Pam McElwee
@pammcelwee.bsky.social
Prof of Human Ecology @Rutgers. Co-Chair, IPBES Nexus Assessment, Ecosystems chapter lead NCA5 & IPCC author. Kansas/Oxford/Yale Alum. She/her. Brunch-eater. Mom. Working at science-policy interface to find solutions to biodiversity + climate crises 🌎☀️🐢
Pinned
In reading Bill Gates' recent #climate memo, I'm struck by how much he ignores huge body of research and action around integrated solutions - the whole reason we wrote the @ipbes.net Nexus Assessment on climate, biodiversity, water, food and health! So a few key facts & lessons from our report: 1/
Now that #COP30 has shown us how urgent action really is, sharing access to a Perspective that came out earlier this fall on managing trade-offs between biodiversity and renewable energy - the IPBES nexus assessment shows that this *can* be done!
rdcu.be/eRx3d
rdcu.be/eRx3d
The trade-offs between needed renewable energy transitions and biodiversity can be overcome
Nature Reviews Biodiversity - The expansion of renewable energy is urgently needed to reduce carbon emissions, but it can entail some trade-offs with biodiversity. Here, we argue that synergistic...
rdcu.be
November 25, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Now that #COP30 has shown us how urgent action really is, sharing access to a Perspective that came out earlier this fall on managing trade-offs between biodiversity and renewable energy - the IPBES nexus assessment shows that this *can* be done!
rdcu.be/eRx3d
rdcu.be/eRx3d
Disappointing lack of urgency from #COP30 outcomes. Meanwhile, #Vietnam is getting a battering from extreme rain and floods. These are NOT coastal provinces that are used to hurricanes - these are inland mountainous areas now experiencing landslides and submerged villages
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Vietnam floods leave at least 90 dead and 12 missing
Days of torrential rain leaves vast swathes of the country inundated and facing landslides.
www.bbc.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Disappointing lack of urgency from #COP30 outcomes. Meanwhile, #Vietnam is getting a battering from extreme rain and floods. These are NOT coastal provinces that are used to hurricanes - these are inland mountainous areas now experiencing landslides and submerged villages
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Once upon a time we had a government with multiple levels of scientific review, advisory boards and robust processes so that one political person could not do an end-run around science. An incredibly dangerous moment for public health, climate, AI, etc when actual expertise/evidence is sorely needed
Breaking News: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he personally instructed the CDC to abandon its position that vaccines do not cause autism. The move underscores his determination to challenge scientific orthodoxy — in this case, that vaccines save lives — and bend the health department to his will.
RFK Jr. Says He Instructed CDC to Change Vaccines and Autism Language on Website
In an interview, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cited gaps in vaccine safety research. His critics say he is ignoring a larger point: Vaccines save lives.
nyti.ms
November 21, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Once upon a time we had a government with multiple levels of scientific review, advisory boards and robust processes so that one political person could not do an end-run around science. An incredibly dangerous moment for public health, climate, AI, etc when actual expertise/evidence is sorely needed
Reposted by Pam McElwee
For decades, Republicans have been slow walking progress on clean energy. That isn’t free. Home insurance premiums are through the roof because of their inaction.
Rising Home Insurance Premiums Are Eating Into Home Values in Disaster-Prone Areas
Changes in the insurance market have started to affect home prices in the most disaster-prone areas, new research finds, pushing some homeowners’ finances to the breaking point.
www.nytimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:53 PM
For decades, Republicans have been slow walking progress on clean energy. That isn’t free. Home insurance premiums are through the roof because of their inaction.
😡😡😡
The House is taking up several planet-destroying, civilization-threatening, anti-children bills today. These will overturn Biden-administration protections against fossil-fuel drilling and other ecosystem destruction in Alaska and Wyoming
November 18, 2025 at 3:14 PM
😡😡😡
I left my previous job due to 'restructuring' gone awry. Being more interdisciplinary is one thing - giving all your existing departments the heave-ho (with little faculty input) is another.
