Farmers and Environmentalists Take on USDA Over Climate Change Information
In late January, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) made a surprising move. The director of digital communications instructed staff to remove web pages that contained information about climate change. This decision quickly raised alarms among farmers and environmental advocates.
The affected web pages included crucial information about federal loans and resources that help farmers deal with climate challenges. A lawsuit was filed on behalf of several organic farmers and two environmental groups to restore these pages. They argue that taking down this information makes it tougher for farmers to adjust to the realities of climate change.
“Farmers are already facing the effects of climate change,” said Jeff Stein, an attorney from Earthjustice representing the plaintiffs. “Removing these web pages doesn’t make climate change disappear; it just makes it harder for farmers to adapt.”
One significant concern is the loss of a helpful interactive climate risk map from the U.S. Forest Service site. This tool provided essential information on how climate change could impact natural resources across the country. Without this data, farmers have fewer resources to make informed decisions.
Wes Gillingham, president of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, expressed his frustration. “It feels like anything related to climate is being erased,” he said. His organization often directs farmers to the USDA’s resources for guidance on sustainable practices. The recent deletions have now complicated this process.
Gillingham highlighted how essential access to climate information is, especially during winter when farmers plan for the upcoming growing season. “Farmers need scientific information to navigate challenges like drought and extreme weather. They’re under a lot of economic stress already,” he noted.
He and other plaintiffs are acting quickly because the need for reliable data is urgent. “We can’t let this information slip away,” Gillingham said, stressing that the majority of farmers in New York are small-scale operations. “They need all the help they can get to sustain their businesses and protect the environment.”
The lawsuit also criticizes USDA’s lack of transparency about the removal process. Emails obtained by reporters indicated that guidance was issued, but there’s uncertainty over the criteria used for deleting the pages. As of now, USDA officials have not publicly responded to these concerns.
Attorneys from the Center for Biological Diversity have also weighed in, labeling the USDA’s actions as damaging to public trust in climate science. They believe this reflects a broader trend of undermining scientific inquiry and public knowledge related to climate issues.
The plaintiffs are not alone. In addition to NOFA-NY, well-known groups like the National Resources Defense Council and the Environmental Working Group are involved. There’s an expectation that more complaints regarding climate information from other federal agencies could emerge.
Gillingham remains firm in his resolve. “We can’t just sit back and hope these issues resolve themselves. This needs to change, and the courts are a necessary avenue for that change.”
Check out this related article: EPA Revives Environmental Justice Team Amid Workforce Challenges: What It Means for Our Planet
Source linkClimate change,U.S. Department of Agriculture
