global scientific community's ability to convey accurate and necessary climate change data to policymakers and the general public. Experts have voiced criticism over intentional efforts to undermine scientific credibility and accessibility—an act perceived as censorship of vital information necessary for understanding and addressing climate-related issues in the U.S. This situation underscores a broader systemic shift away from free and open scientific dialogue to a more controlled dissemination of information, potentially jeopardizing public safety and effective policy-making in the face of urgent environmental challenges.