The newly released Astro2020 decadal survey has ranked the projects the astronomer community wants to prioritize for the next 10 years. The 614-page NASA-sponsored report highlights the search for extraterrestrial life, as well as stressing the need for greater diversity among astronomy’s ranks.

Physical Sciences & Engineering

science

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Thousands of U.S. workers across numerous industries have participated in strikes and other labor actions this fall. The Cornell-ILR Labor Action Tracker provides a comprehensive database of strike and labor protest activity across the U.S. and these Cornell experts are available to speak to the increasing labor protest activity.

Labor Relations & Human Resources

Industrial and Labor Relations

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Eilyan Bitar, a renewable energy integration expert, comments on a new initiative aimed at creating a solar grid across the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Energy, Environment & Sustainability

Engineering

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Workers at Deere & Company have rejected a contract proposal negotiated by their union for the second time, further extending their strike. Professor Harry Katz says workers have more bargaining power now and management at Deere have overestimated their power in the negotiations.

Industrial and Labor Relations

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The yearlong war in Ethiopia appears to be escalating. The government has declared a national state of emergency as rival forces threaten to move on the capital, and tomorrow the findings of a human rights investigation in the blockaded Tigray region will be released.

International

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The Biden administration’s mandate that federal contract workers and workers at private-sector businesses be vaccinated against Covid-19 has stirred protests across the country. Patricia Campos-Medina says while labor unions play a role in negotiating what the consequences are for non-compliance with the mandate, unions members who oppose the mandate for political considerations may have to make the hard choice between their job and personal beliefs.

Industrial and Labor Relations

Health, Nutrition & Medicine

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John Albertson is a professor of civil and environmental engineering, and Robert Howarth, a professor of ecology and environmental biology, comment on new Biden administration regulations on methane emissions.

Energy, Environment & Sustainability

Physical Sciences & Engineering

Engineering

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Enforcement of New York City’s vaccine mandate for uniformed service providers begins today. Lee Adler says the city’s uniformed service providers are potentially risking reputational damage and the high number of unvaccinated firefighters will likely result in service limitations.   

Industrial and Labor Relations

Health, Nutrition & Medicine

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Three in 10 parents say they will “definitely not” get their 5- to 11-year-old vaccinated against COVID-19, according to new data from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Health, Nutrition & Medicine

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Jacob Mays, an assistant professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Cornell University, comments on a global energy crisis making gas prices soar in Europe.

Energy, Environment & Sustainability

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