Gretchen Goldman, PhD
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gretchentg.bsky.social
Gretchen Goldman, PhD
@gretchentg.bsky.social
8.1K followers 1.5K following 170 posts
President @ucs.org. Previously: USDOT, White House OSTP, @500womensci.bsky.social. Environmental engineer. Mom. Cyclist. Public Transit Enthusiast. Views my own. She/her.
Posts Replies Media Videos
gretchentg.bsky.social
Personal news: We got a heat pump! This seizes on the last days of the clean energy tax credits and eliminates our direct household fossil fuel burning. The big ugly bill will have huge costs for the US energy system, but I'm grateful for US progress and momentum so far. blog.ucs.org/julie-mcnama...
Me posing in front of our new heat pump in a UCS t-shirt.
November 9, 2025 at 7:19 PM
gretchentg.bsky.social
Some personal and political thoughts from me as #COP30 gets underway.

We've come too far to give up now. Our kids' future is worth fighting for.

blog.ucs.org/gretchen-gol...
A Future Worth Fighting for at COP30 (and Beyond)
Climate advocates have put decades of blood, sweat, and tears into building a better future for the next generation. We're not stopping now.
blog.ucs.org
November 7, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Reposted by Gretchen Goldman, PhD
jeremywallace.bsky.social
Today!
October 1, 2025 at 6:03 PM
gretchentg.bsky.social
Join me to discuss combatting the New Climate Denialism at @carnegieendowment.org this Wednesday, Oct 1 in DC or online, along with my co-panelists @jeremywallace.bsky.social, @cathfraser.bsky.social, @leonardom-d.bsky.social, @noahjgordon.bsky.social and more. carnegieendowment.org/events/2025/...
Climate Clarity: Combatting New Denialism in the United States
A conversation on how to combat denialism and advance climate solutions.
carnegieendowment.org
September 29, 2025 at 8:23 PM
gretchentg.bsky.social
Great to see more preservation and public access for critical Federal climate resources as the Administration guts Federal science.
September 25, 2025 at 9:15 PM
gretchentg.bsky.social
Jumping into #ClimateWeekNYC
ucs.org Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · Sep 22
🌎✊We kicked off #ClimateWeek in NYC by joining the #MakeBillionairesPay March w/
@gretchentg.bsky.social

— because it's long been time to make polluters pay.

We're hosting & engaging in events all week long. Learn more about how you can join us in person or virtually:

➡️ act.ucsusa.org/3K8sNCt
September 22, 2025 at 7:39 PM
gretchentg.bsky.social
Join me this Thursday for a virtual panel on the state of play on US scientific research, along with Obama Administration Science Advisor John Holdren and @thebulletin.org President and CEO Alex Bell.
thebulletin.org Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists @thebulletin.org · Sep 22
Earlier this year, President Donald Trump issued an executive order and budget proposal aimed at cutting support for the scientific research community.

