John J. Cullen
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johncullenocean.bsky.social
John J. Cullen
@johncullenocean.bsky.social
4K followers 49 following 20 posts

Professor Emeritus in Oceanography, Dalhousie University. ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿงช๐ŸŒŠ I've spent a long time trying to understand and explain how the ocean works.

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Environmental science 44%
Geology 22%
Posts Replies Media Videos

Reposted by Katharine Hayhoe, Kelly R. Zamudio, John J. Cullen , and 2 more

jeffreymphd.bsky.social
Jeffrey M @jeffreymphd.bsky.social ยท 18d
Her sister wrote my favorite essay about her. She points out that RF would have been famous even if she'd never looked at DNA

www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Remembering my sister Rosalind Franklin
Rosalind Franklin died of ovarian cancer in 1958 aged 37 years. Sympathy and feminism have combined to give us her familiar image as a downtrodden woman scientist, brilliant but neglected, a heroine t...
www.thelancet.com

johncullenocean.bsky.social
John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social ยท Sep 21
The question about additionality stands, but more importantly, what about the foundational assumptions: 1) All of the carbon in oyster biomass is sequestered from the atmosphere for decades (false - it is respired), and 2) All of the sedimented organic carbon is permanently buried (evidence?).

johncullenocean.bsky.social
John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social ยท Sep 17
๐ŸŒŠ Post from Jay Cullen took me to the PNAS article on oyster farming as mCDR. Seems that farmed oyster biomass is counted as sequestered carbon for climate change mitigation. No mention of what happens to oyster carbon after we eat it. Maybe I read it wrong.

www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

Reposted by John J. Cullen

davidho.bsky.social
David Ho @davidho.bsky.social ยท Jan 12
I knew that Haber-Bosch uses 1% of the worldโ€™s energy to produces fixed nitrogen needed for food production, without which 2-3 billion people would starve to death. But I didnโ€™t know the whole story. Thanks to @pauldauenhauer.bsky.social for the book recommendation.
The Alchemy of Air by Thomas Hager: 9780307351791 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books
A sweeping history of tragic genius, cutting-edge science, and the Haber-Bosch discovery that changed billions of livesโ€”including your own. At the dawn of the twentieth century, humanity was facing....
www.penguinrandomhouse.com

Reposted by John J. Cullen

aslo.org
Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography @aslo.org ยท Feb 24
Save the date! The Ocean Sciences Meeting is coming to Glasgow, Scotland, 22-27 Feb 2026โ€”the first OSM outside the US! ๐ŸŒ Join scientists, students, journalists, & more to grow our global ocean community, foster partnerships & build a sustainable future. #OSM26 @agu.org @tosoceanography.bsky.social

Reposted by John J. Cullen

thenarwhal.ca
The Narwhal @thenarwhal.ca ยท Mar 6
We've been hearing a lot about potash lately โ€” the massive Canadian export in the eye of the U.S. tariff storm. Wondering what it is? We've got you covered: thenarwhal.ca/potash-us-ta...
What is potash? A Canadian export at centre of U.S. tariffs | The Narwhal
Everything you need to know about potash as Canada - U.S. tariff talks put this critical mineral big in Saskatchewan in focus
thenarwhal.ca

Reposted by John J. Cullen

scottdoney.bsky.social
Scott Doney @scottdoney.bsky.social ยท Apr 29
Huge thanks to the many teachers, mentors, colleagues, postdocs & students who have supported my science career

#UVA @usocb.bsky.social @whoi.edu @ncar-ucar.bsky.social @ucsandiego.bsky.social @sea1971.bsky.social @nasagoddard.bsky.social
www.nasonline.org/news/2025-na...
National Academy of Sciences Elects Members and International Members - NAS
WASHINGTON โ€” The National Academy of Sciences announced today the election of 120 members and 30 international members in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original res...
www.nasonline.org

johncullenocean.bsky.social
John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social ยท May 30
The arguments about uncertain global effects and limited efficacy have been supported by others for years.

One more thing: if harmful blooms or hypoxic fish kills happen anywhere that is influenced by OIF, legal fingers will point, deservedly or not.

Who will underwrite liability insurance?
๐ŸŒŠ
Slide illustrating a fish kill off Oregon in 2002. It had nothing to do with OIF. Sinking carbon from ocean fertilization decomposes at depth, reducing concentrations of oxygen. (Picture of fish kill) If a hypoxic event like this happens again, who or what is to blame? Can it be proved?

Reposted by Nando Sigona, Bernhard Steinberger, John J. Cullen

esqueer.net
Alejandra Caraballo @esqueer.net ยท May 22
Trump just revoked the ability for foreign students to enroll at Harvard. Every foreign student, which is in the thousands, enrolled for next year at Harvard will not be able to continue studying if this isn't challenged in court.

www.nytimes.com/2025/05/22/u...
Trump Administration Halts Harvardโ€™s Ability to Enroll International Students
www.nytimes.com

johncullenocean.bsky.social
John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social ยท May 22
Congratulations to Philip Boyd FRS!

FYI, he is a leading expert on marine CDR. His publications have revealed what we know, what we donโ€™t, and what we must learn and do before proceeding with ocean manipulations.

