UCS Federal Climate Scientists Survey ESSAY RESPONSES

The document compiles qualitative feedback from scientists at various U.S. federal agencies and the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) on the state of climate research integrity. The responses highlight systemic concerns regarding political interference, funding cuts, and restrictions on public communication, while some scientists express dissenting views on the extent of these issues or the validity of certain climate models.

• Many scientists report that political appointees and administration officials interfere with scientific integrity by muzzling researchers, censoring results, or attempting to force data to align with desired policy outcomes.
• There is widespread concern regarding the restriction of direct communication between federal scientists and the public, with many calling for the removal of Public Affairs office oversight and 'chaperones'.
• Scientists describe a trend of 'starving' climate research through funding cuts, the redirection of funds toward other priorities (such as solar system exploration), and the use of restrictive accounting rules.
• Several respondents suggest structural reforms to protect science, including the creation of a dedicated, independent federal climate agency and the implementation of an ombudsman to protect career employees from political appointees.
• Some scientists express skepticism regarding the rigor of climate modeling and the objectivity of the scientific community, citing 'alarmism' or 'mob attitude' as potential biases.
• Reports of censorship and political pressure vary by agency; while many at NASA and NOAA report significant interference, some at the National Laboratories and NCAR describe having complete freedom in their research and publications.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (n.d.). UCS Federal Climate Scientists Survey ESSAY RESPONSES. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/all-climate-survey-essays.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. UCS Federal Climate Scientists Survey ESSAY RESPONSES. n.d. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/all-climate-survey-essays.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=UCS Federal Climate Scientists Survey ESSAY RESPONSES |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/all-climate-survey-essays.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientistsnducs, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{UCS Federal Climate Scientists Survey ESSAY RESPONSES}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/all-climate-survey-essays.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }