The Cost of Ignorance, Part 6

Join us on Tuesday, February 3rd from 11 AM-12 PM ET to get your February Dose of Climate Hope! This time, we’re thrilled to bring you a conversation with Dr. Hannah Ritchie of Our World in Data—one of the world’s most inspiring environmental data scientists and climate communicators!

Together, Dr. Ritchie and CAN Editor-in-Chief Sam Matey-Coste will explore what the numbers reveal about our progress on energy, food, and the environment—and how data-driven optimism can lead us to a more sustainable future.

These days, if you’re looking for reliable information on climate change, you may want to steer clear of the EPA’s website.

In early December, the agency escalated its war on science by quietly removing 80 pages with information on climate change. While previous changes had focused on swapping specific language, the EPA used this purge to target the fundamentals—namely, resources that paint a clear picture of how the climate crisis impacts our lives and vice versa.

Chief among them was the “Causes of Climate Change” page, where the “Humans Versus Natural Causes” section has been completely removed. Now, the page only references how “natural processes” contribute to our changing climate:

And that’s just one example.

Also missing are a page detailing the physical and economic risks associated with a warming world and a resource that uses over 100 maps and charts to showcase and explain various climate change indicators.

These changes are deeply alarming—especially when you consider how difficult it’s become for the public to access unbiased, reliable information about climate change.

Think about it. Climate.gov is no more, and public-facing resources like the National Climate Assessments were removed from government websites several months ago. Some government agencies are still providing accurate information. Still, many more have overhauled their websites to better align with the President’s talking points—and that means educators, local governments, businesses, and members of the public can no longer count on government websites and resources they once trusted.

So what can we do about it?

Sound the alarm. We used the word “quiet” to describe the EPA’s website purge—and that’s because it barely made headlines at all. One of the best things we can do to stand against this information overhaul is make it clear that it’s happening in the first place.

Promote alternatives. From Climate.us taking up the climate.gov mantle to the Internet Archive and Environmental Data & Governance Initiative saving original versions of webpages, there’s no shortage of groups fighting to preserve these critical resources. We need to make sure our elected officials know about these alternatives and do their part to connect their constituents to reliable information.

Reiterate the facts. There is no debate—climate change is happening, and no amount of cherry-picked information or misrepresented facts can change that reality. As we spread the word about this overhaul, we must emphasize the urgency of the crisis and the importance of credible information to raise awareness and drive action.

Remember—whether it’s repealing the endangerment finding, rolling back critical environmental protections, or promoting their idea of “gold-standard science,” the Trump administration’s fossil-fuel-friendly agenda relies on an uninformed public. That’s why the EPA went ahead with this information purge. And it’s precisely why we’re going to do everything we can to make sure people know about it.

Join us as we take a stand against disinformation!

This week, we’re fighting for access to unbiased, reliable information on climate change. We’ll be asking the news media to report on the EPA’s recent information purge, urging our elected officials to connect their constituents with credible resources, and thanking the organizations working to preserve critical information and data throughout Trump’s presidency.

Check out each Action of the Day this week for the opportunity to make a difference! You can also take action via the CAN Action Carousel.

Test your knowledge of hopeful developments with our most recent quiz.

In the pipeline:

Monday - Our interview with Metkel Abraham, CEO of Aptech Africa 🌍
Tuesday - Startups make progress on space-based solar power ☀️
Wednesday - U.S. clean energy has its best year yet, even with project cancellations 📈
Thursday - Housing reform bill aims to address affordability and scarcity 🏡
Friday - Wildlife crossing projects give habitat connectivity a boost 🦌
Saturday - Test your knowledge with our weekly quiz! 🤓
Sunday - Your Weekly Dose of Climate Hope! 🎉

Good News for Geothermal: Just before the new year, the National Association of State Energy Officials announced the Geothermal Power Accelerator—a collaboration between 13 states and the private sector to speed up and scale geothermal power deployment! These states will work with federal agencies and geothermal companies to understand the current state of the industry and develop state-specific policy solutions. It’s yet another example of geothermal’s unique popularity in our current moment, and a testament to what a difference bipartisan support can make! (National Association of State Energy Officials Newsroom)

Goodbye, Gas Subsidy: New York Governor Kathy Hochul has officially repealed the 100-foot rule! Under this rule, gas utilities have hugely subsidized the cost of new hookups—but utility ratepayers have been the ones footing the bill. The rule’s repeal will not only help ratepayers save money, but also eliminate a powerful subsidy for the New York gas industry, putting electric appliances on a much more level playing field. It’s a significant win for clean heat and energy affordability—and our New York CANdoers helped make it happen! (Renewable Heat Now News)

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