Michelle Merrill, PhD
@perplexedprimate.bsky.social
organizing with Scientist Rebellion Turtle Island, recovering academic who worked on Higher Ed for Sustainability, anthropology, behavioral ecology, evolution, social learning
Reposted by Michelle Merrill, PhD
Stopped by NCAR while in Boulder. Thrilled to be here, terrified to think we could lose this
@srti.bsky.social
@srti.bsky.social
December 27, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Stopped by NCAR while in Boulder. Thrilled to be here, terrified to think we could lose this
@srti.bsky.social
@srti.bsky.social
Reposted by Michelle Merrill, PhD
Flashback post and yep, still our favorite.
December 26, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Flashback post and yep, still our favorite.
Reposted by Michelle Merrill, PhD
“Climate action” is just another way to say “we want our beautiful complex planet to continue to be a good place to live, and to continue to be both beautiful and complex”. So much climate damage comes from assuming that Earth is simple, that it is easy to control and that it will bend to our will.
December 18, 2025 at 8:44 PM
“Climate action” is just another way to say “we want our beautiful complex planet to continue to be a good place to live, and to continue to be both beautiful and complex”. So much climate damage comes from assuming that Earth is simple, that it is easy to control and that it will bend to our will.
Reposted by Michelle Merrill, PhD
We did it! We got enough signatures to force a vote on extending ACA subsidies. Imagine how furious Mike Johnson is going to be when we pass this!
Now is the time to pressure your Members of Congress and help us get it done!
Now is the time to pressure your Members of Congress and help us get it done!
Tell Congress: Demand Speaker Johnson hold a vote IMMEDIATELY on the ACA tax credit extension
Contact Congress today!
actionnetwork.org
December 19, 2025 at 2:26 AM
We did it! We got enough signatures to force a vote on extending ACA subsidies. Imagine how furious Mike Johnson is going to be when we pass this!
Now is the time to pressure your Members of Congress and help us get it done!
Now is the time to pressure your Members of Congress and help us get it done!
Reposted by Michelle Merrill, PhD
JUST IN: This morning, hundreds of baristas have joined our national ULP strike.
☕ The solidarity is strong: For every one barista on strike, dozens more allies have shown up in force to back our cause.
Our strike continues to grow in strength and power! #NoContractNoCoffee
☕ The solidarity is strong: For every one barista on strike, dozens more allies have shown up in force to back our cause.
Our strike continues to grow in strength and power! #NoContractNoCoffee
As of this morning, Starbucks workers across the country are officially ON STRIKE. And we're prepared for this to become the biggest and longest ULP strike in Starbucks history.
Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX
Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX
December 18, 2025 at 11:59 AM
JUST IN: This morning, hundreds of baristas have joined our national ULP strike.
☕ The solidarity is strong: For every one barista on strike, dozens more allies have shown up in force to back our cause.
Our strike continues to grow in strength and power! #NoContractNoCoffee
☕ The solidarity is strong: For every one barista on strike, dozens more allies have shown up in force to back our cause.
Our strike continues to grow in strength and power! #NoContractNoCoffee
Reposted by Michelle Merrill, PhD
If pedestrian deaths can be eliminated on the previously deadly International Boulevard, we should be able to eliminate them on every other street.
We just need the will to do it, especially from policymakers and Caltrans.
Thanks @tvrr.bsky.social for tireless advocacy to achieve this huge win!
We just need the will to do it, especially from policymakers and Caltrans.
Thanks @tvrr.bsky.social for tireless advocacy to achieve this huge win!
For those who haven't been on the boulevard in thew last year, the data alone tells us that there has been a positive transformation: pedestrian deaths fell from 7 in 2023 to 0 so far this year. Yep, zero. More yet to do!
@tvrr.bsky.social
www.oakrapidresponse.org/posts/intern...
@tvrr.bsky.social
www.oakrapidresponse.org/posts/intern...
International Blvd is Now Much Safer
Last week, OakDOT and AC Transit shared the results of the International BRT Safety Project and frankly the results are an eye-popping success! Traffic calming infrastructure saves lives! Please write...
www.oakrapidresponse.org
December 19, 2025 at 3:34 AM
If pedestrian deaths can be eliminated on the previously deadly International Boulevard, we should be able to eliminate them on every other street.
We just need the will to do it, especially from policymakers and Caltrans.
Thanks @tvrr.bsky.social for tireless advocacy to achieve this huge win!
We just need the will to do it, especially from policymakers and Caltrans.
Thanks @tvrr.bsky.social for tireless advocacy to achieve this huge win!
