Bob Kopp
@bobkopp.net
#Climate & sea level science + policy. Rutgers University. All views my own. www.bobkopp.net
Pinned
Bob Kopp
@bobkopp.net
· May 7
There’s so much happening right now, I thought I’d put together a running thread on the dismantling of #climate and research and knowledge infrastructure in the United States 🧵
Reposted by Bob Kopp
The changes happening at NSF in terms of award processes & types of projects prioritized for funding clearly show this is where we’re heading: political appointees playing key roles, people self censoring or worse to get money, whole research areas excluded from funding… corruption has many facets.
Keeping funding levels high while installing apparatchiks to steer it in political favored directions will fund at least as much corruption as it will science.
This is a HUGE win…and one that happened because we ~collectively~ said “NO!”
But AAAS coming in and saying on record to the NYT “Science is doing ok. Things are not bad at all…” is baffling.
If things are hard for you as a scientist, please share in the comments.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/s...
But AAAS coming in and saying on record to the NYT “Science is doing ok. Things are not bad at all…” is baffling.
If things are hard for you as a scientist, please share in the comments.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/s...
January 10, 2026 at 3:38 PM
The changes happening at NSF in terms of award processes & types of projects prioritized for funding clearly show this is where we’re heading: political appointees playing key roles, people self censoring or worse to get money, whole research areas excluded from funding… corruption has many facets.
Reposted by Bob Kopp
Keeping funding levels high while installing apparatchiks to steer it in political favored directions will fund at least as much corruption as it will science.
This is a HUGE win…and one that happened because we ~collectively~ said “NO!”
But AAAS coming in and saying on record to the NYT “Science is doing ok. Things are not bad at all…” is baffling.
If things are hard for you as a scientist, please share in the comments.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/s...
But AAAS coming in and saying on record to the NYT “Science is doing ok. Things are not bad at all…” is baffling.
If things are hard for you as a scientist, please share in the comments.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/s...
Congress Is Reversing Trump’s Steep Budget Cuts to Science
www.nytimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Keeping funding levels high while installing apparatchiks to steer it in political favored directions will fund at least as much corruption as it will science.
Reposted by Bob Kopp
This is wrong: “Science is doing OK,” Ms. Zimmermann, of @aaas.org, said. “Things are not bad at all, given our expectations.”
No. I might guess that this quote was taken out of context, meant to be solely about the budgeting process. Because the agencies are still being corrupted internally.
No. I might guess that this quote was taken out of context, meant to be solely about the budgeting process. Because the agencies are still being corrupted internally.
Congress Is Reversing Trump’s Steep Budget Cuts to Science
www.nytimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 3:04 PM
This is wrong: “Science is doing OK,” Ms. Zimmermann, of @aaas.org, said. “Things are not bad at all, given our expectations.”
No. I might guess that this quote was taken out of context, meant to be solely about the budgeting process. Because the agencies are still being corrupted internally.
No. I might guess that this quote was taken out of context, meant to be solely about the budgeting process. Because the agencies are still being corrupted internally.
Great that Congress is funding, but exec orders and reorgs strengthening political control over the merit review process still seem to be place. If NIH is flat funded but funds are directed to re-evaluating the germ theory of disease in line with HHS leadership’s skepticism, win is quite limited
This is a HUGE win…and one that happened because we ~collectively~ said “NO!”
But AAAS coming in and saying on record to the NYT “Science is doing ok. Things are not bad at all…” is baffling.
If things are hard for you as a scientist, please share in the comments.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/s...
But AAAS coming in and saying on record to the NYT “Science is doing ok. Things are not bad at all…” is baffling.
If things are hard for you as a scientist, please share in the comments.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/s...
Congress Is Reversing Trump’s Steep Budget Cuts to Science
www.nytimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 2:54 PM
Great that Congress is funding, but exec orders and reorgs strengthening political control over the merit review process still seem to be place. If NIH is flat funded but funds are directed to re-evaluating the germ theory of disease in line with HHS leadership’s skepticism, win is quite limited
Reposted by Bob Kopp
"You think you’re watching a woman drive away with an ICE agent following, then shooting her four times in the face, but what you’re really watching is an ICE agent in fear of his life and acting in self-defense."
