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All Things Considered
Gretchen Brown

'The science doesn't change:' Minnesota researcher among hundreds let go from flagship U.S. climate report

Smoke billows from smokestacks and a coal-fired generator at a steel factory.
Smoke billows from smokestacks and a coal-fired generator at a steel factory in the industrial province of Hebei, China.
Kevin Frayer | Getty Images

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At least three Minnesota scientists were slated to be authors on the nation's flagship climate report, the National Climate Assessment.

But on Tuesday, President Donald Trump’s administration dismissed all 400 scientists from the report — including Melissa Kenney, director of research at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment.

Kenney said her dismissal was somewhat unexpected. The National Climate Assessment has been mandated by Congress since 1990, and has a reputation as some of the most rigorous science in the world. Scientists contribute as unpaid volunteers.

“This is the authoritative source of information that's used by the federal government, state and local governments. It's used by businesses,” Kenney said.

Scientists were working on a report slated for 2027. The National Climate Assessment is released every four years due to rapidly changing science.

According to reports from national media including NPR, the White House has not responded to questions about why the scientists were dismissed, or what elements of the report are being reevaluated. But President Trump has been a skeptic of climate change in the past, even though the National Climate Assessment is widely accepted.

Kenney said she’s staying grounded by staying focused on the science.

“Making good choices relies on really good information and being able to manage for the risks,” she said. “And to be able to anticipate what may occur in the future is something that we need to do, regardless of who is in a particular administration.”