Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Paul Bierman

@paul-bierman.bsky.social

6.5K followers 3.2K following 1.6K posts

Geoscientist, environmental historian, professor, author who cares deeply about our planet. Obsessed with snow, ice sheets, climate, and science as a way of knowing. Passionate about teaching, equality, and explaining Earth. https://www.paulbierman.net .. more

Videos

Environmental science 38%

Geology 28%

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Paul Bierman @paul-bierman.bsky.social · 6h

Love this shit.🧪

The ocean is a carbon toilet. Marine heat waves are clogging it. | grist.org/climate/the-...

The ocean is a carbon toilet. Marine heat waves are clogging it.

Tiny poops are supposed to sink to the seafloor, locking away carbon. But scientists have found that heat waves are disrupting that flushing.

grist.org

1 2

Paul Bierman @paul-bierman.bsky.social · 1d

What have we come to America?

Melanie D’Arrigo @darrigomelanie.bsky.social · 1d

I feel like this photo of masked, armed men pepper spraying a pastor protecting his community is going to be a defining picture of this moment in America for a long, long time.

3 3

Reposted by Anna O. Law, Rebecca Solnit, Jonathan A. Eisen , and 27 more Anna O. Law, Rebecca Solnit, Jonathan A. Eisen, Erich Fromm, Brendan Nyhan, Paul R. Bierman, Patrick A. Jansen, Patrick Dunleavy, Steve Peers, Christopher Wright, Steven French, Lisa M. Thompson, Laura K. Taylor, Marina Jirotka, Kevin J. O’Brien, Juan Cole, Erwin Dekker, Brian Medeiros, Silvia Secchi, W. Andy Knight, Michael Zimmer, Christine Kooi, Erica Weintraub Austin, Mark Rice, Ann Bartow, Henry Jones, Blair Fix, Nathan P. Kalmoe, Francesco Nicoli, Colin Woodard

Melanie D’Arrigo @darrigomelanie.bsky.social · 1d

I feel like this photo of masked, armed men pepper spraying a pastor protecting his community is going to be a defining picture of this moment in America for a long, long time.

1.7K 21K 56K

Paul Bierman @paul-bierman.bsky.social · 3d

In the end, 🧪 will triumph because it's evidence based but oh my is this painful going backwards....

pubs.aip.org/physicstoday...

Five ways the second Trump term is reshaping climate science and policy

A review of federal actions on science, data, and policy in the administration’s first eight months shows far-reaching consequences.

pubs.aip.org

2 4 8

Paul Bierman @paul-bierman.bsky.social · 3d

Climate extremes have some interesting outcomes...walk to what's usually an island.🧪

www.sevendaysvt.com/arts-culture...

Gauging the Drought’s Ongoing Impact on Humans and Wildlife | Seven Days

Vermont's drought is leading to dry wells, busted boat propellers and islands accessible on foot. Everyone is affected as water levels bottom out.

www.sevendaysvt.com

1 9 28

Paul Bierman @paul-bierman.bsky.social · 4d

Proud Vermonter

1 2 14

Reposted by Paul R. Bierman

Orange Dick Tater Hater @realbiscuitspaw.bsky.social · 4d

silence is compliance

17 230 580

Reposted by Paul R. Bierman, Diane Ravitch, Gerald Friedman

Adam Kinzinger @adamkinzinger.substack.com · 4d

News today that ICE shot a woman is chilling. The videos online show that there are some abusive, masked thugs masquerading as law enforcement.

Nobody deserves this. The courts need to step in.

1.3K 8.2K 28K

Paul Bierman @paul-bierman.bsky.social · 5d

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

When will US generals stand-up to Trump? | Moustafa Bayoumi

The president has been rapidly intensifying military operations on United States soil during his second term. Generals need to say something

www.theguardian.com

Paul Bierman @paul-bierman.bsky.social · 7d

My university signs. I'll quit extortion plain and simple. www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...