What You’re Watching Isn’t What You’re Really Watching
“Federal and local officials dispute the circumstances that led an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer to fatally shoot a 37-year-old woman...
buff.ly
January 10, 2026 at 2:40 AM
"You think you’re watching a woman drive away with an ICE agent following, then shooting her four times in the face, but what you’re really watching is an ICE agent in fear of his life and acting in self-defense."
Reposted by Bob Kopp
You know what? Go ahead and abolish Homeland Security, too.
@petebuttigieg.bsky.social: "We have an ICE agent who should have been trained not to be in front of a vehicle and never to shoot into a moving vehicle, and yet this happened on [Kristi Noem's] watch. The whole POINT of Homeland Security is to make this country more stable and safe."
January 10, 2026 at 2:42 AM
You know what? Go ahead and abolish Homeland Security, too.
Reposted by Bob Kopp
We all need some light & joy these days, and to see what is possible. This is a perfect example right here.
This morning, Ms. Rachel and I visited District 2 Pre-K Center, where we sang and read with the wonderful students and educators. We also discussed universal childcare - and how we're making it happen for NYC!
January 9, 2026 at 8:48 PM
We all need some light & joy these days, and to see what is possible. This is a perfect example right here.
Reposted by Bob Kopp
U.S. withdrawal from international climate bodies sidelines scientists when climate impacts are accelerating.
AGU remains engaged at UNFCCC COP, supports U.S. scientists in the next #IPCC assessment, & urges Congress to protect science funding.
Science belongs at the table.
More: buff.ly/sYY3rVB
AGU remains engaged at UNFCCC COP, supports U.S. scientists in the next #IPCC assessment, & urges Congress to protect science funding.
Science belongs at the table.
More: buff.ly/sYY3rVB
January 9, 2026 at 7:31 PM
U.S. withdrawal from international climate bodies sidelines scientists when climate impacts are accelerating.
AGU remains engaged at UNFCCC COP, supports U.S. scientists in the next #IPCC assessment, & urges Congress to protect science funding.
Science belongs at the table.
More: buff.ly/sYY3rVB
AGU remains engaged at UNFCCC COP, supports U.S. scientists in the next #IPCC assessment, & urges Congress to protect science funding.
Science belongs at the table.
More: buff.ly/sYY3rVB
Reposted by Bob Kopp
This is a complete surrender of our leadership and just the latest but most stark example of the Trump administration putting profits over people and our planet.
Climate change is real and impacting the lives of millions of Americans.
This administration can't erase what we see and feel every day.
Climate change is real and impacting the lives of millions of Americans.
This administration can't erase what we see and feel every day.
Trump moves to pull US out of bedrock global climate treaty, becoming first country to do so | CNN
The Trump administration is pulling the United States out of the bedrock treaty that underpins international cooperation on climate change, along with dozens of other global bodies.
www.cnn.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:40 PM
This is a complete surrender of our leadership and just the latest but most stark example of the Trump administration putting profits over people and our planet.
Climate change is real and impacting the lives of millions of Americans.
This administration can't erase what we see and feel every day.
Climate change is real and impacting the lives of millions of Americans.
This administration can't erase what we see and feel every day.
Reposted by Bob Kopp
Good piece highlighting the work of the USAA-IPCC in supporting US climate scientists working on AR7 (more than 70 total scientists- we are still in!) @bobkopp.net
Today's story with @saraschonhardt.bsky.social on the implications of Trump's stated intent to withdraw from the IPCC (which has been the de facto situation for most of the past year) and how some organizations are stepping up to fill in the gaps. www.eenews.net/articles/the...
The IPCC said humans cause climate change. Is that why Trump quit it?
