Science Official Fired by Trump Tells Us How to Resist Climate Change Denial

Bossert's statement half-suggests progress and a sliver of hope; it was the first time climate change had been addressed since the hurricanes hit. But Bossert's syntax was dubious, seemingly suggesting climate change impacts and causes are easily separable.

The statement reflects a sentiment that's been pervasive in the Trump administration's approach to environmental policy. With Harvey having dumped a record-breaking 19 trillion gallons of rainwater, Irma forcing the largest evacuations in Florida history and Barbuda losing 95 percent of its buildings, Americans anxiously await a presidential decision to scurry past an acquired reputation as a global pariah in climate change action.

Climate scientist Richard Moss was the chairman of the Federal Advisory Committee for the Sustained U.S. National Climate Assessment (NCA), a 15-member team of academics, corporate representatives and local officials that was tasked with decoding government climate data into actionable information before Trump dismantled it last month.

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"I take that to mean that even the White House is looking at observations and saying something is happening, but that they're continuing to be cagey or non-committal about the cause," Richard Moss told VICE Impact. "But I think even that is significant because if this White House is now saying they see climate changing for whatever cause, that's already a step in the right direction."

Following the president's heavy-handed non-renewal decision, two years of comprehensive extreme weather research have gone up in smoke. And without this research, government entities will be hard pressed when it comes to making decisions on how to protect communities from weather-related hazards.

"There are going to be environmental injustices and other impacts that grow out of this situation. Often times, it's people who have the least access to resources who are going to be the most affected," Moss said. "So how can we help them get access to what they'll need in order to better prepare? That research isn't going to be available now."

The short-sightedness of the termination hasn't changed the team's commitment to finishing their recommendations. Moss says they will continue their research and have begun reaching out to state and local groups and NGOs to discuss future collaborations.

Populations living in disadvantaged communities, people of color and low-income families, often are the ones most adversely affected by extreme climate events. The clear link between income and climate-related tragedies is a sad irony, reflected in the research showing those who contribute least to climate change, suffer the worst from its effects.

Moss's interest in these environmental injustices has brought him to think about ways individuals can take action against climate change, both on a state and local level.

"In terms of what people can do, one of the things I'm particularly interested in seeing happen is, how can people in communities look out for one another," Moss said. "I think something people who are in those situations can do is start to look out for more vulnerable members of the community, and ensuring they're being taken care of."

Without the government implementing proactive policies to address not only global warming concerns, but also its disproportionate impact on socially and economically disadvantaged people, Moss says the responsibility to help each other could be inherited by the community members.

But beyond even this, a potential solution to the elusive problem of climate change inaction may exist right in the pocket of your jeans.

"Another thing I think can be valuable is for people in these communities to start documenting the impacts and consequences they're feeling, pointing people to resources and then advocating for states and local groups to provide services when those are lacking," Moss said.

Technology has established a new wave of democracy; one where the average person is now able to personally hold power to account. Citizen journalism and the use of smartphone cameras as a means of documenting local injustices could serve to pressure policymakers to act.

Take action on climate change in your community. Ask your town's mayor to support a 100 percent clean, renewable energy future and add their name to the "Ready For 100% Clean Energy" endorsement letter.