With a goal of making the latest research in Earth and space science more discoverable, the American Geophysical Union (AGU) recently conducted a contest that awarded cash prizes to Earth and space scientists and software developers who found the most interesting new ways to visualize scientific papers, presentations, and data presented at AGU’s annual Fall … Read more
Earth and space scientists work in key positions throughout the federal government. As civil servants, atmospheric scientists at NOAA, seismologists at the USGS, and hydrologists at the EPA– and frankly all other agency scientists – work to help fulfill their agencies’ missions and safeguard the health, economy, and security of all Americans. That’s why it’s … Read more
On 21 August, 2017, a solar eclipse swept across North America. Many AGU members were observing this wonder of our universe using everything from cutting-edge instruments to cardboard glasses ordered online. How different the faces studying the geophysics are now than they were in 1878 when Maria Mitchell of Vassar College was explicitly not invited … Read more
President Trump campaigned as a proponent of technological innovation and development. Yet his proposed fiscal year (FY) 2018 budget slashes funding for research programs at the Department of Energy (DOE). Congress isn’t bound to follow the President’s proposed budget, but last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the FY2018 Energy and Water Appropriations bill, … Read more
“We need to tell that story,” said my Senator, after I told him how NOAA’s Sea Grant Program budget is only $73 million/yr, even though it helps hundreds of communities to prepare for hurricanes and storm surges and manage coastlines1. I suspected that he would be a strong supporter of science, but I didn’t realize … Read more
Across the United States, local leaders are stepping up their commitment to climate adaptation and mitigation. In addition to our public voice about the urgent need to address climate change, AGU, working with U.S. Global Change Research Program and many other partners, is honored to support those local leaders through the Resilience Dialogues. At the … Read more
The congressional appropriations processes for FY 18 – in which both the House of Representatives and the Senate decide how to allocate funds among all federal agencies, is beginning in earnest. Your voice and participation advancing the value of science is needed more than ever. There is no better time to do this than in … Read more
Earlier today, the Trump administration announced plans for the U.S. to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. Eric Davidson, Robin Bell, and I published a related article in Eos as a response to President Trump’s decision. You can read that article here. AGU also issued the following media statement in which I said the following: When signed … Read more
As you may have heard, Congress recently passed a bipartisan omnibus spending bill (H.R. 244) to fund the federal government for the remainder of fiscal year 2017, which ends on 30 September 2017. Overall the bill provides relatively flat funding for the NSF, roughly two percent increases for NASA and USGS, and a nearly two … Read more
Editor’s Note: This week, we’ll be sharing reflections on the March for Science from AGU leaders. This is part two of three. Click here for part one and part three. As I stepped onto the train to Washington, D.C., I immediately sensed a palpable science vibe throughout the train. In the café car, the tables were … Read more