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John J. Cullen

@johncullenocean.bsky.social

4K followers 47 following 20 posts

Professor Emeritus in Oceanography, Dalhousie University. 🇨🇦🧪🌊 I've spent a long time trying to understand and explain how the ocean works.

Videos

Environmental science 44%

Geology 22%

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social · 20d

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?).

John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social · 24d

🌊 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/...

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Reposted by John J. Cullen

David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · Jan 12

I knew that Haber-Bosch uses 1% of the world’s energy to produces fixed nitrogen needed for food production, without which 2-3 billion people would starve to death. But I didn’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 lives—including your own. At the dawn of the twentieth century, humanity was facing....

www.penguinrandomhouse.com

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Reposted by John J. Cullen

Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography @aslo.org · Feb 24

Save the date! The Ocean Sciences Meeting is coming to Glasgow, Scotland, 22-27 Feb 2026—the first OSM outside the US! 🌍 Join scientists, students, journalists, & more to grow our global ocean community, foster partnerships & build a sustainable future. #OSM26 @agu.org @tosoceanography.bsky.social

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Reposted by John J. Cullen

The Narwhal @thenarwhal.ca · Mar 6

We've been hearing a lot about potash lately — 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

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Reposted by John J. Cullen

Scott Doney @scottdoney.bsky.social · 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 — 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

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John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social · 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?
🌊

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?

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

Alejandra Caraballo @esqueer.net · 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 Harvard’s Ability to Enroll International Students

www.nytimes.com

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John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social · 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 don’t, and what we must learn and do before proceeding with ocean manipulations.

Essential science that can cut through hype.

🌊🧪

www.utas.edu.au/about/news-a...

Carbon, climate, and a Royal honour: Professor Boyd recognised for ocean science leadership

www.utas.edu.au

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Reposted by John J. Cullen

Dr. David Miller 🏳️‍🌈 @davidimiller.bsky.social · May 9

🚨 Breaking: NSF faces radical shake-up as officials abolish its 37 divisions

1️⃣ Removes/demotes division director leaders

2️⃣ Forced layoff notices to NSF staff going out tonight

3️⃣ 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

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Reposted by John J. Cullen

Steven J Cooke @sjcfishy.bsky.social · 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

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Reposted by John J. Cullen

David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 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.

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Reposted by Helen Tager‐Flusberg, Koen Frenken, Michael D. Petraglia , and 6 more Helen Tager‐Flusberg, Koen Frenken, Michael D. Petraglia, Andreas Oschlies, Matthias Cuntz, John J. Cullen, Amy McGovern, Paulo Ceppi, Jennifer A. Johnson

Stand Up for Science! @standupforscience.bsky.social · May 2

🔔BREAKING🔔

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

This is censorship disguised as oversight.

Here’s how you can help us spread the word ➡️🧵(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 ‘agency priorities’.

www.nature.com

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John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social · 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! 🌊🧪

Scott Doney @scottdoney.bsky.social · Apr 29

National Academy of Sciences Elects Members and International Members - NAS

www.nasonline.org

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Reposted by Nicola J. Cooper, Ana Bastos, Baylor Fox‐Kemper , and 24 more Nicola J. Cooper, Ana Bastos, Baylor Fox‐Kemper, David P. Stevens, John J. Cullen, Matthias Doepke, Rafael H. M. Pereira, Lars Vilhuber, Jon Williamson, Vanesa Castán Broto, Markus Jäntti, Brian Medeiros, Rex Brynen, Michelle L. Mazurek, Mathew V. Kiang, Joseph A. McCartin, Kevin Miller, Jessica A. Gephart, Michiel van Meeteren, Marta Kołczyńska, Rense Nieuwenhuis, Oliver L. Haimson, Lukas Graf, Alexandra Cirone, Jae-Young Son, Colin Tucker Smith, Béatrice Cointe

Randall Munroe @xkcd.com · Apr 25

PhD Timeline xkcd.com/3081

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Reposted by Jay T. Lennon, John J. Cullen

Curtis Suttle @virosphere.bsky.social · 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

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Reposted by John J. Cullen

Alt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social · Apr 18

The Act prohibits actions that “harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect” endangered species. Right now, “harm” includes damage to a species’ habitat—but the Trump administration is attempting to strip habitat destruction from that definition.

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Reposted by David M. Schultz, John J. Cullen, Thomas Martin , and 2 more David M. Schultz, John J. Cullen, Thomas Martin, Peter Campbell, Jeffrey Alexander

Jenna C. Hill @chillocean.bsky.social · Apr 17

NOAA just announced a long list of datasets that are going away🧪⚒️🌊: 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

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Reposted by John J. Cullen

Helen Czerski @helenczerski.bsky.social · 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 don’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 shipping’s decarbonisation regulatory measures. The threat of action against member states agreeing to a deal has the potential to derail talks

www.lloydslist.com

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Reposted by Pierre Friedlingstein, John J. Cullen

David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 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 Agreements’ 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

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

Katharine Hayhoe @katharinehayhoe.com · 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

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Reposted by John J. Cullen, Adrián Shubert

Carol Off @caroloff.bsky.social · 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.

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John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social · 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 Huber 🍁 🌻 @dezene.me · Mar 18

This is bananas.

'Canadian researchers are asked to confirm that their research:

- does not include a climate or “environmental justice” component

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

- does not ascribe to “gender ideology'

🧪 🌎

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

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John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social · Mar 8

Got potash? 🇨🇦

The Narwhal @thenarwhal.ca · Mar 6

We've been hearing a lot about potash lately — 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

Eric Roston @eroston.bsky.social · 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
— transportation, communications, and all other industries; agriculture, medicine, education, entertainment, protecting the environment; and even the key democratic institution of voting — 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.
—Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World, 1996

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Reposted by John J. Cullen, Steve Morgan

Canadian History Ehx @cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social · 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.

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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, 20¢ 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 don’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.

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John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social · 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.🌊

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

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John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social · 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. 🌊🧪

Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography @aslo.org · Feb 24

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Reposted by John J. Cullen

Michael E. Mann @michaelemann.bsky.social · Jan 23

My forthcoming book with Peter Hotez:
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/micha...

Science Under Siege

Two of the world’s most respected scientists reveal the forces behind the dangerous anti-science movement—and show us how to fight back From pand...

www.hachettebookgroup.com

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