Climate Science Legal Defense Fund

@csldf.org

7276 Followers 539 Following

The Climate Science Legal Defense Fund protects the scientific endeavor. Email lawyer@csldf.org if you’re a scientist in need of free legal advice.

Photograph of four people with raised fists, one of whom has a megaphone. Text overlay reads "Climate Science Legal Defense Fund 2026 Summer Match Announcement"

Header image for the Silencing Science Tracker database

Infographic of 2025 by the numbers. Summary: CSLDF helped 71 scientists with free legal help, logged 136 attacks on science in the Silencing Science Tracker, educated thousands with our workshops and free resources.

CSLDF's 2025 Impact Report

Screenshot of our March 3rd post calling out the current administration for firing federal scientists and how that will harm all of us, even the rich and powerful.

Screenshot from the Silencing Science Tracker. Headline: "HHS Secretary Makes Misleading Claims about Measles Vaccine, Touts Alternative Treatments

Screenshot of the first-ever Silencing Science Tracker entry titled "References to 'Climate Change' Removed from CDC Website"

Graphic of three scientists with oversized books and lab equipment. Text overlay reads "Scientists: Check out our library of free pocket guides on topics like the First Amendment, handling political & legal harassment, engaging with legislators, & much more."

Graphic of a raised fist holding the scales of justice. Text overlay reads "February Newsletter: Giving up is not an option."

Graphic of a man unrolling tape from across the mouth of an oversized head. Text overlay reads "Scientists: Find out how the 1st Amendment can protect you as you advocate for science"

Photo of people at a climate rally holding pro-science placards. Text overlay reads "Number of researchers CSLDF has helped per year:" above three circles of increasing size. The circles say "2022: 42; 2023: 54; 2024: 64," respectively.

Photo of lots of people at a pro-science rally. Text overlay reads "Scientists: Learn how to speak out for science safely and effectively"

Photo of a climate rally with a young Black woman shouting into a megaphone. Text overlay reads "Your support powers our work. Thank you for standing with us in support of climate science."

Graphic of two male silhouettes, one whose speech bubble has teeth and is about to eat the other's. Text overlay reads "Scientists: Learn how to prepare for politically or ideologically motivated challenges to your work."

Graphic of a silhouette of Trump's head from the side. Text overlay reads "January Newsletter: He's back."

Photo of a male scientist in a marshy area measuring water levels. Text overlay reads "In 2024, we helped more scientists facing anti-science attacks and harassment than ever. Help us continue to help them."

Graphic of a silhouette of Trump's head from the side. Text overlay reads "January Newsletter: He's back."

Photo of a climate rally with a young Black woman speaking into a megaphone in front of many people holding signs. Text overlay reads "Scientists: Learn how to engage safely & effectively in political advocacy."

Photo of several scientists at a large conference room table with laptops and cups of coffee. Text overlay reads "Scientists: Our mission is to support your mission. If you have a legal question related to your work or advocacy, contact us for free help."

Photo of a male scientist in a marshy area measuring water levels. Text overlay reads "In 2024, we helped more scientists facing anti-science attacks and harassment than ever. Help us continue to help them."

Photo of a scientist in protective gear (bib overalls, hooded shirt, and respirator) taking a water sample near an industrial site. Text overlay reads "We've tracked 550 attempts (& counting) to interfere with the critical research scientists are doing in climate change, public health, and more."

Photo of a pro-climate rally with a young Black woman shouting into a bullhorn. Text overlay reads "Get CSLDF alerts & information. Sign up for our monthly newsletter & get updates about the ongoing fight to protect science."

Photo of a pro-science rally with a young Black woman shouting into a megaphone. Text overlay reads "Your support powers our work. Thank you for standing with us in support of climate science."

Photo of a male scientist in a marshy area measuring water levels. Text overlay reads "In 2024, we helped more scientists facing anti-science attacks and harassment than ever. Help us continue to help them."

