Trump's shadow sparks new and unique climate moves
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Climate initiatives outside of government are springing up in response to Trump 2.0 officials pulling back science and data programs.
Why it matters: The federal government historically does research and produces climate data that's widely used by academics, local governments, companies and others. But outside groups are stepping forward:
1. The National Academy of Sciences just launched a "fast-track" review of the latest evidence on how greenhouse gases threaten human health and welfare.
- It's a response to EPA's planned revocation of its 2009 "endangerment finding" that's the legal underpinning of Clean Air Act climate rules.
2. The new Cornerstone Sustainability Data Initiative, co-led by a former EPA researcher, is an open-source hub for info corporations use to tally supply chain emissions.
- The project — unveiled Friday — comes after EPA decided to stop supporting the in-house research that many companies use, the NYT reports.
3. This fall, the American Geophysical Union and the American Meteorological Society will issue a formal call for manuscripts on climate change in the U.S.
- It will be the next step in their planned initiative, launched in May, to "sustain the momentum" of the next National Climate Assessment.
- That's the congressionally mandated, multiagency report series that faces an uncertain future under Trump 2.0.
4. Many veteran climate scientists are "launching a coordinated response" to DOE's new report that challenges mainstream academic views on climate impacts, CNN reported.
Reality check: Scientists aren't claiming they can replace projects like the NCA with these ad hoc efforts.
- And obviously the National Academy can't regulate emissions in response to EPA's pullback, though I wouldn't be shocked to see its new work surface in court battles.
The other side: Trump officials say Democratic policies variously downplay domestic costs of emissions regulations and overstate climate threats.
What we're watching: Energy Secretary Chris Wright tells CNN that "we'll probably have public events here in D.C. this fall" about DOE's report.
- DOE didn't provide more info, and several of the report's authors tell Axios they're not aware of anything coming up. But co-author Steven Koonin thinks it's a good idea.
- "At the right time, I personally think a public forum highlighting points of scientific agreement and disagreement would have a salutary effect on the public and political dialogue about these issues," he said via email.
