Prof. Bob Howarth
@profbobhowarth.bsky.social
Professor at Cornell University, Earth system scientist, co-EiC Land-Ocean-Atmosphere Research
Reposted by Prof. Bob Howarth
Two weeks ago I testified before congress on the promise and peril of deep-sea mining. A few key points of my testimony, and my responses to Congresswoman Dexter, were clipped by Forbes. I think they're worth a listen.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLY2...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLY2...
Maxine Dexter Decries 'Concerning Lack Of Transparency' In Deep Sea Mining Permitting Process
YouTube video by Forbes Breaking News
www.youtube.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:37 PM
Two weeks ago I testified before congress on the promise and peril of deep-sea mining. A few key points of my testimony, and my responses to Congresswoman Dexter, were clipped by Forbes. I think they're worth a listen.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLY2...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLY2...
Reposted by Prof. Bob Howarth
The $100B deal between Nvidia and OpenAI has collapsed; Nvidia is now saying it will invest $20B. The idea of OpenAI collapsing this year & bringing down many other players with it is now increasingly plausible. But the comparisons w the 90s tech bubble only explain so much...
What does the disappearance of a $100bn deal mean for the AI economy?
Apparent collapse of Nvidia–OpenAI tie-up raises questions about circular funding and who will bear the cost of AI’s expansion
www.theguardian.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:02 PM
The $100B deal between Nvidia and OpenAI has collapsed; Nvidia is now saying it will invest $20B. The idea of OpenAI collapsing this year & bringing down many other players with it is now increasingly plausible. But the comparisons w the 90s tech bubble only explain so much...
Reposted by Prof. Bob Howarth
President Trump on Thursday shared a video that contained a clip portraying former President Barack Obama and the former first lady Michelle Obama as apes.
Trump Shares Video Portraying the Obamas as Apes
The video, shared by the president’s Truth Social account, contains a brief clip of the faces of former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, on the bodies of apes.
nyti.ms
February 6, 2026 at 1:40 PM
President Trump on Thursday shared a video that contained a clip portraying former President Barack Obama and the former first lady Michelle Obama as apes.
Reposted by Prof. Bob Howarth
The Donald J Trump Memorial MAGA Park
February 6, 2026 at 12:54 PM
The Donald J Trump Memorial MAGA Park
Reposted by Prof. Bob Howarth
if russia or china were doing this we’d call it foreign interference
US government to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities in Europe ft.trib.al/rg4IDIC
US government to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities in Europe
State department grants to spread ‘American values’ are part of Washington’s 250th anniversary celebrations
ft.trib.al
February 6, 2026 at 12:08 AM
if russia or china were doing this we’d call it foreign interference
Reposted by Prof. Bob Howarth
Passing 50% RE milestone "is a landmark moment" for Australia's main grid!
Coal fell to its lowest ever quarterly level.
Gas fell 27% to lowest level since 2000.
Battery discharges tripled!
Wind rose 29%
Utility-scale solar up 15%
Prices down 44%!
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01... #energysky
Coal fell to its lowest ever quarterly level.
Gas fell 27% to lowest level since 2000.
Battery discharges tripled!
Wind rose 29%
Utility-scale solar up 15%
Prices down 44%!
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01... #energysky
Grid hits major milestone as coal, gas shrink amid 'tripling' battery discharge
Amid fits and starts, Australia's energy transition turned a big corner in 2025, as renewables shot past fossil fuels despite demand records.
www.abc.net.au
February 6, 2026 at 1:13 PM
Passing 50% RE milestone "is a landmark moment" for Australia's main grid!
Coal fell to its lowest ever quarterly level.
Gas fell 27% to lowest level since 2000.
Battery discharges tripled!
Wind rose 29%
Utility-scale solar up 15%
Prices down 44%!
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01... #energysky
Coal fell to its lowest ever quarterly level.
Gas fell 27% to lowest level since 2000.
Battery discharges tripled!
Wind rose 29%
Utility-scale solar up 15%
Prices down 44%!