How will possible cuts affect scientists, and what solutions may exist? This Thursday, join the Bulletin for an expert discussion.
Under Attack: Science, Research, and the Trump Administration
Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 10:30 A.M. CDT / 11:30 A.M. EDT
pages.thebulletin.org
September 22, 2025 at 7:19 PM
gretchentg.bsky.social
@ucs.org is headed to #ClimateWeekNYC! Join us with events all week, starting tomorrow. Here's a sampling of where we'll be. 🧵Join us! www.ucs.org/ucs-nyc-clim...
UCS at NYC Climate Week 2025
UCS at New York City's Climate Week 2025
www.ucs.org
September 19, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Reposted by Gretchen Goldman, PhD
ucs.org
“I was fired for holding the line on scientific integrity. But that line does not disappear with me.” Important testimony today from former CDC director Dr. Susan Coller Monarez:
Former C.D.C. Director to Tell Lawmakers She Was ‘Fired for Holding the Line’
www.nytimes.com
September 17, 2025 at 3:05 PM
gretchentg.bsky.social
This week, a group of experts will step up in a big way to ensure that science goes on, despite Trump administration cuts to Federal science advice. They join several other independent science efforts fighting back. 🧵 blog.ucs.org/gretchen-gol...
Science Must Go On: How Courageous Scientists Are Meeting the Moment
Scientists are stepping up to provide their expertise outside of federal structures that no longer support them.
blog.ucs.org
September 16, 2025 at 5:31 PM
gretchentg.bsky.social
Science and scientists are under attack like never before and we need all the tools in the toolbox to fight back. Here's my @nature.com book review of Science Under Siege. Thanks for speaking up for science, @michaelemann.bsky.social and @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
How did assaults on science become the norm — and what can we do?
An insightful book explores attacks on science from a historical and a personal perspective.
www.nature.com
September 16, 2025 at 1:34 PM
gretchentg.bsky.social
I'm looking forward to keynoting the 16th Annual National Postdoc Appreciation Week hosted by the National Postdoctoral Association next Monday. Join me! #NPAW act.ucsusa.org/41Hr1hy
ucs.org Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · Sep 10
🚨Next week! Celebrate the 16th annual National Postdoc Appreciation Week! This year’s theme: communicating your science & research. UCS President @gretchentg.bsky.social kicks off the event talking science & policy.

📆Monday, Sept 15, at 12 pm ET.

RSVP: act.ucsusa.org/41Hr1hy
September 12, 2025 at 3:56 PM
gretchentg.bsky.social
Join me, @aaas.org Section X, Georgia Tech Public Policy, @crsugimoto.bsky.social, Kei Koizumi, and Barry Bozeman tomorrow to talk about the state of play on Federal scientific integrity and what's next. We have a ton to cover. Join us:

gatech.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Event flyer with photos and icons representing the people and organizations listed in the post. Additional details at registration link.
September 9, 2025 at 9:13 PM
gretchentg.bsky.social
In other news, today this transportation nerd rode the inaugural run of one of the Next Gen higher speed @amtrak.com Acela trains, complete is Acela-bration cookies.

Let's build more nice things.
Photo of me posing with a cookie on a new amtrak Acela Train.
August 30, 2025 at 3:16 PM
gretchentg.bsky.social
These HHS actions reflect an unthinkable level of disregard for science, public health, and the rule of law. Instead of firing the scientists who keep us safe, Sec Kennedy should be fired, and Congress must immediately conduct oversight of his mismanagement of HHS.

blog.ucs.org/gretchen-gol...
What Happens When Facts Don't Matter? We're about to Find out
Political interference at the CDC reaches new lows: RFK, Jr., must go.
blog.ucs.org
August 29, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Reposted by Gretchen Goldman, PhD
ucs.org
Environmental justice (EJ) is about fairness and access to a healthy and safe environment for all people. The Trump administration has disrupted and disbanded EJ initiatives including funding, research, and projects. Yet, this important work has and must continue. 🧵
August 28, 2025 at 4:59 PM
gretchentg.bsky.social
It's hard to overstate the significance of what's happening at CDC right now.
ucs.org Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · Aug 28
This week, multiple leaders from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were ousted or resigned due to continued political interference and pressure to limit vaccine access – actions that defy the scientific evidence and endanger our health. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
CDC in crisis: who are the top officials resigning or being forced out?
Four senior officials resign in protest at health secretary’s handling of vaccine policy and agency’s direction
www.theguardian.com
August 28, 2025 at 7:23 PM
gretchentg.bsky.social
If you read one thing today, let it be Dr. Daskalakis' resignation letter from CDC.

