Katie Surma
@katiesurma.bsky.social
Journalist at Inside Climate News covering human rights and the environment, and the rights of nature movement
Reposted by Katie Surma
With everything happening at the federal level, it's easy to lose track of the states on climate and clean energy policy. I wrote about a major trend in state policy and why we should all pay attention to what Massachusetts does next:
insideclimatenews.org/news/2011202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/2011202...
One Key State Remains in Limbo on Climate and Clean Energy Policies As Several Others Retreat - Inside Climate News
Arizona, Connecticut, New York and North Carolina are backsliding on climate issues. But Massachusetts isn’t, at least for now.
insideclimatenews.org
November 22, 2025 at 2:53 PM
With everything happening at the federal level, it's easy to lose track of the states on climate and clean energy policy. I wrote about a major trend in state policy and why we should all pay attention to what Massachusetts does next:
insideclimatenews.org/news/2011202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/2011202...
Before the public can act, they must know. But China is silencing independent journalists reporting on the environmental impacts of its massive Belt and Road Initiative—mines, ports, dams, power plants etc in mostly poor countries.
Here’s how they’re doing it and why it matters.
Here’s how they’re doing it and why it matters.
China’s media suppression campaign is reaching around the globe to silence environmental journalists reporting on polluting Chinese companies.
How China Silences Environmental Reporters Beyond Its Borders - Inside Climate News
Journalists who report on the harms caused by China’s overseas infrastructure buildout in Africa face intimidation, surveillance and police pressure.
insideclimatenews.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Before the public can act, they must know. But China is silencing independent journalists reporting on the environmental impacts of its massive Belt and Road Initiative—mines, ports, dams, power plants etc in mostly poor countries.
Here’s how they’re doing it and why it matters.
Here’s how they’re doing it and why it matters.
Reposted by Katie Surma
Texas has no regulations to protect workers from the state’s blistering heat and overturned city ordinances that required rest breaks. What does that mean for workers in one of the hottest parts of the country? @keertigopal.bsky.social and I spent months investigating for @insideclimatenews.org (1)
November 25, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Texas has no regulations to protect workers from the state’s blistering heat and overturned city ordinances that required rest breaks. What does that mean for workers in one of the hottest parts of the country? @keertigopal.bsky.social and I spent months investigating for @insideclimatenews.org (1)
"The people must know before they can act, and there is no educator to compare with the press."
Yet, overseas, China is silencing environmental journalists.
Read about how Beijing is doing that and why it matters ⬇️
insideclimatenews.org/news/2311202...
Yet, overseas, China is silencing environmental journalists.
Read about how Beijing is doing that and why it matters ⬇️
insideclimatenews.org/news/2311202...
How China Silences Environmental Reporters Beyond Its Borders - Inside Climate News
Journalists who report on the harms caused by China’s overseas infrastructure buildout in Africa face intimidation, surveillance and police pressure.
insideclimatenews.org
November 24, 2025 at 2:39 PM
"The people must know before they can act, and there is no educator to compare with the press."
Yet, overseas, China is silencing environmental journalists.
Read about how Beijing is doing that and why it matters ⬇️
insideclimatenews.org/news/2311202...
Yet, overseas, China is silencing environmental journalists.
Read about how Beijing is doing that and why it matters ⬇️
insideclimatenews.org/news/2311202...
Independent journalism is crucial for environmental protection.
But, journalists who report on the harms caused by China’s overseas infrastructure buildout—from mines to ports and power plants—in Africa face intimidation, surveillance and police pressure.
insideclimatenews.org/news/2311202...
But, journalists who report on the harms caused by China’s overseas infrastructure buildout—from mines to ports and power plants—in Africa face intimidation, surveillance and police pressure.
insideclimatenews.org/news/2311202...
