Silencing Science Tracker | Sabin Center for Climate Change Law

Date: 2/11/19
Action: Bill Undermining Teaching of Climate Change Introduced in South Dakota
Agency: SD, State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2/9/19
Action: Resolution Undermining Teaching of Climate Change Introduced in Virginia
Agency: State,VA
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2/7/19
Action: Bill Misrepresenting Causes of Climate Change Introduced in Montana
Agency: MT, State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation,Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2/4/19
Action: Bill Undermining Science Education Introduced in Oklahoma
Agency: OK,State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2/1/19
Action: Bill Undermining Teaching of Climate Change Introduced in Maine
Agency: ME,State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 1/30/19
Action: Bill Allowing Teachers to Question Proven Scientific Theories Introduced in South Dakota
Agency: SD,State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 1/28/19
Action: Existence of Climate Change Questioned by President Trump
Agency: Federal,White House
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 1/25/19
Action: Resolution Undermining Teaching of Climate Change Introduced in South Dakota
Agency: SD,State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: A resolution was introduced in the South Dakota legislature that would, if adopted, request that each local school board 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.

Date: 1/24/19
Action: Bill Restricting Teaching of Climate Change Introduced in Connecticut
Agency: CT, State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 1/24/19
Action: Bill Opposing Next Generation Science Standards Introduced in Connecticut
Agency: CT, State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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 controversial subject that should not be taught in Connecticut schools.

Date: 1/23/19
Action: Bill Opposing Next Generation Science Standards Introduced in Iowa
Agency: IA, State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 1/20/19
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by President Trump
Agency: Federal,White House
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 1/16/19
Action: Release of NOAA Disaster-Cost Estimate Delayed
Agency: DOC,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 1/15/19
Action: Release of NOAA / NASA Temperature Data Delayed
Agency: DOC,Federal,NASA
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 1/14/19
Action: Bill Undermining Science Education Introduced in Florida
Agency: FL, State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 1/14/19
Action: Bill Allowing Teachers to Question Proven Scientific Theories Introduced in North Dakota
Agency: ND, State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 1/12/19
Action: USDA Scientists Prevented from Attending Scientific Conference
Agency: Federal,USDA
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 1/10/19
Action: NASA Scientists Prevented from Attending Conference
Agency: Federal,NASA
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 1/10/19
Action: Bill Undermining Teaching of Evolution Introduced in Indiana
Agency: IN, State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 1/9/19
Action: Release of Scientific Model Delayed Due to Partial Government Shutdown
Agency: DOC,Federal
Explanation: Research Hindrance
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 1/7/19
Action: DOE Scientists Prevented from Traveling to Conferences
Agency: DOE,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 1/3/19
Action: NOAA Scientists Prevented from Attending Scientific Conference
Agency: DOC,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2019-01
Action: Access to NOAA Climate Change Website Blocked
Agency: DOC,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2019-01
Action: Scientific Conference Cancelled by USDA Due to Partial Government Shutdown
Agency: Federal,USDA
Explanation: Government Censorship,Research Hindrance
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 12/22/18
Action: Access to BLM Conservation Website Blocked During Government Shutdown
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 12/22/18
Action: Scientist Forced to Suspend Water Testing Due to Government Shutdown
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Research Hindrance
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 12/20/18
Action: CDC Climate Office Reorganized and Staff Reassigned
Agency: Federal,HHS
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 12/14/18
Action: Bill Undermining Teaching of Climate Change Introduced in Arizona
Agency: AZ, State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 12/10/18
Action: Availability of Scientific Data on Waterways Misrepresented by EPA Official
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 12/4/18
Action: Climate Change Report Removed from Alaska DEC Website
Agency: AK, State
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 11/23/18
Action: Accuracy of National Climate Assessment Questioned by Trump Administration
Agency: Federal,White House
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 11/21/18
Action: Existence of Climate Change Questioned by President Trump
Agency: Federal,White House
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 11/21/18
Action: EPA Staff Prevented from Updating Climate Change Indicators Website
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship, Self-Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 11/4/18
Action: Scientific Consensus on Climate Change Questioned by President Trump
Agency: Federal,White House
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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."

Date: 2018-11
Action: Climate Change Omitted from Oceans Research Plan
Agency: Federal,White House
Explanation: Government Censorship,Research Hindrance
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 10/26/18
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by Alaska Congressman
Agency: Congress,Federal
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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."

