Editors’ Vox is a blog from AGU’s Publications Department.

Often times when we think “scientist,” we picture a white lab coat, a pipette. Or, a marine biologist covered in seaweed samples. A geologist with dusty knees and hands full of rock fragments. Endless blue gloves. What we may not always picture is our favorite professors, colleagues, or even students advocating for science to policy makers.

Federal policy decisions have a direct impact on science funding, research priorities, and the role of science in society, and the AGU community has a critical role to play in those conversations. Each year, AGU’s Science Policy and Government Relations (SPGR) team organizes and hosts Congressional Visit Days to connect Earth and space scientists to their elected officials. As a member of AGU’s scientific publications team, I joined the April 21-22 Days of Action to learn about the bills currently impacting our workforce and research, how to craft messages that both speak to our personal experiences, and to ask our elected officials to advocate with and for us.

As a D.C. native, I grew up in close proximity to the power of science, the alphabet agencies, NOAA, NASA, NIH, and USDA. Institutions where the best and brightest were given the resources and support to learn, record, and disseminate knowledge on behalf of our country. In my current role with AGU as a non-profit publisher, I took to the Hill to share my experiences on the publishing and academic peer-review landscape. My role allows me to see first-hand how budget cuts and shifting attitudes have impacted critical programs at the agencies named above. This Days of Action event brought together 58 participants with one goal: to share personal stories that related to four bills:

1. The RESEARCHER Act (H.R. 3054, S.1664)- addresses graduate student financial instability.
2. KEEP STEM Talent Act (H.R. 2627, S.1233)- strengthens the U.S. scientific workforce by making it easier for skilled international STEM graduates from U.S. universities to stay in the U.S.
3. Protect America’s Workforce Act (H.R.2550 passed House, S.2837)- seeks to protect the U.S. federal scientific workforce by restoring collective bargaining (union) rights.
4. Scientific Integrity Act (H.R.1106)- protects the rights of U.S. federal scientists and researchers by safeguarding scientific integrity in federal research and decision-making.

Two participants spoke on their experiences meeting with elected representatives and uniquely captured just how closely the Earth and spaces sciences touch all of our lives.

Sheila Baber, an early career scientist with The University of Maryland, felt compelled to join due to “the uncertain future for myself, my peers, and the American scientific enterprise.” She noted, “It has been especially difficult to witness the deteriorating relationship between scientists, decision makers, and the public. This past year, with its rapidly changing federal landscape, has been a wakeup call to re-engage and remind the public of how science research gives back to the community.”

Ryan Haupt, long-time AGU member and the Executive Director at National Youth Science Academy, with a 10-year track record of geoscience advocacy, emphasized the importance of building relationships with elected officials. “Regardless of party affiliation, I want those staffers to know that when they meet with me or any other AGU member, they will get honest and informed feedback from folks who are truly passionate about our fields,” Ryan told me. “[Experts who can speak to how current bills] impact issues like improved financial support for graduate students, helping international students stay in the US to join the STEM workforce, and protecting funding for federal science agencies and the folks who work for them.”

As a participant myself, I joined the Maryland group to meet with Senator Chris Van Hollen’s office. Van Hollen and I met briefly at the Stand Up for Science March in 2025. His voting track record indicates a long-standing commitment to the scientific community, and he champions bills that support funding federal agencies like NOAA.

Working in scientific publishing has allowed me to peer behind lab doors, into research vessels sailing through the Arctic, and into the entire ecosystem that is peer-reviewed research. A system that relies on incoming eager students, federal grant funding, consortium agreements between the biggest institutional libraries and the biggest publishing houses in the country, scientific integrity, and future, stable career opportunities. Finding and discovering the best and the brightest means funding, protecting, and supporting the best and the brightest.

Open, accessible science builds and supports both public trust and future scientific advancements. As the world widens and we are all met with increased access to studies, content, and news, scientific storytelling and literacy have never been more important for ensuring public trust. Transparency from the lab and from the field to published output allows for data to be discussed, fact-checked, and reused to support future scientific discovery. Days of Action demonstrates that we have a unique role to play in supporting the health, safety, and future of our country. If you feel called to get involved, please see resources available from SPGR.

Ryan reminds us, “There are lots of ways to participate in our democracy… find where you can best serve as a leader…don’t try to do it all, but try to do something.”

—Emille Beller (ebeller@agu.org, 0009-0009-7274-0706), Senior Program Coordinator, AGU Publications

Citation: Beller, E. (2026), The impact of advocacy: American Geophysical Union’s Days of Action, Eos, 107, https://doi.org/10.1029/2026EO265020. Published on 14 May 2026.