How China Silences Environmental Reporters Beyond Its Borders - Inside Climate News
Journalists who report on the harms caused by China’s overseas infrastructure buildout in Africa face intimidation, surveillance and police pressure.
insideclimatenews.org
November 23, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Independent journalism is crucial for environmental protection.
But, journalists who report on the harms caused by China’s overseas infrastructure buildout—from mines to ports and power plants—in Africa face intimidation, surveillance and police pressure.
insideclimatenews.org/news/2311202...
But, journalists who report on the harms caused by China’s overseas infrastructure buildout—from mines to ports and power plants—in Africa face intimidation, surveillance and police pressure.
insideclimatenews.org/news/2311202...
I hope you'll join us to discuss a very important topic: reporting on environmental defenders.
You can sign up for the Dec. 3rd talk here:
www.climatelegaldefense.org/events/the-e...
You can sign up for the Dec. 3rd talk here:
www.climatelegaldefense.org/events/the-e...
The Ethics of Reporting and Storytelling about At-Risk Climate Defenders — Global Climate Legal Defense
This free webinar is for anyone telling stories about climate change who want to do so with people’s safety and security in mind.
www.climatelegaldefense.org
November 19, 2025 at 7:17 PM
I hope you'll join us to discuss a very important topic: reporting on environmental defenders.
You can sign up for the Dec. 3rd talk here:
www.climatelegaldefense.org/events/the-e...
You can sign up for the Dec. 3rd talk here:
www.climatelegaldefense.org/events/the-e...
Reposted by Katie Surma
Ecuadorians vote overwhelmingly to maintain their “ecological constitution” that recognizes the rights of nature.
Ecuador’s Voters Protect Rights of Nature, Reject Proposal to Rewrite Constitution - Inside Climate News
Ecuadorians handed their Trump-allied president a resounding defeat, choosing to maintain their “ecological constitution” and rejecting an attempt to allow foreign military bases in the country.
insideclimatenews.org
November 17, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Ecuadorians vote overwhelmingly to maintain their “ecological constitution” that recognizes the rights of nature.
“This is a win for life, for nature, for Earth defenders,” said Natalia Greene, director of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature.
Greene was speaking about Ecuador's affirmation of its 2008 constitution, which recognizes nature has inherent rights to exist and regenerate.
Greene was speaking about Ecuador's affirmation of its 2008 constitution, which recognizes nature has inherent rights to exist and regenerate.
Ecuador’s Voters Protect Rights of Nature, Reject Proposal to Rewrite Constitution
Ecuadorians handed their Trump-allied president a resounding defeat, choosing to maintain their “ecological constitution” & rejecting an attempt to allow foreign military bases
insideclimatenews.org/news/1711202...
Ecuadorians handed their Trump-allied president a resounding defeat, choosing to maintain their “ecological constitution” & rejecting an attempt to allow foreign military bases
insideclimatenews.org/news/1711202...
Ecuador’s Voters Protect Rights of Nature, Reject Proposal to Rewrite Constitution - Inside Climate News
Ecuadorians handed their Trump-allied president a resounding defeat, choosing to maintain their “ecological constitution” and rejecting an attempt to allow foreign military bases in the country.
insideclimatenews.org
November 18, 2025 at 4:28 PM
“This is a win for life, for nature, for Earth defenders,” said Natalia Greene, director of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature.
Greene was speaking about Ecuador's affirmation of its 2008 constitution, which recognizes nature has inherent rights to exist and regenerate.
Greene was speaking about Ecuador's affirmation of its 2008 constitution, which recognizes nature has inherent rights to exist and regenerate.
Ecuador’s Voters Protect Rights of Nature, Reject Proposal to Rewrite Constitution
Ecuadorians handed their Trump-allied president a resounding defeat, choosing to maintain their “ecological constitution” & rejecting an attempt to allow foreign military bases
insideclimatenews.org/news/1711202...
Ecuadorians handed their Trump-allied president a resounding defeat, choosing to maintain their “ecological constitution” & rejecting an attempt to allow foreign military bases
insideclimatenews.org/news/1711202...
