The Trump administration is cutting back on support for scientific research that uses the word “climate.” This decision impacts both domestic and international efforts, as many researchers report losing grants simply for mentioning climate issues. The administration’s stance on environmental regulations has raised concerns among scientists.
Trump has dismissed climate change as a “giant hoax.” As a result, references to climate change have been removed from government websites. Programs addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion have also been halted. This has thrown many researchers into uncertainty, with a freeze on federally funded scientific work affecting the entire US scientific community.
One environmental scientist shared their experience of having a previously awarded grant from the Department of Transportation revoked. They were only able to keep the funding by changing the title of their project to exclude the word “climate.” They expressed concern over how political influences might bias scientific research going forward.
Further alterations are evident in academic materials. At the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center in Hawaii, mentions of climate change are being deleted from course materials, under pressure from the administration.
The effects of this campaign reach internationally. For instance, the University of Helsinki noted that the descriptions for US Fulbright grants were altered to remove references to “climate change” and related terms. Some grants have already been withdrawn, negatively affecting crucial research opportunities.
The National Science Foundation is also impacted. The agency has been reviewing ongoing projects for words that may violate the recent policy changes. This has resulted in a freeze on various scientific grants, despite a court order to reverse it. Many researchers worry about what this means for the future of their work and the implications it has for public health and safety.
Jennifer Jones, director of the Center for Science and Democracy, voiced her concern that vulnerable populations face greater risks due to these changes. She notes that this policy shift favors the oil and gas industries and could lead back to an era of increased pollution and public health crises.
Joanne Carney from the American Association for the Advancement of Science worries this trend may deter young scientists from pursuing relevant fields. She emphasizes the need for the US to invest more in science and technology to maintain its global leadership. The current situation signals a troubling message for students interested in STEM disciplines, who may feel their future in US research is uncertain.
