Silencing Science Tracker
Silencing Science Tracker
The Silencing Science Tracker is a joint initiative of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law and the Climate Science Legal Defense Fund. It tracks government attempts to restrict or prohibit scientific research, education or discussion, or the publication or use of scientific information, since the November 2016 election. Read more→
The Sabin Center also maintains a Climate Deregulation Tracker which identifies attempts to scale back federal climate mitigation and adaptation measures. Read more→
Date | Action | Agency | Explanation | Scientists Affected | Summary | |
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2019-10-03 | White House Strikes Climate Change Language from Vehicle Emissions Proposal | Federal, White House | Government Censorship | Climate | The White House deleted references to climate change from a proposal limiting California’s ability to set stricter vehicle emissions standards. |
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2019-10-01 | Trump Administration Axes Federal Advisory Committee Focused on Invasive Species | DOI, Federal | Personnel Changes | Other | The Department of the Interior’s Invasive Species Advisory Committee was discontinued at the direction of the Trump administration. |
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2019-10-01 | Trump Administration Axes Federal Advisory Committee at the Department of Commerce | DOC, Federal | Personnel Changes | Other | NOAA’s Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee has been discontinued at the direction of the Trump administration. |
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2019-09-25 | Interior Department Arctic Drilling Study Concludes there is not a Climate Crisis | DOI, Federal | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | The Bureau of Land Management released the final environmental impact statement for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and concluded that there is not a Climate Crisis |
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2019-09-03 | President Trump Falsely States that Alabama May be Under Threat from Hurricane Dorian | Federal, White House | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate, Other | On three separate occasions in September 2019, President Trump stated that Alabama was under threat from Hurricane Dorian even though no government weather forecast predicted any impact would be felt in the state. |
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2019-08-30 | Trump Administration Limiting Scientific Input in Formulation of the USDA’s 2020 Dietary Guidelines | Federal, HHS, USDA | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | The Trump administration is limiting the scope of scientific input into the USDA’s 2020 dietary guidelines |
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2019-08-21 | Federal Officials Suppress Report Detailing Risk to Fish Species from Trump Administration’s California Irrigation Plan | DOI, Federal | Government Censorship | Other | Federal officials suppressed report detailing how Trump administration plan to divert water for agriculture in California would risk the state’s salmon runs. |
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2019-08-09 | White House Chief of Staff Claims USDA Move Was Deliberate Attempt to Reduce Agency Workforce | Federal, USDA | Personnel Changes | Other | Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney said that moving USDA groups out of DC to Kansas City was done to reduce the agency’s workforce. |
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2019-08-09 | EPA Reverses Position on Alaska Mine Following Meeting Between President Trump and Alaska Governor | AK, EPA, Federal, State, White House | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate, Other | The EPA informed staff that it would no longer oppose the Pebble Mine project in Alaska, disregarding previous EPA studies |
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2019-08-07 | U.S. Navy Shuts Task Force on Climate Change | DOD, Federal | Government Censorship, Personnel Changes | The U.S. Navy has quietly shut down its Task Force on Climate Change |
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2019-07-22 | DOI Removes References to Climate Change from WaterSMART Program Webpage | DOI, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | EDGI report shows that DOI removed all reference to climate change from its WaterSMART program web page. |
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2019-07-22 | USFS Removes References to Climate Change from Wilderness Webpage | Federal, USDA | Government Censorship | Climate | EDGI report shows that USFS removed references to climate change from its webpage about wilderness areas. |
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2019-07-22 | USGCRP Removes Sections on Climate Change from its Website | Federal, USGCRP | Government Censorship | Climate | EDGI report shows that USGCRP removed sections about climate change from its website |
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2019-07-22 | EPA’s Website Reclassifies Research Groups to Remove Climate Change Group | EPA, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | EDGI report shows that the EPA reclassified its research categories on its website to remove the climate change group. |
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2019-07-22 | DOE Removes References to Climate Change from Biological and Environmental Research Group Webpages | DOE, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | EDGI report shows that the DOE removed references to climate change from its BER group webpages |
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2019-07-22 | EPA Removes Climate Change References from “Heat Island Effect” Webpage | EPA, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | EDGI report shows that EPA changed its website to downplay the impact of climate change on the heat island effect. |
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2019-07-22 | OSHA Removes References to Climate Change from Page About Heat-Related Illnesses | DOL, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | EDGI report shows that OSHA removed references to the impact of climate change from its page on heat related illnesses in the workplace |
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2019-07-22 | USGS Removes Climate Change Links and Page from its Website | DOI, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | EDGI report shows that the USGS removed all links and references to climate change from its Science Explorer section |
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2019-07-18 | USDA Officials Buried Climate Change Response Plan | Federal, USDA | Government Censorship | Climate, Other | The USDA buried a plan detailing how agriculture can adapt to climate change |
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2019-07-08 | USGS Removes References to Climate Change from Press Release | DOI, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate, Other | USGS revised a researcher-written news release on a study of the California coastline to omit all reference to the impact of climate change on the coastline |
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2019-06-24 | USDA Buries Studies that Show Damages from Climate Change | Federal, USDA | Government Censorship | Climate, Other | Scientists at the USDA claim that the agency has deliberately failed to publicize research publications that address the impact of climate change |
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2019-06-14 | One-Third of Advisory Committees to be Terminated | Federal, White House | Personnel Changes | Climate, Other | President Trump issued an executive order directing federal agencies to terminate “at least one-third” of their current advisory committees. Critics argue that this will limit the scientific information and advice available to federal agencies and thus undermine science-based decision-making. |
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2019-06-05 | Climate Science Misrepresented by President Trump | Federal, White House | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | In a televised interview on Good Morning Britain, President Trump questioned the scientific consensus on climate change, asserting that weather patterns have “changed both ways.” The President also contracted scientific research showing that climate change is contributing to more frequent and severe extreme weather events. |
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2019-06-04 | Medical Science Misrepresented by Nebraska Abortion Bill | NE, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | A bill that would require doctors to tell patients that medication abortions can be reversed was passed by the Nebraska legislature. Opponents point to the lack of scientific evidence and clinical studies in support of this treatment. |
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2019-06 | State Department Scientist Prevented from Submitting Written Testimony to Congress | Federal, State Department, White House | Government Censorship | Climate | White House officials ordered a senior scientist at the U.S. Department of State not to submit written testimony on the threats posed by climate change to the House Intelligence Committee. |
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2019-05-31 | FWS Decision to Delist Gray Wolf Based on Faulty Science | DOI, Federal | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | A panel of five scientists published a report arguing that the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to take gray wolves off the endangered species list is not supported by the science. |
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2019-05-28 | Climate Science Misrepresented by Connecticut State Representatives | CT, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | The Connecticut House of Representatives passed a bill requiring the teaching of climate change in public schools. During debate on the bill, several representatives questioned the scientific consensus on climate change, and humans contribution to it. |
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2019-05-27 | USGS Scientists Ordered Not to Model Long-Term Climate Impacts | DOI, Federal | Government Censorship, Research Hindrance | Climate | Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey were directed to use computer-generated models that only project climate change impacts through 2040. The scientists had previously modeled climate change impacts through 2100, which experts say provides a more accurate picture of climate change because the effects of current greenhouse gas emissions will primarily be felt after 2040. |
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2019-05-15 | Bill Misrepresenting the Science of Fetal Development Introduced in Alabama | AL, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | A bill was passed by the Alabama legislature that includes an inaccurate description of fetal development. The bill states that “a baby’s heart starts to beat at around six weeks,” but a six-week-old embryo does not yet have developed organs, such as a heart. |
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2019-05-13 | Massachusetts Restricting State Scientists’ Communications | MA, State | Government Censorship | Other | Under the current Governor of Massachusetts, state scientists are required to obtain permission from state public relations officials before speaking with journalists; however, a recent story in the Boston Globe revealed that interview requests by the media have been routinely denied. |
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2019-05-13 | Children’s Health Research Program Cancelled by EPA | EPA, Federal | Budget Cuts | Other | EPA announced that it will no longer participate in the Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Program. Established by EPA and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in 1998, the program funds 13 research centers, which “explore ways to reduce children’s health risks from environmental factors.” |
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2019-05-08 | EPA Scientists’ Advice Disregarded | EPA, Federal | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | EPA officials ignored the advice of agency scientists when developing new rules with respect to the use of asbestos. The scientists argued that all new uses of asbestos should be banned “because the extreme harm from this chemical substance outweighs any benefit.” That argument, however, rejected by officials. |
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2019-04-29 | Science of Vaccination Misrepresented by Louisiana State Senator | LA, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | Louisiana State Senator John Milkovich claimed that vaccination can cause Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and bowel disease. |
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2019-04-25 | Scientists Repeatedly Ignored in Alaska Oil Drilling Environmental Review Process | DOI, Federal, White House | Bias and Misrepresentation, Research Hindrance | Climate | Under the Trump Administration, 1.6 million acres of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska has been opened up for oil drilling. In the rush to complete the environmental review process before leasing can begin, scientists have been repeatedly ignored and sidelined. |
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2019-04-25 | Medical Science Misrepresented by Oklahoma Abortion Bill | OK, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | A bill that would require doctors to tell patients that medication abortions can be reversed was passed by the Oklahoma legislature. Opponents point to the lack of scientific evidence and clinical studies in support of this treatment. |
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2019-04-08 | Trump Administration Cuts Conservation Research Funding | Federal, White House | Budget Cuts | Climate | As a result of budget cuts by the Trump Administration, 16 out of 22 Land Conservation Cooperative research centers have been placed on indefinite hiatus or completely eliminated. |
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2019-04-03 | Medical Science Misrepresented in Ohio Abortion Bill | OH, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | A bill intended to limit insurance coverage for abortion was introduced into the Ohio legislature. The bill endorses a non-existent procedure for ectopic pregnancies that has never been performed and is not medically viable. |
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2019-03-26 | Medical Science Misrepresented by Kentucky Abortion Bill | KY, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | A bill that would require medication abortion prescriptions to include information about the possibility for the abortion to be “reversed” was passed by the Kentucky legislature. Opponents point to the lack of scientific evidence and clinical studies in support of this treatment. |
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2019-03-25 | Medical Science Misrepresented by North Dakota Abortion Bill | ND, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | A bill that would require doctors to tell patients that medication abortions can be reversed was passed by the North Dakota legislature. Opponents point to the lack of scientific evidence and clinical studies in support of this treatment. |
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2019-03-19 | Science of Immunization Misrepresented by Kentucky Governor | KY, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | During a media interview, Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin misrepresented the science of infectious diseases, presenting “chickenpox on purpose” as a valid alternative to vaccination. That view is not shared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recommends that children receive the chickenpox vaccination, and not be purposely exposed to the disease. |
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2019-03-12 | Anti-Science Views Endorsed by President Trump | Federal, White House | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | President Trump posted a tweet which appeared to endorse erroneous claims, made by Patrick Moore, that climate change is “[f]ake [s]cience” and that increasing carbon dioxide emissions will benefit society. |
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2019-03-11 | NSF Budget Cuts Proposed for FY20 | Federal, NSF | Budget Cuts | Climate, Other | The Trump administration’s FY2020 budget proposed to cut funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) by 9% (compared to FY2019 levels). |
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2019-03-11 | DOE Budget Cuts Proposed for FY20 | DOE, Federal | Budget Cuts | Climate, Other | The Trump administration’s FY2020 budget proposes to cut funding for DOE by 10.8% (compared to FY2019 levels). Under the budget, DOE’s innovation arm — the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) — would be eliminated, and funding for its Office of Science reduced by 16.5%. |
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2019-03-11 | NIH Budget Cuts Proposed for FY2020 | Federal, HHS | Budget Cuts | Other | The Trump administration’s FY2020 budget proposes to cut funding for HHS by 11.9% (compared to FY2019 levels). Funding for the National Institutes of Health, within HHS, would decline by 12.6% (compared to FY 2019 levels). |
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2019-03-11 | NASA Budget Cuts Proposed for FY20 | Federal, NASA | Budget Cuts | Climate, Other | The Trump administration’s FY2020 budget proposes to increase funding for NASA by 1.4 percent (compared to FY2019 levels). However, while total funding for NASA would increase, several key research programs would face cuts. In particular, the budget eliminates funding for the WFIRST space telescope, and two earth science missions. |
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2019-03-11 | USDA Budget Cuts Proposed for FY20 | Federal, USDA | Budget Cuts | Climate, Other | The Trump administration’s FY2020 budget proposes to cut USDA funding by 14.8% (compared to FY2019 levels). The cuts would affect several USDA research programs, including the Agricultural Research Service which would see its funding decline by 9.5%, and the National Agricultural Statistics Service which would see its funding decline by 14.7%. |
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2019-03-11 | NOAA Budget Cuts Proposed for FY20 | DOC, Federal | Budget Cuts | Other | The Trump administration’s FY2020 budget proposes to increase funding for DOC by 9.3 percent (compared to FY2019 levels). However, while total funding for DOC would increase, several NOAA-administered research programs would face cuts. In particular, the budget proposes to eliminate funding for “Sea Grant, Coastal Zone Management Grants, and the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery,” to “allow NOAA to better target remaining resources to core missions and services.” |
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2019-03-11 | DOI Budget Cuts Proposed for FY20 | DOI, Federal | Budget Cuts | Climate, Other | The Trump administration’s FY2020 budget proposes to reduce funding for DOI by 10.9% (compared to FY2019 levels). Funding for DOI’s research arm — the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) — would decline by 14.4 percent (compared to FY2019 levels). |
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2019-03-11 | EPA Budget Cuts Proposed for FY20 | EPA, Federal | Budget Cuts | Climate, Other | The Trump administration’s FY2020 budget proposes to cut EPA funding by 31.2% (compared to FY2019 levels), and eliminate a number of the agency’s research and education programs, including the Climate Change Research Program and the Environmental Education Program. |
