Experts see a ‘low information’ reversal of U.S. climate leadership

Salata panelists warn that damage from executive orders and cuts to research funding won’t be easily overcome

Harvard Gazette • harvard
May 19, 2025 ~6 min

Governments continue losing efforts to gain backdoor access to secure communications

The perennial tug-of-war between government interests and individual liberties is playing out in the battle over encrypted messaging. Technology tilts the field toward individuals.

Richard Forno, Teaching Professor of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, and Assistant Director, UMBC Cybersecurity Institute, University of Maryland, Baltimore County • conversation
May 16, 2025 ~10 min


Money from food companies could make what you eat safer

Additional resources would enable the FDA to better monitor our food supply and keep unsafe ingredients out of it.

Rachel Harrison-NYU • futurity
April 30, 2025 ~9 min

From help to harm: How the government is quietly repurposing everyone’s data for surveillance

Under the guise of efficiency and fraud prevention, the federal government is breaking down data silos to collect and aggregate information on virtually everyone in the US.

Nicole M. Bennett, Ph.D. Candidate in Geography and Assistant Director at the Center for Refugee Studies, Indiana University • conversation
April 23, 2025 ~8 min

Trump administration pauses new mine safety regulation − here’s how those rules benefit companies as well as workers

The democratic process of scientific study, public debate and comment helps regulators arrive at a rule that balances the needs and interests of workers, companies and the public.

Jeremy M. Gernand, Associate Professor of Environmental Health and Safety Engineering, Penn State • conversation
April 23, 2025 ~9 min

Appliance efficiency standards save consumers billions, reduce pollution and fight climate change

About 40% of total US energy consumption is used by household and industrial appliances, such as heating and cooling systems, refrigerators and lighting.

David J. Vogel, Professor Emeritus of Business Ethics and Political Science, University of California, Berkeley • conversation
April 17, 2025 ~10 min

The sudden dismissal of public records staff at health agencies threatens government accountability

Public records requested under the Freedom of Information Act have helped shape health policy and keep the government accountable – but recent staff cuts may make this impossible.

Reshma Ramachandran, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Yale University • conversation
April 16, 2025 ~10 min

How government transparency saves lives

"Transparency isn't just beneficial in theory—it has real-world impacts that save lives."

Shelly Leachman-UCSB • futurity
April 8, 2025 ~6 min


EPA must use the best available science − by law − but what does that mean?

The Trump administration’s job cuts and advisory board changes at the agency won’t change those rules, as a former EPA science adviser explains.

H. Christopher Frey, Glenn E. Futrell Distinguished University Professor of Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University • conversation
April 7, 2025 ~8 min

Beyond AI regulation: How government and industry can team up to make the technology safer without hindering innovation

AI innovation and governance can coexist. The key is combining public-private partnerships, market audits and accountability.

Paulo Carvão, Senior Fellow, Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government, Harvard Kennedy School • conversation
March 7, 2025 ~9 min

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