News and Issues

“Observing changes in Earth’s rotational pole is useful for understanding continent-scale water storage variations,” said Ki-Weon Seo, a geophysicist at Seoul National University who led the study. Seo said. “Polar motion data are available from as early as the late 19th century. So, we can potentially use those data to understand continental water storage variations during the last 100 years. Were there any hydrological regime changes resulting from the warming climate? Polar motion could hold the answer.” “I’m very glad to find the unexplained cause of the rotation pole drift,” Seo said. “On the other hand, as a resident of Earth and a father, I’m concerned and surprised to see that pumping groundwater is another source of sea-level rise.”   more »

"This is a complex book. It combines social theory, several personal stories, and a little bit of memoir into a very readable text. The title certainly catches your attention, as you ask what is an everyday feminist. The author offers an answer in the first chapter – several answers. She’s an activist. She works for her community, not just herself. She leads but doesn’t think of herself as a leader. She is an ordinary woman with a passion for transformational change. She mostly comes from marginalized communities. She is politically astute. She takes risks to do the right thing. She is transparent and accountable, caring and generous." more »

Ferida Wolff comments on Nature’s Jigsaw Puzzles: Recently, I was given a thousand-piece puzzle that showed lots of birds, which I also love. There were robins, cardinals, hummingbirds, bluejays, and sparrows all enjoying the field of wildflowers that was the puzzle’s background. So colorful. I sat down and got to work. The puzzle wasn’t easy. It took me lots of days to finish but while I was working on it, my backyard seemed to have its own bird puzzle."As our communities become more urbanized, the natural features around us tend to get pushed into the background and often go unnoticed. In “Ferida’s Backyard,” I look at the details of nature locally, from a neighborhood perspective, frequently from a backyard vantage point. It excites me to share what I see. An awareness of the natural connection can beautifully enhance our lives." more »

Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, Cosmetic safety, supply chain transparency needed for companies to make safe cosmetics; A bill to increase the availability and affordability of menstrual products for individuals with limited access; A bill to expand the authority to provide a wig and treat traction alopecia under the TRICARE program; a hearing, “Solving the Child Care Crisis: Meeting the Needs of Working Families and Child Care Workers.” Child Protection - The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to consider several bills, including S. 474, legislation to strengthen reporting to the Cyber Tipline related to online sexual exploitation of children. Bringing women policymakers together across party lines to advance issues of importance to women and their families.  … more »