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Was ‘dreary’ Keir Starmer destined to fail?
Outgoing PM never recovered from rocky first impression, but likely successor Andy Burnham will need more than charisma to stave off populist challengers
Scientists say most people need more protein than current guidelines suggest
A new review suggests that doing more exercise and eating more protein than current minimum recommendations may help people stay stronger, sharper, and more independent as they age. The goal isn't building a beach body—it's extending healthspan and maintaining the ability to fully enjoy life for decades longer.
Honorees brought science-based blood pressure care home to communities in need
Organizers of “Team Up to Take Down High Blood Pressure” in Philadelphia say collaboration has been crucial to the initiative’s success.
AI in Mental Healthcare Presents Both Opportunities and Challenges
Artificial intelligence (AI) technology and its applications are reshaping many domains of modern life, including how individuals seek support for mental health needs and how they receive that care. Healthcare professionals are rapidly adopting AI-based applications designed to support workflow and care delivery, streamline processes, and help expand access to services.
KSU master’s graduates benefit from NIH-funded bridge program
Recent Kennesaw State University graduate April Ford engaged in a program designed to help master’s students in the College of Science and Mathematics gain the experience they needed to pursue doctoral degrees elsewhere. She’ll stand as an example of the Peach State Bridges to the Doctorate program’s effectiveness, having earned her Master of Science in Integrative Biology (MSIB) and acceptance into a Ph.D. program. Ford, Jojo Croffie, and Lindsey Knight all earned their MSIB degrees, and thanks to enrichment through the Peach State Bridges to the Doctorate program, each will start a Ph.D. in the fall.
Rising Healthcare Costs Leave Many Americans Less Secure
By Deanna Neff HealthDay ReporterMONDAY, June 22, 2026 (HealthDay News) — A growing number of Americans are finding themselves priced out of the healthcare system. Only 49% of U.S. adults report being “cost secure,” meaning they can pay for the medical visits and treatments they need. That leaves ...
CIBC US Faces of Impact Chicago Affordable Housing
Since 2014, CIBC has been financing affordable housing initiatives in Chicago to strengthen neighborhoods and make a difference in communities that need it the most. As of publication, more than 50 structures have been completed from West Ridge to Calumet Heights, each with a unique story. Faces of Impact highlights three of those stories, and the people behind them driving safe and accessible housing.
Rock Legend Rod Stewart Needs Oxygen On Stage In Frightening Moment Caught On Video
The 81-year-old was able to continue the show... but he did need to take a seat.
Why every brand needs to think like an entertainment brand
Brands that adopt entertainment strategies engage audiences more deeply, drive loyalty and stand out in a crowded market by delivering memorable experiences.
Roma eyeing Greenwood and 3 other attackers
Roma are undergoing a makeover in attack, and a revolution is expected. Gasperini has laid out the path: the attacking line will need to be improved ahead of next season, when the team will also be co...
Opinion | Are Boomers to blame for everything?
Three writers debate whether older Americans are holding on too long — or whether younger generations need to do more to claim their place.
The Pulse: Women's Health is Having a Reckoning - The Longevity Gap is Where it Starts
Welcome to our new series The Pulse, covering everything you need to know about the age of intelligent health.From ovarian aging and maternal health to cardiovascular and dementia risk, HLTH USA 2026 is programming the women’s health conversations medicine has been too slow to have.While women live longer than men, they spend 25% longer in poor health. The healthspan gap, between how long women live and how long they live in good health, is the defining focus of the next frontier in women’s health. “Diminished healthspan ...
World’s 1st HIV-to-HIV lung transplant performed at NYU Langone Health
The surgery brings new hope for HIV-positive patients in need of lung transplants, as it opens a pool of potential donors who were previously ineligible.
California is getting ready to increase a health insurance tax. Will it affect your premium?
A family of four could pay $400 more a year in premiums — but the tax still needs federal approval from the Trump administration to take effect.
This one question may reveal whether your body is getting the rest it needs, study finds
Research finds that feeling older than your actual age may be linked to poor sleep quality, insomnia symptoms, irregular patterns and daytime fatigue.
Open 2026 World Cup Watch Thread: Day 11
No Juventus players on the schedule, but there are some teams in desperate need of points.
New report finds mental health concerns remain high among college students
May marks Mental Health Awareness Month and brings attention to the growing need for mental health across the country.
