Thomas Backhaus
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thoba.bsky.social
Thomas Backhaus
@thoba.bsky.social
630 followers 280 following 95 posts

Ecotoxicologist, Environmental Scientist, Academic, Professor, Photographer.

Videos
Environmental science 66%
Geography 17%
Posts Replies Media Videos

thoba.bsky.social
Thomas Backhaus @thoba.bsky.social · 14h
The Trump administration repealed a scientific finding?

Yeah... that's not how science works. Reality doesn't care in the slightest about a crumbling nation's final hallucinations.
nytimes.com The New York Times @nytimes.com · 20h
Breaking News: The Trump administration repealed the bedrock scientific finding that greenhouse gases threaten human life and well being, meaning that the EPA can no longer regulate them. nyti.ms/4rSszQu

Reposted by Jennifer Bussell, Axel Bruns, Peter Thorne , and 15 more

nytimes.com
The New York Times @nytimes.com · 20h
Breaking News: The Trump administration repealed the bedrock scientific finding that greenhouse gases threaten human life and well being, meaning that the EPA can no longer regulate them. nyti.ms/4rSszQu

Reposted by Thomas Backhaus

lisamjarvis.bsky.social
Lisa Jarvis @lisamjarvis.bsky.social · 21h
For my latest @opinion.bloomberg.com, wrote about FDA's disastrous decision--or, really, it seems Vinay Prasad's singular choice--to turn away Moderna's flu vaccine application without a review. The problem is much bigger than this one vaccine. (🎁 link):
Moderna’s Flu Shot Ordeal Hurts Innovation — and Public Health
The Food and Drug Administration’s recent decision to turn away Moderna’s application for a new flu shot for older Americans is a troubling development in health officials’ piecemeal dismantling of th...
www.bloomberg.com

thoba.bsky.social
Thomas Backhaus @thoba.bsky.social · 2d
The Heritage Foundation develops a long-term strategy on how to make Margaret Atwood's vision of the future become reality.

I really wish that also organizations (incl. governments) that are devoted to human rights and human progress would start thinking and strategising for the long-term.
jessicavalenti.bsky.social Jessica Valenti @jessicavalenti.bsky.social · 3d
The Heritage Foundation has released a 250-year roadmap to “save America.”

The document is a how-to guide for subjugating girls & young women: a detailed plan to push them out of college, funnel them into early marriage and motherhood, and then trap them there.
jessica.substack.com/p/theyre-com...
They're Coming for Our Daughters
The conservative plan to shrink girls’ futures
jessica.substack.com

Reposted by Thomas Backhaus

mazeson.bsky.social
Mazeson @mazeson.bsky.social · 3d
Det krävs ett långsiktigt arbete för att få tillbaka friska hav
www.dn.se/insandare/sv...
Insändare. Svar: Långsiktigt arbete krävs för att få tillbaka friska hav
Mats Svensson, chef för avdelningen för havsförvaltning vid Havs- och vattenmyndigheten arbetar kontinuerligt för ett hållbart fiske och renare hav.
www.dn.se

Reposted by Thomas Backhaus, Nils Zurawski

sixtus.net
Mario Sixtus @sixtus.net · 3d
Ihr bezahlt nicht nur die Abgeordneten der Faschistenpartei mit euren Steuern, sondern auch deren Brüder, Väter und Saufkumpel. Möglicherweise verachtet diese Partei dieses Land und alle seine Bürger*innen, 🤔 oder wie Miosga fragen wird: Verwandte im Büro - eine gute Idee für uns alle?
Die Bereicherungsnetzwerke der AfD
Die AfD-Skandale in Sachsen-Anhalt und Niedersachsen setzen die Partei vor den Landtagswahlen zusätzlich unter Druck. Björn Höcke warnt sogar vor einem Scheitern.
www.n-tv.de

