Environmental groups sue Trump administration over shutdown of climate and pollution data tools

The Biden-era online tools used to identify pollution and climate risks in vulnerable communities were removed without explanation, prompting a federal lawsuit by environmental and advocacy organizations.

Georgina Gustin reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

• A coalition of environmental organizations filed a federal lawsuit this week to restore six government websites removed by the Trump administration, including tools developed to support Justice40 and map pollution burdens in marginalized areas.
• The lawsuit targets agencies including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Department of Transportation, arguing that the removals violate federal transparency obligations and will hinder informed public engagement and policy decisions.
• Experts warn that losing these tools freezes critical data at 2025 levels, obstructing the evaluation of federal climate investments and future efforts to mitigate environmental injustice.

Key quote:

“It’s hugely devastating to see these tools removed — the public has a right to this information.”

— Darya Minovi, senior analyst, Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists

Why this matters:

Public access to government environmental data plays a crucial role in holding polluters accountable, shaping responsive policy, and empowering communities to advocate for their health and safety. Tools like the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool and EJScreen help identify places most burdened by pollution, heat, flooding, and other hazards — data that can influence everything from where to direct clean energy funding to how to enforce environmental regulations. When these tools disappear, so does the public's ability to use timely, reliable information to safeguard their air, water, and health. Even if future administrations restore the tools, the lapse in data creates gaps in the record, making it harder to learn from past investments and adapt to future climate threats.

Read more: EPA move to end climate emissions tracking leaves public in the dark