Entries tagged with science

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Weather and Climate Livestream

There's so many bad things going on requiring our attention that the cuts/firing in the meteorology and climate science communities gets less attention, but having a fully staffed NOAA is an important issue. Right now, there is a 100-hour livestream going on to call attention to how vital these services are, especially as hurricane season is upon us. I have it on in the background right now.

What can we do? Watch the livestream, call our Representatives, and go to 5 Calls for sample script/letters.

Info and schedule: The Weather and Climate Livestream

Direct YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rG4ePBqD-E

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(Donate) National Butterfly Center closing indefinitely after attacks from right-wing

The National Butterfly Center on the Texas border (which carries out nationally important conservation and education work) is closing to the public indefinitely after attacks from right-wing conspiracy theorists. (The Center has been accused of helping in the sex-trafficking of migrants — the property is bounded on one side by the Rio Grande and fought against having Trump's Wall built through it.)

The Center had already announced a closure over last weekend, after staff at the center had been verbally abused and physically attacked and they were then notified of a right-wing rally taking place nearby that weekend.

The Center has committed to continuing to pay its staff — including those who are paid hourly — but clearly will not be receiving the usual revenues from visitors. They are therefore asking for donations.

You can read more about what's been happening in their two recent newsletters:

https://mailchi.mp/nationalbutterflycenter/v4jla7bmp9-5505325?e=15f8f8f2a5

https://mailchi.mp/nationalbutterflycenter/v4jla7bmp9-5536765?e=73e95bd914

And Donate Here

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Snopes investigates the alt/rogue government

Twitter’s Alts and Rogues: Twitter is full of "alt-gov", or alternate government, accounts — but without verification, it's difficult to know whom to trust.

Snopes has been doing the grunt work of trying to determine which of the rogue government agency twitter accounts are legit, and they've got a list that they'll continue to update. As the author of the article says,

We cannot guarantee everything every account posts is true or direct insider information; however, we can verify that each has a legitimate connection to what they’re posting about.

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Action: EPA seeks public comment of air quality and radiation rules

seen via tumblr

The EPA wants to know what you think about scrapping air-pollution and radiation rules (Business Insider)

andabunchofotherstuff wrote:

Due May 15 2017, at 11:59 PM ET

Read and understand the regulatory document you are commenting on
Feel free to reach out to the agency with questions
Be concise but support your claims
Base your justification on sound reasoning, scientific evidence, and/or how you will be impacted
Address trade-offs and opposing views in your comment
There is no minimum or maximum length for an effective comment
The comment process is not a vote – one well supported comment is often more influential than a thousand form letters

If you want to SEE the difference the EPA protections make on our air quality, here's the NASA satellite evidence that these regulations reduce pollution and improve air quality.

ACTION: Here is the page soliciting comments where you can leave your protest

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Webinar Apr 20 Debating With Climate Change Skeptics

Environmental Defense Fund presents two climate scientists in a one-hour webinar on Thursday the 20th, 8 pm Eastern time. Registration:

https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=reg20.jsp&referrer=&eventid=1403696&sessionid=1&key=AF276BA2E56C0A51065525D108549B11®Tag=&partnerref=EDAN1&sourcepage=register

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science

Action: Thank a Government Scientist

Thank a Government Scientist

The Union of Concerned Scientists is asking people to:

Help pushback against the anti-science rhetoric from the Trump administration with some appreciation: Take a moment to thank a government scientist today. Let them know how much you appreciate the crucial role they play in our daily lives and that you will advocate for science-based policies every day!

They provide suggested text and a hashtag for tweets/Facebook messages, along with contact details for the EPA, NOAA, NASA, DoE, USDA, FDA, USCPSC and NWS.

They are also offering to forward snailmail cards to the relevant agency if you mail them to the address they provide.