You are browsing the archive for Author: Caitlin Bergstrom - AGU Blogosphere.
30 March 2026
Guest Post: Bridging Earth and Lunar Orbit: Why Geoscientists’ Voices Matter for Artemis II
Aleksei Nelaev, AGU Voices for Science cohort member With the Artemis II launch scheduled for April 1, the world’s attention is fixed on the sky. But for geoscientists, the mission isn’t just about the rocket – it’s about the “geological proving ground” that awaits us in lunar orbit. As a member of the AGU Voices for Science program, I’ve seen firsthand how critical it is for scientists to step out …
26 March 2026
AGU joins 28 societies in letter to the Federal Communications Commission on Reflect Orbital
On 9 March, AGU joined 28 scientific societies and organizations expressing concern over Reflect Orbital’s application to construct and launch an NGSO satellite. The undersigned 28 scientific societies and organizations, collectively representing tens of thousands of scientists and researchers both in the US and across the world, appreciate the opportunity to provide comments on this application from Reflect Orbital to construct and launch a non-geostationary (NGSO) satellite. We have grave …
AGU joins CNSF letter with FY27 appropriations request for NSF
On 20 March 2026, AGU joined the Coalition for the National Science Foundation (CNSF)’s letter with appropriations request of $9.9 Billion for the National Science Foundation. On behalf of the Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF) – an alliance of more than 140 professional organizations, scientific societies, universities, and businesses united in our advocacy for the National Science Foundation (NSF) – we write to respectfully request that your committees provide …
17 March 2026
AGU Responds to NSF’s Dear Colleague Letter on NCAR
In January 2026, the National Science Foundation (NSF) posted a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) asking for feedback on their proposal to restructure or dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). More than 550 AGU members submitted their own comments to NSF in addition to AGU’s comments on behalf of the organization. While we welcome any effort to evaluate and improve scientific institutions, we have serious and substantive concerns about …
6 March 2026
AGU joins letter for FY27 DOE Office of Science appropriations request
on 17 February 2026, AGU joined the Energy Sciences Coalition letter with their FY27 Appropriations request for the Department of Energy Office of Science. The Energy Sciences Coalition (ESC) thanks Congress for continuing its strong, bipartisan support of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science. To build on this support, ESC urges Congress to appropriate $9.5 billion in FY 2027 for DOE Office of Science. This level …
AGU joins letter expressing concern over the Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act
On 10 February 2026, AGU and the American Meteorological Society, National Weather Association, IEEE Geoscience & Remote Sensing Society sent a letter to Congress expressing concern over the Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act. We are writing to express concern over certain provisions of the Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act. While we share the legislation’s goals of boosting U.S. space leadership and serving underserved communities, we’re concerned that the bill, and specifically …
AGU submits comments on NSF’s Strategic Plan
AGU Draft Response to NSF request for public input on its Fiscal Year (FY) 2026–2030 NSF Strategic Plan What opportunities exist that could help enable progress toward NSF’s objectives and strategies? Invest in a multitude of scientific research through the NSF, fully funding and supporting all sciences and increasing calls for interdisciplinary research. This will mean ensuring sufficient money and staff to allow for increased grant-making of high-quality research. Set aside …
Scientists Making a Difference on Capitol Hill
Liz Landau, Director, AGU Science Policy & Government Relations We get asked often by scientists if they can ‘make a difference’ by taking part in science policy efforts. We always say “yes”, but I think actions speak louder than words. And some of the most telling examples are from the group of 38 scientists who participated in 79 meetings on Capitol Hill on 4 March. There was the office …
5 March 2026
AGU, NWA, AMA, and UCAR Joint Comment on Upper Microwave Spectrum Use
On 20 January 2026, AGU submitted comments to the Federal Communications Commission Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on upper microwave spectrum use. The National Weather Association (NWA), American Meteorological Society (AMS), American Geophysical Union (AGU) and University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) appreciate the opportunity to provide comments on this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) seeking to facilitate more intensive use of upper microwave spectrum, specifically upper microwave spectrum bands above …
13 January 2026
AGU Joins Scientific Society Letter In Support of NCAR
