John Vaillant
@johnvaillant.bsky.social
I write about collisions between human ambition and the natural world: The Golden Spruce, The Tiger, The Jaguar's Children,
FIRE WEATHER: @pulitzerprizes.bsky.social
10 Best Books: @nytimes.com
https://www.lyceumagency.com/speakers/john-vailla
FIRE WEATHER: @pulitzerprizes.bsky.social
10 Best Books: @nytimes.com
https://www.lyceumagency.com/speakers/john-vailla
February 17, 2026 at 5:59 AM
Reposted by John Vaillant
Reposted by John Vaillant
“Flawed economic models mean the accelerating impact of the climate crisis could lead to a global financial crash, experts warn.
Recovery would be far harder than after the 2008 financial crash, they said, as “we can’t bail out the Earth like we did the banks”.
Recovery would be far harder than after the 2008 financial crash, they said, as “we can’t bail out the Earth like we did the banks”.
Flawed economic models mean climate crisis could crash global economy, experts warn
States and financial bodies using modelling that ignores shocks from extreme weather and climate tipping points
www.theguardian.com
February 16, 2026 at 7:48 PM
“Flawed economic models mean the accelerating impact of the climate crisis could lead to a global financial crash, experts warn.
Recovery would be far harder than after the 2008 financial crash, they said, as “we can’t bail out the Earth like we did the banks”.
Recovery would be far harder than after the 2008 financial crash, they said, as “we can’t bail out the Earth like we did the banks”.
Reposted by John Vaillant
A federal election has never been postponed or canceled in the history of the United States. Ever. And Donald Trump's “evidence” of “Democrat cheating" is entirely fake. There is no mass voter fraud. trib.al/Ycr2lh4
Trump’s New Voter I.D. Threat Is His Gravest Attack on Democracy Yet
The president says he’ll do it “whether approved by Congress or not!” He can’t legally do that—but that hasn’t stopped him before.
trib.al
February 17, 2026 at 12:27 AM
A federal election has never been postponed or canceled in the history of the United States. Ever. And Donald Trump's “evidence” of “Democrat cheating" is entirely fake. There is no mass voter fraud. trib.al/Ycr2lh4
Reposted by John Vaillant
New Mexico approves comprehensive probe of Epstein’s Zorro Ranch reut.rs/4bZFN9d
New Mexico approves comprehensive probe of Epstein’s Zorro Ranch
The so-called truth commission seeks to identify ranch guests and state officials who may have known what was going on at the 7,600-acre property or taken part in alleged sexual abuse in its hacienda-style mansion and guest houses.
reut.rs
February 17, 2026 at 12:35 AM
New Mexico approves comprehensive probe of Epstein’s Zorro Ranch reut.rs/4bZFN9d
Reposted by John Vaillant
NEW: Australia's Department of Defence Cyber Warfare division has quietly signed the agency's biggest ever contract with controversial tech company Palantir.
www.crikey.com.au/20...
www.crikey.com.au/20...
February 17, 2026 at 1:01 AM
NEW: Australia's Department of Defence Cyber Warfare division has quietly signed the agency's biggest ever contract with controversial tech company Palantir.
www.crikey.com.au/20...
www.crikey.com.au/20...
Reposted by John Vaillant
Another reason to hate kudzu:
insideclimatenews.org/news/1602202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/1602202...
The Voracious Vine That ‘Ate the South’ Can Also Fuel Wildfires - Inside Climate News
Brought to the United States as an ornamental porch decoration, the kudzu vine has reshaped itself into ladder fuel for wildfires.
insideclimatenews.org
February 17, 2026 at 1:12 AM
Another reason to hate kudzu:
insideclimatenews.org/news/1602202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/1602202...
Reposted by John Vaillant
“Only time will tell when, if and for whom the Albanese Government proposes to use these new powers to effectively exempt offshore gas regulation from our federal nature laws,” writes Kirsty Howey, Executive Director of the Environment Centre NT.
