USDA Told to Remove Climate Change Info from Websites
TL/DR –
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has instructed employees to remove information relating to climate change from its websites, according to an internal email obtained by Politico. The directive could affect data across several programs including climate-smart agriculture initiatives and the USDA’s climate hubs. It also comes as funding for clean energy and agricultural programs are under review following orders from the Office of Management and Budget.
Agriculture Department Removes Climate Change References from Websites
The Agriculture Department (USDA) recently instructed its employees to remove all discussions about climate change from agency websites, as revealed by an internal email sourced by POLITICO. A directive from the USDA’s communications office, confirmed as genuine by three sources, may impact information on numerous programs. This includes climate-smart agricultural initiatives, USDA climate hubs, and Forest Service data on wildfires, which scientists link to climate change effects like increased heat and drought. The move is reminiscent of the Trump administration’s efforts to eliminate climate change references from federal websites.
Website Content Review & Clean Energy Funding in Flux
The email sent on a Thursday afternoon directs website managers to archive or unpublish any landing pages focused on climate change. They are also instructed to document all web content relating to climate change in a spreadsheet for further review, with a deadline set for the following Friday.
This order coincides with uncertainty around funding for clean energy and agriculture programs. Funds currently hang in the balance due to a federal spending review sanctioned by the Office of Management and Budget. The Trump administration has aimed to halt and reverse expenditure from the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. These acts supplied billions for wildfire management, clean energy investments, and carbon dioxide storage credits benefiting rural communities served by the USDA.
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