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Melissa Finucane

@mfinucane.bsky.social

24 followers 46 following 20 posts

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Sociology 19%

Political science 19%

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Reposted by David Johnson, Dirk Pilat, Dawn J. Wright , and 3 more David Johnson, Dirk Pilat, Dawn J. Wright, Melissa L. Finucane, Stacy D. VanDeveer, Glenn Branch

Michael E. Mann @michaelemann.bsky.social · 13d

“I’m a climate scientist. Trump’s U.N. address is a fire hose of misinformation” | My new op-ed in the @sfchronicle.com:
www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/open...
#ScienceUnderSiege

I’m a climate scientist. Trump’s U.N. address is a fire hose of misinformation

OPINION: “What Trump is really doing is advancing a plan laid down years ago by plutocrats and polluters. And making a mockery of our country as he does so,” Michael E. Mann writes.

www.sfchronicle.com

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Melissa Finucane @mfinucane.bsky.social · 14d

Here's my $0.02 on data rescue and preservation efforts: Resilient data ecosystems must ensure data integrity, accessibility, and impact, especially during periods of political or institutional instability. Science succeeds when it serves society.
blog.ucs.org/melissa-finu...

When Rescuing Environmental Data, Are We Archiving the Past or Illuminating the Future?

In an era defined by climate disruption, widening inequality, and political volatility, the role of scientific data in informing public health and environmental policy has never been more critical. In...

blog.ucs.org

Reposted by Jussi T. Eronen, Melissa L. Finucane

Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · Sep 9

BREAKING: New UCS report shows the Trump admin has systematically cut the public out of federal decision making, and six agencies bypassed public participation processes required by law in 182 out of 591 rules that were issued, rolled back, or delayed between January 20 and July 31.

Access Denied

How the Trump Administration Is Eliminating Public Input

act.ucsusa.org

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Reposted by Melissa L. Finucane

Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · Aug 27

Federal scientific integrity (SI) policies were created to protect fed scientists & their work from politicization, retaliation, & censorship. The Trump admin is replacing them w/ new policies to give the admin more leeway in politicizing science to reach conclusions convenient for its agenda🧵

Trump’s Executive Order Puts Science Under the Thumb of Politics

The latest order is a smoke screen created to push forward a political agenda disguised as science.

blog.ucs.org

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Melissa Finucane @mfinucane.bsky.social · Aug 7

SciLight
scilight.substack.com?utm_source=n...

SciLight | Jacob Carter | Substack

A newsletter for people who want to stand up and defend science and science-based policy making from those who would politicize it. Click to read SciLight, a Substack publication with thousands of sub...

scilight.substack.com

Melissa Finucane @mfinucane.bsky.social · Jul 23

The Great American Engine Stall: Science Budget Cuts Threaten US Innovation blog.ucs.org/melissa-finu...

The Great American Engine Stall: Science Budget Cuts Threaten US Innovation

The biggest casualty? Climate science.

blog.ucs.org

Melissa Finucane @mfinucane.bsky.social · Jun 9

Here are my thoughts on what is happening to U.S. science under the current administration and why.

Science Caught in a Rip Tide: How Authoritarianism Sweeps Away Evidence-Based Policy blog.ucs.org/melissa-finu...

Science Caught in a Rip Tide: How Authoritarianism Sweeps Away Evidence-Based Policy

Healthy democracies rely on scientific evidence to inform environmental policies, support public health, and promote technological advancement. Science can serve as an independent voice to help societ...

blog.ucs.org

Reposted by Melissa L. Finucane, Jeroen Van Bouwel

Gretchen Goldman, PhD @gretchentg.bsky.social · May 23

The Trump administration just dropped an executive order, "Restoring Gold Standard Science" and there's lots to unpack. This EO reveals more about how the Administration will approach scientific integrity and science in regulatory contexts. Some initial thoughts. 🧵
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...

Restoring Gold Standard Science

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 7301 of title 5, United

www.whitehouse.gov

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Reposted by Melissa L. Finucane

Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · May 19

The potential safety consequences of DOGE's disruptions at the National Nuclear Security Administration could be significant, @usatoday.com reports. UCS’s Dylan Spaulding warns that safety at Los Alamos is concerning.