Read more on The Point: https://theaus.in/4kxfoSt
Read more on The Point: https://theaus.in/4kxfoSt
February 12, 2026 at 4:57 AM
“Only time will tell when, if and for whom the Albanese Government proposes to use these new powers to effectively exempt offshore gas regulation from our federal nature laws,” writes Kirsty Howey, Executive Director of the Environment Centre NT.
Read more on The Point: https://theaus.in/4kxfoSt
Read more on The Point: https://theaus.in/4kxfoSt
Reposted by John Vaillant
My god do we need UBI
“Researchers have found that when a new plasma center opens in a neighborhood, foot traffic at local grocery stores increases, interest in payday loans declines and crime goes down, an indication of the way money from plasma props up households’ finances for necessities.“
“Researchers have found that when a new plasma center opens in a neighborhood, foot traffic at local grocery stores increases, interest in payday loans declines and crime goes down, an indication of the way money from plasma props up households’ finances for necessities.“
Middle-class Americans are selling their plasma to make ends meet
Last year, people in the U.S. made an estimated $4.7 billion selling their plasma. Donation centers are popping up in middle-class neighborhoods, including suburban strip malls and college towns.
www.nbcnews.com
February 16, 2026 at 4:16 AM
My god do we need UBI
“Researchers have found that when a new plasma center opens in a neighborhood, foot traffic at local grocery stores increases, interest in payday loans declines and crime goes down, an indication of the way money from plasma props up households’ finances for necessities.“
“Researchers have found that when a new plasma center opens in a neighborhood, foot traffic at local grocery stores increases, interest in payday loans declines and crime goes down, an indication of the way money from plasma props up households’ finances for necessities.“
Reposted by John Vaillant
My recent interview with The Weather Channel "Weekend Recharge" about the Trump administration's repeal of the EPA "Endangerment Finding" and what it means for climate action in the U.S.:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI1O...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI1O...
Michael Mann on the Weather Channel Discussing EPA Endangerment Finding (Feb 15 2026)
YouTube video by Michael Mann
www.youtube.com
February 16, 2026 at 6:07 PM
My recent interview with The Weather Channel "Weekend Recharge" about the Trump administration's repeal of the EPA "Endangerment Finding" and what it means for climate action in the U.S.:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI1O...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI1O...
Reposted by John Vaillant
Will BC Axe FireSmart Funding in Tomorrow's Budget? via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2026/02...
Will BC Axe FireSmart Funding in Tomorrow’s Budget? | The Tyee
The province has suggested fire prevention funding will be centralized. Local officials are concerned.
thetyee.ca
February 16, 2026 at 5:55 PM
Will BC Axe FireSmart Funding in Tomorrow's Budget? via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2026/02...
Hello, Boston/Cambridge! I'll be giving a public lecture at Boston College on March 11 (my old hometown)
events.bc.edu/event/john-v...
@bostoncollege.bsky.social @niemanlab.org
events.bc.edu/event/john-v...
@bostoncollege.bsky.social @niemanlab.org
John Vaillant: Fire Weather
events.bc.edu
February 16, 2026 at 5:51 PM
Hello, Boston/Cambridge! I'll be giving a public lecture at Boston College on March 11 (my old hometown)
events.bc.edu/event/john-v...
@bostoncollege.bsky.social @niemanlab.org
events.bc.edu/event/john-v...
@bostoncollege.bsky.social @niemanlab.org
Reposted by John Vaillant
Terrific piece by @rexhuppke.bsky.social on Elon Musk, White Nationalist
Wow, Elon Musk sure does like White people | Opinion
Elon Musk, the world's richest man and a guy whose social media platform most companies still use, is a BIG fan of White people. Problematically so.
www.usatoday.com
February 16, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Terrific piece by @rexhuppke.bsky.social on Elon Musk, White Nationalist
Reposted by John Vaillant
Hungary holds elections in 2 months. And the US Secretary of State is in Hungary campaigning for Viktor Orban. And as you can see, Russian state media loves it.
February 16, 2026 at 11:25 AM
Hungary holds elections in 2 months. And the US Secretary of State is in Hungary campaigning for Viktor Orban. And as you can see, Russian state media loves it.