Reposted by Thomas Backhaus

claasgefroi.bsky.social
Claas Gefroi @claasgefroi.bsky.social · 3d
Wie bitte? Bei bis zur Hälfte der AfD-Bundestagsabgeordneten liegen Über-Kreuz-Anstellungen von Verwandten und Freunden vor? Das dürfte der größte politische Vetternwirtschafts- und Bereicherungsskandal in der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik sein. Unglaublich.
www.n-tv.de/politik/Die-...
Im Bundesvorstand wurde am Montag darüber diskutiert, ob sich die Partei einen Verhaltenskodex geben sollte, der die Über-Kreuz-Anstellungen von Verwandten verbietet. Doch Beschlüsse wurden nicht gefasst. Dies mag auch daran liegen, dass sich die Über-Kreuz-Anstellungen längst nicht nur auf den Landesverband Sachsen-Anhalt beschränken. Bis zur Hälfte der 151 Bundestagsabgeordneten dürfte direkt oder indirekt betroffen sein, lautet eine Schätzung aus dem Fraktionsvorstand.

Reposted by Thomas Backhaus, Robert W. Wallace, Smith , and 7 more

jessicavalenti.bsky.social
Jessica Valenti @jessicavalenti.bsky.social · 3d
The Heritage Foundation has released a 250-year roadmap to “save America.”

The document is a how-to guide for subjugating girls & young women: a detailed plan to push them out of college, funnel them into early marriage and motherhood, and then trap them there.
jessica.substack.com/p/theyre-com...
They're Coming for Our Daughters
The conservative plan to shrink girls’ futures
jessica.substack.com

thoba.bsky.social
Thomas Backhaus @thoba.bsky.social · 6d
Well deserved. Both.
newseye.bsky.social News Eye @newseye.bsky.social · 6d
NEW: Huge cheers earlier for the Ukrainian athletes at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony.

Then huge BOOS as JD Vance comes on the big screen in the stadium.

Even the commentators can’t hide it…

Reposted by Jon Pierre, Thomas Backhaus, Daniel W. Drezner , and 3 more

newseye.bsky.social
News Eye @newseye.bsky.social · 6d
NEW: Huge cheers earlier for the Ukrainian athletes at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony.

Then huge BOOS as JD Vance comes on the big screen in the stadium.

Even the commentators can’t hide it…

Reposted by Thomas Backhaus, Maria Faticov

timothysnyder.bsky.social
Timothy Snyder @timothysnyder.bsky.social · 6d
Tenure enables freedom of speech, which is why aspiring tyrants don’t like it.

Reposted by Thomas Backhaus, Andrew Baillie

standupforscience.bsky.social
Stand Up for Science! @standupforscience.bsky.social · 6d
This is why we say there can be no science-as-usual now. This passage is from Peter Drucker’s essay in the Atlantic about the crossroads that science stood at during Nazism. Science doesn’t just need funding — it needs the fundamental freedoms that come with democracy. Freedom of speech.
(1/3🧵)
THERE IS NO SCIENCE-AS-USUAL UNDER AUTHORITARIANISM. "​The new Nazi commissar wasted no time on the amenities. He immediately announced that Jews would be forbidden to enter university premises and would be dismissed without salary on March 15; this was something no one had thought possible despite the Nazis' loud anti-Semitism. Then he launched into a tirade of abuse, filth, and four-letter words such as had been heard rarely even in the barracks and never before in academia. He pointed his finger at one department chairman after another and said, "You either do what I tell you or we'll put you into a concentration camp." There was silence when he finished; everybody waited for the distinguished biochemist-physiologist. The great liberal got up, cleared his throat, and said, "Very interesting, Mr. Commissar, and in some respects very illuminating; but one point I didn't get too clearly. Will there be more money for research in physiology?" ​The meeting broke up shortly thereafter with the commissar assuring the scholars that indeed there would be plenty of money for "racially pure science." A few of the professors had the courage to walk out with their Jewish colleagues, but most kept a safe distance from these men who only a few hours earlier had been their close friends. I went out sick unto death—and I knew that I was going to leave Germany within forty-eight hours." ​SOURCE: PETER DRUCKER FOR THE ATLANTIC, "THE MONSTER AND THE LAMB" ​SCIENCE NEEDS DEMOCRACY.

thoba.bsky.social
Thomas Backhaus @thoba.bsky.social · 6d
US administration refuses to meet with German MP from the Green Party and the social democrats.

