Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Heather Ford

Patrick Rafter @oceanandclimate.bsky.social · 6d

Today, we published a study long in the making on how upper and subsurface tropical Pacific waters responded (and maybe will adjust) to warmer global climate. Here’s the story of how we got here after 15 years. many authors but shout out @jfarmersalmanac.bsky.social
🌊
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Persistent eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean upwelling since the warm Pliocene

Upwelling generates a nutrient-rich “cold tongue” in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean (EEP), with impacts on global climate, oceanic biological productivity, and the carbon cycle. The cold tongue ...

www.science.org

2 34 74

Reposted by Heather Ford

Governor Gavin Newsom @governor.ca.gov · 6d

IF ANY CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY SIGNS THIS RADICAL AGREEMENT, THEY'LL LOSE BILLIONS IN STATE FUNDING — INCLUDING CAL GRANTS — INSTANTLY.

CALIFORNIA WILL NOT BANKROLL SCHOOLS THAT SELL OUT THEIR STUDENTS, PROFESSORS, RESEARCHERS, AND SURRENDER ACADEMIC FREEDOM.

New York Times: "Trump Administration Asks Colleges to Sign ‘Compact’ to Get Funding Preference."

The White House asked nine top universities to pledge support for President Trump’s agenda to help ensure access to research funding.

260 2K 7.4K

Reposted by Heather Ford

AGU Science Policy @aguscipolicy.bsky.social · 7d

A government shutdown stalls science, threaten jobs and weaken U.S. leadership. Call Congress today and tell them to to prevent RIFs, and work together to support science and end a government shutdown.

📲: agu.quorum.us/campaign/143...

5 5

Reposted by Heather Ford

Pallavi Anand (she/her) @anandpallavijha.bsky.social · 9d

#Lecturer position in #EarthSciences 👇🏼@openuniversity.bsky.social

Please apply, if interested 🙏🏼

Closing Date: 20 October 2025
Contract Type: #Permanent
Fixed Term Contract/End Date: Not Applicable

jobs.open.ac.uk/job/Lecturer...

Lecturer in Earth Sciences

jobs.open.ac.uk

13 14

Reposted by Heather Ford

Kate Marvel @drkatemarvel.bsky.social · 10d

my takeaway from climate week nyc is that "climate storytelling" is a little too much "we must reimagine our deepest souls in relationship to mother nature and the moral abyss of the polycrisis into which we must now stare" and not enough "ok but get a heat pump"

73 390 2.2K

Reposted by Heather Ford

Dr. G @drlauraguertin.bsky.social · Aug 22

The latest #TalesFromTheDeep episode on the StoryCorps Archive is from Carl Brenner, director of the U.S. Science Support Program for scientific ocean drilling. Take a listen to Carl's background -you might be surprised at what he majored in at college- and his leadership role in this community. 🌊⚒️

"What scientific ocean drilling has done for the nation and globally is yielded a staggering amount of information about Earth history"

“The breadth of the science that is done in this program is pretty exciting and you don't have to be a trained marine geologist to appreciate that.” This quote comes from Carl Brenner, the director of...

archive.storycorps.org

4 9

Reposted by Heather Ford

Eos @eos.org · Aug 19

@agu.org's own Elizabeth Landau is next up. “I am testifying on behalf of AGU and its scientists, who affirm that climate change, which is unequivocally driven by human activities that increase greenhouse gas emissions, is endangering human health and welfare in the US and globally,” she said.

1 7 18

Reposted by Heather Ford

Suki Wessling @babblery.substack.com · Jul 23

NEW on the Babblery: Dr. Heather Ford explains how the job of scientist is now a global one, how her work adds to human knowledge about climate, and how climate change affects all of us, whether we believe in it or not.
babblery.com/2025/07/scie... @ksqdfm.bsky.social @hl-ford.bsky.social

1 1 1

Reposted by Heather Ford

Gavin Schmidt @climateofgavin.bsky.social · Jul 5

For a bit of context w.r.t. the Texas floods, the intensity of rainfall in this region has likely already increased in the 21st Century and will likely continue to do so:

changes in rainfall intensity (1hr and 24hr) maps for CONUS showing increases in intensity in southern Texas and whole of the North East (slight decreases in the SW). From Kim et al. (2023, doi: 10.1016/j.ejrh.2023.101480) Period is 2000-2021 compared to NOAA Atlas 14.

