Phaedra C. Pezzullo
@phaedra.bsky.social
Professor @ CU Boulder Environmental & climate justice, sustainability & storytelling, environmental comm. Editor UC Press+ Taylor&Francis. Author: Beyond Straw Men: Plastic Pollution & Networked Cultures of Care. Opinions=mine https://phaedracpezzullo.com
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Making these things un-turn-off-able is an extremely fundamental core component of the entire industry. It is the same reason you cannot choose between buying yoghurt with single-use plastic or without it.
You cannot fabricate demand for a wasteful, harmful thing without making it mandatory
You cannot fabricate demand for a wasteful, harmful thing without making it mandatory
Dammit, tech companies. The only think I need to know about your awesome AI feature is how to turn it off.
January 16, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Making these things un-turn-off-able is an extremely fundamental core component of the entire industry. It is the same reason you cannot choose between buying yoghurt with single-use plastic or without it.
You cannot fabricate demand for a wasteful, harmful thing without making it mandatory
You cannot fabricate demand for a wasteful, harmful thing without making it mandatory
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Unprecedented presidency-ending corruption for anyone from Truman to Obama.
The deal has kick-started the president’s controversial plan to sell up to 50mn barrels of Venezuelan oil, with more sales expected in the ‘coming days and weeks’. ft.trib.al/a2pf6om
January 16, 2026 at 5:00 AM
Unprecedented presidency-ending corruption for anyone from Truman to Obama.
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Sigh. Shutting down the National Center for Atmospheric Research will make the world a more dangerous place for all of us.
Colorado senators’ bid to save NCAR funding fails as U.S. Senate passes spending bills
“In the face of unrelenting political attacks from President Trump, we are standing together to protect institutions like NCAR that are vital to our state and our economy,” Sen. John Hickenlo…
www.denverpost.com
January 16, 2026 at 1:14 AM
Sigh. Shutting down the National Center for Atmospheric Research will make the world a more dangerous place for all of us.
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
The motion to hold a vote also depends on Senate Majority Leader John Thune (SD). If you or anyone you know lives in these states, please let them know this rare opportunity to give NCAR legal protection. Let’s show these senators that they are not alone in defending this indispensable institution.
https://wclivestream.com/act/
t.co
January 15, 2026 at 12:20 AM
The motion to hold a vote also depends on Senate Majority Leader John Thune (SD). If you or anyone you know lives in these states, please let them know this rare opportunity to give NCAR legal protection. Let’s show these senators that they are not alone in defending this indispensable institution.
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Per Senate Press Gallery, CO
senators Bennet and Hickenlooper just spoke on the floor about NCAR. Sen Bennet tried to raise their amendment to protect NCAR through unanimous consent, but Sen. Susan Collins objected, killing the motion.
senators Bennet and Hickenlooper just spoke on the floor about NCAR. Sen Bennet tried to raise their amendment to protect NCAR through unanimous consent, but Sen. Susan Collins objected, killing the motion.
January 15, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Per Senate Press Gallery, CO
senators Bennet and Hickenlooper just spoke on the floor about NCAR. Sen Bennet tried to raise their amendment to protect NCAR through unanimous consent, but Sen. Susan Collins objected, killing the motion.
senators Bennet and Hickenlooper just spoke on the floor about NCAR. Sen Bennet tried to raise their amendment to protect NCAR through unanimous consent, but Sen. Susan Collins objected, killing the motion.
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
You cannot separate out climate from the rest of society and social issues. You cannot separate out climate from the rest of society and social issues. You cannot separate out climate from the rest of society and social issues.
January 15, 2026 at 4:12 PM
You cannot separate out climate from the rest of society and social issues. You cannot separate out climate from the rest of society and social issues. You cannot separate out climate from the rest of society and social issues.
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
The main bank account holding revenue from the Venezuelan oil sales is located in Qatar.
“There is no basis in law for a president to set up an offshore account that he controls so that he can sell assets seized by the American military,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
www.semafor.com/article/01/1...
“There is no basis in law for a president to set up an offshore account that he controls so that he can sell assets seized by the American military,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
www.semafor.com/article/01/1...
Exclusive: US gets first $500 million Venezuelan oil deal, holding some proceeds in Qatar
The details shared with Semafor mark an initial milestone in the administration’s plan following the ouster of Nicolás Maduro.
www.semafor.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:42 AM
The main bank account holding revenue from the Venezuelan oil sales is located in Qatar.
