15 Years

Since 2011, CSLDF has helped climate and other scientists defend against government and institutional censorship, fight industry-funded attacks, and stand up for scientific and climate progress.

Protecting and Defending Science since 2011

We would not have been able to successfully stand alongside scientists without the help of our many supporters, volunteers, and friends over the years. With your help, we have:

As part of our reflections on 15 years of service, we have asked our board members, friends, and long-standing staff for their insights into what they've learned on the frontlines of defending climate science.

The need for the services of CSLDF has remained constant during our 15-year history. While government-based attacks on climate science and climate scientists lessened during administrations supportive of climate action — the Obama and Biden administrations — attacks from other sources continued unabated. As long as the profits of the richest and most powerful industry in world history — the fossil fuel industry — are threatened, these attacks will continue.

Dr. Jeff Masters

Meteorologist & Co-founder, Weather Underground

2011

CSLDF created to help defray the legal costs of an ideologically-motivated lawsuit against climate scientist Dr. Michael Mann.

2014

After Dr. Mann’s legal victory, CSLDF incorporated as a 501(c)(3) with five board members, and hired our first staff member.

2015

CSLDF files its first amicus brief, in support of protecting climate scientists from bad-faith lawsuits.

2016

In response to the first Trump administration, and the rapid growth in the need for our services, launched a new educational series of legal Pocket Guides for scientists.

2017

Hired our first full-time staff attorney to meet the growing demand for our services.

2018

The Silencing Science Tracker, a joint project with the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, launched to document anti-science attacks by the Trump administration.

2020

Model Scientific Integrity Policy launched to help scientists understand how research institutions and federal agencies approach scientific integrity. New, more robust website launched with a comprehensive resource library.

2022

In a growing misinformation environment post pandemic, successfully defended scientist against defamation suit for correcting videos monetizing climate lies.

2025

To meet the ever increasing need from scientists, grew our legal team, adding a second staff attorney and two project attorneys.

2026

New Silencing Science Tracker launched, making it easier to track the second Trump administration’s anti-science efforts.