Nuclear weapons woes: Understaffed nuke agency hit by DOGE and safety worries

The consequences of DOGE's disruptions at the National Nuclear Security Administration could be far-reaching, experts say.

www.usatoday.com

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Reposted by Melissa L. Finucane

Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · May 19

Our painstakingly researched report, Decades of Deceit, comprehensively documents how major fossil fuel companies have misled the public and prevented climate action. We created a timeline that shows a small selection of their actions. Explore it here:

The Damning Records the Fossil Fuel Industry Doesn't Want You to See

Fossil fuel companies foresaw the devastating impacts of climate change more than 60 years ago.

www.ucs.org

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Melissa Finucane @mfinucane.bsky.social · May 19

For scientists wanting to continue the work of critical federal science advisory committees disbanded by the current administration... Here's a new toolkit we developed with some handy how-to tips! www.ucs.org/sites/defaul...

www.ucs.org

Reposted by Melissa L. Finucane

Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · May 18

As our freight system has evolved to meet the demands of consumers, it must also evolve to address its impacts on public health and the planet. Indirect Source Rules or "ISRs," is a promising solution. Learn more in UCS's Sam Wilson's blog.

Indirect Source Rules: An Emerging Route Toward Clean Freight

As our freight system has evolved to meet the demands of consumers, it must also evolve to address its impacts on public health and climate

blog.ucs.org

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Melissa Finucane @mfinucane.bsky.social · May 13

Join us next week to learn how you can support evidence-based decision making at our free public webinar on "Preserving Federal Science Advice: Opportunities for Independent Science Advisory Committees" secure.ucs.org/a/2025-05-22...

Preserving Federal Science Advice: Opportunities for Independent Science Advisory Committees

The Union of Concerned Scientists invites you to our webinar on how scientists and experts can support the continuation of policy-relevant science advice, even when federal advisory committees are dis...

secure.ucs.org

Melissa Finucane @mfinucane.bsky.social · May 12

My perspective published in the @thebulletin.org today: the rapid elimination of federal science advisory committees puts evidence-based policy making at risk.
thebulletin.org/2025/05/elim...

Eliminating US science advisory committees will harm the public and open the door to special interests

In recent weeks, the landscape of science advisory committees in the United States federal government has changed significantly as agencies eliminate committees to follow an executive order from Presi...

thebulletin.org

Melissa Finucane @mfinucane.bsky.social · May 2

Obliteration of the U.S. scientific infrastructure continues.

Marc Alessi @marc-alessi.bsky.social · May 2

On April 30, the National Science Foundation (NSF) was told to “stop awarding all funding actions until further notice” by the Trump administration. This is a devastating attack on science:

Exclusive: NSF stops awarding new grants and funding existing ones

US science funder also plans to screen grant applications for compliance with ‘agency priorities’.

www.nature.com

Reposted by Melissa L. Finucane

Marc Alessi @marc-alessi.bsky.social · May 2

On April 30, the National Science Foundation (NSF) was told to “stop awarding all funding actions until further notice” by the Trump administration. This is a devastating attack on science:

Exclusive: NSF stops awarding new grants and funding existing ones

US science funder also plans to screen grant applications for compliance with ‘agency priorities’.

www.nature.com

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Melissa Finucane @mfinucane.bsky.social · Apr 30

The last 100 days have been an unprecedented assault on American science. Our scientists. Our institutions. And the people around the world who rely on it. We must stand united and speak up. Our collective future depends on it. #ScienceMatters www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPlu... savesciencenow.org

You Need Science. Now Science Needs You.

YouTube video by Union of Concerned Scientists

www.youtube.com

Melissa Finucane @mfinucane.bsky.social · Apr 14

I'm glad to see U.S. institutions of higher education standing up for academic freedom. In my blog today, I explain this in the context of taboo tradeoffs. #AcademicFreedom #HigherEducation #TabooTradeoffs blog.ucs.org/melissa-finu...

Losing Academic Freedom Is Too High a Price

Without academic freedom, institutions of higher education risk becoming mere factories of conformity, serving up ideas that meet the demands of political or industry agendas, rather than serving a gr...

blog.ucs.org

Melissa Finucane @mfinucane.bsky.social · Apr 4

Has FEMA's BRIC program "enhanced the level of hazard mitigation?" This is an empirical question that needs a robust evaluation. That demand has way outstripped supply gives us a clue of it's (perceived) value, at the very least. | grist.org/politics/fem...

FEMA moves to end one of its biggest disaster adaptation programs

In an internal FEMA memorandum obtained by Grist, the Trump administration announced it plans to dismantle the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program.

grist.org

Reposted by Melissa L. Finucane

Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · Apr 1

Our latest report links nearly one-third of today’s sea level rise to emissions from 122 fossil fuel producers & cement manufacturers. UCS’s Carly Phillips breaks down the data behind these major polluters and their responsibilities to act as the impacts of climate change grow increasingly severe.

The Infuriating Story Told by the Corporate and National Carbon Emissions Data

Emissions attributed to both the Carbon Majors and individual countries paint a picture of historical contributions that’s difficult to unsee and inspire calls for accountability.

blog.ucs.org

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Melissa Finucane @mfinucane.bsky.social · Apr 1

@danielbarad.bsky.social, I now understand Sabrina much better since you put her in the context of Western energy markets. Thank you!

