The federal website climate.gov, known for offering up-to-date information on weather patterns, drought conditions, agricultural practices, and greenhouse gas emissions, will no longer publish new content after July 1. The decision was confirmed by current and former staff members associated with the platform.
Managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the site has been a trusted source of climate-related information. In 2021, it attracted nearly one million monthly visitors.
Staff reductions impact operations
The team that managed the content creation, including maps, charts, and visual explanations, was composed of ten professionals with expertise in science communication and data visualization. All team members have now been laid off.
Some staff members were dismissed in February under a federal policy affecting probationary employees, while others were released in recent weeks, according to sources familiar with the platform’s operations.
Replacing these specialists may prove challenging, potentially affecting NOAA’s ability to maintain regular updates to the site.
A valuable resource for the public
Until recently, climate.gov published weekly updates on current climate issues in the United States, such as tornado activity or wildfire smoke. It also provided visual tools and data insights to help the public and officials prepare for heatwaves, floods, and other extreme weather events.
Although the site remains online and accessible, its existing content could become outdated without ongoing updates.
Future of the platform remains uncertain
There is currently no official guidance on what will happen with climate.gov in the long term. The recent staff changes have raised concerns about the accessibility of timely and accurate climate information for the public and decision-makers alike.
