James P. Collins
LightNews LightNews
banner
jpcollins.me
James P. Collins
@jpcollins.me
1.4K followers 890 following 110 posts

UNC Planning PhD candidate studying geographies of climate risk and (im)mobility — jpcollins.me

Videos
Environmental science 43%
Biology 17%
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
jpcollins.me
James P. Collins @jpcollins.me · Nov 16
hi new folks!

I’m a PhD student at UNC Chapel Hill planning studying climate adaptation, (non)migration, and well-being. ⚠️🧪🏡

My current project describes built and behavioral adaptations in rural communities facing chronic coastal flooding. sunny-day-flooding-project.github.io/carteret-flo...
Chronic coastal flooding tolerance in rural North Carolina
We asked rural communities how they are dealing with chronic flooding from changes in tides, wind, and rainfall.
sunny-day-flooding-project.github.io

Reposted by Stefan Rahmstorf, Timon McPhearson, James P. Collins , and 8 more

katharinehayhoe.com
Katharine Hayhoe @katharinehayhoe.com · 2d
After the US admin cancelled the $B Climate + Weather Disaster dataset, @climatecentral.org hired the scientists who ran it and set it back up.

Now the 2025 numbers are in: it's 3rd highest year on record and highest year w/o land-falling hurricanes.

More: www.climatecentral.org/climate-serv...
A map of the US with each 2025 billion-plus dollar weather and climate disaster geo-located on it. Source: Climate Central

Reposted by James P. Collins

npr.org
NPR @npr.org · 4d
County officials told KQED on Monday the exact damage estimates aren’t yet known, but that hundreds of structures were impacted by the flooding brought on by stronger-than-expected rainfall and king tides, the highest tides of the year. (via @kqednews.kqed.org)
Marin County Looked Like ‘a Lagoon’ After King Tides, Heavy Rain | KQED
Flooding in Marin County this weekend foreshadows a far wetter future due to human-caused climate change.
n.pr

Reposted by Clark Gray

jpcollins.me
James P. Collins @jpcollins.me · 6d
"Nutrition is a central determinant of human health, yet the direct impacts of climate on dietary intake remain poorly understood ... [we] show that both extreme heat and cold trigger a shift toward energy-dense diets, adding a previously overlooked behavioral channel to the climate–health nexus."
Extreme Temperatures Promote High-Fat Diets
Founded in 1920, the NBER is a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to conducting economic research and to disseminating research findings among academics, public policy makers, an...
www.nber.org

Reposted by Reece Jones, Elizabeth Saunders, James P. Collins , and 19 more

unlawfulentries.bsky.social
Anna O. Law @unlawfulentries.bsky.social · 9d
Cover reveal. It's about how & why colonies/states controlled international & domestic migration until 1888, why in the late 19th c the feds took over, & what it was like for politically disfavored groups to live under that arrangement of power. You can't understand voluntary migration history 1/
Cream colored book cover of Anna O. Law's Migration and the Origins of American Citizenship--African Americans, Native Americans, and Immigrants with a human figure behind an American flag

Reposted by James P. Collins, Sebastián Roché, Jens Rydgren

johnholbein1.bsky.social
John Holbein @johnholbein1.bsky.social · 16d
Researchers recently asked Americans what income level other people need in order to live a good life.

A whopping 86% of Americans reported income levels well below what others say they themselves need.

Fascinating!

Reposted by James P. Collins, Peter Gratton

johnholbein1.bsky.social
John Holbein @johnholbein1.bsky.social · 20d
What would it cost to end extreme poverty?

"We estimate that reducing the poverty rate to 1% ... would cost $170B nominal per year."

"The results correspond to a cost of (approximately) ending extreme poverty of roughly 0.3% of global GDP."

Reposted by James P. Collins

profjohndrury.bsky.social
John Drury @profjohndrury.bsky.social · 21d
'respondents with multiple flood experience are more likely to perceive social norms supporting individual protective behavior, ascribe more responsibility to public authorities and less to their community'

nhess.copernicus.org/articles/25/...
Polarization in Flood Risk Management? Sensitivity of Norm Perception and Responsibility Attribution to Frequent Flood Experience
Abstract. In this study, we examine the relationship between frequent flood experience (FFE), norm perception, and responsibility attribution. Given that floods are assumed to occur more often in the ...
nhess.copernicus.org

Reposted by James P. Collins

jjrennie.bsky.social
Jared Rennie @jjrennie.bsky.social · 23d
Where rivers have flooded in 2025, using data from USGS and @nws.noaa.gov

#StateOfFlood

Reposted by James P. Collins, Philip N. Cohen, Juan Cole , and 5 more

karenguzzo.bsky.social
Karen Benjamin Guzzo @karenguzzo.bsky.social · 24d
America First, at America’s first public university.
UNC cuts all six area studies research centers, effective 2026
As part of the University's plan to make $70 million in budget cuts across the institution, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations Nate Knuffman projected that cutting 14 centers and institutes in...
www.dailytarheel.com

