Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Marc Alessi

Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 6d

The data and evidence are clear. Over the past 8 months, the egregious actions of President Trump and his enablers have caused real harm to people and communities across the country.

Science and Democracy Under Siege

This administration's first 6 months have been characterized by destruction, division, and chaos.

www.ucs.org

2 28 51

Reposted by Marc Alessi

UCS Climate & Accountability Campaigns @ucsclimate.bsky.social · 7d

Climate change won’t stop for a government shutdown. We’re following a developing late-season heatwave in the Midwest and Northeastern US. Temperatures are expected to be over 20F above normal today through early next week.

1 6 8

Reposted by Marc Alessi

Andrew Dessler @andrewdessler.com · 8d

Our comment to the DOE and EPA about the DOE Climate Working Group report is now posted on ESSOAR preprint server. It has a DOI and can now be cited!

essopenarchive.org/users/260056...

Screenshot of an ESS Open Archive preprint page. A green “Download PDF” button sits at top left. The title reads “Climate Experts’ Review of the DOE Climate Working Group Report.” Below are subject tags “Atmospheric Sciences” and “Climate Science,” followed by two listed authors. A “Preprint timeline” box shows “Submitted to ESS Open Archive” on 24 Sep 2025 and “Published in ESS Open Archive” on 29 Sep 2025. A citation block includes the DOI 10.22541/essoar.175745244.41950365/v2 and notes version v2 (processing). A right-side box says “Non-exclusive” and “No reuse.” A yellow banner at the bottom states: “This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary.”

2 25 47

Marc Alessi @marc-alessi.bsky.social · 9d

First time in Colorado National Monument over the weekend. So beautiful (and some monsoonal moisture in the area!)

4

Reposted by Marc Alessi

UCS Climate & Accountability Campaigns @ucsclimate.bsky.social · 9d

Folks living along the southeast coast are dealing with flooding and surf impacts from Tropical Storm Imelda. Luckily, Imelda is not expected to make landfall in the U.S. and instead will drift out to sea. Be sure to follow the National Hurricane Center for the latest information: www.hurricanes.gov

1 1 4

Reposted by Marc Alessi

UCS Climate & Accountability Campaigns @ucsclimate.bsky.social · 23d

For the first time since 1992, there have been no named storms in the Atlantic Ocean for the month of September through the 15th. Early September is usually the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season:

1 4 14

Marc Alessi @marc-alessi.bsky.social · 23d

Excellent article by a colleague: "5 forecasts early climate models got right – the evidence is all around you"
theconversation.com/5-forecasts-...

5 forecasts early climate models got right – the evidence is all around you

From rising global temperatures to the fast-warming Arctic, early climate models predicted the changes half a century ago.

theconversation.com

4

Marc Alessi @marc-alessi.bsky.social · 27d

Hearing on this lawsuit filed by EDF/UCS is today at 2pm ET. You can register here (under Judge Young): forms.mad.uscourts.gov/courtlist.html

2

Marc Alessi @marc-alessi.bsky.social · 27d

Here's a link to the hearing today if you are interested in listening: forms.mad.uscourts.gov/courtlist.html

Courtlist Schedule

forms.mad.uscourts.gov

1

Marc Alessi @marc-alessi.bsky.social · Sep 6

Billionaires are a policy failure. That money should be circulating among working and middle class families, not sitting in the banks and stocks of 100 people

Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · Sep 6

The richest 100 billionaires in the U.S. have a net worth totaling $3.86 trillion.

The entire bottom 50% of America is collectively worth $4 trillion.

Read that back.

Folks, this is what oligarchy looks like.

Marc Alessi @marc-alessi.bsky.social · Sep 1

Join your union!!

Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · Aug 31

Look at this graph.

The share of national income going to the richest 10 percent was lowest (and share to lower 90 percent highest) when union membership was at its highest. As unions have weakened, inequality has widened.

This is why we must build back union power.

9 24

Reposted by Marc Alessi

Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · Aug 29

The NRA buys off Congress. No action on guns.

The oil industry buys off Congress. No action on climate.

Insurance companies buy off Congress. No action on health care.

The list goes on and on.

Money in politics is the root of our dysfunction.

1.2K 10K 32K

Reposted by Marc Alessi

Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · Aug 27

As our recent report Decades of Deceit illustrates, fossil fuel companies cannot be trusted to do the right thing. "Just as the US needs laws to protect public health, it needs to be able to enforce laws when corporations knowingly cause harm," writes UCS's Kathy Mulvey.