Ecuador’s Voters Protect Rights of Nature, Reject Proposal to Rewrite Constitution - Inside Climate News
Ecuadorians handed their Trump-allied president a resounding defeat, choosing to maintain their “ecological constitution” and rejecting an attempt to allow foreign military bases in the country.
insideclimatenews.org
November 17, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Ecuador’s Voters Protect Rights of Nature, Reject Proposal to Rewrite Constitution
Ecuadorians handed their Trump-allied president a resounding defeat, choosing to maintain their “ecological constitution” & rejecting an attempt to allow foreign military bases
insideclimatenews.org/news/1711202...
Ecuadorians handed their Trump-allied president a resounding defeat, choosing to maintain their “ecological constitution” & rejecting an attempt to allow foreign military bases
insideclimatenews.org/news/1711202...
Australian Company BHP Found Liable for Damages in One of Brazil’s Worst Mining Disasters
Story by @blancabegert.bsky.social with comment by @edsonkrenak.bsky.social
insideclimatenews.org/news/1411202...
Story by @blancabegert.bsky.social with comment by @edsonkrenak.bsky.social
insideclimatenews.org/news/1411202...
Australian Company BHP Found Liable for Damages in One of Brazil’s Worst Mining Disasters - Inside Climate News
A High Court in the United Kingdom has ruled that BHP was responsible for the Mariana dam collapse, after the company was acquitted of criminal charges last year in a Brazilian court. Claimants are se...
insideclimatenews.org
November 15, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Australian Company BHP Found Liable for Damages in One of Brazil’s Worst Mining Disasters
Story by @blancabegert.bsky.social with comment by @edsonkrenak.bsky.social
insideclimatenews.org/news/1411202...
Story by @blancabegert.bsky.social with comment by @edsonkrenak.bsky.social
insideclimatenews.org/news/1411202...
Reposted by Katie Surma
A timeline cleanser: My recent newsletter is about rise of "repair cafes" around the world, where communities come together to fix each other's beloved things. The goal: reduce consumer waste, and maybe make some buddies in the process 🔧👭
insideclimatenews.org/news/1111202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/1111202...
A Growing Number of ‘Repair Cafes’ Are Popping Up Around the World to Curb Consumer Waste - Inside Climate News
Local communities are hosting events where people can bring in their broken goods for repairs—free of charge.
insideclimatenews.org
November 13, 2025 at 3:37 PM
A timeline cleanser: My recent newsletter is about rise of "repair cafes" around the world, where communities come together to fix each other's beloved things. The goal: reduce consumer waste, and maybe make some buddies in the process 🔧👭
insideclimatenews.org/news/1111202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/1111202...
Reposted by Katie Surma
Just about everyone hates data centers, as we’re seeing in election results and a flurry of policy changes.
A New Unifying Issue: Just About Everyone Hates Data Centers - Inside Climate News
Recent election results and evidence from states show misgivings about the growth of AI and the ramifications for energy costs and the environment.
insideclimatenews.org
November 14, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Just about everyone hates data centers, as we’re seeing in election results and a flurry of policy changes.
Reposted by Katie Surma
The firms Jingjing Zhang had once challenged in China were now polluting and displacing communities abroad. It struck her as exporting a dangerous development model — one she described as pollute now to get rich, and attempt to clean up later.
(via @katiesurma.bsky.social/ @insideclimatenews.org)
(via @katiesurma.bsky.social/ @insideclimatenews.org)
The Woman Holding Chinese Mining Giants Accountable
For Jingjing Zhang, this work isn’t about money. She’s never chased contingency fees or the kind of fame some crusading lawyers seek. Her rewards are quieter: a nonprofit salary, the trust of…
www.thexylom.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:38 PM
The firms Jingjing Zhang had once challenged in China were now polluting and displacing communities abroad. It struck her as exporting a dangerous development model — one she described as pollute now to get rich, and attempt to clean up later.