Daniel Barad @danielbarad.bsky.social · Mar 31

What do Sabrina Carpenter and Western Energy Markets have in common?

Read my @ucsusa.bsky.social blog to find out!

Western Energy Markets, Sabrina Carpenter, and the Grid Espresso Paradox

California's SB 540 hits all the right notes for the state's future energy needs.

blog.ucs.org

Reposted by Ankur R. Desai, Mark Harrison, Melissa L. Finucane

Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · Mar 31

Open letter from nearly 2000 NAS member scientists: "We see real danger in this moment. We hold diverse political beliefs, but we are united (...) in wanting to protect independent scientific inquiry. We are sending this SOS to sound a warning: the nation’s scientific enterprise is being decimated."

Public Statement on Supporting Science for the Benefit of All Citizens

TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE We all rely on science. Science gave us the smartphones in our pockets, the navigation systems in our cars, and life-saving medical care. We count on engineers when we drive acr...

docs.google.com

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Melissa Finucane @mfinucane.bsky.social · Mar 31

The assault on U.S. science by Musk, Trump, et al. is an unmitigated disaster that will take GENERATIONS to recover from. Here's my latest blog explaining why and what we need to do.
blog.ucs.org/melissa-finu...

Hurricane Musk: How to Think About—and Oppose—the Obliteration of the U.S. Scientific Infrastructure

Steps we can take to rebuild and recover from the man made disaster damaging the US scientific infrastructure.

blog.ucs.org

Reposted by Melissa L. Finucane

Daniel Barad @danielbarad.bsky.social · Mar 31

What do Sabrina Carpenter and Western Energy Markets have in common?

Read my @ucsusa.bsky.social blog to find out!

Western Energy Markets, Sabrina Carpenter, and the Grid Espresso Paradox

California's SB 540 hits all the right notes for the state's future energy needs.

blog.ucs.org

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Melissa Finucane @mfinucane.bsky.social · Mar 25

Still not sure what’s at stake? Take 2 mins to read this.

www.nytimes.com/2025/03/24/o...

Opinion | Universities Gave Us the iPhone, the Jet Engine and Gatorade. We’re Tossing That Away. (Gift Article)

The postwar compact on research that powered America’s economic and military dominance is under threat.

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Melissa L. Finucane

Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · Mar 21

Honored to celebrate the amazing life of Lee Grodzins, one of the original eight members of the Union of Concerned Scientists' steering committee in 1969. Thank you, Lee, for UCS, for science, and for the world

Professor Emeritus Lee Grodzins, pioneer in nuclear physics, dies at 98

MIT Professor Emeritus Lee Grodzins has died at age 98. He was a pioneer in nuclear physics, known for the influential experiment determining the helicity of the neutrino, which led to a key understanding of the weak interaction, as well as a technical entrepreneur.

news.mit.edu

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Melissa Finucane @mfinucane.bsky.social · Mar 20

We are witnessing a multi-pronged assault on higher education. We are leaving the next generation of scientists and policymakers stranded. This jeopardizes not just individual students and schools, but our country's ability to grow and thrive.
blog.ucs.org/melissa-finu...

The Threats to Higher Education: A Call to Action

Attacking colleges and universities has reverberations far beyond campuses.

blog.ucs.org

Reposted by Melissa L. Finucane

Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · Mar 19

The press is reporting that the Trump Administration is considering eliminating the EPA office of research and development, which conducts essential health research that strengthens our nation’s pollution regulations—here is what’s at risk. (🧵)

➡️ thehill.com/policy/energ...

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Reposted by Andrew K. Jorgenson, Melissa L. Finucane

Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · Mar 12

Today, EPA's Lee Zeldin announced rollbacks on key environmental regulations, including pollution limits for coal plants, climate rules & EV standards. He called it a “consequential" day of deregulation, but for those who care about clean air & water, it's one of the most destructive in US history.

A digitally edited screenshot of an EPA announcement features a headline that originally read "EPA Launches Biggest Deregulatory Action in U.S. History", but “Biggest Deregulatory” is crossed out in red, and above it, "MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY DESTRUCTIVE" is written in red text. Below the headline, there is a YouTube video thumbnail featuring EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, standing in front of American and EPA flags. A red play button is overlaid on his torso. The background of the image is dark, with black smoke rising from industrial facilities. At the bottom, white text reads, "This one’s a doozy" with an arrow pointing to the right.

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Melissa Finucane @mfinucane.bsky.social · Mar 7

Standing up for science in Pittsburgh PA with evidence-based outrage. #ScienceForAll. @standupforscience.bsky.social, @ucsusa.bsky.social

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