The core life skill we all need to be ready for
Most of us spend our lives trying to avoid experiencing grief to avoid the pain of loss. But avoiding grief doesn’t make our loss hurt less, Megan Shen writes.
Letter: Missouri teachers need education in the 'science of reading' for kids
I give Avery Frank a grade of B for his op-ed "Teacher preparation in Missouri getting a failing grade" (June 18.) I have a special interest in reading preparation, as
For Father's Day, support mental health for dads before crisis hits
A tragic case highlights the urgent need to support fathers' mental health and break the stigma of silence.
NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for June 21, 2026
Stuck on any of the clues? We have the answers you need.
New steps lead to a major renovation on the Ligonier home tour
Moving to Western Pennsylvania from Boca Raton, Fla., Matt and Ruth Redmond wanted a century-old house that needed a major rehab, and they knew exactly...
Trump, Claiming Vandalism, Says Reflecting Pool Will Likely Need to Be Drained
The pool has taken on clouds of algae after a hasty renovation. A three-time Olympian was charged with destroying government property after he says he touched one of the strands of blue paint peeling off the pool’s bottom.
Bruins Have Several UFA Options for Right-Shot Defensemen
The Boston Bruins need help on the right side of the blue line, but their options are starting to fall […] The post Bruins Have Several UFA Options for Right-Shot Defensemen appeared first on Boston Hockey Now.
Ruben Amorim is about to do Liverpool a massive favour
Liverpool have already been linked with a whole host of new players this summer. The Anfield outfit are in dire need of reinforcements after their performances from the 2025-26 season were less than i...
Trump claims vandals will force drainage of algae-plagued Reflecting Pool
(CNN) — President Donald Trump claimed Saturday, without providing evidence, that vandals damaged the algae-plagued Reflecting Pool on the National Mall and that the water will need to be drained
What happened to the cast of “Jaws”? See the stars of the first summer blockbuster more than 50 years later
Celebrating more than half a century of quoting, "You're gonna need a bigger boat."
De'Aaron Fox was an NBA Finals flop, but he remains a luxury the Spurs can afford to keep
Fox's time in San Antonio will eventually run out, but it doesn't need to happen right away
Israel Pennerman: From The Bahamas to Biomedical Science, A Journey of Discovery & Purpose
Fall 2025 Graduate | Public Health Science For Israel Pennerman, pursuing a degree in Public Health Science was never simply about earning a diploma. It was about gaining the knowledge and skills needed to address health challenges facing communities around the world. Originally from Nassau, The Bahamas, Pennerman arrived at Saint Augustine’s University with a […]
What a middle-class income means in every US state
A recent SmartAsset study revealed the income needed to be considered middle class in every US state. See where yours falls.
CBS Sports will need a new NFL booth
CBS Sports is heading into the 2026 NFL season with presumably two open slots in its fourth broadcast booth. ESPN re-signed Jason McCourty to a new multi-year exclusive deal on Thursday, pulling him away from the CBS booth he shared last season with play-by-play man Andrew Catalon, analyst Charles Davis, and sideline reporter A.J. Ross.…
Are Brazil back in business after World Cup win vs. Haiti? Not quite
Brazil get the mental boost their World Cup campaign needed with a 3-0 win over Haiti, but coach Carlo Ancelotti is left with plenty of problems to solve.
Burnham's Britain: six days in the place that just changed our politics
Andy Burnham is closing in on Downing Street after a big win in the Makerfield byelection. John Harris and John Domokos take a deep dive into a place where people's lives back up Burnham's insistence that we're living in an economy and society that need radical change – but they also find an infectious spirit of optimism
Halo PS5 Backtracks PS Plus Co-Op Demands, Says They Were a Mistake
PSN account needed for both players
‘The Cardinal Countdown: 78 Days Until Kickoff’
CHARLIE EDGEWORTH #78 Height: 6’7” Weight: 320lb Position: OL Class: Freshman Hometown: Chattanooga, TN Summary: While its not right, and should not be acceptable in our country, I’m out here fighting the good fight and have yet to gain the momentum I need to avoid this blatant hate and bias. I’m of course talking about […]
Opinion | We Need to Keep Funding Weird Science
Science turned a serendipitous finding about lizard venom into one of the most important drugs of the century, but that type of research is getting harder to do.
UNC Health seeks approval for new hospital in Asheville
The state-owned, nonprofit, academic health system is appealing a separate Certificate of Need decision awarding 95 beds to Mission.