(via @katiesurma.bsky.social/ @insideclimatenews.org)
(via @katiesurma.bsky.social/ @insideclimatenews.org)
Reposted by Katie Surma
Election roundup from @mlavelle.bsky.social @insideclimatenews.org
insideclimatenews.org/news/0511202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/0511202...
Green Groups’ Election Takeaway: Focus on Trump Energy Agenda Costs - Inside Climate News
Voters’ frustration with high power bills helped propel Democrats to victory in New Jersey, Virginia and Georgia. Climate advocates stressed how Trump’s rollbacks of clean energy add to the pain.
insideclimatenews.org
November 6, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Election roundup from @mlavelle.bsky.social @insideclimatenews.org
insideclimatenews.org/news/0511202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/0511202...
NEW from
@insideclimatenews.org and thanks to @peteraldhous.com and @mlavelle.bsky.social
Trump 2.0 Environmental Case Scorecard
An updating tracker of federal lawsuits involving the Trump administration
insideclimatenews.org/news/0411202...
@insideclimatenews.org and thanks to @peteraldhous.com and @mlavelle.bsky.social
Trump 2.0 Environmental Case Scorecard
An updating tracker of federal lawsuits involving the Trump administration
insideclimatenews.org/news/0411202...
Trump 2.0 Environmental Case Scorecard - Inside Climate News
Tracking federal lawsuits on climate and environmental actions and policies in which the Trump administration is a party.
insideclimatenews.org
November 5, 2025 at 7:16 PM
NEW from
@insideclimatenews.org and thanks to @peteraldhous.com and @mlavelle.bsky.social
Trump 2.0 Environmental Case Scorecard
An updating tracker of federal lawsuits involving the Trump administration
insideclimatenews.org/news/0411202...
@insideclimatenews.org and thanks to @peteraldhous.com and @mlavelle.bsky.social
Trump 2.0 Environmental Case Scorecard
An updating tracker of federal lawsuits involving the Trump administration
insideclimatenews.org/news/0411202...
Reposted by Katie Surma
Thank you @insideclimatenews.org and @katiesurma.bsky.social for diving into our recent publication in partnership with The More-Than-Human Life Program (@nyulaw.bsky.social) by: César Rodríguez Garavito, David Gruber, Ashley Otilia Nemeth and @begus.bsky.social.
Researchers are using AI to understand whale communications. The findings could put animals’ voices at the heart of legal battles to protect them.
AI Is Decoding Whales’ Communications. Could That Be a Turning Point in the Push for Their Rights? - Inside Climate News
The Cetacean Translation Initiative (CETI) is using artificial intelligence to help understand sperm whale communications. Lawyers think the discoveries could galvanize the world to recognize whales’ ...
insideclimatenews.org
November 5, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Thank you @insideclimatenews.org and @katiesurma.bsky.social for diving into our recent publication in partnership with The More-Than-Human Life Program (@nyulaw.bsky.social) by: César Rodríguez Garavito, David Gruber, Ashley Otilia Nemeth and @begus.bsky.social.
Thank you @ethanelkind.bsky.social and @kalwradio.bsky.social for having me on today to talk about reporting on the rights of nature movement.
www.kalw.org/show/your-ca...
www.kalw.org/show/your-ca...
How the Rights of Nature movement redefines human–nature relations
The Rights of Nature movement works to advance the understanding that ecosystems, wildlife, and the Earth are living beings with inherent rights to exist.
www.kalw.org
November 3, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Thank you @ethanelkind.bsky.social and @kalwradio.bsky.social for having me on today to talk about reporting on the rights of nature movement.
www.kalw.org/show/your-ca...
www.kalw.org/show/your-ca...
Reposted by Katie Surma
How could the fast-growing "Rights of Nature" movement help empower greater ecosystem protection?
