Some thoughts on conducting energy and environmental research during the first 2 months of the Trump administration
By Brent Stephens on March 3, 2017
I don’t think of Twitter threads as a particularly helpful means of communication, but it’s a good way to rant about my experience conducting energy and environmental research during the first 2 months of the Trump administration:
1/ For anyone who thinks their vote doesn't matter, or that a president & their cabinet won't really impact your daily life, or that… https://t.co/ttxZhMUDwZ
— BERG@IIT (@built_envi) March 3, 2017
3/ we are really small potatoes. I'm tenured, I'll be fine. But in less than 2 months, the new administration has had a major impact on us:
— BERG@IIT (@built_envi) March 3, 2017
5/ then the immigration executive order directly impacted my Iranian PhD student & postdoc, 2 of the brightest hardworking people I know
— BERG@IIT (@built_envi) March 3, 2017
7/ and raised questions about whether America really is the land of opportunity for these talented people. Maybe Canada had better values…
— BERG@IIT (@built_envi) March 3, 2017
9/ then we started a new project funded by HUD. We think we're safe but Carson just got sworn in & non-defense cuts are the talk of the day
— BERG@IIT (@built_envi) March 3, 2017
11/ other colleagues are having similar experiences. We work hard to understand human impacts on the environment and to reduce energy use
— BERG@IIT (@built_envi) March 3, 2017
13/ LOVE to "reduce uncertainty" for businesses to make decisions. For our work, they've done everything to maximize uncertainty
— BERG@IIT (@built_envi) March 3, 2017
14/ & to inflict pain & stress on those most vulnerable to their decisions. Your vote counts. Science & politics do mix. Use your voice ?
— BERG@IIT (@built_envi) March 3, 2017
Thanks to Chuck Haas at Drexel University as well for making a Storify of this thread.