November 18, 2025 at 1:55 PM
I left my previous job due to 'restructuring' gone awry. Being more interdisciplinary is one thing - giving all your existing departments the heave-ho (with little faculty input) is another.
Reposted by Pam McElwee
🎙️ The #COPOut Podcast Episode 3 on the Future of Carbon Governance is LIVE! Tune in to hear from @pammcelwee.bsky.social & @laurengifford.bsky.social as they discuss how the use science to inform climate policymaking and why the regime continues to miss the mark. cece.american.edu/copout-episo...
November 17, 2025 at 12:24 PM
🎙️ The #COPOut Podcast Episode 3 on the Future of Carbon Governance is LIVE! Tune in to hear from @pammcelwee.bsky.social & @laurengifford.bsky.social as they discuss how the use science to inform climate policymaking and why the regime continues to miss the mark. cece.american.edu/copout-episo...
Reposted by Pam McElwee
📢 In a new PLOS Climate Opinion article, the Co-Chairs of the the @ipbes.net Nexus Assessment, @pammcelwee.bsky.social and Paula Harrison, share key lessons for the UNFCCC #COP30
🔗 journals.plos.org/climate/arti...
🔗 journals.plos.org/climate/arti...
November 12, 2025 at 7:05 PM
📢 In a new PLOS Climate Opinion article, the Co-Chairs of the the @ipbes.net Nexus Assessment, @pammcelwee.bsky.social and Paula Harrison, share key lessons for the UNFCCC #COP30
🔗 journals.plos.org/climate/arti...
🔗 journals.plos.org/climate/arti...
Reposted by Pam McElwee
new from me today: not all data centers are created environmentally equal — and building them in states with cleaner grids and more access to water could go a long way in preventing environmental catastrophe
If the US Has to Build Data Centers, Here’s Where They Should Go
A new analysis tries to calculate the coming environmental footprint of AI in the US and finds that the ideal sites for data centers aren’t where they’re being built.
www.wired.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:11 PM
new from me today: not all data centers are created environmentally equal — and building them in states with cleaner grids and more access to water could go a long way in preventing environmental catastrophe
Reposted by Pam McElwee
Every new report on the consequences of Trump’s dismantling of USAID is more horrifying than the last. One model estimates it's caused 600K deaths — two-thirds of them children.
We can’t give Trump a blank check to keep destroying life-saving programs.
We can’t give Trump a blank check to keep destroying life-saving programs.
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
www.newyorker.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Every new report on the consequences of Trump’s dismantling of USAID is more horrifying than the last. One model estimates it's caused 600K deaths — two-thirds of them children.
We can’t give Trump a blank check to keep destroying life-saving programs.
We can’t give Trump a blank check to keep destroying life-saving programs.
Reposted by Pam McElwee
First episode of COPOut airs SUNDAY. Tune in to hear from @laurengifford.bsky.social @katharinehayhoe.com @davidho.bsky.social @magnoliae.bsky.social @pammcelwee.bsky.social @lisaschipper.bsky.social @frediotto.bsky.social @amywestervelt.bsky.social & more!
cece.american.edu/cece-launche...
cece.american.edu/cece-launche...
November 7, 2025 at 4:51 PM
First episode of COPOut airs SUNDAY. Tune in to hear from @laurengifford.bsky.social @katharinehayhoe.com @davidho.bsky.social @magnoliae.bsky.social @pammcelwee.bsky.social @lisaschipper.bsky.social @frediotto.bsky.social @amywestervelt.bsky.social & more!
cece.american.edu/cece-launche...
cece.american.edu/cece-launche...
Today Nov 6 is International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict. Given the environmental impacts of recent conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, we clearly need to do better. joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-news-and...
War worsens climate and environmental challenges in Ukraine
A new study finds reduced greenhouse gas emissions in Ukraine amid war but increased toxic pollution risks.
joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu
November 6, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Today Nov 6 is International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict. Given the environmental impacts of recent conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, we clearly need to do better. joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-news-and...
