As the Trump administration prepares to take office for the second time, concerns are rising among scientists about the fate of federal climate data. In response to the previous administration’s denial of basic climate science, mathematician John Baez and his colleagues launched the Azimuth Climate Data Backup Project in 2016. Their goal was to archive crucial climate data from federal websites to prevent its potential destruction.
Although the first Trump administration made changes to federal web pages containing climate information, the core federal climate datasets remained intact. However, scientists are now bracing for a potentially more strategic approach by the upcoming administration. Organizations like the Environmental Data and Governance Initiative (EDGI) are gearing up to safeguard federal climate data once again.
EDGI, established in 2016, has continued to monitor federal websites and organize efforts to preserve climate data over the past eight years. Learning from their experiences during the first Trump administration, they are collaborating with other organizations to prioritize datasets and ensure access for scientists in case the data disappears from federal sources.
The value of federal climate data cannot be understated. Agencies like NASA, NOAA, and the Department of Energy collect and maintain a wealth of climate information that is essential for global research. These datasets, which include data on global temperatures, sea levels, and atmospheric conditions, are crucial for understanding climate change and its impacts.
The renewed concern about federal data stems from Project 2025, a conservative policy blueprint that proposes significant changes to federal science agencies. The plan calls for the reshaping of climate research programs and the dismantling of agencies like NOAA. Scientists fear that these policy recommendations could jeopardize access to vital climate data.
Despite the challenges ahead, organizations like EDGI are prepared to protect federal climate data and ensure its availability for future research. While some projects may have concluded, the need to safeguard these datasets remains critical. As scientists brace for the uncertainties of the next administration, the importance of preserving federal climate data has never been more apparent.
