• Trump administration dismisses over 400 scientists working on the National Climate Assessment.
• The decision threatens to undermine preparedness against climate change impacts.
• Members of the scientific community express alarm at the dismissal and its implications.
• A congressional mandate requires the climate report, scheduled for release in 2027.
• The administration cites "reevaluation of scope" as the reason for the mass dismissals.

The Trump administration has dismissed all scientists involved in the Sixth National Climate Assessment, a vital report mandated by Congress that details the impacts of climate change on the United States. An email sent to participants stated that they were being "released from their roles," signaling serious concerns about the future of this crucial assessment, which is due to be published in 2027, according to The New York Times, Channel News Asia, and TRT World.

This sweeping dismissal follows earlier firings at the US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), which oversees the report, raising fears among scientists that the administration intends to replace the workforce with contributors who may present alternative viewpoints on climate science. Experts claim that this move jeopardizes the integrity of the assessment, which has served as a benchmark for climate-related risks and responses across the USA, according to The Hill, NPR, and Los Angeles Times.

Rachel Cleetus, a senior policy director at the Union of Concerned Scientists and one of the dismissed authors, described the situation as "reckless" and "politically motivated." She emphasized that the National Climate Assessment is vital for informing communities and stakeholders about localized climate risks and adaptation strategies. Without this report, she warned, the nation risks “flying blind” into worsening climate impacts, as echoed by several scientific voices in the community, according to CBS News and The Hill.

Amid concerns regarding the report's integrity, Katharine Hayhoe, a prominent climate scientist, stated that “without it, the future will be much more dangerous.” This statement encapsulates the prevailing sentiment within the scientific community regarding the potential implications of the dismissal, as noted by NPR and TRT World.

The future of the National Climate Assessment is now uncertain, with fears that it may suffer from a lack of scientific rigor should it be compiled without the expertise of the original contributors. Critics warn this could set the stage for a report laden with misinformation, following a trend of the current administration's conflicts with scientific consensus on climate matters, as addressed by Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, and Channel News Asia.