Scientists vs. Trump: What is the future of American climate science?

Climate scientists are launching a coordinated response to a Trump administration report that challenges climate change. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report was published last week alongside proposals to deregulate some polluting sectors. The Trump administration is thus continuing its “denialist” policy.

The report was prepared by five researchers known for opposing the climate consensus and downplaying the impacts of climate change. In response, scientists are planning to issue a public statement. Andy Dessler of the Texas Center for Extreme Weather at Texas A&M University told CNN: "We want to make all the science available to the public, so that every debate on this issue has a solid foundation in scientific facts."

The document was produced by people in Trump's circle in roughly two months, and some of the scientists cited in it say their research has been misinterpreted or misunderstood. Dessler said they want to go through the text "line by line and address errors and information that has been left out".

Trump and climate

It has long been clear that Donald Trump is not someone who worries about climate change. During his first presidential campaign in 2016, he said it was a "Chinese hoax". During his first term, he withdrew from the Paris Agreement and continued to express climate skepticism. His stance has not changed during his second administration—in fact, it has grown even stronger.

When he returned to office this year, he again withdrew from the Paris Agreement and began dismantling all of his predecessor Biden's pro-climate policies. He is seeking to accelerate U.S. energy dominance in fossil fuel sectors. These steps were expected, but less attention has been paid to his conflict with the entire concept of climate science, of which this report and the response to it are just the latest chapter.

Trump's agenda includes deep cuts to education and science, with climate science seemingly a particular target of his administration. For example, many references to climate change disappeared from the websites of various government agencies early this year, from the Department of Energy to the EPA. According to the Environmental Data and Governance Initiative (EDGI), changes and restrictions to information related to climate change are more extensive than during Trump's first administration, even though the initiative is now monitoring fewer government websites.

"Under President Trump's leadership, agencies are refocusing on their core missions and moving away from ideological activism," White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said.

Projects at risk

Although much of the agenda may seem to consist only of rhetoric and challenges to the scientific consensus, Trump is also taking very concrete steps to advance his beliefs. Last week, for example, a report emerged that the administration plans to end a NASA project used to monitor greenhouse gases and plant health. It is one of the most advanced climate-monitoring projects, and some farmers rely on it, for example. The satellite also tracks photosynthesis, which makes it possible to forecast crop yields in different areas.

The administration simply did not provide further funding for the project for fiscal year 2026. Some hope Congress could save it, but the outcome is highly uncertain. According to media reports, NASA scientists and researchers are reportedly talking with partners in Europe and Japan, as well as the private sector, about possible ways to keep the project alive.

At the end of July, the administration also announced plans to rescind the 2009 finding made under President Obama, which enabled the EPA to regulate carbon emissions. This foundational legal document stemmed from the agency's determination that climate change could pose a threat to public health. Rescinding it would undermine the authority of agencies to regulate emissions and other "negative externalities".

The new administration's approach was summed up by current EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, as quoted by BBC: "The Trump administration will not sacrifice national prosperity, energy security and the freedom of our people for an agenda that restricts our industry, mobility and consumer choices while benefiting our enemies across the ocean.".