The Trump administration has announced it will no longer support the annual Arctic Report Card. This decision marks a change for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which has facilitated the peer-reviewed project since 2006. The report provides critical data on the atmosphere, oceans, and tundra in a region currently warming four times faster than the global average.
While NOAA communications director Kim Doster confirmed the agency is pulling its support for the production of the report, she noted that the underlying data collection will continue. The report has been a primary resource for scientists and policymakers tracking trends like sea ice decline and thawing permafrost. These changes impact coastal infrastructure, navigation safety, and drinking water for Arctic communities.
Experts familiar with the research process, including current project editors, report they are working to find a path forward for future publications. Former NOAA administrator Rick Spinrad described the loss of federal coordination as a significant gap in the scientific baseline needed for infrastructure and safety planning in Alaska and beyond.
This move is part of a series of administrative actions affecting government-led climate research. Over the past year, the current administration has modified support for various climate-related centers and reports across federal agencies. The future of the 2026 edition remains uncertain as researchers scramble to organize the necessary analysis without the established federal partnership.