“There is no basis in law for a president to set up an offshore account that he controls so that he can sell assets seized by the American military,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
www.semafor.com/article/01/1...
“There is no basis in law for a president to set up an offshore account that he controls so that he can sell assets seized by the American military,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
www.semafor.com/article/01/1...
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
“.. The price of beef has risen 16.4 percent over the last year. The price of coffee is up a whopping 19.8 percent. The price of lettuce is up 7.3 percent and frozen fish 8.6 percent.”
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/b...
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/b...
January 14, 2026 at 11:26 PM
“.. The price of beef has risen 16.4 percent over the last year. The price of coffee is up a whopping 19.8 percent. The price of lettuce is up 7.3 percent and frozen fish 8.6 percent.”
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/b...
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/b...
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
I was supposed to be in bed an hour ago but sending links and videos to people so they know to avoid the green gas (zinc chloride).
Once a lab steward, always a lab steward.
Seriously, I was a chemist twenty years ago, you do NOT want heavy metal toxicity. It fucks you up in weird ways.
Once a lab steward, always a lab steward.
Seriously, I was a chemist twenty years ago, you do NOT want heavy metal toxicity. It fucks you up in weird ways.
January 15, 2026 at 5:30 AM
I was supposed to be in bed an hour ago but sending links and videos to people so they know to avoid the green gas (zinc chloride).
Once a lab steward, always a lab steward.
Seriously, I was a chemist twenty years ago, you do NOT want heavy metal toxicity. It fucks you up in weird ways.
Once a lab steward, always a lab steward.
Seriously, I was a chemist twenty years ago, you do NOT want heavy metal toxicity. It fucks you up in weird ways.
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Where is climate research being talked about the most?
Using the new @carbonbrief.org list of top 25 climate papers of 2025 and @altmetric.com, I found that compared with Twitter, these papers were discussed
*** 58% more on Bluesky ***
Read on for more 1/🧵
🧪⚒️
Using the new @carbonbrief.org list of top 25 climate papers of 2025 and @altmetric.com, I found that compared with Twitter, these papers were discussed
*** 58% more on Bluesky ***
Read on for more 1/🧵
🧪⚒️
January 13, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Where is climate research being talked about the most?
Using the new @carbonbrief.org list of top 25 climate papers of 2025 and @altmetric.com, I found that compared with Twitter, these papers were discussed
*** 58% more on Bluesky ***
Read on for more 1/🧵
🧪⚒️
Using the new @carbonbrief.org list of top 25 climate papers of 2025 and @altmetric.com, I found that compared with Twitter, these papers were discussed
*** 58% more on Bluesky ***
Read on for more 1/🧵
🧪⚒️
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
"Energy Secretary Chris Wright killed the Department of Energy’s decades-old radiation safety standard Friday, [ending] the department's use of the As Low As Reasonably Achievable—or "ALARA"—principle, which has long been a staple of nuclear regulation."
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
E&E News: DOE kills radiation safety standard
The nuclear standard is based on a regulatory principle dating to the 1950s that there is no safe dose of radiation.
subscriber.politicopro.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:04 PM
"Energy Secretary Chris Wright killed the Department of Energy’s decades-old radiation safety standard Friday, [ending] the department's use of the As Low As Reasonably Achievable—or "ALARA"—principle, which has long been a staple of nuclear regulation."
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
Worthwhile read and why I'm grateful to be ending my editorship soon. Phronesis is key b/c indeed: "Good quant work is becoming cheap and plentiful; good theory remains hard."
I just finished a three-year term as an editor at an international relations journal. I began at the start of the LLM era but ended right in the middle of it. Our volume of submissions tripled and our desk reject rate rose to 75%. I have some thoughts.
open.substack.com/pub/hegemon/...
open.substack.com/pub/hegemon/...
The Age of Academic Slop is Upon Us
what happens when AI automates "normal science"?
open.substack.com
January 13, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Worthwhile read and why I'm grateful to be ending my editorship soon. Phronesis is key b/c indeed: "Good quant work is becoming cheap and plentiful; good theory remains hard."
