On January 31, 2025, a sweeping removal of federal websites and datasets began—an alarming shift with far-reaching consequences for critical issues like health, education, workforce development, and more. This erosion of public information is yet another signal of the deepening threat to democracy.
In particular, federal actions to rescind funding for climate and environmental work, slash staffing at key regulatory agencies, and remove critical data sets from public access are having a significant impact on our ability to protect communities and ecosystems. For years, organizations, communities, and even companies—both across the U.S. and globally—have relied on publicly available data sets like the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) EJ Screen, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and United States Department of Agriculture’s climate data, and violation trackers to drive accountability and inform action.
In the absence of this data and federal leadership, we must urgently identify and support new mechanisms that ensure open access to information vital for addressing climate, environmental, and public health challenges. We cannot solve what we do not understand. Please join us for this program where we will spotlight two leaders in the field who are taking distinct but equally essential approaches to data collection, access, and dissemination—efforts that are not only critical to climate and environmental justice but to all the interconnected issues we face today.
Speakers
- Nikhil Swaminathan, CEO, Grist
- Clayton Aldern, Senior Data Reporter, Grist
- Brittany Janis, Executive Director, Open Environmental Data Project
- Valerie Boucard (Moderator), Director of Environmental Justice, Nathan Cummings Foundation
Who should attend?
This program is for funders interested in how experts are addressing disappearing federal data, with a focus on environmental and climate data. However, insights will also be relevant to other areas, including health, education, workforce, and democracy.
What will you learn?
- How environmental experts are working to preserve and relocate critical datasets—and making them more accessible to the communities, organizations, and decision-makers who rely on them.
- Key considerations for redesigning data systems to ensure long-term resilience, especially in the face of changing political landscapes.
- Innovative strategies experts are using to not only make data publicly accessible, but also easier to interpret and apply across different sectors.
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The broader impacts of disappearing environmental data—how its loss threatens public health, the workforce, climate action, and the strength of our democracy.
Registration
Registration is required by September 26th.
Members: To register yourself and/or a colleague at your organization, please log in and click the Register Now link above.
Non-Member Funders: Create an account or log in above and click the Register Now link. If you are a guest of a session collaborator/organizer, please email spasha@philanthropynewyork.org.
Please email spasha@philanthropynewyork.org with any questions.