Farmers will regain access to important climate change data that aids in critical agricultural decisions after a lawsuit prompted the U.S. Agriculture Department to act.
**U.S. Agriculture Department to Reinstate Climate Data After Lawsuit**
**U.S. Agriculture Department to Reinstate Climate Data After Lawsuit**
Officials commit to restoring crucial climate information removed following the Trump administration, benefiting farmers globally.
The Agriculture Department has announced it will restore vital climate change data that was deleted from its website during former President Donald Trump’s administration, a decision that came about as part of a lawsuit filed in February. This data is crucial for farmers who rely on comprehensive climate information to navigate risks such as droughts, heat waves, and wildfires.
The lawsuit was brought forward by the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, in alliance with environmental organizations including the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Environmental Working Group. They claimed the loss of information due to the deletion had a direct negative impact on farmers' ability to make timely and informed decisions related to their agriculture businesses.
In court documents filed on May 12, U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton informed Judge Margaret M. Garnett that the Agriculture Department is actively restoring the deleted content. This includes significant resources on federal funding and loans, conservation efforts, and specifically the “Climate Risk Viewer” of the U.S. Forest Service, which presented interactive maps depicting the potential effects of climate change on national forests.
Clayton indicated that the restoration process is expected to be completed within approximately two weeks, prompting him to request an adjournment of a scheduled hearing originally slated for May 21. He stated that the department would provide a progress report on the restoration efforts after three weeks to discuss future steps in the ongoing litigation.
Jeffrey Stein, an attorney with Earthjustice representing the plaintiffs, expressed relief over the department's acknowledgment of the issue, emphasizing the critical nature of access to climate-related information for farmers and communities nationwide. As the situation evolves, stakeholders await the full reinstatement of vital agricultural resources that could significantly impact their operations.
The lawsuit was brought forward by the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, in alliance with environmental organizations including the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Environmental Working Group. They claimed the loss of information due to the deletion had a direct negative impact on farmers' ability to make timely and informed decisions related to their agriculture businesses.
In court documents filed on May 12, U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton informed Judge Margaret M. Garnett that the Agriculture Department is actively restoring the deleted content. This includes significant resources on federal funding and loans, conservation efforts, and specifically the “Climate Risk Viewer” of the U.S. Forest Service, which presented interactive maps depicting the potential effects of climate change on national forests.
Clayton indicated that the restoration process is expected to be completed within approximately two weeks, prompting him to request an adjournment of a scheduled hearing originally slated for May 21. He stated that the department would provide a progress report on the restoration efforts after three weeks to discuss future steps in the ongoing litigation.
Jeffrey Stein, an attorney with Earthjustice representing the plaintiffs, expressed relief over the department's acknowledgment of the issue, emphasizing the critical nature of access to climate-related information for farmers and communities nationwide. As the situation evolves, stakeholders await the full reinstatement of vital agricultural resources that could significantly impact their operations.
