Melissa Tier
@meltier.bsky.social
PhD candidate at the Princeton School of Public & International Affairs. Policy/planning expert with 11 years of experience in climate adaptation, environmental justice, and sustainability
Pinned
Melissa Tier
@meltier.bsky.social
· Dec 17
Hello Bluesky! Figured it was time for an intro post👋
My PhD research is on climate adaptation policy -- interweaving methods of multi-level governance, environmental justice, urban planning, and decision sciences. I'm passionate about teaching, engaging, and learning about these important topics!
My PhD research is on climate adaptation policy -- interweaving methods of multi-level governance, environmental justice, urban planning, and decision sciences. I'm passionate about teaching, engaging, and learning about these important topics!
Reposted by Melissa Tier
Tonight’s elections are a repudiation of Trump’s corruption and disastrous economic agenda. We need to fight harder, push farther, and not give in. We cannot let this moment pass. Let’s protect health care, stand up for working people, hold the line, and take back our government.
November 5, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Tonight’s elections are a repudiation of Trump’s corruption and disastrous economic agenda. We need to fight harder, push farther, and not give in. We cannot let this moment pass. Let’s protect health care, stand up for working people, hold the line, and take back our government.
We need to consider "questions about the institutions that will condition how people experience the political impacts of climate change."
"...for most people, climate change will materialize not as something utterly new, but as familiar problems made worse."
"...for most people, climate change will materialize not as something utterly new, but as familiar problems made worse."
Who decides how we adapt to climate change? | Leah Aronowsky
Who decides how we adapt to climate change? | Leah Aronowsky
The question is not whether we will reshape our institutions to manage climate impacts, but how
www.theguardian.com
November 2, 2025 at 3:44 PM
We need to consider "questions about the institutions that will condition how people experience the political impacts of climate change."
"...for most people, climate change will materialize not as something utterly new, but as familiar problems made worse."
"...for most people, climate change will materialize not as something utterly new, but as familiar problems made worse."
Please see my newest blog post with the New Jersey State Policy Lab! @njpolicylab.bsky.social
NJDEP also developed a website that tracks permit notices related to the Environmental Justice Law, which currently notes that 89 permits in #NJ have had their review processes initiated, but only one final decision has been made to date. @meltier.bsky.social from @princeton.edu SPIA discusses more:
From Executive Order to State Law: The Evolution of Environmental Justice in NJ - New Jersey State Policy Lab
Over the past several years, Governor Phil Murphy’s administration has instituted several nationally innovative environmental justice initiatives. In 2018, early in his first administration, Governor ...
policylab.rutgers.edu
October 23, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Please see my newest blog post with the New Jersey State Policy Lab! @njpolicylab.bsky.social
Reposted by Melissa Tier
The message should not be that political violence is bad because it targeted a good guy who was “practicing politics the right way” (which Kirk definitely was not). Political violence is bad because it inherently corrodes the democratic polity, because it makes democracy impossible.
September 14, 2025 at 1:13 PM
The message should not be that political violence is bad because it targeted a good guy who was “practicing politics the right way” (which Kirk definitely was not). Political violence is bad because it inherently corrodes the democratic polity, because it makes democracy impossible.
Read the "Katrina Declaration" letter here: www.standupforscience.net/fema-katrina...
September 3, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Read the "Katrina Declaration" letter here: www.standupforscience.net/fema-katrina...
Interesting update from @ucs.org:
"US District Judge Richard Stearn issued a preliminary injunction stopping FEMA from spending funds from the BRIC grant program for non-BRIC purposes. This appears to ensure funding will continue to be allocated to the BRIC program."
blog.ucs.org/shana-udvard...
"US District Judge Richard Stearn issued a preliminary injunction stopping FEMA from spending funds from the BRIC grant program for non-BRIC purposes. This appears to ensure funding will continue to be allocated to the BRIC program."
blog.ucs.org/shana-udvard...