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01... #energysky
Reposted by Prof. Bob Howarth
All those local bans against renewables projects are simply elected officials responding to their NIMBY constituents, right? Not so fast. Opponents of this OH solar project included dozens of anonymous commenters & ~34 instances in which people gave false names or lied about their residence.
Are faked public comments about to tank an Ohio solar farm?
Dozens of public comments opposing the $98 million Crossroads Solar project appear to be fabricated. Ohio’s siting board may block the project anyway.
www.canarymedia.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:00 PM
All those local bans against renewables projects are simply elected officials responding to their NIMBY constituents, right? Not so fast. Opponents of this OH solar project included dozens of anonymous commenters & ~34 instances in which people gave false names or lied about their residence.
Reposted by Prof. Bob Howarth
ICE are not the police,They are not the FBI, They are not US Marshals , they are not DEA, they are border enforcement agents tasked to protect our border & to uphold our immigration laws- the are not empowered to do anything else or to defy or break our laws doing it- apnews.com/article/immi...
ICE agents can't make warrantless arrests in Oregon unless there's a risk of escape, US judge rules
A judge says U.S. immigration agents in Oregon must stop arresting people without warrants unless they are likely to escape. U.S.
apnews.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:18 AM
ICE are not the police,They are not the FBI, They are not US Marshals , they are not DEA, they are border enforcement agents tasked to protect our border & to uphold our immigration laws- the are not empowered to do anything else or to defy or break our laws doing it- apnews.com/article/immi...
Reposted by Prof. Bob Howarth
Batteries run 24/7
On 1 February 2026, batteries in CAISO never reached zero discharge rate while the sun was down, displacing gas and imports in California and supplying renewable electricity all night long.
#energysky
www.caiso.com/todays-outlo...
#energysky
www.caiso.com/todays-outlo...
February 5, 2026 at 10:02 PM
Batteries run 24/7
Reposted by Prof. Bob Howarth
Trump offered to unfreeze funding for NYC tunnel if Dulles airport, train station renamed for him, source says reut.rs/4ac0nRa
Trump offered to unfreeze funding for NYC tunnel if Dulles airport, train station renamed for him, source says
U.S. President Donald Trump offered last month to drop his hold on funding for a key $16 billion New York Hudson River tunnel project in exchange for Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer supporting the renaming of Washington Dulles Airport and New York Penn Station after Trump, a source told Reuters Thursday.
reut.rs
February 6, 2026 at 6:05 AM
Trump offered to unfreeze funding for NYC tunnel if Dulles airport, train station renamed for him, source says reut.rs/4ac0nRa
Reposted by Prof. Bob Howarth
If you still support fossil fuels, bioenergy fuels, nuclear, carbon capture, or bioenergy fuels, you are on the wrong side of science and history.
February 6, 2026 at 5:42 AM
If you still support fossil fuels, bioenergy fuels, nuclear, carbon capture, or bioenergy fuels, you are on the wrong side of science and history.
Reposted by Prof. Bob Howarth
I hope all 23 Democratic Attorneys General open up simultaneous investigations into Elon's extraordinary lawlessness and depravity.
To increase Grok’s popularity, xAI embraced making sexualized material, rolling back guardrails and ignoring internal warnings about the risks of producing such content, according to more than a half-dozen former employees of X and xAI.
Inside Musk’s bet to hook users that turned Grok into a porn generator
Under pressure to boost its popularity, Elon Musk’s xAI loosened guardrails and relaxed controls on sexual content, setting off internal concern.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:08 AM
I hope all 23 Democratic Attorneys General open up simultaneous investigations into Elon's extraordinary lawlessness and depravity.
Reposted by Prof. Bob Howarth
A study at U Mass Amherst finds that Elon Musk manipulated Twitter to bolster the voice of the Neo Nazi Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) before the German 2025 parliamentary elections. No surprises here. groups.cs.umass.edu/equate-ml/20...
February 5, 2026 at 4:57 PM
A study at U Mass Amherst finds that Elon Musk manipulated Twitter to bolster the voice of the Neo Nazi Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) before the German 2025 parliamentary elections. No surprises here. groups.cs.umass.edu/equate-ml/20...
