Reviving Climate Data: Nonprofits Step Up as Federal Online Resources Face Changes

In the wake of significant changes to federal climate data repositories under the Trump administration, environmentalists and nonprofit groups are rallying to preserve crucial information. The abrupt restructuring of Climate.gov, led by former NOAA member Rebecca Lindsey, illustrates the broader shifts affecting access to essential climate research.

Following layoffs and the migration of Climate.gov under NOAA’s public relations department, concerns have arisen about the administration’s influence over climate data. This shift reflects a broader trend where federal websites have seen a 70% surge in modifications, said the Environmental Data & Governance Initiative (EDGI).

In response, Lindsey and a network of volunteers have been working tirelessly to bring crucial datasets back online under Climate.us. Their efforts are part of a broader movement by non-profits to restore public access to environmental data and ensure the integrity of future climate policymaking.