Roger Bales

SF #StandUpforScience on Sat. talking re attacks on science-informed decision making, federal research support, higher ed, research on hold since 2024 election, how attacks cut my daughter's PhD support, & ways we’re working to counter attacks & rebuild support. Solutions go through the ballot box!

Nice summary, thanks for writing. Climate & Earth sciences partnering with biomedical & public-health to fight back & rebuild public support for science makes a lot of sense. We must do a lot more & avoid competing over the remains after OMBs destructive actions.

Great story by @jricole.bsky.social. With renewables, we can do this in California & U.S. too.

An apt term for many regions

Thanks to Jerome Powell for standing up for evidence-based decision making.

My statement on President Trump’s actions in Venezuela.

Solar-panel-covered canals have their day in the sun in California California’s first solar-over-canal project goes online with the commissioning of the narrow and wide span arrays in the Turlock Irrigation District, bringing to life the ultimate “why didn’t I think ...

ICYMI, a new video by UC colleague Robyn Schelenz on our operational & still evolving water-energy-ecosystem initiative, which adds solar to open canals, creating an innovative multi-benefit infrastructure investment. www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/solar-p...

We have known for decades, there’s no alternative to phasing out fossil fuels ...

Well stated. There are so many efforts to distract from reversing fossil-fuel-driven climate warming, which is linked to so many other compelling issues such as inequality, biodiversity loss, public health ...

Socializing science with decision makers & the public also depends on engagement, leading to trusted messengers backed by science.

Climate Activism: Bridging Science, Advocacy, and Public Engagement This Collection aims to examine the evolving role of scientists in climate advocacy, tensions between objectivity and activism, and public engagement ...

My @ucmerced.bsky.social colleague @fast-reggae.bsky.social just pointed me to this collection he's editing -- now open for submissions. www.nature.com/collections/...

Climate Activism: Bridging Science, Advocacy, and Public Engagement This Collection aims to examine the evolving role of scientists in climate advocacy, tensions between objectivity and activism, and public engagement ...

My University of California, Merced colleague Paul Almeida just pointed me to this collection he's editing -- now open for submissions. www.nature.com/collections/...

Yes, it is quite feasible to do this! Also, our UC campuses have developed conceptual plans & cost estimates to electrify our other hospitals. While the long-term economics may be favorable, an immediate barrier is financing.

“Until the well-evidenced obstruction of the fossil fuel industry is addressed and strong, lasting protections are in place, COP30 and all future COPs are pre-destined to fail.”
www.commondreams.org/news/cop30-b...

Activating Academia for an Era of Colliding Crises While there has been discussion for decades about the need to rethink the core purpose of academia to enable all to live well on a planet of finite resources, humanity’s present predicaments point to ...

Thanks to Frontiers in Education for publishing this timely set of research, case-study & review pieces as a book. The important theme is how university colleagues can assume more-active roles in addressing the planetary climate & ecological crises.
www.frontiersin.org/research-top...

Very sobering message. If only there could be action in the public interest by Congress

Public and Planet to 'Pay the Price' as Trump Props Up Coal With $625 Million Bailout | Common Dreams Trump's Department of Energy announced it is investing $625 million in the coal industry, sparking backlash from climate advocates.

Public and Planet to 'Pay the Price' as Trump Props Up Coal With $625 Million Bailout? Subsidy for an industry winding down because of both high cost & pollution. This handout is not in the public interest. www.commondreams.org/news/trump-n...

Banning reality is not really possible ...

Commentary: Trump's campaign against wind and solar is exposing his 'energy dominance' lies Solar and wind companies need to start punching back.

Thanks to @sammyroth.bsky.social for this review of the current situation & wakeup call re the need for truthful messaging around the energy transition. Or better yet, engaging messaging like Vattenfall 's hilarious Samuel L. Jackson video. www.latimes.com/environment/...

Thanks to @ianjames.bsky.social for reporting this reminder that decisions & agreements are urgent. More water is allocated than actually exists.

solar over canal reduces evaporation, aquatic weed & algal growth, land conversion for solar; provides distributed solar for tie-in to local distribution lines or behind-meter use.

Thanks to all colleagues who are standing for science, pushing back on targeted cuts to research.

It's good to see more attribution studies that make the link to emissions.

California dam removal plan blasted by Trump administration U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins suggested that the Trump administration may try to halt PG&E’s plans to remove two dams on a Northern California river, due to water supply concerns.

The reality is that California & the U.S. must address aging dams. There are cost-effective alternatives. www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

Trump Is Dismantling Climate Science at a Dangerous Pace The White House has blocked efforts to measure, respond to and fight global warming. That puts all Americans at risk.

Setting aside the science & deleting data do not make the reality of how our fossil-fueled economy is causing severe climate disruption go away. For a prosperous, equitable, sustainable future we simply must bring science back into decision making. This is urgent.
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...

UC system says Trump's budget cuts could 'devastate' scientific research The UC system launched a campaign pushing back on Congress' proposed budget.

Deep cuts to federal agencies that fund science at colleges & universities proposed for coming year's budget bill. Can Congress develop more support for higher education & research, resist deep cuts? www.sfgate.com/bayarea/arti...

Something deep in the Pacific is reshaping California’s weather. It may not stop anytime soon A record-low Pacific cycle could lock in coastal fog, delaying California’s rainy season and setting the stage for volatile weather ahead.

Something deep in the Pacific is reshaping California’s weather. It may not stop anytime soon #cawater www.sfchronicle.com/weather/arti...

People are having fewer babies: Is it really the end of the world? Steep population declines in most countries are expected to have negative impacts over the next several generations, but adaptation is possible.

Interesting point at the end: "... a smaller population should bring benefits: a society that has fewer people can lessen pressure on the environment and allow for greater investment in each individual. But a stable economy is key ..." www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Like the photos by @myungchun.bsky.social

The federal govt's $1B demand of UCLA harms every American, not just UC & Calif. We all benefit from
UCLA's vital work saving lives, improving national security, helping feed the world, increasing educational opportunity & driving innovation. I'm speaking as a proud UC alum & retired UC prof.