Reposted by Michelle Merrill, PhD
A large national cohort study from France found that 4 yrs out from Covid vax, people had a 74% lower risk of death from severe Covid & a 25% lower risk of death from any cause.
As HHS goons threaten to cancel approval for the Covid vax in the US, be sure to get this winter's booster!
As HHS goons threaten to cancel approval for the Covid vax in the US, be sure to get this winter's booster!
mRNA COVID vaccines tied to drop in death rate for 4 years
A large national cohort study from France didn’t observe any increase in all-cause mortality in adults up to four years after receipt of a COVID mRNA vaccine, and vaccination was linked to a 74% lower risk of death from severe COVID-19 and a 25% lower risk of death from any cause.
www.cidrap.umn.edu
December 19, 2025 at 4:45 PM
A large national cohort study from France found that 4 yrs out from Covid vax, people had a 74% lower risk of death from severe Covid & a 25% lower risk of death from any cause.
As HHS goons threaten to cancel approval for the Covid vax in the US, be sure to get this winter's booster!
As HHS goons threaten to cancel approval for the Covid vax in the US, be sure to get this winter's booster!
Reposted by Michelle Merrill, PhD
We continue to be heartened by the influx of new donors, subscribers, & followers. With your support, we are able to carry out our mission of protecting & defending researchers from legal attacks, harassment, censorship, & more. We can't do this without you. csldf.org/donate
Activism & Advocacy - Climate Science Legal Defense Fund
ACTIVISM & ADVOCACY TOOLKIT Our free legal resources help scientists understand how they can safely speak out for science. Scientists’…
csldf.org
December 19, 2025 at 1:10 PM
We continue to be heartened by the influx of new donors, subscribers, & followers. With your support, we are able to carry out our mission of protecting & defending researchers from legal attacks, harassment, censorship, & more. We can't do this without you. csldf.org/donate
Reposted by Michelle Merrill, PhD
There’s a lesson to be learned by all U.S. research institutions: Even if you keep your head down and “align with the president’s priorities,” it affords you no protection. This administration will still smash your institution into atoms on the flimsiest pretense. *Do not pre-comply.* #SaveNCAR
In case there was any question Trump attempting to shutter NCAR is retaliation against Colorado for Tina Peters remaining in prison.
December 18, 2025 at 1:47 PM
There’s a lesson to be learned by all U.S. research institutions: Even if you keep your head down and “align with the president’s priorities,” it affords you no protection. This administration will still smash your institution into atoms on the flimsiest pretense. *Do not pre-comply.* #SaveNCAR
Reposted by Michelle Merrill, PhD
Nonviolence Makes Scientist Rebellion Turtle Island Strong
Scientist Rebellion Turtle Island is commited to nonviolence. Research shows that nonviolent resistance campaigns were more than twice as effective as violent ones. There is a long tradition of nonviolent movements for change.
Scientist Rebellion Turtle Island is commited to nonviolence. Research shows that nonviolent resistance campaigns were more than twice as effective as violent ones. There is a long tradition of nonviolent movements for change.
Nonviolence Makes Scientist Rebellion Turtle Island Strong
Scientist Rebellion Turtle Island is commited to nonviolence. Research shows that nonviolent resistance campaigns were more than twice as effective as violent ones. There is a long tradition of nonviolent movements for change.
www.srturtleisland.org
December 18, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Nonviolence Makes Scientist Rebellion Turtle Island Strong
Scientist Rebellion Turtle Island is commited to nonviolence. Research shows that nonviolent resistance campaigns were more than twice as effective as violent ones. There is a long tradition of nonviolent movements for change.
Scientist Rebellion Turtle Island is commited to nonviolence. Research shows that nonviolent resistance campaigns were more than twice as effective as violent ones. There is a long tradition of nonviolent movements for change.
Reposted by Michelle Merrill, PhD
Some perspectives from our community on what NCAR means to weather and climate researchers:
"NCAR is quite literally our global mothership" @katharinehayhoe.com
"I came to the US over 10 years ago for a postdoc at NCAR. It changed my life..." @climateflavors.bsky.social
#SaveNCAR
"NCAR is quite literally our global mothership" @katharinehayhoe.com
"I came to the US over 10 years ago for a postdoc at NCAR. It changed my life..." @climateflavors.bsky.social
#SaveNCAR
December 17, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Some perspectives from our community on what NCAR means to weather and climate researchers:
"NCAR is quite literally our global mothership" @katharinehayhoe.com
"I came to the US over 10 years ago for a postdoc at NCAR. It changed my life..." @climateflavors.bsky.social
#SaveNCAR
"NCAR is quite literally our global mothership" @katharinehayhoe.com
"I came to the US over 10 years ago for a postdoc at NCAR. It changed my life..." @climateflavors.bsky.social
#SaveNCAR
Reposted by Michelle Merrill, PhD
Short clip from my rapid-response livestream yesterday regarding potentially devastating plans to dismantle NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and how it's directly connected to the policy blueprint known as "Project 2025." #SaveNCAR
How is alarming proposal to dismantle climate & disaster research at NCAR connected to Project 2025?
