USDA Agrees to Restore Climate Data After Farmers' Lawsuit

Following a lawsuit filed by farmers and environmental groups, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has agreed to restore climate change information that was removed from its websites after President Trump took office. The deleted content included critical resources such as the Climate Risk Viewer, which provides detailed maps on the impacts of climate change on rivers, forests, and rural lands, as well as information on federal funding, clean energy projects, and forest conservation. The restoration process is already underway and expected to be largely completed within two weeks, according to a letter filed by the Department of Justice on behalf of the USDA. Advocates for farmers emphasized that the removal of this data hindered their ability to make informed decisions in the face of increasing climate-related risks like droughts, floods, and wildfires. The USDA’s decision to reinstate the information marks a significant victory for farmers and rural communities who rely on these scientific resources. Legal representatives noted the importance of the data in protecting farms and rural areas, calling the restoration a positive step amid previous resistance from the administration.