The internet is often thought of as a permanent space for information, but that’s not always true. The data we rely on is only as permanent as those who maintain it. Recently, we’ve seen attempts to limit access to crucial scientific information, especially concerning climate and environmental data.
We are part of the Public Environmental Data Partners, a group made up of nonprofits, archivists, and researchers. Our goal is to make sure that data remains accessible to everyone, especially as efforts grow to remove essential resources from government websites.
In the early days of the second Trump administration, agencies began removing access to numerous climate-related tools and data sets. Key phrases like “climate change” and “resilience” were scrubbed from websites, which impacted public access to important information.
Why does this matter? Government websites and data play a crucial role in research, innovation, and our everyday lives. Climate scientists use data from agencies like NASA and NOAA to study Earth’s changes and understand their causes. Other researchers analyze how various communities are affected by these changes. Daily, individuals turn to websites like the EPA to learn how to stay safe from environmental hazards and understand governmental action.
If data suddenly disappears, it disrupts scientific progress and hampers public engagement in democratic processes. When agencies propose changes to regulations, they often seek public comments. When the information is inaccessible, it’s challenging for citizens to participate meaningfully.
During the first Trump administration, we noted that while discussions about climate change faded from websites, the datasets themselves mostly remained. However, things seem different now. There appears to be a more aggressive approach to removing information.
In response to these changes, our community has started archiving important climate datasets. We’re uploading copies to public repositories and tracking where to find them, even if they vanish from government sites.
For instance, tools like the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool, which identified communities most at risk from climate impacts, were taken offline shortly after the new administration took over. Most of the underlying data is still around, but it’s not as easy to access. Fortunately, since the tool was developed as an open-source project, we managed to recreate it.
Some entire webpages are disappearing. A notable example is the 25-year-old Climate Change Center page from the Department of Transportation, now gone without a trace. Other pages are still there but harder to navigate. For example, the EPA has removed “climate change” from its main navigation, making related info less accessible.
On a positive note, our partners at the End of Term Web Archive have been capturing government webpages since 2008. They have millions of snapshots available through the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine. If you notice a page lacking important climate information, you can use this tool to see how it used to appear.
Many organizations are working hard to safeguard climate and environmental justice datasets. If you’re concerned that vital information might vanish, there are resources available to help. For example, MIT Libraries offer a checklist of steps you can take to protect federal data.
The future of climate data remains uncertain. While some legal decisions have restored access to critical public health resources, we must remain vigilant. The ongoing removal of data could impede our understanding of climate change, leaving individuals and communities unprepared and vulnerable. While archiving efforts help, nothing can replace the comprehensive federal systems that deliver and share essential climate data.