Date: 10/24/18
Action: Climate Change Omitted from List of EPA Research Objectives
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship,Research Hindrance
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 10/16/18
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by Vice President Pence
Agency: Federal,White House
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 10/14/18
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by President Trump
Agency: Federal,White House
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 10/11/18
Action: EPA Science Panel Disbanded
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 10/3/18
Action: Climate Change Materials Removed from DOT Website
Agency: DOT,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 10/2/18
Action: References to "Climate Change" Removed from EPA Document
Agency: EPA,Federal,White House
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 9/27/18
Action: EPA's Office of the Science Advisor to be Closed
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 9/18/18
Action: Climate Change Omitted from National Biodefense Strategy
Agency: Federal,White House
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 9/10/18
Action: References to "Climate Change" Removed from NPS Report
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship,Self-Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 9/9/18
Action: Scientific Data and Records to be Destroyed by DOI
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship,Research Hindrance
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 9/5/18
Action: References to "Climate Change" Removed from EPA Regulatory Impact Analysis
Agency: EPA,Federal,White House
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 9/5/18
Action: Research Funding Reallocated by HHS
Agency: Federal,HHS
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 9/4/18
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by Oregon State Senator
Agency: OR, State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 9/3/18
Action: FWS Officials Interfered in Scientific Study
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Research Hindrance
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2018-09
Action: References to "Climate Change" Removed from Report of Vermont Natural Resources Board
Agency: State, VT
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2018-09
Action: EPA's Office of Children's Health Omitted from New Organizational Chart
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 8/14/18
Action: NPS Scientists Avoiding Discussion of "Climate Change"
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Self-Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 8/14/18
Action: Public Communication by NPS Scientists Restricted
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: A survey of scientists at DOI's National Park Service found various restrictions on their ability to communicate with the public and journalists.

Date: 8/14/18
Action: USDA Scientists Prevented from Researching "Politically Contentious" Topics
Agency: Federal,USDA
Explanation: Research Hindrance
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 8/14/18
Action: FWS Scientists Prevented from Discussing or Researching "Politically Contentious" Topics
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship,Research Hindrance
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 8/14/18
Action: USGS Scientists Avoiding Discussion of "Climate Change"
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Self-Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 8/14/18
Action: USGS Scientists Prevented from Researching "Politically Contentious" Topics
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Research Hindrance
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 8/14/18
Action: Scientific Research Subject to Political Interference at NOAA
Agency: DOC,Federal
Explanation: Research Hindrance
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 8/7/18
Action: Climate Change Described as "Hoax" by Louisiana Attorney-General
Agency: LA, State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 7/31/18
Action: Climate Change Omitted from List of White House R&D Priorities
Agency: Federal,White House
Explanation: Budget Cuts,Government Censorship,Research Hindrance
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 7/24/18
Action: References to "Climate Change" Removed from USAID Report
Agency: Federal,USAID
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 7/17/18
Action: Impacts of Climate Change Downplayed by FEMA
Agency: DHS,Federal
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation,Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 7/16/18
Action: Online Medical Guidelines Database Removed by HHS
Agency: Federal,HHS
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 7/6/18
Action: Release of Health Study Blocked by EPA
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: Senior EPA officials reported sought to block release of a scientific study discussing the health hazards posed by formaldehyde.

Date: 7/6/18
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by Texas State Senator
Agency: State, TX
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation,Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 7/2/18
Action: References to "Climate Change" Removed from Treasury Department Report
Agency: Federal,Treasury Department
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2018-07
Action: Scientific Consensus on Climate Change Questioned by Wyoming State Representative
Agency: State, WY
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: Wyoming State Representative Scott Clem asserted, on his website, that man-made climate change is not settled science and continues to be hotly disputed.

Date: 6/22/18
Action: North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Budget Cut
Agency: NC, State
Explanation: Budget Cuts,Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 6/21/18
Action: Public Communication by USGS Scientists Restricted
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 6/20/18
Action: Senators Request Review of NSF Grants
Agency: Congress,Federal,NSF
Explanation: Research Hindrance
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 6/20/18
Action: Three EPA Advisory Committees Disbanded
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 6/20/18
Action: Florida Citrus Department Budget Cuts Proposed for 2018-19
Agency: FL, State
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 6/18/18
Action: EPA Research Grants Cancelled at Direction of Political Appointee
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 6/14/18
Action: New Conference Approval Process Adopted by USGS
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 5/30/18
Action: NASA Employees Avoiding Discussion of Climate Change
Agency: Federal,NASA
Explanation: Self-Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 5/16/18
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by House Science Committee Members
Agency: Congress,Federal
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 5/14/18
Action: Release of Scientific Study Blocked
Agency: EPA,Federal,HHS, White House
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 5/11/18
Action: Scientific Findings of Environment Agency Questioned by Ohio Governor
Agency: OH, State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 5/10/18
Action: References to "Climate Change" Removed from DOD Report
Agency: DOD,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 5/9/18
Action: NASA Climate Research Program Cancelled
Agency: Federal,NASA
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 5/3/18
Action: DOI Staff Prevented from Attending Scientific Conference
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2018-05
Action: Science of Evolution Questioned by Arizona State Official
Agency: AZ, State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2018-05
Action: Discussion of Climate Change Omitted from Florida Governor's Hurricane Conference
Agency: FL, State
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2018-05
Action: Engineering Positions in Virginia Beach's Stormwater Division Eliminated
Agency: Local Govt.,State, VA
Explanation: Budget Cuts,Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 4/24/18
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by Texas Railroad Commissioner
Agency: State, TX
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 4/23/18
Action: Release of Federal Sustainability Reports Delayed
Agency: Federal,White House
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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).

