Jon Levy
@jonlevybu.bsky.social
Professor and Chair of Dept of Environmental Health at BU School of Public Health. Focus on indoor and outdoor air, climate change, housing, and environmental justice. Occasional parental musings and the odd dad joke. Once called “Very human, relatable”.
Reposted by Jon Levy
Now Trump EPA head, Lee Zeldin, enters the scene with rank dishonesty & theatrical indignation to dispute the NY Times' correct, accurate reporting.
But I've read the EPA smoking gun document, I'm a 30+-year clean air lawyer, I understand its meaning better than Zeldin, & I have the receipts. 1/
But I've read the EPA smoking gun document, I'm a 30+-year clean air lawyer, I understand its meaning better than Zeldin, & I have the receipts. 1/
January 13, 2026 at 1:21 AM
Now Trump EPA head, Lee Zeldin, enters the scene with rank dishonesty & theatrical indignation to dispute the NY Times' correct, accurate reporting.
But I've read the EPA smoking gun document, I'm a 30+-year clean air lawyer, I understand its meaning better than Zeldin, & I have the receipts. 1/
But I've read the EPA smoking gun document, I'm a 30+-year clean air lawyer, I understand its meaning better than Zeldin, & I have the receipts. 1/
Reposted by Jon Levy
The fact that air pollution protections save lives (and thus dollars) has long been an inconvenient fact for those who want polluting industries unfettered.
This move is indefensible and dangerous.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/c...
This move is indefensible and dangerous.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/c...
E.P.A. to Stop Considering Lives Saved When Setting Rules on Air Pollution
www.nytimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 10:49 PM
The fact that air pollution protections save lives (and thus dollars) has long been an inconvenient fact for those who want polluting industries unfettered.
This move is indefensible and dangerous.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/c...
This move is indefensible and dangerous.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/c...
Reposted by Jon Levy
The Trump administration is proposing to value the cost of air pollution deaths at $0.
It’s no wonder that Trump’s EPA would take this step: avoided premature mortality is regularly the largest category of monetized benefits used to justify Clean Air Act regulation.
It’s no wonder that Trump’s EPA would take this step: avoided premature mortality is regularly the largest category of monetized benefits used to justify Clean Air Act regulation.
E.P.A. to Stop Considering Lives Saved When Setting Rules on Air Pollution
www.nytimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 6:13 PM
The Trump administration is proposing to value the cost of air pollution deaths at $0.
It’s no wonder that Trump’s EPA would take this step: avoided premature mortality is regularly the largest category of monetized benefits used to justify Clean Air Act regulation.
It’s no wonder that Trump’s EPA would take this step: avoided premature mortality is regularly the largest category of monetized benefits used to justify Clean Air Act regulation.
Since deaths from particulate matter and ozone are the vast majority of monetized benefits from air pollution regulations, this move will effectively stop most clean air regulations. This is totally unsupported by science, economics, or common sense.
Scoop: The EPA will no longer estimate the lives saved by reducing air pollution when writing clean-air regulations, according to documents reviewed by @nytimes.com.
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/c...
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/c...
E.P.A. to Stop Considering Lives Saved When Setting Rules on Air Pollution
www.nytimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Since deaths from particulate matter and ozone are the vast majority of monetized benefits from air pollution regulations, this move will effectively stop most clean air regulations. This is totally unsupported by science, economics, or common sense.
Reposted by Jon Levy
This is so incredibly heart-breaking. To Jay Bhattacharya and Matthew Memoli at NIH--you have betrayed the entire scientific community. Deeply committed staff are leaving in droves--because you are destroying the institution. Shame on you. www.statnews.com/2026/01/10/n...
The NIH has lost its scientific integrity. So we left
“We can no longer lend our credibility to an organization that has lost its integrity,” write four scientists and administrators who recently resigned from the NIH.
www.statnews.com
January 10, 2026 at 2:28 PM
This is so incredibly heart-breaking. To Jay Bhattacharya and Matthew Memoli at NIH--you have betrayed the entire scientific community. Deeply committed staff are leaving in droves--because you are destroying the institution. Shame on you. www.statnews.com/2026/01/10/n...
