Trump muffles government scientists, hindering climate work—and scientists roar back.
As soon as today, reams of climate data used around the world will be taken down from the EPA website. The agency has already frozen its grants program. And it looks like further EPA research will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by political officers before being published. While it's normal for administrations to take a moment to get their ducks in a row, the targeting of scientists in a specific agency hostile to Trump's fossil fuel cabinet is cause for alarm.
It's not just the EPA: A major climate change conference organized by the Centers for Disease Control was unexpectedly canceled. And the Dept. of Health and Human Services was told to cease communications with public officials, including Congress, which seems pretty insane. Many of these agencies adopted scientific integrity policies under Obama—but are now finding them toothless.
But there are causes for hope:
—Archive.org has saved copies of the EPA website.
—The USDA quickly rescinded an order to scientists not to publicize new research.
—And pissed-off scientists are gearing up to run for office with support from a new nonprofit. They also joined marchers on Saturday and are planning their own march.
