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Reposted by John J. Cullen

Prof. Stefan Rahmstorf @rahmstorf.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

I'm afraid that this is why the US administration wants to shut down ocean observations: they don't want the people to know what is happening in our oceans, as it does not fit their ideology and the interests of their fossil fuel industry funders. edition.cnn.com/2026/06/03/c...

edition.cnn.com

The oceans are in deep trouble. The Trump administration just ditched a vital deep-sea monitoring system | CNN

The Trump administration will dismantle a $368 million monitoring system that provides critical data on the world’s oceans, sparking alarm among scientists

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John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Someone who doesn't know much about oceanography asked me if the dismantling of ocean monitoring capabilities was stupid and/or evil. It is stupid AND evil. The War on Science continues. As more people see it and push back, maybe the tide can be turned. 🌊🧪 www.theguardian.com/environment/...

theguardian.com

Dismay as Trump officials to dismantle key ocean monitoring system

Ocean Observatories Initiative, $368m network that has provided crucial climate data, latest victim of Trump cuts

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John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

Progress update from the War on Science

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John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Reposting this because I forgot 🌊 and 🧪. My point is that it is bedrock scientific fact that marine biomass for consumption is not CDR, so studies making that particular assumption should not pass peer review or due diligence. Thanks to @jaytcullen.bsky.social for the reminder.

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John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

A fundamental fact should have stopped the original publication in its tracks: The organic carbon in oyster biomass is not mCDR. We eat it, use it, and exhale most of it as CO2. That's what animals do — organic carbon in, carbon dioxide out. What we don't use goes to sewage —> greenhouse gases.

linkedin.com

Scientific evidence does not support oyster farming as a marine carbon dioxide removal strategy for climate mitigation | PNAS | John Cullen

Gentle people: The challenges in PNAS to a seriously flawed study of oyster farming for carbon dioxide removal are completely valid. The reply by the study's authors does not address core issues. To...

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Reposted by John J. Cullen

Katharine Hayhoe @katharinehayhoe.com · 17/12/2025

As James says, this isn't even about climate. It's about all the tools, platforms, models, datasets we use to study and forecast weather and understand how it impacts people, too.

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Scott Doney @scottdoney.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Dismantling NCAR @ncar-ucar.bsky.social is a bad decision for many reasons. NSF’s investment in NCAR scientists, technical staff, facilities and research products supports and catalyzes atmosphere, ocean, and Earth system science across the nation and world with a substantial ROI.

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BGC_Argo @bgc-argo.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

🌊 Last night, Hervé Claustre was awarded the Prince Albert I Medal for his scientific contributions to the @bgc-argo.bsky.social programme. Congratulations to him on this well-deserved honour, and a wonderful recognition for #Argo too. @imev-mer.fr @cnrs.fr @oceanomonaco.bsky.social #OneArgo

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Erik Angner @erikangner.com · 27/11/2025

"Runctitiononal features"? "Medical fymblal"? "1 Tol Line storee"? This gets worse the longer you look at it. But it's got to be good, because it was published in Nature Scientific Reports last week: www.nature.com/articles/s41... h/t @asa.tsbalans.se

Infographic with AI slop published in Nature Scientific Reports

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John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

🌊 Post from Jay Cullen took me to the PNAS article on oyster farming as mCDR. Seems that farmed oyster biomass is counted as sequestered carbon for climate change mitigation. No mention of what happens to oyster carbon after we eat it. Maybe I read it wrong. www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

pnas.org

PNAS

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a peer reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) - an authoritative source of high-impact, original research that broadly spans...

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John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

If due-diligence of mCDR investors included solid engagement with expert ocean scientists like Hurd and others – who have years of experience and publish peer-reviewed research – the cycle of hype and waste might be replaced with a better path to solutions. 🌊 www.canarymedia.com/articles/car...

canarymedia.com

Under the sea: Running Tide’s ill-fated adventure in ocean carbon…

The startup made a big splash, then ran aground this summer. Its story has a lot to teach us about trying to geoengineer our way out of climate change.

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John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

The arguments about uncertain global effects and limited efficacy have been supported by others for years. One more thing: if harmful blooms or hypoxic fish kills happen anywhere that is influenced by OIF, legal fingers will point, deservedly or not. Who will underwrite liability insurance? 🌊

Slide illustrating a fish kill off Oregon in 2002. It had nothing to do with OIF.

Sinking carbon from ocean fertilization decomposes at depth, reducing concentrations of oxygen.

(Picture of fish kill)

If a hypoxic event like this happens again, who or what is to blame?

