The Trump administration has settled into its policy of “don’t look up” when it comes to studying climate change.
On April 8, the Department of Commerce announced the end of three cooperative agreements between NOAA and Princeton University. In justifying the termination of one of them, a climate modeling project involving meteorologist and Nobel laureate Syukuro Manabe, the Department stated:
“This cooperative agreement promotes exaggerated and implausible climate threats, contributing to a phenomenon known as “climate anxiety,” which has increased significantly among America’s youth. Its focus on alarming climate scenarios fosters fear rather than rational, balanced discussion. Additionally, the use of federal funds to support these narratives, including educational initiatives aimed at K-12 students, is misaligned with the administration’s priorities.”
Cutting these programs is not surprising given the administration’s efforts to reverse the nation’s transition to a low-carbon economy. As put so eloquently by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin on March 12, in announcing the EPA’s deregulatory onslaught, “We are driving a dagger straight into the heart of the climate change religion….”
What’s illuminating is the propaganda strategy being used to accompany the administration’s climate and energy policies. Unlike the first Trump administration, this one accepts that climate change is real—the phrase “climate change” is not among the administration’s forbidden phrases. However, the phrase “climate science” is on the administration’s no-no list, as reported by The New York Times. Although the press release from the Department of Commerce is entirely about ending three climate science projects, the phrase “climate science” is never used. In fact, the word “science” doesn’t even make an appearance. So, according to the administration, it’s not about ending climate science work; it’s about ending “narratives” that aren’t good for us, especially for our young people.
We can see that the administration won’t be merely shutting down climate science. It will be trying to pile blame onto those who study and warn about the dangers of climate change. Calling climate change a hoax and discrediting climate scientists is a well-worn strategy. Now that the administration accepts climate change as a real thing, it is tweaking its rhetoric accordingly. Instead of attacking scientists for making stuff up, it will attack them for learning stuff that’s disturbing, and it will attack policymakers, the media, and climate advocates for talking about that disturbing stuff. After all, they’re making kids sick with anxiety!
Will the public buy it? It’s a good time to re-watch Don’t Look Up. Remember how it ends?
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