Dan Garisto
@dangaristo.bsky.social
science journalist | good physics, bad physics, and sometimes ugly physics
Signal: dgaristo.72
Email: digaristo@gmail.com
Signal: dgaristo.72
Email: digaristo@gmail.com
Reposted by Dan Garisto
E&E News has some on that www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Trump sidelines climate contrarians in science rollback
The president has mocked global warming as a “hoax,” but his administration avoided testing that claim in court as it targeted the endangerment finding.
www.politico.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:55 PM
E&E News has some on that www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
And here is the EPA's comment on the DOE Climate Working Group. Given that the explicit purpose of the CWG was to provide scientific evidence to overturn the endangerment finding, I wonder how its authors feel about that.
February 13, 2026 at 2:51 PM
And here is the EPA's comment on the DOE Climate Working Group. Given that the explicit purpose of the CWG was to provide scientific evidence to overturn the endangerment finding, I wonder how its authors feel about that.
Hah, very interesting. EPA describes why it did not opt for an 'alternative basis' (i.e. rejecting the endangerment finding for scientific reasons)
February 13, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Hah, very interesting. EPA describes why it did not opt for an 'alternative basis' (i.e. rejecting the endangerment finding for scientific reasons)
You can, though, find RWR complaints from past years. e.g. www.reddit.com/r/labrats/co...
In general the lack of transparency combined with NSF's other problems is going to fuel these concerns, regardless of how much this is a departure from past RWR rate.
In general the lack of transparency combined with NSF's other problems is going to fuel these concerns, regardless of how much this is a departure from past RWR rate.
From the labrats community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the labrats community
www.reddit.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:26 PM
You can, though, find RWR complaints from past years. e.g. www.reddit.com/r/labrats/co...
In general the lack of transparency combined with NSF's other problems is going to fuel these concerns, regardless of how much this is a departure from past RWR rate.
In general the lack of transparency combined with NSF's other problems is going to fuel these concerns, regardless of how much this is a departure from past RWR rate.
Part of the trouble here is that NSF does not disclose its RWR rate, so it is really difficult to know how unusual the ~50 RWR out of likely ~12,000–14,000 applications are. It does seem odd, and the self-reported rate is very skewed against life sciences.
February 13, 2026 at 2:26 PM
Part of the trouble here is that NSF does not disclose its RWR rate, so it is really difficult to know how unusual the ~50 RWR out of likely ~12,000–14,000 applications are. It does seem odd, and the self-reported rate is very skewed against life sciences.
And this analysis, which suggests that China's total CO2 emissions have peaked in 2024 and have been flat since. www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-chi...
February 13, 2026 at 1:53 PM
And this analysis, which suggests that China's total CO2 emissions have peaked in 2024 and have been flat since. www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-chi...
In light of yesterday's EPA news, some broader and slightly brighter context, from Jeff Tollefson:
Can the clean-energy revolution save us from climate catastrophe?
Seven charts show the remarkable growth in renewable power and the challenges to ending the fossil-fuel age.
www.nature.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:53 PM
In light of yesterday's EPA news, some broader and slightly brighter context, from Jeff Tollefson:
Sort of one-sided, triumphal account, but useful insight into just how fringe the effort to tank the endangerment finding became as even business abandoned the effort.
Trump Allies Near ‘Total Victory’ in Wiping Out U.S. Climate Regulation
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 11:29 PM
Sort of one-sided, triumphal account, but useful insight into just how fringe the effort to tank the endangerment finding became as even business abandoned the effort.
Coverage of the EPA rollback of the endangerment finding from @alexwitze.bsky.social.
US repeals key ‘endangerment finding’ that climate change is a public threat
Overturning the 2009 decision means billions of extra tonnes of greenhouse-gas emissions over the next three decades.
www.nature.com
February 12, 2026 at 11:29 PM
Coverage of the EPA rollback of the endangerment finding from @alexwitze.bsky.social.
Not unique, but a striking example of scientific leadership acknowledging—decrying—the problems but not the causes.