Essential science that can cut through hype.

๐ŸŒŠ๐Ÿงช

www.utas.edu.au/about/news-a...
Carbon, climate, and a Royal honour: Professor Boyd recognised for ocean science leadership
www.utas.edu.au

Reposted by John J. Cullen

davidimiller.bsky.social
Dr. David Miller ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆ @davidimiller.bsky.social ยท May 9
๐Ÿšจ Breaking: NSF faces radical shake-up as officials abolish its 37 divisions

1๏ธโƒฃ Removes/demotes division director leaders

2๏ธโƒฃ Forced layoff notices to NSF staff going out tonight

3๏ธโƒฃ More grant terminations expected tomorrow

One glimmer of hope: the 8 directorates appear to be staying
Exclusive: NSF faces radical shake-up as officials abolish its 37 divisions
Changes seen as a response to presidential directives on what research to fund
www.science.org

Reposted by John J. Cullen

sjcfishy.bsky.social
Steven J Cooke @sjcfishy.bsky.social ยท May 9
Does this scare you like it scares me? www.fda.gov/news-events/...
FDA Announces Completion of First AI-Assisted Scientific Review Pilot and Aggressive Agency-Wide AI Rollout Timeline
FDA announced an aggressive timeline to scale AI across all centers by June 30.
www.fda.gov

Reposted by John J. Cullen

davidho.bsky.social
David Ho @davidho.bsky.social ยท May 2
I was in the process of hiring a postdoc, so this severely affects her career because now she has to look for something else. It also means I can't pay my existing people, can't buy supplies for the lab, and can't travel. Every NSF-funded researcher will be in the same boat soon.

Reposted by Helen Tagerโ€Flusberg, Koen Frenken, Michael D. Petraglia , and 6 more

standupforscience.bsky.social
Stand Up for Science! @standupforscience.bsky.social ยท May 2
๐Ÿ””BREAKING๐Ÿ””

The NSF has frozen all research grant awardsโ€”cutting off life-saving science midstream and demanding ideological screenings for future funding.

This is censorship disguised as oversight.

Hereโ€™s how you can help us spread the word โžก๏ธ๐Ÿงต(1/3):
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Exclusive: NSF stops awarding new grants and funding existing ones
US science funder also plans to screen grant applications for compliance with โ€˜agency prioritiesโ€™.
www.nature.com

johncullenocean.bsky.social
John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social ยท Apr 30
Delighted to see that Scott Doney has been honored with election to the NAS. His research represents truly interdisciplinary oceanography at its best, he has been a standout in public service, and (dare we say this about scientists?) he is a model of generosity and kindness.

Congrats, Scott! ๐ŸŒŠ๐Ÿงช

Reposted by Nicola J. Cooper, Ana Bastos, Baylor Foxโ€Kemper , and 24 more

xkcd.com
Randall Munroe @xkcd.com ยท Apr 25
PhD Timeline xkcd.com/3081

Reposted by Jay T. Lennon, John J. Cullen, Sergey Rosbakh

virosphere.bsky.social
Curtis Suttle @virosphere.bsky.social ยท Apr 18
Many data sets held by NOAA are being "retired" in may, including datasets relevant to ocean sciences and climate. If you have need for these data, or are an archivist, it would be good to download this now. PLEASE SHARE WIDELY. www.nesdis.noaa.gov/about/docume...
Notice of Changes
Notices of changes are formal public announcements of planned services changes to applications and other products.
www.nesdis.noaa.gov

Reposted by John J. Cullen

altnps.bsky.social
Alt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social ยท Apr 18
The Act prohibits actions that โ€œharass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collectโ€ endangered species. Right now, โ€œharmโ€ includes damage to a speciesโ€™ habitatโ€”but the Trump administration is attempting to strip habitat destruction from that definition.

Reposted by David M. Schultz, John J. Cullen, Thomas Martin , and 2 more

chillocean.bsky.social
Jenna C. Hill @chillocean.bsky.social ยท Apr 17
NOAA just announced a long list of datasets that are going away๐Ÿงชโš’๏ธ๐ŸŒŠ: www.nesdis.noaa.gov/about/docume...
Download what you need asap and send comments to: [email protected]
Notice of Changes
Notices of changes are formal public announcements of planned services changes to applications and other products.
www.nesdis.noaa.gov

Reposted by John J. Cullen

helenczerski.bsky.social
Helen Czerski @helenczerski.bsky.social ยท Apr 9
Those critical International Maritime Organisation discussions on a pathway to greener shipping just had a major bombshell dropped on them:

www.lloydslist.com/LL1153123/La...

