Cornell Expert Quotes
Cornellians weigh in on current events in the news
"As Trump showed, even negative buzz is good, especially for front runners, because it can suck attention away from challengers (remember during GOP debate when he talked about his ‘hands’)."
Drew Margolin
Assistant Professor
To find an expert, please contact the Media Relations Office.
| Topic | Name | Date |
|---|---|---|
|
|
||
“The federal decision to exercise eminent domain for floodplain buyouts is a bold move, but also completely uncoordinated with other federal and state policies."
Media:
Jeff Tyson
jeff.tyson@cornell.edu
(607) 793-5769
Related Tip Sheet:
Trump floodplain buyout plan bold, but ‘uncoordinated’ (03/12/20)
|
||
|
|
||
“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposal, however it resolves, sets a precedent for how the country responds to long-term sea level rise and storm surge."
Media:
Jeff Tyson
jeff.tyson@cornell.edu
(607) 793-5769
|
||
|
|
||
“New York’s plastic bag ban borrows from best practices in that it's a hybrid system that involves both a ban and a fee on alternatives. Where the law could be improved is in allowing counties to impose a higher fee – closer to the actual costs of plastic bag clean up. New York has set its optional county fee too low at five cents, with only two cents of that amount going to the county. Had New York state increased that fee, it could have left more of those funds in the hands of counties, which bear the costs of waste management and recycling.”
Media:
Lindsey Hadlock
lmh267@cornell.edu
607-269-6911
Related Tip Sheet:
NYS plastic bag ban key but fees, loopholes are cause for concern (02/19/20)
|
||
|
|
||
"The urban transportation sector contributes to various negative health outcomes including cancers, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and premature mortality. The sector is also the main greenhouse gas emissions sources – 29% in the U.S. – causing climate change."
Media:
Jeff Tyson
jeff.tyson@cornell.edu
(607) 793-5769
|
||
|
|
||
“The single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions from the State of New York is from heating of residential and commercial buildings. Natural gas is used for much of this heating. In order to meet the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act that became law on Jan. 1, the state will need to rapidly move away from using natural gas for heating and instead rely on modern high-efficiency heat pumps. Given this context, it makes no sense to approve this new pipeline.”
Media:
Lindsey Hadlock
lmh267@cornell.edu
607-269-6911
Related Tip Sheet:
Proposed NY pipeline undermines green energy goals (02/04/20)
|
||
|
|
||
“Under the new rule, over half of wetlands and almost one-fifth of streams nationwide – including almost 40% of streams in the Arid West – will no longer be protected under the Clean Water Act. The rule is not consistent with the science and it contradicts previous interpretations of the CWA that have received bipartisan support since the act was first signed into law by President Nixon."
Media:
Jeff Tyson
jeff.tyson@cornell.edu
(607) 793-5769
|
||
|
|
||
“The goal of the Trump Administration rollback is to reduce the obligations of farmers, ranchers, and other landowners in their requirements to protect water quality in the U.S. This will lower regulatory costs to that group of Americans. But there are costs to the environment that will be borne by other Americans.”
Media:
Jeff Tyson
jeff.tyson@cornell.edu
(607) 793-5769
|
||
|
|
||
"Explosive volcanic eruptions are devastating for human life, damaging air quality, covering entire regions with ash that destroys crops, livestock, and cause significant disruptions in global air traffic."
Media:
Jeff Tyson
jeff.tyson@cornell.edu
(607) 793-5769
Related Tip Sheet:
Taal volcano threatens life, climate, agriculture (01/22/20)
|
||
|
|
||
"Greenhouse gas emissions, including methane as well as carbon dioxide, need to be cut in half globally within the next 15 years, and should be largely eliminated by 2050. It makes no sense to build new gas pipelines and infrastructure, given this context.”
Media:
Jeff Tyson
jeff.tyson@cornell.edu
(607) 793-5769
|
||
|
|
||
“Current and potential future dams in the Mekong pose fundamental changes to the functioning of the river system’s natural processes and its long-term ability to sustain critical fisheries."
Media:
Jeff Tyson
jeff.tyson@cornell.edu
(607) 793-5769
Related Tip Sheet:
Mekong river faces ‘irreversible risks’ due to dam projects (12/05/19)
|
||
