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Federation of American Scientists

@scientistsorg.bsky.social

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Federation of American Scientists @scientistsorg.bsky.social · 8d

How do you bridge scientific expertise and public policy?

FAS CEO Daniel Correa tells Accelerate Science Now how we make our secret science policy sauce: by bringing in the experts.

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Federation of American Scientists @scientistsorg.bsky.social · 1d

FAS associate director for climate and environment (say that one time fast) Hannah Safford in the New York Times today with one very simple ask: pass the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act.

With our health and safety at risk, there’s no time to waste.

The United States faces an unprecedented wildfire crisis. Yet while wildfires’ physical and economic tolls are well recognized, health impacts are often overlooked.

Smoke is a far more widespread danger than flames. Wildfire smoke makes it harder for kids to learn and workers to work; indeed, smoke has cost American workers at least $1 trillion in wages since 2020. And far too many Americans are suffering from debilitating smoke-related heart, lung and blood conditions.

It’s encouraging to see more research and deep reporting on smoke and other wildfire health impacts. But telling the story isn’t enough. Our leaders must act.

A long-overdue step is to equip our nation’s heroic wildland firefighters with proper protective gear. The federal government recently began issuing N95 masks to firefighters. N95s are helpful on the margins, but they are also flammable — and thus obviously unsuited for work on active fire lines.

Even better would be to cut down on smoke exposure in the first place. In Congress, lawmakers have a tremendous opportunity to pass the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act, which could reduce smoke pollution by improving forest management and enhancing prescribed fire.

With our health and safety at risk, there’s no time to waste.

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Federation of American Scientists @scientistsorg.bsky.social · 8d

How do you bridge scientific expertise and public policy?

FAS CEO Daniel Correa tells Accelerate Science Now how we make our secret science policy sauce: by bringing in the experts.

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Federation of American Scientists @scientistsorg.bsky.social · 15d

We're looking for a Fisheries Fellow to help advance state-level policy in fisheries management, aquaculture, and more.

If you are passionate about fish policy (heavy on the policy), learn more and apply at the link below ⤵️
fas.org/career/fishe...

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Federation of American Scientists @scientistsorg.bsky.social · 15d

Another tribal council, another heartbreaking (??) elimination… or is it?

To celebrate the return of #Survivor49, we vote the worst nuclear weapons programs off the island. The Tribe has Spoken.

Federation of American Scientists @scientistsorg.bsky.social · 15d

Science and tech policy move fast. Thankfully, our very own Gil Ruiz and Kate Garman Burns are going to break it down for us. luma.com/sdx13fky

📍 Sept 26, from 2-3 pm ON Zoom

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Federation of American Scientists @scientistsorg.bsky.social · 16d

Huge thanks to @malo.online, Joel Predd, Mark Beall, Alexa Courtney, Brodi Kotila, Jim Mitre, Jess Brandt, Matt Sheehan & Hamza Chaudry for sharing their insights.

And shoutout to our team: Yong-Bee Lim, @jonatomic.bsky.social, @technolliegist.bsky.social & Gil Ruiz for making it all happen 🙌

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Federation of American Scientists @scientistsorg.bsky.social · 16d

Dear diary, we had a great time on the Hill last week with our friends at @futureoflife.org

We kicked off our AGI x Global Risk day with remarks from @repbillfoster.bsky.social, @reptedlieu.bsky.social, and John Bailey — setting the stage for a day of bold dialogue on the future of AGI 🌎

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Federation of American Scientists @scientistsorg.bsky.social · 16d

Greetings from Climate Week!

We wish you were here: our very own Hannah Safford is in conversation with Tom Steyer and Heather Reams on an abundance ethos for clean energy – more research, investment, infrastructure, and hookups.

Thanks to @climategroup.bsky.social for making this happen.

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Reposted by Federation of American Scientists

WyoFile @wyofile.com · 17d

The U.S. is in the process of updating its land-based nuclear missiles. But the Sentinel program is running years behind schedule.

F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne will be the first to see changes from the update, including more communication towers and land easements.

Wyoming could be the ‘guinea pig’ as U.S. modernizes its nuclear weapons - WyoFile

But the updates, in the form of the new Sentinel missiles, are running years behind schedule.

wyofile.com

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Federation of American Scientists @scientistsorg.bsky.social · 17d

This job board contains opportunities from the across the nation with the explicit goal of matching in-demand science and technology talent, such as yourself, with open positions in local innovation ecosystems.

