Work on the next National Climate Assessment has been halted by the Trump administration, dismissing the more than 400 volunteer scientists and scholars who were co-authors.
The Congressionally mandated report, produced every four years, summarizes the data and science on how the climate is changing and its impact on the nation, agriculture, and natural resources. The climate assessment, created through public comment, does not make recommendations.
The scope of the sixth national assessment is "being reevaluated," according to an April 28 email. A similar banner was placed on the assessment's website weeks ago.
"As plans develop for the assessment, there may be future opportunities to contribute or engage," the dismissal email stated.
The dismissal of the report's authors is part of a series of actions by the administration targeting climate science since Inauguration Day.
USA TODAY previously reported that training meetings for the authors were canceled in early April without explanation, and a National Academies of Sciences committee advising the research program was disbanded. NASA ended its contract with the firm coordinating support among the agencies involved in the assessment.
Work on the sixth assessment began over a year ago, with a panel of volunteer experts appointed last fall. Scientists expressed disappointment and frustration after receiving the dismissal email.
Climate scientist Michael Mann said dismissing the assessment's authors violates the constitutional separation of powers. Congress must ensure the report is conducted with scientific integrity and delivered on time.
Dinah Voyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, has covered environmental news for decades. Contact her at dpulver@usatoday.com or @dinahvp on Bluesky or X or dinahvp.77 on Signal.