A Hopeful Sign for FEMA’s Flagship Disaster Preparedness Program
The future of a FEMA pre-disaster preparedness program, implemented during the first Trump administration, is anyone's guess.
blog.ucs.org
August 15, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Interesting update from @ucs.org:
"US District Judge Richard Stearn issued a preliminary injunction stopping FEMA from spending funds from the BRIC grant program for non-BRIC purposes. This appears to ensure funding will continue to be allocated to the BRIC program."
blog.ucs.org/shana-udvard...
"US District Judge Richard Stearn issued a preliminary injunction stopping FEMA from spending funds from the BRIC grant program for non-BRIC purposes. This appears to ensure funding will continue to be allocated to the BRIC program."
blog.ucs.org/shana-udvard...
"Here, too, powerful people are responding to authoritarian advances just as their Hungarian counterparts have — not with defiance, but with capitulation, convinced that they can maintain their independence and stay above the fray."
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/o...
Opinion | I Watched It Happen in Hungary. Now It’s Happening Here.
www.nytimes.com
July 23, 2025 at 12:23 PM
"Here, too, powerful people are responding to authoritarian advances just as their Hungarian counterparts have — not with defiance, but with capitulation, convinced that they can maintain their independence and stay above the fray."
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/o...
"Mamdani’s victory was not about 'star power'. It was very much about people power, about revitalizing democracy and opening the door for ordinary people to gain control over the decisions that impact their lives."
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Will the Democrats learn from Zohran Mamdani’s victory? | Bernie Sanders
Too many Democratic party leaders would rather be the captains on a sinking Titanic than change course
www.theguardian.com
June 26, 2025 at 4:01 PM
"Mamdani’s victory was not about 'star power'. It was very much about people power, about revitalizing democracy and opening the door for ordinary people to gain control over the decisions that impact their lives."
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
“It was just a terrible moment where you see a program that is absolutely not political and absolutely not wasteful getting cut,” [Scranton Mayor Paige] Cognetti said of BRIC, referring to Trump’s criticisms of the program.
www.eenews.net/articles/cit...
www.eenews.net/articles/cit...
Cities lose hope for restarting disaster projects killed by Trump
The president canceled $4.5 billion in FEMA grants that helped communities prepare for rising disaster damage.
www.eenews.net
June 24, 2025 at 3:56 PM
“It was just a terrible moment where you see a program that is absolutely not political and absolutely not wasteful getting cut,” [Scranton Mayor Paige] Cognetti said of BRIC, referring to Trump’s criticisms of the program.
www.eenews.net/articles/cit...
www.eenews.net/articles/cit...
"The emergency is here.
The crisis is now. It is not six months away. It is not another Supreme Court ruling away from happening. It’s happening now.
Perhaps not to you, not yet. But to others. Real people. We know their names. We know their stories."
The crisis is now. It is not six months away. It is not another Supreme Court ruling away from happening. It’s happening now.
Perhaps not to you, not yet. But to others. Real people. We know their names. We know their stories."
Today’s episode of The Ezra Klein Show.
The Emergency Is Here.
With @asharangappa.bsky.social.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/17/o...
The Emergency Is Here.
With @asharangappa.bsky.social.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/17/o...
Opinion | The Emergency Is Here (Gift Article)
Trump is disappearing people to a Salvadoran prison for terrorists. And he says he wants to send “homegrown” Americans there next.
www.nytimes.com
April 18, 2025 at 5:33 PM
"The emergency is here.
The crisis is now. It is not six months away. It is not another Supreme Court ruling away from happening. It’s happening now.
Perhaps not to you, not yet. But to others. Real people. We know their names. We know their stories."
The crisis is now. It is not six months away. It is not another Supreme Court ruling away from happening. It’s happening now.
Perhaps not to you, not yet. But to others. Real people. We know their names. We know their stories."
This is what it means to work for your constituents. Proud of this fellow Swattie.
I sincerely hope Mr. Ábrego García is able to return home as soon as possible.
I sincerely hope Mr. Ábrego García is able to return home as soon as possible.
