Notices by Sheril Kirshenbaum (sheril@mastodon.social)

The number of #books banned at the school district level. via NYT & Pen America📚

Billion dollar disasters are becoming more common. #ClimateChange

The best day of Capricorn’s life ❄️

Alcohol consumption is the 3rd leading preventable cause of cancer.

Risk communication scientists have been talking about this for a long time, but it’s v interesting to see this as the top headline at NYT. It’s about time. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/03/health/alcohol-surgeon-general-warning.html?unlocked_article_code=1.mU4.pNJV.R5903V-Md-27&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&tgrp=off #science #health

No one should be homeless in the U.S.

Today I visited the White House. It was beautifully decorated for the holidays.

For the first time since 2006, there will be no women leading House committees. 🤔 #politics #uspol

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/republican-women-chosen-lead-house-committees-time-decades/story?id=116764680

Well this looks familiar…
#dogsofmastodon

It’s the time of year when I like to remind students (& their parents) that grades don’t matter much.

Pass it on… 😉

@skinnylatte Thanks! I’ve been here a while, but felt a reintroduction was due ☺️

Hi Mastodon! I’m Sheril 👋

I am a scientist working in the U.S. Senate on policies related to energy, environment, ocean, ag & tech!

I also host Serving Up Science on PBS & wrote a couple of books.

My PhD is in community sustainability & I’m broadly interested in how we make decisions about science.

Bird flu in raw milk. Not good.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/28/health/raw-milk-bird-flu-second-recall/index.html

We’re incredibly lucky to have libraries. 📚

Salaries Americans say they consider the minimum to be "financially successful"

Kids today… 🤔

https://www.axios.com/2024/11/22/boomers-gen-z-millennials-financial-success?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1A8IvdVxjp9IeJ4CXyDRidNGpCXmAUWh-ssXpzePWCLfQnLKSe_4BqeYU_aem_GmOdwBuf070Kujnbp8hZww

This is happening. https://www.reuters.com/graphics/ENVIRONMENT-PLASTIC/0100B275155/ #science #environment

During election years, a lot of folks get interested in #politics & civic engagement.

That’s good.

What’s even better is to stay engaged between cycles.

We have so much work to do.

“If more of us valued food & cheer & song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”

J.R.R. Tolkien

I've had the privilege of working on science policy in the Senate under both the George W. Bush & Biden administrations. In just a few months, I’ll continue that work during the second Trump administration.

While leadership & majorities may shift, my mission remains the same: To do as much good as I can, regardless of the political landscape. The work is bigger than any one person or party—it’s about advancing science & serving the public.

Capricorn wishes everyone a calm & peaceful #Election Day. #dogsofmastodon

It’s spooky season…
#halloween #vote