Science

Dismissed climate scientists publish roadmap to address federal assessment pause

NBC News reports that dismissed researchers have published findings following federal assessment halts and budget cuts.

Updated Sep 22, 2026 · 15:05 UTC1 reports

The short version

A group of 175 independent climate scientists published the first installment of a research collection designed to fill gaps left by the halted federal assessment.[NBC News]
The initiative follows the Trump administration's April 2025 decision to halt work on the sixth National Climate Assessment and cut funding to the organizing program.[NBC News]
Organizers intend the peer-reviewed roadmap to help local communities and states conduct regional climate assessments while federal participation remains stalled.[NBC News]

In April 2025, the Trump administration halted independent scientists' contributions to the sixth National Climate Assessment.[NBC News]
The administration defunded the U.S. Global Change Research Program, taking its official website offline.[NBC News]
A collective of 175 independent climate researchers released a new report through journals published by the American Geophysical Union and American Meteorological Society.[NBC News]
The report highlights emerging climate issues, such as compounding hazards and updated flood risks linked to coastal subsidence and storm intensification.[NBC News]
The Global Change Research Act mandates an assessment every four years, establishing a deadline for a sixth edition in 2027.[NBC News]
Matthew Wielicki, who has publicly criticized the scientific consensus on climate change, was appointed to direct the USGCRP.[NBC News]

The Trump administration has not clarified whether it will compile or publish a sixth official National Climate Assessment before the 2027 deadline.[NBC News]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.