If you’re looking for clear facts about climate change, you might want to think twice before heading to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website. Recently, the agency removed over 80 pages that contained crucial information about global warming. This includes data on human activities that contribute to climate change, such as carbon dioxide emissions.
Now, the EPA’s explanation of climate change focuses mainly on “natural processes” like changes in Earth’s orbit and solar activity, leaving human causes off the list entirely. “This is misinformation,” says Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California. “Just a week ago, this page had accurate scientific information.”
The recent deletions mark one of the most significant changes to climate-related content on government websites since President Trump took office. Gretchen Gehrke, who tracks these changes, noted that this is more extensive than previous tweaks, which mainly involved changing phrases like “climate change” to “future conditions.”
The resources that disappeared were valuable for teachers, businesses, and local governments. They helped explain complex scientific terms in a way that everyone could understand. For instance, the EPA had a page full of charts and maps showing effects like rising temperatures and melting ice. Now, such critical insights are harder to find.
When asked why this information was removed, an EPA spokesperson claimed they were committed to “gold-standard science.” The agency’s current direction suggests a shift away from acknowledging climate change’s human causes, which could impact regulations on carbon emissions. It seems their goal is to align more closely with the administration’s views, which has led to increased skepticism about climate science.
Many scientists warn that these changes create a false sense of debate about climate change. While misinformation spreads, the reality is that many climate effects are happening faster than expected. For instance, last year’s heatwaves and wildfires have intensified, showing that ignoring climate facts can have dire consequences.
In a broader context, trust in government websites is at risk. Historically, these sites were reliable sources of information. However, with shifts in policy, some agencies have started to release content that some experts consider misleading. For example, the CDC recently revised its stance on vaccines and autism, leading to concern among many healthcare professionals about inaccurate messaging.
Experts worry that the public is now faced with mixed messages from various government sources. With misinformation becoming more common, people might struggle to find accurate data. Gehrke points out that this fragmented information landscape creates challenges. “People make decisions based on the information they have, but if that information is misleading, it can lead to poor choices.”
The challenges of finding trustworthy information highlight an urgent need for clear, factual resources on climate change. As societal divides grow due to siloed information, bridging the gap becomes critical for informed decision-making.
For more detailed information about climate change, you can visit the EPA’s [climate change page](https://www.epa.gov/climatechange-science/causes-climate-change).
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