Selected Publications
Journalism and other writing
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As a hobby I work on the side as a journalist and pundit. I tend to focus on environmental issues, particularly ones I feel as though deserve more attention. Due to my research and academic interests, that almost always revolves around climate change, conservation issues, and stuff spilling where it shouldn't. I like to think I bring some nuance to otherwise prickly issues. I can't directly repost most of my work, so here is an ongoing archive. Please let me know if there are any dead links. I've broken up the writing for each page.
A lot of great scientific research and ideas never really get out to the general public. As scientists we're focused in uncovering new knowledge. I do feel as though we have a duty to try to educate the public and use our skills and findings for the betterment of society. Somewhere, some place, there is someone who will call me a communist for that last sentence. |
"Duty Calls"
From the always brilliant web comic XKCD
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Sense & Sustainability
Sense & Sustainability is a think tank based out of Cambridge Massachusetts with a close affiliation with the Harvard Kennedy School.
A Deer looks at an Orange Wall
A Look at the Australian Carbon Tax
Sustainability and the Olympics
Environmental Policy in the Age of Big Data
Flint: How Citizen Science saved the citizens of Flint
A Deer looks at an Orange Wall
A Look at the Australian Carbon Tax
Sustainability and the Olympics
Environmental Policy in the Age of Big Data
Flint: How Citizen Science saved the citizens of Flint
The NewsRecord.co
I wrote for the NewsRecord.co (formerly The International) from January 2014 to August 2014. I believe this represents my best work in terms of writing to the general public to date.
Island nation the first victim of climate change inaction
Tony Abbot resists climate change discussion at the G20
Tony Abbot brings Australia a step backwards on climate change
What nature should we protect?
Is Kendall Jones really supporting conservation?
The Earth faces a new global extinction
Island Nation the First Victim of Climate Change Inaction
Is the Clean Power Plan the next big leap in American climate policy?
As temperatures rise, so do the stakes in Iran's water crisis
Climate change: Why is the public so confused when the science is so certain?
John Kerry calls for action on climate change
The Fight over the Gray Wolf Intensifies in the U.S.
Al Shabaab linked to illegal ivory trade
Filtering the politics and policies surrounding West Virginia's water
Island nation the first victim of climate change inaction
Tony Abbot resists climate change discussion at the G20
Tony Abbot brings Australia a step backwards on climate change
What nature should we protect?
Is Kendall Jones really supporting conservation?
The Earth faces a new global extinction
Island Nation the First Victim of Climate Change Inaction
Is the Clean Power Plan the next big leap in American climate policy?
As temperatures rise, so do the stakes in Iran's water crisis
Climate change: Why is the public so confused when the science is so certain?
John Kerry calls for action on climate change
The Fight over the Gray Wolf Intensifies in the U.S.
Al Shabaab linked to illegal ivory trade
Filtering the politics and policies surrounding West Virginia's water
Mic.com
For a few months I was a pundit for PolicyMic. The work is entirely op ed stuff. Learned more about the ins and outs of a comment section than I ever really wanted to. That said, it was a pretty fun experience. I mostly got to do my own thing with some editorial supervision. Titles were not my choice, but I feel as though some of my stronger writing made it on the site. This writing is all from the second half of 2013.
The Libertarian Case For the Environmental Protection Agency
Libertarians should be for reducing pollution and protecting our environment. So why do they continue to oppose environmental regulation? They shouldn't.
It's Time to Divest From Fossil Fuels, and Higher Ed Can Take the Lead
If the purpose of higher educational institutions is to serve society by helping to build a better future, they need to ensure there is a future for society through fossil fuel divestment.
One Thing Everyone's Missing About GMO Foods
While widespread use of genetically modified foods would be dangerous, almost everyone is forgetting about the potential benefits of modified crops.
Inside Look at the Nobel Prize No One Understands
Michael Lebitt, Martin Karplus, and Arieh Warshel receive the Nobel Prize for Chemistry for their work in modeling molecules with computer programs. Their work revolutionized molecular biology.
An Utter Shutstorm For Science
The government shutdown has hamstrung American science. The budget battle in the house is having serious consequences for the scientific community. The result has been a shutstorm.
An Open Letter to Congress From a Misguided Millennial
Government can work, and often with an inordinate amount of paperwork does. It is time as a country we admit this, and carry on. Shutting down our government hurts far more than it helps.
Meet the Industry-Funded Scientists Who Are Lying to You About Global Warming
The Heartland Institute for years has been producing contrarian sound bites in exchange for money. They aren't a think tank, they are hacks for hire.
Believe in Science? These School Vouchers Are Being Used in a Way That Will Make You Furious
Recent attempts to expand school voucher programs are becoming a serious threat to scientific literacy in our country. The fight over evolution in the classroom highlights the culture war.
The Complex Political Problems Of One Of America's Biggest Issues: Wild Fires
Combating wild fires has become an issue of national prominence in the past couple years. An inside look at the politics of this sweltering issue.
Most People Missed the Point Of Steven Pinker's New Republic EssayPinker's recent essay may have agitated just about everyone, but it deserves more then a gut response.