Date: 4/18/18
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by Colorado State Senator
Agency: CO, State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 4/12/18
Action: Use of Science in EPA Air Pollution Programs Restricted
Agency: EPA,Federal,White House
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 4/6/18
Action: Research Findings Questioned by New Hampshire Cities
Agency: Local Govt.,NH, State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 4/2/18
Action: References to Human's Role in Climate Change Removed from NPS Report
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship, Self-Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 3/29/18
Action: DOL Advisory Boards Suspended
Agency: DOL,Federal
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 3/28/18
Action: EPA Talking Points Misrepresent Climate Science
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation,Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 3/28/18
Action: Scientific Research on Cancer Risk Misrepresented
Agency: CA, State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: Retailers in California were required to include a cancer warning on coffee, despite scientific evidence showing that it does not pose a cancer risk.

Date: 3/23/18
Action: Charters of BLM Advisory Councils Revised
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation,Research Hindrance
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 3/19/18
Action: EPA's Use of Scientific Studies Restricted
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 3/15/18
Action: References to "Climate Change" Removed from FEMA Documents
Agency: DHS,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) published a new strategic plan in which all references to climate change and global warming have been removed.

Date: 3/9/18
Action: EPA Staff Participation in Scientific Integrity Survey Restricted
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 3/6/18
Action: EPA Science Advisory Board Unofficially Suspended
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2018-03
Action: References to "Evolution" Removed from Arizona Education Standards
Agency: AZ, State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2018-03
Action: Faulty Science Used to Justify Mississippi Abortion Bill
Agency: MS, State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2/27/18
Action: EPA Research Center to be Eliminated
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Budget Cuts,Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2/27/18
Action: NOAA Scientists Attacked By Louisiana Attorney General
Agency: LA, State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2/12/18
Action: NASA Budget Cuts Proposed for FY19
Agency: Federal,NASA
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2/12/18
Action: EPA Budget Cuts Proposed for FY19
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2/12/18
Action: DOI Budget Cuts Proposed for FY19
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2/12/18
Action: USDA Budget Cuts Proposed for FY19
Agency: Federal,USDA
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2/12/18
Action: NSF Program Cuts Proposed for FY19
Agency: Federal,NSF
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2/12/18
Action: DOE Program Cuts Proposed for FY19
Agency: DOE,Federal
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2/12/18
Action: NIH Budget Cuts Proposed for FY19
Agency: Federal,HHS
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2/12/18
Action: NOAA Budget Cuts Proposed for FY19
Agency: DOC,Federal
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2/12/18
Action: Bill Opposing the Next Generation Science Standards Introduced in Iowa
Agency: IA, State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2/9/18
Action: Scientific Consensus on Climate Change Rejected by Louisiana Attorney General
Agency: LA, State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2/7/18
Action: Science on Vaccine Safety Misrepresented by Milwaukee Health Department Official
Agency: Local Govt.,State, WI
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2/6/18
Action: National Science and Technology Council to be Restructured
Agency: Federal,White House
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2018-02
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by EPA Administrator
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2018-02
Action: DOI Secretary Accused of Breaching Scientific Integrity Policy
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2018-02
Action: Discussion of Fossil Fuel Impacts Removed from Draft Idaho Education Standards
Agency: ID, State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: The Idaho House of Representatives Education Committee voted to remove references to the climate impacts of fossil fuel use from proposed science education standards.

Date: 2018-02
Action: Proposal to Defund Wyoming Environmental Quality Council Approved by State House of Representatives
Agency: State, WY
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2018-02
Action: Change to Science Education Standards Proposed in Ohio
Agency: OH, State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 1/31/18
Action: Bill Prohibiting Adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards Introduced in Iowa
Agency: IA, State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 1/31/18
Action: Milwaukee Health Department Employees Prevented from Discussing Lead Contamination
Agency: Local Govt.,State, WI
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: Former Milwaukee Health Commissioner Bevan Baker ordered Health Department employees not to discuss concerns about lead contamination with members of the city council.

Date: 1/28/18
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by President Trump
Agency: Federal,White House
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 1/20/18
Action: NOAA Climate Change Website Suspended During Government Shutdown
Agency: DOC,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 1/18/18
Action: Bill Undermining Teaching of Evolution Introduced in Alabama
Agency: AL, State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 1/17/18
Action: NIEHS Director's Involvement in Scientific Study Investigated
Agency: Congress,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship,Research Hindrance
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 1/16/18
Action: Cuts to Funding for Scientific Research Proposed in Kentucky
Agency: KY, State
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 1/9/18
Action: Scientific Consensus on Climate Change Rejected by Kentucky Governor
Agency: KY, State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 1/5/18
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by Kentucky Governor
Agency: KY, State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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."