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2019-03-08 | FCC to Auction Electromagnetic Spectrum Needed to Transmit Weather Data | FCC, Federal | Research Hindrance | Climate, Other | The Federal Communications Commission announced plans to auction licenses for the use of electromagnetic spectrum in the 24 gigahertz band. That band is currently used to transmit weather data collected by satellites, weather balloons and radars, and ocean buoys. Scientists have warned that using the band for other purposes could lead to corruption of the weather data and/or otherwise interfere with its transmission. |
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2019-03-05 | Science of Immunization Misrepresented in Congressional Hearing | Congress, Federal | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | During a Congressional hearing, Senator Rand Paul erroneously suggested that the benefits of immunization have not been scientifically proven. |
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2019-03 | References to “Climate Change” Removed from EPA Document | EPA, Federal, White House | Government Censorship | Climate | The White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs deleted several references to “climate change” from an EPA guidance document titled “Planning for Natural Disaster Debris.” The deleted references highlighted the link between climate change and extreme weather events. |
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2019-02-27 | Second Bill Requiring Use of “Balanced” Teaching Materials Introduced in Florida | FL, State | Interference with Education | Climate, Other | A bill was introduced in the Florida legislature that would, if enacted, require the instructional materials used in public schools to “provide objective, balances, and non-inflammatory viewpoints on controversial issues.” While the term “controversial issues” is not defined in the bill, education groups have expressed concern that it could encompass climate change and evolution, forcing public schools to use textbooks that question proven scientific theories in those areas. |
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2019-02-21 | Climate Change Panel Disbanded by Alaska Governor | AK, State | Personnel Changes | Climate | Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy disbanded the Climate Change for Alaska Leadership Team. The team was established in 2017 by then Governor Bill Walker to advise on strategies for addressing climate change. |
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2019-02-19 | FEMA Science Panel Unofficially Suspended | DHS, Federal, White House | Personnel Changes | Climate, Other | The Technical Mapping Advisory Council (TMAC) — a scientific panel charged with advising the Federal Emergency Management Agency — has not met in almost 5 months. During that period, TMAC has lacked a quorum, reportedly because the White House and Department of Homeland Security have delayed issuing security clearances to new members. |
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2019-02-19 | Bill Preventing Use of the Next Generation Science Standards Introduced in Iowa | IA, State | Interference with Education | Climate, Other | A bill was introduced in the Iowa legislature that would, if enacted, prevent use of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in schools. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Sandy Salmon, has previously said she opposes the NGSS because they present “controversial topics [such as] climate change, man’s negative impact on the environment, and evolution as a scientific fact.” |
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2019-02-19 | Causes of Climate Change Misrepresented by Montana State Legislator | MT, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | During debate on a bill before the Montana House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee, Representative Joe Read acknowledged that “[t]he climate is changing,” but erroneously claimed that carbon dioxide “is not the culprit,” |
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2019-02-15 | Bill Requiring Use of “Balanced” Teaching Materials Introduced in Florida | FL, State | Interference with Education | Climate, Other | A bill was introduced in the Florida legislature that would, if enacted, require the instructional materials used in public schools to provide “objective, balances, and non-inflammatory viewpoints on controversial issues.” While the term “controversial issues” is not defined in the bill, science education groups have expressed concern that it could encompass anthropogenic climate change, and thus force public schools to use textbooks that question whether human activities are the cause of recent temperature increases. |
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2019-02-11 | Bill Undermining Teaching of Climate Change Introduced in South Dakota | SD, State | Interference with Education | Climate, Other | A bill was introduced in the South Dakota legislature that would, if adopted, request local school boards to adopt rules preventing teachers “[a]dvocat[ing] for any issue that is part of a political party platform.” Critics fear that this could limit teachers’ ability to discuss climate change, which is dealt with in the Democratic party platform. |
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2019-02-09 | Resolution Undermining Teaching of Climate Change Introduced in Virginia | State, VA | Interference with Education | Climate, Other | A resolution was introduced in the Virginia legislature that would, if adopted, request that the State Board of Education adopt rules preventing teachers “[a]dvocat[ing] for any issue that is part of a political party platform.” Critics fear that this could limit teachers’ ability to discuss climate change, which is dealt with in the Democratic party platform. |
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2019-02-07 | Bill Misrepresenting Causes of Climate Change Introduced in Montana | MT, State | Bias and Misrepresentation, Interference with Education | Climate | A bill stating that “nature, not human activity, causes climate change” was introduced in the Montana legislature. That statement would, if the bill is enacted, be declared an official “finding” of the Montana legislature and would need to be offered “when providing educational and information materials on climate change.” |
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2019-02-06 | Science of Viral Infection Treatment Misrepresented by Texas State Representative | State, TX | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | Texas State Representative Bill Zedler falsely stated that measles, a viral infection, can be cured by antibiotics which exclusively treat bacterial infections. |
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2019-02-04 | Bill Undermining Science Education Introduced in Oklahoma | OK, State | Interference with Education | Climate, Other | A bill was introduced in the Oklahoma Senate that would, if enacted, allow teachers to present “the scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses of existing scientific theories.” Critics say this could undermine science education by allowing teachers to question proven scientific theories, particularly in areas seen as controversial, such as evolution. |
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2019-02-01 | Bill Undermining Teaching of Climate Change Introduced in Maine | ME, State | Interference with Education | Climate, Other | A bill was introduced in the Maine legislature that would, if enacted, require teachers to “present both sides” of any “controversial issue.” The term “controversial issue” is defined broadly to include any issue addressed in an “electoral party platform,” and thus would include climate change, which is discussed in the Democratic party platform. |
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2019-02 | NASA Pressured to Remove Climate Change Information from Website | Federal, NASA | Government Censorship | Climate | A member of the Trump administration’s National Security Council, William Happer, emailed the deputy administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, James Morehard, to complain about the inclusion of climate change information on its website. |
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2019-01-31 | Bill Undermining Teaching of Evolution Introduced in South Carolina | SC, State | Interference with Education | Other | A bill was introduced in the South Carolina legislature that would, if enacted, allow public schools to include creation science as part of the curriculum in elective religion courses. |
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2019-01-30 | Bill Allowing Teachers to Question Proven Scientific Theories Introduced in South Dakota | SD, State | Interference with Education | Climate, Other | A bill was introduced in the South Dakota legislature that would, if enacted, prevent teachers being prohibited from discussing “the strengths and weaknesses” of any scientific theory. According to science education groups, this could undermine science education by giving teachers greater ability to question proven scientific theories, such as climate change and evolution. |
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2019-01-28 | Existence of Climate Change Questioned by President Trump | Federal, White House | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | In a tweet discussing recent cold weather in the Midwest, President Trump appeared to suggest that climate change is not occurring, stating “[w]hat the hell is going on with Global Waming? [sic] Please come back fast, we need you!” The President’s statement was widely criticized by climate scientists, who emphasized that cold weather does not disprove the existence of climate change. |
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2019-01-25 | Resolution Undermining Teaching of Climate Change Introduced in South Dakota | SD, State | Interference with Education | Climate, Other | A resolution was introduced in the South Dakota legislature that would, if adopted, encourage each local school board to adopt rules preventing teachers “[a]dvocat[ing] for any issue that is part of a political party platform.” Critics fear that this could limit teachers’ ability to discuss climate change, which is dealt with in the Democratic party platform. |
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2019-01-24 | Bill Restricting Teaching of Climate Change Introduced in Connecticut | CT, State | Interference with Education | Climate | A bill was introduced in the Connecticut legislature that would, if enacted, eliminate climate change from the state’s science education standards. In justifying the bill, its sponsor indicated that climate change is a “controversial” issue, and thus should not be taught in Connecticut schools. |
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2019-01-24 | Bill Opposing Next Generation Science Standards Introduced in Connecticut | CT, State | Interference with Education | Climate, Other | A bill was introduced in the Connecticut state legislature that would, if enacted, prevent implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The bill’s sponsor has previously objected to the inclusion of climate change in the NGSS, asserting that it is a “controverisal” subject that should not be taught in Connecticut schools. |
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2019-01-23 | Bill Opposing Next Generation Science Standards Introduced in Iowa | IA, State | Interference with Education | Climate, Other | A bill was introduced in the Iowa state legislature that would, if enacted, prevent implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Skyler Wheeler, has previously said she “oppose[s] NGSS as it pushes climate change . . . [and] evolution.” |
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2019-01-20 | Climate Science Misrepresented by President Trump | Federal, White House | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | President Trump posted a tweet suggesting that recent cold weather in the U.S. disproves the existence of climate change. The President’s tweet was widely criticized by climate scientists, who noted that it confused short-term weather trends with longer-term changes in climate. |
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2019-01-16 | Release of NOAA Disaster-Cost Estimate Delayed | DOC, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | Due to the partial government shutdown, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has delayed release of its annual disaster-cost estimate, showing the total cost of weather and climate-related disasters in 2018. |
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2019-01-15 | Release of NOAA / NASA Temperature Data Delayed | DOC, Federal, NASA | Government Censorship | Climate | The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Aeronautics and Space Administration have been forced to delay release of the annual global temperature analysis for 2018 due to the partial government shutdown. |
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2019-01-14 | Bill Undermining Science Education Introduced in Florida | FL, State | Interference with Education | Climate, Other | A bill was introduced in the Florida legislature that would, if enacted, require “controversial” scientific theories to be taught in a “balanced” manner. While the bill does not identify any specific “controversial” theories, it’s sponsor indicated that it would apply to climate change and evolution, requiring teachers to present “different worldviews” on those topics. |
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2019-01-14 | Bill Allowing Teachers to Question Proven Scientific Theories Introduced in North Dakota | ND, State | Interference with Education | Climate, Other | A bill was introduced in the North Dakota legislature that would, if enacted, prevent teachers being prohibited from discussing “the strengths and weaknesses” of any scientific theory. Critics say this will undermine science education by giving teachers greater scope to question proven scientific theories and/or discuss alternative concepts that have been discredited or are unproven. |
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2019-01-12 | USDA Scientists Prevented from Attending Scientific Conference | Federal, USDA | Government Censorship | Other | Hundreds of scientists from the U.S. Department of Agriculture were prevented from attending the 27th Annual Plant and Genome Conference due to the partial government shutdown. |
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2019-01-10 | NASA Scientists Prevented from Attending Conference | Federal, NASA | Government Censorship | Other | Federal government scientists, from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and other agencies, were prevented from attending the annual meeting of the American Astronomical Society due to the partial government shutdown. |
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2019-01-10 | Bill Undermining Teaching of Evolution Introduced in Indiana | IN, State | Interference with Education | Other | A bill was introduced in the Indiana legislature that would, if enacted, allow the governing body of a school to require teachers to present “various theories concerning the origin of life” to students. Critics say this is likely to result in the theory of creation being presented as an alternative to evolution. |
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2019-01-09 | Release of Scientific Model Delayed Due to Partial Government Shutdown | DOC, Federal | Research Hindrance | Other | The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was forced to delay release of an update to the World Magnetic Model due to the partial government shutdown. |
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2019-01-07 | DOE Scientists Prevented from Traveling to Conferences | DOE, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate, Other | DOE officials ordered staff in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to cancel all travel scheduled through the end of February 2019. The officials cited the partial government shutdown as the reason for requiring travel to be cancelled. However, DOE is not affected by the shutdown, having been fully-funded through the 2019 fiscal year. |
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2019-01-03 | NOAA Scientists Prevented from Attending Scientific Conference | DOC, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | Scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) were told they would “not be able to participate” in the annual meeting of the American Meterological Society (AMS) due to the partial government shutdown which forced the cancellation of “all official NOAA travel to the AMS.” |
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2019-01 | Access to NOAA Climate Change Website Blocked | DOC, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | Due to the partial government shutdown, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration blocked access to its National Climatic Data Center website, which includes multiple climate data sets. |
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2019-01 | Scientific Conference Cancelled by USDA Due to Partial Government Shutdown | Federal, USDA | Government Censorship, Research Hindrance | Climate, Other | Citing the partial federal government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture cancelled its 30th annual Research Forum on Invasive Species, which had been scheduled to take place from January 8 to 11. According to USDA officials, the forum will not be rescheduled during 2019, due to difficulties “coordinating with speakers and the hotel.” |
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2018-12-22 | Access to BLM Conservation Website Blocked During Government Shutdown | DOI, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate, Other | Citing the government shutdown, the DOI’s Bureau of Land Management blocked access to a website, containing links to documents discussing proposed changes to the conservation rules for greater sage grouse habitat. The block, which appears to violate DOI guidance, was implemented despite the fact that DOI is currently accepting comments on the proposed rule changes. |
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2018-12-22 | Scientist Forced to Suspend Water Testing Due to Government Shutdown | DOI, Federal | Research Hindrance | Other | A scientist from Virginia Commonwealth University was prevented from collecting water samples in the Shenandoah National Park due to the partial government shutdown. Prior to the shutdown, samples had been collected weekly as part of a forty-year study, intended to track how streams in the park and surrounding areas are recovering from acidification. |
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2018-12-20 | CDC Climate Office Reorganized and Staff Reassigned | Federal, HHS | Personnel Changes | Climate | The CDC’s Climate and Health Program office was merged with its National Asthma Control Program office. Prior to the merger, the CDC issued a dismissal notice to the head of the Climate and Health Program, Dr. George Luber, but later withdrew it after he threatened to bring legal proceedings. The CDC subsequently reassigned Dr. Luber to its waterborne diseases unit. |
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2018-12-14 | Bill Undermining Teaching of Climate Change Introduced in Arizona | AZ, State | Interference with Education | Climate, Other | A bill was introduced in the Arizona legislature that would, if enacted, require teachers to “present both sides” of any “controversial issue.” The term “controversial issue” is defined broadly to include any issue addressed in an “electoral party platform,” and thus would include climate change, which is discussed in the Democratic party platform. |
