Rebecca Lindsey, former program manager of Climate.gov, announced the launch of Climate.us last month, aiming to preserve vital climate science resources. This initiative follows the Trump administration's closure of Climate.gov, which had served as a critical platform for climate education for over 15 years. Lindsey and her team were motivated by concerns over the loss of accessible climate information.
Background on Climate.gov and Its Closure
Climate.gov was a significant resource for teachers, policymakers, and the public, providing clear information on climate change. Lindsey expressed her frustration, stating, "I couldn’t stand the thought of it all being thrown away." The site was shuttered as part of an executive order aimed at restoring scientific integrity, yet it ironically led to a loss of critical climate resources.
After the closure, Lindsey and her former colleagues convened to discuss the potential for an independent site. They successfully launched Climate.us, which seeks not only to restore the old content but also to continuously update it with new materials vetted by scientists.
Growth and Reach of Climate.us
Since its launch, Climate.us has garnered approximately 800,000 page views within two weeks, a promising start compared to the old site, which averaged about 1 million views per month. The new platform aims to engage the public by providing up-to-date visuals, explainers, and FAQs about climate science, ensuring the information remains relevant.