In this excerpt from my longer livestream, I discuss how the potentially devastating proposal to dismantle the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and halt its core climate and extreme weather/disaster-related research has its origins in the policy blueprint offered by "Project 2025.
youtu.be
December 18, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Short clip from my rapid-response livestream yesterday regarding potentially devastating plans to dismantle NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and how it's directly connected to the policy blueprint known as "Project 2025." #SaveNCAR
Reposted by Michelle Merrill, PhD
The Trump Administration's plan to dismantle the @ncar-ucar.bsky.social is senseless & dangerous.
It would weaken weather forecasting, climate research, & the science that keeps people safe.
We urge that this plan be abandoned.
Call Congress to #SaveNCAR today. buff.ly/7ka1BQA
It would weaken weather forecasting, climate research, & the science that keeps people safe.
We urge that this plan be abandoned.
Call Congress to #SaveNCAR today. buff.ly/7ka1BQA
Save NCAR from being dismantled today!
The Trump Administration has vowed to dissolve the center that provides critical extreme weather and climate data for our nation.
buff.ly
December 17, 2025 at 7:44 PM
The Trump Administration's plan to dismantle the @ncar-ucar.bsky.social is senseless & dangerous.
It would weaken weather forecasting, climate research, & the science that keeps people safe.
We urge that this plan be abandoned.
Call Congress to #SaveNCAR today. buff.ly/7ka1BQA
It would weaken weather forecasting, climate research, & the science that keeps people safe.
We urge that this plan be abandoned.
Call Congress to #SaveNCAR today. buff.ly/7ka1BQA
Reposted by Michelle Merrill, PhD
#SaveNCAR #resist protest in #Boulder #BoulderCO on Saturday December 20th, 11 am - 1 pm. Broadway and Rayleigh. Consider walking/biking/bussing/carpooling.
December 19, 2025 at 4:41 AM
#SaveNCAR #resist protest in #Boulder #BoulderCO on Saturday December 20th, 11 am - 1 pm. Broadway and Rayleigh. Consider walking/biking/bussing/carpooling.
Reposted by Michelle Merrill, PhD
We have a new review out: “Obesity and Climate Change: Co-Crises with Common Solutions”. These aren’t separate crises but two symptoms of the same broken food system. A threat (and thread) 🧵
www.frontiersin.org/journals/sci...
www.frontiersin.org/journals/sci...
December 18, 2025 at 5:07 PM
We have a new review out: “Obesity and Climate Change: Co-Crises with Common Solutions”. These aren’t separate crises but two symptoms of the same broken food system. A threat (and thread) 🧵
www.frontiersin.org/journals/sci...
www.frontiersin.org/journals/sci...
Reposted by Michelle Merrill, PhD
"Addressing the ecological crisis is not apolitical, in the sense that steps towards sustainable and ecologically desirable
futures will inevitably disrupt existing power structures and confront vested interests"
Great to see this understanding finally seeping into the ecology research community
futures will inevitably disrupt existing power structures and confront vested interests"
Great to see this understanding finally seeping into the ecology research community
How should the discipline of ecology and the community of ecologists respond to the ecological crisis? Is it time that these were put on something more akin to an emergency footing?
www.cell.com/action/showP...
www.cell.com/action/showP...
December 18, 2025 at 11:31 AM
"Addressing the ecological crisis is not apolitical, in the sense that steps towards sustainable and ecologically desirable
futures will inevitably disrupt existing power structures and confront vested interests"
Great to see this understanding finally seeping into the ecology research community
futures will inevitably disrupt existing power structures and confront vested interests"
Great to see this understanding finally seeping into the ecology research community
Reposted by Michelle Merrill, PhD
Reposted by Michelle Merrill, PhD
This is a travesty. My research would literally not be possible without data from NCAR. It's the same for any ecologist who wants to understand the effect of any weather variable on systems they study, which is to say basically all ecologists 🧪
Trump administration to dismantle key climate research center in Colorado
Governor Jared Polis warned that breaking up Boulder’s NCAR would put ‘public safety at risk’
www.theguardian.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:17 PM
This is a travesty. My research would literally not be possible without data from NCAR. It's the same for any ecologist who wants to understand the effect of any weather variable on systems they study, which is to say basically all ecologists 🧪
Reposted by Michelle Merrill, PhD
Hi. Hello.