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2018-12-11 | Science of Vaccination Misrepresented by Tennessee Congressman-Elect and Former State Senator | Congress, Federal | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | Tennessee Congressman-elect and former Senator Mark Green appeared to suggest that vaccination can cause Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has proven that there is no link between receiving vaccines and developing ASD. |
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2018-12-10 | Availability of Scientific Data on Waterways Misrepresented by EPA Official | EPA, Federal | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | The Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Water erroneously claimed that no data was available showing the number of streams that would be excluded from the new definition of “waters of the United States” proposed by EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers. Internal EPA documents show that agency staff had conducted a detailed analysis and determined that at least 18% of streams and 51% of wetlands nationwide would be excluded from the new definition. |
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2018-12-04 | Climate Change Report Removed from Alaska DEC Website | AK, State | Government Censorship | Climate | In December 2018, one day after new Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy took office, the state Department of Environmental Conservation deleted a key climate change report from its website. The report, titled “Climate Change Policy Recommendations to the Governor,” included a detailed plan for addressing climate change impacts in Alaska. |
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2018-11-23 | Accuracy of National Climate Assessment Questioned by Trump Administration | Federal, White House | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | A White House spokesperson questioned the accuracy of the Fourth National Climate Assessment, claiming that it overstates the risks associated with climate change because it was “based on the most extreme scenario, which contradicts long-established trends.” That claim was disputed by climate scientists, including one of the Assessment’s authors, who noted that it “considers ALL scenarios.” |
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2018-11-21 | Existence of Climate Change Questioned by President Trump | Federal, White House | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | President Trump posted a tweet suggesting that recent cold weather in the U.S. disproves the existence of climate change. The President’s tweet was widely criticized by climate scientists, who argued that it confused short-term weather trends with longer-term changes in climate. |
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2018-11-21 | EPA Staff Prevented from Updating Climate Change Indicators Website | EPA, Federal | Government Censorship, Self-Censorship | Climate | EPA staff have been prevented from updating an agency website, titled “Climate Change Indicators in the United States,” which is intended to “compile a key set of indicators related to the causes and effects of climate change.” During the Obama Administration, new indicators were added to the website every six months, but no updates have been made since President Trump took office. |
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2018-11-04 | Scientific Consensus on Climate Change Questioned by President Trump | Federal, White House | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | During a televised interview, President Trump questioned the scientific consensus on climate change, suggesting that scientists disagree on its causes. He also asserted that some scientists have overstated the role human activities play in climate change, saying “[w]e do have an impact but I don’t believe the impact is nearly what some scientists say.” |
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2018-11 | Climate Change Omitted from Oceans Research Plan | Federal, White House | Government Censorship, Research Hindrance | Climate | The White House published a new report, titled “Science and Technology for America’s Oceans,” identifying research priorities for oceans science and technology. The report omits a section discussing research priorities with respect to “the ocean’s role in climate,” which had appeared in all previous versions of the report. |
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2018-10-26 | Climate Science Misrepresented by Alaska Congressman | Congress, Federal | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | During a televised debate, Representative Don Young asserted, contrary to decades of scientific research, that climate change is not caused by human activities. Rep. Young also accused scientists of overstating the risks posed by climate change, saying “[i]t’s being used as an instrument to frighten people.” |
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2018-10-24 | Climate Change Omitted from List of EPA Research Objectives | EPA, Federal | Government Censorship, Research Hindrance | Climate | EPA published a draft “Air and Energy Strategic Research Action Plan” identifying research needed to address its “strategic objectives and mandates to improve air quality.” Unlike previous versions adopted during the Obama administration, the Action Plan does not list climate change preparation as a “research objective.” |
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2018-10-16 | Climate Science Misrepresented by Vice President Pence | Federal, White House | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | Vice President Mike Pence questioned scientific research showing that climate change is primarily caused by greenhouse gas emissions, telling reporters that its causes “are yet to be seen.” |
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2018-10-14 | Climate Science Misrepresented by President Trump | Federal, White House | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | In a televised interview, President Trump questioned scientific research showing that anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions are the primary driver of climate change, saying we “don’t know” what would have happened “with or without man.” |
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2018-10-11 | EPA Science Panel Disbanded | EPA, Federal | Personnel Changes | Other | EPA announced that it was disbanding the particulate matter review panel. The panel has historically provided advice to EPA’s Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee on the need for changes to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate matter. |
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2018-10-03 | Climate Change Materials Removed from DOT Website | DOT, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | The Department of Transportation (DOT) removed at least two pages discussing climate change from its website. One of the pages had previously served as DOT’s “Transportation and Climate Change Clearinghouse,” providing a “one-stop source of information on transportation and climate change issues. The second page had included links to studied on the impacts of climate change on the transportation sector. |
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2018-10-02 | References to “Climate Change” Removed from EPA Document | EPA, Federal, White House | Government Censorship | Climate | The White House Office of Management and Budget removed several paragraphs discussing climate change and its impact on human health from a proposed EPA rule. The removed paragraphs emphasized the particular vulnerability of “children, the elderly, and the poor . . . to climate-related health effects.” |
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2018-09-27 | EPA’s Office of the Science Advisor to be Closed | EPA, Federal | Personnel Changes | Climate, Other | EPA is reportedly planning to close its Office of the Science Advisor. According to its website, the office is responsible for “science policy development and implementation” at EPA, and aims to “ensure that the highest quality science is better integrated into the Agency’s policies and decisions.” |
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2018-09-18 | Climate Change Omitted from National Biodefense Strategy | Federal, White House | Government Censorship | Climate | The White House published a new National Biodefense Strategy, outlining measures to prevent and mitigate disease outbreaks. Despite numerous scientific studies finding that climate change will increase the risk of such outbreaks, it is not discussed anywhere in the strategy. |
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2018-09-10 | References to “Climate Change” Removed from NPS Report | DOI, Federal | Government Censorship, Self-Censorship | Climate | A draft planning document, developed for the New Bedford Whaling Historical Park, was edited to remove all references to “climate change.” The edits were made after officials in the National Park Service’s Northeast Regional Office warned park employees that “we’re being told . . . [to] avoid” discussion of future climate impacts. |
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2018-09-09 | Scientific Data and Records to be Destroyed by DOI | DOI, Federal | Government Censorship, Research Hindrance | Other | DOI filed a “Request for Records Disposition Authority” with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). In the request, DOI seeks permission from NARA to destroy records relating to its conservation, land use, energy, and water programs. Many of the records document the findings of scientific research or contain data needed to conduct such research. |
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2018-09-05 | References to “Climate Change” Removed from EPA Regulatory Impact Analysis | EPA, Federal, White House | Government Censorship | Climate | The White House Office of Management and Budget removed several paragraphs discussing climate change and its impact on human health from EPA’s regulatory impact analysis on the proposed Affordable Clean Energy Rule. |
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2018-09-05 | Research Funding Reallocated by HHS | Federal, HHS | Budget Cuts | Other | HHS announced that it would use funds originally allocated to research and other programs to cover the costs of its Unaccompanied Alien Children program. A total of $266 million will be re-diverted, including $87.3 million originally allocated to the National Institutes of Health for cancer and other research. |
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2018-09-04 | Climate Science Misrepresented by Oregon State Senator | OR, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | In an email newsletter sent by the Oregon legislature, State Senator Alan Olsen erroneously claimed that climate change is caused solely by natural forces, and not by human activities. Senator Olsen also erroneously asserted that temperatures have not increased in recent years and falsely accused scientists of overstating the risks of climate change. |
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2018-09-03 | FWS Officials Interfered in Scientific Study | DOI, Federal | Research Hindrance | Other | Scientists from Oklahoma State University and the University of Georgia were engaged by the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to contribute to a study of the impact of farming on an endangered insect. The scientists allege that FWS officials dismissed concerns they raised about the study’s methodology and pressured them to “work on a rushed timeline at odds with what they saw as good science.” |
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2018-09 | EPA Scientists Responsible for Preparing Chemical Assessments Reassigned | EPA, Federal | Personnel Changes | Other | Staff in EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program were forced to stop work on chemical risk assessments after agency officials commenced a review of the program’s priorities. 28 of IRIS’s 30 staff were subsequently directed to spend 25 to 50 percent of their time working with EPA’s Office of Pollution Prevention. |
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2018-09 | NASA Study to Monitor Air Pollution After Hurricane Harvey Cancelled | EPA, Federal, NASA, State, TX | Research Hindrance | Other | Officials at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) cancelled a project to assess air pollution in the Houston area following Hurricane Harvey. The cancellation was ordered by the director of NASA’s Earth Science Division after officials at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality expressed concern that NASA’s project would “overlap with . . . existing efforts” to monitor pollution and would not be “useful.” |
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2018-09 | References to “Climate Change” Removed from Report of Vermont Natural Resources Board | State, VT | Government Censorship | Climate | The Vermont Governor’s office removed several references to “climate change” from a report, prepared by the state Natural Resources Board, exploring changes to the state’s land use permitting process. |
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2018-09 | EPA’s Office of Children’s Health Omitted from New Organizational Chart | EPA, Federal | Personnel Changes | Climate, Other | EPA issued a new organizational chart which omitted any reference to the Office of Children’s Health Protection (OCHP). The Director of OCHP, Dr. Ruth Etzel, was subsequently placed on administrative leave without explanation. This followed several months of what Dr. Etzel described as “guerrilla warefare,” being waged by top EPA leaders, as part of an effort to “disappear” OCHP. |
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2018-08-14 | NPS Scientists Avoiding Discussion of “Climate Change” | DOI, Federal | Self-Censorship | Climate | A survey of scientists at DOI’s National Park Service found that over one-quarter engage in self-censorship, avoiding discussion of, and work on, climate change even when not explicitly told to do so. |
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2018-08-14 | Public Communication by NPS Scientists Restricted | DOI, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate, Other | A survey of scientists at DOI’s National Park Service found various restrictions on their ability to communicate with the public and journalists. |
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2018-08-14 | USDA Scientists Prevented from Researching “Politically Contentious” Topics | Federal, USDA | Research Hindrance | Climate, Other | A survey of federal government scientists found evidence of political interference in scientific research at USDA. The survey found, among other things, that resources have been shifted away from USDA programs and offices involved in “politically contentious” research. |
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2018-08-14 | FWS Scientists Prevented from Discussing or Researching “Politically Contentious” Topics | DOI, Federal | Government Censorship, Research Hindrance | Climate, Other | A survey of scientists at DOI’s Fish and Wildlife Service found that many have been told not to work on topics deemed “politically contentious” and to omit “politically contentious” words, including “climate change” and “science,” from their reports. |
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2018-08-14 | USGS Scientists Avoiding Discussion of “Climate Change” | DOI, Federal | Self-Censorship | Climate | A survey of scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey found that nearly one-third engage in self-censorship, avoiding discussion of, and work on, climate change even when not explicitly told to do so. |
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2018-08-14 | USGS Scientists Prevented from Researching “Politically Contentious” Topics | DOI, Federal | Research Hindrance | Climate, Other | A survey of scientists at DOI’s U.S. Geological Survey found that many have been asked or told not to work on topics deemed “politically contentious.” |
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2018-08-14 | Scientific Research Subject to Political Interference at NOAA | DOC, Federal | Research Hindrance | Climate, Other | A survey of federal government scientists found evidence of political interference in scientific research at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The survey found, among other things, that scientists have been told to avoid research linking environmental problems to action by industry. |
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2018-08-07 | Climate Change Described as “Hoax” by Louisiana Attorney-General | LA, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | During a speech at the Heartland Institute’s America First Energy Conference, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry referenced the “climate change hoax,” and expressed concern that people believe it. |
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2018-07-31 | Climate Change Omitted from List of White House R&D Priorities | Federal, White House | Budget Cuts, Government Censorship, Research Hindrance | Climate | The White House Office of Management and Budget and Office of Science and Technology Policy jointly released a memorandum outlining the Trump administration’s research and development priorities. Unlike previous versions, issued during the Obama administration, the memorandum does not list climate change as a priority area. |
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2018-07-24 | References to “Climate Change” Removed from USAID Report | Federal, USAID | Government Censorship | Climate | References to “climate change” were removed from the U.S. Agency for International Development’s 2017 Sustainability Report. In a departure from previous versions, the 2017 report no longer lists “climate change adaptation” as a priority, and omits a section discussing “proposed actions” to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. |
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2018-07-17 | Impacts of Climate Change Downplayed by FEMA | DHS, Federal | Bias and Misrepresentation, Government Censorship | Climate | The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) did not discuss climate change in its After Action Report on the 2017 hurricane season. Speaking about the report, FEMA’s Deputy Administrator for Resilience appeared to suggest that climate change is a natural phenomenon, stating “the climate shifts, it changes over time.” |
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2018-07-16 | Online Medical Guidelines Database Removed by HHS | Federal, HHS | Budget Cuts | Other | The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, removed an online medical guidelines database. The database, known as the National Guideline Clearinghouse, was thought to be the world’s most comprehensive online repository of medical guidelines. |
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2018-07-06 | Climate Science Misrepresented by Texas State Senator | State, TX | Bias and Misrepresentation, Interference with Education | Climate | Texas State Senator Jason Isaac asserted, contrary to decades of scientific research, that the burning of fossil fuels does not contribute to climate change. He worked with the Texas Natural Gas Foundation to develop new science education guidelines to “get the bias” against fossil fuels out of schools. |
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2018-07-06 | Release of Health Study Blocked by EPA | EPA, Federal | Government Censorship | Other | Senior EPA officials reported sought to block release of a scientific study discussing the health hazards posed by formaldehyde. |
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2018-07-02 | References to “Climate Change” Removed from Treasury Department Report | Federal, Treasury Department | Government Censorship | Climate | References to “climate change” were removed from the Department of the Treasury’s 2017 Sustainability Report. In a departure from previous versions, the 2017 report no longer lists “climate change resilience” as a goal of the department, and omits discussion of programs aimed at addressing climate change risks. |