Reposted by Jon Levy
Dozens of public housing apartments will get plug-in induction ranges as part of the initiative, which aims to eventually shift 10,000 NYCHA homes off the use of polluting fossil fuel appliances. citylimits.org/nycha-to-rep...
NYCHA to Replace Gas Stoves in 100 Apartments Under Energy-Efficiency Pilot Program - City Limits
Dozens of public housing apartments will get plug-in induction ranges as part of the initiative, which aims to eventually shift 10,000 NYCHA homes off the use of polluting fossil fuel appliances.
citylimits.org
December 30, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Dozens of public housing apartments will get plug-in induction ranges as part of the initiative, which aims to eventually shift 10,000 NYCHA homes off the use of polluting fossil fuel appliances. citylimits.org/nycha-to-rep...
Unfortunately this skeet aged well…
Thank goodness there are no national security issues or geopolitical challenges related to oil or gas…
Burgum: "Today we're sending notifications to the 5 large offshore wind projects that are under construction that their leases will be suspended due to national security concerns ... the Dept of War has come back conclusively that these large offshore wind programs create radar interference"
January 4, 2026 at 4:53 PM
Unfortunately this skeet aged well…
When people argue that renewable energy sources are too expensive, remember that we don’t invade countries to seize wind farms and there are no solar cartels. Fossil fuels have enormous geopolitical, public health, and climate externalities.
January 3, 2026 at 8:40 PM
When people argue that renewable energy sources are too expensive, remember that we don’t invade countries to seize wind farms and there are no solar cartels. Fossil fuels have enormous geopolitical, public health, and climate externalities.
Reposted by Jon Levy
The @nytimes.com Lost Science series continues. Here's my Q&A with a scientist who was studying how wildfire smoke threatens human health when the EPA decided that her research was no longer a funding priority. Gift link: nyti.ms/4jhpw14
December 27, 2025 at 5:11 PM
The @nytimes.com Lost Science series continues. Here's my Q&A with a scientist who was studying how wildfire smoke threatens human health when the EPA decided that her research was no longer a funding priority. Gift link: nyti.ms/4jhpw14
Reposted by Jon Levy
New preprint up assessing the air quality and health benefits that could have been possible under the Inflation Reduction Act.
Huge effort here with Erin Mayfield, Jamil Farbes, @jessedjenkins.com, Ryan Jones, Tracey Holloway, and @jonathanpatz.bsky.social.
Huge effort here with Erin Mayfield, Jamil Farbes, @jessedjenkins.com, Ryan Jones, Tracey Holloway, and @jonathanpatz.bsky.social.
Air quality and health effects of U.S. energy transitions
Transitioning the U.S. energy system has the potential to improve public health by reducing ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure. We develop an integrated modeling framework, coupling ener...
zenodo.org
December 22, 2025 at 9:32 PM
New preprint up assessing the air quality and health benefits that could have been possible under the Inflation Reduction Act.
Huge effort here with Erin Mayfield, Jamil Farbes, @jessedjenkins.com, Ryan Jones, Tracey Holloway, and @jonathanpatz.bsky.social.
Huge effort here with Erin Mayfield, Jamil Farbes, @jessedjenkins.com, Ryan Jones, Tracey Holloway, and @jonathanpatz.bsky.social.
Reposted by Jon Levy
Sweeping science cuts in 2025 halted clinical trials, erased public health data and forced researchers into impossible choices.
“This year nearly broke me as a scientist,” one writes.
Six researchers share their stories: buff.ly/u2MHIQo 🧪
“This year nearly broke me as a scientist,” one writes.
