The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has canceled its monthly press calls, citing recent cuts to agency staffing. The calls, which featured scientists from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) discussing global climate conditions for the month prior, have been suspended indefinitely.
Although the agency’s global climate reports are expected to continue, the cancellation of the press calls could reduce the public’s awareness of climate change trends. While NOAA officials blamed “the loss of a significant number of staff resulting from the recent release of probationary employees, the Deferred Resignation Program and employees retiring,” some outside the agency claim that NCEI struggled to find scientists willing to join the calls due to concern over antagonizing the Trump administration by discussing human-caused climate change.