We'll discuss on Your Call's One Planet Series today 10am PT w/ @katiesurma.bsky.social.
Stream live 10am PT @kalwradio.bsky.social!
www.kalw.org/show/your-ca...
We'll discuss on Your Call's One Planet Series today 10am PT w/ @katiesurma.bsky.social.
Stream live 10am PT @kalwradio.bsky.social!
www.kalw.org/show/your-ca...
How the Rights of Nature movement redefines human–nature relations
The Rights of Nature movement works to advance the understanding that ecosystems, wildlife, and the Earth are living beings with inherent rights to exist.
www.kalw.org
November 3, 2025 at 5:39 PM
How could the fast-growing "Rights of Nature" movement help empower greater ecosystem protection?
We'll discuss on Your Call's One Planet Series today 10am PT w/ @katiesurma.bsky.social.
Stream live 10am PT @kalwradio.bsky.social!
www.kalw.org/show/your-ca...
We'll discuss on Your Call's One Planet Series today 10am PT w/ @katiesurma.bsky.social.
Stream live 10am PT @kalwradio.bsky.social!
www.kalw.org/show/your-ca...
Reposted by Katie Surma
Can solar work on the same land as cattle grazing? I got an exclusive look at how @siliconranch.bsky.social intends to make this work:
insideclimatenews.org/news/0211202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/0211202...
Can Cows and Solar Power Coexist? We’re About to Find Out - Inside Climate News
Solar companies have figured out how to mix sheep grazing and power production. This company is about to make a push to do it with cows, with huge growth potential.
insideclimatenews.org
November 2, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Can solar work on the same land as cattle grazing? I got an exclusive look at how @siliconranch.bsky.social intends to make this work:
insideclimatenews.org/news/0211202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/0211202...
As always, a pleasure to join ICN's executive editor Vernon Loeb for our Sunday Morning video series.
We talked about our recent reporting on how scientists are using AI to understand sperm whale communications, potentially advancing the rights of nature.
insideclimatenews.org/news/0211202...
We talked about our recent reporting on how scientists are using AI to understand sperm whale communications, potentially advancing the rights of nature.
insideclimatenews.org/news/0211202...
ICN Sunday Morning: What the Whales Are Saying
YouTube video by Inside Climate News
www.youtube.com
November 2, 2025 at 3:01 PM
As always, a pleasure to join ICN's executive editor Vernon Loeb for our Sunday Morning video series.
We talked about our recent reporting on how scientists are using AI to understand sperm whale communications, potentially advancing the rights of nature.
insideclimatenews.org/news/0211202...
We talked about our recent reporting on how scientists are using AI to understand sperm whale communications, potentially advancing the rights of nature.
insideclimatenews.org/news/0211202...
En noviembre, los ecuatorianos decidirán si permiten que su presidente reescriba la Constitución, lo que podría socavar las protecciones de los derechos de la naturaleza.
insideclimatenews.org/news/3110202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/3110202...
Los Ecuatorianos Votarán Sobre la Reforma Constitucional, que Podría Acabar con los Derechos de la Naturaleza - Inside Climate News
Los ecuatorianos acudirán a las urnas el 16 de noviembre para decidir si permiten al presidente de derecha Daniel Noboa reformar la Constitución de 2008. El abogado César Rodríguez-Garavito explica lo...
insideclimatenews.org
October 31, 2025 at 5:14 PM
En noviembre, los ecuatorianos decidirán si permiten que su presidente reescriba la Constitución, lo que podría socavar las protecciones de los derechos de la naturaleza.
insideclimatenews.org/news/3110202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/3110202...
Researchers are using AI to help understand sperm whale communications.
Lawyers think the discoveries could galvanize the world to recognize whales’ legal rights—and advance the global rights of nature movement.
Lawyers think the discoveries could galvanize the world to recognize whales’ legal rights—and advance the global rights of nature movement.