Six researchers share their stories: buff.ly/u2MHIQo 🧪
‘This year nearly broke me as a scientist’ – US researchers reflect on how 2025’s science cuts have changed their lives
US science lost a great deal in 2025, including tens of billions of dollars of federal funding, entire research agencies and programs, and a generation of researchers.
buff.ly
December 23, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Sweeping science cuts in 2025 halted clinical trials, erased public health data and forced researchers into impossible choices.
“This year nearly broke me as a scientist,” one writes.
Six researchers share their stories: buff.ly/u2MHIQo 🧪
“This year nearly broke me as a scientist,” one writes.
Six researchers share their stories: buff.ly/u2MHIQo 🧪
Reposted by Jon Levy
It brings me no pleasure to report that my beat — offshore wind power — skyrocketed to the top of new sites today.
I just published a scoop about Trump's halt on 5 in-progress wind farms capable of powering 2.7 million homes.
Here's a mega🧵
🔗 2nd post is a link to my scoop
🎁 last post is a gift
I just published a scoop about Trump's halt on 5 in-progress wind farms capable of powering 2.7 million homes.
Here's a mega🧵
🔗 2nd post is a link to my scoop
🎁 last post is a gift
December 23, 2025 at 6:07 AM
It brings me no pleasure to report that my beat — offshore wind power — skyrocketed to the top of new sites today.
I just published a scoop about Trump's halt on 5 in-progress wind farms capable of powering 2.7 million homes.
Here's a mega🧵
🔗 2nd post is a link to my scoop
🎁 last post is a gift
I just published a scoop about Trump's halt on 5 in-progress wind farms capable of powering 2.7 million homes.
Here's a mega🧵
🔗 2nd post is a link to my scoop
🎁 last post is a gift
Thank goodness there are no national security issues or geopolitical challenges related to oil or gas…
Burgum: "Today we're sending notifications to the 5 large offshore wind projects that are under construction that their leases will be suspended due to national security concerns ... the Dept of War has come back conclusively that these large offshore wind programs create radar interference"
December 22, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Thank goodness there are no national security issues or geopolitical challenges related to oil or gas…
Our commentary from October reinforces how dismantling offshore wind is bad for energy costs, climate, and health - it bolsters profits for the fossil fuel industry, but everyone else loses.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/08/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/08/m...
Restarting Revolution Wind is good for our health as well as the climate - The Boston Globe
Investing in clean sources of electricity helps address climate change. It also leads to local and regional health benefits, write two Boston University professors of environmental health.
www.bostonglobe.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Our commentary from October reinforces how dismantling offshore wind is bad for energy costs, climate, and health - it bolsters profits for the fossil fuel industry, but everyone else loses.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/08/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/08/m...
This is madness. Freezing offshore wind projects in progress will waste money, cost jobs, make electricity less reliable and more expensive, and will cause health harms given that fossil fuels will be used instead.
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Interior pauses construction of all offshore wind projects, citing national security concerns
The halts of five projects is a major ramp up of the administration's hostility toward the industry in the United States.
www.politico.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:19 PM
This is madness. Freezing offshore wind projects in progress will waste money, cost jobs, make electricity less reliable and more expensive, and will cause health harms given that fossil fuels will be used instead.
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Reposted by Jon Levy
Unbelievable. This would be a terrible blow to American science, writ large. It would decimate not only climate research, but also the kind of weather, wildfire, and disaster research that has underpinned half a century of progress in prediction, early warning, and increased resilience.
Exclusive: The Trump administration is moving to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, according to a senior White House official, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
Trump moves to dismantle major US climate research center in Colorado
The Trump administration is breaking up the National Center for Atmospheric Research, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
bit.ly
December 17, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Unbelievable. This would be a terrible blow to American science, writ large. It would decimate not only climate research, but also the kind of weather, wildfire, and disaster research that has underpinned half a century of progress in prediction, early warning, and increased resilience.
