We Launched a Public Declaration in Defense of Climate Science

As the administration guts science from the inside out, we’re standing up for the National Climate Assessment and the people behind it.

There have been so many cuts and restructurings lately that it’s hard to know where to focus our attention. I’ve never been opposed to thoughtful reforms because some updates were overdue. However, the changes we’re witnessing are anything but thoughtful. Instead, Trump & Co are chaotically wielding a chainsaw targeting the very science and infrastructure we depend on as a society and for the future of our kids.

The hard part is that when everything’s under attack at once, it’s tough to know where even to begin pushing back. I mean, I’m literally watching PBS as I write this (hands off public broadcasting!).

For those in my field of environmental and natural resource economics, the attack on the National Climate Assessment (NCA) felt like a natural place to start. As I’ve written about before, ignoring climate change is not a winning strategy. So, a few of my colleagues and I pulled together a short declaration reaffirming the value of the NCA and the scientists behind it, especially after the administration quietly released the 400 experts working on it, doing everything but formally canceling the effort (likely because of legal constraints).

You can read, sign, and share the statement here: support-nca.org.

The NCA and Why it Matters

The NCA was created by Congress in 1990 and signed into law by President George H. W. Bush. It’s long been a bipartisan effort to get climate science into the hands of policymakers and the public to help the country prepare for and respond to climate risks. The NCA has helped communities across the country deal with everything from floods and droughts to wildfires and economic disruption.

Trying to cancel or stall it now puts public safety and economic stability at risk. Since the law was passed, CO₂ levels have jumped nearly 20%, global temps are up almost 1°C, and sea levels have risen by 10 centimeters. If anything, the need for this kind of work is more urgent than ever.

In our declaration, we explain why the NCA remains one of the most important science-policy tools we have. I’m not sure if the idea is that silencing the report will somehow make the risks disappear, but that’s not how this works. It just makes it harder for everyone, like policymakers, cities, farmers, and families, to prepare and respond to a very real changing climate.

We already have some incredible experts and supporters signed on, and with the public website just launched today, I expect more names will be added soon. At the same time, we’ve heard from numerous folks hesitant to support the NCA publicly. And I get it! The fear of retribution is real.

That’s why it’s important to remember that the signatures on our declaration represent more than just the individuals listed. Each signature stands for many others who support this work but don’t feel safe putting their names out there.

That said, I’m not sure staying quiet or trying to stay in the shadows offers much protection anymore. Not when grants are being pulled mid-stream and entire datasets are disappearing.

Just yesterday, a friend had to cancel a Zoom catch-up because her NSF grant was suddenly canceled. Instead, she had to spend the morning trying to find funding to support her students. NSF grants are extremely competitive, meaning they fund high-quality science. The loss is massive, both for her and her students and for society.

Meanwhile, NOAA’s climate disaster cost database was recently “retired” with no real replacement. That database was one of the only public tools connecting climate disasters to real-world costs. It provided the kind of data that helps justify response funding and shape smarter policies. Now, wildfire- and hurricane-prone communities like those in California and Florida are being left in the dark, while insurance premiums hit $10,000+ a year and companies like State Farm pull out.

Anyway, we’re doing what we can. This declaration is just one step, but I hope it will lead to some op-eds, maybe some local engagement, and clearer messaging about what’s at stake. At the very least, it’s been a great reason to connect with some of my favorite people.

People love to poke fun at economists, but let me tell you, I’ve worked alongside some of the best! I’ve never been prouder to stand with this group. This declaration proves that we know what’s at stake and we’re not backing down.

Dr. McD

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Here’s how you can help:

• Share the site: support-nca.org

• Reach out to those who signed and thank them for standing up publicly for science.

• A student once told me, “See, you learn something when you talk to people.” So get out and talk to others. Reach out to your friends, neighbors, and policymakers. Explain to them why the NCA matters. I’m reaching out to my local state reps today!