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
Reposted by John Vaillant
Restored Peatlands Could Become Carbon Sinks Within Decades eos.org/articles/res...
Restored Peatlands Could Become Carbon Sinks Within Decades - Eos
That’s much faster than what most scientists thought.
eos.org
February 17, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Restored Peatlands Could Become Carbon Sinks Within Decades eos.org/articles/res...
Reposted by John Vaillant
NY Fed updates map of U.S. for losses from natural disaters, data covers 2024. www.newyorkfed.org/research/pol...
February 17, 2026 at 3:33 PM
NY Fed updates map of U.S. for losses from natural disaters, data covers 2024. www.newyorkfed.org/research/pol...
Reposted by John Vaillant
Romania has decoupled economic growth from pollution faster than anywhere else in EU. Its net greenhouse gas emissions intensity fell 88% between 1990 & 2023, so each euro’s worth of economic activity heats planet 10 times less. Emissions have plunged by 75%. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘The trend is irreversible’: has Romania shattered the link between economic growth and high emissions?
Emissions have plunged 75% since communist times in the birthplace of big oil – but for some the transition has been brutal
www.theguardian.com
February 17, 2026 at 8:53 AM
Romania has decoupled economic growth from pollution faster than anywhere else in EU. Its net greenhouse gas emissions intensity fell 88% between 1990 & 2023, so each euro’s worth of economic activity heats planet 10 times less. Emissions have plunged by 75%. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by John Vaillant
Here's BC's summary of the provincial Budget, entitled "Securing BC's Future," The word "climate" does not appear once.
news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
Budget secures B.C.’s future, protects critical services
B.C. makes disciplined spending choices while growing the economy
news.gov.bc.ca
February 17, 2026 at 11:38 PM
Here's BC's summary of the provincial Budget, entitled "Securing BC's Future," The word "climate" does not appear once.
news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
news.gov.bc.ca/releases/202...
Wine production is declining:
In 2010, the world produced 5 bottles per person.
In 2020, the world produced 4 bottles per person.
winefolly.com/tips/how-man...
In 2010, the world produced 5 bottles per person.
In 2020, the world produced 4 bottles per person.
winefolly.com/tips/how-man...
How Many Glasses in a Bottle of Wine | Wine Folly
There are 4-5 glasses of wine in a bottle which comes from crushing 300 to 900 wine grapes. Find out more interesting facts about what's inside bottle of wine.
winefolly.com
February 17, 2026 at 11:42 PM
Wine production is declining:
In 2010, the world produced 5 bottles per person.
In 2020, the world produced 4 bottles per person.
winefolly.com/tips/how-man...
In 2010, the world produced 5 bottles per person.
In 2020, the world produced 4 bottles per person.
winefolly.com/tips/how-man...
Reposted by John Vaillant
Reposted by John Vaillant
Sundown tonight marks the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, a time of fasting, prayer, and reflection.
I wish everyone observing Ramadan a blessed and peaceful month. Ramadan Mubarak.
www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/stat...
I wish everyone observing Ramadan a blessed and peaceful month. Ramadan Mubarak.
www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/stat...
Statement by Prime Minister Carney on Ramadan
As this sacred period begins, far too many Muslims in Canada are continuing to face troubling acts of Islamophobia. Combatting hate is a top priority for this government, and Islamophobia has no place...
www.pm.gc.ca
February 17, 2026 at 11:22 PM
Sundown tonight marks the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, a time of fasting, prayer, and reflection.
I wish everyone observing Ramadan a blessed and peaceful month. Ramadan Mubarak.
www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/stat...
I wish everyone observing Ramadan a blessed and peaceful month. Ramadan Mubarak.
www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/stat...
Reposted by John Vaillant
Another thing to add to the Dem platform: all of these contracts were plainly procured through fraud, not one of them will be honored, and all culpable parties will be prosecuted.
This isn't a "radical" demand, it's the bare minimum required to re-establish the rule of law.
This isn't a "radical" demand, it's the bare minimum required to re-establish the rule of law.
The current person in charge of ICE's procurement for detention is a GEO Group executive who ran the company's immigration detention portfolio. He was granted an "ethics waiver" from DHS allowing him to hand out contracts to GEO in his new role.
February 17, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Another thing to add to the Dem platform: all of these contracts were plainly procured through fraud, not one of them will be honored, and all culpable parties will be prosecuted.
This isn't a "radical" demand, it's the bare minimum required to re-establish the rule of law.
This isn't a "radical" demand, it's the bare minimum required to re-establish the rule of law.