This administration is now shattering the public trust and scientific truth it has taken the nation decades to build in public health. Devastated to think of the unnecessary deaths that will come from this HHS.
donmoyn.bsky.social Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · Aug 28
Full resignation letter from Demetre C. Daskalakis, a CDC leader, does not hold back.
"The recent shooting at CDC is not why I am resigning. My grandfather, who I am named after, stood up to fascist forces in Greece and lost his life doing so. I am resigning to make him and his legacy proud."
My resignation letter from CDC. Dear Dr. Houry, I am writing to formally resign from my position as Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), effective August 28, 2025, close of business. I am happy to stay on for two weeks to provide transition, if requested. This decision has not come easily, as I deeply value the work that the CDC does in safeguarding public health and am proud of my contributions to that critical mission. However, after much contemplation and reflection on recent developments and perspectives brought to light by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., I find that the views he and his staff have shared challenge my ability to continue in my current role at the agency and in the service of the health of the American people. Enough is enough. While I hold immense respect for the institution and my colleagues, I believe that it is imperative to align my professional responsibilities to my system of ethics and my understanding of the science of infectious disease, immunology, and my promise to serve the American people. This step is necessary to ensure that I can contribute effectively in a capacity that allows me to remain true to my principles. The recent change in the adult and children’s immunization schedule threaten the lives of the youngest Americans and pregnant people. The data analyses that supported this decision have never been shared with CDC despite my respectful requests to HHS and other leadership. This lack of meaningful engagement was further compounded by a “frequently asked questions” document written to support the Secretary’s directive that was circulated by HHS without input from CDC subject matter experts and that cited studies that did not support the conclusions that were attributed to these authors. Having worked in local and national public health for years, I have never experienced such radical non-transparency, nor have I seen such unskilled manipulation of data to achieve a political end rather than the good of the American people. It is untenable to serve in an organization that is not afforded the opportunity to discuss decisions of scientific and public health importance released under the moniker of CDC. The lack of communication by HHS and other CDC political leadership that culminates in social media posts announcing major policy changes without prior notice demonstrate a disregard of normal communication channels and common sense. Having to retrofit analyses and policy actions to match inadequately thought-out announcements in poorly scripted videos or page long X posts should not be how organizations responsible for the health of people should function. Some examples include the announcement of the change in the COVID-19 recommendations for children and pregnant people, the firing of scientists from ACIP by X post and an op-ed rather than direct communication with these valuable experts, the announcement of new ACIP members by X before onboarding and vetting have completed, and the release of term of reference for an ACIP workgroup that ignored all feedback from career staff at CDC. Their desire to please a political base will result in death and disability of vulnerable children and adults. Their base should be the people they serve not a political voting bloc. I have always been first to challenge scientific and public health dogma in my career and was excited by the opportunity to do so again. I was optimistic that there would be an opportunity to brief the Secretary about key topics such as measles, avian influenza, and the highly coordinated approach to the respiratory virus season. Such briefings would allow exchange of ideas and a shared path to support the vision of “Making America Healthy Again.” We are seven months into the new administration, and no CDC subject matter expert from my Center has ever briefed the Secretary. I am not sure who the Secretary is listening to, but it is quite certainly not to us. Unvetted and conflicted outside organizations seem to be the sources HHS use over the gold standard science of CDC and other reputable sources. At a hearing, Secretary Kennedy said that Americans should not take medical advice from him. To the contrary, an appropriately briefed and inquisitive Secretary should be a source of health information for the people he serves. As it stands now, I must agree with him, that he should not be considered a source of accurate information. The intentional eroding of trust in low-risk vaccines favoring natural infection and unproven remedies will bring us to a pre-vaccine era where only the strong will survive and many if not all will suffer. I believe in nutrition and exercise. I believe in making our food supply healthier, and I also believe in using vaccines to prevent death and disability. Eugenics plays prominently in the rhetoric being generated and is derivative of a legacy that good medicine and science should continue to shun. The recent shooting at CDC is not why I am resigning. My grandfather, who I am named after, stood up to fascist forces in Greece and lost his life doing so. I am resigning to make him and his legacy proud. I am resigning because of the cowardice of a leader that cannot admit that HIS and his minions’ words over decades created an environment where violence like this can occur. I reject his and his colleagues’ thoughts and prayers, and advise they direct those to people that they have not actively harmed. For decades, I have been a trusted voice for the LGBTQ community when it comes to critical health topics. I must also cite the recklessness of the administration in their efforts to erase transgender populations, cease critical domestic and international HIV programming, and terminate key research to support equity as part of my decision. Public health is not merely about the health of the individual, but it is about the health of the community, the nation, the world. The nation’s health security is at risk and is in the hands of people focusing on ideological self-interest. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunities for growth, learning, and collaboration that I have been afforded during my time at the CDC. It has been a privilege to work alongside such dedicated professionals who are committed to improving the health and well-being of communities across the nation even when under attack from within both physically and psychologically. Thank you once again for the support and guidance I have received from you and previous CDC leadership throughout my tenure. I wish the CDC continued success in its vital mission and that HHS reverse its dangerous course to dismantle public health as a practice and as an institution. If they continue the current path, they risk our personal well-being and the security of the United States.
August 28, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Reposted by Gretchen Goldman, PhD
ucs.org
Calling all scientists and science supporters! You have a crucial role to play in countering the authoritarian threat we currently face in this country. Learn more about how you can stand up for the facts and truth that are essential for a free and democratic society. blog.ucs.org/gretchen-gol...
August 14, 2025 at 9:05 PM
gretchentg.bsky.social
My new @science.org editorial on the role of scientists in defending democracy is out today. As authoritarianism takes hold in the US, we must fight for the democratic principles that enable a free society and scientists have a key role. I hope you'll join us.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Scientists’ role in defending democracy
The United States’ democratic leadership, commitment to freedom of expression, and investment in the pursuit of knowledge have long enabled its preeminence in science and technology. Yet today we are ...
www.science.org
August 14, 2025 at 6:36 PM
gretchentg.bsky.social
Today, @ucs.org and @envdefensefund.bsky.social filed suit to challenge the Administration's efforts to use a shoddy DOE report filled with climate disinformation to rollback federal climate action. Their actions are indefensible and we will not let it stand. www.ucs.org/about/news/e...
EDF, UCS File Lawsuit Against Trump Administration Secret Convening of Climate Skeptics, Use of Their Hidden “Science” Report in Attempt to Overturn Endangerment Finding
EDF and UCS are going to court to challenge the Trump administration’s use of a secretively convened group of climate skeptics to prepare a now widely disparaged report in its attempt to undo the Enda...
www.ucs.org
August 12, 2025 at 7:56 PM
gretchentg.bsky.social
Another title for this new Trump Administration executive order could be "Creating Opportunities for Political Interference in Federal Science Grantmaking"