Condescending bullies, as per usual.

Kudos to the CDU delegation members that showed solidarity with their colleagues.
politico.eu POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · 8d
A planned meeting in Washington collapsed after U.S. State Department officials told the German embassy it refused to meet with center-left German lawmakers.

It’s unclear, however, who ultimately cancelled the appointment.

🔗 www.politico.eu/article/dona...

Reposted by Stephan Lewandowsky, Joe R. Feagin, Thomas Backhaus , and 9 more

standupforscience.bsky.social
Stand Up for Science! @standupforscience.bsky.social · 7d
BREAKING: Over 680 members of the National Academy of Sciences, Medicine, and Engineering have endorsed articles of impeachment against RFK Jr.
(1/2 🧵)
Top of the photo in white text reads: "BREAKING OVER 680 NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES MEMBERS, INCLUDING 10 NOBEL PRIZE LAUREATES, ENDORSE IMPEACHING RFK JR." Below that in black text is a statement reading: "We, the undersigned Members of the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Sciences, and the National Academy of Engineering, writing in our private capacities, endorse the Articles of Impeachment introduced in the House of Representatives on Dec 10, 2025 by Representative Haley Stevens." Below that is the red "STAND UP FOR SCIENCE " logo. Below that is a link in white text reading: "standupforscience.net/impeach-rfkjr".

Reposted by Thomas Backhaus

politico.eu
POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · 8d
A planned meeting in Washington collapsed after U.S. State Department officials told the German embassy it refused to meet with center-left German lawmakers.

It’s unclear, however, who ultimately cancelled the appointment.

🔗 www.politico.eu/article/dona...

thoba.bsky.social
Thomas Backhaus @thoba.bsky.social · 8d
Musk's attempt to turn Grok into a (child) porn generator, in order to increase user interaction.

"Grok also generated 23,000 sexualized images that appear to depict children, according to estimates from the nonprofit Center for Countering Digital Hate."

That guy is a real piece of shunshine...
Inside Musk’s bet to hook users that turned Grok into a porn generator
Under pressure to boost its popularity, Elon Musk’s xAI loosened guardrails and relaxed controls on sexual content, setting off internal concern.
www.washingtonpost.com

thoba.bsky.social
Thomas Backhaus @thoba.bsky.social · 8d
Yeah... I guess, you're right. Unfortunately. But still: if it'd actually happen, we'd gain a lot...

Reposted by Naomi Klein, Thomas Backhaus, Dawn J. Wright

emorwee.bsky.social
Emily Atkin @emorwee.bsky.social · 8d
The Washington Post has laid off least 14 climate journalists, newsroom sources told @sammyroth.bsky.social, effectively decimating one of the most important reporting teams in American climate journalism.

A sad, terrifying, enraging day for the planet.
Breaking: Washington Post gutting its climate team
Clean energy dies in darkness. Courtesy of Jeff Bezos.
www.climatecoloredgoggles.com

Reposted by Thomas Backhaus

europarl.europa.eu
European Parliament @europarl.europa.eu · 8d
According to the European Parliament’s latest Eurobarometer survey, most EU citizens want a more united European Union.

Learn more: link.europa.eu/4VJyHy
Visual reading '89% of EU citizens think that EU countries should be more united to face current global challenges'. There is a European Parliament logo in the bottom right-hand corner, and the source is cited as Special Eurobarometer 1042 (2025).

thoba.bsky.social
Thomas Backhaus @thoba.bsky.social · 10d
So oder so, erstmal Herzlichen Glückwunsch zur Nominierung, @danielheringude.bsky.social !
unidue.bsky.social Universität Duisburg-Essen @unidue.bsky.social · 11d
Dr. Daniel Hering, #UDE -Professor für #AquatischeÖkologie, ist für den renommierten #FrontiersPlanetPrize nominiert worden – als einer von 3 Forschenden in 🇩🇪! Wer den mit insgesamt 3 Mio. US-Dollar dotierten Preis erhalten wird, entscheidet eine internationale Jury. 🤞 www.uni-due.de/2026-01-27-d...
Portraitbild von Prof. Dr. Daniel Hering mit Text: Porf. Dr. Daniel Hering in Endrunde für Umweltpreis. Wasserforscher für Frontiers Planet Prize nominiert

thoba.bsky.social
Thomas Backhaus @thoba.bsky.social · 10d
Exactly that. Will it actually happen...? Likely not.