This article does not represent the opinion of AGU, Eos, or any of its affiliates. It is solely the opinion of the author(s).

Text © 2026. The authors. CC BY-NC-ND 3.0
Except where otherwise noted, images are subject to copyright. Any reuse without express permission from the copyright owner is prohibited.

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• Court denies emergency appeal to retain Trump’s name on Kennedy Center

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Donald Trump and his allies have discussed pushing lawmakers to pass a resolution aimed at voiding his first-term impeachments, the Wall Street Journal reported last night, citing people familiar with the matter.

“It should be done because I did nothing wrong,” Trump said when asked about the resolution in a phone call this week with the Journal. “It was a rigged deal — it was a whole rigged situation.”

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• US House blocks extension of powerful surveillance law

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The US supreme court has published its opinions, but none of the cases we’ve been watching for were part of the decisions today.

In comments reported by NBC News, House speaker Mike Johnson has said it is “stunning” to him that “House Democrat leadership has put out a statement saying that they’re willing to allow the number one national security tool to go dark over some political disagreement over a very short-term temporary appointment”.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 — The federal government today dismissed speculation of an early nationwide poll despite the dissolution of the state legislative assemblies in Johor and Negeri Sembilan.

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said there have been no discussions on holding an early general election.

“At this time, there are no discussions regarding any effort to hold an early general election,” the government spokesman said at the Communications Ministry here this afternoon.

The clarification comes amid heightened political attention following the dissolution of the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state assemblies, which has fuelled speculation over possible spillover effects on federal politics.

Fahmi said the federal coalition government remains stable and unaffected by recent developments.

“There is no impact on the Unity government at the federal level,” he said, adding that the administration continues to function normally, including at Cabinet meetings.

He noted that the dissolutions in Johor and Negeri Sembilan followed constitutional processes after the respective menteri besar obtained royal assent from their state rulers.

Fahmi also moved to dispel speculation that a Cabinet photo session earlier today was linked to preparations for a parliamentary dissolution.

“That’s incorrect. So, the prime minister informed today that it was his wish for a photo session as there were new ministers being appointed into the Cabinet,” he said.

“The appointments and reshuffling were made last December and there wasn’t an opportunity to have a photo session.

“So the photo session has nothing to do with Parliament being dissolved. The timing was simply convenient as ministers were already gathered in Putrajaya for the ceremonial parade event and were dressed in official attire.

“There is no issue. It is a normal matter and has nothing to do with the dissolution of Parliament,” he added.

When asked about the annual PKR congress, Fahmi said any decision on its scheduling would be discussed at the party’s central leadership council meeting in Johor tomorrow.

“So let’s wait for tomorrow,” he said.

PETALING JAYA, June 4 — All 18 affiliates of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) unanimously approved amendments to the FAM Statutes proposed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) at the FAM Extraordinary Congress here today.

The approval was reached after delegates debated several provisions in the draft statutes before AFC secretary-general Datuk Seri Windsor Paul John and AFC deputy secretary-general Vahid Kardany provided clarification on issues raised.

Earlier, Windsor said the AFC-proposed draft statutes comprised 94 articles following an audit of FAM’s administration, aimed at strengthening governance and ensuring positive reforms within the national football governing body.

Among the key proposals are the abolition of the deputy president’s post, the reduction of vice-presidential seats to three, and the restructuring of the FAM Executive Committee (Exco).

The 77-page draft statutes also propose an expansion of FAM’s affiliate membership, including granting Super League clubs automatic affiliate status and voting rights at congresses, subject to the condition that they are separate entities from state football associations.

In addition, club representatives from the Amateur Football League (AFL), the National Women’s League and the Malaysia Premier Futsal League, as well as the Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia (PFAM) and the Referees Association, are also proposed to become FAM affiliates.

Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Honorary President Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin (2nd left) together with Secretary-General of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Datuk Seri Windsor Paul John (2nd right) speaking at a press conference after the 2026 FAM Extraordinary Congress in Kuala Lumpur June 4, 2026. — Bernama pic

Under the proposed new Executive Committee (Exco) composition, seven seats will be allocated, with three reserved for representatives of state associations, including the Malaysian Malay Football Association, Royal Malaysia Police Football Association, Malaysian Armed Forces Football Association, Malaysian Indian Sports Council and Malaysian Chinese Football Association.

