NASA Declines to Host Key U.S. Climate Report, Raising Concerns Over Public Access

What's Happening?

NASA has decided not to host the National Climate Assessment (NCA) on its website, despite a previous announcement by the Biden administration designating the agency as the report's new host. This decision follows the shutdown of the original publication site, globalchange.gov, leaving the report without a designated online home. The NCA, released every four to five years, provides critical insights into how climate change is impacting various sectors across the United States. NASA clarified that it is not legally required to manage public access to the report, which was previously overseen by the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP). The lack of a central platform for the NCA has raised concerns among scientists and environmental advocates about the accessibility of vital climate data.

Why It's Important?

The absence of a centralized, accessible platform for the National Climate Assessment could hinder public and governmental efforts to address climate change. The report serves as a crucial resource for policymakers, researchers, and local governments in planning for climate-related challenges such as extreme weather events. The decision not to host the report comes amid proposed budget cuts to NASA's science division, which could further impact climate research and data dissemination. The lack of easy access to the NCA may also increase the risk of misinformation, as the public could be more susceptible to disinformation campaigns without a reliable source of climate information.

What's Next?

The next edition of the National Climate Assessment is expected in 2028, but its development faces challenges due to previous staffing cuts. There is a call for federal leaders to establish a long-term solution for hosting the report, with suggestions including restoring globalchange.gov or designating another agency like NOAA or the EPA to take on the responsibility. The ongoing inaccessibility of the NCA highlights the need for a committed approach to ensuring public access to climate data, which is essential for informed decision-making and emergency planning.