This is a rare opportunity to make real progress. They donโ€™t need unanimous agreement, but the threats could change minds.
Last minute US intervention at IMO threatens to derail climate negotiations
The US has dropped a diplomatic bombshell on the pivotal international talks due to agree shippingโ€™s decarbonisation regulatory measures. The threat of action against member states agreeing to a deal has the potential to derail talks
www.lloydslist.com

Reposted by Pierre Friedlingstein, John J. Cullen

davidho.bsky.social
David Ho @davidho.bsky.social ยท Apr 9
This administration continues to outdo itself by doing really really dumb things. Princeton has one of the best climate modeling groups in the world, and this administration just cut their funding justified with some anti-science bs.
Ending Cooperative Agreementsโ€™ Funding to Princeton University
On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick announced that nearly $4 million in funding is ending to Princeton University after a detailed, careful, and thorough review of the...
www.commerce.gov

Reposted by John J. Cullen, Lisa M. Given, Julia K. Baum

katharinehayhoe.com
Katharine Hayhoe @katharinehayhoe.com ยท Mar 23
The election has just been called for April 28.

If you are a Canadian living outside the country, get your mail-in ballot here ASAP:

travel.gc.ca/travelling/l...
Canada election live: Canadian PM Mark Carney calls snap election
Carney has asked the governor general to dissolve Parliament, launching an election campaign amid a trade war with the US.
www.bbc.com

Reposted by John J. Cullen, Adriรกn Shubert

caroloff.bsky.social
Carol Off @caroloff.bsky.social ยท Mar 22
As we watch Trump's attack on universities, remember that Poilievre promises to appoint a "Free Speech Guardian" for universities.
A university could lose its federal funding if this politically appointed "guardian" recommends it.

johncullenocean.bsky.social
John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social ยท Mar 22
Thanks for the heads-up, Clark. A keen student could learn a lot by modelling the interactions between ambient irradiance spectra and LDR sensor spectral response in different water types through the open ocean. Could be a good publication!

aslopubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
aslopubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Reposted by John J. Cullen

dezene.me
Dezene Huber ๐Ÿ ๐ŸŒป @dezene.me ยท Mar 18
This is bananas.

'Canadian researchers are asked to confirm that their research:

- does not include a climate or โ€œenvironmental justiceโ€ component

- does not contain diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) elements

- does not ascribe to โ€œgender ideology'

๐Ÿงช ๐ŸŒŽ

www.globenewswire.com/news-release...
Trump administration threatening Canadian researchers
OTTAWA, Ontario, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) is warning that the Trump administration is...
www.globenewswire.com

johncullenocean.bsky.social
John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social ยท Mar 8
Got potash? ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ

Reposted by John J. Cullen

eroston.bsky.social
Eric Roston @eroston.bsky.social ยท Mar 7
If this looks old it's because it's been up there a while.
Old printed-out paragraph taped to a white wall. Coffee stain, crumpled, showing the signs of age. "We've arranged a global civilization in which most crucial elements โ€” transportation, communications, and all other industries; agriculture, medicine, education, entertainment, protecting the environment; and even the key democratic institution of voting โ€” profoundly depend on science and technology. We have also arranged things so that almost no one understands science and technology. This is a prescription for disaster. We might get away with it for a while, but sooner or later this combustible mixture of ignorance and power is going to blow up in our faces. โ€”Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World, 1996

Reposted by John J. Cullen, Steve Morgan

cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social
Canadian History Ehx @cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social ยท Mar 4
In 1890, the Tariff Act came into place in the United States. It placed tariffs on imports of up to 50%.
While touted as a way to build American industry, there was also the hope it would force an annexation of Canada. It backfired.
Let's learn more.

๐Ÿงต1/10
The image is a black-and-white political cartoon depicting a man in a suit standing behind a counter labeled "Republican Platform." He is holding a bottle labeled "Untaxed Whiskey, 20ยข Gal." in one hand and a piece of cloth labeled "War-Taxed Common Cloth, Tariff 84%" in the other. Above the counter, a sign reads, "If you donโ€™t see what you want, ask for it." The cartoon, signed by W.A. Rogers, appears to satirize the Republican Party's economic policies, highlighting the disparity in taxation between luxury items like whiskey and essential goods like cloth.

johncullenocean.bsky.social
John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social ยท Feb 26
Tommy Dickey (1945-2025). When he started out, oceanography was pursued in disciplinary silos, bio-optical oceanography did not exist, and robotic observation of global ocean biogeochemistry was not yet a dream. Tommy was central in getting us where we are today.๐ŸŒŠ

www.geog.ucsb.edu/people/facul...
Tommy Dickey | Department of Geography | UC Santa Barbara
Interdisciplinary ocean research topics have included: bio-optics, biogeochemistry, hurricanes, ocean eddies, and monsoons plus medical research concerning the use of scent detection dogs for COVID-19...
www.geog.ucsb.edu

johncullenocean.bsky.social
John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social ยท Feb 25
First Ocean Sciences Meeting outside the US is a big deal.

As a bonus, no state-sponsored suppression of climate science.

Neaps and tatties, too!

May the force be with you, @aslo.org, @tosoceanography.bsky.social, @agu.org. ๐ŸŒŠ๐Ÿงช
aslo.org Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography @aslo.org ยท Feb 24
Save the date! The Ocean Sciences Meeting is coming to Glasgow, Scotland, 22-27 Feb 2026โ€”the first OSM outside the US! ๐ŸŒ Join scientists, students, journalists, & more to grow our global ocean community, foster partnerships & build a sustainable future. #OSM26 @agu.org @tosoceanography.bsky.social