Virginia Gewin
@virginiagewin.bsky.social
PDX-based science journalist writing about climate change, food security, land use, biodiversity loss, and diversity in STEM she/her
Signal: ginnyg.04
Stories here: www.virginiagewin.com
Signal: ginnyg.04
Stories here: www.virginiagewin.com
Pinned
Dismantling of US federal agencies will ‘destroy science’
From NASA to the National Institutes of Health, federal agencies conduct research that universities cannot. Agency scientists speak out about the irreplaceable facilities, institutional knowledge and ...
www.nature.com
"Science is being destroyed across many agencies" say federal researchers.
For my latest @nature.com piece, I spoke to 19 different scientists across EPA, NOAA, NIH, NASA, and USGS to document how science is being dismantled across US federal agencies.
For my latest @nature.com piece, I spoke to 19 different scientists across EPA, NOAA, NIH, NASA, and USGS to document how science is being dismantled across US federal agencies.
Reposted by Virginia Gewin
From American Institute of Physics policy newsletter (reminding myself to subscribe)
January 5, 2026 at 10:49 PM
From American Institute of Physics policy newsletter (reminding myself to subscribe)
Reposted by Virginia Gewin
“Fewer children will be vaccinated, and children will be harmed because of this decision,” says @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social about today's vaccine schedule change.
U.S. Axes Number of Recommended Childhood Vaccines in Blow to Public Health
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reducing the recommended number of vaccines for children to those that protect against 11 diseases instead of the protections against 17 illnesse...
www.scientificamerican.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:48 PM
“Fewer children will be vaccinated, and children will be harmed because of this decision,” says @ylepidemiologist.bsky.social about today's vaccine schedule change.
Reposted by Virginia Gewin
RFK Jr's HHS had a press call to announce they were — based on no new data — overhauling the childhood vaccine schedule. Senior officials at HHS answered questions but refused to go on the record, saying we could only attribute the quotes to "officials." www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...
U.S. overhauls childhood vaccine schedule, recommends fewer shots
The U.S. no longer broadly recommends vaccines for flu, hepatitis A and B, and RSV. Health officials say the guidance aligns with that of peer countries.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:48 PM
RFK Jr's HHS had a press call to announce they were — based on no new data — overhauling the childhood vaccine schedule. Senior officials at HHS answered questions but refused to go on the record, saying we could only attribute the quotes to "officials." www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...
ICYMI…the most gobsmacking fact from this reporting—>how much land will be needed to produce sustainable aviation fuel
“The maximum amount of land that we’ve converted to cropland in a single year (roughly 1.8 million acres), would have to be quadrupled every year for the next 30 years,” said Limb.
“The maximum amount of land that we’ve converted to cropland in a single year (roughly 1.8 million acres), would have to be quadrupled every year for the next 30 years,” said Limb.
This summer, I was reporting on the recent honeybee collapse and a source in North Dakota shared their concerns that if sustainable aviation fuel takes off, it could make it even harder to raise honeybees.
Gift link to my @bloomberglp.bsky.social story
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Gift link to my @bloomberglp.bsky.social story
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
The Price Honeybees May Pay for Biofuel
Financial incentives to shrink the carbon footprint of air travel could turbocharge the destruction of grasslands critical to pollination.
www.bloomberg.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:54 PM
ICYMI…the most gobsmacking fact from this reporting—>how much land will be needed to produce sustainable aviation fuel
“The maximum amount of land that we’ve converted to cropland in a single year (roughly 1.8 million acres), would have to be quadrupled every year for the next 30 years,” said Limb.
“The maximum amount of land that we’ve converted to cropland in a single year (roughly 1.8 million acres), would have to be quadrupled every year for the next 30 years,” said Limb.
@martinebotany.bsky.social were you just at the #sicb2026 scicomm panel? Bummed we didn’t get to chat. Are you here until Weds?
January 5, 2026 at 9:38 PM
@martinebotany.bsky.social were you just at the #sicb2026 scicomm panel? Bummed we didn’t get to chat. Are you here until Weds?
Reposted by Virginia Gewin
Excellent piece on the damaging push for even more (agriculture subsidy-driven) biofuels.
Instead of wasting tax payer's money on this, it's better to tax the flights according to climate impact, and then spend those money on supporting direct electrification in other sectors.
