September 22, 2023
Making waves on Capitol Hill
UC San Diego graduate student joins AGU event in Washington, D.C. to increase congressional visibility of and support for the geosciences When I started my PhD in physical oceanography at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego wearing shorts and a tank top I never thought I would be turning up to Capitol Hill in a suit jacket and tie for meetings with members of Congress. But during …
August 14, 2023
Senate Appropriations Committee Highlights
This is part III of a three-part series, read parts I and II for more context. Before Congress’ August recess, the Senate Appropriations Committee introduced and passed all twelve of their FY2024 appropriations bills. Unlike the House, the Senate appropriations bills largely reflect the spending caps set in the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 – however, they also agreed to add $14 billion to the FY2024 spending limits to supplement …
House Appropriations Committee Highlights
This is part II of a three-part series, read part I for more context. August is a great time to talk to your legislators about funding (appropriations) for federal science agencies as Congress has until 30 September to finalize appropriations decisions or take alternative actions. The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 extended the debt ceiling but also set spending caps for appropriations for the next two fiscal years (FY2024 and …
August Legislative Update and Engagement Opportunities
August recess is the time for members of Congress to travel back to their districts and states. This is an opportune time for members of Congress to engage with constituents and see how their congressional office can be of any resource, assistance, or guidance to you. Here are three great ways to engage with your legislators and their staff: 1. Invite them to visit your lab, field site, or institution especially …
July 20, 2023
AGU endorses the Mercury 13 Congressional Gold Medal Act
On 18 July 2023, AGU sent a letter to the office of Representative Chrissy Houlahan endorsing the Mercury 13 Congressional Gold Medal Act. On behalf of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and our global community of more than half a million Earth and space scientists and allies, I am writing to thank you for crafting and introducing the Mercury 13 Congressional Gold Medal Act and to offer AGU’s official endorsement …
AGU endorses the Severe Turbulence Research and Development Act
On 18 July, AGU sent a letter to the office of Representative Haley Stevens endorsing H.R.4082, the Severe Turbulence Research and Development Act. On behalf of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and our global community of more than half a million Earth and space scientists and allies, I am writing to thank you for introducing H.R.4082, the Severe Turbulence Research and Development Act and to offer AGU’s support for …
May 12, 2023
Water on the Global Scale: 2023 UN Water Conference
Abbey Sisti is a PhD candidate at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Her research explores the effects of climate change related conditions on marine invertebrates. As a scientist funded by federal grants, Abbey is passionate about putting the best available science in front of decision makers in a form that is digestible and relevant for public policy and regulation. Last month, the United Nations did something it hadn’t …
March 9, 2023
AGU’s 2023 Policy Priorities
In 2019, AGU began developing annual policy priorities to help focus our advocacy work and speed up the advancement of important science policy and legislation. Our policy priorities reflect not only AGU’s broader strategic goals and current policy landscape, but also the needs and priorities of our members. To represent the diversity of AGU’s community, all within the Earth and space science community were encouraged to participate in a survey …
December 19, 2022
Seeking Comments on Two Draft AGU Position Statements
AGU members have until 20 January 2023 to comment on revisions to the organization’s position statements on ocean science and research and climate intervention. The statement on ocean science and research focuses on the international need for integrated research, extensive education, and effective management actions to sustainably govern ocean resources and address the inequitable impacts of climate change. It calls for collaboration among diverse stakeholders to forge a path of …
November 28, 2022
CSLDF at the 2022 AGU Fall Meeting
The Climate Science Legal Defense Fund (CSLDF) and AGU work together to help geoscientists understand their legal rights and responsibilities—knowledge that’s an essential part of every researcher’s professional development. This year, we’re offering a range of events at AGU’s 2022 Fall Meeting. Whether you’re actively involved in scientific and political activism or curious about how scientists can be involved in government rulemaking, we encourage you to participate in these events …
