Karin Kirk
@karinkirk.bsky.social
Geologist, skier, science journalist for Yale Climate Connections. Former Earth and climate science writer for NASA, but our federal govt decided these topics are threatening to them. Increasingly determined to keep working on climate change.
Reposted by Karin Kirk
Our data, analyzed by @washingtonpost.com, shows giving from the 100 wealthiest Americans has risen 140x since 2000. In 2024 they accounted for 7.5% of federal election spending - $1 of every $13. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/int... @bethreinhard.bsky.social @ence.bsky.social @aaronschaffer.com
How billionaires took over American politics
The current concentration of wealth is unlike anything in history. So is billionaires’ involvement in politics.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Our data, analyzed by @washingtonpost.com, shows giving from the 100 wealthiest Americans has risen 140x since 2000. In 2024 they accounted for 7.5% of federal election spending - $1 of every $13. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/int... @bethreinhard.bsky.social @ence.bsky.social @aaronschaffer.com
Reposted by Karin Kirk
Donald Trump’s America
November 20, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Donald Trump’s America
Reposted by Karin Kirk
I really hate it when scientists keep saying that “we need to rebuild trust in science,” because it implies that scientists are to blame for the mistrust rather than the millions of dollars of dark money that have funded political attacks on science in order to advance a far right agenda.
November 19, 2025 at 9:48 PM
I really hate it when scientists keep saying that “we need to rebuild trust in science,” because it implies that scientists are to blame for the mistrust rather than the millions of dollars of dark money that have funded political attacks on science in order to advance a far right agenda.
Reposted by Karin Kirk
Sharon Wilson and Justin Mikulka work for a small nonprofit named Oilfield Witness that documents methane released from oil and gas infrastructure.
Many of these methane plumes are not leaks: “Those are intentional releases to protect the equipment and maintain operation,” Wilson said.
Many of these methane plumes are not leaks: “Those are intentional releases to protect the equipment and maintain operation,” Wilson said.
How satellites can help us find and clean up methane super-polluters » Yale Climate Connections
Doing so would make a big difference to the climate.
yaleclimateconnections.org
November 19, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Sharon Wilson and Justin Mikulka work for a small nonprofit named Oilfield Witness that documents methane released from oil and gas infrastructure.
Many of these methane plumes are not leaks: “Those are intentional releases to protect the equipment and maintain operation,” Wilson said.
Many of these methane plumes are not leaks: “Those are intentional releases to protect the equipment and maintain operation,” Wilson said.
Reposted by Karin Kirk
People in the US: tell us how the climate crisis has affected your life in small ways this year
People in the US: tell us how the climate crisis has affected your life in small ways this year
We want to hear about how these shifts showed up in your everyday lives this year
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:03 PM
People in the US: tell us how the climate crisis has affected your life in small ways this year
Reposted by Karin Kirk
Some stunning footage of ongoing pyroclastic flow activity at Semeru #volcano (Java, Indonesia). Screen capture shows a lightning strike at ~16:07 UTC. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Txgr...
November 19, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Some stunning footage of ongoing pyroclastic flow activity at Semeru #volcano (Java, Indonesia). Screen capture shows a lightning strike at ~16:07 UTC. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Txgr...
Reposted by Karin Kirk
From @karinkirk.bsky.social As the powers that be seem to be working very hard to tell us all not to address methane emissions and claims that LNG (liquefied methane) is a solution to climate change, the science is quite clear.
“The Permian is a methane disaster,” Mikulka said.
“The Permian is a methane disaster,” Mikulka said.
Sharon Wilson and Justin Mikulka work for a small nonprofit named Oilfield Witness that documents methane released from oil and gas infrastructure.
Many of these methane plumes are not leaks: “Those are intentional releases to protect the equipment and maintain operation,” Wilson said.
Many of these methane plumes are not leaks: “Those are intentional releases to protect the equipment and maintain operation,” Wilson said.
How satellites can help us find and clean up methane super-polluters » Yale Climate Connections
Doing so would make a big difference to the climate.
yaleclimateconnections.org
November 19, 2025 at 2:15 PM
From @karinkirk.bsky.social As the powers that be seem to be working very hard to tell us all not to address methane emissions and claims that LNG (liquefied methane) is a solution to climate change, the science is quite clear.
