Major US climate website likely to be shut down after almost all staff fired
a year ago
- #government-cuts
- #climate-change
- #science-communication
- Major US government website Climate.gov, supporting public education on climate science, is likely to be shuttered after nearly all staff were fired.
- The entire content production staff at Climate.gov were let go on 31 May, with positions eliminated under government contract changes.
- Former program manager Rebecca Lindsey described a months-long dispute within NOAA over the website's fate, with political appointees influencing funding cuts.
- Climate.gov was designed to be politically neutral and scientifically accurate, maintained by a team of about 10 contracted staff and NOAA scientists.
- Concerns were raised that the Trump administration may repurpose Climate.gov to spread anti-science content, leveraging its large audience and trusted brand.
- The website's social media accounts, which combat misinformation, are now unmanned, potentially allowing anti-science narratives to flourish.
- The shutdown aligns with broader cuts to NOAA's climate-related programs, education, and research funding in the 2026 budget deliberations.
- Experts warn that limiting access to factual climate information harms public preparedness for climate change and weather patterns like El Niño and La Niña.