Researchers are using AI to understand whale communications. The findings could put animals’ voices at the heart of legal battles to protect them.
AI Is Decoding Whales’ Communications. Could That Be a Turning Point in the Push for Their Rights? - Inside Climate News
The Cetacean Translation Initiative (CETI) is using artificial intelligence to help understand sperm whale communications. Lawyers think the discoveries could galvanize the world to recognize whales’ ...
insideclimatenews.org
October 29, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Researchers are using AI to help understand sperm whale communications.
Lawyers think the discoveries could galvanize the world to recognize whales’ legal rights—and advance the global rights of nature movement.
Lawyers think the discoveries could galvanize the world to recognize whales’ legal rights—and advance the global rights of nature movement.
Researchers are using AI to decode whale communications.
A new paper argues the findings could help make the case for the recognition of whales' legal rights—specifically a right to culture and a right to be free from torture.
insideclimatenews.org/news/2910202...
A new paper argues the findings could help make the case for the recognition of whales' legal rights—specifically a right to culture and a right to be free from torture.
insideclimatenews.org/news/2910202...
AI is Decoding Whales’ Language. Could That Be a Turning Point in the Push for Their Rights? - Inside Climate News
The Cetacean Translation Initiative (CETI) is using artificial intelligence to help understand sperm whale communications. Lawyers think the discoveries could galvanize the world to recognize whales’ ...
insideclimatenews.org
October 29, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Researchers are using AI to decode whale communications.
A new paper argues the findings could help make the case for the recognition of whales' legal rights—specifically a right to culture and a right to be free from torture.
insideclimatenews.org/news/2910202...
A new paper argues the findings could help make the case for the recognition of whales' legal rights—specifically a right to culture and a right to be free from torture.
insideclimatenews.org/news/2910202...
Reposted by Katie Surma
Virginia holds the title of data center capital of the world.
How did that happen?
My colleague @dangearino.bsky.social and I asked the question. Here's some answers.
insideclimatenews.org/news/2610202...
How did that happen?
My colleague @dangearino.bsky.social and I asked the question. Here's some answers.
insideclimatenews.org/news/2610202...
How Did This State Become the Data Center Capital of the World? - Inside Climate News
From America Online to the rise of AI, Virginia has been good for an industry now transforming the economy and grid. Has the industry returned the favor?
insideclimatenews.org
October 27, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Virginia holds the title of data center capital of the world.
How did that happen?
My colleague @dangearino.bsky.social and I asked the question. Here's some answers.
insideclimatenews.org/news/2610202...
How did that happen?
My colleague @dangearino.bsky.social and I asked the question. Here's some answers.
insideclimatenews.org/news/2610202...
Reposted by Katie Surma
One of the biggest rights of nature developments this year will happen in November.
That's when Ecuadorians will decide whether to allow their Trump-allied president to rewrite the constitution, potentially gutting the charter's protection for nature's rights
insideclimatenews.org/news/2310202...
That's when Ecuadorians will decide whether to allow their Trump-allied president to rewrite the constitution, potentially gutting the charter's protection for nature's rights
insideclimatenews.org/news/2310202...
Ecuadorians to Vote on Constitutional Rewrite, Possibly Gutting Rights of Nature - Inside Climate News
Ecuadorians will go to the polls on Nov. 16 to decide whether to allow right-wing President Daniel Noboa to rewrite the 2008 constitution. Lawyer César Rodríguez-Garavito explains what that could mean...
insideclimatenews.org
October 24, 2025 at 3:26 PM
One of the biggest rights of nature developments this year will happen in November.
That's when Ecuadorians will decide whether to allow their Trump-allied president to rewrite the constitution, potentially gutting the charter's protection for nature's rights
insideclimatenews.org/news/2310202...
That's when Ecuadorians will decide whether to allow their Trump-allied president to rewrite the constitution, potentially gutting the charter's protection for nature's rights
insideclimatenews.org/news/2310202...