Reposted by John Vaillant
"At no point did ICE give any kind of warning, order, or instruction — not even a verbal 'back up' — before pepper spraying me."
We just submitted this sworn declaration and over 80 other stories as part of our lawsuit defending people protesting and documenting ICE abuses in Minnesota.
We just submitted this sworn declaration and over 80 other stories as part of our lawsuit defending people protesting and documenting ICE abuses in Minnesota.
ICE Agents Menaced Minnesota Protesters at Their Homes, Filings Say
www.nytimes.com
February 17, 2026 at 5:58 PM
"At no point did ICE give any kind of warning, order, or instruction — not even a verbal 'back up' — before pepper spraying me."
We just submitted this sworn declaration and over 80 other stories as part of our lawsuit defending people protesting and documenting ICE abuses in Minnesota.
We just submitted this sworn declaration and over 80 other stories as part of our lawsuit defending people protesting and documenting ICE abuses in Minnesota.
Reposted by John Vaillant
Happy Chinese New Year!
2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse.
This attentive steed was made in China’s Henan province over a thousand years ago. It was used as a funerary object, buried with the deceased so they had a horse to ride in the afterlife.
🐴 EAX.3960
2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse.
This attentive steed was made in China’s Henan province over a thousand years ago. It was used as a funerary object, buried with the deceased so they had a horse to ride in the afterlife.
🐴 EAX.3960
February 17, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Happy Chinese New Year!
2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse.
This attentive steed was made in China’s Henan province over a thousand years ago. It was used as a funerary object, buried with the deceased so they had a horse to ride in the afterlife.
🐴 EAX.3960
2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse.
This attentive steed was made in China’s Henan province over a thousand years ago. It was used as a funerary object, buried with the deceased so they had a horse to ride in the afterlife.
🐴 EAX.3960
Reposted by John Vaillant
February 17, 2026 at 5:59 AM
Reposted by John Vaillant
2,000 Ukrainian children returned home from Russian captivity through the Bring Kids Back initiative.
Zelenskyy says work won't stop "until every child is back" - tens of thousands remain under Russian control, forcibly separated from their families.
euromaidanpress.com/2026/02/17/u...
Zelenskyy says work won't stop "until every child is back" - tens of thousands remain under Russian control, forcibly separated from their families.
euromaidanpress.com/2026/02/17/u...
Ukraine brings 2,000 children home from Russian captivity through Bring Kids Back initiative
Zelenskyy says work continues as tens of thousands remain under Russian control.
euromaidanpress.com
February 17, 2026 at 7:38 PM
2,000 Ukrainian children returned home from Russian captivity through the Bring Kids Back initiative.
Zelenskyy says work won't stop "until every child is back" - tens of thousands remain under Russian control, forcibly separated from their families.
euromaidanpress.com/2026/02/17/u...
Zelenskyy says work won't stop "until every child is back" - tens of thousands remain under Russian control, forcibly separated from their families.
euromaidanpress.com/2026/02/17/u...
Reposted by John Vaillant
Reading Anthropic's new "constitution" for its bot Claude. I teach writing at a college. If a first year student handed this in--the summary of priorities--I'd say it borders on meaningless.
February 17, 2026 at 7:37 PM
Reading Anthropic's new "constitution" for its bot Claude. I teach writing at a college. If a first year student handed this in--the summary of priorities--I'd say it borders on meaningless.
Reposted by John Vaillant
"A modern-day concentration camp ... People have been killed by the staff here." Irish citizen Seamus Culleton has been in ICE detention since September, despite having a valid work permit and his own business in the US.
February 10, 2026 at 10:09 AM
"A modern-day concentration camp ... People have been killed by the staff here." Irish citizen Seamus Culleton has been in ICE detention since September, despite having a valid work permit and his own business in the US.
Reposted by John Vaillant
Irish Mirror #Climate
Fossils fuelling is rising migration, UN expert claims
UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights and Environment, David Boyd, said: 'Today's trickle of migrants will become a tidal wave'
www.irishmirror.ie
February 17, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Irish Mirror #Climate
Reposted by John Vaillant
‘Economic fighters’: the volunteers helping direct sanctions against Russia #Ukraine
‘Economic fighters’: the volunteers helping direct sanctions against Russia
Civil society groups and individuals from around world are working to aid Ukraine by damaging Moscow’s war machine
www.theguardian.com
February 17, 2026 at 5:04 AM
‘Economic fighters’: the volunteers helping direct sanctions against Russia #Ukraine
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...