AGU joined the American Meteorological Society and other science societies to send a letter to Congress in support of NCAR. Contact your legislators to ask for support of NCAR today. The United States of America Needs the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). On behalf of the scientific societies we represent, we write to express our strong support of NCAR and the full breadth of scientific research undertaken by the …
18 November 2025
Science Policy Events at AGU25
AGU is thrilled to be back in New Orleans and bring you some exciting and informative science policy programming at this year’s annual meeting. Whether you’re new to science policy or are looking to start a policy career, we have a session for you. This year, all our core programming will take place in AGU Central’s theater space, located in the exhibit hall. Sessions will be 45 minutes long. Presenters …
4 November 2025
AGU Sends Letter of Support for USGS Appropriations
On behalf of the USGS Coalition and its member organizations, we strongly urge you to support the highest possible appropriations level for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Fiscal Year 2026 and to complete the FY2026 appropriations process this year. The USGS is the nation’s trusted, non-regulatory source of science that directly supports national security, economic growth, public health, and community resilience. At a time when our nation faces increasingly …
AGU Endorses the Keep STEM Talent Act of 2025
On 30 October 2025, AGU sent a letter to leadership in Congress endorsing the Keep STEM Talent Act. On behalf of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and our worldwide Earth and space science community, I write to thank you for reintroducing S.1233/H.R.2627, the Keep STEM Talent Act of 2025 and to offer AGU’s support for this important bill. Maintaining a strong STEM workforce is vital to strengthening the nation’s economic viability, creating a thriving workforce, and advancing global leadership. International students play an essential …
AGU Endorses Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act of 2025
On 30 October 2025, AGU sent a letter to Representative Susan Bonamici endorsing the Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act of 2025. On behalf of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and our worldwide Earth and space science community, I am writing to thank you for reintroducing H.R.4073, the Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act of 2025 and to offer AGU’s continued support for this important bill. Tsunamis …
AGU Endorses the Protect America’s Workforce Act
On 30 October 2025, AGU sent letters to Congress to share our endorsement of the Protect America’s Workforce Act (H.R.2550/S2837). 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 write to thank you for crafting and introducing S.2837/H.R.2550, the Protect America’s Workforce Act, and to offer AGU’s support for this important bill. President Trump’s …
8 October 2025
AGU submits public comment opposing changes proposed to Duration of Status
On 29 September, AGU submitted a public comment to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Docket No. ICEB-2025-0001, titled “Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media.” If enacted, this regulatory change could have harmful impacts on our Earth and space science community in the U.S. and across the globe. Read the full comment: …
2 October 2025
AGU takes active role in supporting our Earth and space science community during funding uncertainty
This year has been challenging for the science community. After already experiencing illegal reductions-in-force of federal scientists and cuts to grant funding, we are now in the midst an unprecedented government shutdown. The essential work of agencies like NOAA, NASA, and USGS are now in limbo as we wait for Congress and the Administration to reach an agreement to reopen the government. Still, AGU and our community are stepping up …
29 September 2025
Introducing the 2025-2026 US Voices for Science Cohort
We are pleased to introduce the 2025-2026 Voices for Science United States Cohort! We have 20 participants from 16 States beginning their policy and outreach journeys. Click on each photo to read more about each participant.
25 September 2025
AGU joins other groups in letter over concerns on Federal Grantmaking Executive Order
On September 24, 2025, AGU joined more than 50 science and medical organizations to express concern regarding the Executive Order “Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking. As scientific and medical research organizations, we wish to formally express our concerns regarding the Executive Order (EO) titled “Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking,” issued on August 7. Our nation’s federal grantmaking ecosystem serves as the gold standard forsupporting cutting-edge research and driving technological …
19 September 2025
AGU Updates Position Statements on Education, Government Support and the Rights of Scientists
We are pleased to share that AGU is updating several position statements that provide vital guidance on issues at the heart of the scientific community and society. AGU position statements — created, revised and approved by members with feedback and support from experts in related fields — are what enable AGU to take adaptive stances on significant policy issues related to the Earth and space sciences. These statements are reviewed every …