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
This is Minneapolis:
Walk into my neighborhood ACE last night & see the signage on their door notifying fed agents that it’s private property and cannot be used for immigration enforcement. These signs are all over the city.
Walk in & the nearest shelf has goggles & whistles.
Walk into my neighborhood ACE last night & see the signage on their door notifying fed agents that it’s private property and cannot be used for immigration enforcement. These signs are all over the city.
Walk in & the nearest shelf has goggles & whistles.
January 13, 2026 at 4:38 PM
This is Minneapolis:
Walk into my neighborhood ACE last night & see the signage on their door notifying fed agents that it’s private property and cannot be used for immigration enforcement. These signs are all over the city.
Walk in & the nearest shelf has goggles & whistles.
Walk into my neighborhood ACE last night & see the signage on their door notifying fed agents that it’s private property and cannot be used for immigration enforcement. These signs are all over the city.
Walk in & the nearest shelf has goggles & whistles.
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Trump has been promoting air pollution denial since at least 2017.
It’s taken different forms over the years, but the goal was always the same: to stop regulatory agencies from treating air pollution as a public health problem.
The Trump EPA has now reached that endpoint.
It’s taken different forms over the years, but the goal was always the same: to stop regulatory agencies from treating air pollution as a public health problem.
The Trump EPA has now reached that endpoint.
Air pollution denial is now EPA policy
Dirty air may kill people, but Trump's EPA won't count the bodies.
heated.world
January 13, 2026 at 1:12 PM
Trump has been promoting air pollution denial since at least 2017.
It’s taken different forms over the years, but the goal was always the same: to stop regulatory agencies from treating air pollution as a public health problem.
The Trump EPA has now reached that endpoint.
It’s taken different forms over the years, but the goal was always the same: to stop regulatory agencies from treating air pollution as a public health problem.
The Trump EPA has now reached that endpoint.
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
This thread responds to Prof. Christian Dunn’s Telegraph piece on #climate communication.
I argue it misdiagnoses public disengagement, underplays escalating scientific risk, & reproduces a media narrative that has actively shaped, not merely reflected, public resistance to climate action 🧵
I argue it misdiagnoses public disengagement, underplays escalating scientific risk, & reproduces a media narrative that has actively shaped, not merely reflected, public resistance to climate action 🧵
January 13, 2026 at 8:58 AM
This thread responds to Prof. Christian Dunn’s Telegraph piece on #climate communication.
I argue it misdiagnoses public disengagement, underplays escalating scientific risk, & reproduces a media narrative that has actively shaped, not merely reflected, public resistance to climate action 🧵
I argue it misdiagnoses public disengagement, underplays escalating scientific risk, & reproduces a media narrative that has actively shaped, not merely reflected, public resistance to climate action 🧵
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
7/ This creates a circular dynamic: the media constructs a reality in which #climate action equals loss & resentment, then later cites that mediated resistance as proof that climate ambition itself was misguided.
As Bakaki et al. explain...
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
As Bakaki et al. explain...
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
January 13, 2026 at 8:58 AM
7/ This creates a circular dynamic: the media constructs a reality in which #climate action equals loss & resentment, then later cites that mediated resistance as proof that climate ambition itself was misguided.
As Bakaki et al. explain...
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
As Bakaki et al. explain...
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
State regulation of fossil fuels matter
New EDF release: Satellite Data Shows Colorado Oil & Gas Methane Emissions Dropped as State Rules Took Effect
Read more here ⬇️
edf.org/Z6VP
Read more here ⬇️
edf.org/Z6VP
Satellite Data Shows Colorado Oil & Gas Methane Emissions Dropped as State Rules Took Effect
New synthesis of available satellite data provides strong evidence that groundbreaking 2014 regulations are delivering real reductions while industry conti
edf.org
January 12, 2026 at 5:49 AM
State regulation of fossil fuels matter
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
With MLK day approaching, worth reading what the official Senate investigation found about surveillance, sabotage, and blackmail as part of the FBI's "war" on Martin Luther King.
"No holds were barred. We have used [similar] techniques against Soviet agents...This is a rough, tough business."
"No holds were barred. We have used [similar] techniques against Soviet agents...This is a rough, tough business."
The Church Committee Report: Revelations from the Bombshell 1970s Investigation Into the National Security State
Revelations from the Bombshell 1970s Investigation Into the National Security State
bookshop.org
January 10, 2026 at 5:35 PM
With MLK day approaching, worth reading what the official Senate investigation found about surveillance, sabotage, and blackmail as part of the FBI's "war" on Martin Luther King.