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2018-07 | Scientific Consensus on Climate Change Questioned by Wyoming State Representative | State, WY | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | Wyoming State Representative Scott Clem asserted, on his website, that “man-made climate change is not settled science” and continues to be “hotly disputed.” |
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2018-07 | USDA Scientists Ordered to Label Peer-Reviewed Research “Preliminary” | Federal, USDA | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate, Other | Scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture were directed to include, on all research published in scientific journals, a statement indicating that “[t]he findings and conclusions in this preliminary publication have not been formally disseminated by the” department. |
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2018-06-22 | North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Budget Cut | NC, State | Budget Cuts, Personnel Changes | Other | The North Carolina legislature rejected a proposal from Governor Roy Cooper to increase funding for the state Department of Environmental Quality to enable it to hire scientists to work on water pollution issues. Instead, the legislature voted to cut the Department’s funding by $1.8 million, which critics say will lead to job losses. |
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2018-06-21 | Public Communication by USGS Scientists Restricted | DOI, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate, Other | DOI issued a new media protocol that requires scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey to obtain approval before speaking to journalists. The protocol permits DOI to reject interview requests on scientific matters. |
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2018-06-20 | Florida Citrus Department Budget Cuts Proposed for 2018-19 | FL, State | Budget Cuts | Other | The Florida Department of Citrus’ 2018-19 budget proposed to reduce funding for scientific research by $48,700. The reductions are reportedly necessary due to lower than expected revenues. |
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2018-06-20 | Senators Request Review of NSF Grants | Congress, Federal, NSF | Research Hindrance | Climate | Four Republican Senators requested that the Inspector General of the National Science Foundation (NSF) commence a review of its grant-making process. The Senators allege that NSF has issued several grants in violation of federal law, including one supporting a program intended to educate meteorologists about climate change. |
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2018-06-20 | Three EPA Advisory Committees Disbanded | EPA, Federal | Personnel Changes | Other | EPA’s Science Advisory Board (SAB) announced that it was disbanding three sub-committees — the Ecological Processes and Effects Committee, Environmental Engineering Committee, and Environmental Economics Advisory Committee — “[o]n the recommendation of the SAB Staff Office.” |
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2018-06-18 | EPA Research Grants Cancelled at Direction of Political Appointee | EPA, Federal | Budget Cuts | Climate, Other | A political appointee at EPA — the Deputy Director for Public Affairs John Konkus — ordered the cancellation of at least four grants for research on climate change and related topics. |
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2018-06-14 | New Conference Approval Process Adopted by USGS | DOI, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate, Other | The U.S. Geological Survey, within the Department of the Interior, will require scientists wishing to attend certain conferences to provide their presentation title(s) and an explanation of how their research relates to the priorities of Interior Secretary Zinke. The information will be reviewed by a political appointee, who will determine which scientists can attend each conference. |
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2018-06 | Release of Chemical Assessments Blocked by EPA | EPA, Federal | Government Censorship | Other | EPA officials ordered staff in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program not to release human health toxicity assessments prepared for chemicals. Staff were told they could only release chemical assessments that had been specifically requested by the leadership of an EPA program office. Program office leaders were subsequently told to limit their assessment requests to “no more than three to four chemicals.” |
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2018-05-9 | NASA Climate Research Program Cancelled | Federal, NASA | Budget Cuts | Climate | NASA cancelled its Carbon Monitoring System (CMS), a $10 million-a-year program, which provides funding for research aimed at improving the measurement of carbon stocks and fluxes. |
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2018-05-30 | NASA Employees Avoiding Discussion of Climate Change | Federal, NASA | Self-Censorship | Climate | Since President Trump took office, NASA staff have avoided publishing climate change information online, and discussing the topic on social media. This is reportedly due to self-censorship by career staffers who are concerned about “provoking the [Trump] administration.” |
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2018-05-16 | Climate Science Misrepresented by House Science Committee Members | Congress, Federal | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | During a hearing on May 16, 2018, several members of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology misrepresented climate science. Among other things, they incorrectly suggested that human activities are not the primary driver of climate change, and that climate change is not causing sea level rise. |
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2018-05-14 | Release of Scientific Study Blocked | EPA, Federal, HHS, White House | Government Censorship | Other | White House and EPA officials sought to block publication of HHS study on the health effects of water contamination due to concerns that it would be a “public relations nightmare.” |
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2018-05-11 | Scientific Findings of Environment Agency Questioned by Ohio Governor | OH, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | Ohio Governor John Kasich questioned scientific data showing poor water quality in Lake Erie. Based on the data, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency concluded that the lake’s waters are impaired, but the Governor disputed that finding. |
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2018-05-10 | References to “Climate Change” Removed from DOD Report | DOD, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | A DOD report discussing how climate change is affecting military bases was edited to remove several references to “climate change” and downplay its impacts. For example, several references to climate change-induced sea level rise and its impact on military bases were removed, as were references to declines in Arctic sea ice. |
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2018-05-03 | DOI Staff Prevented from Attending Scientific Conference | DOI, Federal | Government Censorship | Other | DOI’s Bureau of Land Management prevented at least 14 scientists from attending the annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology. Several of those prevented from attending had been scheduled to speak at a symposium, which had to be cancelled due to the lack of participation by government scientists. |
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2018-05 | Science of Evolution Questioned by Arizona State Official | AZ, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | In a television interview, Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas suggested that science only “back[s] up part of” the theory of evolution, and “not all of it.” Superintendent Douglas has previously advocated for Florida schools to teach the unproven theory of “intelligent design” as an alternative to evolution. |
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2018-05 | Discussion of Climate Change Omitted from Florida Governor’s Hurricane Conference | FL, State | Government Censorship | Climate | Florida Governor Rick Scott hosted the Governor’s Hurricane Conference, which is intended to provide information on how to prepare for and recover from hurricanes. None of the conference sessions discussed on climate change or sea level rise, despite significant scientific evidence that those phenomena will increase hurricane severity. |
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2018-05 | Engineering Positions in Virginia Beach’s Stormwater Division Eliminated | Local Govt., State, VA | Budget Cuts, Personnel Changes | Climate | The Virginia Beach city council announced that it would suspend a storm water fee increase, which was intended to pay for additional staff to work on issues relating to sea level rise. As a result of the suspension, nine staff positions will be left unfilled. |
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2018-04-24 | Climate Science Misrepresented by Texas Railroad Commissioner | State, TX | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | Texas Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian published an op-ed arguing that “the science of climate change is far from settled” and that “we don’t know whether man-made greenhouse gases are impacting our climate in a harmful way.” |
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2018-04-23 | Release of Federal Sustainability Reports Delayed | Federal, White House | Government Censorship | Climate | The White House Office of Management and Budget has delayed the release of sustainability reports prepared by at least seven federal agencies under Executive Order 13693 (signed by President Obama in March 2015). |
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2018-04-18 | Climate Science Misrepresented by Colorado State Senator | CO, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | Colorado State Senator Vicki Marble questioned scientific research indicating that greenhouse gas emissions cause climate change. Senator Marble argued that climate change is more likely caused by solar flares. She also suggested that cats cause more health problems than greenhouse gas emissions. |
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2018-04-12 | Use of Science in EPA Air Pollution Programs Restricted | EPA, Federal, White House | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | President Trump signed a memorandum directing the EPA Administrator to make changes to certain air pollution programs. The changes have implications for the use of science in developing and implementing air pollution protections. |
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2018-04-06 | Research Findings Questioned by New Hampshire Cities | Local Govt., NH, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | The cities of Dover, Portsmouth, and Rochester in New Hampshire questioned the accuracy of scientific research finding that municipal wastewater is contributing to high nitrogen levels in the Great Bay estuary. |
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2018-04-02 | References to Humans’ Role in Climate Change Removed from NPS Report | DOI, Federal | Government Censorship, Self-Censorship | Climate | Officials at the National Parks Service edited a report on the impact of sea level rise and flooding on coastal national parks to remove all references to humans’ role in causing climate change. |
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2018-04 | EPA Scientists Overruled by Political Appointees | EPA, Federal | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | EPA officials ignored the advice of agency scientists when determining whether a county in Wisconsin met federal air quality standards for ozone. Agency scientists had recommended that the county be classified as a “nonattainment” area but, after lobbying by then-Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, EPA decided to classify the area as “in attainment” with the ozone standards. At the time, the scientists indicated that there was no “sound technical basis” for the ruling. |
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2018-03-29 | DOL Advisory Boards Suspended | DOL, Federal | Personnel Changes | Other | One DOL advisory board – the Council on Occupational Safety and Health – has been disbanded and four others have had their operations suspended. As of March 2018, the boards had not met in at least nine months. |
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2018-03-28 | Scientific Research on Cancer Risk Misrepresented | CA, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | Retailers in California were required to include a cancer warning on coffee, despite scientific evidence showing that it does not pose a cancer risk. |
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2018-03-28 | EPA Talking Points Misrepresent Climate Science | EPA, Federal | Bias and Misrepresentation, Government Censorship | Climate | EPA’s Office of Public Affairs issued a set of approved talking points on climate change. The talking points appear to be intended to cast doubt on the scientific consensus on climate change, with one stating “[w]hile there has been extensive research . . . clear gaps remain,” including in “our understanding of the role of human activity” in contributing to climate change. |
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2018-03-28 | DOD Advisory Panel Disbanded | DOD, Federal | Personnel Changes | Other | The U.S. Department of Defense announced that it would cancel the Jason research program. Established in the 1950s, the program brings together approximately 50 academic scientists to research and advise on various national security issues, including with respect to nuclear weapons systems. |
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2018-03-23 | Charters of BLM Advisory Councils Revised | DOI, Federal | Bias and Misrepresentation, Research Hindrance | Climate, Other | DOI revised the charters of twenty-one resource advisory councils responsible for advising the Bureau of Land Management. Under the revised charters, councils are required to “provide recommendations for implementation” of various executive orders and secretarial orders, leading to concerns that they will be put “in a position of implementing an agenda rather than providing solid advice.” |
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2018-03-20 | Medical Science Misrepresented by Idaho Abortion Bill | ID, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | A bill that would require doctors to tell patients that medication abortions can be reversed was passed by the Idaho legislature. Opponents point to the lack of scientific evidence and clinical studies in support of this treatment. |
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2018-03-19 | EPA’s Use of Scientific Studies Restricted | EPA, Federal | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt announced a so-called “science transparency policy” that would prevent studies based on non-public scientific data being used in agency rulemakings. |
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2018-03-15 | References “Climate Change” Removed from FEMA Documents | DHS, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) published a new strategic plan in which all references to “climate change” and “global warming” have been removed. |
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2018-03-09 | EPA Staff Participation in Scientific Integrity Survey Restricted | EPA, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate, Other | EPA scientists were warned against participating in a survey on scientific integrity within the federal government. An email containing a link to the survey was classified as spam “stemming from an unknown entity” by EPA’s Computer Security Incident Response Center, despite those running the survey providing advance notice to that it would be sent. |
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2018-03-06 | EPA Science Advisory Board Unofficially Suspended | EPA, Federal | Personnel Changes | Climate, Other | As of March 2018, EPA’s Science Advisory Board (SAB) had not met in at least six months, leading to concerns among members that EPA is trying to sideline the board. According to members, ordinarily, the SAB would have multiple interactions (including in-person meetings and teleconferences) during any six month period. |
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2018-03 | References to “Evolution” Removed from Arizona Education Standards | AZ, State | Interference with Education | Other | The Arizona Department of Education revised draft science education standards to limit the teaching of evolution and give teachers greater flexibility to present it as a controversial topic about which scientists disagree. |
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2018-03 | Faulty Science Used to Justify Mississippi Abortion Bill | MS, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | Mississippi State Senator Joey Filingane argued that technological advances justify the adoption of stricter limits on abortion. In support this argument, the Senator referenced technology that he admitted does not yet exist, but argued that it may be developed in the next two to three years, before any litigation concerning the new abortion limits concludes. |
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2018-02-27 | NOAA Scientists Attacked By Louisiana Attorney General | LA, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry tweeted a link to a Breitbart article accusing NOAA scientists of lying about the extent of declines in Arctic sea ice cover. The article erroneously claims that Arctic sea ice cover is increasing and that temperatures in the region are no higher than previous levels. |
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2018-02-27 | EPA Research Center to be Eliminated | EPA, Federal | Budget Cuts, Personnel Changes | Other | EPA’s National Center for Environmental Research, which distributes grants for research on the effects of chemical exposure, will be eliminated as part of an agency reorganization involving the merger of three research offices. |
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2018-02-12 | Bill Opposing the Next Generation Science Standards Introduced in Iowa | IA, State | Interference with Education | Climate, Other | A bill was introduced in the Iowa legislature that would, if enacted, prevent implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The bill was reportedly prompted by a concern that the NGSS discuss “controversial topics,” such as climate change and evolution. |
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2018-02-12 | NASA Budget Cuts Proposed for FY19 | Federal, NASA | Budget Cuts | Climate, Other | The Trump administration’s FY2019 budget proposes to reduce funding for NASA by 0.3% (compared to FY2017 levels). Among other things, the budget would eliminate funding for the international space station from 2025, cancel a project to upgrade communications satellites, and terminate five earth sciences research missions. |
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2018-02-12 | EPA Budget Cuts Proposed for FY19 | EPA, Federal | Budget Cuts | Climate, Other | The Trump administration’s FY2019 budget proposes to cut EPA funding by 33.7% (compared to FY2017 levels), and eliminate a number of the agency’s research and education programs, including the Climate Change Research and Partnership Program and the Environmental Education Program. |
