Federal climate education resource for teachers potentially faces closure by the government
In the realm of climate change education, a significant shift has taken place. As of summer 2025, Climate.gov, a trusted, authoritative resource for educators, has ceased publishing new content following the termination of its staff[4]. This decision, made by the Trump administration, marks a disruption in the dissemination of climate information and education materials.
Climate.gov, run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Climate Program Office, was a cornerstone resource for educators seeking up-to-date climate data and educational materials aligned with NOAA's expertise [4]. The site, which previously attracted nearly one million visitors monthly, provided vital information on climate patterns, drought, and greenhouse gases.
The cessation of new content on Climate.gov is likely to pose challenges for both educators and students. Without ongoing updates, the integration of new findings may slow, potentially weakening the role of Climate.gov as a critical resource in climate change education.
The lack of a federally maintained, science-based educational platform could lead to increased reliance on less authoritative or inconsistent sources for climate information. This could make it difficult for educators and students to access the latest climate trends, forecasts, and science literacy tools that Climate.gov provided.
Moreover, the event highlights concerns about governmental oversight and protection of critical scientific communication channels. The need for safeguarding government online information to support democratic engagement with climate issues has never been more evident [4].
The Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network, the official content provider for the education section of the site, is expected to run out of funds in August. This development underscores the potential long-term implications of the shutdown, as the site's valuable resources could disappear entirely.
Concerns have arisen that the site could be transformed into a platform for disinformation. This prospect is alarming, given the importance of accurate, science-based information in climate change education.
The shutdown of Climate.gov is not the only instance of climate information disappearing from federal sources. Earlier this year, the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) environmental justice toolkit was taken down.
Despite these challenges, the demand for climate change education remains high. According to a 2024 report, about 3 in 4 registered voters believe schools should teach children about global warming. A 2019 study also found that 77 percent of Americans regard it as very or somewhat important for elementary and secondary school students to learn about climate change.
The shutdown of Climate.gov has left many science teachers feeling helpless and frustrated. Jeff Grant, a science teacher, expressed his concerns, stating, "I use information from Climate.gov to create lesson plans and educate fellow teachers. Its shutdown feels like an attack on American science in general."
Bertha Vazquez, education director for the Center of Inquiry, shares similar sentiments. She worries that the disappearance of climate information could leave U.S. students behind.
Despite these challenges, it's essential to remember that the factual scientific content created before the shutdown remains available. However, the lack of ongoing updates risks slowing the integration of new findings and weakening the role of Climate.gov as a cornerstone resource in climate change education at a crucial time for global climate awareness.
- The shift in climate change education following the shutdown of Climate.gov raises concerns about the potential lack of innovation in educational materials and tools.
- In the realm of environmental science and education-and-self-development, the impact of policy-and-legislation on climate change education is evident as federal resources for science-based information dissemination are being reduced.
- The closure of Climate.gov jeopardizes the accessibility of general-news regarding climate-change, posing challenges for curriculum renewal and up-to-date learning.
- The disappearance of authoritative climate change data and educational resources not only affects educators and students but also contributes to the widening inequality in access to high-quality science education.
- The environmental consequences of climate change are closely linked with scientific research, making it crucial for climate change education to be backed by science, not politics, to ensure a well-informed and knowledgeable society that can effectively address the environmental crisis.
