The Trump administration secretly buried climate.gov, a well-respected website that made climate science readily accessible to the general public, earlier this summer. Years of meticulously crafted articles, data visualizations, and instructional materials were left behind after the production team behind them was fired. Although the website remains operational, its exposure has been intentionally reduced. As a result, the former Climate.gov team launches Climate.us in addition to bringing the lost information back to life; their goal is to broaden its reach to incorporate climate services, support from local governments, and creative outreach tactics. This article examines the significance of this endeavor, its objectives, and the challenges it presents.

Why Did the Climate.gov Team Start Climate.us?

There was a significant void in public climate communication with the shutdown of climate.gov. It served as a substantial source of information for many residents, journalists, and educators who wanted to understand climate change and variability.

The choice to continue was made for both pragmatic and sentimental reasons, according to Rebecca Lindsey, the site’s former managing editor. “None of us were ready to let go of climate.gov and the mission,” she said. The team was inspired to restore access in a charity setting because they believed that important taxpayer-funded information was being purposefully concealed.

The team hopes to continue their initial goal of improving climate literacy by developing climate.us, but with more latitude to try out new digital tools, social media platforms, and community involvement tactics.

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What New Services Will Climate.us Provide?

The former Climate.gov team launches Climate.us, transforming into a practical climate service hub that surpasses its previous function as a mere repository of articles. Assisting local governments in mapping and evaluating flood threats will be one of its primary services, facilitating improved urban planning and preparedness. To ensure that future generations are aware of climate issues, the platform also intends to develop instructional materials to support educators in promoting climate literacy among pupils.

To bridge the gap between knowledge and action, Climate.us will also offer seminars and consultations specifically designed to meet the needs of communities directly facing climate-related dangers. The organization will make investments in interactive digital projects to broaden its audience, using social media and even TikTok to target younger people. Climate.us views itself as a practical and educational partner in creating resilient communities by shifting its focus from merely educating the public to collaborating on climate adaptation.

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How Is the Initiative Being Funded?

The former Climate.gov team launches Climate.us, which is currently in its early stages of development. With no federal support, the effort relies mainly on:

• Crowdsourced donations through fundraising campaigns.
• In-kind contributions include items such as site hosting and domain names.
• Small grants to cover initial operational expenses.
• Volunteer labor from its founding team.

Due to the early crowdfunding success, Lindsey hopes to secure more institutional support from NGOs or foundations. Until then, however, the group is kept going by enthusiasm, hard work, and grassroots support.

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What Challenges Does Climate.us Face?

Starting a nonprofit from scratch can be intimidating. The group has various obstacles to overcome:

• Stability of funding: Growth is constrained in the absence of steady grants or donations.
• Visibility: One of the biggest challenges in rebuilding a brand is contending with false information.
• Political retaliation risk: A few team members would rather remain anonymous due to concerns about possible reprisals.
• Operations scaling: They will require personnel, infrastructure, and collaboration to establish them as a national resource.

The urgency of climate change and the belief that public access to science is a right, not a privilege, drive the group despite these challenges.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can the public still access climate.gov content?

Yes. The information is still available online, but it is purposefully hidden throughout NOAA’s digital architecture, making it hard to locate without particular linkages.

Q2: How can individuals support climate.us?

Crowdfunding campaigns, in-kind assistance (such as site hosting), or volunteer skills are all ways you can help. The group has established an email address for help offers.

Q3: Why is climate literacy so critical?

Knowledge of climate science empowers people and communities to combat misinformation, adapt to changing conditions, and make informed policy decisions. Necessary research often runs the risk of being overlooked in the absence of easily accessible communication.

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