NYT Pips hints, answers for June 20, 2026
Stuck on Easy, Medium, or Hard? We have everything you need right here.
NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for June 20, 2026
Stuck on any of the clues? We have the answers you need.
AI is making everything more expensive, including your next iPhone
The AI data-center boom means a spike in chip costs — but lots of products needs chips. You're going to pick up the tab.
Poll: Americans believe they aren’t being taught enough about democracy
A new NBC News poll shows that Americans remain committed to the nation’s founding ideals — but widely feel that schools are not adequately teaching what’s needed to sustain them.
Angels blow seven-run lead in historic fashion to Athletics
The Los Angeles Angels seemed to be on their way to a much-needed, loud victory against the Athletics on Friday night.
What you need to know about forever chemicals and how they can cause infertility in men
Things like PFAS, which are also known as forever chemicals, phthalates, and even some pesticides, can interfere with hormones and fertility and reproductive health…
Tulsa County launches mental health crisis bed partnership for youth in custody
Tulsa County leaders said a new partnership aimed at addressing the mental health needs of youth in custody could change the way Oklahoma responds to children i
The Sun may not engulf Earth after all, scientists say
Need some good news on a Friday after a long week? The Earth may not be engulfed by the expanding fireball of the dying sun, which has long been assumed to be our home planet's ultimate fate, according ...
Letter: Trustees play politics over funding school district | Morgan Hill Times | Morgan Hill, San Martin, CA
Voters should have had the opportunity to decide on a bond. But these three board trustees denied that opportunity and made it clear that evening that our students’ needs do not guide their decisions, but their own personal feelings toward Superintendent Dr. Carmen Garcia do.
New Mexico lawmakers press Presbyterian Health Plan over changes
"When the need is great but the money’s not, there’s an exodus," said Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero, D-Albuquerque.
Three-armed Sashimi-Bot learns to slice and serve fish like a pro
If you ever need help in the kitchen cutting fish into appetizing bites, a new three-armed robot may be able to help. And that's no easy feat for robots. While they are generally good at picking up rigid ...
Tarik Skubal says time is running out on Tigers as trade deadline approaches: ‘We need to play better baseball or else’
When Art Rescues Politics: Dismantling the “Walls Between Us”
Chukwudi Ukonne speaks with the 2026 Indibano Art Residency cohort & writes about the need to build connections between Africans & the global Black diaspora.
The Case Against Science
In debates of vaccination, evolution, and climate change, the case follows a very similar playbook: to undermine trust in established scientific understanding all one needs to do is create doubt.
Game Pass Could’ve Worked, Moon Studios Boss Says, But Xbox Never Delivered the Big Hits It Needed
Moon Studios boss Thomas Mahler says Game Pass could have worked, but Xbox never delivered the standout hits needed to make it succeed.
The Sun may not engulf Earth after all, scientists say
Need some good news on a Friday after a long week?Don't worry: this is not expected to happen for another five billion years, long after all life on Earth has been wiped out.
The Averted Crisis of the Brendan Sorsby Ordeal
The NCAA needs to figure out how to enforce its rules before something goes wrong.
Catholic mental health leader calls for greater support for clergy and religious
We need “to make sure that we are always aware of the stressors that come up in their lives. While they’re called to ministry, they are human first,” he said.
Microsoft confirms Recycle Bin glitch affecting all supported Windows versions — yes, even the trash needs debugging
Recycle Bin bug makes deleting files a bit confusing.
The health screenings men shouldn’t skip — and how CVS Health makes them easier
Taking care of health doesn’t have to be complicated — but it does need to be consistent. Regular screenings can identify potential issues before symptoms appear.
Our biggest questions for Underwood and Illinois in 2027
No team is bulletproof, and the Illini have holes that need addressed.
Exclusive | Pentagon Tells Lawmakers It Needs $80 Billion for Iran War and Other Bills
Military officials say the services could run out of money for operations this summer unless Congress passes a new wartime spending bill.
Men's College World Series: Everything you need to know before North Carolina vs. Oklahoma in the finals
Black hole winds may be robbing giant galaxies of their future stars
Astronomers may be closing in on a long-standing cosmic mystery: why some of the universe’s biggest galaxies seem to have far fewer stars than expected. Using NASA- and JAXA-supported XRISM observations of a galaxy called NGC 4151, researchers found strong evidence that supermassive black holes can unleash powerful winds that blow away the raw material needed to make new stars.