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2018-02-12 | DOI Budget Cuts Proposed for FY19 | DOI, Federal | Budget Cuts | Climate, Other | The Trump administration’s FY2019 budget proposes to reduce funding for DOI by 16.8% (compared to FY2017 levels). The reductions are achieved, in part, through cuts to various DOI grant programs. |
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2018-02-12 | USDA Budget Cuts Proposed for FY19 | Federal, USDA | Budget Cuts | Climate, Other | The Trump administration’s FY2019 budget proposes to cut USDA funding by 16.4% (compared to FY2017 levels). Under the budget, funding for a number of USDA research programs, including statistical research programs administered by the Economic Research Service, would be reduced or eliminated. |
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2018-02-12 | NSF Program Cuts Proposed for FY19 | Federal, NSF | Budget Cuts | Climate, Other | The Trump administration’s FY2019 budget proposes cuts to a number of National Science Foundation (NSF) programs, including a 56% reduction in the NSF account that supports the construction of research platforms and the acquisition of scientific instruments. |
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2018-02-12 | DOE Program Cuts Proposed for FY19 | DOE, Federal | Budget Cuts | Climate, Other | The Trump administration’s FY2019 budget proposes to cut funding for DOE by 3.4% (compared to FY2017 levels). Funding for DOE’s innovation arm, the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), would be eliminated and funding for its Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy cut in half. |
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2018-02-12 | NIH Budget Cuts Proposed for FY19 | Federal, HHS | Budget Cuts | Other | The Trump administration’s FY2019 budget proposes to maintain funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at FY2017 levels, despite imposing additional responsibilities on the NIH, including establishing three new sub-institutes to take over functions currently performed by other HHS offices. |
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2018-02-12 | NOAA Budget Cuts Proposed for FY19 | DOC, Federal | Budget Cuts | Climate, Other | The Trump administration’s FY2019 budget proposes to reduce funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration by 20% compared to FY2017 levels. Among other things, the budget would eliminate $273 million in funding for NOAA grant programs, including the National Sea Grant College Program and National Estuarine Research Reserve System. |
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2018-02-09 | Scientific Consensus on Climate Change Rejected by Louisiana Attorney General | LA, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | During a press conference, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry described climate change as a “hoax,” and denied that it is causing sea level rise. Later on the same day, the Attorney General published a pair of tweets, asserting that human activities do not cause climate change and that sea levels are not rising. |
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2018-02-07 | Science on Vaccine Safety Misrepresented by Milwaukee Health Department Official | Local Govt., State, WI | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | During a radio interview, the newly appointed head of Milwaukee’s Health Department, Patricia McManus, stated that “the science is still out” on whether vaccines cause autism. Any link between vaccines and autism has, however, been disproved in numerous scientific studies. |
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2018-02-06 | National Science and Technology Council to be Restructured | Federal, White House | Personnel Changes | Climate, Other | The White House announced plans to restructure the interagency National Science and Technology Council, which was established in 1993 to coordinate science policy across the federal government. The restructure will be overseen by the Office of Science and Technology Policy, which has requested input from 20 federal agencies. |
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2018-02 | Discussion of Fossil Fuel Impacts Removed from Draft Idaho Education Standards | ID, State | Interference with Education | Climate | The Idaho House of Representatives Education Committee voted to remove references to the climate impacts of fossil fuel use from proposed science education standards. |
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2018-02 | Proposal to Defund Wyoming Environmental Quality Council Approved by State House of Representatives | State, WY | Budget Cuts | Other | The Wyoming House of Representatives voted to withhold funding from the state’s Environmental Quality Council. The vote was reportedly prompted by a concern that the Council, which reviews matters relating to environmental pollution, is too “anti-business.” |
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2018-02 | Climate Science Misrepresented by EPA Administrator | EPA, Federal | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | In an interview on a Nevada television station, EPA Administrator misrepresented climate research indicating that rising temperatures will have widespread negative impacts, suggesting that they could actually be positive. |
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2018-02 | Change to Science Education Standards Proposed in Ohio | OH, State | Interference with Education | Other | A member of the Ohio Board of Education, Sarah Fowler, proposed adding an “overarching content statement” to the state’s new science education standards. The statement emphasizes that “scientific conclusions are necessarily based upon philosophical assumptions,” which is an argument often used to challenge the teaching of evolution. Critics assert that, if the statement is added to the standards, it may encourage teachers to present the unproven theory of “intelligent design” as an alternative to evolution. |
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2018-02 | DOI Secretary Accused of Breaching Scientific Integrity Policy | DOI, Federal | Personnel Changes | Climate, Other | Two senior scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey resigned in protest over an alleged breach of the USGS’s scientific integrity policy by the Secretary of the Interior. |
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2018-01-31 | Bill Prohibiting Adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards Introduced in Iowa | IA, State | Interference with Education | Climate, Other | A bill was introduced in the Iowa House of Representatives that would, if enacted, prevent implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The bill was reportedly prompted by a concern that the NGSS discuss “controversial topics,” such as climate change and evolution. |
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2018-01-31 | Milwaukee Health Department Employees Prevented from Discussing Lead Contamination | Local Govt., State, WI | Government Censorship | Other | Former Milwaukee Health Commissioner Bevan Baker ordered Health Department employees not to discuss concerns about lead contamination with members of the city council. |
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2018-01-28 | Climate Science Misrepresented by President Trump | Federal, White House | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | During an international television appearance, aired on ITV, President Trump misrepresented scientific data regarding climate change. The President made several incorrect statements, including suggesting that global temperatures are not increasing, and sea ice cover is not declining. |
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2018-01-20 | NOAA Climate Change Website Suspended During Government Shutdown | DOC, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | During the government shutdown, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration temporarily suspended access to a website providing climate change data, while continuing to allow access to several other sites. The climate change website returned to service on January 23, 2018, following the end of the government shutdown. |
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2018-01-18 | Bill Undermining Teaching of Evolution Introduced in Alabama | AL, State | Interference with Education | Other | A bill was introduced in the Alabama legislature that would, if enacted, allow teachers to present the theory of creation as an alternative to evolution. |
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2018-01-17 | NIEHS Director’s Involvement in Scientific Study Investigated | Congress, Federal | Government Censorship, Research Hindrance | Other | The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology announced it was reviewing the involvement of Dr. Linda Birnbaum, the director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, in a study of federal toxics regulation and requested that HHS also commence a review. |
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2018-01-16 | Cuts to Funding for Scientific Research Proposed in Kentucky | KY, State | Budget Cuts | Climate | Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin proposed a two-year budget that would cut state spending by 6.25%. The cuts would affect numerous scientific research program, including the Kentucky Mesonet, which would have its funding eliminated. |
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2018-01-09 | Scientific Consensus on Climate Change Rejected by Kentucky Governor | KY, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | During an interview on Cincinnati radio, Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin accepted that the climate “has been changing,” but suggested this is a natural phenomenon. Governor Bevin described scientific research showing that human activities contribute to climate change as “ludicrous” and “absolutely preposterous.” |
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2018-01-05 | Climate Science Misrepresented by Kentucky Governor | KY, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin posted a tweet suggesting that the cold weather experienced in the U.S. in winter 2017/18 disproves the existence of climate change. The tweet included a weather map showing frigid temperatures in the U.S. and said: “Trump has been in office 1 year and has already fixed global warming.” |
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2018-01 | Unqualified Individuals Appointed to Florida Wildlife Commission | FL, State | Personnel Changes | Other | Florida Governor Rick Scott appointed three individuals with little or no experience in wildlife management to the state’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. |
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2018-01 | Research Funding Cut by Florida Citrus Department | FL, State | Budget Cuts | Other | The Florida Department of Citrus cut $70,000 from its scientific research, marketing, and administration budgets. The cuts were reportedly necessary due to lower than expected revenues. |
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2018-01 | Water Testing Blocked by South Carolina Mayor | Local Govt., SC, State | Research Hindrance | Other | The mayor of Denmark in South Carolina, Gerald Wright, refused to allow a Virginia Tech professor, Marc Edwards, to test the city’s drinking water supplies for possible contamination. Mayor Wright asserted that the testing was unnecessary because the city’s water had already been assessed by the state Department of Health and Environmental Control and found to be safe. |
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2018-01 | DOE Officials Pressured Researchers to Change Report | DOE, Federal | Research Hindrance | Climate, Other | Researchers at the National Energy Technology Laboratory were pressured, by DOE officials, to change a report on electric system reliability during extreme weather events. The changes were purportedly intended to bolster the Trump administration’s claims that retention of coal-fired power plants is vital to maintain reliability. |
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2018 | References to “Climate Change” Removed from Amtrak Strategic Plan | Amtrak, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | Amtrak published a new five strategic plan, which omitted any reference to climate change. Previous versions of the plan had listed “environment / climate change” as the number one threat to Amtrak’s system. |
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2017-12-31 | Trump Administration Fails to Fill Science Positions | Federal, White House | Personnel Changes | Climate, Other | As of December 31, 2017, President Trump had filled fewer government science positions than any other recent President, at the same point in time. Just 20 of the 83 positions designated by the National Academies of Sciences as “science appointees” had been filled. |
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2017-12-28 | New Grants Process Adopted by DOI | DOI, Federal | Budget Cuts, Research Hindrance | Other | DOI staff were directed to ensure that grants to outside groups promote the Trump Administration’s policies and have certain grants of $50,000 or more approved by political appointees. |
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2017-12-20 | Climate Change Documents Removed from NPS Website | DOI, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | Documents describing the climate action plans of 92 national parks were removed from the National Park Service website. |
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2017-12-18 | Climate Change Dropped from National Security Strategy | Federal, White House | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | President Trump unveiled a new National Security Strategy, which omitted “climate change” from a list of global threats. |
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2017-12-18 | Findings of EPA Advisory Committee Misrepresented | EPA, Federal | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | In a letter to Senator Tom Udall, EPA misrepresented the findings of the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee, in relation to the need to delay certain provisions of the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard. |
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2017-12-14 | CDC Staff Given List of Forbidden Words | Federal, HHS | Government Censorship | Other | Policy analysts at the Centers for Disease Control were given a list of 7 words, including “evidence-based” and “science-based,” which should not be used in documents prepared for next year’s budget. |
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2017-12-13 | References to “Climate Change” Removed from FHWA Program | DOT, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | The Federal Highway Administration’s “Sustainable Transport and Climate Change” program was renamed the “Sustainable Transportation and Resilience” program and several references to climate change were removed from its website. |
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2017-12-08 | Oklahoma Health Department Staff Laid Off | OK, State | Personnel Changes | Other | Following discovery of a $30 billion budget gap, the Oklahoma Department of Health announced that it would lay off 198 staff, and would be unable to fill existing open positions, including several in the epidemiology department. |
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2017-12-07 | Climate Science Misrepresented by Vermont Governor | State, VT | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | Vermont Governor Phil Scott misrepresented research indicating that climate change will have widespread negative impacts and suggested it could actually be “beneficial to Vermont.” |
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2017-12-06 | Unqualified Individuals Appointed to Missouri Clean Water Commission | MO, State | Personnel Changes | Other | Missouri Governor Eric Greitens appointed three new members to the state’s Clean Water Commission. All three appointees have close ties to industry and appear to lack appropriate qualifications for serving on the Commission. |
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2017-12-05 | Trump Science Nominees Lack Qualifications | All, Federal | Personnel Changes | Climate, Other | Of 43 Trump administration nominees in science-related positions, only 41% had a master’s degree or doctorate in a science field, compared to 58% under President Obama. |
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2017-12 | FDA Food Advisory Committee Disbanded | Federal, HHS | Personnel Changes | Other | The food advisory committee, the only body dedicated to advising the Food and Drug Administration on food-related science policy, was disbanded. |
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2017-12 | OSHA Advisory Committees Suspended | DOL, Federal | Personnel Changes | Other | The Occupational Health and Safety Administration announced plans to re-evaluate the work of its advisory committees. |
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2017-12 | DOI Scientists Prevented from Attending Conference | DOI, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | DOI capped the number of staff who could attend the American Geophysical Union’s annual meeting at 199 (down from 450 in previous years). |
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2017-12 | Funding for Offshore Drilling Safety Study Suspended | DOI, Federal | Budget Cuts | Other | DOI ordered the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to “stop-work” on a study of offshore oil and gas drilling commissioned by BSEE pending review. |
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2017-12 | “Climate Change” Omitted from NSF Funding Applications | Federal, NSF | Self-Censorship | Climate | The National Science Foundation (NSF) funded 40% fewer grants containing the words “climate change” in 2017, compared to 2016, with scientists apparently engaging in “self-censorship” and using alternative terms (e.g., “extreme weather”). |
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2017-12 | Florida Officials Barred from Referencing “Climate Change” | FL, State | Government Censorship | Climate | Florida Governor Rick Scott banned state employees from using the terms “climate change” and “global warming” in official correspondence. |
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2017-12 | Fewer Scientists Employed by EPA in 2017 | EPA, Federal | Personnel Changes | Other | Over 200 scientists left EPA in 2017, most of whom have not been replaced. Over the course of 2017, EPA hired just 7 scientists. |
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2017-12 | 10 Year Research Project Cancelled by DOE | DOE, Federal | Budget Cuts | Climate | DOE cancelled an ongoing project researching how tropical forests will respond to climate change. The study, which involved over 130 scientists, was launched in 2015 and due to continue until 2025, but will shut down 7 years early (in 2018). |
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2017-11-17 | Bill Requiring Balanced Teaching of Scientific Theories Introduced in Florida | FL, State | Interference with Education | Climate, Other | A bill was introduced in the Florida legislature that would, if enacted, require “controversial” scientific theories to be taught in a “balanced” way. While the bill does not identify any specific “controversial” theories, it is thought to be targeting the teaching of climate change and evolution. |
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2017-11-09 | Bill Appointing Industry Representatives to Oversee Environmental Decisions Introduced in Michigan | MI, State | Personnel Changes | Climate, Other | A package bills was introduced in the Michigan senate that would, if enacted, establish a new Environmental Rules Review Committee to oversee the state Department of Environmental Quality. The Committee would consist of over half industry representatives and have broad authority to veto rules proposed by the Department. |
