Erin Sikorsky
@erinsikorsky.bsky.social
Director, Center for Climate and Security, DC
Former US Nat'l Intelligence Council
Wisconsinite at heart
Posts my own
Former US Nat'l Intelligence Council
Wisconsinite at heart
Posts my own
Pinned
Erin Sikorsky
@erinsikorsky.bsky.social
· Jul 16
Part 1: Next week my first book makes its debut -- Climate Change on the Battlefield. It's looks at how militaries around the world are adapting (or not) to climate change. Available for pre-order here: www.bloomsbury.com/us/climate-c... (1/2)
Reposted by Erin Sikorsky
It is estimated that wildfires have ravaged more than 46,000 hectares this year in the UK, the largest area since monitoring began.
➡️ https://l.euronews.com/QOyh
➡️ https://l.euronews.com/QOyh
November 26, 2025 at 2:12 AM
It is estimated that wildfires have ravaged more than 46,000 hectares this year in the UK, the largest area since monitoring began.
➡️ https://l.euronews.com/QOyh
➡️ https://l.euronews.com/QOyh
"Online and in private, however, some Vietnamese have begun to criticize the government’s lack of preparedness and slow response...Why, many ask, aren’t alarm and evacuation systems providing more help to residents as rivers rise?"
Vietnam’s Year of Floods, Mud and Death
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:08 AM
"Online and in private, however, some Vietnamese have begun to criticize the government’s lack of preparedness and slow response...Why, many ask, aren’t alarm and evacuation systems providing more help to residents as rivers rise?"
Reposted by Erin Sikorsky
Today on Volts: the subset of cleantech known as "electrotech" -- solar, batteries, heat pumps, etc. -- is marching toward inevitable victory, not because it's low-emissions (though it is), but because it's more efficient & cheaper. I discuss the good news with @kingsmillbond.bsky.social.
Clean electrification is inevitable
Kingsmill Bond explains why the global march of "electrotech" has moved beyond the reach of US political interference.
www.volts.wtf
November 21, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Today on Volts: the subset of cleantech known as "electrotech" -- solar, batteries, heat pumps, etc. -- is marching toward inevitable victory, not because it's low-emissions (though it is), but because it's more efficient & cheaper. I discuss the good news with @kingsmillbond.bsky.social.
Helpful.
COP30 TEXT ANALYSIS: One way to read dense COP text is to focus on the verbs. These are helpfully italicised – and for good reason.
MOSTLY INACTIVE: Carbon Brief analysis of the “global mutirão” text finds 69 inactive verbs, requiring no action, against 32 active verbs.
1/4
MOSTLY INACTIVE: Carbon Brief analysis of the “global mutirão” text finds 69 inactive verbs, requiring no action, against 32 active verbs.
1/4
November 22, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Helpful.
Reposted by Erin Sikorsky
Planning to read quietly at the front desk this morning so if you decide to disturb me with a purchase make it a good one. Attempts to saunter up w a Gladwell and a smile will be met with bemusement.
November 22, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Planning to read quietly at the front desk this morning so if you decide to disturb me with a purchase make it a good one. Attempts to saunter up w a Gladwell and a smile will be met with bemusement.
We love to see it. Great initiative by Canadian defense for civil disaster response force.
www.ctvnews.ca/canada/artic...
www.ctvnews.ca/canada/artic...
The military plans for a volunteer force to defend Canada
Faced with rising threats from competing states and climate change, the top military minds in the Canadian Armed Forces are drafting a plan to bolster the nation’s defences by creating a civil force m...
www.ctvnews.ca
November 21, 2025 at 12:40 PM
We love to see it. Great initiative by Canadian defense for civil disaster response force.
www.ctvnews.ca/canada/artic...
www.ctvnews.ca/canada/artic...
Reposted by Erin Sikorsky
Forecasters warn more flooding, landslides expected as tens of thousands of people are evacuated from their homes.
At least 41 dead as heavy rain, flooding and landslides hit central Vietnam
Forecasters warn more flooding, landslides expected as tens of thousands of people are evacuated from their homes.
bit.ly
November 20, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Forecasters warn more flooding, landslides expected as tens of thousands of people are evacuated from their homes.
“Experts have attributed the rise in attacks partly to climate change, with storms wreaking havoc on vegetation like beech trees, which produce the nuts that bears depend on.”
The Hunt Is On for Bears in Japan After Deadly Attacks
www.nytimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:48 PM
“Experts have attributed the rise in attacks partly to climate change, with storms wreaking havoc on vegetation like beech trees, which produce the nuts that bears depend on.”
The coolest views arriving in Singapore.
November 19, 2025 at 12:00 AM
The coolest views arriving in Singapore.
Reposted by Erin Sikorsky
Industrialized economies are increasingly turning their backs on aid and diplomacy to build up their armies.
But analysts fear that hostile and unreliable states like Russia, China and Turkey will step in to fill the gap.
🔗 politi.co/4i4fUWR
But analysts fear that hostile and unreliable states like Russia, China and Turkey will step in to fill the gap.
🔗 politi.co/4i4fUWR
November 17, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Industrialized economies are increasingly turning their backs on aid and diplomacy to build up their armies.