What patients need to know about the Baptist-Cigna dispute as Cigna claims Baptist costs 40% more than other hospitals
Thousands of Northeast Florida residents could soon lose in-network access to Baptist Health hospitals and providers as contract negotiations between Baptist Health and Cigna remain unresolved days before a June 24 deadline.
AI and Telemedicine Can Fill Healthcare Gaps, Execs Say – But Only If Washington Helps
Major health system leaders say investments in virtual care, ambient AI medical scribes, automated referrals and other new tech tools could ease a critical workforce shortage that struggles to keep up with widespread chronic disease and medical deserts. But they still need regulators to revamp ...
AI optimizer beats Claude Code, Codex by 2.5x
Arbor separates strategy from execution using isolated git worktrees, so engineering teams can finally trace which optimization actually moved the needle.
The Special Olympics are coming to Minneapolis. Here's what you need to know
Next week, the Special Olympics come to Minneapolis June 20-26. More than 3,000 athletes and 1,500 coaches will engage in 16 Special Olympics team and individual sports. The event is expected to bring in 75,000 fans.
The Special Olympics are coming to Minneapolis. Here's what you need to know
Next week, the Special Olympics come to Minneapolis June 20-26. More than 3,000 athletes and 1,500 coaches will engage in 16 Special Olympics team and individual sports. The event is expected to bring in 75,000 fans.
Regulatory investigations reveal systemic failures among Commercial California Health Plans in delivering timely behavioral health care
Commercial California health plans are failing enrollees who need access to behavioral health services for mental health and substance use disorder care, recent investigations have shown. Across three rounds of investigations, the California Department of Managed Health Care found 70 Knox-Keene Act violations and 35 barriers to care across 14 health plans, spanning national, regional, and county-based plans.
If Your Business Can’t Survive Without You, You Don’t Own a Business — You Own a Job With a Logo
Why small business owners need to stop the endless grind to achieve true financial freedom.
You're probably using too many skin care products. Here are the 3 essentials
We asked half a dozen skin care experts: Which products do you really need to keep your skin healthy and attractive? Here's what they said.
Bleachers take the stage at CMAC this weekend
Bleachers perform at CMAC this Saturday. Here is what you need to know about tickets, parking, and the venue's bag policy.
Michigan’s aging brains need more protection, poll shows
Lifestyle changes can reduce risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia but a poll shows many Michiganders over 50 don’t know about or do them.
Michigan’s aging brains need more protection, poll shows
Lifestyle changes can reduce risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia but a poll shows many Michiganders over 50 don’t know about or do them.
Middleton-based meal delivery service caters to moms after birth
Vipasha Kumar Chakravarty launched JOIASS last fall with a focus on nutrients and care moms need but struggle to provide for themselves.
“How You Like Me Now?” Hurricanes Still Without a Superstar
One of the biggest criticisms in years past by the hockey experts around the league was that the Carolina Hurricanes did not have a superstar to take them to the next level. They did not have that all-time reliable player they could count on to score a goal when they absolutely needed it. The Canes […]
How to turn off AI in your Google Docs
Here's what you need to do to get those pesky "write with Gemini" pop-ups to go away.
Everything you need to know from State of Unreal 2026: Unreal Engine 6, Unreal Engine 5.8, and $1bn paid to Fortnite devs
Today's State of Unreal keynote at Unreal Fest Chicago formally unveiled Unreal Engine 6 and confirmed Unreal Engine 5.…
U.S. Adults' Ability to Afford Healthcare at a Five-Year Low
Fewer than half (49%) of Americans can afford needed care and medications, a five-year low. Younger, older and adults with chronic conditions are hit hardest.
Sen. Rand Paul leads hearing considering 11 nominees
The committee's top Democrat criticized Paul, saying the process was needlessly rushed and the packed lineup hurts transparency.
Opinion | California Needs a Pro-Business Governor
The state leads the country in unemployment, poverty and the cost of living. Even Fareed Zakaria has noticed.
Beyond politics, a well still needs water
Joint projects between Jews and Muslims may ultimately do more to advance understanding than a hundred conferences about understanding.
WNBA regular season expands to 50 games in 2027: Everything you need to know about the new schedule
How will the increase affect salaries? What about the record books?