Date: 2018-01
Action: DOE Officials Pressured Researchers to Change Report
Agency: DOE,Federal
Explanation: Research Hindrance
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2018-01
Action: Unqualified Individuals Appointed to Florida Wildlife Commission
Agency: FL, State
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: Florida Governor Rick Scott appointed three individuals with little or no experience in wildlife management to the state's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Date: 2018-01
Action: Research Funding Cut by Florida Citrus Department
Agency: FL, State
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2018-01
Action: Water Testing Blocked by South Carolina Mayor
Agency: Local Govt., SC,State
Explanation: Research Hindrance
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2018
Action: References to Climate Change Removed from Amtrak Strategic Plan
Agency: Amtrak,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 12/31/17
Action: Trump Administration Fails to Fill Science Positions
Agency: Federal,White House
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 12/28/17
Action: New Grants Process Adopted by DOI
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Budget Cuts,Research Hindrance
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 12/20/17
Action: Climate Change Documents Removed from NPS Website
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: Documents describing the climate action plans of 92 national parks were removed from the National Park Service website.

Date: 12/18/17
Action: Climate Change Dropped from National Security Strategy
Agency: Federal,White House
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: President Trump unveiled a new National Security Strategy, which omitted climate change from a list of global threats.

Date: 12/18/17
Action: Findings of EPA Advisory Committee Misrepresented
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 12/14/17
Action: CDC Staff Given List of Forbidden Words
Agency: Federal,HHS
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 12/13/17
Action: References to Climate Change Removed from FHWA Program
Agency: DOT,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 12/8/17
Action: Oklahoma Health Department Staff Laid Off
Agency: OK, State
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 12/7/17
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by Vermont Governor
Agency: State, VT
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: Vermont Governor Phil Scott misrepresented research indicating that climate change will have widespread negative impacts and suggested it could actually be beneficial to Vermont.

Date: 12/6/17
Action: Unqualified Individuals Appointed to Missouri Clean Water Commission
Agency: MO, State
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 12/5/17
Action: Trump Science Nominees Lack Qualifications
Agency: All, Federal
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-12
Action: DOI Scientists Prevented from Attending Conference
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: DOI capped the number of staff who could attend the American Geophysical Union's annual meeting at 199 (down from 450 in previous years).

Date: 2017-12
Action: Funding for Offshore Drilling Safety Study Suspended
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-12
Action: Climate Change Omitted from NSF Funding Applications
Agency: Federal,NSF
Explanation: Self-Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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).

Date: 2017-12
Action: Fewer Scientists Employed by EPA in 2017
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: Over 200 scientists left EPA in 2017, most of whom have not been replaced. Over the course of 2017, EPA hired just 7 scientists.

Date: 2017-12
Action: FDA Food Advisory Committee Disbanded
Agency: Federal,HHS
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: The food advisory committee, the only body dedicated to advising the Food and Drug Administration on food-related science policy, was disbanded.

Date: 2017-12
Action: OSHA Advisory Committees Suspended
Agency: DOL,Federal
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: The Occupational Health and Safety Administration announced plans to re-evaluate the work of its advisory committees.

Date: 2017-12
Action: 10 Year Research Project Cancelled by DOE
Agency: DOE,Federal
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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).

Date: 2017-12
Action: Florida Officials Barred from Referencing Climate Change
Agency: FL, State
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: Florida Governor Rick Scott banned state employees from using the terms climate change and global warming in official correspondence.

Date: 11/17/17
Action: Bill Requiring Balanced Teaching of Scientific Theories Introduced in Florida
Agency: FL, State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 11/9/17
Action: Bill Appointing Industry Representatives to Oversee Environmental Decisions Introduced in Michigan
Agency: MI, State
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 11/1/17
Action: Bill Obstructing Medical Research Introduced in Iowa
Agency: IA, State
Explanation: Research Hindrance
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-11
Action: NPS Staff Reprimanded for Climate Change Tweet
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-11
Action: EPA Giving Preference to Industry-Backed Science
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: EPA proposed to repeal emissions standards for freight trucks based on research funded by the biggest truck manufacturer challenging the standards.

Date: 2017-11
Action: Research into Sea-Ice Cover Obstructed by Congress
Agency: Congress,Federal
Explanation: Research Hindrance
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: Congress ordered the dismantling of a back-up satellite needed to investigate the impact of climate change on sea-ice in the poles.