But analysts fear that hostile and unreliable states like Russia, China and Turkey will step in to fill the gap.
🔗 politi.co/4i4fUWR
But analysts fear that hostile and unreliable states like Russia, China and Turkey will step in to fill the gap.
🔗 politi.co/4i4fUWR
Reposted by Erin Sikorsky
As dozens of frog species have declined across Central America, scientists have witnessed a remarkable chain of events: With fewer tadpoles to eat mosquito larvae, rates of mosquito-borne malaria in the region have climbed, resulting in a fivefold increase in cases. https://wapo.st/4paBuuT
November 16, 2025 at 11:00 PM
As dozens of frog species have declined across Central America, scientists have witnessed a remarkable chain of events: With fewer tadpoles to eat mosquito larvae, rates of mosquito-borne malaria in the region have climbed, resulting in a fivefold increase in cases. https://wapo.st/4paBuuT
Reposted by Erin Sikorsky
Iceland has designated the potential collapse of a major Atlantic Ocean current system a national security concern and an existential threat, enabling its government to strategize for worst-case scenarios, the country’s climate minister told Reuters.
Iceland sees security risk, existential threat in Atlantic Ocean current's possible collapse - ArcticToday
Iceland has designated the potential collapse of a major Atlantic Ocean current system a national security concern and an existential threat, enabling its government to strategize for worst-case scena...
www.arctictoday.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Iceland has designated the potential collapse of a major Atlantic Ocean current system a national security concern and an existential threat, enabling its government to strategize for worst-case scenarios, the country’s climate minister told Reuters.
Reposted by Erin Sikorsky
Anyone who’s ever used emergency contraception or gains peace of mind by even having it on hand owes Dr Camp a debt of gratitude. What a force.
(Also, I just learned one reason the FDA rejected it at first was that they said the name Plan B was too glib!)
Great obit—no paywall.
(Also, I just learned one reason the FDA rejected it at first was that they said the name Plan B was too glib!)
Great obit—no paywall.
Sharon Camp, Mother of the ‘Plan B’ Contraceptive Pill, Dies at 81
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Anyone who’s ever used emergency contraception or gains peace of mind by even having it on hand owes Dr Camp a debt of gratitude. What a force.
(Also, I just learned one reason the FDA rejected it at first was that they said the name Plan B was too glib!)
Great obit—no paywall.
(Also, I just learned one reason the FDA rejected it at first was that they said the name Plan B was too glib!)
Great obit—no paywall.
Reposted by Erin Sikorsky
I wrote on the UK's reported suspension of some intel sharing with the US on legal grounds. I spoke to several former intel officials & all agreed that they could not think of a comparable case over decades. Some expressed serious concern over retaliation www.economist.com/britain/2025...
November 12, 2025 at 7:50 PM
I wrote on the UK's reported suspension of some intel sharing with the US on legal grounds. I spoke to several former intel officials & all agreed that they could not think of a comparable case over decades. Some expressed serious concern over retaliation www.economist.com/britain/2025...
Reposted by Erin Sikorsky
This is a very mature and sensible conversation on a difficult topic that more people should know about 👇
In this episode, Nate interviews Professor Ted Parson about solar geoengineering (specifically stratospheric aerosol injection) as a potential response to severe climate risks.
www.thegreatsimplification.com/episode/200-...
www.thegreatsimplification.com/episode/200-...
November 12, 2025 at 4:24 PM
This is a very mature and sensible conversation on a difficult topic that more people should know about 👇
Reposted by Erin Sikorsky
Europe urgently needs to shape a credible, politically viable response on adaptation finance at COP30, where climate finance-particularly for adaptation-poses a major risk to global cooperation.
This is what a credible response looks like.
This is what a credible response looks like.
Shaping Europe's response on adaptation finance at COP30
Europe urgently needs to shape a credible, politically viable response on adaptation finance at COP30, where climate finance – particularly for adaptation – poses a major risk to global cooperation.
www.e3g.org
November 11, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Europe urgently needs to shape a credible, politically viable response on adaptation finance at COP30, where climate finance-particularly for adaptation-poses a major risk to global cooperation.
This is what a credible response looks like.
This is what a credible response looks like.
Reposted by Erin Sikorsky
You love to see a classic playthrough:
Winter: undefeated
Feds, Napoleon, Hitler, et all: 0
Winter: undefeated
Feds, Napoleon, Hitler, et all: 0
News: Feds are said to be on their way out of Chicago in the near future. Via @jmetr22b.bsky.social and me www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/10/f...
Federal Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino and agents said to be leaving Chicago, sources say
Cmdr. Gregory Bovino was expected to depart Chicago within days, while most Border Patrol agents under this command would soon be redeployed elsewhere, three sources told the Tribune Monday.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:33 PM
You love to see a classic playthrough:
Winter: undefeated
Feds, Napoleon, Hitler, et all: 0
Winter: undefeated
Feds, Napoleon, Hitler, et all: 0
More of this please! Great example of how an emissions mitigation investment can also help with adaptation and resilience.
