The Importance of Scientific Data
Back in 1990, President George W. Bush signed the Global Change Research Act, which mandated the collection and reporting to Congress of scientific data collected from different federal agencies and others dealing with the cause and effects of our changing climate.
This data was to be reviewed by independent scientific experts (a three-year process). The last assessment was in 2023 with a new assessment due in 2028.
Now the Trump administration has cut funding to its management and fired 400 of the researchers gathering and analyzing data.This will allow the administration to either refuse funding until the process of analyzing is unworkable, or replace researchers with those who downplay the existence of climate change or its consequences.
Either way, Congress will not have scientific data for good decision making. The National Climate Assessment is also used by regional and local policymakers.
Earth Steward Action: Advocate for scientifically sound data reaching policymakers.
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