Date: 2017-11
Action: Teaching of Unproven Scientific Concept Supported by Arizona State Official
Agency: AZ, State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-11
Action: Science of Evolution Questioned by Utah Education Board Member
Agency: State, UT
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 10/31/17
Action: EPA-Funded Scientists Barred From Serving on Advisory Committees
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: EPA announced that scientists receiving agency grants would not longer be able to serve on its advisory boards.

Date: 10/31/17
Action: Missouri Life Sciences Research Board to be Eliminated
Agency: MO, State
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 10/30/17
Action: EPA Scientists Speaking Engagements Cancelled
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: EPA cancelled talks by 3 scientists who were scheduled to discuss climate change at a conference on the state of the Narragansett Bay.

Date: 10/25/17
Action: Humans' Role in Climate Change Questioned by Virginia Mayor
Agency: Local Govt.,State,VA
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 10/23/17
Action: Trump Administration Fails to Appoint Science Advisor
Agency: Federal,White House
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-10
Action: Forest Service Scientist Prevented from Attending Conference
Agency: Federal,USDA
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-10
Action: EPA Website Relaunched Without Climate Change Materials
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: Multiple links to materials aimed at helping local government officials adapt to climate change were removed from EPA's website.

Date: 2017-10
Action: Chemical Rules Adopted by EPA Against Scientific Advice
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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

Date: 2017-10
Action: References to Climate Change Removed from EPA's International Website
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: Between October and December 2017, EPA made various changes to its International Cooperation website, including removing information about climate change.

Date: 2017-10
Action: Unqualified Individual Appointed to North Carolina Oil and Gas Commission
Agency: NC, State
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-09
Action: EPA Enforcement Agents Reassigned
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: Agents in EPA's Criminal Investigation Division were reassigned to Administrator Pruitt's security detail, forcing them to suspend investigation of climate crimes.

Date: 2017-09
Action: Data Omitted from Crime Report
Agency: DOJ,Federal
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: The FBI's 2016 Crime in the United States report contained almost 70% fewer data tables than the 2015 report.

Date: 2017-09
Action: Climate Science Page Removed from EPA Website
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-09
Action: Database of Science-Based Programs Suspended by HHS
Agency: Federal,HHS
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-09
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by Florida Governor
Agency: FL,State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-09
Action: Humans' Role in Climate Change Questioned by Kentucky Governor
Agency: KY, State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-09
Action: Standards Undermining Science Education Proposed by New Mexico Education Department
Agency: NM, State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 8/31/17
Action: CDC Employees Prevented from Speaking to Reporters
Agency: Federal,HHS
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 8/18/17
Action: Coal Mining Study Paused by DOI
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 8/17/17
Action: Climate Change Omitted from White House's List of FY2019 R&D Priorities
Agency: Federal,White House
Explanation: Budget Cuts,Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 8/14/17
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by Maine Governor
Agency: ME, State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 8/1/17
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by Virginia Mayor
Agency: Local Govt.,State, VA
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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?"

Date: 2017-08
Action: EPA Staff Forced to Prioritize Industry Wish List
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-08
Action: DOE-Funded Scientists Told Not to Reference Climate Change
Agency: DOE,Federal
Explanation: Self-Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-08
Action: EPA Grants Reviewed by Political Appointee
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Budget Cuts,Research Hindrance
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-08
Action: National Climate Assessment Advisory Committee Disbanded
Agency: DOC,Federal
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: The Trump administration disbanded an advisory committee which assisted state and local officials to use the National Climate Assessment in long-term planning.

Date: 7/27/17
Action: Climate Change Information Removed from USDA Website
Agency: Federal,USDA
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: Information on climate change mitigation and adaptation was removed, and then returned, to USDA's Climate Hubs website.

Date: 7/21/17
Action: Florida Citrus Department Budget Cuts Proposed for 2017-18
Agency: FL, State
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 7/7/17
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by New Hampshire Governor
Agency: NH, State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-07
Action: DOI Scientists Involuntarily Reassigned
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: Approximately 50 DOI employees, including some working on climate-related issues, were involuntarily reassigned to unrelated positions.

Date: 2017-07
Action: References to Climate Change Removed from NIH Website
Agency: Federal,HHS
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-07
Action: NPS Scientist Excluded from Tour
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: DOI prevented the Superintendent of Glacier National Park, a noted climate change expert, from participating in Mark Zuckerberg's tour of the park.

Date: 2017-07
Action: Research Grants Cancelled by HHS
Agency: Federal,HHS
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-07
Action: Human Role in Climate Change Downplayed by NOAA
Agency: DOC,Federal
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-07
Action: EPA Adaptation Staff Reassigned
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: EPA reassigned four staffers in the policy office, who had previously worked on climate change adaptation.

Date: 2017-07
Action: EPA Intern Directed Not to Tweet About Climate Change
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Self-Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: An intern in EPA's communications office was instructed by co-workers not to mention climate change or going green in tweets.