Withdrawing from the world’s premier climate science organization supports the president’s views about global warming.
www.eenews.net
January 9, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Good piece highlighting the work of the USAA-IPCC in supporting US climate scientists working on AR7 (more than 70 total scientists- we are still in!) @bobkopp.net
Reposted by Bob Kopp
Clay Bennett, Chattanooga Times Free Press
January 9, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Clay Bennett, Chattanooga Times Free Press
#AbolishICE for sure, but what about DHS? Have any of the benefits promised two decades ago from its creation been produced? I’m quite sure FEMA has not benefited
January 9, 2026 at 3:01 AM
#AbolishICE for sure, but what about DHS? Have any of the benefits promised two decades ago from its creation been produced? I’m quite sure FEMA has not benefited
Reposted by Bob Kopp
per my point about the mercator projection being the root of this whole thing
Why is Trump fixated on Greenland? @sbg1.bsky.social recalls what he told us in 2021: "I said, 'Why don’t we have that?' You take a look at a map...I love maps. And I always said 'Look at the size of this, it’s massive and that should be part of the United States.'" www.newyorker.com/news/letter-...
Why Donald Trump Wants Greenland (and Everything Else)
There’s no Trump Doctrine, just a map of the world that the President wants to write his name on in big gold letters.
www.newyorker.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:48 AM
per my point about the mercator projection being the root of this whole thing
Reposted by Bob Kopp
I invite all Americans to join Minnesota in a day of unity tomorrow.
January 9, 2026 at 12:15 AM
I invite all Americans to join Minnesota in a day of unity tomorrow.
Reposted by Bob Kopp
Outgoing NJ governor Phil Murphy says that a "public bank" is the one promise that he made that he regrets not being able to deliver on. newjerseyglobe.com/governor/rea...
Read the transcript of Gov. Phil Murphy’s exit interview - New Jersey Globe
On Monday, the staff of the New Jersey Globe sat down with outgoing Gov. Phil Murphy for nearly an hour to discuss his tenure. You can read the article
newjerseyglobe.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Outgoing NJ governor Phil Murphy says that a "public bank" is the one promise that he made that he regrets not being able to deliver on. newjerseyglobe.com/governor/rea...
The Trump Administration's announced withdraw from the IPCC is disappointing, but not surprising. US scientists will continue to play key roles in the @ipcc.bsky.social. A statement from the US Academic Alliance for the IPCC:
January 8, 2026 at 8:08 PM
The Trump Administration's announced withdraw from the IPCC is disappointing, but not surprising. US scientists will continue to play key roles in the @ipcc.bsky.social. A statement from the US Academic Alliance for the IPCC:
Reposted by Bob Kopp
“We cannot withdraw from the fact that over 1 million species of plants and animals face extinction.”
IPBES remains committed to its mandate to provide the most credible science and evidence about biodiversity to all decision makers and actors.
— @davidobura.bsky.social , @ipbes.net Chair
IPBES remains committed to its mandate to provide the most credible science and evidence about biodiversity to all decision makers and actors.
— @davidobura.bsky.social , @ipbes.net Chair
January 8, 2026 at 6:13 PM
“We cannot withdraw from the fact that over 1 million species of plants and animals face extinction.”
IPBES remains committed to its mandate to provide the most credible science and evidence about biodiversity to all decision makers and actors.
— @davidobura.bsky.social , @ipbes.net Chair
IPBES remains committed to its mandate to provide the most credible science and evidence about biodiversity to all decision makers and actors.
— @davidobura.bsky.social , @ipbes.net Chair
Reposted by Bob Kopp
After the US admin cancelled the $B Climate + Weather Disaster dataset, @climatecentral.org hired the scientists who ran it and set it back up.
Now the 2025 numbers are in: it's 3rd highest year on record and highest year w/o land-falling hurricanes.
More: www.climatecentral.org/climate-serv...
Now the 2025 numbers are in: it's 3rd highest year on record and highest year w/o land-falling hurricanes.
More: www.climatecentral.org/climate-serv...
January 8, 2026 at 5:33 PM
After the US admin cancelled the $B Climate + Weather Disaster dataset, @climatecentral.org hired the scientists who ran it and set it back up.
