Scientists see studies delated and altered, speaking invitations canceled


** Interior continues war on climate science
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Tuesday, June 16, 2020
Interior Secretary David Bernhardt | Department of the Interior ([link removed])

An investigation by the New York Times ([link removed]) finds the Trump administration, and particularly the Interior Department, is waging a sustained war on climate science. Hundreds of agency employees have acknowledged they have been asked to avoid using the term "climate change," and hundreds of others have voluntarily steered clear to avoid controversy.

In the Interior Department, scientists have seen their work altered and delayed ([link removed]) , and academic speaking invitations canceled. In one instance, the chief climate scientist for the National Park Service sought approval to publish a century of climate data from national parks, using the first sentence, "Anthropogenic climate change is altering ecological and human systems globally." His supervisor responded, "Without reading any more of the manuscript, I’m going to have to ask you to change that."

The dispersed nature of climate censorship in the administration has made pushback difficult. Laura Kurtz of the Climate Science Legal Defense Fund notes, “If top-level administrators issued a really clear public directive, there would be an uproar and a pushback, and it would be easier to combat. This is a lot harder to fight.” Adding insult to injury, the Interior Department intends to propose ([link removed]) a "secret science" rule that would restrict scientific studies and data used to inform new policies.
Quick hits


** Pandemic causing declining sales, but increasing interest in outdoor recreation
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KUNR ([link removed])


** Funding for national parks maintenance, LWCF set to pass Senate
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Colorado Public Radio ([link removed])


** Major Colorado driller files for bankruptcy, continues to pay executives millions
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Denver Post ([link removed]) | Colorado Public Radio ([link removed])


** With postponement of Wyoming lease sale, BLM cancels all oil and gas auctions in June
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Casper Star-Tribune ([link removed])


** Arch Coal accused of illegal road building in Colorado roadless area
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Grand Junction Daily Sentinel ([link removed])


** A birds-eye tour of our national parks
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Outside Magazine ([link removed])


** In-person lottery resumes for popular hike in Vermillion Cliffs National Monument
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Associated Press ([link removed])


** Opinion: During time of uncertainty, Great American Outdoors Act deserves our support
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The Hill ([link removed])
Quote of the day
We’re very optimistic about getting everything back up and running and being able to garner and capture this new and sustained interest in outdoor recreation.”
—Lindsey Davis, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Vice President | KUNR ([link removed])
Picture this

@Interior ([link removed])
Corona Arch Trail, Utah

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