Reposted by Prof. Bob Howarth
Antarctic ice sheet folk, I'm looking for a Postdoctoral Fellow in Antarctic Ice Sheet Reconstruction [readvertised] for a 3.5yr appointment in Tasmania. Very flexible start date!
Join our new team, figuring out what is happening and what may happen in East Antarctica. 1/4
❄️
Join our new team, figuring out what is happening and what may happen in East Antarctica. 1/4
❄️
February 6, 2026 at 1:18 AM
Antarctic ice sheet folk, I'm looking for a Postdoctoral Fellow in Antarctic Ice Sheet Reconstruction [readvertised] for a 3.5yr appointment in Tasmania. Very flexible start date!
Join our new team, figuring out what is happening and what may happen in East Antarctica. 1/4
❄️
Join our new team, figuring out what is happening and what may happen in East Antarctica. 1/4
❄️
Reposted by Prof. Bob Howarth
Mark Kermode reviewed 'Melania'!
It's a review of the regime, the kleptocracy, the unintentionally mocking music choices, the "heist movie about a crime family breaking into the seat of power and stealing the cutlery whilst destroying democracy."
The 'Triumph of the Swill' lyrics seem appropriate
It's a review of the regime, the kleptocracy, the unintentionally mocking music choices, the "heist movie about a crime family breaking into the seat of power and stealing the cutlery whilst destroying democracy."
The 'Triumph of the Swill' lyrics seem appropriate
Mark Kermode reviews Melania
YouTube video by Kermode and Mayo's Take
youtu.be
February 6, 2026 at 9:05 AM
Mark Kermode reviewed 'Melania'!
It's a review of the regime, the kleptocracy, the unintentionally mocking music choices, the "heist movie about a crime family breaking into the seat of power and stealing the cutlery whilst destroying democracy."
The 'Triumph of the Swill' lyrics seem appropriate
It's a review of the regime, the kleptocracy, the unintentionally mocking music choices, the "heist movie about a crime family breaking into the seat of power and stealing the cutlery whilst destroying democracy."
The 'Triumph of the Swill' lyrics seem appropriate
Must read piece on how a Federal Judge in TX invoked the Declaration of Independence in standing up to Trump & Ice.
thehill.com/opinion/immi...
thehill.com/opinion/immi...
thehill.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:05 AM
Must read piece on how a Federal Judge in TX invoked the Declaration of Independence in standing up to Trump & Ice.
thehill.com/opinion/immi...
thehill.com/opinion/immi...
Reposted by Prof. Bob Howarth
@wyden.senate.gov's record of warning that there is deep and constitutionally-serious dirt being done by the intelligence agencies in secret is unblemished. The vaguer he is, the filthier the dirt is. This is the vaguest I've ever seen him
Ron Wyden Only Talks Like This When The Spies Do Something *Real* Bad
No, I don't know what they did. But I have a lot of experience with the senator
www.forever-wars.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:10 PM
@wyden.senate.gov's record of warning that there is deep and constitutionally-serious dirt being done by the intelligence agencies in secret is unblemished. The vaguer he is, the filthier the dirt is. This is the vaguest I've ever seen him
Reposted by Prof. Bob Howarth
When are we going to collectively wake up and realize that it's all a scam and the main (sole?) purpose is crime?
How cryptocurrency’s second largest coin missed out on the industry’s boom
How cryptocurrency’s second largest coin missed out on the industry’s boom
A leaked pitch to reshape Ethereum’s leadership exposed deep divisions over politics, power and Ether’s static price
www.theguardian.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:42 PM
When are we going to collectively wake up and realize that it's all a scam and the main (sole?) purpose is crime?
Reposted by Prof. Bob Howarth
Crypto's meltdown may impact electricity demand in some grids.
EIA estimated crypto's electricity usage was 0.6%-2.3% of US demand in 2023.
84% of power consumed by the 34 largest Bitcoin mines was generated by plants burning fossil fuels.
www.globalelectricity.org/bitcoin-mini... #energysky
EIA estimated crypto's electricity usage was 0.6%-2.3% of US demand in 2023.