I said my main goal of this trip was to meet with Kilmar. Tonight I had that chance. I have called his wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love. I look forward to providing a full update upon my return.
April 18, 2025 at 5:23 PM
This is what it means to work for your constituents. Proud of this fellow Swattie.
I sincerely hope Mr. Ábrego García is able to return home as soon as possible.
I sincerely hope Mr. Ábrego García is able to return home as soon as possible.
Reposted by Melissa Tier
Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions - rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking steps to make sure students can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and mutual respect. Let’s hope others follow suit.
April 15, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions - rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking steps to make sure students can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and mutual respect. Let’s hope others follow suit.
Reposted by Melissa Tier
The President has no authority on his own to nullify state laws. This Executive Order is toothless. Trump is directing the Department of Justice to attempt to intervene in the numerous lawsuits that are challenging the state efforts he doesn't like. It will be up to the state court judges who 🧵
So much for the historically Republican/conservative position of states' rights, & deferring to state governments ... Federal overreach has historically been a crusade of the Right, but these times are wild and different:
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Protecting American Energy From State Overreach
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1. Purpose.
www.whitehouse.gov
April 9, 2025 at 2:07 AM
The President has no authority on his own to nullify state laws. This Executive Order is toothless. Trump is directing the Department of Justice to attempt to intervene in the numerous lawsuits that are challenging the state efforts he doesn't like. It will be up to the state court judges who 🧵
Reposted by Melissa Tier
From an operational security perspective, this is the highest level of fuckup imaginable. These people cannot keep America safe.
The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans
U.S. national-security leaders included me in a group chat about upcoming military strikes in Yemen. I didn’t think it could be real. Then the bombs started falling.
www.theatlantic.com
March 24, 2025 at 8:13 PM
From an operational security perspective, this is the highest level of fuckup imaginable. These people cannot keep America safe.
"The increasingly aggressive use of 'antisemitism' as a political instrument was never about Jewish safety. It has always been about power: consolidating a political order that merges religion, nationalism and authoritarianism under the veneer of minority protection."
@itamann.bsky.social and I wrote for the @theguardian.com about the new definition of antisemitism, and how it has never been about protecting Jews, but rather a part of a larger attempt to silence dissent, entrench Christian nationalism, and undermine democracy.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
The new definition of antisemitism is transforming America – and serving a Christian nationalist plan
Redefining antisemitism in the law was never about Jewish safety. It is about consolidating authoritarian power under the veneer of minority protection
www.theguardian.com
March 23, 2025 at 1:27 PM
"The increasingly aggressive use of 'antisemitism' as a political instrument was never about Jewish safety. It has always been about power: consolidating a political order that merges religion, nationalism and authoritarianism under the veneer of minority protection."
Reposted by Melissa Tier
Tonight an unbelievable **34,000 people** gathered for our Denver rally to take on billionaires and win our country back.
This was the largest political gathering in Denver since Obama in 2008.
Also bigger than the 2024 DNC.
And the largest ever rally in Bernie’s career (and obviously, mine too).
This was the largest political gathering in Denver since Obama in 2008.
Also bigger than the 2024 DNC.
And the largest ever rally in Bernie’s career (and obviously, mine too).
March 22, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Tonight an unbelievable **34,000 people** gathered for our Denver rally to take on billionaires and win our country back.
This was the largest political gathering in Denver since Obama in 2008.
Also bigger than the 2024 DNC.
And the largest ever rally in Bernie’s career (and obviously, mine too).
This was the largest political gathering in Denver since Obama in 2008.
Also bigger than the 2024 DNC.
And the largest ever rally in Bernie’s career (and obviously, mine too).
