Fired Climate Scientists Publish New U.S. Report Amid Federal Silence

More than a year after the Trump administration dismissed hundreds of climate scientists working on the National Climate Assessment, a group of these researchers has released a new independent report aimed at filling the void left by the halted federal climate study. Published in September 2026, this special collection of climate findings provides a roadmap for future U.S. climate research and offers valuable insights for state and local communities grappling with the effects of climate change.

Background: Federal Climate Assessment Disrupted

The National Climate Assessment, mandated by the Global Change Research Act of 1990, is a key report submitted every four years to the president and Congress. It summarizes the scientific understanding of climate change impacts across the United States and offers regional projections to guide policy and community planning. However, in April 2025, the Trump administration halted the production of the sixth National Climate Assessment, dismissing hundreds of independent scientists who had volunteered to contribute. Additionally, funding for the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), which coordinates the report, was cut and its website taken offline.

This move left a significant gap in authoritative climate science communication at the national level, raising concerns among scientists, policymakers, and communities about the availability of up-to-date, comprehensive climate information.

Independent Scientists Release New Climate Research Collection

In response, 175 independent climate scientists—including many who had worked on previous National Climate Assessments—collaborated to publish a special collection of research commentaries in prominent scientific journals such as Earth’s Future and the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. The initiative, supported by the American Geophysical Union and American Meteorological Society, aims to outline priority areas for climate research and provide actionable information to the public and decision-makers.

Melissa Kenney, director of research at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment and a lead author of the report, emphasized the group’s commitment: “Scientists working on climate change are continuing to do the work. We’re stepping in to ensure that we have the research that we need, and that it will be available when we’re working with our communities, our states, and for future national assessments.”

Key Findings and Research Priorities

The new report highlights several critical areas in climate science that require further attention, particularly the risks stemming from compounding extreme events. These include scenarios where multiple hazards—such as heat waves following hurricanes or wildfires combined with drought—occur in rapid succession, overwhelming existing infrastructure and emergency response systems.

“This summer, we saw instances of high heat coupled with wildfires, and extreme precipitation causing flash floods and power outages,” Kenney noted. “These combined risks often exceed the capacity of legacy policies and infrastructure.”

The report also points to scientific advances since the 2023 National Climate Assessment, such as improved understanding of hurricane rapid intensification and coastal subsidence, which have enhanced flood risk modeling. These developments provide better tools for local governments and communities to prepare for and adapt to climate impacts.

Implications for State and Local Climate Planning

One of the collection’s goals is to support state and local groups by offering scientific insights they can use to develop or update their own climate assessments and resilience plans. The scientists stress the importance of accessible, regionally relevant data to inform policy and community action.

Kenney explained, “Communities are telling us they need scientific information to understand the impacts they are experiencing and what to expect in the future. Our work intends to fill that need in the absence of an official federal report.”

With the future of federally coordinated climate assessments uncertain under the current administration, this independent effort serves as a critical resource for local decision-makers and the public.

As climate risks continue to grow, the role of independent scientists in providing timely, credible information has become more essential than ever. Their ongoing work underscores the demand for robust climate science to guide adaptation and mitigation efforts across the United States.