“The Permian is a methane disaster,” Mikulka said.
“The Permian is a methane disaster,” Mikulka said.
Reposted by Karin Kirk
Today kicks off our #NewsMatch campaign!
There’s never been a more critical time to stand up for nonprofit, climate newsrooms like ours. Through 12/31, the impact of your donation is DOUBLED!
Will you show your support today?
Donate: givetoday.yale.edu/campaigns/71...
There’s never been a more critical time to stand up for nonprofit, climate newsrooms like ours. Through 12/31, the impact of your donation is DOUBLED!
Will you show your support today?
Donate: givetoday.yale.edu/campaigns/71...
November 17, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Today kicks off our #NewsMatch campaign!
There’s never been a more critical time to stand up for nonprofit, climate newsrooms like ours. Through 12/31, the impact of your donation is DOUBLED!
Will you show your support today?
Donate: givetoday.yale.edu/campaigns/71...
There’s never been a more critical time to stand up for nonprofit, climate newsrooms like ours. Through 12/31, the impact of your donation is DOUBLED!
Will you show your support today?
Donate: givetoday.yale.edu/campaigns/71...
Reposted by Karin Kirk
Your daily reminder that the fossil fuel industry is propped up by billions of dollars in U.S. government subsidies and a multimillion dollar campaign to spread climate disinformation. 💵
November 17, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Your daily reminder that the fossil fuel industry is propped up by billions of dollars in U.S. government subsidies and a multimillion dollar campaign to spread climate disinformation. 💵
I mostly only use Facebook for marketplace, but there's often some sort of greenwashing nonsense ad from Exxon at the top of my feed. I usually take a moment to click the laughing emoji.
And now I'm a top fan of Exxon! Aww, thanks guys! 🙃
And now I'm a top fan of Exxon! Aww, thanks guys! 🙃
November 10, 2025 at 5:07 AM
I mostly only use Facebook for marketplace, but there's often some sort of greenwashing nonsense ad from Exxon at the top of my feed. I usually take a moment to click the laughing emoji.
And now I'm a top fan of Exxon! Aww, thanks guys! 🙃
And now I'm a top fan of Exxon! Aww, thanks guys! 🙃
Reposted by Karin Kirk
Senators on the brink of retirement who lived full, wealthy lives and never feared the loss of their own healthcare voting for their constituents to die from their inability to afford the same is treasonous
November 10, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Senators on the brink of retirement who lived full, wealthy lives and never feared the loss of their own healthcare voting for their constituents to die from their inability to afford the same is treasonous
Reposted by Karin Kirk
Well now, would you look at that?
A massive study of NEARLY 300,000 people in the United States found that receiving an updated 2024-2025 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine REDUCED people’s risk of severe disease AND death in ALL age groups, REGARDLESS of immunity from prior infection or vaccination.
A massive study of NEARLY 300,000 people in the United States found that receiving an updated 2024-2025 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine REDUCED people’s risk of severe disease AND death in ALL age groups, REGARDLESS of immunity from prior infection or vaccination.
November 7, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Well now, would you look at that?
A massive study of NEARLY 300,000 people in the United States found that receiving an updated 2024-2025 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine REDUCED people’s risk of severe disease AND death in ALL age groups, REGARDLESS of immunity from prior infection or vaccination.
A massive study of NEARLY 300,000 people in the United States found that receiving an updated 2024-2025 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine REDUCED people’s risk of severe disease AND death in ALL age groups, REGARDLESS of immunity from prior infection or vaccination.
Reposted by Karin Kirk
Democrats won in Georgia, New Jersey and Virginia after running campaigns tying Republicans to high electricity rates — and naming renewable energy as a solution: www.latimes.com/environment/... via @hayleysmith.bsky.social
Promises of lower energy bills win big on election day
Democrats who campaigned on energy affordability swept key races in New Jersey, Virginia and Georgia.
www.latimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Democrats won in Georgia, New Jersey and Virginia after running campaigns tying Republicans to high electricity rates — and naming renewable energy as a solution: www.latimes.com/environment/... via @hayleysmith.bsky.social
Reposted by Karin Kirk
This is quite a story: the US employed every strongarm tactic available, including personal threats against delegates and their families, to derail an agreement on reducing shipping emissions that was almost finalized. on.ft.com/47lq3dZ
November 3, 2025 at 2:11 PM
This is quite a story: the US employed every strongarm tactic available, including personal threats against delegates and their families, to derail an agreement on reducing shipping emissions that was almost finalized. on.ft.com/47lq3dZ
Reposted by Karin Kirk
Find a nearby food bank and donate some money if you can. Maybe SNAP will be restored. Maybe it won’t. People will still need food, and cash is better than cans.