The headwinds are strong at frderal level, but NJ really needs to get offshore wind energy sector developed - 🤞hope newly elected governor Sherrill uses her mandate to push for this www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
In New Jersey, offshore wind notches a win—and dodges a bullet
Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill slayed a GOP rival who'd vowed to ban new turbines.
www.motherjones.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:29 PM
The headwinds are strong at frderal level, but NJ really needs to get offshore wind energy sector developed - 🤞hope newly elected governor Sherrill uses her mandate to push for this www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Pam McElwee
The UNEP GAP report is not the kind of reading that makes climate scientists smile. But this figure is not all bleak - look at all the emissions curves pointing downwards!
The full report: www.unep.org/resources/em...
The full report: www.unep.org/resources/em...
November 5, 2025 at 7:34 PM
The UNEP GAP report is not the kind of reading that makes climate scientists smile. But this figure is not all bleak - look at all the emissions curves pointing downwards!
The full report: www.unep.org/resources/em...
The full report: www.unep.org/resources/em...
In reading Bill Gates' recent #climate memo, I'm struck by how much he ignores huge body of research and action around integrated solutions - the whole reason we wrote the @ipbes.net Nexus Assessment on climate, biodiversity, water, food and health! So a few key facts & lessons from our report: 1/
November 5, 2025 at 7:13 PM
In reading Bill Gates' recent #climate memo, I'm struck by how much he ignores huge body of research and action around integrated solutions - the whole reason we wrote the @ipbes.net Nexus Assessment on climate, biodiversity, water, food and health! So a few key facts & lessons from our report: 1/
Thank you fellow NJ voters! Turns out being pro-science, pro-infrastructure and pro-democracy is very popular in our grand state!
Last polling out of New Jersey was 46% to 42%.
Mikie Sherill blew her opponent away, being the first Democratic governor of New Jersey winning by double digits, beating her opponent by 13 points.
Mikie Sherill blew her opponent away, being the first Democratic governor of New Jersey winning by double digits, beating her opponent by 13 points.
November 5, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Thank you fellow NJ voters! Turns out being pro-science, pro-infrastructure and pro-democracy is very popular in our grand state!
Reposted by Pam McElwee
How can the Global South integrate climate and health policy under increasing neglect by the Trump administration?
Join us for a conversation Wednesday at 1 pm ET, moderated by @alexip718.com and featuring experts @joshettinger.bsky.social @finejulia6.bsky.social at @mason4c.bsky.social:
Join us for a conversation Wednesday at 1 pm ET, moderated by @alexip718.com and featuring experts @joshettinger.bsky.social @finejulia6.bsky.social at @mason4c.bsky.social:
The Fifth Vital Sign: Advancing and integrating climate and health policy
We discuss new research by the George Mason Center for Climate Change Communication and the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication
www.eventbrite.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:09 PM
How can the Global South integrate climate and health policy under increasing neglect by the Trump administration?
Join us for a conversation Wednesday at 1 pm ET, moderated by @alexip718.com and featuring experts @joshettinger.bsky.social @finejulia6.bsky.social at @mason4c.bsky.social:
Join us for a conversation Wednesday at 1 pm ET, moderated by @alexip718.com and featuring experts @joshettinger.bsky.social @finejulia6.bsky.social at @mason4c.bsky.social:
Reposted by Pam McElwee
New Jersey, it is the honor of my life to earn your trust to become this great state’s 57th Governor.
I promise to listen, lead with courage, and never forget who I serve.
I promise to listen, lead with courage, and never forget who I serve.
November 5, 2025 at 2:25 AM
New Jersey, it is the honor of my life to earn your trust to become this great state’s 57th Governor.
I promise to listen, lead with courage, and never forget who I serve.
I promise to listen, lead with courage, and never forget who I serve.
It's election day in New Jersey! Polls are open til 8pm - if you haven't voted yet, go get in line!
www.nj.com/politics/202...
www.nj.com/politics/202...
Election Day 2025: Polls are open across N.J. for big governor’s race
The governor's race between Republican Jack Ciattarelli and Democrat Mikie Sherrill tops a big year.
www.nj.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:27 PM
It's election day in New Jersey! Polls are open til 8pm - if you haven't voted yet, go get in line!
www.nj.com/politics/202...
www.nj.com/politics/202...
