“It’s not the natural state of America that we are polarized about climate change. It’s artificial, created by the billions in spending by the fossil fuel industry “ defending its $700 billion in subsidies. “An industry will undertake all kinds of wickedness to defend a $700 billion subsidy”.

Politicians in Australia keep saying that the net zero target will cost too much, but multiple analyses, including from Treasury, show that it is actually *much cheaper* for the economy than not doing more www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...

The problem with the climate regime in one article: With fewer people attending COP30 "one in every 25 participants at this year’s UN climate summit is a fossil fuel lobbyist." It is "the largest concentration of fossil fuel lobbyists at COP" and up 12% from COP29 www.theguardian.com/environment/...

I mean, a lot of those what-about-China? arguments were disingenuous and self-serving. Still, there does feel like a bit of a sea change in climate hawk and energy wonk circles regarding the level of awareness that China is now fully in charge of the global energy transition

Chancellor: "everybody within it (the university) runs it" Retired faculty member: "How can you make that statement when everything is being done to end shared governance?"

It will not surprise you to learn that many of these same countries are the ones moving to block the just transition mechanism--the thing that would actually help the world move away from fossil fuels--at #COP30

Remnants of Sunday-into-Monday's lake effect snow event are still visible on satellite. Don't miss the little swath near the Illinois/Wisconsin border! #ILwx

Harvard grads can call the Harvard Alumni Association and politely let them know they won't donate to the school as long as Summers is working there. Their number is 617-496-0559.

Interesting way to think about how climate variability influences vegetation growth and the carbon cycle

In my long-term quest to recycle most of the paper in my office, I came across this. Long ago, in one of my classes, I would have students create a course summary document in lieu of a final exam. Check out this excellent one’s TOC. If you’re out there, Hannah, I still have it but not for long!

I wish it were better understood that this is an act of mass murder akin to firing into a large crowd. Impossible to say specifically who will die as a result of this action, but certainty that it will be many.

One of my earliest moments of radicalization was in 2005 when Larry Summers said that women biologically have less aptitude for science than men. Following that, scores of equally unimpressive people wrote pieces trying to explain or justify his remarks, when they should have called for his removal.

There's a lot going on in the world. But a positive thing is that when our local fusion reactor shoots something that could fry our electronics: 1) Earth still manages to shield us 2) We go outside, take pictures of the pretty lights, and show them to our friends.

The Thrifty Food Plan, which is what SNAP benefits are based on, emphasizes the "thrifty" part. As a result, Mediterranean or DASH eating patterns are unaffordable.

In a lot of ways the elites and land grants are experiencing what many regional privates have for decades now that they’re losing their grant funds and realizing how thin the margins are to run a school

In the century leading up to 1975, nearly 6000 freighters went down in the Great Lakes. The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last. The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes. Why? It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.

Vancouver had 117 people die during the 2021 heat dome climate disaster.

Found this on a late afternoon walk today. Is it a tree or shrub? Doesn’t matter, either way Eastern Wahoo (Euonymus atropurpureus) is spectacular. 🌱

My undergrad alma mater, Indiana University, has gone full Project 2025 - from eliminating liberal arts majors, to suppressing campus protest to shuttering the student paper. A group of alums are organizing thanks to @juliedicaro.bsky.social. Join us by filling the form. forms.gle/vbsHAGUH6JHa...

The hardening Beltway conventional wisdom about the tolerability of 3°C of warming (leaving aside the possibility of carbon cycle feedbacks kicking that up to around 4°C) is crazy. thebulletin.org/2022/07/extr...

Fall color and a dusting of snow (from my north-facing office window on the IU Bloomington campus)

Did u know?This might look mundane, but leaving areas of grass to grow long & stay long is one of the best things you can do to help small souls in the chilly months.For e.g, many b'fly caterpillars feed on grass throughout the winter - Small Heaths,Meadow Browns & Ringlets,so leave it long. 🌿🌱🇬🇧🌱🌍🪲🐛

Strong northerly winds along the main axis of Lake Michigan, along with water temperatures still in the low 50s, is leading to a lake-effect snow event in northwest Indiana today. Possibly a foot or more in some spots. #INwx

And techniques like artificial neural networks have been used in disciplines like climatology and geography for decades. A few examples from 25 to 30 years ago: rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1...