www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and to improve the process of Federal
www.whitehouse.gov
August 7, 2025 at 9:36 PM
gretchentg.bsky.social
Astronauts everywhere agree.

#SaveScienceSaveLives
americanprogress.bsky.social Center for American Progress @americanprogress.bsky.social · Aug 4
Science and innovation are under attack 📣 Join CAP & @standupforscience.bsky.social to demand Congress stop the Trump administration from cutting billions of dollars for science and research funding.
August 4, 2025 at 8:37 PM
gretchentg.bsky.social
The firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics chief is the latest move leading us down a dangerous path that threatens the future of US science and democracy.

www.nytimes.com/2025/08/03/u...
Trump’s Efforts to Control Information Echo an Authoritarian Playbook
www.nytimes.com
August 3, 2025 at 3:31 PM
gretchentg.bsky.social
By design, federal statistical agencies operate independently to guard against politicization of data collection and reporting.

This is an alarming and dangerous move that threatens the scientific integrity of independent statistical agencies across the government. www.wsj.com/livecoverage...
Trump Orders Firing of Bureau of Labor Statistics Chief After Weak Jobs Report
President Trump said he directed his team to fire the top Bureau of Labor Statistics official after the bureau issued a weak jobs report on Friday. Trump in a social media post said Erika McEntarfer, ...
www.wsj.com
August 1, 2025 at 7:33 PM