Big Oil Has Been Lying to Us for Decades: Don’t Let It off the Hook

As people and communities seek accountability, the industry is pleading for an escape hatch.

blog.ucs.org

22 240 590

Marc Alessi @marc-alessi.bsky.social · Aug 27

Goodbye Joni Ernst!!!

Taniel @taniel.bsky.social · Aug 27

NEW RESULT: Democrats have flipped a state Senate in Iowa.

This was a seat Trump carried by 11%, but Democratic nominee Catherine Drey has just won it by 10.4%.

This is the second legislative flip by Dems in Iowa this year. It also means the GOP loses its supermajority in Iowa’s senate.

1 5

Marc Alessi @marc-alessi.bsky.social · Aug 26

1 4

Marc Alessi @marc-alessi.bsky.social · Aug 26

Increasing your country's electricity generation by 61% is absolutely INSANE. And it's all renewable energy!! What an exciting energy revolution to live through.

Dave Jones @cleanpowerdave.bsky.social · Aug 26

These solar panels will provide a lot of electricity.

The solar panels imported into Sierra Leone in the last 12 months, if installed, would generate electricity equivalent to 61% of the total reported 2023 electricity generation, significantly adding to electricity supply🤯

3

Reposted by Marc Alessi

Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · Aug 24

This week, UCS’s Rachel Cleetus testified at the EPA hearing on its proposal to “reconsider” the 2009 Endangerment Finding and vehicle standards. If finalized, the rule would overturn science showing heat-trapping emissions harm public health. Here’s what she shared in 2.5 minutes.

I Testified at the EPA Hearing on the Repeal of the Endangerment Finding

The EPA is accepting comments on this proposal through September 22. Add your voice in opposing this proposal and tell the EPA to uphold climate science and protect our health.

blog.ucs.org

1 16 38

Marc Alessi @marc-alessi.bsky.social · Aug 19

#VoteSusanOut

Graham Platner for Senate @grahamformaine.bsky.social · Aug 19

My name is Graham Platner and I’m running for US Senate to defeat Susan Collins and topple the oligarchy that’s destroying our country.

I’m a veteran, oysterman, and working class Mainer who’s seen this state become unlivable for working people. And that makes me deeply angry.

3

Marc Alessi @marc-alessi.bsky.social · Aug 16

Was this a record fast RI episode?

1

Marc Alessi @marc-alessi.bsky.social · Aug 14

Join us today at noon ET on the @ucs.org Instagram!

1

Reposted by Marc Alessi

Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · Aug 6

As UCS’s Julie McNamara explains, in a handout to the fossil fuel industry, EPA is attempting to argue that climate pollution from coal- and gas-fired power plants—responsible for about a quarter of all US heat-trapping emissions—isn’t worth regulating.

EPA Moves to Ignore Power Plant Carbon Emissions, Deny Climate Science

Zeldin is proposing to walk away from regulating carbon emissions from power plants—plus nearly every other source of heat-trapping emissions.

blog.ucs.org

6 20 46

Marc Alessi @marc-alessi.bsky.social · Aug 4

Check out this powerful blog by one of my colleagues on Central TX flash flood survivors speaking out in a TX legislative session. "What is clear is that the brave people of Texas Hill Country have joined the growing list of disaster survivors across the country who can’t afford inaction."

Despite Clear Preferences from Texas Hill Flood Survivors, Uncertainty Looms

Residents of Texas Hill Country testified about what recovery means to them. Who will listen?

blog.ucs.org

2

Marc Alessi @marc-alessi.bsky.social · Aug 4

It's not great out there! Stay inside!

1

Marc Alessi @marc-alessi.bsky.social · Aug 4

Latest smoke HRRR forecast: rapidrefresh.noaa.gov/hrrr/HRRRsmo...

HRRR-Smoke Graphics

The Rapid Refresh is a high-frequency weather forecast (numerical weather prediction) and data assimilation system, planned to replace the RUC in NCEP operations by early 2010. This Rapid Refr...

rapidrefresh.noaa.gov

1

Marc Alessi @marc-alessi.bsky.social · Aug 4

Poor air quality from Canadian wildfire smoke continuing through today and tomorrow for the Great Lakes and Northeast regions.

2 3 12