3 11 39

Reposted by Heather Ford

AGU Science Policy @aguscipolicy.bsky.social · Jun 17

a little late to the party, but AGU Science Policy is on BlueSky! Follow us for science policy news and opportunities #SciencePolicy @agu.org

a close up of an astronaut 's helmet and space suit against a black background .

ALT: a close up of an astronaut 's helmet and space suit against a black background .

media.tenor.com

8 25

Reposted by Heather Ford

Iron Spike @ironspike.bsky.social · Jun 13

Fun fact: in the 1960s, Civil Rights protestors were given literal classes on nonviolent protest; they didn't all just spontaneously know what to do.

So, if you're planning on showing up, this weekend: read this comic. And if you're staying home, signal-boost it/link it around.

Alex Graudins @toonyballoony.bsky.social · Jun 12

I did my best to compile as many protest safety notes as possible into a one page foldout zine! Coincidentally…it seems the file has breached containment…like it’s available for anyone to print or hand out 👀⚖️

toonyart.com/s/PSZine.pdf

The cover spread from a one page zine printout. The left (back cover) features images of a scale and gavel, with notes on First Amendment and filming rights, and the advice to “shut the fuck up.”

On the right is the cover, a megaphone with the title text “PROTEST SAFELY.” Behind it are faceless protestors. The subtitle notes, “A brief collection of tips from around the internet.”

A spread from one page zine printout.
On the left is an illustration of a protestor with the title “What to Wear,” including a helmet, goggles, ear plugs, gloves, a mask, a backpack, and layers/long sleeves/pants. Each have additional notes explaining their use.

On the right is “What to Bring,” featuring illustrations of a backpack, money, water bottles, a mask, a granola bar and bag of trail mix, a first aid kit, folded shirt and pants, and an ID, with “DIY Defense” listed underneath it showing one protestor using a luggage case, one holding a trash can lid, and one using an open umbrella as a shield.

A spread from one page zine printout.
On the left is “Protect Your Identity,” advising to cover up identifying features, avoiding photography of protesters, deactivating biometric phone-unlocking tools, and writing emergency contact and counsel numbers on your arm.

On the right is “Be Like Water,” the motto of the 2019 Hong Kong protests, and the text “BEWARE THE BAIT” with images of a palette of bricks and a masked man holding a crowbar toward a protestor with a sign, “Psst, free crowbar?” encouraging the reader not to engage with traps and undercover agents.

A spread from one page zine printout featuring the hazards of protest opposition, including tear gas, rubber bullets, and LRAD sound cannons and flash bangs. Caution tape images accompany the text explaining the dangers of each, how to flush out eyes that have been maced/etc, and how to extinguish a gas canister with a traffic cone.

1 2.9K 4K

Reposted by Heather Ford

Daniel Swain @weatherwest.bsky.social · Jun 6

For some perspective, the federal government funds *over half* of all scientific research and development conducted by the @uofcalifornia.bsky.social -- and UC is collectively responsible, in turn, for over 8% of all academic research conducted in the United States.

Factsheet (from April 2025) detailing various statistics regarding the partnership between the University of California and the federal government.

16 290 650

Reposted by Heather Ford

mjfGatesToAnEldritchRealm @mjfgates.bsky.social · May 31

It's just one tax cut! What can it cost, a quarter of a million scientists?

1 12 19

Reposted by Heather Ford

Magdalena Skipper @magdalenaskipper.bsky.social · May 31

Women make up only 16% of corresponding authors who submit to Nature, a new Springer Nature analysis revealed. This is not enough - there are 30-40% #womeninSTEM

We want to change it, through targeted editorial policies & outreach. But change will take everyone!
🧪
www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Gender equality in research publishing is a responsibility for everyone

A concerted effort is needed to support women in their choice of journal when submitting their manuscript.

www.nature.com

5 73 200

Reposted by Heather Ford

The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · May 30

Some of the citations in the White House’s sweeping “MAHA Report” appear to have been generated using artificial intelligence, resulting in numerous garbled scientific references and invented studies, AI experts said Thursday.