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2017-11-01 | Bill Obstructing Medical Research Introduced in Iowa | IA, State | Research Hindrance | Other | A bill was introduced in the Iowa legislature that would, if enacted, prohibit the transfer or use of fetal body parts. Opponents of the bill say it will prevent vital medical research using fetal tissue. |
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2017-11 | NPS Staff Reprimanded for Climate Change Tweet | DOI, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | The Secretary of the Interior reprimanded the head of Joshua Tree National Park after climate change-related tweets were posted from the park’s account. |
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2017-11 | EPA Giving Preference to Industry-Backed Science | EPA, Federal | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | EPA proposed to repeal emissions standards for freight trucks based on research funded by the biggest truck manufacturer challenging the standards. |
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2017-11 | Research into Sea-Ice Cover Obstructed by Congress | Congress, Federal | Research Hindrance | Climate | Congress ordered the dismantling of a back-up satellite needed to investigate the impact of climate change on sea-ice in the poles. |
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2017-11 | Teaching of Unproven Scientific Concept Supported by Arizona State Official | AZ, State | Interference with Education | Other | At a Republican candidate event, Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas argued that school children should be taught alternatives to the theory of evolution, including the unproven theory of “intelligent design.” |
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2017-11 | Science of Evolution Questioned by Utah Education Board Member | State, UT | Interference with Education | Other | During a hearing of the Utah State Board of Education, vice-chairwoman Alisa Ellis argued that teachers should present evolution as a theory and not a fact. She also urged teachers to discuss alternative explanations for the origins of life, including the unproven theory of “intelligent design.” |
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2017-11 | Release of Pesticide Study Blocked by DOI | DOI, Federal | Government Censorship, Research Hindrance | Other | Political appointees at the Department of the Interior (DOI) blocked release of a report, examining the impact of three widely used pesticides on endangered and threatened species. The report, which had been prepared by scientists at DOI’s Fish and Wildlife Service, found that use of the pesticides would threaten the continued existence of thousands of species. |
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2017-10-31 | Missouri Life Sciences Research Board to be Eliminated | MO, State | Personnel Changes | Other | Missouri Governor Eric Greitens convened a task force to explore ways to shrink the size and scope of the state government. The task force recommended, among other things, eliminating the state Life Sciences Research Board. |
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2017-10-31 | EPA-Funded Scientists Barred From Serving on Advisory Committees | EPA, Federal | Personnel Changes | Other | EPA announced that scientists receiving agency grants would not longer be able to serve on its advisory boards. |
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2017-10-30 | EPA Scientists’ Speaking Engagements Cancelled | EPA, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | EPA cancelled talks by 3 scientists who were scheduled to discuss climate change at a conference on the state of the Narragansett Bay. |
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2017-10-25 | References to “Climate Change” Removed from DOI Strategic Plan | DOI, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | The Department of the Interior (DOI) published a new five-year strategic plan which omitted any reference to “climate change.” The previous version of the plan had included a detailed discussion of the likely impacts of climate change on DOI’s activities and required the department to take steps to mitigate those impacts. |
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2017-10-25 | Humans’ Role in Climate Change Questioned by Virginia Mayor | Local Govt., State, VA | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | The Mayor of Tangier Island in Virginia, James Eskridge, told reporters that he does not believe human activities are the main cause of climate change. |
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2017-10-23 | Trump Administration Fails to Appoint Science Advisor | Federal, White House | Personnel Changes | Other | As of October 23, 2017, the Trump administration had taken longer than any other to nominate a science adviser to head the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. |
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2017-10 | Chemical Rules Adopted by EPA Against Scientific Advice | EPA, Federal | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | EPA rewrote certain chemical rules against the advice of agency scientists who warned that the changes may result in an “underestimation of the [chemicals’] potential risks to human health and the environment” |
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2017-10 | Unqualified Individual Appointed to North Carolina Oil and Gas Commission | NC, State | Personnel Changes | Climate, Other | The North Carolina legislature appointed Jim Womak to the state’s Oil and Gas Commission. Mr. Womak was appointed to a seat reserved for a “representative of a nongovernmental conservation interest” but has no experience in conservation. |
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2017-10 | References to “Climate Change” Removed from EPA’s International Website | EPA, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate, Other | Between October and December 2017, EPA made various changes to its International Cooperation website, including removing information about climate change. |
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2017-10 | Forest Service Scientist Prevented from Attending Conference | Federal, USDA | Government Censorship | Climate | A U.S. Forest Service scientist was denied approval to travel to an international fire conference where he was scheduled to speak on severe fire weather conditions and climate change. |
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2017-10 | EPA Website Relaunched Without Climate Change Materials | EPA, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | Multiple links to materials aimed at helping local government officials adapt to climate change were removed from EPA’s website. |
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2017-09 | EPA Enforcement Agents Reassigned | EPA, Federal | Personnel Changes | Climate | Agents in EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division were reassigned to Administrator Pruitt’s security detail, forcing them to suspend investigation of climate crimes. |
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2017-09 | Data Omitted from Crime Report | DOJ, Federal | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | The FBI’s 2016 Crime in the United States report contained almost 70% fewer data tables than the 2015 report. |
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2017-09 | Climate Science Misrepresented by Florida Governor | FL, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | During a press conference following Hurricane Irma, Florida Governor Rick Scott suggested that climate change may be caused by natural cycles, and not anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. |
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2017-09 | Humans’ Role in Climate Change Questioned by Kentucky Governor | KY, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | In a speech at the annual meeting of the Southern States Energy Board, Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin suggested that climate change is not caused by human activities. The Governor described studies linking human activities to climate change as “nonsense.” |
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2017-09 | Standards Undermining Science Education Proposed by New Mexico Education Department | NM, State | Interference with Education | Climate, Other | The New Mexico Public Education Department proposed to adopt the Next Generation Science Standards, with various amendments, which critics say will limit discussion of climate change and evolution in schools. |
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2017-09 | Climate Science Page Removed from EPA Website | EPA, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | A section on climate science was deleted from the website of EPA’s “SmartWay” program and other sections were amended to remove references to “climate change” and related terms. |
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2017-09 | Database of Science-Based Programs Suspended by HHS | Federal, HHS | Government Censorship | Other | HHS suspended the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices which lists addiction and mental health programs that have been independently assessed and deemed scientifically sound. |
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2017-08-31 | CDC Employees Prevented from Speaking to Reporters | Federal, HHS | Government Censorship | Other | Employees at the Centers for Disease Control were instructed not to speak with any member of the news media, regardless of the nature of their inquiry, without the approval of the communications office. |
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2017-08-18 | Coal Mining Study Paused by DOI | DOI, Federal | Budget Cuts | Other | DOI’s Office of Surface Mining directed the National Academy of Sciences to stop work on a study of potential health effects from mountaintop removal coal mining. DOI had previously committed $1 million for the study, but is now reconsidering its funding decision. |
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2017-08-17 | Climate Change Omitted from White House’s List of FY2019 R&D Priorities | Federal, White House | Budget Cuts, Government Censorship | Climate | The White House Office of Management and Budget and Office of Science and Technology Policy jointly released a memorandum outlining the Trump administration’s research and development priorities. Unlike previous versions, issued during the Obama administration, the memorandum does not list climate change as a priority area. |
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2017-08-14 | Climate Science Misrepresented by Maine Governor | ME, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | During a speech to the Waterville Rotary Club, Maine Governor Paul LePage erroneously stated that the Earth is cooling. He also claimed that, while the Earth may have experienced warming in the past, it was not due to human activities. |
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2017-08-01 | Climate Science Misrepresented by Virginia Mayor | Local Govt., State, VA | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | In a televised Town Hall, the Mayor of Tangier Island in Virginia questioned whether sea level rise is actually occurring, stating: “I’m a keen observer . . . why am I not seeing sings of it?” |
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2017-08 | EPA Grants Reviewed by Political Appointee | EPA, Federal | Budget Cuts, Research Hindrance | Climate | EPA announced that it will require new and certain existing grants to be approved by a political appointee, who has told staff he is looking for references to “climate change.” |
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2017-08 | National Climate Assessment Advisory Committee Disbanded | DOC, Federal | Personnel Changes | Climate | The Trump administration disbanded an advisory committee which assisted state and local officials to use the National Climate Assessment in long-term planning. |
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2017-08 | EPA Staff Forced to Prioritize Industry “Wish List” | EPA, Federal | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | EPA staff have been directed to prioritize industry requests for changes to environmental regulations. Many of the requested changes are contrary to agency scientific research. |
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2017-08 | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Official Pressured to Reverse Environmental Permit Decision | DOI, Federal | Government Censorship, Self-Censorship | Climate, Other | A former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service official revealed that, while employed as a field supervisor in Arizona, he was pressured by the Trump Administration’s U.S. Department of the Interior to reverse his decision regarding a biological assessment of a proposed massive housing development project. |
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2017-08 | DOE-Funded Scientists Told Not to Reference “Climate Change” | DOE, Federal | Self-Censorship | Climate | DOE-funded researchers were asked by staff at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to remove references to “climate change” and “global warming” from project descriptions. |
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2017-07-27 | Climate Change Information Removed from USDA Website | Federal, USDA | Government Censorship | Climate | Information on climate change mitigation and adaptation was removed, and then returned, to USDA’s “Climate Hubs” website. |
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2017-07-21 | Florida Citrus Department Budget Cuts Proposed for 2017-18 | FL, State | Budget Cuts | Other | The Florida Department of Citrus’ 2017-18 budget proposed to reduce funding for scientific research. The reductions are reportedly necessary due to lower than expected revenues. |
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2017-07-07 | Climate Science Misrepresented by New Hampshire Governor | NH, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | During an interview on public radio, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu questioned the scientific consensus on climate change, suggesting that scientists disagree on its causes, and that further research is needed to determine the role played by greenhouse gas emissions. |
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2017-07 | References to “Climate Change” Removed from NIH Website | Federal, HHS | Government Censorship | Climate | References to “climate change” and links to climate-related documents, including an educational fact sheet on climate change and human health, were removed from the National Environmental Health Sciences website. |
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2017-07 | NPS Scientist Excluded from Tour | DOI, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | DOI prevented the Superintendent of Glacier National Park, a noted climate change expert, from participating in Mark Zuckerberg’s tour of the park. |
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2017-07 | Research Grants Cancelled by HHS | Federal, HHS | Budget Cuts | Other | HHS cancelled $213.6 million in funding for teen pregnancy prevention programs and research. The cancellation will affect five-year grants awarded to 80 institutions by the Obama administration. |
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2017-07 | Human Role in Climate Change Downplayed by NOAA | DOC, Federal | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a news release publicizing the Annual Greenhouse Gas Index. The release noted that the index has increased 40% since 1990 but, unlike previous releases, failed to attribute this increase to human activity. |
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2017-07 | EPA Adaptation Staff Reassigned | EPA, Federal | Personnel Changes | Climate | EPA reassigned four staffers in the policy office, who had previously worked on climate change adaptation. |
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2017-07 | EPA Intern Directed Not to Tweet About Climate Change | EPA, Federal | Self-Censorship | Climate | An intern in EPA’s communications office was instructed by co-workers not to mention “climate change” or “going green” in tweets. |
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2017-07 | Non-Scientist Nominated for Top USDA Science Position | Federal, USDA | Personnel Changes | Other | President Trump nominated Sam Clovis, a former radio announcer and economics professor, with no “hard-science” qualifications to the USDA’s top science position. |
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2017-07 | DOI Scientists Involuntarily Reassigned | DOI, Federal | Personnel Changes | Climate | Approximately 50 DOI employees, including some working on climate-related issues, were involuntarily reassigned to unrelated positions. |
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2017-06-15 | DOE Office of International Climate and Technology Closed | DOE, Federal | Personnel Changes | Climate | DOE closed the Office of International Climate and Technology which was formed in 2011 to help the U.S. provide technical advice to other nations seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. |
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2017-06 | Climate Science Misrepresented by North Dakota Mayor | Local Govt., ND, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | During a radio interview, Howard Klug, the Mayor of Williston, North Dakota, questioned whether climate change is real. Mayor Klug then asserted that human activities, including the development and use of fossil fuels, have little impact on the climate. He argued that there is no need to restrict fossil fuel development as the “world . . . can heal itself.” |
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2017-06 | Discredited Scientific Study Cited by Tennessee State Representative | State, TN | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate, Other | Tennessee State Representative Diane Black relied on a discredited scientific study, which was funded by industry and did not comply with established research protocols, to push for the weakening of regulations controlling emissions from glider trucks. |
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2017-06 | EPA Climate Change Staff Reassigned | EPA, Federal | Personnel Changes | Climate | EPA reallocated staff from the climate change division and climate protection partnership division to other areas. |
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2017-05-23 | Cuts to FY2018 Funding for National Hansen’s Disease Program Proposed | Federal, HHS | Budget Cuts | Other | The Trump administration’s FY2018 budget proposed a 23% cut in funding the National Hansen’s Disease Program. The program, which is operated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration, conducts research on leprosy. |
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2017-05-23 | DOD’s FY18 Budget Request Cut by Trump Administration | DOD, Federal | Budget Cuts | Climate, Other | The Trump administration’s proposed FY2018 budget included $347 million in funding for climate and environmental research at DOD. This represents less than 1% of the amount requested by DOD and would result in cuts to several research programs. |
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2017-05-23 | DOE’s FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration | DOE, Federal | Budget Cuts | Climate, Other | The Trump administration’s FY2018 budget proposes a 59% cut in funding for DOE’s earth and environmental sciences program which plays a key role in federal climate change research. |
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2017-05-23 | NIH’s FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration | Federal, HHS | Budget Cuts | Other | The Trump administration’s FY2018 budget proposed a 25% cut in funding for research programs at NIH’s National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. |