Exclusive | White House Asks Colleges to Sign Sweeping Agreement to Get Funding Advantage

An initial round of nine schools, including Dartmouth, MIT and the University of Pennsylvania, are being asked to sign a wide-ranging “compact.”

www.wsj.com

3 10

Paul Bierman @paul-bierman.bsky.social · 7d

Can I scream now. USDA website spewing propaganda. Radical left democrats? The Republicans control the government, all of it. I am so, so angry my tax dollars are used for this shit.

4 14

Paul Bierman @paul-bierman.bsky.social · 9d

Sick, just sick. Whirled peas please.

The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 9d

And after 40 minutes of cringe-Thunderous applause from the generals!

Just kidding. Total silence. 👀 🦗 🦗

2 2 3

Paul Bierman @paul-bierman.bsky.social · 9d

I live in (#Burlington) and grew up in a city (#Baltimore). WTF? training grounds for our military? Insanity.

2 3 8

Reposted by Paul R. Bierman, Diane Ravitch, Philip N. Cohen , and 6 more Paul R. Bierman, Diane Ravitch, Philip N. Cohen, Robert Wolfe, Stacy D. VanDeveer, Molly Scott Cato, Henry Jones, Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò, Martin S. Flaherty

The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 9d

And after 40 minutes of cringe-Thunderous applause from the generals!

Just kidding. Total silence. 👀 🦗 🦗

3.3K 6.5K 24K

Paul Bierman @paul-bierman.bsky.social · 10d

pity, science 🧪 and facts no longer matter.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

The abortion pill is safe. But why should Trump let facts get in the way of his agenda? | Moira Donegan

RFK Jr is conducting a review of mifepristone, citing a deeply flawed study. The move could be devastating for women

www.theguardian.com

Paul Bierman @paul-bierman.bsky.social · 11d

Ouch. Thanks Donald.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

The US government is facing a crisis of legitimacy | Daniel Mendiola

As the constitutional order frays, the US could look to Brazil as a demonstration of a functioning democracy

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Paul R. Bierman, Inderjeet Parmar, W. Andy Knight

George Conway 👊🇺🇸🔥 @gtconway.bsky.social · 12d

SAD!!

590 6.8K 25K

Paul Bierman @paul-bierman.bsky.social · 13d

If our motor vehicle department can do this why can't our president?

Paul Bierman @paul-bierman.bsky.social · 13d

serious national security shit...guess that kitchen update will wait.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Trump says US will impose new tariffs on heavy trucks, drugs and kitchen cabinets

President announces 100% tariffs on imported branded drugs, 25% on heavy-duty trucks and 50% on cabinets

www.theguardian.com

3 5

Paul Bierman @paul-bierman.bsky.social · 13d

Inspiring man

James Comey @jamescomey.bsky.social · 13d

Paul Bierman @paul-bierman.bsky.social · 14d

Proud to be one of those "stupid people" doing climate science.🧪 with a solar array on my roof that more than pays for itself.

www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/c...

Trump to World: Green Energy Is a Scam and Climate Science Is From ‘Stupid People’

www.nytimes.com

5 6 39

Paul Bierman @paul-bierman.bsky.social · 15d

Hmm. Our state has long valued freedom and choice but we can't watch Kimmel. Next time I get asked by these folks for a 🧪interview, the answer will be a hard no.

www.sevendaysvt.com/arts-culture...

Jimmy Kimmel Returns to the Airwaves — but Not in Vermont | Seven Days

The late-night host was reinstated several days after he was suspended by Disney for comments he made about Charlie Kirk's murder. Nexstar stations still won't air the show.

www.sevendaysvt.com

3 5 16

Paul Bierman @paul-bierman.bsky.social · 18d

Next stop reporting deaths? www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/u...