Reposted by Jon Levy
Are you one of the 38% of U.S. households with a gas or propane stove? If so, spend the $50 needed to get an induction stove! New study: "if you use a gas stove, you’re often breathing as much nitrogen dioxide pollution indoors from your stove as you are from all outdoor sources combined.”
Switching to electric stoves can dramatically cut indoor air pollution
A new study links gas and propane stove emissions to asthma and other health risks. Transitioning to electric could reduce exposure by over 50%.
news.stanford.edu
December 5, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Are you one of the 38% of U.S. households with a gas or propane stove? If so, spend the $50 needed to get an induction stove! New study: "if you use a gas stove, you’re often breathing as much nitrogen dioxide pollution indoors from your stove as you are from all outdoor sources combined.”
Reposted by Jon Levy
"A Stanford-led study finds switching from a gas to electric stove would cut nitrogen dioxide exposure across the U.S. by over one half, reducing the risk of asthma."
#Induction #Electrify #GasStoves #Asthma #IndoorAir #PublicHealth
woods.stanford.edu/news/air-ins...
#Induction #Electrify #GasStoves #Asthma #IndoorAir #PublicHealth
woods.stanford.edu/news/air-ins...
Is the air inside your home more dangerous than the air outside it?
Gas and propane stoves emit substantial amounts of nitrogen dioxide, a pollutant linked to higher risks of asthma, heart and lung disease, and other conditions. A Stanford-led study finds switching fr...
woods.stanford.edu
December 2, 2025 at 6:41 PM
"A Stanford-led study finds switching from a gas to electric stove would cut nitrogen dioxide exposure across the U.S. by over one half, reducing the risk of asthma."
#Induction #Electrify #GasStoves #Asthma #IndoorAir #PublicHealth
woods.stanford.edu/news/air-ins...
#Induction #Electrify #GasStoves #Asthma #IndoorAir #PublicHealth
woods.stanford.edu/news/air-ins...
Reposted by Jon Levy
While the administration has said it is cutting “woke programs” that “poison the minds of Americans", it actually funded fewer grants in every area of science and medicine.
“They brought everything to a stop,” said Sarah Kobrin, a branch chief at the N.I.H.’s National Cancer Institute
“They brought everything to a stop,” said Sarah Kobrin, a branch chief at the N.I.H.’s National Cancer Institute
The U.S. Is Funding Fewer Grants in Every Area of Science and Medicine (Gift Article)
A quiet policy change means the government is making fewer bets on long-term science.
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:31 PM
While the administration has said it is cutting “woke programs” that “poison the minds of Americans", it actually funded fewer grants in every area of science and medicine.
“They brought everything to a stop,” said Sarah Kobrin, a branch chief at the N.I.H.’s National Cancer Institute
“They brought everything to a stop,” said Sarah Kobrin, a branch chief at the N.I.H.’s National Cancer Institute
With this proposal, the Dept of Ed excludes social work, nursing, public health, and other fields as “professions” meriting better loan access. This is because these fields pay less. Clear disdain for people dedicated to helping others even if they make less. Maybe better pay is a better solution?
New: What Is A “Professional Degree” And Why Does It Matter? via @forbes www.forbes.com/sites/judyst... #Nursing #PT #OT #PublicHealth #MentalHealth #SocialWork w thanks to @gregggonsalves.bsky.social @michelemanos.bsky.social and Russ Francis @defendpublichealth.bsky.social for comments.
What Is A “Professional Degree” And Why Does It Matter?
Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the Dept of Education proposes redefining "professional degrees" to exclude degrees in nursing, NP/PA, Public Health, PT/OT and more
www.forbes.com
November 30, 2025 at 1:28 AM
With this proposal, the Dept of Ed excludes social work, nursing, public health, and other fields as “professions” meriting better loan access. This is because these fields pay less. Clear disdain for people dedicated to helping others even if they make less. Maybe better pay is a better solution?
My only critique is that it is more cathartic to manually delete all of the double spaces after periods. Sure, it takes longer, but I can’t let the machine take away the joy I feel in purging each and every one.