Now the 2025 numbers are in: it's 3rd highest year on record and highest year w/o land-falling hurricanes.
More: www.climatecentral.org/climate-serv...
Now the 2025 numbers are in: it's 3rd highest year on record and highest year w/o land-falling hurricanes.
More: www.climatecentral.org/climate-serv...
It appears there is no withdraw process for @ipcc.bsky.social, participation in which is voluntary, free and open to all UN and WMO members. So the Trump administration’s supposed withdraw means less than their June firing of all the staff of the State Dept’s Office of Global Change
IPCC Statement on the US announcement to withdraw from participation in IPCC — IPCC
www.ipcc.ch
January 8, 2026 at 7:26 PM
It appears there is no withdraw process for @ipcc.bsky.social, participation in which is voluntary, free and open to all UN and WMO members. So the Trump administration’s supposed withdraw means less than their June firing of all the staff of the State Dept’s Office of Global Change
Reposted by Bob Kopp
Thoughtful piece by my @science.nature.org colleague Rob et al. discussing the implications of global autocratization for science.
We face a clear choice, they say: keep our heads down and hope to weather rough political waters...or choose to actively support academic freedom + sustainability.
We face a clear choice, they say: keep our heads down and hope to weather rough political waters...or choose to actively support academic freedom + sustainability.
January 8, 2026 at 6:27 PM
Thoughtful piece by my @science.nature.org colleague Rob et al. discussing the implications of global autocratization for science.
We face a clear choice, they say: keep our heads down and hope to weather rough political waters...or choose to actively support academic freedom + sustainability.
We face a clear choice, they say: keep our heads down and hope to weather rough political waters...or choose to actively support academic freedom + sustainability.
Reposted by Bob Kopp
i firmly believe — like you would have to give me hard evidence to convince me otherwise — that they feed trump a steady diet of AI slop
man, did the viziers in the WH not actually show him the actual video?
January 8, 2026 at 3:42 PM
i firmly believe — like you would have to give me hard evidence to convince me otherwise — that they feed trump a steady diet of AI slop
Join us in Montreal this June for the @agu.org Chapman Conference on Updating Usable Projections of Future Sea Level. www.agu.org/chapman-sea-...
January 8, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Join us in Montreal this June for the @agu.org Chapman Conference on Updating Usable Projections of Future Sea Level. www.agu.org/chapman-sea-...
Reposted by Bob Kopp
There's a quick summary in the introduction of this law review article from Jean Galbraith at Penn Carey Law. She argues that presidents can rejoin previously ratified treaties without seeking a second round of approval from the Senate.
Rejoining Treaties
Historical practice supports the conclusion that the President can unilaterally withdraw the United States from treaties which an earlier President joined with the advice and consent of two-thirds of ...
scholarship.law.upenn.edu
January 8, 2026 at 5:24 AM
There's a quick summary in the introduction of this law review article from Jean Galbraith at Penn Carey Law. She argues that presidents can rejoin previously ratified treaties without seeking a second round of approval from the Senate.
I am not a lawyer, but I don’t see how a President can unilaterally withdraw from a Senate-ratified treaty unless the President also has the authority to unilaterally revoke Congressionally enacted statutes.
January 8, 2026 at 4:56 AM
I am not a lawyer, but I don’t see how a President can unilaterally withdraw from a Senate-ratified treaty unless the President also has the authority to unilaterally revoke Congressionally enacted statutes.
Reposted by Bob Kopp
- Call for prosecutions.
- Discourage allied businesses from supporting the regime and pledge to investigate them next time they’re in the majority.
- Discourage allied businesses from supporting the regime and pledge to investigate them next time they’re in the majority.
January 8, 2026 at 4:11 AM
- Call for prosecutions.
- Discourage allied businesses from supporting the regime and pledge to investigate them next time they’re in the majority.
- Discourage allied businesses from supporting the regime and pledge to investigate them next time they’re in the majority.