February 12, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Not unique, but a striking example of scientific leadership acknowledging—decrying—the problems but not the causes.
AAAS president writes paragraphs about the crisis US science is in but describes the cause only as "actions in Washington, DC," and concludes that "the scientific community must reevaluate its relationship with the federal government."
A new #ScienceEditorial argues the scientific community must “maximize the impact of scientific institutions and collaborations that serve the public—and turn sharply away from breaking them down.” https://scim.ag/4rkxedW
February 12, 2026 at 8:34 PM
AAAS president writes paragraphs about the crisis US science is in but describes the cause only as "actions in Washington, DC," and concludes that "the scientific community must reevaluate its relationship with the federal government."
Research that ties together chemistry, history, and archaeology always tends to be neat, IMO. This one is about birds, to boot.
Pre-Incans collected seabird poop from remote islands to use as fertilizer
Guano-based agriculture became highly prized in the Inca empire
www.science.org
February 12, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Research that ties together chemistry, history, and archaeology always tends to be neat, IMO. This one is about birds, to boot.
A lot will become clearer in the next few weeks when lists of Schedule Policy/Career positions become public, but I think it's worth sharing this blog post by Scott Kupor. It shows just how central this policy is to the Trump administration's view of the federal workforce.
“I am a Stalwart, and I want my reward.”
Little did Charles Guiteau know when he uttered those words in 1881 in defense of his assassination of President James Garfield that he would become the catalyst for the creation of the modern civil s...
usopm.substack.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:45 PM
A lot will become clearer in the next few weeks when lists of Schedule Policy/Career positions become public, but I think it's worth sharing this blog post by Scott Kupor. It shows just how central this policy is to the Trump administration's view of the federal workforce.
The revised Schedule F policy, finalized last week, will kick in next month. It could reclassify career government scientists—potentially those involved in grantmaking at agencies like NIH and NSF—into at-will employees, and would strip them of whistleblower protections.
Trump team’s new rule could make firing government scientists easier
Although the government says the move will depoliticize US science, some researchers say it will do the opposite.
www.nature.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:45 PM
The revised Schedule F policy, finalized last week, will kick in next month. It could reclassify career government scientists—potentially those involved in grantmaking at agencies like NIH and NSF—into at-will employees, and would strip them of whistleblower protections.
Anyways, I don't think the current problems science faces can really be laid at the feet of even the most ardent critics of the science status quo. Retraction Watch, science sleuths, etc. are not responsible for the MAHA movement's distrust of science.
February 11, 2026 at 9:57 PM
Anyways, I don't think the current problems science faces can really be laid at the feet of even the most ardent critics of the science status quo. Retraction Watch, science sleuths, etc. are not responsible for the MAHA movement's distrust of science.
I think the advice about framing is great, but the most important choice is just whether or not to cover. And given that things often aren't so clear-cut (multiple actors, not obviously a violation, etc.), the potential for a complex story to be parsed as 'guilty' or 'not guilty' is really high.
February 11, 2026 at 9:57 PM
I think the advice about framing is great, but the most important choice is just whether or not to cover. And given that things often aren't so clear-cut (multiple actors, not obviously a violation, etc.), the potential for a complex story to be parsed as 'guilty' or 'not guilty' is really high.
The main thing people take away from a misconduct story is a binary: did the person do it or not?
I have read close to a dozen stories about Francesca Gino and I could not tell you precisely what Data Colada uncovered or what Harvard eventually found. What I remember is that she did it.
I have read close to a dozen stories about Francesca Gino and I could not tell you precisely what Data Colada uncovered or what Harvard eventually found. What I remember is that she did it.
February 11, 2026 at 9:57 PM
The main thing people take away from a misconduct story is a binary: did the person do it or not?
I have read close to a dozen stories about Francesca Gino and I could not tell you precisely what Data Colada uncovered or what Harvard eventually found. What I remember is that she did it.
I have read close to a dozen stories about Francesca Gino and I could not tell you precisely what Data Colada uncovered or what Harvard eventually found. What I remember is that she did it.
If only there were more options than doomerism and 'AI hype is true'.
