Today, a federal judge in San Francisco ordered the Trump administration to offer reinstatement to all probationary employees previously fired from the departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Interior, Treasury and Veterans Affairs.
politics
NASA Shutters Offices of Strategy, Chief Scientist, and Diversity
On Monday morning, NASA conducted a reduction in force (RIF) for its Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy (OTPS), Office of the Chief Scientist, and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility branch of the Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity. Scientists at these offices provided strategic insights and analysis on NASA’s partnerships and missions, ensured its science goals align with the administration’s science objectives, and ensured that everyone has the opportunity to contribute to space exploration.
Crowds Stand Up for Science Across the United States
Funding freezes, firings, and censorship have sent shockwaves through the science community since January. Scientists and supporters are standing up in defense.
NOAA Layoffs Include Two Hurricane Hunter Flight Directors
On 27 February, the Trump administration fired hundreds of employees of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Among those fired were two flight directors for NOAA’s Hurricane Hunters, a loss that threatens to worsen the quality of hurricane forecasts ahead of Atlantic hurricane season.
Trump Boasts About Dismantling Environmental and Science Policy
President Trump’s address to Congress touted takedowns of Biden’s initiatives and encouraged fossil fuel expansion but did not acknowledge recent cuts to the federal workforce.
404: Air Quality Data from U.S. Embassies Removed
On 4 March, AirNow, the home of the U.S. Air Quality Index, shut down its webpage that reported data from air quality monitors at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world. Eos learned of the removal of these data from Dan Westervelt, a climate change and pollution scientist at Columbia University’s Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory in Palisades, New York.
The Five States Where Environmental Ballot Initiatives Triumphed
Across the country, voters approved spending billions of dollars on climate resilience and conservation.
Lab to Legislature
More scientists are entering the political arena to help solve the biggest problems of our time.
Hurricane Helene Brings Climate into the Spotlight in Vice Presidential Debate
J. D. Vance and Tim Walz clashed over whether climate change is real and what solutions should look like (and whether they’re needed at all).
How to Get Elected Officials to Support Your Science
Whether as an officeholder or a challenger, the campaign trail is where U.S. candidates are uniquely open to new ideas. As former candidates for office, we have tips for a different kind of outreach.