CSIU Weekly News Bulletin - January 21, 2025
CSIU Weekly News Bulletin
Our weekly summary of news on science and policy.
Our weekly bulletin collects and digests news of the past week. Contributions welcome.
This news bulletin was compiled by ASIU members Emma Broach and Elena Krueper. General questions or concerns about CSIU? Contact Michael Hamburger at hamburg@iu.edu.
NEWS ITEMS AND ARTICLES
New York Times: Trump Orders a U.S. Exit From the World’s Main Climate Pact
Trump signed an executive order to leave the Paris Climate Agreement within hours of his inauguration. This decision could drastically impact the severity of future climate change, heightening dangers and reducing protections.
Washington Post: Trump’s pick for energy secretary rejects linking climate change and wildfires
Anticipated energy secretary Chris Wright said in 2021 that climate change is not the driving force behind increasing wildfires, drawing criticism from Senate Democrats at his confirmation hearing in light of the L.A. tragedies.
Nature: Trump’s science advisers: how they could influence his second presidency
Trump recently selected three new science advisers with expertise on AI and technological policies. Scientists are unsure about how these advisers will affect policy surrounding other issues such as climate change and research security.
New York Times: Trump Targeted Scientists in His First Term. This Time, They’re Prepared
During Trump’s first presidency, many scientists in the government were reassigned or forced to leave their positions. In preparation for Trump’s next term, scientists have pushed the expansion of many scientific integrity policies.
Science: Trump may decide to leave WHO next week. Here are seven possible impacts on the U.S. and the world
Trump decided yesterday to withdraw from the WHO. As a result, the organization will greatly suffer without U.S. support and the country may become less informed and less prepared to face future global disease outbreaks.
New York Times: L.A. Fires Show Limits of America’s Efforts to Cope With Climate Change
Even though Los Angeles had many measures in place to mitigate wildfires, systems have failed in the last week. Experts suggest implementing more drastic protections for neighborhoods or advocating against moving to fire-prone areas.
Washington Post: Biden designates two national monuments, touts climate legacy
This week President Biden created two large new national monuments in California that will bar drilling and mining on sacred Native American Lands, furthering his attempt to create a positive environmental legacy.
New York Times: U.S. Efforts to Cut Emissions Stalled in 2024 as Power Demand Surged
Even though United States greenhouse gas emissions have dropped 20% since 2005, the country’s demand for electricity jumped by 3% in 2024 and caused a further deviation from President Biden’s emission reduction goals.
Science: U.S. Forest Service pulls plug on controversial plan to protect old growth
Despite President Biden’s 2022 demands to protect mature forests, the U.S. Forest Service announced they will not develop a final protection plan. However, the originally drafted plan contained loopholes that could have allowed for further logging.
New York Times: What Will Power the A.I. Revolution?
As A.I. recently boomed, the environmental costs of expanding data centers has contradicted many company promises of lowering emissions. Even though these companies are searching for sustainable solutions, damages will continue.
As vegetation dies and sediment is washed away, Bird’s Foot delta is disappearing at a rapid rate, displacing wildlife and causing concern to local residents. Scientists suggest this issue is becoming a global pattern.
Mongabay: World’s record heat is worsening air pollution and health in Global South
2024 was the hottest year on record, negatively affecting the air quality in the Global South. This extreme heat has amplified wildfires, droughts, and dust storms in areas that are often overlooked in climate initiatives.
Wall Street Journal: Why Smoke From the Los Angeles Fires Is So Dangerous
As the L.A. fires burn through both plastic and metals, the smoke consists of particles that are extremely harmful for inhalation. This smoke can travel hundreds of miles in strong winds, presenting risks for many people.
REGIONAL NEWS
IndyStar: New heads of Indiana environment, energy agencies have ties to Trump-era deregulation, fossil fuels
Governor Mike Braun has stated that he wants to aim for more business-friendly environmental policies in Indiana. Braun’s picks for other prominent positions are known to support fossil fuel use and loosening air pollution policies.
Indiana Public Media: Eight Indiana coal sites offer ‘intriguing opportunities’ for nuclear plants, per new Purdue study
Eight current and former coal plants in Indiana have been identified as potential locations for small nuclear reactors. This change could allow Indiana to increase energy supply and greatly decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
WFYI: A look at the biggest greenhouse gas polluters in Indiana, Kentucky and nearby states
The Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting identified nine states in the Midwest and South that emit the most greenhouse gases, including Indiana. The emission levels in these states continue to have drastic evironmental impacts.
Indiana Public Media: New water studies document ample water supply but advise protective measures
Even though Indiana currently has enough water supply to support the state, experts warn that as developmental industries boom, Indiana will need to ensure its water sources are adequately protected from contamination.
OPINION AND ANALYSIS
New York Times: Is America Just Going to Abandon Its Towns Falling Into the Ocean?
American towns are sinking and being flooded by heightened weather patterns due to climate change. Legislators need to implement policies designed to protect the millions of citizens affected by this growing issue.
Science: Optimism for a global plastics treaty
Despite the lack of consensus at the UN global plastics treaty negotiations in December, there is now a crucial opportunity for scientists to construct a robust and evidence-based treaty plan during the interim.
The Guardian: ‘It’s an absolute travesty’: fears for border wildlife as Trump takes office
Trump has promised to extend the border wall between Mexico and the U.S. when he enters office. This construction could drastically impede the movements of wildlife native to the area, becoming deadly to many species.
The Herald Times: Don’t make Southern Indiana’s ‘sacrifice zone’ worse with Mid-State Corridor
Southern Indiana is already a sacrifice zone, implying that its environmental degradation is beyond repair. Legislators need to oppose a suggested highway that will cut through the area and further damage its natural ecosystem.
TAKE ACTION AND RESOURCES FOR ACTIVISTS
Hoosier Environmental Council: Protect Indiana from “Forever Chemicals”
Use this link to find your legislators and urge them to oppose recently proposed Indiana bill SB 178 promoting the use of methane, and support HB 1286 that will help control dangerous water contamination from “forever chemicals.”
The CSIU Biweekly News Bulletin is now available on the web. To view this page online go to https://csiub.org/weekly-news-bulletins. To view archives of past bulletins, see https://csiub.org/bulletin-archives.
Our CSIU news bulletin is intended to provide a brief update on recent news, editorials, as well as action items related to science integrity and science policy. Note that editorial pieces and action items are assembled from a variety of sources and organizations; they do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policy priorities of Concerned Scientists @ IU. This week’s news bulletin was compiled and edited by ASIU members Emma Broach and Elena Krueper. If you’d like to volunteer—or if you have additional links you’d like to share for future bulletins, send them to hamburg@iu.edu.
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