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2017-05-23 | DHS’s FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration | DHS, Federal | Budget Cuts | Climate, Other | The Trump administration’s FY 2018 budget proposed an 11% cut in funding for DHS programs supporting climate and other environmental research. |
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2017-05-23 | DOI’s FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration | DOI, Federal | Budget Cuts | Climate, Other | The Trump administration’s FY2018 budget proposed a 19% cut in funding for climate and environmental research programs at DOI. |
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2017-05-23 | EPA’s FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration | EPA, Federal | Budget Cuts | Climate, Other | The Trump administration’s FY2018 budget proposes to cut funding for EPA climate and environmental research programs by 39% or $438 million. |
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2017-05-23 | NASA’s FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration | Federal, NASA | Budget Cuts | Climate, Other | The Trump administration’s FY2018 budget proposes to cut funding for NASA climate and environmental research programs by 8% or $151 million. |
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2017-05-23 | NOAA’s FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration | DOC, Federal | Budget Cuts | Climate, Other | The Trump administration’s FY2018 budget proposed to cut funding for NOAA’s climate and environmental research programs by 7% or $49 million. |
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2017-05-23 | NSF’s FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration | Federal, NSF | Budget Cuts | Climate, Other | The Trump administration’s FY2018 budget proposed a 10% cut funding in for the National Science Foundation (NSF)’s climate and environmental research programs. This is expected to lead to 800 fewer awards to universities and other institution in 2018 compared to 2017. |
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2017-05-23 | USDA’s FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration | Federal, USDA | Budget Cuts | Climate, Other | The Trump administration’s FY2018 budget proposed a 12% cut in funding for USDA climate and environmental research programs. |
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2017-05-18 | “Climate Change” References Removed from USGS Press Release | DOI, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | DOI amended the press release for a paper on sea level rise to remove a sentence identifying climate change as its cause. |
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2017-05-11 | Age of Earth Misrepresented by Wisconsin State Representative | State, WI | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | During a hearing of the Wisconsin legislature, state Representative Jesse Kremer stated that it is “fact” that the earth is only 6,000 years old, contradicting decades of scientific research showing that the earth is 4.5 billion years old. |
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2017-05-05 | EPA Scientific Advisory Board Members Dismissed | EPA, Federal | Personnel Changes | Other | EPA dismissed at least five academics serving on its scientific review board and indicated that it may replace them with industry representatives. |
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2017-05-03 | Missouri Stream Gauges To Be Deactivated | MO, State | Budget Cuts, Research Hindrance | Other | Due to state budget cuts, the Missouri Water Science Center will be forced to deactivate 20% of the state’s river and stream gauges, beginning in July 2017. |
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2017-05-02 | Proven Scientific Theories Questioned by Alabama Legislature | AL, State | Interference with Education | Climate, Other | The Alabama legislature passed a resolution labeling climate change, evolution, and human cloning as “controversial” theories and encouraging teachers to question their accuracy. |
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2017-05 | DOI Scientists Work Criticized by Political Appointees | DOI, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | Political appointees at DOI criticized a U.S Geological Survey press release, which described climate change as “dramatically” reducing the size of glaciers. One official described the statement as a “perfect example of [scientists] going outside their wheelhouse” and another indicated that “we need to watch for inflammatory [language] in their press releases.” |
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2017-05 | “Climate Change” References Removed from FHWA Website | DOT, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | References to “climate change” on the FHWA’s website and were replaced with alternate terms such as “resiliency” and “sustainability.” |
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2017-05 | Climate Change Information Buried on EPA Website | EPA, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | EPA buried a webpage intended to educate school children about climate change, removing a link to the page from an archived version of its website. |
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2017-05 | References to “Clean Energy” Removed from DOE Website | DOE, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | DOE’s “Clean Energy Investment Center” was renamed the “Energy Investor Center” and all references to “clean energy” were removed from its website. |
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2017-05 | Scientific Advice on Chemical Disregarded by EPA | EPA, Federal | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | EPA denied a petition to ban Chlorpyrifos, a chemical widely used as a pesticide, against the advice of top agency scientists who had warned that exposure exceeds safe levels in many areas. |
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2017-05 | DOI Advisory Boards Suspended or Eliminated | DOI, Federal | Personnel Changes | Climate, Other | DOI froze the work of more than 200 advisory boards, committees, and subcommittees to enable it to review “the charter and charge of each committee.” DOI also allowed the charter of the Advisory Committee on Climate Change and Natural Resource Science to expire. |
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2017-05 | Climate Change Page Removed from BLM Website | DOI, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | A page describing efforts to address climate change, and providing links to DOI and other federal resources on climate change and renewable energy, was removed from the Bureau of Land Management’s website. |
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2017-05 | Word “Climate” Removed from BIA Program Name | DOI, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | The “Tribal Climate Resilience Program” was renamed the “Tribal Resilience Program” and all references to “climate” and “climate change” were removed from its website. |
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2017-05 | EPA Advisory Board Chair Pressured to Change Congressional Testimony | EPA, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | The chair of EPA’s Board of Scientific Counselors was pressured to change her testimony before Congress to downplay the Trump administration’s decision not to reappoint half of the board’s members. |
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2017-04-28 | EPA Climate Change Website Removed | EPA, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | EPA’s climate change website was removed and replaced with a message indicating that it is being updated to reflect the agency’s priorities under President Trump. |
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2017-04-27 | Climate Science Questioned by West Virginia Official | State, WV | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | At a public meeting, the Secretary of West Virginia’s Department of Environmental Protection, Austin Caperton, said he “doesn’t trust” the science establishing that human activities are the primary cause of climate change. |
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2017-04-19 | Climate Change Information Removed from DOI Website | DOI, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | DOI’s main climate change webpage was revised to omit various references to the adverse effects of climate change and a detailed discussion of DOI’s climate change priorities. |
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2017-04-19 | Climate Science Misrepresented by Alabama Attorney General | AL, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall filed an amicus brief in Exxon Mobil v. Schneiderman. The brief questions the scientific consensus on climate change and the conclusion that it will be “sufficiently dangerous to require urgent policy responses.” |
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2017-04-19 | Climate Science Misrepresented by Arkansas Attorney General | AK, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge filed an amicus brief in Exxon Mobil v. Schneiderman. The brief questions the scientific consensus on climate change and the conclusion that it will be “sufficiently dangerous to require urgent policy responses.” |
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2017-04-19 | Climate Science Misrepresented by Arizona Attorney General | AZ, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich filed an amicus brief in Exxon Mobil v. Schneiderman. The brief questions the scientific consensus on climate change and the conclusion that it will be “sufficiently dangerous to require urgent policy responses.” |
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2017-04-19 | Climate Science Misrepresented by Louisiana Attorney General | LA, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry filed an amicus brief in Exxon Mobil v. Schneiderman. The brief questions the scientific consensus on climate change and the conclusion that it will be “sufficiently dangerous to require urgent policy responses.” |
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2017-04-19 | Climate Science Misrepresented by Michigan Attorney General | MI, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette filed an amicus brief in Exxon Mobil v. Schneiderman. The brief questions the scientific consensus on climate change and the conclusion that it will be “sufficiently dangerous to require urgent policy responses.” |
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2017-04-19 | Climate Science Misrepresented by Nebraska Attorney General | NE, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson filed an amicus brief in Exxon Mobil v. Schneiderman. The brief questions the scientific consensus on climate change and the assumption that it will be “sufficiently dangerous to require urgent policy responses.” |
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2017-04-19 | Climate Science Misrepresented by Oklahoma Attorney General | OK, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter filed an amicus brief in Exxon Mobil v. Schneiderman. The brief questions the scientific consensus on climate change and the conclusion that it will be “sufficiently dangerous to require urgent policy responses.” |
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2017-04-19 | Climate Science Misrepresented by South Carolina Attorney General | SC, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson filed an amicus brief in Exxon Mobil v. Schneiderman. The brief questions the scientific consensus on climate change and the conclusion that it will be “sufficiently dangerous to require urgent policy responses.” |
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2017-04-19 | Climate Science Misrepresented by Texas Attorney General | State, TX | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed an amicus brief in Exxon Mobil v. Schneiderman. The brief questions the scientific consensus on climate change and the conclusion that it will be “sufficiently dangerous to require urgent policy responses.” |
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2017-04-19 | Climate Science Misrepresented by Utah Attorney General | State, UT | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes filed an amicus brief in Exxon Mobil v. Schneiderman. The brief questions the scientific consensus on climate change and the conclusion that it will be “sufficiently dangerous to require urgent policy responses.” |
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2017-04-19 | Climate Science Misrepresented by Wisconsin Attorney General | State, WI | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel filed an amicus brief in Exxon Mobil v. Schneiderman. The brief questions the scientific consensus on climate change and the conclusion that it will be “sufficiently dangerous to require urgent policy responses.” |
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2017-04-11 | Proposal to Defund State Research Centers Advanced by Iowa Legislature | IA, State | Budget Cuts | Other | The Iowa legislature published its proposed state education budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017. Under the proposal, state funding for education would be cut by $20 million, compared to the 2016 fiscal year. The cuts would be achieved, in part, by eliminating funding for two research centers at Iowa State University. |
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2017-04-11 | Funding for Oklahoma Science Fair Eliminated | OK, State | Budget Cuts, Interference with Education | Other | The Oklahoma Science and Engineering Fair, and several regional science fairs, are to be cancelled in 2018 due to a lack of funding from the state government. |
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2017-04-10 | Forensic Science Committee Disbanded | DOJ, Federal | Personnel Changes | Other | Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced he would not renew the National Commission on Forensic Science, a 30 member advisory committee established to review forensic science standards. |
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2017-04 | EPA Scientist’s Participation in Public Events Restricted | EPA, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | An EPA scientist was warned not to speak on climate change at public-facing events or to have such events approved by headquarters in advance. |
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2017-04 | Benefits of Renewable Energy Downplayed by DOE | DOE, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | DOE changed its website to remove references to renewable energy as a low-emission alternative to fossil fuels and focus solely on renewable energy’s potential to create jobs. |
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2017-04 | DOE Scientists Prevented from Attending Conference | DOE, Federal | Government Censorship | Other | Up to 27 DOE scientists were told they could not attend the 2017 International Atomic Energy Agency conference. |
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2017-04 | Oil and Gas Production Risks Downplayed on GAO Website | Federal, GAO | Government Censorship | Climate, Other | A GOA website on managing federal oil and gas resources was edited to remove content on the environmental and public health risks of shale oil and gas production. |
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2017-04 | Release of Climate Change Study Blocked by Amtrak | Amtrak, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | Amtrak blocked release of a study, titled “Amtrak NEC Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment,” detailing the impact of climate change on a 10-mile stretch of the Northeast Corridor Route connecting Boston to Washington D.C. A redacted version of the study was released, pursuant to a Freedom of Information Act request, in November 2018. |
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2017-04 | Climate Change Resources Removed from DOE Website | DOE, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | Links to various climate change resources, including the National Climate Assessment, were removed from the DOE’s main climate change website. |
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2017-03-29 | Climate Science Criticized in Congressional Hearing | Congress, Federal | Bias and Misrepresentation, Research Hindrance | Climate | At a hearing of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Rep. Lamar Smith criticized climatologists, asserting that they often “operate outside the principles of the scientific method.” Rep. Smith also questioned the accuracy of climate projections, saying that constitute “[a]larmist predictions [that] amount to nothing more than wild guesses.” |
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2017-03-28 | Climate Science Misrepresented by Pennsylvania State Senator | PA, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | During a speech at a natural gas conference, Pennsylvania State Senator Scott Wagner erroneously asserted that climate change is not caused by greenhouse gas emissions, but rather the earth moving closer to the sun, or perhaps the “heat coming off” human bodies. |
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2017-03-25 | Medical Science Misrepresented by Utah Abortion Bill | State, UT | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | A bill that would require doctors to tell patients that medication abortions can be reversed was passed by the Utah legislature. Opponents point to the lack of scientific evidence and clinical studies in support of this treatment. |
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2017-03-09 | Climate Science Misrepresented by EPA Administrator | EPA, Federal | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | In an interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt misrepresented climate science, suggesting that scientists have not established that greenhouse gas emissions are the primary cause of climate change. |
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2017-03-08 | Climate Science Misrepresented by New Mexico Energy Secretary | NM, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | During his confirmation hearing, the Secretary of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department suggested that climate change is a natural phenomenon, which “has been with us since the beginning of time.” The Secretary downplayed humans’ role in climate change and suggested, contrary to numerous scientific studies, that natural gas extraction has not contributed to a “methane hotspot” over New Mexico. |
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2017-03-08 | Research into Industrial Hemp Prevented by Nevada Governor | NV, State | Research Hindrance | Other | Nevada Governor Susana Martinez vetoed a bill authorizing the New Mexico Department of Agriculture to adopt rules for research into industrial hemp. As a result of the veto, research into industrial hemp remains prohibited in Nevada. |
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2017-03-07 | Word “Science” Removed from EPA Science Office Website | EPA, Federal | Government Censorship | Other | References to EPA’s Office of Science and Technology policy developing “science-based standards” were changed to read “economically and technologically achievable standards.” |
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2017-03-07 | Teaching of Evolution Undermined in Louisiana | LA, State | Interference with Education | Other | The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted to amend a guidance document on the state’s science education standards. The amendment referenced the Louisiana Science Education Act, which encourages the teaching of alternatives to evolution. |
