Trump admin fires climate researchers working on 2028 report

Researchers who were working on the sixth national climate assessment that was set for an early 2028 release received an email on Monday stating that the scope of the report "is currently being re-evaluated" and that all those working on it were being dismissed, the New York Times reported.

The federal government has published a report every few years since 2000 outlining how climate change would affect human health, transportation, agriculture, energy production, and other things. The last report was issued in 2023.

The email received by contributors stated, "We are now releasing all current assessment participants from their roles. As plans develop for the assessment, there may be future opportunities to contribute or engage. Thank you for your service."

Scientists submitted an outline of the forthcoming report to the White House for an initial review. However, that review has been on hold. The agency comment period has also been postponed.

Meade Krosby, a contributor to the report and a senior scientist at the University of Washington’s Climate Impacts Group, told the outlet, "There may well be a sixth National Climate Assessment. The question is whether it is going to reflect credible science and be of real use to our communities as they prepare for climate change."

Another contributor, Tulane University professor Jesse Keenan, said, "This is as close as it gets to a termination of the assessment. If you get rid of all the people involved, nothing’s moving forward."

The assessment is used by state and local policymakers in addition to private businesses to understand how they can adapt and how climate change affects different parts of the US.