Inside the federal government’s purge of climate data

5️⃣ Explain Like I'm 5

Imagine if you had a box where you kept all your favorite toys, and one day someone decided to hide some of them. Now, you can’t play with those toys because you don’t know where they are. This story is kind of like that but with important information about the Earth’s weather. Some people in a big group, called the federal government, have been hiding information about how the Earth is changing because of something called climate change. This information is like the toys because it helps scientists understand how to take care of our planet.

🔟 Explain Like I'm 10

So, there’s this really important report that comes out every few years called the National Climate Assessment. It's like a big school report that tells us how the weather and climate are changing in the United States. For 25 years, some of the smartest scientists have been putting this report together to help everyone understand what’s happening with our planet.

But recently, some people in the government decided not to show all the information they collected about the climate. It’s like they did all their homework but then only showed a few pages to the class. By not sharing everything, it’s harder for people to see what’s really going on with our environment and how it might be getting warmer and causing problems like stronger storms or longer droughts.

1️⃣5️⃣ Explain Like I'm 15

The National Climate Assessment is a critical document produced every four years to inform the public and policymakers about the impacts of climate change across the United States. It compiles data from top climate experts to give a comprehensive overview of how climate change is affecting our environment, economy, and health.

However, during the past few years, there have been reports that the federal government, under certain administrations, has suppressed or minimized some of this crucial climate data. This act of withholding information can have serious consequences. Without full transparency, it's challenging for lawmakers, businesses, and citizens to make informed decisions about how to handle the changing climate. It's akin to trying to solve a puzzle with half of the pieces missing.

This situation also raises concerns about the integrity of public science communications and the potential politicization of climate science. The broader implications could affect national and global responses to climate change, impacting policy decisions and international agreements on environmental standards. Looking ahead, the treatment of science and data in public policy will be a critical issue as the effects of climate change become more pronounced and require more immediate action.