November 15, 2025 at 3:19 AM
My only critique is that it is more cathartic to manually delete all of the double spaces after periods. Sure, it takes longer, but I can’t let the machine take away the joy I feel in purging each and every one.
Today is Health Day at #COP30. Unfortunately for many communities every day is health day given a warming climate. But smart climate policies can improve health in the short run while mitigating climate change in the long run. Some thoughts and ideas ⬇️
theconversation.com/want-to-make...
theconversation.com/want-to-make...
Want to make America healthy again? Stop fueling climate change
From extreme heat to mosquito-borne illnesses, climate change is making people sicker and more vulnerable to disease. Health scientists explain what individuals and governments can do about it.
theconversation.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Today is Health Day at #COP30. Unfortunately for many communities every day is health day given a warming climate. But smart climate policies can improve health in the short run while mitigating climate change in the long run. Some thoughts and ideas ⬇️
theconversation.com/want-to-make...
theconversation.com/want-to-make...
Reposted by Jon Levy
5 ways to make America healthy again: clean energy; healthy food & farms; clean & active transportation; healthy buildings; & green communities. To learn more, follow these smart docs:
@jonlevybu.bsky.social
@jonathanpatz.bsky.social @howardfrumkin.bsky.social
@docsforclimate.bsky.social
@jonlevybu.bsky.social
@jonathanpatz.bsky.social @howardfrumkin.bsky.social
@docsforclimate.bsky.social
Want to make America healthy again? Stop fueling climate change
From extreme heat to mosquito-borne illnesses, climate change is making people sicker and more vulnerable to disease. Health scientists explain what individuals and governments can do about it.
theconversation.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:01 PM
5 ways to make America healthy again: clean energy; healthy food & farms; clean & active transportation; healthy buildings; & green communities. To learn more, follow these smart docs:
@jonlevybu.bsky.social
@jonathanpatz.bsky.social @howardfrumkin.bsky.social
@docsforclimate.bsky.social
@jonlevybu.bsky.social
@jonathanpatz.bsky.social @howardfrumkin.bsky.social
@docsforclimate.bsky.social
Reposted by Jon Levy
The Trump administration wants to rescind a 2009 finding that climate change endangers public health.
Physicians and epidemiologists argue the move ignores mounting evidence linking climate change to heat deaths, epidemics, air pollution and mental health crises.
Physicians and epidemiologists argue the move ignores mounting evidence linking climate change to heat deaths, epidemics, air pollution and mental health crises.
Want to make America healthy again? Stop fueling climate change
From extreme heat to mosquito-borne illnesses, climate change is making people sicker and more vulnerable to disease. Health scientists explain what individuals and governments can do about it.
buff.ly
November 13, 2025 at 3:30 AM
The Trump administration wants to rescind a 2009 finding that climate change endangers public health.
Physicians and epidemiologists argue the move ignores mounting evidence linking climate change to heat deaths, epidemics, air pollution and mental health crises.
Physicians and epidemiologists argue the move ignores mounting evidence linking climate change to heat deaths, epidemics, air pollution and mental health crises.
Reposted by Jon Levy
During #COP30 it is important to remember that climate policy is health policy, and that climate action is needed to improve health. Some background information in a new commentary by me, @jonathanpatz.bsky.social, @howardfrumkin.bsky.social, and Vijay Limaye.
theconversation.com/want-to-make...
theconversation.com/want-to-make...
Want to make America healthy again? Stop fueling climate change
From extreme heat to mosquito-borne illnesses, climate change is making people sicker and more vulnerable to disease. Health scientists explain what individuals and governments can do about it.
theconversation.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:59 PM
During #COP30 it is important to remember that climate policy is health policy, and that climate action is needed to improve health. Some background information in a new commentary by me, @jonathanpatz.bsky.social, @howardfrumkin.bsky.social, and Vijay Limaye.
theconversation.com/want-to-make...
theconversation.com/want-to-make...