Trump Administration to Stop Measuring Food Insecurity

www.nytimes.com

1 6

Reposted by Jan W. Mueller, Richard S.J. Tol, Robert N. Stavins , and 43 more Jan W. Mueller, Richard S.J. Tol, Robert N. Stavins, Will Jennings, Brendan Nyhan, Juliet B. Schor, Paul R. Bierman, Patrick A. Jansen, Patrick Dunleavy, Steve Peers, Michael A. Clemens, American Library Association, Melissa Johnson, Fabián Muniesa, Jacob Montgomery, Joseph Schafer, Juan Cole, Sanford F. Schram, John Foot, Michael Kevane, Trevon D. Logan, Smith, Nancy T. Ammerman, Robert C. Richards, Alan Richardson, David R. Miller, Aaron Sojourner, W. Andy Knight, Gerald Friedman, Will Lowe, Caroline Fohlin, Els Torreele, Michael D. McDonald, James Goodwin, Jason Lyall, Victor Pickard, Mark Rice, Henrik Skaug Sætra, Steven S. Taylor, James Connelly, Brandon Whitcher, Nathan P. Kalmoe, Carlos Carroll, Colin Woodard, Virginia Sapiro, David Darmofal

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 18d

There is no world in which it is normal for the president to publicly call upon his attorney general to hurry up and prosecute his political foes. It’s like the Watergate tapes but posted on social media. Let’s get a grip on what’s happening here.

1.4K 16K 59K

Paul Bierman @paul-bierman.bsky.social · 18d

This is tomorrow, Sunday, great film, FREE, at UVM, one hour, light refreshments. Come see it and meet the film-maker! Science and art. Info here: events.uvm.edu/event/the-me...

Paul Bierman @paul-bierman.bsky.social · 23d

Free film showing, Climate change and Greenland's melting ice. University of Vermont, Sept 21, 5 pm. More info here:
events.uvm.edu/event/the-me...

❄️🧪💙📚
#scicomm
#climate
#UVMresearch
#science
🌎 🔬 ⚒️
#geosky
#ClimateHealth
#ClimateAction

Paul Bierman @paul-bierman.bsky.social · 19d

which is why RFK Jr wants it banned...right 🧪 no longer matters.

theconversation.com/hepatitis-b-...

Hepatitis B shot for newborns has nearly eliminated childhood infections with this virus in the US

Before universal vaccination for hepatitis B began in 1991, 18,000 children contracted the virus by age 10 each year, and most of them developed chronic illness and liver damage. Vaccination reduced t...

theconversation.com

2 26 60

Paul Bierman @paul-bierman.bsky.social · 20d

Love my state...freedom to protect myself and others...🧪

www.sevendaysvt.com/news/healthc...

Vermont Clears Way for Anyone to Get COVID-19 Vaccines | Seven Days

The state health department on Thursday issued an order that allows anyone 5 and older to receive a COVID-19 booster.

www.sevendaysvt.com

1 29 140

Paul Bierman @paul-bierman.bsky.social · 20d

Speechless...literally

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Yanking Jimmy Kimmel’s show is a new low for free speech in America | Margaret Sullivan

Kimmel’s sudden defenestration may be a political success for Trump but it’s a dire sign for free speech in America

www.theguardian.com

3 6

Paul Bierman @paul-bierman.bsky.social · 20d

and perhaps we all should stop watching networks that capitulate

George Conway 👊🇺🇸🔥 @gtconway.bsky.social · 21d

1 5

Reposted by Paul R. Bierman, Richard Betts, Patrick A. Jansen , and 11 more Paul R. Bierman, Richard Betts, Patrick A. Jansen, Sabine Pahl, Trevon D. Logan, Kathleen J. Mullen, Laurent Pech, Robert C. Richards, Alan Richardson, David R. Miller, Caroline Fohlin, Albin Wagener, Colin Woodard, Southern Africa

Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 21d

This is the playbook, folks.

If you're not paying attention now and doing something about it, then you're going to have to sit down the rest of your life because democracy is being taken away.

Do not be quiet in this moment.

1.3K 15K 48K