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.