Reposted by John Vaillant
Thinking about being a healthcare worker in Canada? We'd love to have you, and you'd love it too: canadahealthwatch.ca/2026/02/15/i...
I traded my U.S. medical career for life in Canada. Here’s how the…
The differences hit me immediately, and are profound.
canadahealthwatch.ca
February 16, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Thinking about being a healthcare worker in Canada? We'd love to have you, and you'd love it too: canadahealthwatch.ca/2026/02/15/i...
Reposted by John Vaillant
🚨BREAKING NEWS!
Medics that broke windows at JP Morgan HQ to expose fossil fuel financing links to climate devastation found NOT GUILTY today by jurors.
The climate crisis is a health crisis and health professionals have a duty to act when lives are at risk.
Read more here:
healthforxr.com
Medics that broke windows at JP Morgan HQ to expose fossil fuel financing links to climate devastation found NOT GUILTY today by jurors.
The climate crisis is a health crisis and health professionals have a duty to act when lives are at risk.
Read more here:
healthforxr.com
February 16, 2026 at 3:18 PM
🚨BREAKING NEWS!
Medics that broke windows at JP Morgan HQ to expose fossil fuel financing links to climate devastation found NOT GUILTY today by jurors.
The climate crisis is a health crisis and health professionals have a duty to act when lives are at risk.
Read more here:
healthforxr.com
Medics that broke windows at JP Morgan HQ to expose fossil fuel financing links to climate devastation found NOT GUILTY today by jurors.
The climate crisis is a health crisis and health professionals have a duty to act when lives are at risk.
Read more here:
healthforxr.com
Reposted by John Vaillant
A very dangerous ruling in New Orleans warns
@davidfrenchjag.bsky.social: "a divided Fifth Circuit panel has taken the minority view. . . If their view is affirmed, then Americans should prepare for the indefinite, mass detention of immigrants on a scale that we can scarcely comprehend."
@davidfrenchjag.bsky.social: "a divided Fifth Circuit panel has taken the minority view. . . If their view is affirmed, then Americans should prepare for the indefinite, mass detention of immigrants on a scale that we can scarcely comprehend."
Mass detention gets a lift from the courts
messaging-custom-newsletters.nytimes.com
February 16, 2026 at 2:24 PM
A very dangerous ruling in New Orleans warns
@davidfrenchjag.bsky.social: "a divided Fifth Circuit panel has taken the minority view. . . If their view is affirmed, then Americans should prepare for the indefinite, mass detention of immigrants on a scale that we can scarcely comprehend."
@davidfrenchjag.bsky.social: "a divided Fifth Circuit panel has taken the minority view. . . If their view is affirmed, then Americans should prepare for the indefinite, mass detention of immigrants on a scale that we can scarcely comprehend."
Reposted by John Vaillant
The soaring number of Ukrainian civilian casualties ties directly to the Trump decision to shut down military aid to Ukraine in the first hours of his administration. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
Ukrainian civilian casualties surged by 26% in 2025, say researchers
Exclusive: Figures said to reflect increased Russian military targeting of cities and infrastructure
www.theguardian.com
February 16, 2026 at 3:58 PM
The soaring number of Ukrainian civilian casualties ties directly to the Trump decision to shut down military aid to Ukraine in the first hours of his administration. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
Reposted by John Vaillant
Trump policies continue to be a massive win-win for China, as US manufacturing collapses. www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Trump donor who criticized offshoring to close Ohio plant and move work to China
Workers decried John Paulson’s plan after billionaire painted himself as advocate for domestic manufacturing
www.theguardian.com
February 16, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Trump policies continue to be a massive win-win for China, as US manufacturing collapses. www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by John Vaillant
Open source research can be intense — and sometimes overwhelming.
Mental hygiene isn’t optional. From setting boundaries to managing stress, this is one of our most shared guides on looking after yourself while doing this work:
www.bellingcat.com/resources/20...
Mental hygiene isn’t optional. From setting boundaries to managing stress, this is one of our most shared guides on looking after yourself while doing this work:
www.bellingcat.com/resources/20...