White House MAHA Report may have garbled science by using AI, experts say

The report, led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., was intended to address the reasons for the decline in Americans’ life expectancy.

www.washingtonpost.com

43 160 410

Heather Ford @hl-ford.bsky.social · May 22

I lived right by GISS and Tom's Restuarant on 112th during my time at @lamont.columbia.edu. My experience in NYC fostered my scientific development and made me the scientist I am today. Cutting funding and facilities doens't make climate change go away.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Godfather of climate science decries Trump plan to shut Nasa lab above Seinfeld diner: ‘It’s crazy’

Over breakfast at Tom’s Restaurant, right below the historic Giss lab, James Hansen calls Doge’s decision a ‘big mistake’

www.theguardian.com

2

Reposted by Heather Ford

Valérie Masson-Delmotte @valmasdel.bsky.social · May 22

Full sympathy for brillant climate scientists at NASA/GISS, literally expelled from their building. I still remember the depth of stimulating scientific discussions during my 1997 visit.

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

www.theguardian.com

1 42 110

Reposted by Heather Ford

Susana Wadgymar🌿🔬 @smwadgymar.bsky.social · May 22

There are only 14,393 comments submitted as of this moment! That's waaaay too few, considering the number of people who are affected by or rely on NIH/NSF funding.

Dr. David Miller 🏳️‍🌈 @davidimiller.bsky.social · May 21

🚨 Action alert: Two days left!!

Help protect NSF/NIH from political interference.

👎 A new rule (Sched. F) would allow for replacing career program officers with political appointees.

➡️ Action: Object here by THIS FRIDAY. Comments can be brief and/or anonymous. Helps future litigation.

Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is proposing a rule to increase career employee accountability. Agency supervisors report great difficulty removing employees for poor performance or misconduc...

www.federalregister.gov

2 41 35

Reposted by Heather Ford

Chanda Prescod-Weinstein 🌌 @chanda.blacksky.app · May 13

🚨 EASY-TO-TAKE ACTION ALERT! 🚨
Want to do something to protect the integrity of the federal civil service? Submit a public comment! Not sure how to do that and what to say? I have a comment you can submit! 🧪🔭⚛️

Details here:
news.chanda.science/archive/urge...

Urgent: Take Action to Protect Public Services

Photo by Katie Rodriguez on Unsplash I have something you can do in five minutes or less that can help salvage the integrity of the federal civil service,...

news.chanda.science

13 230 320

Reposted by Heather Ford

AGU (American Geophysical Union) @agu.org · May 10

A victory for the federal scientific workforce! We could not stand by while this irreparable harm continues at NSF, NOAA and all our scientific agencies.

TODAY the judge granted our request to temporarily HALT the mass firings at federal agencies under Trump’s Executive Order.

9 320 940

Heather Ford @hl-ford.bsky.social · May 5

Hey frens! @agu.org has these great template letters you can send your representaives to ask them to support funding to NSF and NASA. Make sure to quickly personalize it with your name! agu.quorum.us/campaign/121...

Ask Your Legislators to Sign on to Letters in Support of NSF and NASA

Use this opportunity to stop federal science cuts

agu.quorum.us

18 18

Reposted by Heather Ford

Marshall Shepherd @drshepherd2013.bsky.social · May 2

Not good

5 68 150

Reposted by Heather Ford

Jenn Fehrenbacher @jennfehrenbacher.bsky.social · Apr 2

Need micropaleontology slides? I started a company! MicroPaleoWorks.com. If you need slides, hit me up. Prices range from 1.50 to 2.20 each depending on the variety. We can customize with numbering for a fee. We are a #smallbusiness #womenowned #madeintheUSA using #canadianaluminum & #recycledpaper

MicroPaleoWorks | micropaleoslides

MicroPaleoWorks, a Foraminarium company. Supplier of micropaleoslides for foraminifera and other microfossils or small samples

MicroPaleoWorks.com

3 30 40

Heather Ford @hl-ford.bsky.social · May 2

This is great Jenn! What's the thickness of the paper slides?

1

Reposted by Heather Ford

Carl Zimmer @carlzimmer.com · May 1

Nature reports that the National Science Foundation has stopped awarding new grants and allotting funds to existing ones. All of them. @colincarlson.bsky.social says that unless the freeze is lifted, it “is going to destroy people's labs.” 2/10
www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Exclusive: NSF stops awarding new grants and funding existing ones

US science funder also plans to screen grant applications for compliance with ‘agency priorities’.

www.nature.com

16 450 710