February 11, 2026 at 4:58 PM
If only there were more options than doomerism and 'AI hype is true'.
Reposted by Dan Garisto
BREAKING: @lizzylawrence.bsky.social reports that CBER director Vinay Prasad overruled career #FDA staff and unilaterally decided to refusal to accept #Moderna 's #flu vaccine submission. www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
February 11, 2026 at 3:38 PM
BREAKING: @lizzylawrence.bsky.social reports that CBER director Vinay Prasad overruled career #FDA staff and unilaterally decided to refusal to accept #Moderna 's #flu vaccine submission. www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
In other words, just topping up a flat budget doesn't fully fix the damage caused when people thought things were going to be much worse.
Some of that uncertainty is still present due to concerns about grant terminations and other impoundment. see: $600 million in CDC grants, just the other day.
Some of that uncertainty is still present due to concerns about grant terminations and other impoundment. see: $600 million in CDC grants, just the other day.
February 11, 2026 at 1:50 PM
In other words, just topping up a flat budget doesn't fully fix the damage caused when people thought things were going to be much worse.
Some of that uncertainty is still present due to concerns about grant terminations and other impoundment. see: $600 million in CDC grants, just the other day.
Some of that uncertainty is still present due to concerns about grant terminations and other impoundment. see: $600 million in CDC grants, just the other day.
Not to detract from the rest of Mark's point, but a recurring theme from reporting last year I encountered was the damage done by uncertainty.
Without long term assurances, PhD offers were rescinded, new grants were scaled back at NSF & NIH. At Harvard people left before the grants came back.
Without long term assurances, PhD offers were rescinded, new grants were scaled back at NSF & NIH. At Harvard people left before the grants came back.
Quote is about the destruction wrought in science this year.
And it all happened with effectively a flat budget, without budget cuts, because science agencies have been presidentialized since Jan 2025– shifting control from the scientific community to the president.
And it all happened with effectively a flat budget, without budget cuts, because science agencies have been presidentialized since Jan 2025– shifting control from the scientific community to the president.
One Boston Children’s Hospital researcher said, “This is like asking, how do you think dropping an atomic bomb on New York City will affect the future of Broadway musicals? This is a generational loss of innovation, technology, and economic power.” www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/09/m...
February 11, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Not to detract from the rest of Mark's point, but a recurring theme from reporting last year I encountered was the damage done by uncertainty.
Without long term assurances, PhD offers were rescinded, new grants were scaled back at NSF & NIH. At Harvard people left before the grants came back.
Without long term assurances, PhD offers were rescinded, new grants were scaled back at NSF & NIH. At Harvard people left before the grants came back.
I've taken the liberty to update your byline, Jon
February 9, 2026 at 9:58 PM
I've taken the liberty to update your byline, Jon
Reposted by Dan Garisto
This is 18-mo-old Amalia waving to me when she was detained.
She was hospitalized with a respiratory infection while at ICE’s Dilley facility for immigrant families.
She’s one of dozens of detainees who I spoke to via video and phone calls, letters and an in-person visit. 🧵1/
She was hospitalized with a respiratory infection while at ICE’s Dilley facility for immigrant families.
She’s one of dozens of detainees who I spoke to via video and phone calls, letters and an in-person visit. 🧵1/
February 9, 2026 at 11:21 AM
This is 18-mo-old Amalia waving to me when she was detained.
She was hospitalized with a respiratory infection while at ICE’s Dilley facility for immigrant families.
She’s one of dozens of detainees who I spoke to via video and phone calls, letters and an in-person visit. 🧵1/
She was hospitalized with a respiratory infection while at ICE’s Dilley facility for immigrant families.
She’s one of dozens of detainees who I spoke to via video and phone calls, letters and an in-person visit. 🧵1/
Hard to explain, but this is a very "Trump admin in 2017" move. Almost a little quaint to see this happen now.
C.I.A. World Factbook Ends Publication After 6 Decades
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Hard to explain, but this is a very "Trump admin in 2017" move. Almost a little quaint to see this happen now.