What You Need to Know: Friday, April 12
Trump makes an announcement on abortion policy, engineers try a novel strategy to mitigate climate change, the EPA wants PFAS out of drinking water, and a new movie inspires conspiracy theorists
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What’s Donald Trump’s position on abortion?
Earlier this week, former Pres. Donald Trump said that decisions about the legality of abortion should be left to states to decide, despite many of his fellow conservatives supporting a national ban. Let’s take a look at Trump’s stance on abortion:
What has Trump said about abortion previously? Over the last 25 years, former Pres. Donald Trump has changed his position on abortion 13 times, as reported by CNN. Beginning in 1999, when asked about abortion in an NBC interview, Trump declared himself to be “very pro-choice,” noting that he dislikes abortion but “believes in choice.” In 2011, he stated his beliefs “evolved” on the issue and called himself “pro-life.” In 2016, when running for president, anti-abortion advocates lobbied for “Supreme Court justices who would overturn Roe v. Wade (..) [and] that he defund Planned Parenthood,” two requests that Trump eventually obliged.
How did abortion rights change under his administration? In 2017, 2018, and 2020, Trump nominated Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, respectively. These three justices joined Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito in overturning Roe v. Wade in June of 2022, a decision Trump remarked “God made” in a Fox News interview. In 2019, the Trump administration also issued a ruling revamping Title X, significantly impeding abortion access, although the Biden administration has rolled back several of the restrictions. In 2023, following Republican losses in the midterm elections, Trump declared, “It wasn’t my fault that the Republicans didn’t live up to expectations in the MidTerms,” claiming “It was the ‘abortion issue,’ poorly handled by many Republicans.”
What are his current views on abortion? Beginning in January 2024, Trump has made several statements both in favor of states’ right to determine abortion policies and a nationwide 15- or 16-week ban. In a video posted to Truth Social on Monday, Trump declared, “Now that we have abortion where everybody wanted it from a legal standpoint, the states will determine by vote or legislation, or perhaps both, and whatever they decide must be the law of the land.” However, he did not address whether he would support federal abortion restriction at 15 weeks or federal policy to protect IVF.
Can we geoengineer a solution for climate change?
What happened? On April 2, Matthew Gallelli, an engineer at Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), a nonprofit research institute, conducted the first outdoor test aimed at brightening clouds. This is a type of solar radiation modification — or the process of returning solar energy into space. Gallelli’s device shot saline aerosol particles into the air, hopefully brightening clouds and bouncing the sun’s rays back into the atmosphere, cooling the planet. Engineering the particles was no small feat, as too large particles would make the clouds less reflective, and too small particles would be ineffective. If successful, the next step would be aiming the aerosol particles into the atmosphere.
Is solar radiation modification controversial? Some researchers oppose solar radiation modification, arguing that the impact on climate patterns, rainfall, and ocean circulation patterns is unknown. Researchers such as Karen Orenstein, the Climate and Energy Justice Program director at Friends of the Earth U.S., claimed solar radiation modification was too dangerous. Instead, she asserts “the best way to address climate change would be to quickly pivot away from burning fossil fuels.” Despite the controversy, as efforts to mitigate emissions haven't kept pace with the rapid temperature increase, there has been an increase in funding and interest in solar radiation modification and other projects to cool the earth.
Tune into this episode of the New York Times The Daily, to learn more about PARC’s solar radiation modification project
What are “forever chemicals”?
What are forever chemicals, and are they dangerous? PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are man-made, toxic chemicals found in drinking water and everyday items, ranging from nonstick pans to firefighting foam to waterproof clothing. PFAS enter drinking water when they leach from landfills, treatment discharges, or when industrial processes release them into the air, water, or soil. They are called “forever chemicals,” as they have powerful molecular bonds that accumulate in the body without breaking down. Exposure to these chemicals can have detrimental impacts on human health, including an increased likelihood of cancer, liver damage, and high cholesterol, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA also notes that “PFAS exposure has been linked to immune and developmental damage to infants and children.” According to a U.S. Geological Survey estimate, “Nearly every American has measurable amounts of PFAS in their blood, and close to half of the nation’s tap water has one or more types of PFAS.”
Are there steps being taken to protect consumers? On April 10, the EPA passed the first ever country-wide regulation on PFAS, requiring “water utilities to test for and reduce levels of some of the most concerning forms of PFAS — which are called PFOA and PFOS — to 4 parts per trillion or less.” This ruling impacts 66,000 public water systems and is estimated to cost $1.5 billion annually. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed a $9 billion PFAS funding removal deal to offset some of the costs utilities face. States have three years to report initial PFAS levels and must comply with the ruling by 2029.
“Civil War” movie release
What is the movie about? On April 12, Alex Garland, an English screenwriter known for his apocalyptic-style films, is set to debut his latest film, “Civil War,” a dystopian vision of America’s future. Garland wrote the film during the pandemic, when “societies around the world were unraveling over COVID-19, and the prospect of societal breakdown was on everyone’s minds.” In the film, a group of journalists navigates warring states to make it to Washington, D.C., before the fall of the Capitol. Although there is little direct reference to the current state of American politics, Garland asserts that “Western democracies…can lean too much on their sense of exceptionalism.”
Has this film gotten much attention online? Some conspiracy theory communities online assert that “Civil War” is an example of predictive programming, forecasting the breakdown of the United States following the 2024 elections. Supporters claim that the Biden administration will declare martial law before the election, preventing the 2024 election from taking place and inspiring a civil war. Others assert that unprecedented levels of immigration from the southern border will inspire chaos across the U.S., leading to the war-like conditions shown in the movie. Conspiracy theories surrounding art and film have flourished over the last few years, with individuals claiming that popular movies like The Hunger Games, The Dark Knight Rises, and even the Simpsons predict the future of government and society.