👉 airtable.com/appQE6Ts9hyf...

This initiative directly addresses both challenges by collaborating with innovation ecosystems to identify their immediate talent needs while simultaneously engaging displaced federal workers through job fairs and targeted outreach to understand their backgrounds and geographic preferences. It’s a purposeful approach that ensures mission-driven federal talent can continue contributing to America’s technological leadership. By connecting talent to need, we help strategically imperative innovation ecosystems access the experienced professionals necessary for success.

We will be updating this job board regularly with opportunities from additional Tech Hubs, NSF Engines, and other innovation ecosystems. While our outreach is specifically to former federal workers and contractors, this job board is open to all, and we encourage others on the job hunt to take a look.

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Federation of American Scientists @scientistsorg.bsky.social · 17d

Are you🫵 a recently departed government🏛️🔬 scientist/technologist/engineer/skilled worker/contractor? Are you🫵 looking for your next gig? Somewhere far away from the hustle and bustle of the Beltway?

Your new job might be in our ✨INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM JOB BOARD✨

introducing the innovation ecosystem job board!

it's got jobs spanning... advanced manufacturing, quantum computing, biotech, and more!

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Federation of American Scientists @scientistsorg.bsky.social · 20d

We’ll be covering:
- What’s going on in Congress
- What it could mean for federal R&D
- How the science & innovation agenda could shift

Moderated by the one and only Kate Garman Burns - and designed for anyone trying to keep up with DC (chaos).

📍 luma.com/sdx13fky

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Federation of American Scientists @scientistsorg.bsky.social · 20d

What happens to science when Congress hits pause?

Join us Sept 25 at 2 pm ET for a timely briefing with Gil Ruiz on the Continuing Resolution, shutdown threats, and what it all means for science & policy.

luma.com/sdx13fky

Science and Tech Updates from the Hill · Zoom · Luma

Join us on Friday, September 26 at 2:00pm ET / 11:00am PT for a timely briefing with Gil Ruiz, Director of Government Affairs, who will share the latest…

luma.com

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Federation of American Scientists @scientistsorg.bsky.social · 22d

Every public dollar invested in agricultural R&D generates $20 in returns, yet the Trump admin is planning on slashing budgets and overhauling USDA for the worst.

Congress can fight for food science. We have some ideas on how.
fas.org/publication/...

Policy Recommendations

Congress holds the ultimate authority over federal appropriations and agency oversight, and thus has significant leverage to shape the future of USDA’s reorganization. How lawmakers exercise that authority will determine whether this reorganization strengthens or undermines the nation’s agricultural research and rural service infrastructure. Through targeted oversight, Congress can insist on transparency, protect against unlawful impoundments or relocations, and ensure continuity so that farmers and rural communities continue to benefit from the innovations generated by USDA’s research agencies. Options available to Congress include:

1. Directing the USDA Office of Inspector General to assess USDA’s budget and legal authority for reorganization and relocation, ensuring taxpayer dollars are used lawfully and effectively.
2. Requiring USDA to conduct an economic and workforce impact analysis with direct engagement of USDA staff to measure how reorganization affects agricultural research, rural economies, and service delivery.
3. Calling for USDA to provide transparent justification for its decision to consolidate into five hubs, including criteria, alternatives considered, and implications for farmer access to research, extension services, and technical assistance.
4. Requesting details on how USDA plans to retain staff expertise and capacity to operate existing grant programs at their current size, in accordance with funding appropriated by Congress, ensuring the continuity of vital agricultural research and services.

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Federation of American Scientists @scientistsorg.bsky.social · 22d

Team FAS is going to Climate Week!

Our plans are simple: spread the word about evidence-based solutions for some of our most intractable climate challenges. From improving the regulatory process, to breaking barriers to clean energy uptake, to research into novel climate solutions, and more.

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Federation of American Scientists @scientistsorg.bsky.social · 23d

Their focus on equity and fairness in climate policy inspires all of us at FAS to remember why we do what we do: because everyone deserves to live in a healthy, prosperous world.

Read more about the work that earned Grace a nod here
grist.org/fix/grist-50...

Introducing the 2025 Grist 50 list

Climate solutions are more important now than ever. Read about 50 leaders shaping the future of climate progress.

grist.org

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Federation of American Scientists @scientistsorg.bsky.social · 23d

Con-GRACE-ulations to our very own Grace Wickerson for their well-deserved recognition as a 2025 @grist.org 50 fixer.