How to Maintain Mental Hygiene as an Open Source Researcher - bellingcat
Online researchers are often exposed to disturbing content – particularly from warzones like Ukraine. Here are some tips from first hand experience on how to stay safe.
www.bellingcat.com
February 16, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Open source research can be intense — and sometimes overwhelming.
Mental hygiene isn’t optional. From setting boundaries to managing stress, this is one of our most shared guides on looking after yourself while doing this work:
www.bellingcat.com/resources/20...
Mental hygiene isn’t optional. From setting boundaries to managing stress, this is one of our most shared guides on looking after yourself while doing this work:
www.bellingcat.com/resources/20...
Reposted by John Vaillant
For Rubio, Viktor Orbán is the bright shining beacon of modern fascism, so keeping him in power—whatever Hungarian voters think—is essential to the overall game plan. www.ft.com/content/929c...
Marco Rubio says Viktor Orbán’s leadership is ‘essential’ to US interests
US secretary of state hails ‘golden era’ in relations with Hungary and its pro-Russian premier
www.ft.com
February 16, 2026 at 3:42 PM
For Rubio, Viktor Orbán is the bright shining beacon of modern fascism, so keeping him in power—whatever Hungarian voters think—is essential to the overall game plan. www.ft.com/content/929c...
Reposted by John Vaillant
Sometime since Nov, a convoy carrying 1,000 tonnes of uranium rolled out of Niger’s remote northern marches, starting a journey to an ultimate destination that remains dangerously unclear. To the military junta that runs Niger, moving the uranium from the mines of Arlit marked a decisive
The 1,000 tonnes of uranium in the crosshairs of Isis
Niger wants to sell yellowcake stash seized from France but is struggling to find buyers
www.ft.com
February 16, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Sometime since Nov, a convoy carrying 1,000 tonnes of uranium rolled out of Niger’s remote northern marches, starting a journey to an ultimate destination that remains dangerously unclear. To the military junta that runs Niger, moving the uranium from the mines of Arlit marked a decisive
Frontloading this very useful guide for journos everywhere. May is coming . . .
#wildfires #journalism
#wildfires #journalism
Earlier this summer I had the privilege of attending a Wildfire Journalism Bootcamp. The Mitigating Wildfire Initiative at Simon Fraser University just released this toolkit that came out of the session. www.sfu.ca/dialogue/wha...
Covering Wildfire: A Toolkit for Editors, Reporters, and Media Professionals
As Canada experiences its second-worst wildfire season on record, the Mitigating Wildfire Initiative (MWI) at Simon Fraser University has launched Covering Wildfire: A Toolkit for Editors, Reporters, ...
www.sfu.ca
February 16, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Frontloading this very useful guide for journos everywhere. May is coming . . .
#wildfires #journalism
#wildfires #journalism
Reposted by John Vaillant
“If the murder of Alex Pretti…cannot be called murder, an authoritarian regime has passed one of its crucial tests: it can reverse all meanings…making the victim the perpetrator, the perpetrator the victim.” —@fotoole.bsky.social
The Crime of Witness | Fintan O’Toole
Renée Good and Alex Pretti were murdered for daring to interfere with the Trump administration’s efforts to normalize abductions and state violence.
www.nybooks.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:58 AM
“If the murder of Alex Pretti…cannot be called murder, an authoritarian regime has passed one of its crucial tests: it can reverse all meanings…making the victim the perpetrator, the perpetrator the victim.” —@fotoole.bsky.social
I would rather walk than ride with #uber.
It's a parasitic business - like #amazon.
Don't have the uber app (or prime). Never will.
It's a parasitic business - like #amazon.
Don't have the uber app (or prime). Never will.
(6/11) Uber tracks battery life. Former exec Keith Chen noted in 2016 that users with low battery are statistically more likely to accept surge pricing. Uber says it doesn’t use that data to set prices, but the correlation remains a point of regulatory scrutiny. www.npr.org/transcripts/...
This Is Your Brain On Uber
This week we feature Keith Chen, a behavioral economist at UCLA and the head of economic research at Uber. Keith explains why surge pricing makes us nuts and discusses our weird economic choices.
www.npr.org
February 16, 2026 at 5:27 AM