07/13/2026
"For decades, Climate.gov was the go-to resource that translated complex climate science data into accessible public information — until the Trump administration shut down the NOAA’s official climate information website last year.
Rebecca Lindsey, who had been Climate.gov’s program manager since 2023, became one of the roughly 280,000 federal workers to lose their jobs after the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, took aim at diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and scientific-focused fields.
She knew something had to be done.
Lindsey joined forces with former NOAA employees Anna Eshelman, and Mary Lindsey, her older sister, to become the core team behind the deactivated site’s successor, Climate.us, preserving over 15 years of key climate data and resources.
The trove features key maps, educational materials and climate indicator reports, including the now-deleted Fifth National Climate Assessment, the government’s most comprehensive analysis of climate change that was at risk of being lost to the public.
Lindsey told The 19th that the venture came out of a need for more science-backed climate information.
'It’s not a pretty picture for climate communication and climate journalism right now,' Lindsey said. 'We just felt like it was really important that there be a mature, robust, comprehensive online platform to serve as a hub.'
She said that after a non-peer-reviewed Department of Energy report created by a panel of climate denialists published last summer, it raised alarms among NOAA employees about what could happen to Climate.gov. Federal courts later deemed the convening of the panelists unlawful. She said that the former Climate.gov, which is now rerouted to NOAA.gov, remains vulnerable to political influence.
Since its June 23 launch, Climate.us has raised more than $400,000 through a mix of crowd funding and individual donations. Lindsey said that while there’s uncertainty ahead for the long run, it is enough to keep the project running until early 2027." -- Jenae Barnes, The 19th
To see their website Climate.us and support their efforts, visit https://www.climate.us/
To read more about how these mighty women rebuilt the dismantled federal climate website, visit https://19thnews.org/2026/07/noaa-climate-data-website
For books for children and teens about the importance of standing up for truth, decency, and justice, even in dark times, visit our blog post, "Dissent Is Patriotic: 50 Books About Women Who Fought for Change," at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=14364
For books about Mighty Girls and women fighting for our planet, visit our blog post "Women Saving the Planet: 25 Kids' Books About Female Environmentalists" at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=14831
For Mighty Girl stories to share with children about protecting the environment, visit our collection of the "Top Children's Books about the Environment" at https://www.amightygirl.com/mighty-girl-picks/top-children-s-books-on-the-environment
And to introduce children and teens to more inspiring female scientists who have changed the world, visit our blog post, "Ignite Her Curiosity: 60 Books to Inspire Science-Loving Mighty Girls," at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=13914