Scottish Premiership fixture release - all you need to know
The fixtures for the 2026-27 Scottish Premiership season are released on Thursday at 12:00 BST - and you can see them on the BBC Sport website and app as soon as they are announced.
Ole Miss’ 2026 baseball season reminded me of everything still right with college sports
I’m admittedly not one who does his best work when dwelling on instances of yesteryear. But every once in a while, even a sportswriter needs a reminder of what makes this whole thing worthwhile.
Opinion | The Deck Is Stacked Against Healthy Eating
We need the will to push back against corporate interests.
What hospitals are preparing for during World Cup
Measles? A food poisoning outbreak or a need for lots of CT scans in a hurry? With the World Cup in town, hospitals and public health teams say they're prepared.
KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust: Use of Social Media and AI For Health Information and Advice
This poll finds that about 3 in 10 adults turn to social media for health information and advice at least monthly. Community connection and the need for immediate answers are the top reasons why people are turning to these tools. Slim majorities of those who use social media for health are confident they can tell what is true, and relatively few take steps to check the information they receive.
NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for June 17, 2026
Stuck on any of the clues? We have the answers you need.
Business for Good: Coblrshop for Your Vintage Glow-Up
What to do when your Eagle’s Eye cardigan or Rick Owens platform booties need a fix? A Fairmount entrepreneur has a convenient solution.
World Cup 2026: Why Cristiano Ronaldo may need the tournament of his life to lift Portugal
Safety concerns remain at Edinburgh's teenage mental health ward
Inspectors find some improvements at Melville House, but say more needs to be done to protect both patients and staff from aggression.
Proposed Mills 50 parking garage sparks debate over parking needs and business displacement
A proposed parking garage in Orlando’s Mills 50 district could bring hundreds of new spaces to an area known for crowded streets and limited parking.
Latvia pilots citizen engagement in research grant evaluations
Latvia has introduced an element of citizen engagement to the evaluation of nationally funded research grants. The aim is to both create more connections between science and society, and to improve the quality of its evaluations. The move comes as research funders across Europe are experimenting with ways to improve evaluation processes in the face of a sharpened focus on science’s impact on society. Evaluators of grant applications submitted to Latvia’s Fundamental and Applied Research Programme (FLPP), the country’s main research funder, will this year have the option of consulting citizen feedback on challenges the public thinks science should focus on to inform their decisions. “In recent years, both public discussions and policy-level debates in Latvia have highlighted the importance of demonstrating how publicly funded research contributes to society, the economy and the resolution of real-world challenges,” said a source at the Latvian Council of Science (LCS), which manages the FLPP. “At the same time, research institutions themselves expressed interest in improving the project evaluation framework while continuing to ensure that funding is awarded to the highest-quality projects,” the source added. The citizen input comes from a survey that was conducted between 25 February and 16 March 2025, to which 1,737 people responded. It gathered information on what the public views as problem areas for Latvia, and the role of science and technology in providing solutions to these problems. A summary of these responses has been included as an annex to the FLPP 2026 call for proposals that evaluators can refer to, purely in an advisory manner, when judging proposals. Results from the survey show that the main problem areas identified by the public were in healthcare and public health, followed by the development of new treatment methods and medicines, and then digital technology, data security and cyber security. At the bottom of the list was research aimed at acquiring new knowledge about the universe, matter and the laws of nature. Further analysis looked at the public view of the possible role of science in solving these problems. The survey charted 4,167 individual responses based on open-ended questions that were derived from the participants’ answers. The analysis again found that medical and health sciences topped the scoring, with 788 responses referring to the field. Humanities and the arts were bottom of the list, with 625. Digging further into the details, the survey suggests citizens are aware of and concerned about a number of research areas. This includes technologies and innovation to improve the environment or reduce pollution, the development of modern military technologies and cybersecurity tools, and the development and application of artificial intelligence, among others. “We hope this initiative will help strengthen public trust in science and create a more meaningful dialogue between researchers and society,” the LCS source said, adding that it offers benefits to researchers, evaluators and to the general public. More space for citizen engagement in evaluationsThere is a gradual but increasing use of citizen engagement in research evaluation processes around Europe, especially in healthcare, but it remains relatively rare, said Henry Sauermann, a professor at the European School of Management and Technology in Berlin and an expert in citizen science.