Reposted by James P. Collins, Diane E. Pataki

carlonimbus.bsky.social
Carlos Martinez, PhD @carlonimbus.bsky.social · 24d
@ucs.org has released a letter you can write to your Congressperson to save @ncar-ucar.bsky.social

Share your voice on the significant value of this bedrock climate and weather insitution. Your story matters!

secure.ucs.org/a/2025-prote...
Protect the National Center for Atmospheric Research
Write today and urge your members of Congress to oppose the Trump administration's plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR.) Your message to Congress will help protect NC...
secure.ucs.org

jpcollins.me
James P. Collins @jpcollins.me · 25d
"under-the-radar trends showcased how countries with aging populations and shrinking birthrates are seeking to fill labor market and skills gaps"
migrationpolicy.bsky.social Migration Policy Institute @migrationpolicy.bsky.social · 25d
The annual list of the Top 10 Migration Issues of the year is out now!

From shrinking aid budgets to AI-driven enforcement, these are the global trends that we think are reshaping movement

https://bit.ly/Top10Migration2025

Reposted by James P. Collins

migrationpolicy.bsky.social
Migration Policy Institute @migrationpolicy.bsky.social · 25d
The annual list of the Top 10 Migration Issues of the year is out now!

From shrinking aid budgets to AI-driven enforcement, these are the global trends that we think are reshaping movement

https://bit.ly/Top10Migration2025

Reposted by James P. Collins

coweatherman.bsky.social
Chris Vagasky @coweatherman.bsky.social · 25d
You know those dropsondes that get dropped into hurricanes and improve the forecasts by up to 20%?

Those are developed by NCAR and manufactured in Colorado by Vaisala.

Without NCAR developing the dropsonde, the algorithms, and software that operate it, hurricane forecasting takes a huge step back.
A brown and white tube connected to a green parachute. This is a dropsonde.

Reposted by James P. Collins, Beth Tellman

bobkopp.net
Bob Kopp @bobkopp.net · 25d
Time to repurpose #AGU25 as a mass mobilization in support of NCAR, NSF, NOAA, NASA, USGS, DOE BER, and the Congressional power of the purse.

Reposted by James P. Collins, Janet Murray, Julia Lynch , and 3 more

sonjadrimmer.bsky.social
Sonja Drimmer @sonjadrimmer.bsky.social · 25d
"We envision a resistance that is...a repudiation of the efficiencies that automated algorithmic education falsely promises: a resistance comprising the collective force of small acts of friction."

"How to Resist AI in Education" by me & @cnygren.bsky.social
www.publicbooks.org/four-frictio...
Four Frictions: or, How to Resist AI in Education - Public Books
We are calling for resistance to the AI industry’s ongoing capture of higher education.
www.publicbooks.org

Reposted by James P. Collins

drjeffmasters.bsky.social
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · 26d
It’s been observed that tropical cyclones have been migrating poleward in recent years, and climate change was suspected as a cause. But this study found SST patterns caused it, “and that future changes may differ markedly from the recent multi-decadal trends.”

www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Poleward migration of tropical cyclones over 1980–2024 is dominated by Pacific variability - Nature Geoscience
A tripolar pattern of Pacific sea surface temperature variability strongly modulates tropical cyclone latitudes and largely determined their poleward migration during the period 1980–2024, according t...
www.nature.com

jpcollins.me
James P. Collins @jpcollins.me · 26d
“...destruction rates were linked to a shift in exposure from interface WUI to low-density wildlands ... Lower-density areas may face greater destruction likelihood as a result of lower suppression efforts, as they may have limited accessibility for firefighters or may be a lower priority...”
sophielgilbert.bsky.social Sophie Gilbert @sophielgilbert.bsky.social · 26d
Wildfires are getting more destructive in the US, especially in conifer forests of the Northwest...10% of exposed buildings were destroyed in 2002–2012, but this percentage more than tripled, to 32% in 2013–2022. Nice work @amandacarlson.bsky.social and co-authors! www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Rising rates of wildfire building destruction in the conterminous United States | PNAS
Many regions of the world have seen an increase in highly destructive wildfires, driven by well-documented increases in burned area and growth of h...
www.pnas.org

Reposted by James P. Collins

sophielgilbert.bsky.social
Sophie Gilbert @sophielgilbert.bsky.social · 26d
Wildfires are getting more destructive in the US, especially in conifer forests of the Northwest...10% of exposed buildings were destroyed in 2002–2012, but this percentage more than tripled, to 32% in 2013–2022. Nice work @amandacarlson.bsky.social and co-authors! www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Rising rates of wildfire building destruction in the conterminous United States | PNAS
Many regions of the world have seen an increase in highly destructive wildfires, driven by well-documented increases in burned area and growth of h...
www.pnas.org

Reposted by James P. Collins

nber.org
NBER @nber.org · 27d
Nursing home effort fluctuates with the inspection cycle, affecting patient survival. Unpredictable inspection schedules may boost effort and save lives, from Ashvin Gandhi, Andrew Olenski, and Maggie Shi www.nber.org/papers/w34491

Reposted by James P. Collins, Dana R. Fisher, Mary Jane Curry

meadekrosby.bsky.social
Meade Krosby @meadekrosby.bsky.social · 28d
Folks on Washington state community Facebook groups are arguing about whether images of local flood damage are real or not. Generative AI is making it so much harder for people to get the reliable information they need to make decisions during disasters.

