Trump halts development of annual US Climate Assessment report

Why is the report important?

The US’s climate has seen widespread change, with an estimated 1.4℃ since the 1970s.

Today, we get news about hurricanes and wildfires in the nation now and then. These disasters are often exacerbated by climate change. For instance, warmer surface temperatures in oceans increase wind speeds, fuelling intense rainfall. As such, storms drop 10-15% more precipitation than before, leading to major storms and flooding. On the other hand, climate change contributes to wildfires by increasing heat and drought, making this event more frequent and severe.

Such extreme climate events are estimated to cost the nation $150 billion each year, which arguably makes climate change a national security threat. Aside from that, the US has also emitted approximately 20% of the global carbon dioxide volume since the Industrial Revolution. Though an initial goal to halve these emissions by 2030 was set, the Trump administration has been doing everything in its power to do the opposite.

Hence, environmental reports such as the National Climate Assessment are vital to the government’s policymaking due to the scientific evidence they provide of potential risks and costs associated with climate change. This information guides the lawmakers in developing effective policies, setting climate targets, and even prioritizing investments in clean energy and low-carbon footprints.

At the end of the day, the report’s purpose is to ensure that communities have a more sustainable and greener future away from climate threats.

Implications of the rollback

The rollback of the National Climate Assessment proves to undermine scientific basis-led policymaking.

As a result, the work and effort of hundreds of scientists on the assessment have been thrown away just like that. Such an action would embolden climate change deniers, causing celebration among them, as their belief that “climate change is a hoax” is reinforced.

Aside from that, there will be a definite weakening in climate preparedness and response, with less adaptability to natural disasters. The delays in the report will eventually hinder the effective planning and risk management of these disasters, causing communities and infrastructure to be more vulnerable.

Obviously, on the international stage, the US’s position in the climate fight will be heavily questioned. Eventually, as it is already occurring, the nation would be sidelined with its climate stance undermining cooperation in international climate efforts and negotiations.

Ultimately, all roads lead back to the Industrial Revolution. With Trump’s environmental policies, or lack thereof, risk accelerating the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions and intensifying climate impacts, much like what occurred in the late 18th century.