Date: 2017-07
Action: Non-Scientist Nominated for Top USDA Science Position
Agency: Federal,USDA
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: President Trump nominated Sam Clovis, a former radio announcer and economics professor, with no hard-science qualifications to the USDA's top science position.

Date: 6/15/17
Action: DOE Office of International Climate and Technology Closed
Agency: DOE,Federal
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-06
Action: EPA Climate Change Staff Reassigned
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: EPA reallocated staff from the climate change division and climate protection partnership division to other areas.

Date: 2017-06
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by North Dakota Mayor
Agency: Local Govt.,ND,State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-06
Action: Discredited Scientific Study Cited by Tennessee State Representative
Agency: State,TN
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 5/23/17
Action: DOD's FY18 Budget Request Cut by Trump Administration
Agency: DOD,Federal
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 5/23/17
Action: DOE's FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration
Agency: DOE,Federal
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 5/23/17
Action: NIH's FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration
Agency: Federal,HHS
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: The Trump administration's FY2018 budget proposed a 25% cut in funding for research programs at NIH's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

Date: 5/23/17
Action: DHS's FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration
Agency: DHS,Federal
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: The Trump administration's FY 2018 budget proposed an 11% cut in funding for DHS programs supporting climate and other environmental research.

Date: 5/23/17
Action: DOI's FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: The Trump administration's FY2018 budget proposed a 19% cut in funding for climate and environmental research programs at DOI.

Date: 5/23/17
Action: EPA's FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: The Trump administration's FY2018 budget proposes to cut funding for EPA climate and environmental research programs by 39% or $438 million.

Date: 5/23/17
Action: NASA's FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration
Agency: Federal,NASA
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: The Trump administration's FY2018 budget proposes to cut funding for NASA climate and environmental research programs by 8% or $151 million.

Date: 5/23/17
Action: NOAA's FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration
Agency: DOC,Federal
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: The Trump administration's FY2018 budget proposed to cut funding for NOAA's climate and environmental research programs by 7% or $49 million.

Date: 5/23/17
Action: NSF's FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration
Agency: Federal,NSF
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 5/23/17
Action: USDA's FY18 Budget Cut by Trump Administration
Agency: Federal,USDA
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: The Trump administration's FY2018 budget proposed a 12% cut in funding for USDA climate and environmental research programs.

Date: 5/23/17
Action: Cuts to FY2018 Funding for National Hansen's Disease Program Proposed
Agency: Federal,HHS
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 5/18/17
Action: Climate Change References Removed from USGS Press Release
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: DOI amended the press release for a paper on sea level rise to remove a sentence identifying climate change as its cause.

Date: 5/11/17
Action: Age of Earth Misrepresented by Wisconsin State Representative
Agency: State, WI
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 5/5/17
Action: EPA Scientific Advisory Board Members Dismissed
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: EPA dismissed at least five academics serving on its scientific review board and indicated that it may replace them with industry representatives.

Date: 5/3/17
Action: Missouri Stream Gauges To Be Deactivated
Agency: MO, State
Explanation: Budget Cuts,Research Hindrance
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 5/2/17
Action: Proven Scientific Theories Questioned by Alabama Legislature
Agency: AL, State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: The Alabama legislature passed a resolution labeling climate change, evolution, and human cloning as controversial theories and encouraging teachers to question their accuracy.

Date: 2017-05
Action: EPA Advisory Board Chair Pressured to Change Congressional Testimony
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-05
Action: Climate Change References Removed from FHWA Website
Agency: DOT,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: References to climate change on the FHWA's website and were replaced with alternate terms such as resiliency and sustainability.

Date: 2017-05
Action: Climate Change Information Buried on EPA Website
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-05
Action: References to Clean Energy Removed from DOE Website
Agency: DOE,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: DOE's Clean Energy Investment Center was renamed the Energy Investor Center and all references to clean energy were removed from its website.

Date: 2017-05
Action: Scientific Advice on Chemical Disregarded by EPA
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-05
Action: DOI Advisory Boards Suspended or Eliminated
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-05
Action: Climate Change Page Removed from BLM Website
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-05
Action: Word Climate Removed from BIA Program Name
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: The Tribal Climate Resilience Program was renamed the Tribal Resilience Program and all references to climate and climate change were removed from its website.

