Climate.us: The Successor to Climate.gov
Climate.us is a nonprofit successor to Climate.gov that offers clear, local climate data and plain-language guides for citizens, teachers, and planners.
Quick answer: What is Climate.us?
Climate.us is a new nonprofit that will take on the public role once held by Climate.gov. It aims to give clear, trustworthy climate data and plain-language guides so people, teachers, planners, and journalists can understand local and global climate risks and take action.
Why this matters
Reliable climate data helps communities plan for heat, floods, drought, and wildfires. Scientists estimate global average surface temperature has risen about 1.1°C since the late 1800s. That rise changes storm patterns and local weather, so having easy access to data matters for safety, building, and everyday choices.
Who will use Climate.us?
- Students and teachers looking for clear sources for school projects.
- City planners checking flood or heat risks for future projects.
- Journalists verifying numbers for stories on extreme weather.
- Homeowners wanting to understand long-term risks to their property.
How is Climate.us different from Climate.gov?
Short answer: Climate.us is a nonprofit successor designed to be independent, user-friendly, and action-oriented. Below is an easy comparison table to show the main differences.
| Feature | Climate.gov (legacy) | Climate.us (successor) |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Government (NOAA) | Independent nonprofit |
| Mission | Public climate information | Public climate literacy + practical action |
| User focus | Researchers, public | Everyone: teachers, planners, citizens |
| Data access | Raw data and tools | Raw data + simpler dashboards and guides |
| Politics | Government-run | Mission-driven and immune to politics |
What you can do with Climate.us
Climate.us aims to close three common gaps: the Actionability Gap, the Translation Gap, and the Hyper-Local Gap. Here are concrete uses:
- Find a sea level rise projection map for Miami or other coastal cities.
- Download a wildfire risk map for my area to support local planning.
- Get region-specific trends like climate data for California 2025 to guide infrastructure choices.
Step-by-step: How to use it for a local question
- Go to the Climate.us homepage.
- Open the data portal link or map dashboard (prominent on the site).
- Search your city or county name, or type your address if available.
- Pick the hazard you care about: heat, flood, drought, or wildfire.
- Read the plain-language summary and download the data if you need it for a report.
Tips for non-experts
- Start with the plain-language summaries before digging into raw data.
- Use the downloadable community checklists to plan simple actions.
- If a number looks surprising, check the date and the scenario (near-term vs. end-of-century).
Limitations and how to use the data safely
Climate models and projections are tools, not predictions. They show possible futures under different emission paths. Use them to compare risks, not to guess the exact weather. For building permits or emergency planning, always combine Climate.us data with local professional advice and official regulatory sources.
Example questions Climate.us helps answer
- "Will my neighborhood flood more often in 2050?" — Use local flood projection maps and a plain summary to understand likely changes.
- "Is it safe to plant a new orchard here?" — Check future temperature and drought trends for your county.
- "How has our region changed this decade?" — Look up recent trend graphs and short explainers.
How Climate.us helps teachers and students
Teachers can find easy-to-read summaries, classroom-ready charts, and data sets for projects. Students get trusted sources for citations when they need where to find reliable climate data for school work.
How journalists and planners can use it
- Reporters can verify numbers, link to source dashboards, and use plain summaries for readers.
- Planners can download projection tables and maps to test designs and policies.
FAQ
Is Climate.us the same as NOAA data?
Climate.us will provide access to many official data sets, including those from NOAA, but it aims to present them in clearer, more usable ways. Think of it as a translator and tool-builder on top of trusted sources.
Can I download raw data?
Yes. Climate.us plans to offer both user-friendly dashboards and raw data downloads or APIs for advanced users.
Is the site political?
No. As a nonprofit, Climate.us states it will be mission-driven and independent. Its goal is public climate literacy and fair access to information.
One data point and a practical tip
Data point: Global surface temperature is about 1.1°C warmer than late 1800s averages.
Practical implication: Even a small average rise can mean more hot days and stronger storms in your area. Use local dashboards on Climate.us to see what that rise looks like for your town.
Next steps for readers
- Try a quick search on Climate.us for your town or county.
- Save the plain-language summary for local meetings or school projects.
- Share a map or chart with neighbors to start a local climate conversation.
Climate.us is designed to make environmental data more useful and easier to understand. It picks up where Climate.gov left off and aims to help people turn numbers into action and better choices.
Dr. Verde leads climate research initiatives and translates complex environmental science into actionable insights. Published researcher with expertise in carbon cycle modeling and renewable energy systems.