Grace works tirelessly to develop and promote evidence-based solutions to the extreme heat epidemic in particular and the climate crisis at large.

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Federation of American Scientists @scientistsorg.bsky.social · 23d

Efficiency isn’t about budget cuts. It’s about building systems grounded in adaptiveness, trust, and purpose. On Sept 18, join us for a hands-on workshop on what real efficiency in science and tech could look like. 🔬 🤖
📍RSVP: luma.com/1xcipvfz

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Federation of American Scientists @scientistsorg.bsky.social · 24d

Oops, thanks for flagging. We usually have registrants hidden but failed to check that box off this time 🤦‍♀️

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Federation of American Scientists @scientistsorg.bsky.social · 24d

📍 Sept 26, from 2-3pm ON Zoom
Science, tech, and policy moves fast. Thankfully, our very own Gil Ruiz is going to break it down for us. luma.com/sdx13fky 3/3

Science and Tech Updates from the Hill · Zoom · Luma

Join us on Friday, September 26 at 2:00pm ET / 11:00am PT for a timely briefing with Gil Ruiz, Director of Government Affairs, who will share the latest…

luma.com

Federation of American Scientists @scientistsorg.bsky.social · 24d

📍 Sept 18, 9:30–4 @ FAS HQ
Is it time to keep, tweak, or reboot government? Find out by registering today: luma.com/1xcipvfz 2/3

Is It Time to Keep, Tweak, or Reboot Government? A participatory workshop to reimagine public systems and build what works · Luma

Rather than defaulting to “efficiency” as code for budget cuts, this workshop will explore what it takes to build science and technology systems in government…

luma.com

Federation of American Scientists @scientistsorg.bsky.social · 24d

Busy? Us too. But some events are worth adding to your already packed calendars. Here’s what we’re making time for this month, and so should you. 1/3

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Federation of American Scientists @scientistsorg.bsky.social · 24d

Nuclear-armed states are famously secretive about their programs and technology. So we brought together the next-generation of open-source nuclear sleuths to teach them the art and science of open-source analysis.
fas.org/publication/...

Training the next generation of nuclear analysts, one satellite image at a time

The bootcamp brought more than two dozen next-generation open-source practitioners from across the United States to Washington DC, where they participated in interactive modules, group discussions, an...

fas.org

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Federation of American Scientists @scientistsorg.bsky.social · 24d

4. Self-driving cars don't crash into each other all the time because there is one source of geodetic truth

5. Your rural airport is still functional so you can have a Hallmark romance every holiday season

But all these datasets are at risk.

Learn more at EssentialData.us

No pileup, no problem. The National Geodetic Survey provides foundational latitude, longitude, and elevation data – the kinds of information you need to prevent a ten-self-driving-car pileup and keep your DoorDash on its way.

In the event of an emergency

A college student is able to fly direct to her rural hometown and see her ailing grandmother because her local airport used the DOT’s T-100 Domestic Segment Data on airplane passenger traffic to make the case for one-stop-service between the airports.

The bad news: all of these datasets are at risk.

The good news: resources like EssentialData.US are keeping tabs on the fate of these data, and making the case for their value. Federal data aren’t nice to have – they’re essential for American lives and livelihoods.

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Federation of American Scientists @scientistsorg.bsky.social · 24d

Here are FIVE surprising ways federal data make your life better, with our friends at @essentialdata.us:

1. We get up to $53B/yr free pest control because we don't accidentally build bridges through bat habitats

2. We know where to get those sweet, sweet space minerals

3. Labubu matcha

Five surprising ways federal data makes your life better

Bats save billions. The humble bat is working for free to get food on your table, to the tune of $53 BILLION a year in free pest management. The NABat database monitors these little critters so that highway construction and mining operations don’t infringe on their habitats.

In space no one can hear you mine

Rare-earth elements aren’t just on earth – they are abundant in the final frontier. America depends on rare earths to build next gen fuel cells, develop cutting-edge medical imaging tech, and make the screens you’re using to read this right now. Thanks to NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, we can find these elements on the moon, and reduce our dependence on foreign nations.

Get your Labubus faster

A shipping tech startup trains its AI algorithms for planning the safest and most fuel-efficient ocean routes on data collected by NOAA's Argo fleet of drifting buoys.

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