Shutting down climate research doesn't make climate change stop existing!
Shutting down climate research doesn't make climate change stop existing!
Exclusive: The Trump administration is moving to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, according to a senior White House official, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
Trump moves to dismantle major US climate research center in Colorado
The Trump administration is breaking up the National Center for Atmospheric Research, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
bit.ly
December 17, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Hi. Hello.
Shutting down climate research doesn't make climate change stop existing!
Shutting down climate research doesn't make climate change stop existing!
Reposted by Michelle Merrill, PhD
🚨PSA🚨
A government restricting what scientists are allowed to study has NEVER been a sign of a society moving towards a more free, more just, or more enlightened future.
A thriving scientific ecosystem is a core pillar of a healthy democracy.
A government restricting what scientists are allowed to study has NEVER been a sign of a society moving towards a more free, more just, or more enlightened future.
A thriving scientific ecosystem is a core pillar of a healthy democracy.
December 17, 2025 at 1:53 PM
🚨PSA🚨
A government restricting what scientists are allowed to study has NEVER been a sign of a society moving towards a more free, more just, or more enlightened future.
A thriving scientific ecosystem is a core pillar of a healthy democracy.
A government restricting what scientists are allowed to study has NEVER been a sign of a society moving towards a more free, more just, or more enlightened future.
A thriving scientific ecosystem is a core pillar of a healthy democracy.
Reposted by Michelle Merrill, PhD
@hcrichardson.bsky.social Making ICE tea to celebrate the 252nd anniversary of the Boston Tea Party🎉
December 17, 2025 at 4:03 PM
@hcrichardson.bsky.social Making ICE tea to celebrate the 252nd anniversary of the Boston Tea Party🎉
Reposted by Michelle Merrill, PhD
Marine heatwave-driven mortality of bleached colonies of the massive coral Goniopora is exacerbated by a black band disease epizootic #ProcB #OpenAccess #Ecology #EnvironmentalScience royalsocietypublishing.org/rspb/article...
December 16, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Marine heatwave-driven mortality of bleached colonies of the massive coral Goniopora is exacerbated by a black band disease epizootic #ProcB #OpenAccess #Ecology #EnvironmentalScience royalsocietypublishing.org/rspb/article...
Reposted by Michelle Merrill, PhD
NSF is about to dismantle NCAR at Russell Vought's direction to protect the fossil fuel industry. It's hard to communicate just how much NCAR does, so let's take a look: I've never worked at NCAR, and I've worked with NCAR researchers once ever. What scientific discoveries has NCAR made possible? 👇
December 17, 2025 at 4:14 AM
NSF is about to dismantle NCAR at Russell Vought's direction to protect the fossil fuel industry. It's hard to communicate just how much NCAR does, so let's take a look: I've never worked at NCAR, and I've worked with NCAR researchers once ever. What scientific discoveries has NCAR made possible? 👇
Reposted by Michelle Merrill, PhD
A war on science is how you know you’ve become the bad guys, that’s the wrong side of history always.
December 17, 2025 at 4:33 AM
A war on science is how you know you’ve become the bad guys, that’s the wrong side of history always.
Reposted by Michelle Merrill, PhD
AI and fracking ride a tandem bicycle.
Which is to say, AI depends on blowing up rocks, extracting 400 million year old vaporous corpses and lighting them on fire.
Also fracking and data centers both consume and destroy a fuckton of water.
e360.yale.edu/features/pen...
Which is to say, AI depends on blowing up rocks, extracting 400 million year old vaporous corpses and lighting them on fire.
Also fracking and data centers both consume and destroy a fuckton of water.
e360.yale.edu/features/pen...
To Feed Data Centers, Pennsylvania Faces a New Fracking Boom
A rash of data centers planned for western Pennsylvania has residents and environmentalists on edge. The sprawling complexes will be powered by plants that burn fracked natural gas, whose production h...
e360.yale.edu
December 12, 2025 at 9:02 PM
AI and fracking ride a tandem bicycle.
Which is to say, AI depends on blowing up rocks, extracting 400 million year old vaporous corpses and lighting them on fire.
Also fracking and data centers both consume and destroy a fuckton of water.
e360.yale.edu/features/pen...
Which is to say, AI depends on blowing up rocks, extracting 400 million year old vaporous corpses and lighting them on fire.
Also fracking and data centers both consume and destroy a fuckton of water.
e360.yale.edu/features/pen...