Instead of wasting tax payer's money on this, it's better to tax the flights according to climate impact, and then spend those money on supporting direct electrification in other sectors.
This summer, I was reporting on the recent honeybee collapse and a source in North Dakota shared their concerns that if sustainable aviation fuel takes off, it could make it even harder to raise honeybees.
Gift link to my @bloomberglp.bsky.social story
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Gift link to my @bloomberglp.bsky.social story
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
The Price Honeybees May Pay for Biofuel
Financial incentives to shrink the carbon footprint of air travel could turbocharge the destruction of grasslands critical to pollination.
www.bloomberg.com
January 1, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Excellent piece on the damaging push for even more (agriculture subsidy-driven) biofuels.
Instead of wasting tax payer's money on this, it's better to tax the flights according to climate impact, and then spend those money on supporting direct electrification in other sectors.
Instead of wasting tax payer's money on this, it's better to tax the flights according to climate impact, and then spend those money on supporting direct electrification in other sectors.
Reposted by Virginia Gewin
The EPA has announced changes to the definition of Waters of the U.S. that leave critical systems supporting drinking water, floodwater storage, and biodiversity unprotected. Public comments on the changes are open until January 5, 2026.
Read SFS's response: freshwater-science.org/news/sfs-res...
Read SFS's response: freshwater-science.org/news/sfs-res...
SFS Response Letter on Changes to Waters of the U.S. Definition | Society for Freshwater Science
December 30, 2025 — The Society for Freshwater Science (SFS) today released a letter outlining changes to the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) definition and our response.
freshwater-science.org
December 30, 2025 at 9:16 PM
The EPA has announced changes to the definition of Waters of the U.S. that leave critical systems supporting drinking water, floodwater storage, and biodiversity unprotected. Public comments on the changes are open until January 5, 2026.
Read SFS's response: freshwater-science.org/news/sfs-res...
Read SFS's response: freshwater-science.org/news/sfs-res...
Reposted by Virginia Gewin
EXCLUSIVE: @laurenweberhp.bsky.social & I have spent the last year collecting school+county-level vaccination data from across the US and found that only about 28% of counties now have herd immunity for kindergartners from measles—that leaves about 5.2mn kids unprotected.
Gift link: wapo.st/49zDc43
Gift link: wapo.st/49zDc43
U.S. vaccination rates are plunging. Look up where your school stands.
Take a look to see what the kindergarten measles vaccination rates are in your area.
wapo.st
December 31, 2025 at 2:29 PM
EXCLUSIVE: @laurenweberhp.bsky.social & I have spent the last year collecting school+county-level vaccination data from across the US and found that only about 28% of counties now have herd immunity for kindergartners from measles—that leaves about 5.2mn kids unprotected.
Gift link: wapo.st/49zDc43
Gift link: wapo.st/49zDc43
This summer, I was reporting on the recent honeybee collapse and a source in North Dakota shared their concerns that if sustainable aviation fuel takes off, it could make it even harder to raise honeybees.
Gift link to my @bloomberglp.bsky.social story
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Gift link to my @bloomberglp.bsky.social story
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
The Price Honeybees May Pay for Biofuel
Financial incentives to shrink the carbon footprint of air travel could turbocharge the destruction of grasslands critical to pollination.
www.bloomberg.com
December 31, 2025 at 4:03 PM
This summer, I was reporting on the recent honeybee collapse and a source in North Dakota shared their concerns that if sustainable aviation fuel takes off, it could make it even harder to raise honeybees.
Gift link to my @bloomberglp.bsky.social story
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Gift link to my @bloomberglp.bsky.social story
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Virginia Gewin
I joined a bipartisan group of 75 Members of Congress calling on the Trump admin to stop their plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research next year.
Studying the weather and our climate saves lives and helps the economy, especially our farm communities.
Studying the weather and our climate saves lives and helps the economy, especially our farm communities.
The Trump administration says it plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research, the nation’s premier atmospheric science center. It was founded in 1960 and has facilitated generations of breakthroughs in climate and weather science https://to.pbs.org/4qygWgV
White House pushes to dismantle leading climate and weather research center
The Trump administration says it plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, which is the nation’s premier atmospheric science center. The center was founded in 1960 a...
to.pbs.org
December 30, 2025 at 7:56 PM
I joined a bipartisan group of 75 Members of Congress calling on the Trump admin to stop their plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research next year.