Your Heart is in the Right Place, But Boycotting the Olympics Won't Work
Boycotting the Olympics won't do anything to further your cause. It just hurts the athletes who have dedicated their entire lives at a chance for glory.
Is Climate Change Real? I Can't Believe We're Still AskingThe International Panel on Climate Change officially confirms that climate change is real and caused by humans. It is time for policymakers to pull their head outs of the ground and engage.
The GOP Backlash to Climate-Change Deniers Begins Now
The heads of the EPA under Reagan, Nixon, and both Bush administrations call for action on climate change, and they're not alone.
Before You Troll This Climate Change Article
Take a second to read a few things you should know about how science actually works.
The Curious Case Of Michael Mann and the Most Controversial Chart in ScienceThe man behind the controversial hockey stick graph has become a walking manufactured controversy, unfortunately demonstrating the most frustrating problems for action on climate change. (This one is special to me, since it got referenced in Slate by Phil Plait)
Earth's New Temperatures Make Everything Harder For Conservationists and Farmers
The world will have to rethink conservation and agriculture for this century. Here's why.
The Libertarian Case For the Environmental Protection Agency
Libertarians should be for reducing pollution and protecting our environment. So why do they continue to oppose environmental regulation? They shouldn't.
It's Time to Divest From Fossil Fuels, and Higher Ed Can Take the Lead
If the purpose of higher educational institutions is to serve society by helping to build a better future, they need to ensure there is a future for society through fossil fuel divestment.
One Thing Everyone's Missing About GMO Foods
While widespread use of genetically modified foods would be dangerous, almost everyone is forgetting about the potential benefits of modified crops.
Inside Look at the Nobel Prize No One Understands
Michael Lebitt, Martin Karplus, and Arieh Warshel receive the Nobel Prize for Chemistry for their work in modeling molecules with computer programs. Their work revolutionized molecular biology.
An Utter Shutstorm For Science
The government shutdown has hamstrung American science. The budget battle in the house is having serious consequences for the scientific community. The result has been a shutstorm.
An Open Letter to Congress From a Misguided Millennial
Government can work, and often with an inordinate amount of paperwork does. It is time as a country we admit this, and carry on. Shutting down our government hurts far more than it helps.
Meet the Industry-Funded Scientists Who Are Lying to You About Global Warming
The Heartland Institute for years has been producing contrarian sound bites in exchange for money. They aren't a think tank, they are hacks for hire.
Believe in Science? These School Vouchers Are Being Used in a Way That Will Make You Furious
Recent attempts to expand school voucher programs are becoming a serious threat to scientific literacy in our country. The fight over evolution in the classroom highlights the culture war.
The Complex Political Problems Of One Of America's Biggest Issues: Wild Fires
Combating wild fires has become an issue of national prominence in the past couple years. An inside look at the politics of this sweltering issue.
Most People Missed the Point Of Steven Pinker's New Republic EssayPinker's recent essay may have agitated just about everyone, but it deserves more then a gut response.
Your Heart is in the Right Place, But Boycotting the Olympics Won't Work
Boycotting the Olympics won't do anything to further your cause. It just hurts the athletes who have dedicated their entire lives at a chance for glory.
Is Climate Change Real? I Can't Believe We're Still AskingThe International Panel on Climate Change officially confirms that climate change is real and caused by humans. It is time for policymakers to pull their head outs of the ground and engage.
The GOP Backlash to Climate-Change Deniers Begins Now
The heads of the EPA under Reagan, Nixon, and both Bush administrations call for action on climate change, and they're not alone.
Before You Troll This Climate Change Article
Take a second to read a few things you should know about how science actually works.
The Curious Case Of Michael Mann and the Most Controversial Chart in ScienceThe man behind the controversial hockey stick graph has become a walking manufactured controversy, unfortunately demonstrating the most frustrating problems for action on climate change. (This one is special to me, since it got referenced in Slate by Phil Plait)
Earth's New Temperatures Make Everything Harder For Conservationists and Farmers
The world will have to rethink conservation and agriculture for this century. Here's why.
The Harvard Crimson
While I was a member of Divest Harvard, I cowrote a couple op eds in the Harvard Crimson. These were from back in the fall of 2012.
Vote to Divest
An op-ed attempting to convince undergraduates to support fossil fuel divestment.
A Coalition of Responsibility
An op-ed discussing attempts to build political capital to support fossil fuel divestment on the Harvard Campus. Got to cowrite this with Chloe Maxmin.
Vote to Divest
An op-ed attempting to convince undergraduates to support fossil fuel divestment.
A Coalition of Responsibility
An op-ed discussing attempts to build political capital to support fossil fuel divestment on the Harvard Campus. Got to cowrite this with Chloe Maxmin.
EcoBrink
I also used to run an environmental blog called EcoBrink. It was my first real swing at journalism, and a learning experience. As such most of the writing I'll let rest in the dust bin of history. A few of the better articles and ideas have been incorporated into later work. EcoBrink is down now, but my rights to this polar bear image remain.