Reposted by Katharine Hayhoe, James P. Collins, American Library Association

davelevitan.bsky.social
Dave Levitan @davelevitan.bsky.social · 29d
An analysis of 700,000+ climate change papers found that the five most climate-vulnerable countries produced 0.04% of them. US, China, Uk, Germany, Australia, meanwhile, account for 52%.
Bridging the climate research divide: A global imperative for equitable resilience
Nations most vulnerable to climate contribute minimally to climate research, creating stark global disparities. Such imbalances undermine resilience, perpetuate injustice, and threaten effective adapt...
www.science.org

Reposted by Valerie Mueller, Clark Gray

jpcollins.me
James P. Collins @jpcollins.me · Dec 12
Major env demography study finds rainfall caused >8% of deaths in Mumbai 2006-2015. The effect lasted over several weeks and was greater among young children, women, and low-elevation slum residents. Sea-level rise likely exacerbates this threat by overwhelming drainage systems.

Reposted by James P. Collins

ncstate-ncics.bsky.social
North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies @ncstate-ncics.bsky.social · Dec 12
During heatwaves, young people with ADHD made more visits to the emergency room for depression and suicidal thoughts, according to new research led by NCICS's Jennifer Runkle and Charlie Reed. Read more: ncics.org/cics-news/yo...
Youth with ADHD Face Increased Heat Risks :: North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies
By Jennifer D. Runkle and Charlie Reed We are pleased to announced that our new article, “Assessing the impact of heatwaves on emergency visits for major depression and suicidal ideation in youth…
ncics.org

Reposted by James P. Collins

sammyroth.bsky.social
Sammy Roth @sammyroth.bsky.social · Dec 11
Homes that had cleared vegetation within five feet of the walls were less likely to burn in the Eaton and Palisades fire, new investigation funded by the insurance industry finds: www.latimes.com/environment/... via @nohaggerty.bsky.social
Early adopters of 'zone zero' fared better in L.A. County fires, insurance-backed investigation finds
A new study found that in the Eaton and Palisades fires, homes that had already adopted proposed regulations on creating vegetation-free buffers were less likely to burn.
www.latimes.com

jpcollins.me
James P. Collins @jpcollins.me · Dec 10
Really interesting. 311 / nonemergency / local gov service request systems are probably underused infrastructure for mapping floods, especially pluvial and historical extents. What if we gathered presence/absence data for modeling by pushing microsurveys to residents during heavy rains?
drjeffmasters.bsky.social Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · Dec 9
The Miami Herald tracked 16,569 flood complaints from over 12,000 locations in Miami-Dade and Broward over the last 11 years, and found 32% were outside the newly-expanded 500-year flood zones scheduled to go into effect as early as 2026: www.miamiherald.com/news/local/e...

jpcollins.me
James P. Collins @jpcollins.me · Dec 10
“In 2024, hail damage in the US cost more than damage from hurricanes and floods put together … more people are moving to hail-prone areas of the US.”

“there is significant uncertainty as to what climate change means for hail”

Reposted by James P. Collins

wired.com
WIRED @wired.com · Dec 10
The costs of a hail damage have ballooned over the past two decades, prompting researchers to resort to extreme measures to understand how these storms destroy buildings. www.wired.com/story/it-was...
‘It Was Nuts’: The Extreme Tests that Show Why Hail Is a Multibillion-Dollar Problem
The costs of a hail damage have ballooned over the past two decades, prompting researchers to resort to extreme measures to understand how these storms destroy buildings.
www.wired.com

Reposted by James P. Collins

samhampton.bsky.social
Sam Hampton @samhampton.bsky.social · Dec 10
Most businesses want to do something about climate change, but few are doing it fast enough, or in ways that match the scale of the challenge.

At the same time, fear of being accused of greenwashing has led to greenhushing - companies going quiet about their efforts altogether.

Reposted by James P. Collins, Elise Thomas

marisakabas.bsky.social
Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · Dec 9
Phillips has called himself a “vocal opponent of FEMA” and now leads arguably its most important division.

He once wrote on LinkedIn that FEMA has “failed to deliver a comprehensive and detailed plan for working with the faith community,” and touted responders “with a Christ centered approach.”
Conspiracy theorist election denier given FEMA’s second-most important role
Gregg Phillips will lead the Office of Response and Recovery, “the heart of what FEMA does.”
www.thehandbasket.co

Reposted by Mark Lubell, James P. Collins, Beth Tellman

drjeffmasters.bsky.social
Dr. Jeff Masters @drjeffmasters.bsky.social · Dec 9
The Miami Herald tracked 16,569 flood complaints from over 12,000 locations in Miami-Dade and Broward over the last 11 years, and found 32% were outside the newly-expanded 500-year flood zones scheduled to go into effect as early as 2026: www.miamiherald.com/news/local/e...