Unbelievably extraordinary - Trump admin personally threatening EU delegates to IMO regarding climate shipping rules. www.politico.eu/article/us-a...
US accused of threatening EU diplomats during bid to kill green shipping rules
Negotiators at shipping talks in London were told both they and their countries could be punished unless they voted with the U.S.
www.politico.eu
November 4, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Unbelievably extraordinary - Trump admin personally threatening EU delegates to IMO regarding climate shipping rules. www.politico.eu/article/us-a...
The arbitrary cancellation of important research studies continues apace even as the government remains shuttered. Infuriating 😡
Halloween Shocker: Trump axes work to learn whether offshore wind farms harm bats.
The project was among 351 federal awards recently slated for termination by the Energy Department.
From our friends at @canarymedia.com:
The project was among 351 federal awards recently slated for termination by the Energy Department.
From our friends at @canarymedia.com:
Halloween shocker: Trump axes research to determine whether offshore wind farms harm bats
The project was among 351 federal awards recently slated for termination by the Energy Department.
www.motherjones.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:21 PM
The arbitrary cancellation of important research studies continues apace even as the government remains shuttered. Infuriating 😡
The Caribbean is not the only site of climate-induced devastation this week -- #Vietnam got nearly 50 inches of rain in 24 hours Monday night. Major urban areas along central coast have much of their infrastructure underwater www.independent.co.uk/news/vietnam...
At least 10 dead as Vietnam battered by record rainfall and extreme flooding
10 died and five missing after days of rain triggered floods and landslides
www.independent.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 3:52 PM
The Caribbean is not the only site of climate-induced devastation this week -- #Vietnam got nearly 50 inches of rain in 24 hours Monday night. Major urban areas along central coast have much of their infrastructure underwater www.independent.co.uk/news/vietnam...
As we wait for news of the devastation in Jamaica and Cuba, a reminder that leaving vulnerable SIDS nations to cope with climate change themselves while already overburdened by debt is unacceptable #melissa www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/c...
For Years, Islands Have Warned of Climate Disaster. They’ve Seen Little Help.
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 11:43 AM
As we wait for news of the devastation in Jamaica and Cuba, a reminder that leaving vulnerable SIDS nations to cope with climate change themselves while already overburdened by debt is unacceptable #melissa www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/c...
Reposted by Pam McElwee
The UN 🇺🇳 released its official NDC Synthesis Report, offering both hope and a stark warning.
According to the report, current pledges collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 17%. However, this is a fraction of the 60% reduction required to limit warming to 1.5°C.
350.org/press-releas...
According to the report, current pledges collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 17%. However, this is a fraction of the 60% reduction required to limit warming to 1.5°C.
350.org/press-releas...
UN Report on Countries Climate Targets (NDCs) offers “hope and stark warning”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 28th October 2025 UN Report on Countries Climate Targets (NDCs) offers “hope and stark warning” Bonn, Germany...
350.org
October 28, 2025 at 1:07 PM
The UN 🇺🇳 released its official NDC Synthesis Report, offering both hope and a stark warning.
According to the report, current pledges collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 17%. However, this is a fraction of the 60% reduction required to limit warming to 1.5°C.
350.org/press-releas...
According to the report, current pledges collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 17%. However, this is a fraction of the 60% reduction required to limit warming to 1.5°C.
350.org/press-releas...
#Melissa monster size driven by ocean heating - made 700 more times likely due to climate change. Deeply worried for friends and colleagues in Jamaica 😢
What we're witnessing with #Melissa is ultra rare in the history of known hurricanes in the Atlantic. This level of sustained intensity and feasting on every joule of ocean heat content without any real disruption is incredible.
Not hyperbole: Jamaica is facing a generational catastrophic event.
Not hyperbole: Jamaica is facing a generational catastrophic event.
October 28, 2025 at 12:46 PM
#Melissa monster size driven by ocean heating - made 700 more times likely due to climate change. Deeply worried for friends and colleagues in Jamaica 😢