“Given that we are at a point where citizen involvement is extremely limited, there is presumably space for more, but it's not that we should do it just because we want to do it,” he told Science|Business. He said some research lends itself better to having citizen input, and this usually tends to be on the applied end of the science spectrum where the public can offer useful feedback based on their experiences. He added that advising scientists on certain topics to study is also a useful approach, in the way that Latvia is doing. “The public does fund a lot of science, there's a lot of tax money going into this. We of course do want to preserve academic freedom, but it's also not unreasonable to incorporate more feedback or input from citizens where possible,” he said. Related articlesCitizen science: where, when, and how to let the public contribute to researchHow can Europe cope with a flood of AI-assisted research grant proposals?Data Corner: Horizon Europe’s AI, digital and data call success rate is 5.2%There are several ways of involving citizens in science funding. The most minimal way is having a few representatives on a panel, such as members of a patient group or union. The most direct way is crowdsourcing funding for specific projects. There is an increasing number of online platforms that allow the public to chip in to support scientific proposals.Sauermann studied this in a recent paper and found that it can have its uses, but it still is not clear if there are benefits to it. There are various assumptions linked to citizen engagement, for example that it increases public trust in science, or that it provides a representative view of what the public thinks about science. These are not necessarily true, Sauermann found. People who participate in engagement activities tend to already be very trusting of science, and, on the whole, it is generally the well-off and well educated who contribute, giving a narrow view of public opinion. On whether citizen input can help manage the increasing number of proposals that are being submitted due to assistance from AI, Sauermann is more sceptical. “The obvious answer to the flood of AI-written proposals is AI-driven evaluation,” he said, adding that it doesn’t mean citizen engagement shouldn’t be a part of evaluations in a well thought-out manner. Southern Denmark’s successful approachOne successful example of citizen engagement in science evaluations was implemented in southern Denmark. Between 2019 and 2025, citizens in the region were invited to vote to fund one of five pre-selected projects in the field of healthcare. The project, called A Healthier Southern Denmark, was a collaboration between regional authorities, the University of Southern Denmark, and two media partners. Over the seven years, there were 75,000 votes and significant public engagement online and on social media. “It was a bit of a wild project, we’d never done something like that before and we were a bit nervous about what would be said in the media about it. But actually, people were very positive,” said Anne Kathrine Overgaard, one of the main organisers of the project from the University of Southern Denmark. The university and its researchers have learned a lot from the experience, particularly about engaging with society and shaping their research to match real-world needs. This is important with Europe’s increasing focus on competitiveness and bringing innovations to market faster, Overgaard said. She hopes to see more citizen engagement in evaluation processes and in science more broadly. “For many years, citizen engagement has been a bit of an add-on to proposals, just to check a box. But I think things are changing,” she said. It’s less about citizens just gathering data and more “about the dialogue between the public and the scientists,” she said. The initiative ended last year as the team wanted to regroup to find fresh momentum. The development of AI and AI-written proposals has made Overgaard reflect on how the project could be reworked to help evaluators. She hopes to bring it back in the future. “It could be a good idea to try this initiative again in a slightly re-worked format,” she said.
Merchants of Doubt and the attacks on Extreme Event Attribution science
Last week, I attended a meeting at Columbia University on attribution science and climate law, hosted by the Sabin Center. It was a fantastic event, bringing together scientists and legal experts working at the intersection of extreme event attribution and climate law. Subscribe For those unfamiliar with it, extreme event attribution attempts to quantify the contribution of climate change to an extreme event. For example, several groups analyzed the impact of climate change on Hurricane Harvey’s enormous rainfall totals over Houston, Texas and they found that climate change increased rainfall by 15 to 38%. One thing that came up again and again was how terrified fossil-fuel interests are of extreme event attribution science. They are acutely aware that this research could land them in court. And losing those cases would leave them legally liable for billions of dollars in climate damages. Because the legal stakes are so high, the blowback has turned ugly. I spoke with several scientists at the meeting who are facing ongoing harassment over their work. This blowback is a coordinated campaign to make the entire field look suspect. The goal is to create the impression that attribution science is too uncertain, too political, or too conflicted to be useful in court or in public policy. The strategy is not based on actual science or evidence of misconduct, but on the generation of doubt. The new Merchants of Doubt We’ve seen this before. In fact, not that long ago: We only have to go back a year to the Department of Energy (DOE) Climate Working Group (CWG) report to see an example of using doubt as the tool to push