Key facts
- The Trump administration has ended its support for the annual Arctic Report Card.
- The Arctic Report Card has provided environmental updates on the region since 2006.
- NOAA will continue to collect data for the report, but will not facilitate its coordination.
- The Arctic is warming four times faster than the global average.
- Recent reports highlighted record-warm temperatures and the lowest Arctic winter sea ice extent in satellite history.
The Trump administration has ceased its support for the annual Arctic Report Card, a critical publication that has tracked environmental changes in the rapidly warming Arctic region since 2006. Kim Doster, communications director for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), confirmed the agency's withdrawal of support for the report's coordination, though NOAA will continue to collect and make its data publicly available. The Arctic is warming four times faster than the global average, experiencing significant sea ice decline and ecosystem upheavals.
Recent editions of the report have detailed record-warm temperatures and the lowest Arctic winter sea ice extent in the 47-year satellite record. Scientists also noted ongoing glacier loss contributing to rising sea levels and thawing permafrost turning rivers orange due to increased acidity and toxic metals. Report editors are actively seeking ways to continue the publication, with its future for 2026 and beyond uncertain.
This decision marks another instance of the administration reducing support for climate change research. Previous actions include dismantling a climate research center, attempting to scrap a deep-sea observation system, and removing climate change reports from government websites. Experts emphasize the importance of the US remaining a leader in Arctic science and environmental intelligence, noting that changes in the region have far-reaching impacts.