Photo of a male scientist in a marshy area measuring water levels. Text overlay reads "In 2024, we helped more scientists facing anti-science attacks and harassment than ever. Help us continue to help them."

Photo of a pro-science climate rally with a young Black woman yelling into a megaphone. Text overlay reads "2024 was quite a year. We are pausing to reflect on the many substantial wins for science & scientists."

Photo of people at a climate rally holding pro-science placards. Text overlay reads "Number of researchers CSLDF has helped per year:" above three circles of increasing size. The circles say "2022: 42; 2023: 54; 2024: 64," respectively.

Photo of a sunset through trees that have dropped their leaves for the winter, with snow on the ground and some of the trees. Text overlay reads "December Newsletter: Reflecting on 2024"

Photo of a sunset through trees that have dropped their leaves for the winter, with snow on the ground and some of the trees. Text overlay reads "December Newsletter: Reflecting on 2024"

Photo of a stressed out looking young Black woman pressing her fingertips into the bridge of her nose. Text reads "Facing invasive FOIA demands? If you have a legal question related to your work or advocacy, contact us for free help."

Photo of several scientists sitting at a large conference table with laptops and coffee cups. Text reads "Scientists: Our mission is to support your mission. If you have a legal question related to your work or advocacy, contact us for free help."

Photo of a male scientist wearing a collared shirt and tie, lab coat, and latex gloves holding his hands up and yelling at the sky. Text overlay reads "We're at AGU! Laugh / cry / hurl (or not) with fellow scientists & CSLDF as we discuss how to protect science."

Photo of a scientist in protective gear (bib overalls, hooded shirt, and respirator) taking a water sample near an industrial site. Text overlay reads "We've tracked 550 attempts (& counting) to interfere with the critical research scientists are doing in climate change, public health, and more.a

Picture of a statue of Lady Justice with a blindfold and holding a set of scales in an upraised hand and a sword by her side. Text overlay reads "Are you an attorney? Work with us!"

Graphic of a laptop with email, chat, and video player icons on and around it. Text overlay reads "Learn how to more safely express personal views & engage in activism online."

Photo of CSLDF Attorney Chris Marchesano in front of a poster at AGU 2023. Text overlay reads "We're at AGU! Join us for free legal advice, plus sessions on scientific activism and ways to promote science."

Photo of Chris Marchesano posing with arms outstretched in front of a presentation projected on a screen. Text overlay reads "We're at AGU! Free legal advice for scientists; Open discussion: scientific neutrality and career risks of activism; navigating new frontiers of scientific advocacy; promoting science by serving as an expert witness"

Photo of two scientists, one sitting and one standing, bundled up and looking out over a snowy and icy landscape. Text reads "Scientists: We've got your back. If you're experiencing harassment because of your research or advocacy, contact us for free legal help."

Photo of the Capitol building with a textured overlay. Text reads "We are in this together. Whatever January brings, CSLDF is ready."

Text graphic that reads "We are facing the most anti-climate, anti-science administration in history." with a screenshot of a Guardian story titled "Climate denial a unifying theme of Trump's cabinet picks, experts say. Loyalists selected for important roles have offered staunch support to fossil fuels and downplayed climate crisis."

Graphic of a man unrolling tape from across the mouth of an oversized head. Text overlay reads "Scientists: Find out how the 1st Amendment can protect you as you advocate for science"

Photo of a group of scientists sitting around a conference table with laptops and coffee cups. Text reads "Scientists: Our mission is to support your mission. If you have a legal question related to your work or advocacy, contact us for free help."

Photo of two scientists hiking through a snowy landscape with packs and walking poles. Logos for the Sabin Center and CSLDF and decorative elements overlaid. Text reads "Silencing Science Tracker"

Gif with a photo of a scientist in the distance climbing up snowy terrain. Text reads "Climate scientists face abuse and harassment for their critical work. Help us help them."

Photo of a diverse group of people at a climate rally with signs reading "Real climate action now!" and "There is no Planet B." Text overlay reads "Scientists: Learn how to engage safely and effectively in political advocacy."