Can it be proved?

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Prof. Stefan Rahmstorf @rahmstorf.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

The US does not stand for freedom and democracy any more, but is sliding fast into tyranny. Harvard is punished for standing up to this. If you’re in the US and not doing something now, soon you will be unable to do anything. We know this from experience here in Germany.

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John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

Congratulations to Philip Boyd FRS! FYI, he is a leading expert on marine CDR. His publications have revealed what we know, what we don’t, and what we must learn and do before proceeding with ocean manipulations. Essential science that can cut through hype. 🌊🧪 www.utas.edu.au/about/news-a...

utas.edu.au

Carbon, climate, and a Royal honour: Professor Boyd recognised for ocean science leadership

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Reposted by John J. Cullen

kinesinmotors.bsky.social @kinesinmotors.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

👿 NSF in Turmoil: Radical Reorganization, Removal of Directors, Forced Layoffs 🧪 Follows take over by DOGE #SaveNSF science.org

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Stand Up for Science! @standupforscience.net · 02/05/2025

🔔BREAKING🔔 The NSF has frozen all research grant awards—cutting off life-saving science midstream and demanding ideological screenings for future funding. This is censorship disguised as oversight. Here’s how you can help us spread the word ➡️🧵(1/3): www.nature.com/articles/d41...

nature.com

Exclusive: NSF stops awarding new grants and funding existing ones

US science funder also plans to screen grant applications for compliance with ‘agency priorities’.

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Reposted by John J. Cullen

David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

I was in the process of hiring a postdoc, so this severely affects her career because now she has to look for something else. It also means I can't pay my existing people, can't buy supplies for the lab, and can't travel. Every NSF-funded researcher will be in the same boat soon.

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John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Delighted to see that Scott Doney has been honored with election to the NAS. His research represents truly interdisciplinary oceanography at its best, he has been a standout in public service, and (dare we say this about scientists?) he is a model of generosity and kindness. Congrats, Scott! 🌊🧪

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Reposted by John J. Cullen

Randall Munroe @xkcd.com · 25/04/2025

PhD Timeline xkcd.com/3081

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Reposted by John J. Cullen

Curtis Suttle @virosphere.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

Many data sets held by NOAA are being "retired" in may, including datasets relevant to ocean sciences and climate. If you have need for these data, or are an archivist, it would be good to download this now. PLEASE SHARE WIDELY. www.nesdis.noaa.gov/about/docume...

nesdis.noaa.gov

Notice of Changes

Notices of changes are formal public announcements of planned services changes to applications and other products.

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Reposted by John J. Cullen

Alt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

The Act prohibits actions that “harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect” endangered species. Right now, “harm” includes damage to a species’ habitat—but the Trump administration is attempting to strip habitat destruction from that definition.

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Jenna C. Hill @chillocean.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

NOAA just announced a long list of datasets that are going away🧪⚒️🌊: www.nesdis.noaa.gov/about/docume... Download what you need asap and send comments to: ncei.info@noaa.gov

nesdis.noaa.gov

Notice of Changes

Notices of changes are formal public announcements of planned services changes to applications and other products.

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Reposted by John J. Cullen

David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 09/04/2025

This administration continues to outdo itself by doing really really dumb things. Princeton has one of the best climate modeling groups in the world, and this administration just cut their funding justified with some anti-science bs.

commerce.gov

Ending Cooperative Agreements’ Funding to Princeton University

On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick announced that nearly $4 million in funding is ending to Princeton University after a detailed, careful, and thorough review of the...

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Reposted by John J. Cullen

Helen Czerski @helenczerski.bsky.social · 09/04/2025

Those critical International Maritime Organisation discussions on a pathway to greener shipping just had a major bombshell dropped on them: www.lloydslist.com/LL1153123/La... This is a rare opportunity to make real progress. They don’t need unanimous agreement, but the threats could change minds.

lloydslist.com

Last minute US intervention at IMO threatens to derail climate negotiations

The US has dropped a diplomatic bombshell on the pivotal international talks due to agree shipping’s decarbonisation regulatory measures. The threat of action against member states agreeing to a deal has the potential to derail talks

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Reposted by John J. Cullen

Katharine Hayhoe @katharinehayhoe.com · 23/03/2025

The election has just been called for April 28. If you are a Canadian living outside the country, get your mail-in ballot here ASAP: travel.gc.ca/travelling/l...

bbc.com

Canada election live: Canadian PM Mark Carney calls snap election

Carney has asked the governor general to dissolve Parliament, launching an election campaign amid a trade war with the US.