Two additional seats will be allocated to club representatives, one seat to a women’s representative and one expert seat to be represented by either the Football Coaches Association of Malaysia (PJBM), PFAM or the Referees Association.

Meanwhile, FAM affiliates also unanimously approved the Electoral Code and Organisational Regulations of the national football governing body.

Today’s Extraordinary Congress was chaired by AFC secretary-general Datuk Seri Windsor Paul John and attended by FAM honorary president Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin, FAM secretary-general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman, 35 delegates representing all 18 affiliates, as well as Fifa and AFC representatives and observers.

In January, all members of the FAM Executive Committee (Exco) for the 2025-2029 term announced their collective and voluntary resignation.

The decision was made unanimously in consideration of their responsibility to the organisation without regard to personal interests or positions. It was also described as a prudent and principled move in light of public attention surrounding issues related to heritage players and to safeguard FAM’s integrity. — Bernama

More Americans than ever think the environment is in bad shape, and they want the government to do something about it. According to a new Gallup poll released last week, only 35% of U.S. adults rate the overall quality of the environment as good or excellent. That’s the lowest number Gallup has recorded since it started asking the question in 2001.

It’s not just one or two things people are worried about. Drinking water, rivers and lakes, climate change, air pollution, endangered species. Concerns are on the rise across the board.

What People Are Most Worried About

Water is the top concern, and it has been for over two decades. More than half of Americans — 56% — say they worry “a great deal” about drinking water pollution. Another 53% say the same about the country’s fresh water supply. Half are deeply worried about pollution in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

Climate change isn’t far behind. A companion Gallup climate report finds that 44% of Americans worry “a great deal” about global warming, close to the all-time high of 46% recorded in 2020. Two out of three Americans say they worry at least “a fair amount.”

The poll also found that 57% of Americans now think the government is doing too little to protect the environment. That’s up from 50% just a year ago, a significant jump in a short time and in the face of an administration dedicated to dismantling U.S. environmental regulations.

While Democrats worry more than Republicans on nearly every issue, independent voters — often the key swing group in elections — have shifted sharply toward deep concern about the nation’s direction: 61% now say the government isn’t doing enough, up from 52% last year.

So What Has Congress Actually Done?

While public concern has been rising, the 119th Congress, which took office in January 2025 with Republicans in control of both chambers, has been rolling back environmental protections at a record pace.

The main tool has been the Congressional Review Act (CRA), a law that lets Congress cancel recently issued regulations with a simple majority vote. In 2025 alone, Congress passed 22 CRA resolutions into law, more than the total number of successful CRA rollbacks in the entire prior history of the law. Most targeted the EPA.

Among the protections eliminated: a rule charging oil and gas companies for methane pollution, standards regulating hazardous air emissions from rubber tire manufacturing, and California’s authority to set stricter vehicle emissions standards, overturned despite a determination by the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office that those waivers weren’t even legally subject to repeal.

Meanwhile, pro-environment bills have gone nowhere. The Polluters Pay Climate Fund Act, which would require fossil fuel companies to pay into a $1 trillion climate fund, has gone undebated in committee since January 2025. The Clean Competition Act, a bipartisan carbon border adjustment that would reward cleaner American manufacturers, has also stalled.

The public says it wants more action on the environment. Congress has delivered less.

Tell Your Lawmakers How You Feel

The good news: this is exactly the kind of issue where public pressure can matter. Here’s how to make your voice heard:

• Find your senators and representative and contact them by phone or email.
• Check your lawmakers’ environmental voting records at the League of Conservation Voters Scorecard.
• Ask specifically whether they support fully funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund and passing the Clean Competition Act.
• Share the Gallup poll results with friends, neighbors, and on social media. Public awareness drives political action. Take a stand for the environment you want.

The post Most Americans Are Worried About the Environment. Is Congress? appeared first on Earth911.

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Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown is largely targeting people from the countries most vulnerable to displacement from climate-driven disasters, a Guardian analysis shows.

As the Trump administration pushes policies to boost planet-heating fossil fuels, millions of people are being forced to flee their homelands due to storms, floods and droughts worsened by the climate crisis.

US senator is getting ‘excellent care’ after being hospitalized on Sunday morning, spokesperson says

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Mitch ⁠McConnell, a US senator ⁠from Kentucky, was admitted ​to ‌the ‌hospital ‌on Sunday morning, ‌a ​spokesperson ⁠said ​in ​a statement.

“Senator McConnell was admitted to the hospital this morning. He is receiving excellent care,” the statement read.