I have long been a fan of Dr. Matthew Wielicki, who left higher education because of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at universities. [some emphasis, links added]
I reported on his escape from the toxic academic environment in 2023.
“Dr. Matthew M. Wielicki is an assistant professor of geology at the University of Alabama.
“Or, rather was, until he became tired of battling the ideological capture of geology and climatology.
“….This man is a talented, passionate educator and researcher. His departure is likely only one of many similar losses throughout this country, as talented men and women opt to pursue something not as soul-draining as trying to make a living in woke academia. Ultimately, our nation will be poorer, less prosperous, and less secure as a result.”
He describes himself as a “professor in exile”. He has since become a prominent voice in the push-back against narrative-based science, running a blog called Irrational Fear and amassing a substantial following on social media.
Wielicki’s pursuit of excellence in science caught the attention of the Trump administration. He has now been appointed Director of the United States Global Change Research Program (USGCRP).
Progressives, globalists, and those invested in climate cultism are hardest hit. This is how Politico covered this development, attempting to deride Wielicki as a “climate critic”.
“The Trump administration has reconstituted a governmentwide program that tracks how climate change is transforming the country, after having gutted it last year as part of a purge of programs that didn’t line up with its worldview.
“The U.S. Global Change Research Program is now headed by Matthew Wielicki, a former University of Alabama geochemist, according to his public postings on social media and confirmed by a second person familiar with the program, granted anonymity over fears of reprisal.
“…Reached by phone, Wielicki, who has been soliciting ideas on X for what he should include in the next version of the assessment, said he’d like to speak about his work but only if the White House allows. The White House did not make him available for an interview, but sent a statement.
“‘For too long, the USGCRP has been used as a vehicle for political agendas instead of sound science,’ a White House spokesperson said in a statement. ‘We look forward to restoring the USGCRP and ensuring it fulfills its legal mandate.'”
Legal Insurrection readers may recall my previous work on the USGCRP, which was established in 1990. USGCRP coordinates federal climate and environmental research across more than a dozen agencies.
It is responsible for producing the National Climate Assessment (NCA), a comprehensive report released every four years that details how climate change affects American infrastructure, public health, land productivity, water resources, flood risks, and the broader economy.
That document underpins a great deal of policy, and about one year ago, the Trump administration booted out 400 climate cultists who were involved in this assessment.
Five more credible professionals replaced them.
“Instead of waiting until 2027, Energy Secretary Chris Wright commissioned a new climate assessment report that is entitled, “A Critical Review of Impacts of Greenhouse Gas Emissions on the U.S. Climate.” It is a thoughtful, balanced work that reviews both the science and economics behind “climate change.”
“The document also references studies that suggest that the economic impact of carbon dioxide-induced warming may be less severe than promoted by the media and activist climate ‘scientists,’ and notes that aggressive climate mitigation efforts could potentially do more harm than good. Finally, it notes that U.S. policy measures are expected to have minimal effects on global climate.
“And the best part? The entire document will be authored by a five-member team, including: Dr. John Christy (climatologist), Dr. Judith Curry (climatologist), Dr. Steven Koonin (theoretical physicist), Dr. Ross McKitrick (economist) and Dr. Roy Spencer (meteorologist and climate scientist).”
I join Secretary of Energy Chris Wright in his sentiment: I welcome the new era where data, not rhetoric, is the arbiter of truth.
“Matt Weilicki is an honest scientist who follows the data wherever it leads. That is what science is all about. He will lead our efforts to honestly present the empirical climate data to guide policy makers.
“Sadly, too much of the mainstream climate community has focused on a scary narrative that is inconsistent with actual climate data, leading so many astray like reporters at Politico.
“I welcome the new era where data, not rhetoric, is the arbiter of truth. Growing the government, increasing energy prices, and scaring children will no longer be the goal. Science will be the goal.”
Wielicki’s appointment signals a course correction toward true scientific rigor and away from narrative-driven alarmism.
If the USGCRP returns to its statutory mission, which focuses on objective assessment grounded in transparent data and reproducible analysis, the American people will be far better served, and public trust in scientists may begin to recover.
Real climate science does not fear scrutiny, and under Wielicki’s leadership, it finally won’t have to.
Read more at Legal Insurrection
