Trump Administration Ends Federal Support for Arctic Report Card

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced on August 11, 2026, that it will no longer sponsor, fund, or facilitate the annual Arctic Report Card. For two decades, the agency coordinated this peer-reviewed publication, which synthesized data from hundreds of global scientists to track sea ice loss, glacier thinning, and tundra vegetation growth.

While NOAA will continue to collect Arctic data and keep it publicly available, it has withdrawn all logistical support, hosting, and media outreach for the 2026 edition. This decision is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to curtail climate programs, including the restructuring of the National Climate Assessment and the halting of updates to climate.gov.

The 21st edition of the report is currently in progress, but its publication remains uncertain. Editors and authors are seeking alternative venues to publish the analysis. The American Geophysical Union has expressed readiness to engage with the author team to ensure key data points are shared and the science continues to advance.

Critics and former officials have condemned the move. Former NOAA leader Rick Spinrad described the withdrawal as an inane step in the administration's effort to ignore climate change and eliminate what it terms climate alarmism.