Studying the weather and our climate saves lives and helps the economy, especially our farm communities.
Studying the weather and our climate saves lives and helps the economy, especially our farm communities.
Reposted by Virginia Gewin
Pentagon says it fails eighth audit, targets 2028 to pass reut.rs/4s7T594
Pentagon says it fails eighth audit, targets 2028 to pass
For the eighth year in a row, the Pentagon has failed an annual audit, the Department of Defense said on Friday, continuing a pattern of financial accountability problems that have drawn bipartisan criticism and emerged as a campaign issue.
reut.rs
December 19, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Pentagon says it fails eighth audit, targets 2028 to pass reut.rs/4s7T594
Reposted by Virginia Gewin
Now up to three separate spots with 100+ gusts in/near Boulder, two within the past hour.
Again: It's considerably drier than Wednesday, and the wind started earlier (longer lasting wind event). Hence the extra concern today compared to Wednesday.
#COwx
Again: It's considerably drier than Wednesday, and the wind started earlier (longer lasting wind event). Hence the extra concern today compared to Wednesday.
#COwx
December 19, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Now up to three separate spots with 100+ gusts in/near Boulder, two within the past hour.
Again: It's considerably drier than Wednesday, and the wind started earlier (longer lasting wind event). Hence the extra concern today compared to Wednesday.
#COwx
Again: It's considerably drier than Wednesday, and the wind started earlier (longer lasting wind event). Hence the extra concern today compared to Wednesday.
#COwx
Reposted by Virginia Gewin
Went back and heard Kendall Powell give tough love advice to #freelancers both for general use, and for pitching to @nature.com (Careers) Great questions from @virginiagewin.bsky.social #SciWri26
NASW Members: Looking for something to stream this winter? Check out the recording archive of our virtual events. Log in with your member credentials to watch these professional development and community building sessions: www.nasw.org/events/... 💚🧪📝
December 19, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Went back and heard Kendall Powell give tough love advice to #freelancers both for general use, and for pitching to @nature.com (Careers) Great questions from @virginiagewin.bsky.social #SciWri26
Reposted by Virginia Gewin
US appeals Harvard court victory on $2 billion funding freeze reut.rs/3MDG5In
US appeals Harvard court victory on $2 billion funding freeze
U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has appealed a judge's ruling holding that it unlawfully terminated more than $2 billion in grants awarded to Harvard University and can no longer cut off research funding to the Ivy League school.
reut.rs
December 19, 2025 at 8:35 PM
US appeals Harvard court victory on $2 billion funding freeze reut.rs/3MDG5In
Reposted by Virginia Gewin
Household food insecurity rising.
"The household food insecurity rate posted the largest increase so far this year, rising from 13.3% in October to 16% in November, according to the latest Consumer Food Insights Report (CFI)." ag.purdue.edu/cfdas/public...
"The household food insecurity rate posted the largest increase so far this year, rising from 13.3% in October to 16% in November, according to the latest Consumer Food Insights Report (CFI)." ag.purdue.edu/cfdas/public...
Consumer Food Insights, Volume 4, Issue 11, November 2025 - Center for Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability (CFDAS)
The public’s familiarity with the term “food insecurity” and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is mixed, with approximately 40% of Americans reporting they are only “slightly famili...
ag.purdue.edu
December 19, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Household food insecurity rising.
"The household food insecurity rate posted the largest increase so far this year, rising from 13.3% in October to 16% in November, according to the latest Consumer Food Insights Report (CFI)." ag.purdue.edu/cfdas/public...
"The household food insecurity rate posted the largest increase so far this year, rising from 13.3% in October to 16% in November, according to the latest Consumer Food Insights Report (CFI)." ag.purdue.edu/cfdas/public...
