I’ve seen some of this from behind the scenes in the past few days. I will defend AGU by saying that some of the changes made were requested by members, esp those at federal agencies, who asked AGU for their info to be removed. But the other changes beyond that do not seem justified to me. - ThreadSky

methanojen.bsky.social • 8 days ago

I’ve seen some of this from behind the scenes in the past few days. I will defend AGU by saying that some of the changes made were requested by members, esp those at federal agencies, who asked AGU for their info to be removed. But the other changes beyond that do not seem justified to me.

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chuckgreene1.bsky.social•7 days ago

I just became President-Elect of the Ocean Sciences Section and have been discussing these issues w/ AGU Leadership for a couple weeks. AGU was compelled to review its website to determine its vulnerability to new administration edicts. Resistance will not be served by undermining AGU's credibility.

celestelabedz.bsky.social•7 days ago

AGU's credibility comes from its support of its members. That credibility was undermined when AGU chose to remove expressions of support for its diverse membership from its website, not when people pointed it out.

ljelkins.bsky.social•6 days ago

Reviewing websites is also not the same as making changes, and these changes first would not have made the administration happy, and second sent uniquely clear signals to the membership about AGU's priorities around diversity in science.

ljelkins.bsky.social•6 days ago

Even if it was well intentioned, it was very badly done. I think people would be a lot more impressed if the society's leadership recognized this and apologized instead of doubling down.

chuckgreene1.bsky.social•4 days ago

AGU has not been quick to respond; however, note that there are many different levels w/in AGU. It is important that the AGU Executive comes out w/ a statement that reflects the views of its membership. In addition, the AGU must take meaningful action that will speak louder than words.

ljelkins.bsky.social•4 days ago

I agree, that is important. And they were v quick to respond by changing wording, but very slow to talk to anyone about it.

The society also is not a university, a corporation, or a government entity; they don't rely on federal funding. The membership wants and deserves to see some backbone.

chuckgreene1.bsky.social•4 days ago

Please note that I do not speak for AGU. Rather, I am expressing my opinion as a member that we should be careful not to undermine the AGU's efforts to respond in what is a rapidly changing political landscape.

luximus.bsky.social•7 days ago

Chuck wants to blame us. How dare we call this out, right? Unbelievable!

chuckgreene1.bsky.social•4 days ago

I am not blaming you. In fact, I agree with you that AGU must take a firm stand. I am just trying to make sure that we aim our voices at a rogue administration and strengthen rather than undermine AGU's ability to take meaningful actions.

brandontbishop.bsky.social•6 days ago

Here, let me help you.

If the administration's new edicts would affect what's written on the website of your private organization, call this number: 202-601-4269

Or fill out this form: https://action.aclu.org/legal-intake/dc-legal-intake

I am quite certain the ACLU Washington, D.C. office will want to talk to you.

chuckgreene1.bsky.social•4 days ago

👍That's a great idea, Brandon. Next time I correspond or speak with AGU leadership, I will suggest they contact the ACLU!

allochthonous.bsky.social•7 days ago

How far AGU is willing to go to “establish credibility” with this administration - a futile quest IMHO - is the main concern here, though.

markpanning.seismology.space•6 days ago

They should absolutely apologize for preemptive compliance. I understand how they may have thought it was necessary, but the community has every right to call them out for it, and if they decided the changes weren’t necessary (which they obviously did) they should apologize for them.

chuckgreene1.bsky.social•4 days ago

Note Brandon & Ben are scientists like us. We think about the world differently than most of AGU's professional staff. Our top priority is protecting & representing earth & space scientists. The professional staff has the additional responsibility of protecting the organization. Conflicts can arise!

markpanning.seismology.space•6 days ago

I give them credit for responding to the membership. These are difficult times, and I understand it can be hard to know how to handle situations that should not be happening. But apologizing and making a strong statement that they continue to support their diverse membership would go a long way.

chuckgreene1.bsky.social•4 days ago

I do not speak for the AGU; however, in my correspondences with Brandon Jones, AGU's new President, and Ben Zaitchik, AGU's new President-Elect, I feel like they are trying their best to take meaningful action. Remmber, these guys were hit with this after only taking office the previous month.

luximus.bsky.social•7 days ago

If AGU’s credibility crumbles the moment DIVERSITY is at risk, that says everything, really! Real resistance isn’t preemptive compliance to some potential bs laws that btw do not apply to AGU, it’s standing firm when it matters. AGU made a choice, and people are right to hold AGU accountable.

thermochronic.bsky.social•7 days ago

It is likely there will be [likely illegal] edicts about how anthropogenic climate change isn't real, will AGU pre-comply with those as well?

luximus.bsky.social•8 days ago

I understand. I wanted to respond to Chuck who is copying+pasting the same PR damage control message under every comment. It won’t erase what AGU did. Removing DIVERSITY was a choice, not a legal necessity. AGU only reversed it after backlash.

chuckgreene1.bsky.social•7 days ago

Actually, I only joined the AGU Council as the new President-Elect of the Ocean Sciences Section last month. I have been in discussions with AGU Council Leadership about this for weeks. Therefore, I think that I am in a better position than you in determining what choices the AGU was facing.

luximus.bsky.social•7 days ago

Chuck, we know the truth.

chuckgreene1.bsky.social•4 days ago

If my information is incorrect, then I will certainly apologize. However, I suggest that you make certain of your sources w/in the AGU. I have been corresponding since the week before last with AGU's President, Brandon Jones, and President-Elect, Ben Zaitchik. Who are you communicating with?

methanojen.bsky.social•7 days ago

I don’t find this discussion productive or helpful. More helpful would be using your platform to help your members. What is Ocean Sciences doing to organize & help their members? For example, here’s what the Biogeosciences DEI is starting with this Wednesday: register at http://tinyurl.com/biogeothriving

chuckgreene1.bsky.social•4 days ago

I attended your Zoom call today & it's on our Ocean Sciences Section agenda coming up soon. Please note, I don't represent AGU Leadership nor am I an apologist for them. I have called out AGU big time in the past. However, let's make sure the AGU response is meaningful & that we don't undermine it.

methanojen.bsky.social•4 days ago

Thanks for attending today, Chuck. We’re working towards the same goal. It’s great that we’re joining forces to get resources & stronger statements of support for our membership. I look forward to hearing the next steps from the AGU leadership. Thanks for showing up and taking action. Appreciated.

holdingupthesky.bsky.social•7 days ago

So - tell us the about those choices in a transparent way

luximus.bsky.social•8 days ago

Integrity isn’t about what you restore under pressure. It’s about what you stand for when no one is watching. I’m done with AGU for good.

chuckgreene1.bsky.social•7 days ago

I do not condone all of AGU's actions in the past; in fact, I have helped lead protests against some of them. However, we are facing a harsher political environment than ever before. Members withdrawing from the AGU couldn't make the White House happier.

luximus.bsky.social•7 days ago

Chuck, if I had ever reconsidered my decision, your copy-paste PR damage control (contradicting other reports here) only reinforced it. Accountability matters! And AGU’s actions, not just words, speak loudest, really...

methanojen.bsky.social•8 days ago

Please consider attending our Biogeosciences DEI community event on Wednesday to discuss more. https://agu.zoom.us/meeting/register/hC8eSFyiRPKvlJ-iXg14mQ#/registration

luximus.bsky.social•8 days ago

Thank you. I will always stand by our colleagues, especially in times like this.

holdingupthesky.bsky.social•7 days ago

An individual asking for their profile to be taken down is 100% what orgs should do. But not the rest of the DEI removal

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