After Jamaica’s Disastrous Storm, Solar Power Is a Bright Spot
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:42 AM
More of this please! Great example of how an emissions mitigation investment can also help with adaptation and resilience.
Reposted by Erin Sikorsky
kid: *points at Neighborhood Watch sign* Dad, what’s that?
me: It’s this silly thing telling people to watch out for bad guys, but there aren’t really any bad guys here.
kid: yes there are. ICE.
me: It’s this silly thing telling people to watch out for bad guys, but there aren’t really any bad guys here.
kid: yes there are. ICE.
November 9, 2025 at 9:09 PM
kid: *points at Neighborhood Watch sign* Dad, what’s that?
me: It’s this silly thing telling people to watch out for bad guys, but there aren’t really any bad guys here.
kid: yes there are. ICE.
me: It’s this silly thing telling people to watch out for bad guys, but there aren’t really any bad guys here.
kid: yes there are. ICE.
Reposted by Erin Sikorsky
“How the loss of USAID funding affects Indonesia’s ability to fight climate change” www.pbs.org/newshour/sho... - @pbsnews.org
#ClimateChange #DisasterRelief #Indonesia #USAID
#ClimateChange #DisasterRelief #Indonesia #USAID
How the loss of USAID funding affects Indonesia’s ability to fight climate change
The ripple effects of the Trump administration’s elimination of USAID are being felt in dozens of countries where the agency supported initiatives ranging from public health programs to infrastructure...
www.pbs.org
November 9, 2025 at 11:57 PM
“How the loss of USAID funding affects Indonesia’s ability to fight climate change” www.pbs.org/newshour/sho... - @pbsnews.org
#ClimateChange #DisasterRelief #Indonesia #USAID
#ClimateChange #DisasterRelief #Indonesia #USAID
Reposted by Erin Sikorsky
In Alaska, public schools are the “last place of refuge,” the state’s emergency management director said. They’re often the only structures tall enough to avoid flooding and large enough to house hundreds of people.
But they’re also falling apart.
By @emilyschwing.bsky.social
But they’re also falling apart.
By @emilyschwing.bsky.social
Alaska’s Public Schools Serve as Emergency Shelters. Those Buildings Are Also in Crisis.
Across hundreds of Alaskan communities, public schools are often the safest buildings where people can take shelter during disasters. After decades of state neglect, however, some have become emergenc...
www.propublica.org
November 10, 2025 at 12:00 AM
In Alaska, public schools are the “last place of refuge,” the state’s emergency management director said. They’re often the only structures tall enough to avoid flooding and large enough to house hundreds of people.
But they’re also falling apart.
By @emilyschwing.bsky.social
But they’re also falling apart.
By @emilyschwing.bsky.social
Reposted by Erin Sikorsky
The world has seen faster climate change than expected since the Paris Agreement a decade ago.
Landmark Paris Agreement set a path to slow warming. The world hasn't stayed on it
The world has seen faster climate change than expected since the Paris Agreement a decade ago. Scientists say Earth's warming has outpaced efforts to reduce fossil fuel pollution that came out of the 2015 accord.
bit.ly
November 9, 2025 at 9:00 PM
The world has seen faster climate change than expected since the Paris Agreement a decade ago.
Reposted by Erin Sikorsky
Ethiopia is emerging as an EV hub. Roughly 8% of cars in the nation are EVs, compared to about 2% in the US. In '24, it became the 1st nation to ban imports of most gas-powered cars, catapulting EV adoption. It derives about 97% of its electricity from hydropower.
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Powering up: how Ethiopia is becoming an unlikely leader in the electric vehicle revolution
A country plagued by power cuts has become the first to ban imports of petrol and diesel cars, as a new dam brings hopes of cheap green energy
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Ethiopia is emerging as an EV hub. Roughly 8% of cars in the nation are EVs, compared to about 2% in the US. In '24, it became the 1st nation to ban imports of most gas-powered cars, catapulting EV adoption. It derives about 97% of its electricity from hydropower.
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Judging a middle/high school debate tourney today and one team just argued that requiring tech companies to give govt access to encrypted comms could lead to nuclear war.
a man with a beard is smiling and the word ok is on his face
ALT: a man with a beard is smiling and the word ok is on his face
media.tenor.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Judging a middle/high school debate tourney today and one team just argued that requiring tech companies to give govt access to encrypted comms could lead to nuclear war.
Reposted by Erin Sikorsky
"You’ve been given an app for reluctantly volunteering to run the book fair, an app for viewing your kid’s hastily prepared report cards, and an app for lodging complaints about our apps. Now, we’ll also be tracking your child’s whereabouts on three additional apps."
Our School District Can Now Keep Track of Your Child with Just Three Terrible Apps
Other than lawsuits, losing track of a child is every school district’s worst nightmare. We haven’t lost anyone yet, but an EdTech company has pain...
buff.ly
November 7, 2025 at 7:29 PM
"You’ve been given an app for reluctantly volunteering to run the book fair, an app for viewing your kid’s hastily prepared report cards, and an app for lodging complaints about our apps. Now, we’ll also be tracking your child’s whereabouts on three additional apps."