U of G Professor Takes Action to Safeguard Climate Change Data Amidst Trump Administration Censorship

Eric Nost, a geography professor at the University of Guelph, is playing a crucial role in preserving important environmental data. He’s collaborating with the Environmental Data Governance Initiative (EDGI) to save over 60 climate and environment-related data sets from being removed by the current U.S. government.

In the past few months, Nost has witnessed a concerning trend. Unlike in 2016, when the Trump administration made subtle changes to climate-related content, this time, there has been a more aggressive effort to eliminate access to vital data, including basic demographic and public health information.

Nost emphasizes the vital nature of what they’re archiving. “We’re saving essential indicators of climate change and environmental conditions that help us understand how our planet is changing,” he explained. It’s not just about environmental data; they’re also prioritizing information about who is affected by these changes, highlighting the social impacts of climate change.

So far, the initiative has successfully archived data related to sea level rise, wildfire risks, and pollution, not counting the efforts of other organizations focusing on health and human rights data. Nost noted, “Climate and social data have been a primary target for removal. Fortunately, we managed to secure many essential datasets before they were gone.”

The stakes are high. Canadians should be concerned too, as U.S. climate data influences research and policy in other countries. Organizations like NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provide critical insights that help shape our understanding of global climate conditions.

Nost warns that the removal of this data could affect tools that rely on accessible information, including AI technologies like ChatGPT. If crucial data disappears, our understanding of climate and environmental issues may become distorted.

Concern about the lack of funding for science and data collection is another pressing issue. Nost states, “It’s one thing to remove existing datasets; it’s another to stop funding new data collection. Each year that passes without funding leaves gaps in our long-term records.”

This situation frustrates Nost. “I wish I could focus on analyzing data and offering insights,” he says. He believes it’s the government’s duty to maintain public data infrastructure, not just the responsibility of researchers like him.

If you’re wondering how to help, Nost suggests getting involved through volunteer work to download and upload data to safe locations. But the most important step is to stay aware. “Be critical of what you read, especially from authoritative sources. Use tools like the Wayback Machine to check for changes or missing information. Being informed is key,” he advises.

By staying vigilant and involved, we can all play a part in safeguarding vital environmental information for the future.

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