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Reposted by John J. Cullen

Carol Off @caroloff.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

As we watch Trump's attack on universities, remember that Poilievre promises to appoint a "Free Speech Guardian" for universities. A university could lose its federal funding if this politically appointed "guardian" recommends it.

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Dezene Huber 🍁 🌻 @dezene.me · 18/03/2025

This is bananas. 'Canadian researchers are asked to confirm that their research: - does not include a climate or “environmental justice” component - does not contain diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) elements - does not ascribe to “gender ideology' 🧪 🌎 www.globenewswire.com/news-release...

globenewswire.com

Trump administration threatening Canadian researchers

OTTAWA, Ontario, March 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) is warning that the Trump administration is...

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Reposted by John J. Cullen

Eric Roston @eroston.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

If this looks old it's because it's been up there a while.

Old printed-out paragraph taped to a white wall. Coffee stain, crumpled, showing the signs of age.
"We've arranged a global civilization in which most crucial elements
— transportation, communications, and all other industries; agriculture, medicine, education, entertainment, protecting the environment; and even the key democratic institution of voting — profoundly depend on science and technology. We have also arranged things so that almost no one understands science and technology. This is a prescription for disaster. We might get away with it for a while, but sooner or later this combustible mixture of ignorance and power is going to blow up in our faces.
—Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World, 1996

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Katharine Hayhoe @katharinehayhoe.com · 06/03/2025

This is fascinating. Give it a read!

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John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Tommy Dickey (1945-2025). When he started out, oceanography was pursued in disciplinary silos, bio-optical oceanography did not exist, and robotic observation of global ocean biogeochemistry was not yet a dream. Tommy was central in getting us where we are today.🌊 www.geog.ucsb.edu/people/facul...

geog.ucsb.edu

Tommy Dickey | Department of Geography | UC Santa Barbara

Interdisciplinary ocean research topics have included: bio-optics, biogeochemistry, hurricanes, ocean eddies, and monsoons plus medical research concerning the use of scent detection dogs for COVID-19...

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John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

First Ocean Sciences Meeting outside the US is a big deal. As a bonus, no state-sponsored suppression of climate science. Neaps and tatties, too! May the force be with you, @aslo.org, @tosoceanography.bsky.social, @agu.org. 🌊🧪

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Leslie Anthony @docleslie.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

Non-scientists need to understand the current war on science and how it's being waged and whitewashed. Canada suffered such a putsch in the Harper era, when ConBot ideologues removed gov't #climate pages, shuttered StatsCan, threw books/data in a dumpster, and had oil criminals rewrite enviro laws.

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John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

Rick Spinrad leaves NOAA on the high road as a beacon of excellence in leadership, service, science and civility. A shining example to us all. Thank you, Rick -- and fair winds. 🌊🧪 www.linkedin.com/posts/richar...

linkedin.com

Richard (Rick) Spinrad on LinkedIn: On leaving NOAA | 72 comments

On leaving NOAA | 72 comments on LinkedIn

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John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

The Alchemy of Air by Thomas Hager is a first-rate story of science, technology, society, and survivability of the human race. The lessons about what happened when big institutions (including universities) appeased the regime to stay in good favor are ominously relevant.

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John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social · 28/12/2024

Mary Somerville was born on 26 December 1780. Among her many accomplishments, she described foundational principles of ocean optics – including the influence of phytoplankton on ocean color. The 20th century pioneers of ocean-color remote sensing were unaware. She was far ahead of her time. 🌊🧪

Portrait of Mary Somerville with list of some accomplishments and picture of 10-pound note

Quotes from her 1848 "Physical Geography" on the colour of sea water.

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John J. Cullen @johncullenocean.bsky.social · 12/01/2024

Frenger et al. (doi/10.1111/gcb.17124) remind us that export flux of organic C by the biological pump cannot be equated to the flux of atmospheric CO2 to the ocean. We must account for upward transport of DIC, including DIC:N:P in vertically transported nutrients. Read quote from classic 1979 paper.

From Eppley and Peterson, 1979 (Nature 282: 677-680):

"To what extent does the sinking flux of particulate organic carbon constitutes a 'sink' for atmospheric CO 2 from fossil fuel burning? Since dissolved inorganic carbon moves upward along with the vertically transported nitrate, in approximately the Redfield ratio of 106 C atoms: 16 N atoms, only the sinking flux due to new production associated with nitrogen fixation and nutrient inputs from terrestrial and atmospheric sources can be identified as a biologically-mediated transport of atmospheric carbon dioxide to the deep ocean." (Read the whole paper for context.)

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