"No holds were barred. We have used [similar] techniques against Soviet agents...This is a rough, tough business."
"No holds were barred. We have used [similar] techniques against Soviet agents...This is a rough, tough business."
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
I curate the history series at public media's trade journal Current. We're looking for pieces on the history of NPR, PBS and its affiliates, with some space to imagine public media's future. We accept academic articles repurposed for wide readership. Plus, we pay. Please circulate!
Rewind: The Roots of Public Media
This series features scholars of media history looking back at both familiar and lesser-known chapters in public broadcasting’s evolution. “Rewind” is presented in partnership with the Radio Preservat...
current.org
January 11, 2026 at 9:42 PM
I curate the history series at public media's trade journal Current. We're looking for pieces on the history of NPR, PBS and its affiliates, with some space to imagine public media's future. We accept academic articles repurposed for wide readership. Plus, we pay. Please circulate!
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
This is a good article about the history of Parkinson’s research & the influence of genes & the environment on the disease.
If you teach biology this is a good article to share with your students to discuss not only research priorities but the need to understand our environment as well as genetics
If you teach biology this is a good article to share with your students to discuss not only research priorities but the need to understand our environment as well as genetics
“No one knows exactly how much of the world’s drinking water is laced with TCE. The CDC reckons the water supply of 4-18% of Americans is contaminated… In Silicon Valley, where TCE was integral to manufacturing of early transistors, a necklace of underground plumes…”
www.wired.com/story/scient...
www.wired.com/story/scient...
Scientists Thought Parkinson’s Was in Our Genes. It Might Be in the Water
New ideas about chronic illness could revolutionize treatment, if we take the research seriously.
www.wired.com
January 11, 2026 at 5:31 PM
This is a good article about the history of Parkinson’s research & the influence of genes & the environment on the disease.
If you teach biology this is a good article to share with your students to discuss not only research priorities but the need to understand our environment as well as genetics
If you teach biology this is a good article to share with your students to discuss not only research priorities but the need to understand our environment as well as genetics
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
The Administration halted the NOAA's tracking of climate disasters in May '25. The data set enabled the public to objectively assess the impact of fossil fuels on climate events. Now, Climate Central has assumed the mantle, providing this critical information. #resist
www.cnn.com/2026/01/08/c...
www.cnn.com/2026/01/08/c...
Private sector revives the climate disaster database Trump tried to squash | CNN
In the US last year there were 23 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters, adding up to a total of $115 billion in damages. The database that tracks these costs used to be maintained by ...
www.cnn.com
January 10, 2026 at 8:11 PM
The Administration halted the NOAA's tracking of climate disasters in May '25. The data set enabled the public to objectively assess the impact of fossil fuels on climate events. Now, Climate Central has assumed the mantle, providing this critical information. #resist
www.cnn.com/2026/01/08/c...
www.cnn.com/2026/01/08/c...
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Indonesian minister says deepfakes are a 'serious violation of human rights, dignity, and security of citizens' online.
Indonesia blocks access to Musk's AI chatbot Grok over deepfake images
Indonesian minister says deepfakes are a 'serious violation of human rights, dignity, and security of citizens' online.
www.aljazeera.com
January 10, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Indonesian minister says deepfakes are a 'serious violation of human rights, dignity, and security of citizens' online.
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Lively scene at the IBEW Local 25 hall on Long Island, where Hochul, union leaders, enviro groups rallied with several hundred workers in support of offshore wind.
IBEW’s Kevin Casey: “If there’s any politicians in the back there that don’t support it, don’t call me up to support your reelection”
IBEW’s Kevin Casey: “If there’s any politicians in the back there that don’t support it, don’t call me up to support your reelection”
January 9, 2026 at 7:29 PM
Lively scene at the IBEW Local 25 hall on Long Island, where Hochul, union leaders, enviro groups rallied with several hundred workers in support of offshore wind.
IBEW’s Kevin Casey: “If there’s any politicians in the back there that don’t support it, don’t call me up to support your reelection”
IBEW’s Kevin Casey: “If there’s any politicians in the back there that don’t support it, don’t call me up to support your reelection”