AGU Blogosphere

10 January 2025

Statement on the Los Angeles Wildfires

Our hearts go out to all those affected by the devastating California wildfires, which are destroying homes, displacing communities, and overwhelming firefighting efforts as they burn through thousands of acres with alarming speed. AGU recognizes the immense challenges faced by residents and is grateful for the tireless efforts of first responders and organizations rendering aid to those in need. Scientists play a critical role in advancing solutions to better predict, …

21 December 2024

Second Averted U.S. Government Shutdown of FY25

For the second time in the fiscal year 2025 appropriations cycle, the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate have agreed to a short-term funding measure to avert a government shutdown. With yet another temporary solution, the future of U.S. science remains in jeopardy. AGU urgently calls on lawmakers to prioritize stability and investment in scientific research by passing a robust and sustainable budget for fiscal year 2025. Budget impasses threaten …

27 November 2024

AGU at COP29 and CBD16: Connecting Biodiversity and Climate Action

Over the past few months, I’ve been honored to represent AGU at two key global events: the UN Biodiversity Conference 2024 in Cali, Colombia (CBD16), and the UN Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan (COP29). Reflecting on these meetings, it’s clear that the outcomes fall short of the urgency demanded by the biodiversity and climate crisis. At COP29, critical issues like equitable funding for climate adaptation, activation of the loss …

19 November 2024

Inside the 2024 AGU Election: Results and Participation Insights

In AGU’s 2024 biennial election, which concluded on 29 October, members elected 62 new leaders to serve two-year terms from 2025 to 2026. The Leadership Development/Governance Committee sincerely thanks all members who took part in the election, whether by casting a vote or being considered for office. Your engagement and dedication are the cornerstones of AGU’s vibrant and forward-thinking community. To explore the individual results and learn more about the …

Benjamin Zaitchik Elected AGU President-Elect for 2025-2026 Term

AGU members have elected Benjamin Zaitchik as the organization’s next president-elect, alongside 61 other Union officers, Board members, section and College of Fellows officers, and student/early career representatives to the AGU Council for the 2025-2026 leadership term. Benjamin Zaitchik, a professor of Earth and planetary sciences and department chair at Johns Hopkins University, has a diverse background in geosciences and public policy. His AGU involvement includes founding leadership roles in …

7 November 2024

Post U.S. Elections: What’s Next for Science?

The United States presidential election presents new realities for the world and for our work in building a vibrant community for Earth and space sciences. And AGU is committed to meeting this moment. We stand ready. Ready to continue being a voice for sound science policy and funding priorities. Ready to provide wider pathways for inclusivity and opportunity. Ready to support and amplify discovery and solution science. And ready to …

23 October 2024

Ethical Framework Aims to Counter Risks of Geoengineering Research

Record heat, devastating storms, punishing drought. Our world continues to see the unrelenting impacts of climate change. It clearly requires urgent action but as the research community increasingly investigates climate intervention methods to address this challenge, we see an alarming lack of ethical guidance.   This is why, powered in partnership and driven by broad collaboration, AGU facilitated the Ethical Framework Principles for Climate Intervention Research. Through a two-year process that included an open …

11 October 2024

Weathering Storms Around the World

The scale and scope of Hurricane Milton’s destructive path is overwhelming. Communities along Florida’s west and east coasts, as well as Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, are just beginning to assess the damage. This event comes on top of the widespread damage of Hurricane Helene and its mounting death toll across North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. In just the past few months we have also witnessed the effects of Typhoon …

30 September 2024

AGU Updates Critical Position Statements on Climate, Communications and Data

We are pleased to announce the approval of three updated position statements that will help shape the future of climate action, science communication and data sharing. 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 ranging from climate change to national security. These statements, which are updated in a recurring four-year …

5 September 2024

Experiment. Learn. Adapt.: Ranked Choice Voting in the 2024 AGU Elections

AGU is an organization committed to a culture of Experiment / Learn / Adapt. In response to voter input over many elections, the Leadership Development / Governance Committee chose to test ranked choice voting in 4 elections – International Secretary, Board Director, Council Students and Council Early Career Scientists. In case you’re not familiar, this is an increasingly popular electoral system that allows voters to rank candidates by preference, meaning …