Date: 2017-05
Action: DOI Scientists Work Criticized by Political Appointees
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 4/28/17
Action: EPA Climate Change Website Removed
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 4/27/17
Action: Climate Science Questioned by West Virginia Official
Agency: State, WV
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 4/19/17
Action: Climate Change Information Removed from DOI Website
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 4/19/17
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by Alabama Attorney General
Agency: AL, State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 4/19/17
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by Arkansas Attorney General
Agency: AK, State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 4/19/17
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by Arizona Attorney General
Agency: AZ, State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 4/19/17
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by Louisiana Attorney General
Agency: LA, State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 4/19/17
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by Michigan Attorney General
Agency: MI, State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 4/19/17
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by Nebraska Attorney General
Agency: NE, State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 4/19/17
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by Oklahoma Attorney General
Agency: OK, State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 4/19/17
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by South Carolina Attorney General
Agency: SC, State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 4/19/17
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by Texas Attorney General
Agency: State, TX
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 4/19/17
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by Utah Attorney General
Agency: State, UT
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 4/19/17
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by Wisconsin Attorney General
Agency: State, WI
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 4/11/17
Action: Proposal to Defund State Research Centers Advanced by Iowa Legislature
Agency: IA, State
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 4/11/17
Action: Funding for Oklahoma Science Fair Eliminated
Agency: OK,State
Explanation: Budget Cuts,Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 4/10/17
Action: Forensic Science Committee Disbanded
Agency: DOJ,Federal
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-04
Action: EPA Scientist's Participation in Public Events Restricted
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-04
Action: Benefits of Renewable Energy Downplayed by DOE
Agency: DOE,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-04
Action: DOE Scientists Prevented from Attending Conference
Agency: DOE,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: Up to 27 DOE scientists were told they could not attend the 2017 International Atomic Energy Agency conference.

Date: 2017-04
Action: Oil and Gas Production Risks Downplayed on GAO Website
Agency: Federal,GAO
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-04
Action: Climate Change Resources Removed from DOE Website
Agency: DOE,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: Links to various climate change resources, including the National Climate Assessment, were removed from the DOE's main climate change website.

Date: 2017-04
Action: Release of Climate Change Study Blocked by Amtrak
Agency: Amtrak,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 3/29/17
Action: Climate Science Criticized in Congressional Hearing
Agency: Congress,Federal
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation,Research Hindrance
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 3/28/17
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by Pennsylvania State Senator
Agency: PA, State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 3/9/17
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by EPA Administrator
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 3/8/17
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by New Mexico Energy Secretary
Agency: NM, State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 3/8/17
Action: Research into Industrial Hemp Prevented by Nevada Governor
Agency: NV, State
Explanation: Research Hindrance
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 3/7/17
Action: Word Science Removed from EPA Science Office Website
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: References to EPA's Office of Science and Technology policy developing science-based standards were changed to read economically and technologically achievable standards.

Date: 3/7/17
Action: Teaching of Evolution Undermined in Louisiana
Agency: LA, State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 3/6/17
Action: Bill Undermining Teaching of Evolution Introduced in Arkansas
Agency: AK, State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 3/1/17
Action: Bill Requiring Teachers to Question Proven Scientific Theories Introduced in Iowa
Agency: IA, State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-03
Action: DOE Staff Told to Avoid References to Climate Change
Agency: DOE,Federal
Explanation: Self-Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: A supervisor in DOE's international climate office instructed his staff not to use the terms climate change, emissions reduction, or Paris Agreement.

Date: 2017-03
Action: WSU Researcher Investigated by Washington Legislators
Agency: State, WA
Explanation: Government Censorship,Research Hindrance
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2/27/17
Action: Resolution Undermining Science Education Passed by Indiana Senate
Agency: IN,State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2/23/17
Action: New Teaching Materials Law Proposed in Florida
Agency: FL,State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2/16/17
Action: USDA Staff Told to Avoid References to Climate Change
Agency: Federal,USDA
Explanation: Self-Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: USDA staff were instructed to avoid using certain terms, including climate change, which should be replaced with weather extremes.

Date: 2/16/17
Action: Bill to Eliminate State Environmental Quality Board Introduced in Minnesota
Agency: MN, State
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2/9/17
Action: EPA Staff Prevented from Attending Climate Conference
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: Half of the 34 EPA staffers scheduled to attend the Alaska Forum on the Environment were told they could no longer attend the event.

Date: 2/9/17
Action: Bill Undermining Science Education Introduced in Texas
Agency: State, TX
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2/8/17
Action: Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine Slated for Closure
Agency: State, WI
Explanation: Budget Cuts,Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2/8/17
Action: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Science Bureau Slated for Closure
Agency: State,WI
Explanation: Budget Cuts,Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2/6/17
Action: Bill Undermining Science Education Introduced in Oklahoma
Agency: OK, State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2/6/17
Action: Bill to Close State Environmental Laboratory Introduced in Oklahoma
Agency: OK, State
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2/3/17
Action: EPA Employees Warned About Speaking Publicly
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: EPA staff received an email warning them that, while they are free to speak publicly, doing so presents risks.

Date: 2/2/17
Action: Bill Labelling Proven Scientific Theories Controversial Introduced in Texas
Agency: State, TX
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2/1/17
Action: Controversial Evolution Standard Supported by Texas Board of Education
Agency: State, TX
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-02
Action: DOE Website Rewritten to Downplay Impact of Fossil Fuels
Agency: DOE,Federal
Explanation: Self-Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-02
Action: Animal Welfare Documents Removed from USDA Website
Agency: Federal,USDA
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: Thousands of documents detailing animal welfare violations were removed from USDA's website after being made publicly available for decades.

