Trump administration dismisses researchers working on climate-change evaluation

U.S. President Donald Trump walks toward the press before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 29, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Trump administration has discharged a group of scientists and researchers working on the federal government's evaluation of the impact of climate change, citing the need to re-evaluate its approach to the project, reported The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday.

"The move to dismiss the participants in the report, called the National Climate Assessment, raises doubts about the future of the review, which has been required by Congress for more than three decades," it noted.

Researchers involved with the 6th National Climate Assessment received an email on Monday stating: "At this time, the scope of the NCA6 is currently being reevaluated in accordance with the Global Change Research Act of 1990. We are now releasing all current assessment participants from their roles."

"As plans develop for the assessment, there may be future opportunities to contribute or engage. Thank you for your service," the email said.

The notice effectively halts work on the report, which began in 2024 and was set to publish in late 2027 or early 2028. Produced every four years, the National Climate Assessment is considered an authoritative document on climate change used by stakeholders and policymakers, according to the Journal report.