Reposted by Melissa Tier
The Trump administration's efforts to slash research funding have US graduate students, postdocs and other early-career scientists fearing for their careers. Some might leave the country -- or abandon research altogether.
https://go.nature.com/43ao2zq
https://go.nature.com/43ao2zq
Postdocs and PhD students hit hard by Trump’s crackdown on science
As US federal grants remain frozen and budget cuts loom, anxiety and fear grip early-career researchers.
go.nature.com
February 24, 2025 at 9:39 PM
The Trump administration's efforts to slash research funding have US graduate students, postdocs and other early-career scientists fearing for their careers. Some might leave the country -- or abandon research altogether.
https://go.nature.com/43ao2zq
https://go.nature.com/43ao2zq
Reposted by Melissa Tier
Dear OPM FOIA staff -
Remember to preserve all of these email responses, as we will be submitting FOIA requests for this consolidated compilation of information on what the entire federal government did last week.
Thx -
FOIA community
Remember to preserve all of these email responses, as we will be submitting FOIA requests for this consolidated compilation of information on what the entire federal government did last week.
Thx -
FOIA community
February 22, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Dear OPM FOIA staff -
Remember to preserve all of these email responses, as we will be submitting FOIA requests for this consolidated compilation of information on what the entire federal government did last week.
Thx -
FOIA community
Remember to preserve all of these email responses, as we will be submitting FOIA requests for this consolidated compilation of information on what the entire federal government did last week.
Thx -
FOIA community
Reposted by Melissa Tier
Remember, everything is part of the same story.
They need to destroy our democracy and crush dissent because letting billionaires take over the government in order to steal from us isn't popular and a functioning democracy wouldn't allow it.
They need to destroy our democracy and crush dissent because letting billionaires take over the government in order to steal from us isn't popular and a functioning democracy wouldn't allow it.
February 19, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Remember, everything is part of the same story.
They need to destroy our democracy and crush dissent because letting billionaires take over the government in order to steal from us isn't popular and a functioning democracy wouldn't allow it.
They need to destroy our democracy and crush dissent because letting billionaires take over the government in order to steal from us isn't popular and a functioning democracy wouldn't allow it.
Reposted by Melissa Tier
Here’s the email everyone is getting from OPM. Embarrassing stuff.
February 22, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Here’s the email everyone is getting from OPM. Embarrassing stuff.
Reposted by Melissa Tier
American presidents don’t even joke about this. Just because he’s petty doesn’t mean this isn’t dangerous.
February 19, 2025 at 7:24 PM
American presidents don’t even joke about this. Just because he’s petty doesn’t mean this isn’t dangerous.
Reposted by Melissa Tier
NEW: A letter from an anonymous federal worker. Please read and share: www.muellershewrote.com/p/letter-fro...
Letter From a Federal Worker
This is a heartbreaking letter that a federal worker has asked me to share with the public.
www.muellershewrote.com
February 19, 2025 at 2:00 AM
NEW: A letter from an anonymous federal worker. Please read and share: www.muellershewrote.com/p/letter-fro...
Reposted by Melissa Tier
It’s not about “government efficiency.”
It’s about autocratic power.
It’s about autocratic power.
February 18, 2025 at 1:10 AM
It’s not about “government efficiency.”
It’s about autocratic power.
It’s about autocratic power.
"As every enterprise seeks efficiencies, the system loses its redundancy... When a system has lost its resilience, a small external shock can trigger cascading collapse."
In this week's column, I explore what I see as a very real prospect of systemic collapse, caused by Trump's actions, and suggest we start preparing.
I try to explain how complex systems fail, and suggest some of the failure paths we could be on.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
I try to explain how complex systems fail, and suggest some of the failure paths we could be on.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
There are many ways Trump could trigger a global collapse. Here’s how to survive if that happens | George Monbiot
It could be wildfires, a pandemic or a financial crisis. The super-rich will flee to their bunkers – the rest of us will have to fend for ourselves, writes columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
February 18, 2025 at 12:26 PM
"As every enterprise seeks efficiencies, the system loses its redundancy... When a system has lost its resilience, a small external shock can trigger cascading collapse."
Reposted by Melissa Tier
the single most un-american and anti-constitutional statement ever uttered by an american president
February 15, 2025 at 6:39 PM
the single most un-american and anti-constitutional statement ever uttered by an american president