Date: 2017-02
Action: Impact of Fossil Fuels Downplayed by DOI
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: DOI removed several references to the adverse effects of fossil fuels and the need to develop cleaner renewable energy technologies from its energy website.

Date: 2017-02
Action: References to Climate Change Removed from Idaho Science Education Standards
Agency: ID, State
Explanation: Government Censorship,Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: The Idaho House of Representatives Education Committee voted to remove references to climate change from draft science education standards.

Date: 2017-02
Action: Climate Science Misrepresented by Kentucky Mayor
Agency: KY, Local Govt., State
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 1/25/17
Action: EPA Scientists Research Subject to Review Before Publication
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship,Research Hindrance
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: The head of communications for the EPA transition team indicated that agency scientists would be required to have their research reviewed before publication.

Date: 1/24/17
Action: NPS Climate Change Tweets Deleted
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Self-Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 1/21/17
Action: Arctic Strategy Removed from White House Website
Agency: Federal,White House
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: The White House deleted links to the U.S. National Strategy for the Arctic and related documents from its website.

Date: 1/20/17
Action: Climate Change References Removed from White House Website
Agency: Federal,White House
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: The White House website was re-launched with all references to climate change removed.

Date: 1/20/17
Action: Research Grants Suspended by EPA
Agency: EPA,Federal,White House
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: On December 20, 2017, Trump administration official ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to suspend all research grants.

Date: 1/19/17
Action: Bill Encouraging Discussion of Creationism in Science Class Introduced in Florida
Agency: FL, State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 1/11/17
Action: Bill Undermining Science Education Introduced in South Dakota
Agency: SD, State
Explanation: Interference with Education
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-01
Action: CDC Climate Change Summit Cancelled
Agency: Federal,HHS
Explanation: Self-Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: CDC preemptively cancelled a planned summit on climate change and public health due to concerns about the Trump administration's reaction.

Date: 2017-01
Action: Climate Change Pages Removed from State Department Website
Agency: Federal,State Department
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-01
Action: Public Communication by DOI Staff Restricted
Agency: DOI,Federal
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-01
Action: Public Communication by HHS Staff Restricted
Agency: Federal,HHS
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-01
Action: Public Communication by USDA Staff Restricted
Agency: Federal,USDA
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-01
Action: DOE Advisory Board Disbanded
Agency: DOE,Federal
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Climate,Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017-01
Action: Scientist Fired from Black Hawk College
Agency: ID, State
Explanation: Interference with Education,Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: Black Hawk College announced it would lay-off several faculty members, including a professor of geology, due to a lack of state funding.

Date: 2017
Action: EPA Staffers Frozen Out of Decision-Making
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: EPA staffers are being frozen out of decision-making in their areas of expertise, with political appointees making decisions instead.

Date: 2017
Action: Climate Change References Removed from EPA Documents
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Self-Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: EPA staff amended internal program documents to replace climate change with climate resiliency in an effort to prevent program cuts.

Date: 2017
Action: Four Climate Fellowships Rescinded by NOAA
Agency: DOC,Federal
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2017
Action: Materials Removed from HHS Website
Agency: Federal,HHS
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 12/6/16
Action: Names of DOE Climate Change Staff Requested
Agency: DOE,Federal
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: The Trump transition team sent, then disavowed, a survey seeking information about DOE staff who had worked on climate change.

Date: 2016-12
Action: Names of USDA Staff Working on Climate Change Requested
Agency: Federal,USDA
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: The Trump transition team requested information about USDA's Office of Climate Change, including the names of all staff members.

Date: 2016-12
Action: References to Climate Change Removed from DOE Documents
Agency: DOE,Federal
Explanation: Self-Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: Internal DOE documents were amended to re-frame climate change projects as weather or jobs projects.

Date: 2016-12
Action: Word Climate Removed from EPA Program Name and Website
Agency: EPA,Federal
Explanation: Self-Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 2016-12
Action: Kansas Bioscience Authority Privatized
Agency: KS, State
Explanation: Budget Cuts
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2016-12
Action: Discredited Scientific Claims Promoted by Texas Health Department
Agency: State, TX
Explanation: Bias and Misrepresentation
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2016-12
Action: References to Climate Change Removed from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Website
Agency: State, WI
Explanation: Government Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.

Date: 11/16/16
Action: Bill to Abolish Agricultural Advisory Boards Introduced in Nevada
Agency: NV, State
Explanation: Personnel Changes
Scientists Affected: Other
Summary: 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.

Date: 2016-11
Action: References to Climate Change Removed from CDC Website
Agency: Federal,HHS
Explanation: Government Censorship, Self-Censorship
Scientists Affected: Climate
Summary: 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.