Reposted by Virginia Gewin
I was interviewed for @theguardian.com by the wonderful @melodyschreiber.com, one of the finest health reporters in the world, about what I called a “neocolonialist” study planned by Danish researchers in Guinea-Bissau, funded by RFK Jr. So many red flags 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
US plan for $1.6m hepatitis B vaccine study in Africa called ‘highly unethical’
Experts decry ‘neocolonialist’ Guinea-Bissau study after Trump administration changed advice for US babies
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2025 at 5:18 PM
I was interviewed for @theguardian.com by the wonderful @melodyschreiber.com, one of the finest health reporters in the world, about what I called a “neocolonialist” study planned by Danish researchers in Guinea-Bissau, funded by RFK Jr. So many red flags 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Any ideas on what the Friday afternoon announcement will be?
December 18, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Any ideas on what the Friday afternoon announcement will be?
Scientists: I’m looking for sources who think that some (or all?) of the changes to scientific funding, agency research agendas, or STEM training over the last year had merit or were needed reforms. If this is you, I’d like to interview you.
December 18, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Scientists: I’m looking for sources who think that some (or all?) of the changes to scientific funding, agency research agendas, or STEM training over the last year had merit or were needed reforms. If this is you, I’d like to interview you.
Reposted by Virginia Gewin
Massive Layoffs at the Dept of #Education Erode Its #CivilRights Division
Only five of the agency’s civil rights offices remain nationwide. Those who are still with the department say it will now be “virtually impossible” to resolve #discrimination complaints.
www.propublica.org/article/educ...
Only five of the agency’s civil rights offices remain nationwide. Those who are still with the department say it will now be “virtually impossible” to resolve #discrimination complaints.
www.propublica.org/article/educ...
Massive Layoffs at the Department of Education Erode Its Civil Rights Division
Only five of the agency’s civil rights offices remain nationwide. Those who are still with the department say it will now be “virtually impossible” to resolve discrimination complaints.
www.propublica.org
December 14, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Massive Layoffs at the Dept of #Education Erode Its #CivilRights Division
Only five of the agency’s civil rights offices remain nationwide. Those who are still with the department say it will now be “virtually impossible” to resolve #discrimination complaints.
www.propublica.org/article/educ...
Only five of the agency’s civil rights offices remain nationwide. Those who are still with the department say it will now be “virtually impossible” to resolve #discrimination complaints.
www.propublica.org/article/educ...
Reposted by Virginia Gewin
Hard to overstate how concerning this is. There are over 46,000 people, a school, and a hospital in the flash flood warning area. Washington communities have been bracing for levee failures as another round of atmospheric rivers arrives to full rivers and saturated soils.
December 15, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Hard to overstate how concerning this is. There are over 46,000 people, a school, and a hospital in the flash flood warning area. Washington communities have been bracing for levee failures as another round of atmospheric rivers arrives to full rivers and saturated soils.
“The Trump administration sided with officials from Saudi Arabia, Russia & Iran in a successful effort to block part of a United Nations report about the dire state of the planet because it called for phasing out fossil fuels, switching to clean energy and reducing plastics.”
U.S. Helped to Weaken Report at U.N. Environment Talks, Participants Say
www.nytimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:15 PM
“The Trump administration sided with officials from Saudi Arabia, Russia & Iran in a successful effort to block part of a United Nations report about the dire state of the planet because it called for phasing out fossil fuels, switching to clean energy and reducing plastics.”
🎁 "The [UT] campus is no longer led by an academic, but a Republican lawyer. The president has promised curricular changes, and the system is now conducting an audit of all gender studies courses, after a State House bill enshrined in state law that there are effectively only two genders."
The Conservative Overhaul of the University of Texas Is Underway
www.nytimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:29 AM
🎁 "The [UT] campus is no longer led by an academic, but a Republican lawyer. The president has promised curricular changes, and the system is now conducting an audit of all gender studies courses, after a State House bill enshrined in state law that there are effectively only two genders."
The “near-exclusive emphasis on natural causes of climate change on the U.S. EPA’s website is now completely out of synch with all available evidence demonstrating overwhelming human influence on contemporary warming trends,” said UCLA climate scientist @weatherwest.bsky.social.
EPA Removes Information on Human Drivers of Warming from Its Website
e360.yale.edu
December 10, 2025 at 4:59 PM
The “near-exclusive emphasis on natural causes of climate change on the U.S. EPA’s website is now completely out of synch with all available evidence demonstrating overwhelming human influence on contemporary warming trends,” said UCLA climate scientist @weatherwest.bsky.social.
Reposted by Virginia Gewin
December 10, 2025 at 1:44 AM