I know people love to donate goods, it feels concrete and satisfying, but a food bank can make that $2 or $5 go soooo much further than you can.
Just donate the cash.
And, then they also don't need to assign staff to sort, manage, and figure out how to distribute the random donations.
Just donate the cash.
And, then they also don't need to assign staff to sort, manage, and figure out how to distribute the random donations.
The science is clear - SNAP reduces food insecurity, improves health outcomes, and lower healthcare costs.
Although fed judges ruled the admin can NOT withhold SNAP disbursements, it appears they plan to do just that.
We’re mobilizing a national food drive - join here👇
zurl.co/BrvG5
Although fed judges ruled the admin can NOT withhold SNAP disbursements, it appears they plan to do just that.
We’re mobilizing a national food drive - join here👇
zurl.co/BrvG5
November 2, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Find a nearby food bank and donate some money if you can. Maybe SNAP will be restored. Maybe it won’t. People will still need food, and cash is better than cans.
Statuary marble is imported from Italy, which is ironic because we have absolutely glorious marbles quarried right here in the USA.
Wasn't that the whole damn point of the tariffs? To encourage US-based products?
He could have used marble from Georgia, Alabama, Vermont, Colorado, Arizona...
Wasn't that the whole damn point of the tariffs? To encourage US-based products?
He could have used marble from Georgia, Alabama, Vermont, Colorado, Arizona...
The president is spending quite a bit of time on renovations to public property he personally uses while millions are about to lose food assistance and the government is shut down.
November 1, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Statuary marble is imported from Italy, which is ironic because we have absolutely glorious marbles quarried right here in the USA.
Wasn't that the whole damn point of the tariffs? To encourage US-based products?
He could have used marble from Georgia, Alabama, Vermont, Colorado, Arizona...
Wasn't that the whole damn point of the tariffs? To encourage US-based products?
He could have used marble from Georgia, Alabama, Vermont, Colorado, Arizona...
Reposted by Karin Kirk
Using his powers to extract tribute from foreign countries, "donors," etc. and then using those extraconstitutional slush funds to bypass the Constitution and the rule of law. Literally the opposite of originalism and a profound threat to the continuation of constitutional democracy in this country.
$550 billion in Japanese funding.
Directed by the President.
Outside Congress’s control.
My new @justsecurity.org piece explains how the agreement bypasses the Appropriations Clause and violates the laws that safeguard Congress’s power of the purse.
www.justsecurity.org/123478/trump...
Directed by the President.
Outside Congress’s control.
My new @justsecurity.org piece explains how the agreement bypasses the Appropriations Clause and violates the laws that safeguard Congress’s power of the purse.
www.justsecurity.org/123478/trump...
Trump’s Japan Deal and the Disappearing Appropriations Clause
The deal circumvents the Appropriations Clause and congressional safeguards, creating a system answerable only to the White House.
www.justsecurity.org
October 31, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Using his powers to extract tribute from foreign countries, "donors," etc. and then using those extraconstitutional slush funds to bypass the Constitution and the rule of law. Literally the opposite of originalism and a profound threat to the continuation of constitutional democracy in this country.
