Inclusion Limps at NOAA, but Diversity and Equity are Dead

So far, the Trump administration has not messed with NOAA’s mission statement, but below is some of the butchering done to NOAA’s Core Values:

NOAA’s Core Values: Inclusion. Innovation. Integrity.

The service NOAA provides to the nation relies first and foremost on our workforce. We prioritize the safety and wellbeing of our employees. We recognize inclusion, innovation and integrity are the bedrock values that connect our people with our mission of science, service and stewardship. We lead by example in holding ourselves accountable to the policies and positions we’ve set across these three shared values.

Inclusion: We embody a culture of equity that embraces diversity, differing abilities and fair and respectful treatment.

Our organization benefits from a variety of perspectives, experiences and skills. By bridging our diverse knowledge, tools and capacities, we create a whole that’s greater than the sum of its parts. An inclusive environment that fosters both community and collaboration as we share responsibility to advance all of NOAA’s priorities.

At NOAA, we act compassionately, celebrate diversity and recognize our common humanity. We recognize that when people bring their authentic selves to work, they’re able to reach their fullest potential. To that end, among our employees, collaborators and customers, we work to advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility. See our Equity Commitment.

As for the “Equity Commitment” referred to in the final, struck, sentence, well, it’s gone, as is NOAA’s “Environmental Justice” web page. Back in January, 2025, NOAA’s now defunct Equity Commitment read as follows:

Equity Commitment

As the Nation’s premier agency for climate science and data, we recognize that the impacts of climate change are disproportionately felt by historically under-resourced communities and communities of color. We believe that equitable access to the most accurate and reliable climate data will serve to fortify and build climate resilience for all communities. NOAA is committed to ensuring access to and usability of our products, services, tools and resources for all people and communities. In so doing, NOAA will make equity central to every facet of our mission of science, service, and stewardship from our strategic priorities to our daily operations and practices.

This commitment begins within our own organization. We welcome difficult conversations and continuous learning that make ours an inclusive and desirable workplace. Through critical examination of policies, processes, and practices that drive our internal culture and external engagements we will ensure that science, stewardship, and service are the ethos we live up to for all Americans.

To do this work well, we will build upon established progress and focus on developing authentic relationships through sustainable community engagement. We will honor local, traditional, and Indigenous knowledge,  treaty and trust responsibilities to tribes, and center the needs of under-resourced communities. Finally, in partnership, we will co-design, co-develop, and co-produce science and resources that address the unique needs of those communities to realize greater service equity.