Washington Cuts Ties with Key Arctic Report; 'No Justification Given'

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has unexpectedly ceased its support for the annual Arctic Report Card, a publication that has served as a vital source of data on the Arctic's environmental conditions for two decades. The decision raises serious questions about the future of this year's report, which is typically released in December. Rick Thoman, the lead editor for this year's report, confirmed that those involved were informed of NOAA's decision on Monday. "During a phone call yesterday with NOAA, we were informed that, effective immediately, the agency is ending all support for the Arctic Report Card," Thoman stated in an interview with 'The Hill.' He emphasized that no reason or justification was provided for this abrupt withdrawal of support. The Arctic Report Card, first published in 2006, offers a comprehensive overview of the Arctic environment, covering aspects such as ecosystems, the atmosphere, and oceans. Zack Labe, a co-author of several chapters in recent years, described it as a fundamental resource for both decision-makers and the public, focusing on year-over-year changes in Arctic data. The withdrawal of NOAA's support, initially reported by 'Politico,' casts significant doubt on whether the 2024 edition can be completed. "We are frantically trying to find a way to make this year's report happen," Thoman said, expressing the urgency and difficulty of the situation. "We will try to do everything we can to get it published in December. Given that it's already August, this will be very difficult, but we will try." Thoman explained that while much of the work on the report is done voluntarily by its authors, NOAA provided essential organizational and technical assistance, including graphics creation, publication formatting, and review process coordination. Without this support, the team must find alternative solutions to maintain the report's established standards of quality and reliability. NOAA representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment from 'The Hill.' However, the agency confirmed to CNN that it would no longer coordinate the report's preparation, though it stated it would continue to collect and publish its own data. Last year, NOAA still published the Arctic Report Card on its website, underscoring the sudden nature of this year's decision.

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During a phone call yesterday with NOAA, we were informed that, effective immediately, the agency is ending all support for the Arctic Report Card.