The Trump administration is desperate to lock the federal government into binding contracts for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This is the ultimate goal of all their science-busting, and runs counter to their stewardship responsibilities on behalf of all Americans. Read more >
Joel's Latest Posts

Trump’s Rushed Oil Leasing in the Arctic: A Dumpster Fire of Desperation, Greed, and Crippling Loyalty Tests
November 25, 2020 12:26 PM EDT

What I Wish I Had Said on CNN About Trump’s “Lysol and Sunshine” Speech
April 29, 2020 11:23 AM EDT
As an occasional contributor to broadcast news on topics such as climate change and the role of science in policy, I rarely find myself commenting on the hot-off-the-press issue of the day. Experts like me are brought on when the news cycle slows, an intelligent sideshow to add gravitas while the real pundits get frothy about the latest political snub or personality gaffe. We are the warm-up act, like an author doing a reading before a concert; we’re more like a PSA than a feature. Read more >

Sabotaged Science in the Arctic Refuge: Interior Department Works to Undermine Its Own Scientists
February 25, 2020 12:22 PM EDT
In a blatant attack on scientific integrity, the Interior Department is opening the door for fossil fuel interests to undermine a peer-reviewed study on the impacts of seismic testing on denning polar bears. Read more >

Bureau of Land Management Headquarters to Move in with Chevron. Will They Share a Bed?
September 27, 2019 9:07 AM EDT
The Department of the Interior is relocating BLM headquarters to a new office Grand Junction, Colorado, where it will share a building with Chevron and oil and gas lobbying organizations—a symbolic capstone to the administration’s blatant efforts to hand industry the keys to public lands. Read more >

Trump Administration Outdoes Itself on Climate Change Denial, Insists Arctic Warming is Good
May 9, 2019 9:17 AM EDT
Leave it to the Trump administration to detonate the Arctic Council. normally a paragon of congeniality. Read more >