84% of power consumed by the 34 largest Bitcoin mines was generated by plants burning fossil fuels.
www.globalelectricity.org/bitcoin-mini... #energysky
Bitcoin Mining's Surging Demand Strains US Power Grids Amid Energy Transition - Global Electricity
New data reveals cryptocurrency operations now consume as much electricity
www.globalelectricity.org
February 5, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Crypto's meltdown may impact electricity demand in some grids.
EIA estimated crypto's electricity usage was 0.6%-2.3% of US demand in 2023.
84% of power consumed by the 34 largest Bitcoin mines was generated by plants burning fossil fuels.
www.globalelectricity.org/bitcoin-mini... #energysky
EIA estimated crypto's electricity usage was 0.6%-2.3% of US demand in 2023.
84% of power consumed by the 34 largest Bitcoin mines was generated by plants burning fossil fuels.
www.globalelectricity.org/bitcoin-mini... #energysky
Reposted by Prof. Bob Howarth
Bitcoin is extremely useful to thieves and charlatans. But is that enough to make it a success? Evidently not, says Paul Krugman.
Is This Crypto’s Fimbulwinter?
Political power may not be enough to save the crypto cult
open.substack.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:42 PM
Bitcoin is extremely useful to thieves and charlatans. But is that enough to make it a success? Evidently not, says Paul Krugman.
Reposted by Prof. Bob Howarth
Reposted by Prof. Bob Howarth
A bus stop near Tesla's flagship store in London. Imagine a Super Bowl ad that showed only this.
February 5, 2026 at 3:44 PM
A bus stop near Tesla's flagship store in London. Imagine a Super Bowl ad that showed only this.
Reposted by Prof. Bob Howarth
"The project, estimated to cost €900 million, is for a floating storage and regasification unit with land-based terminal in the Shannon Estuary that would import shipments of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), a highly polluting form of fossil fuel gas."
'Environmental groups and climate campaigners have described the project as a “Trojan horse” for new fossil fuel developments, backed by a strategy that “punches a hole” in the country’s climate laws.'
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
Plans to fast-track permission for floating gas terminal criticised
Oireachtas committee begins hearings on controversial LNG proposals
www.irishtimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:42 PM
"The project, estimated to cost €900 million, is for a floating storage and regasification unit with land-based terminal in the Shannon Estuary that would import shipments of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), a highly polluting form of fossil fuel gas."
Reposted by Prof. Bob Howarth
Household energy prices have outstripped overall prices in Trump's second term. Key drivers: the data center boom–with Big Tech shifting its costs to everyday ratepayers–along with Trump's boosting of LNG exports and blockage of renewables.
The political cost of America’s surging electricity bills
Data centres powering the AI boom are straining grids and causing price rises that could hurt Trump
www.ft.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:15 PM
Household energy prices have outstripped overall prices in Trump's second term. Key drivers: the data center boom–with Big Tech shifting its costs to everyday ratepayers–along with Trump's boosting of LNG exports and blockage of renewables.
Reposted by Prof. Bob Howarth
I'm endorsing Gov. @KathyHochul because she's someone willing to engage in honest dialogue that delivers results.
Along with the movement that powered our campaign, it's how we secured a historic agreement on childcare. And we're just getting started.
www.thenation.com/article/poli...
Along with the movement that powered our campaign, it's how we secured a historic agreement on childcare. And we're just getting started.
www.thenation.com/article/poli...
Zohran Mamdani: Why I'm Endorsing Kathy Hochul
Exclusive: New York City's mayor explains why he's backing New York's governor in the 2026 election.
www.thenation.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:25 PM
I'm endorsing Gov. @KathyHochul because she's someone willing to engage in honest dialogue that delivers results.
Along with the movement that powered our campaign, it's how we secured a historic agreement on childcare. And we're just getting started.
www.thenation.com/article/poli...
Along with the movement that powered our campaign, it's how we secured a historic agreement on childcare. And we're just getting started.
www.thenation.com/article/poli...