Report on the Disappearance of US National Climate Assessments and Its Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

Overview

Legally mandated US national climate assessments, critical for informing state and local governments and the public about climate change impacts, have disappeared from federal websites. This removal undermines access to authoritative, peer-reviewed information essential for climate adaptation and mitigation efforts aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Significance of National Climate Assessments

• The assessments provide reliable, detailed, and localized scientific data on climate impacts across the United States.
• They support decision-making for infrastructure, public health, and environmental protection, directly contributing to SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
• The 2023 report includes an interactive atlas with county-level data, highlighting disproportionate risks faced by minority and Native American communities, thus addressing SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

Current Status and Challenges

1. Websites hosting the national assessments and the US Global Change Research Program were inaccessible, with no alternative links or referrals provided.
2. The White House announced plans to relocate the information to NASA to comply with legal requirements, but details remain unclear.
3. Searches on NASA websites failed to locate the assessments; both NASA and NOAA have not responded to inquiries.
4. Past reports remain archived in NOAA’s library, but online accessibility is severely limited.

Expert Opinions on the Impact

• Kathy Jacobs, University of Arizona climate scientist and former coordinator of the 2014 report, emphasized the critical role of these assessments in providing the most reliable climate science for the US, warning that their disappearance represents a serious obstruction to public access to vital information.
• John Holdren, former science adviser to President Obama, highlighted the practical utility of the reports for local officials in adapting infrastructure to climate risks, reinforcing SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
• Katharine Hayhoe, Texas Tech climate scientist and report author, stressed that these taxpayer-funded resources are essential for all levels of government to prepare for climate impacts effectively.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

The removal and reduced accessibility of these climate assessments jeopardize progress toward multiple SDGs:

1. SDG 13 (Climate Action): Limits informed policymaking and climate resilience planning.
2. SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Hampers efforts to address health risks from climate change.
3. SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Obscures data on vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by climate impacts.
4. SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Restricts guidance for urban adaptation strategies.
5. SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions): Undermines transparency and public access to scientific information.

Background and Legal Framework

• The 1990 Global Change Research Act mandates a national climate assessment every four years and the establishment of the US Global Change Research Program.
• In 2023, the Trump administration terminated contracts with volunteer authors and private firms supporting the assessments, further disrupting continuity.
• NOAA’s main climate website was redirected, and social media and public communication channels on climate impacts were reduced or eliminated.

Conclusion

The disappearance of the US national climate assessments from public federal websites represents a significant setback for climate science transparency and informed decision-making. This action conflicts with the goals of sustainable development by limiting access to critical data necessary for climate adaptation, health protection, and equitable community resilience. Experts warn that such censorship of science increases risks associated with climate change and undermines the nation’s capacity to meet the Sustainable Development Goals effectively.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article focuses on national climate assessments, their disappearance from federal websites, and the implications for climate preparedness and response.
   • It highlights the importance of reliable climate data for decision-makers to address climate change impacts.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article mentions climate change affecting people’s health and security, especially in vulnerable communities.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • It notes that minority and Native American communities are disproportionately at risk from climate impacts.
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article discusses transparency, access to information, and the role of government institutions in providing climate data.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.9: Reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article

1. Indicators for SDG 13 (Climate Action)
   • Existence and accessibility of national climate assessments (implied as a measure of institutional capacity and information dissemination).
   • Number of local and state governments using climate data for adaptation planning (implied through examples of infrastructure decisions).
2. Indicators for SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)
   • Incidence of climate-related health impacts in vulnerable populations (implied by references to health and security risks).
3. Indicators for SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)
   • Disparities in climate impact exposure among minority and Native American communities (implied through disproportionate risk mentioned).
4. Indicators for SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)
   • Availability and transparency of government climate data and reports (explicitly discussed).
   • Public access to scientific information on climate change (implied by concerns over censorship and information removal).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: theguardian.com