Reposted by Karin Kirk
I don't think we should talk about climate change anymore, we should talk about kitchen-table issues. Like how climate change will destroy your kitchen table and everything else you have
October 28, 2025 at 6:15 PM
I don't think we should talk about climate change anymore, we should talk about kitchen-table issues. Like how climate change will destroy your kitchen table and everything else you have
Reposted by Karin Kirk
Higher education has some work to do on climate action. We found that the median reduction in direct (Scope 1) emissions is only ~9% - with over a third of U.S. colleges and universities actually reporting Scope 1 emissions higher than in their baseline year.
scholarworks.smith.edu/env_facpubs/35
scholarworks.smith.edu/env_facpubs/35
October 28, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Higher education has some work to do on climate action. We found that the median reduction in direct (Scope 1) emissions is only ~9% - with over a third of U.S. colleges and universities actually reporting Scope 1 emissions higher than in their baseline year.
scholarworks.smith.edu/env_facpubs/35
scholarworks.smith.edu/env_facpubs/35
Reposted by Karin Kirk
1. Reagan’s speech is real
2. It’s public domain
3. Americans pay the cost of the added 10% tariffs, not Canadians
4. Trump keeps lying because he thinks you’re all too stupid to fact check
5. The average family will pay an extra $4900 this year because his tariffs
2. It’s public domain
3. Americans pay the cost of the added 10% tariffs, not Canadians
4. Trump keeps lying because he thinks you’re all too stupid to fact check
5. The average family will pay an extra $4900 this year because his tariffs
October 25, 2025 at 9:21 PM
1. Reagan’s speech is real
2. It’s public domain
3. Americans pay the cost of the added 10% tariffs, not Canadians
4. Trump keeps lying because he thinks you’re all too stupid to fact check
5. The average family will pay an extra $4900 this year because his tariffs
2. It’s public domain
3. Americans pay the cost of the added 10% tariffs, not Canadians
4. Trump keeps lying because he thinks you’re all too stupid to fact check
5. The average family will pay an extra $4900 this year because his tariffs
Reposted by Karin Kirk
A 14-word replacement for most op-eds, substacks, etc about this moment.
The GOP could stop ALL of this, right now—if a handful of Sens or Reps could step outside the cult.
It would take four in the Senate, four (maybe five) in the House, to change history.
Until then, they're all to blame.
The GOP could stop ALL of this, right now—if a handful of Sens or Reps could step outside the cult.
It would take four in the Senate, four (maybe five) in the House, to change history.
Until then, they're all to blame.
October 25, 2025 at 1:56 AM
A 14-word replacement for most op-eds, substacks, etc about this moment.
The GOP could stop ALL of this, right now—if a handful of Sens or Reps could step outside the cult.
It would take four in the Senate, four (maybe five) in the House, to change history.
Until then, they're all to blame.
The GOP could stop ALL of this, right now—if a handful of Sens or Reps could step outside the cult.
It would take four in the Senate, four (maybe five) in the House, to change history.
Until then, they're all to blame.
Reposted by Karin Kirk
Story Idea: Study after study has shown that the vast majority of people, 80-89%, want governments to “do more” to address climate change. Understanding who these people are and why gov't action doesn’t align with the overwhelming public interest are all rich territory for reporting. #the89percent
Covering Public Support for Government Climate Action
Explore how the global majority not only cares about climate change, but wants their governments to “do more” to address it.
coveringclimatenow.org
October 20, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Story Idea: Study after study has shown that the vast majority of people, 80-89%, want governments to “do more” to address climate change. Understanding who these people are and why gov't action doesn’t align with the overwhelming public interest are all rich territory for reporting. #the89percent
Reposted by Karin Kirk
Top story when you go to The Guardian this AM. Which it is not when you go to the Washington Post or the NY Times. Apt language here, whereas WaPo describes the day as an airing of grievances as though we are a bunch of whining George Costanzas, not a vast public fearful of losing everything.
Millions across all 50 US states march in No Kings protests against Trump
Crowds of Americans, many in costumes, aligned behind message that US is sliding into authoritarianism
www.theguardian.com
October 19, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Top story when you go to The Guardian this AM. Which it is not when you go to the Washington Post or the NY Times. Apt language here, whereas WaPo describes the day as an airing of grievances as though we are a bunch of whining George Costanzas, not a vast public fearful of losing everything.
Reposted by Karin Kirk
I was thinking about this after No Kings.
October 19, 2025 at 1:12 PM
I was thinking about this after No Kings.
Reposted by Karin Kirk
After a week of ridiculous Republican smears and Trump claiming that “very few people are going to be there,” you just made history. #NoKings
October 18, 2025 at 9:57 PM
After a week of ridiculous Republican smears and Trump claiming that “very few people are going to be there,” you just made history. #NoKings