
www.ipsnews.net
30 May 2019
The new face of activism: Youth
Rather than waiting for adults to act, more young girls and boys are standing up and speaking out on the world's pressing issues.
Rather than waiting for adults to act, more young girls and boys are standing up and speaking out on the world's pressing issues.
President Trump’s pick to lead the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) defended sweeping budget cuts during a Senate hearing, just days after deadly floods killed more than 120 people across three states.
In short:
Key quote:
“Dr. Jacobs’ testimony revealed a fundamental disconnect between his stated support for NOAA’s mission in weather, water, and climate, and his endorsement of a budget that would dismantle the very scientific infrastructure necessary to carry it out.”
— Carlos Martinez, senior climate scientist, Union of Concerned Scientists
Why this matters:
NOAA plays a critical role in forecasting severe weather and understanding climate change. Its data inform everything from emergency planning to crop insurance rates to public health alerts. When the agency’s budget is slashed, and research divisions are dismantled, the country loses vital warning systems and scientific insight just as storms grow more dangerous and less predictable.
Related: Flood deaths rise in Texas as Trump slashes disaster preparedness and weather forecasting
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse accused fossil fuel companies of orchestrating a decades-long misinformation campaign and urged Democrats to confront the industry's political influence more aggressively.
In short:
Key quote:
“The fossil fuel industry has run the biggest and most malevolent propaganda operation the country has ever seen.”
— Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Senator from Rhode Island
Why this matters:
The fossil fuel industry spends hundreds of millions of dollars annually to shape public opinion and influence political outcomes, often delaying climate action even as the consequences become more visible and costly. From extreme weather events damaging homes to rising insurance costs and mortgage denials, climate change is rapidly moving from a distant concern to an economic reality. Yet, because of lobbying and disinformation, the public often underestimates its own support for bold policy shifts. This disconnect — what some researchers call the “spiral of silence” — limits meaningful action.
Related: Senate GOP maneuvers to block California’s plan to ban gas cars by 2035
Developers of solar and wind energy projects have just 12 months to begin construction in order to retain key federal tax credits, following the passage of a new law backed by congressional Republicans and signed by President Trump.
In short:
Key quote:
“There will still be tons of projects in that 2028 to 2031 window that get killed because visibility into economic viability fails to arrive before development expenses become uncomfortably high.”
— David Riester, founder and managing partner of Segue Sustainable Infrastructure
Why this matters:
The shift away from tax credits for wind and solar could disrupt U.S. energy markets just as demand is surging. New manufacturing, AI-driven data centers, and electrification efforts all require vast amounts of power. Solar, wind, and battery storage have driven most of the grid’s recent growth, but without stable incentives, developers may scrap projects or delay them until the market adjusts. With fossil fuel plants taking years to build and renewables now facing compressed timelines, the U.S. could see gaps in power supply, especially in regions already facing strain.
Read more: Senate passes GOP budget bill, hampering US shift to clean energy
The Doomsday Clock now ticks just 89 seconds to midnight, with climate change, AI, nuclear weapons, and disinformation all pushing humanity closer to catastrophe.
In short:
Key quote:
“Really, the Doomsday Clock is a symbol of hope. The whole point of this clock is to, yes, to alarm people, to inform people, but also to demonstrate we can turn back the hands of the clock. And we’ve done it in the past, and we can hope to do it in the future. And we must.”
— Daniel Holz, chair, Science and Security Board, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
Why this matters:
When disinformation spreads faster than facts, and AI floods our lives with persuasive lies, democracy wobbles. Climate change is destabilizing borders, economies, and food systems. And all of it’s accelerating, with AI helping to push the pedal down.
Read more:
Federal workers at science and environmental agencies are bracing for large-scale job cuts after the U.S. Supreme Court lifted a legal block on President Trump’s plans to shrink the federal workforce.
In short:
Key quote:
“We’re going to be operating immediately. This is a priority for the administration. You don’t want an unnecessary bureaucracy.”
— Senior White House official
Why this matters:
Slashing the federal workforce at science, energy, and environmental agencies could reshape how the United States approaches health and environmental protection. The EPA and Department of Energy, for example, oversee pollution standards, climate monitoring, toxic chemical reviews, and clean energy programs. A loss of expertise or capacity in these agencies may slow their response to environmental disasters, weaken enforcement of public health safeguards, and undercut research on climate change and pollution. These agencies also play key roles in community resilience and disaster preparedness.
Read more: EPA staff accuse Trump administration of sidelining science
Flash floods in Texas that killed more than 100 people over the Fourth of July weekend are testing the federal government’s new, limited role in disaster response under President Trump.
In short:
Key quote:
“We, as a federal government, don’t manage these disasters; the state does.”
— Kristi Noem, secretary of Homeland Security
Why this matters:
Natural disasters are hitting harder and more often, but the federal government is scaling back its role in emergency response. FEMA was designed to mobilize resources that states alone often can’t afford — search and rescue, medical teams, flood insurance, and rebuilding funds. Without that support, the burden falls on state and local governments that vary widely in resources, capacity, and infrastructure. In wealthy, populous states like Texas, that may still leave gaps; in smaller or poorer states, it could mean entire regions go without adequate aid.
Read more: Trump’s FEMA cuts leave flood-prone cities scrambling for aid
The July 4 flash flood in Texas killed at least 109 people, including children at a summer camp, and highlighted how climate change is accelerating catastrophic weather while federal protections unravel.
In short:
Why this matters:
Climate-driven disasters are becoming deadlier, more erratic, and more expensive. In Texas, the July 4 flood joins a string of recent extreme weather events that show how warming oceans, disrupted air currents, and increased atmospheric moisture can converge into sudden catastrophe. Scientists warn these aren’t isolated events but symptoms of a deepening global crisis. Yet the federal government is retreating from scientific forecasting, emergency preparedness, and decarbonization efforts — leaving local communities exposed.
Related: New poll shows Americans bracing for more dangerous weather events
One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.
“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”
"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”
A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations
“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”
“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.