back against well-established science. This strategy is laid out in an email from a member of the CWG, Dr. Roy Spencer, that was released during litigation over the Climate Working Group process. The key quote is: About all I can hope is that what we write will provide sufficient “reasonable scientific doubt” regarding the science claims in the 2009 TSD [technical support document], based upon almost 2 decades of new science, to call into question the original reasoning for the EPA Administrator’s decision that CO2 presents a threat to human health and welfare. This statement is strong evidence that at least some members of the committee were working to support a particular policy outcome: revoking the Endangerment Finding. The email also explains how they planned to do it: by attempting to generate “reasonable doubt”. This is going to be hard, Spencer implies. Despite falsely claiming that “2 decades of new science” weakens the case, Spencer explicitly acknowledges that the actual peer-reviewed science of climate change overwhelmingly rejects his position: But if the science argument is decided upon by a vote, or by the number of published citations, we lose the science argument. We can go back even further: This CWG email shares unmistakable DNA with the infamous 1969 tobacco memo that declared: “Doubt is our product, since it is the best means of competing with the ‘body of fact’ that exists in the mind of the general public. It is also the means of establishing a controversy.” The tobacco memo also acknowledges the limit of this strategy: Like the CWG, they knew the science was not on their side. Share The new new Merchants of Doubt The people attacking the IPCC chapter on extreme event attribution are the newest iteration of the Merchants of Doubt. Their goal, like all Merchants before them, is to introduce doubt into the process. Because the report is not even out yet, they cannot attack its conclusions. So they are attacking the authors instead. Here is a press release from the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee: In the letter, the Chairmen express concerns about potential conflicts of interest involving members of the Attribution Committee, stating that “publicly available information suggests a troubling pattern” in which committee members are affiliated with nonprofits that support climate accountability lawsuits, “raising the appearance of impropriety and member bias.” To be clear, this is just innuendo. There is no actual evidence of bias. And given the robust process that these reports go through, including multiple lines of peer review, it seems very unlikely that significant bias can survive into the report. When the report comes out, critics will have the opportunity to make legitimate criticisms of the report — if any exist. If none do, however, they’ll still make criticisms, but they’ll be bogus, simply designed to generate doubt. We’ll see. A note to the press: Fix your frame To any journalists reading this: The public debate over extreme event attribution science is not going away. The science is simply too dangerous to fossil-fuel interests for them to stop fighting it. You very well might be assigned to write an article about this area of research in the future. When you do, do not automatically adopt the framing that climate misinformers want you to use. They want you to frame the story around questions like: Are climate scientists trying to put their thumb on the scale to achieve a predetermined, politically motivated result? Are climate scientists improperly letting their politics invade the science of the IPCC? That frame is a trap. Instead, you need to view this through the historical lens of the Merchants of Doubt. How does the ecosystem of doubt operate? Who funds it? What methods do they use to misrepresent science and slime researchers? What scientific results are they trying to keep people from understanding are legitimate? Ultimately, you instead need to focus your article on the generation of doubt as a way to maintain the fossil fuel industry’s social and legal license to keep burning oil, gas, and coal. If you treat the misinformers’ frame as a legitimate, good-faith scientific critique, you are helping them produce doubt. Don’t do it. Don’t be a Merchant of Doubt. Thanks for reading The Climate Brink! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. Subscribe other stuff The Staying Curious Substack has an interesting post about the different flavors of climate sensitivity. This is crucial information if you want to understand how scientists think about how much warming the Earth will experience. I’d be grateful if you could hit the like button ❤️ below! It helps more people discover these ideas and lets me know what’s connecting with readers.
This Yankees team could have a 2019-esque makeup
With a slew of injuries, the Bombers will need some help from unlikely characters.
iPhone 17 won’t get iOS 27’s top-tier features, here’s why
iOS 27 has some exciting new Apple Intelligence upgrades, but you’ll need the most powerful iPhones to run them—iPhone 17 misses out.
Do influencers need to disclose if they’re paid by a candidate? New California bill seeks to ensure they do
Bill aims to identify content “that looks organic and authentic … (but is) really the equivalent of an ad,” lawmaker says.
Colorado primary for U.S. Senator: Candidates John Hickenlooper and Julie Gonzales
The race between U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper and state Sen. Julie Gonzales has emerged as one of Colorado’s most intriguing Democratic primaries. Gonzales is running on a message of generational change, arguing that Democrats need a more aggressive approach and that a vote for Hickenlooper will just mean “more of the same.” Hickenlooper, a fixture […]