The carnage caused by FAA cutbacks cast a spotlight on the massive public subsidies required to have air travel function in the US. People think spending money on bike lanes and rail is socialism while TRILLIONS have been spent to prop up the airline industry and to build and maintain roadways.

Don’t doubt me humans. I have skills 🌊🌊

IU lecturer removed after *one* student complaint and no due process

Brilliant new ad campaign I just spotted at the Southwark tube station in London.

Quite a headline.

The US is the world's largest oil and gas producer. Yet, "China is now making more money from exporting green technology than America makes from exporting fossil fuels."

Chris Rufo/Ron DeSantis overhauled New College and made it "the most financially inefficient school in the university system" Degree yield is 19%, 2nd-worst in Fla. Operating funds per student at New College: $83,207 Same category at Univ of Florida: $45,765 www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/e...

Get ahead of university administrators who might be tempted to make bad decisions. This is the way. @iubaaup.bsky.social

“I feel very strongly that we need to do all we can to stand against the notion that there is anything good about making compromises of the sort the Trump administration is asking universities to do." — Maria Bucur, AAUP Indiana University Bloomington

Owl pellet 🪶

Should we start historical climate simulations in 1750 (or 1800) rather than 1850? Importance of beginning industrial-era climate simulations in the eighteenth century Ballinger, Schurer et al.: iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...

If you are an academic—instructor or grad student—please sign this letter of solidarity for Professor Farhana Sultana who has been vilified by the right for calling CK what he was. They are trying to come for her job. This is the time for solidarity. forms.gle/8MayBcCmtYg1...

I will translate from NPRese Scientists are alarmed because the Trump admin has gutted the CDC and USDA at a time when this virus could jump to a threat to humans anyday now. 🩺🧪

This is what a New Era looks like.

This program now accounts for 5% of the faculty hired in the system, and those hired after completing these postdocs have a 97% tenure rate - obviously exceeding baseline tenure statistics.

As I read this post, it dawned on me how it feels like so many candidates appear to hold most of their potential constituents in profound contempt, to the point where someone meeting what should be a bare-minimum requirement feels like a glorious exception, a reprieve even

The blueprint for winning big on climate also came out last night. No more technocratic, policy wonk approaches. People showed they care about utility bills, free buses, affordable housing, etc. These are all climate issues. Talk about climate in terms people understand and experience.

BREAKING: Colorado voters approved a ballot measure that would raise state income taxes on higher-earning households to fund free meals for all public school students. Follow AP for live updates.

It's live on the website now. coveringclimatenow.org/event/the-bi...

Bloomington people: Made by an award-winning filmmaker and a distinguished IU professor emeritus, this film documents the failings of the IU administration -- from Dunn Meadow to the shutdown of the IDS print edition. Free admission at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, Saturday, Nov. 15 at 2:00 pm.

Fascinating new research: 2+ decades later, bird communities in northern New Mexico are more biodiverse in patches that experienced low-severity fire when compared to nearby high-severity patches

Fall garden tour

Are you an early career plant scientist with 3-5 years' post-PhD experience? Tell the world about your research with the New Phytologist #TansleyMedal! Time is running out - apply for the 2026 competition by 1 November 2025. Find out more: www.newphytologist.org/grants-award... #PlantScience

My department has a mutual aid table in a public area outside the main office. In addition to providing ready to eat snacks, some bring other food (and produce from our gardens) to share with whoever needs it. Nothing is there for long, so that existing need has gotten bigger.

The welfare state is about dignity, equality, and making people not poor, but as @itsafronomics.bsky.social says/cites here, it’s often also an investment that more than pays for itself

My lukewarm take on this is I question why we continue to platform (mostly? Exclusively?) men who made a lot of money in one area for their views/advice in other totally unrelated areas.