Reposted by Thomas Backhaus

resiliencesci.bsky.social
Garry Peterson @resiliencesci.bsky.social · 10d
<>
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Home - Financial Times
News, analysis and opinion from the Financial Times on the latest in markets, economics and politics
FT.com

Reposted by Thomas Backhaus

unidue.bsky.social
Universität Duisburg-Essen @unidue.bsky.social · 11d
Dr. Daniel Hering, #UDE -Professor für #AquatischeÖkologie, ist für den renommierten #FrontiersPlanetPrize nominiert worden – als einer von 3 Forschenden in 🇩🇪! Wer den mit insgesamt 3 Mio. US-Dollar dotierten Preis erhalten wird, entscheidet eine internationale Jury. 🤞 www.uni-due.de/2026-01-27-d...
Portraitbild von Prof. Dr. Daniel Hering mit Text: Porf. Dr. Daniel Hering in Endrunde für Umweltpreis. Wasserforscher für Frontiers Planet Prize nominiert

thoba.bsky.social
Thomas Backhaus @thoba.bsky.social · 11d
Whatever that is supposed to be, it ain't Glyphosate...

thoba.bsky.social
Thomas Backhaus @thoba.bsky.social · 12d
Wow. C'mon Democrats, be reasonable... That's asking too much.
kgetnews.bsky.social KGET 17 News @kgetnews.bsky.social · 14d
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Thursday said House Democrats will demand a ban on the deportation of American citizens as a condition of winning their support for legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Jeffries demands ban on deportation of US citizens as part of DHS reforms
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Thursday said House Democrats will demand a ban on the deportation of American citizens as a condition of winning their support for legislation fun…
www.kget.com

Reposted by Thomas Backhaus, Vincent Tiberj, Horacio Larreguy , and 3 more

rfrbrghs.bsky.social
Rahel Freiburghaus @rfrbrghs.bsky.social · 13d
#DemocraticBacksliding: The erosion of US democracy under Trump is steeper than any recent precedent, including Hungary, Venezuela, Turkey, R//ZZ.l'a/nd

Source: Financial Times @jburnmurdoch.ft.com www.ft.com/content/b474...

Reposted by Thomas Backhaus

mwarhurst.bsky.social
Michael Warhurst @mwarhurst.bsky.social · 13d
“volunteers have taken to discreetly delivering bags of groceries to their door…

a handful of dissident Germans used to perform the same act of kindness for the hidden Jews of Berlin under the Third Reich”

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
It is beyond naive for Democrats – and Europe – to think Trump’s retreats are real. He never backs down for long | Jonathan Freedland
Whether it’s Minneapolis or Greenland, the US president will do just enough to get through a damaging news cycle, then carry on as before, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Thomas Backhaus

Reposted by Joe R. Feagin, Carl T. Bergstrom, Thomas Backhaus , and 15 more

kgetnews.bsky.social
KGET 17 News @kgetnews.bsky.social · 14d
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Thursday said House Democrats will demand a ban on the deportation of American citizens as a condition of winning their support for legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Jeffries demands ban on deportation of US citizens as part of DHS reforms
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Thursday said House Democrats will demand a ban on the deportation of American citizens as a condition of winning their support for legislation fun…
www.kget.com

Reposted by Thomas Backhaus

janskudlarek.bsky.social
Jan Skudlarek @janskudlarek.bsky.social · 14d
Wenn man nicht weiß, ob CDU oder AfD - dann ist das kein gutes Zeichen für die CDU.
Foto von Kristian Beara (CDU Köln) Text "Dass Grüne und Linke nichts mit Olympia anfangen können, wundert wenig, geht es doch um Einsatz und Leistung"