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2017-03-06 | Bill Undermining Teaching of Evolution Introduced in Arkansas | AK, State | Interference with Education | Other | A bill was introduced in the Arkansas legislature that would, if enacted, allow the unproven theories of intelligent design and creationism to be taught alongside evolution in schools. |
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2017-03-01 | Bill Requiring Teachers to Question Proven Scientific Theories Introduced in Iowa | IA, State | Interference with Education | Climate, Other | A bill was introduced in the legislature that would, if enacted, require teachers to present “opposing points of view or belief” when discussing evolution, the origins of life, and global warming. There is no requirement in the bill that the opposing points of view or beliefs presented be scientifically valid, leading to concerns that teachers will discuss unproven or discredited scientific concepts. |
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2017-03 | WSU Researcher Investigated by Washington Legislators | State, WA | Government Censorship, Research Hindrance | Other | Washington State Representative Joel Kretz and State Senator Mark Schoesler filed a scientific misconduct complaint against a Washington State University (WSU) professor in relation to a 2014 study he had conducted on wolf predation. Representative Kretz had previously sought to discredit the study, including by having the professor fired by WSU. |
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2017-03 | DOE Staff Told to Avoid References to “Climate Change” | DOE, Federal | Self-Censorship | Climate | A supervisor in DOE’s international climate office instructed his staff not to use the terms “climate change,” “emissions reduction,” or “Paris Agreement.” |
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2017-02-27 | Resolution Undermining Science Education Passed by Indiana Senate | IN, State | Interference with Education | Other | The Indiana Senate passed a resolution urging support for the teaching of a diverse curriculum. Critics say this will undermine the integrity of science education, including by encouraging teachers to present a range of views on topics seen as controversial, such as evolution. |
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2017-02-23 | New Teaching Materials Law Proposed in Florida | FL, State | Interference with Education | Climate, Other | A bill was introduced in the Florida legislature that would, if enacted, allow residents to challenge teaching materials discussing evolution, climate change, and other topics they consider inappropriate. |
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2017-02-16 | Bill to Eliminate State Environmental Quality Board Introduced in Minnesota | MN, State | Personnel Changes | Climate, Other | Bills were introduced in the Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate that would, if enacted, eliminate the state Environmental Quality Board which is responsible for coordinating work on environmental issues among state agencies. |
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2017-02-16 | USDA Staff Told to Avoid References to “Climate Change” | Federal, USDA | Self-Censorship | Climate | USDA staff were instructed to avoid using certain terms, including “climate change,” which should be replaced with “weather extremes.” |
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2017-02-09 | Bill Undermining Science Education Introduced in Texas | State, TX | Interference with Education | Climate, Other | A bill was introduced in the Texas legislature that would, if enacted, allow the State Board of Education to reject any science textbook or other instructional materials that it deems unsuitable. According to critics, this would allow the board to reject materials that discuss controversial scientific theories (e.g., climate change and evolution), even if they are factually correct. |
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2017-02-09 | EPA Staff Prevented from Attending Climate Conference | EPA, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | Half of the 34 EPA staffers scheduled to attend the Alaska Forum on the Environment were told they could no longer attend the event. |
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2017-02-08 | Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine Slated for Closure | State, WI | Budget Cuts, Government Censorship | Climate, Other | In his budget proposal for 2017-19, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker recommended that the state Department of Natural Resources cease publishing a bimonthly magazine, providing information on environmental issues. Critics say the move is intended to “create a vacuum and black out information on very important environmental issues” such as climate change. |
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2017-02-08 | Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Science Bureau Slated for Closure | State, WI | Budget Cuts, Personnel Changes | Climate, Other | In his budget proposal for 2017-19, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker recommended eliminating the Department of Natural Resources’ central science services bureau, and reassigning its 15 staff to other positions. |
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2017-02-06 | Bill Undermining Science Education Introduced in Oklahoma | OK, State | Interference with Education | Climate, Other | A bill was introduced in the Oklahoma Senate that would, if enacted, prevent teachers being prohibited from discussing “the strengths and weaknesses” of any scientific theory. Critics say this will undermine science education, giving teachers greater scope to question proven scientific theories, and/or present alternative concepts that have been discredited or are unproven. |
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2017-02-06 | Bill to Close State Environmental Laboratory Introduced in Oklahoma | OK, State | Personnel Changes | Other | A bill was introduced in the Oklahoma Legislature that would, if enacted, require closure of the State Environmental Laboratory. The laboratory is currently responsible for testing the state’s 1,700 public water supply systems. |
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2017-02-03 | EPA Employees Warned About Speaking Publicly | EPA, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate, Other | EPA staff received an email warning them that, while they are free to speak publicly, doing so presents risks. |
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2017-02-02 | Bill Labelling Proven Scientific Theories ‘Controversial’ Introduced in Texas | State, TX | Interference with Education | Climate, Other | A bill was introduced in the Texas legislature that describes “climate change, biological evolution, the chemical origins of life, and human closing” as “controversial” theories. The bill would, if enacted, give teachers greater scope to question these and other proven scientific theories. |
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2017-02-01 | Controversial Evolution Standard Supported by Texas Board of Education | State, TX | Interference with Education | Other | The Texas State Board of Education voted preliminarily to retain language in its science education standards requiring students to consider “all sides” when discussing evolution. Critics say the requirement encourages the teaching of creationism as an alternative to the theory of evolution. |
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2017-02 | DOE Website Rewritten to Downplay Impact of Fossil Fuels | DOE, Federal | Self-Censorship | Climate | The Energy Information Administration rewrote its “Energy Kids” website to downplay the environmental impacts of burning fossil fuels. Two charts showing the link between coal burning and greenhouse gas emissions were removed. |
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2017-02 | References to “Climate Change” Removed from Idaho Science Education Standards | ID, State | Government Censorship, Interference with Education | Climate | The Idaho House of Representatives Education Committee voted to remove references to “climate change” from draft science education standards. |
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2017-02 | Animal Welfare Documents Removed from USDA Website | Federal, USDA | Government Censorship | Other | Thousands of documents detailing animal welfare violations were removed from USDA’s website after being made publicly available for decades. |
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2017-02 | Climate Science Misrepresented by Kentucky Mayor | KY, Local Govt., State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | Todd Pollock, the mayor of Bedford in Kentucky, told reporters that the science of climate change is not “settled” and that its causes have yet to be determined. |
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2017-02 | Impact of Fossil Fuels Downplayed by DOI | DOI, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate | DOI removed several references to the adverse effects of fossil fuels and the need to develop cleaner renewable energy technologies from its energy website. |
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2017-01-25 | EPA Scientists’ Research Subject to Review Before Publication | EPA, Federal | Government Censorship, Research Hindrance | Climate, Other | The head of communications for the EPA transition team indicated that agency scientists would be required to have their research reviewed before publication. |
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2017-01-24 | NPS Climate Change Tweets Deleted | DOI, Federal | Self-Censorship | Climate | The Badlands national park deleted four tweets, containing basic scientific facts about climate change, from its account. The tweets were reportedly posted by a former employee who was not authorized to use the park’s account. |
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2017-01-21 | Arctic Strategy Removed from White House Website | Federal, White House | Government Censorship | Climate | The White House deleted links to the U.S. National Strategy for the Arctic and related documents from its website. |
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2017-01-20 | “Climate Change” References Removed from White House Website | Federal, White House | Government Censorship | Climate | The White House website was re-launched with all references to “climate change” removed. |
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2017-01-20 | Research Grants Suspended by EPA | EPA, Federal, White House | Budget Cuts | Climate, Other | On December 20, 2017, Trump administration official ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to suspend all research grants. |
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2017-01-19 | Bill Encouraging Discussion of Creationism in Science Class Introduced in Florida | FL, State | Interference with Education | Other | A bill was introduced in the Florida legislature that would, if enacted, allow the discussion of religious beliefs in schools. Critics allege that the bill is intended to undermine the teaching of evolution and encourage discussion of creationism in schools. |
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2017-01-11 | Bill Undermining Science Education Introduced in South Dakota | SD, State | Interference with Education | Climate, Other | A bill was introduced in the South Dakota legislature that would, if enacted, prevent teachers being prohibited from discussing “the strengths and weaknesses” of any scientific theory. Critics say this will undermine science education, giving teachers greater scope to question proven scientific theories, and/or present alternative concepts that have been discredited or are unproven. |
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2017-01 | DOE Advisory Board Disbanded | DOE, Federal | Personnel Changes | Climate, Other | The Secretary of Energy Advisory Board, which was a key adviser to past DOE secretaries, was reportedly “sunset.” DOE has no plans to reconstitute the board at this time. |
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2017-01 | CDC Climate Change Summit Cancelled | Federal, HHS | Self-Censorship | Climate | CDC preemptively cancelled a planned summit on climate change and public health due to concerns about the Trump administration’s reaction. |
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2017-01 | Climate Change Pages Removed from State Department Website | Federal, State Department | Government Censorship | Climate | The State Department removed various pages mentioning climate change from its website, including a page providing links to the department’s 2010, 2014, and 2016 Climate Action Reports. |
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2017-01 | Scientist Fired from Black Hawk College | ID, State | Interference with Education, Personnel Changes | Other | Black Hawk College announced it would lay-off several faculty members, including a professor of geology, due to a lack of state funding. |
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2017-01 | Public Communication by DOI Staff Restricted | DOI, Federal | Government Censorship | Climate, Other | The Trump transition team instructed DOI staff not to send out press releases, post on social media or blogs, or update websites and to consult with senior officials before speaking to the media. |
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2017-01 | Public Communication by HHS Staff Restricted | Federal, HHS | Government Censorship | Other | The Trump transition team instructed HHS staff not to send out press releases, post on social media or blogs, or update websites and to consult with senior officials before speaking to the media. |
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2017-01 | Public Communication by USDA Staff Restricted | Federal, USDA | Government Censorship | Climate, Other | The Trump transition team instructed USDA staff not to send out press releases, post on social media or blogs, or update websites and to consult with senior officials before speaking to the media. |
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2017 | “Climate Change” References Removed from EPA Documents | EPA, Federal | Self-Censorship | Climate | EPA staff amended internal program documents to replace “climate change” with “climate resiliency” in an effort to prevent program cuts. |
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2017 | Four Climate Fellowships Rescinded by NOAA | DOC, Federal | Budget Cuts | Climate | Budget cuts resulted in NOAA rescinding four of the eight offers made to researchers to participate in the 2017 Climate and Global Change Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. As a result, fewer researchers participated in the 2017 program than in any other year since it was launched. |
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2017 | Materials Removed from HHS Website | Federal, HHS | Government Censorship | Other | Between June and December 2017, various content was removed from the website of HHS’s Office of Women’s Health, including pages discussing breast cancer and lesbian and bisexual health. |
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2017 | EPA Staffers Frozen Out of Decision-Making | EPA, Federal | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate | EPA staffers are being frozen out of decision-making in their areas of expertise, with political appointees making decisions instead. |
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2016-12-06 | Names of DOE Climate Change Staff Requested | DOE, Federal | Personnel Changes | Climate | The Trump transition team sent, then disavowed, a survey seeking information about DOE staff who had worked on climate change. |
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2016-12 | References to “Climate Change” Removed from DOE Documents | DOE, Federal | Self-Censorship | Climate | Internal DOE documents were amended to re-frame “climate change” projects as “weather” or “jobs” projects. |
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2016-12 | Kansas Bioscience Authority Privatized | KS, State | Budget Cuts | Other | The Kansas legislature approved a proposal to privatize the Kansas Bioscience Authority (KBA) as part of a plan to address shortfalls in the state budget. The KBA was established in 2004 to support research in the bioscience sector. |
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2016-12 | Discredited Scientific Claims Promoted by Texas Health Department | State, TX | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | The Texas Department of State Health Services published a booklet for women considering abortion. The booklet includes several disproven scientific claims, including suggesting that abortions cause breast cancer, which the American Cancer Society has forcefully rejected. |
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2016-12 | References to “Climate Change” Removed from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Website | State, WI | Government Censorship | Climate | The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ website was changed to downplay the scientific consensus on climate change. A section describing “[h]uman activities . . . [as] the main cause” of climate change was removed and replaced with a statement that the “reasons for [climate] change . . . are being debated.” Another section discussing the likely adverse effects of climate change was also removed and replace with a statement that possible effects “are being debated.” |
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2016-12 | Word “Climate” Removed from EPA Program Name and Website | EPA, Federal | Self-Censorship | Climate | EPA’s “Climate Ready Water Utilities” program was renamed the “Creating Resilient Water Utilities” program and several references to “climate change” and “climate science” were removed from its website. |
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2016-12 | Names of USDA Staff Working on Climate Change Requested | Federal, USDA | Personnel Changes | Climate | The Trump transition team requested information about USDA’s Office of Climate Change, including the names of all staff members. |
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2016-11-16 | Bill to Abolish Agricultural Advisory Boards Introduced in Nevada | NV, State | Personnel Changes | Other | A bill was introduced in the Nevada House of Representatives that would, if enacted, abolish the Garlic and Onion Growers Advisory Board, the Alfalfa Seed Advisory Board, and the Advisory Council for Organic Agricultural Products. |
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2016-11 | References to “Climate Change” Removed from CDC Website | Federal, HHS | Government Censorship, Self-Censorship | Climate | In late 2016, following the presidential election, several references to “climate change” were removed from the website of the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. |
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04-24-19 | New Guidelines on the Use of Scientific Information Issued by OMB | Federal, White House | Bias and Misrepresentation | Climate, Other | The White House Office of Management and Budget issued new guidelines on the use of “influential scientific, financial, or statistical information” by federal agencies. The guidelines direct federal agencies to make the research underlying such information publicly available. Critics fear that this could prevent agencies relying on scientific studies that are based on confidential data which cannot be publicly disclosed. |
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Medical Science Misrepresented by Kansas Abortion Bill | KS, State | Bias and Misrepresentation | Other | bill that would require doctors to tell patients that medication abortions can be reversed was introduced by the Kansas legislature. Opponents point to the lack of scientific evidence and clinical studies in support of this treatment. |
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