In response to the Trump administration's dismissal of nearly 400 scientists involved in the National Climate Assessment (NCA), two leading scientific organizations—the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and the American Geophysical Union (AGU)—have announced plans to produce an independent, peer-reviewed climate report. This initiative aims to ensure the continuation of critical climate research and provide policymakers and the public with reliable information on climate change.

The NCA, mandated by the Global Change Research Act of 1990, is a comprehensive report that evaluates climate change impacts across the United States. The most recent assessment, published in 2023, highlighted increasing economic costs linked to climate change, such as rising insurance prices, food costs, and health-related expenses from issues like extreme heat. The dismissal of the scientists, revealed in an internal email obtained by Reuters, casts doubt on the future of the congressionally mandated, peer-reviewed study, which is scheduled for release in 2028.

The AMS and AGU have committed to producing a peer-reviewed compilation of research that would have contributed to the now-canceled sixth NCA. AGU President Brandon Jones stated, "We are filling in a gap in the scientific process. It's more about ensuring that science continues." This effort seeks to sustain the momentum of climate research and ensure continued public access to critical climate science.

The decision by the AMS and AGU underscores the scientific community's dedication to maintaining integrity and transparency in climate research. This initiative aims to provide policymakers, businesses, and the public with reliable information on climate change, addressing potential gaps or biases in government reports. The move also highlights concerns within the scientific community regarding the federal government's commitment to accurate climate research, especially in light of budget cuts and dismissals affecting relevant agencies.

This is not the first instance of scientific organizations stepping in to fill gaps left by government actions. In 2018, during President Trump's first term, the administration dismissed the NCA, prompting similar concerns about the future of climate assessments. The current initiative by the AMS and AGU reflects a continued effort by the scientific community to ensure that credible, data-driven assessments of climate change remain available, regardless of political shifts.

The AMS and AGU's decision to undertake an independent climate assessment highlights the resilience of the scientific community in the face of political challenges. Their efforts aim to ensure that credible, data-driven assessments of climate change remain available, regardless of political shifts.