Robert Frederick
@robertfrederick.co
Science 🧪 Journalism Reporter / Editor / Producer / Podcaster / Videographer / Manager. Teach journalism+podcasting online for Harvard. Nieman Fellow & AAAS Mass Media Fellow. https://sustainlab.substack.com/
Singapore may be the first country to explicitly charge customers for the increased costs of procuring More Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
But it almost certainly won’t be the last.
sustainlab.substack.com/p/up-in-the-...
But it almost certainly won’t be the last.
sustainlab.substack.com/p/up-in-the-...
Up In The Air
Making air travel more sustainable means more expense. A new effort explicitly shifts who pays.
sustainlab.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Singapore may be the first country to explicitly charge customers for the increased costs of procuring More Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
But it almost certainly won’t be the last.
sustainlab.substack.com/p/up-in-the-...
But it almost certainly won’t be the last.
sustainlab.substack.com/p/up-in-the-...
It's #COP30 (this week and next), and world leaders have another opportunity to negotiate agreements to address, among other things, “thirsty” and “gassy” A.I. use.
My latest on SustainLab -- informed by a scientific briefing at #SciWri25 hosted by @sciencewriters.org + @sciencewriting.bsky.social
My latest on SustainLab -- informed by a scientific briefing at #SciWri25 hosted by @sciencewriters.org + @sciencewriting.bsky.social
Thirsty and Gassy
A.I. has serious energy–water–climate implications. But without a uniform way to quantify A.I. energy-water use, it's hard to distinguish breakthroughs from greenwashing.
sustainlab.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:16 AM
It's #COP30 (this week and next), and world leaders have another opportunity to negotiate agreements to address, among other things, “thirsty” and “gassy” A.I. use.
My latest on SustainLab -- informed by a scientific briefing at #SciWri25 hosted by @sciencewriters.org + @sciencewriting.bsky.social
My latest on SustainLab -- informed by a scientific briefing at #SciWri25 hosted by @sciencewriters.org + @sciencewriting.bsky.social
Will a thorough listing of nature’s data and a complete understanding of A.I.’s proposed solutions to sustainability...
...persuade the world’s fossil fuel companies to go along with policies that phase out their industry?
My latest for SustainLab
sustainlab.substack.com/p/the-ai-sus... #COP30
...persuade the world’s fossil fuel companies to go along with policies that phase out their industry?
My latest for SustainLab
sustainlab.substack.com/p/the-ai-sus... #COP30
The A.I. Sustainability Paradox
As the world prepares for next week's United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) "the folly of technological solutionism" is on the rise again
sustainlab.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Will a thorough listing of nature’s data and a complete understanding of A.I.’s proposed solutions to sustainability...
...persuade the world’s fossil fuel companies to go along with policies that phase out their industry?
My latest for SustainLab
sustainlab.substack.com/p/the-ai-sus... #COP30
...persuade the world’s fossil fuel companies to go along with policies that phase out their industry?
My latest for SustainLab
sustainlab.substack.com/p/the-ai-sus... #COP30
If I were in a Signal chat with Secretary Pete Hegseth, I’d point out “circumstances to decline acceptance”
comptroller.war.gov/Portals/45/d...
Even the “appearance of integrity” being compromised is reason to decline.
Also see 5.2.5.3. regarding present or prospective business with DoD.
comptroller.war.gov/Portals/45/d...
Even the “appearance of integrity” being compromised is reason to decline.
Also see 5.2.5.3. regarding present or prospective business with DoD.
October 25, 2025 at 8:51 PM
If I were in a Signal chat with Secretary Pete Hegseth, I’d point out “circumstances to decline acceptance”
comptroller.war.gov/Portals/45/d...
Even the “appearance of integrity” being compromised is reason to decline.
Also see 5.2.5.3. regarding present or prospective business with DoD.
comptroller.war.gov/Portals/45/d...
Even the “appearance of integrity” being compromised is reason to decline.
Also see 5.2.5.3. regarding present or prospective business with DoD.
On this day twenty years ago, Walmart CEO Lee Scott gave his first livecast speech to every one of his company’s stores, clubs, and distribution centers.
It reads like a conversion narrative.
My latest for SustainLab.
It reads like a conversion narrative.
My latest for SustainLab.
"We should view the environment as [Hurricane] Katrina in slow motion"
It's been 20 years since the CEO of one of the world's largest companies said to its 60,000-plus suppliers "If it has to be thrown away, we don’t want it."
sustainlab.substack.com
October 24, 2025 at 3:32 AM
On this day twenty years ago, Walmart CEO Lee Scott gave his first livecast speech to every one of his company’s stores, clubs, and distribution centers.
It reads like a conversion narrative.
My latest for SustainLab.
It reads like a conversion narrative.
My latest for SustainLab.
Posting AI-generated videos gets attention.
Using AI to make up policy justifications? Not so much.
Which is going to have a bigger effect on American society?
Journalism is having a (long) moment: We're trying to figure out how to do important work in a way that is financially sustainable.
Using AI to make up policy justifications? Not so much.
Which is going to have a bigger effect on American society?
Journalism is having a (long) moment: We're trying to figure out how to do important work in a way that is financially sustainable.
October 23, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Posting AI-generated videos gets attention.
Using AI to make up policy justifications? Not so much.
Which is going to have a bigger effect on American society?
Journalism is having a (long) moment: We're trying to figure out how to do important work in a way that is financially sustainable.
Using AI to make up policy justifications? Not so much.
Which is going to have a bigger effect on American society?
Journalism is having a (long) moment: We're trying to figure out how to do important work in a way that is financially sustainable.
When your Substack is ahead of coverage from The New York Times, something must be going... right?
(It's because I don't have to get a fact-checker, editor, or publisher involved... I do it all myself at this point.)
(It's because I don't have to get a fact-checker, editor, or publisher involved... I do it all myself at this point.)
October 17, 2025 at 3:21 PM
When your Substack is ahead of coverage from The New York Times, something must be going... right?
(It's because I don't have to get a fact-checker, editor, or publisher involved... I do it all myself at this point.)
(It's because I don't have to get a fact-checker, editor, or publisher involved... I do it all myself at this point.)
Tomorrow, the International Maritime Organization, a specialized agency of the #UN, will vote whether to implement the world’s first global tax on fossil-fuel emissions -- those emitted by large ships.
Markets may respond immediately.
But it will be years before any actual taxes are levied.
Markets may respond immediately.
But it will be years before any actual taxes are levied.
Taxing Carbon Emissions Globally
The world's first global emissions tax is coming.
sustainlab.substack.com
October 16, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Tomorrow, the International Maritime Organization, a specialized agency of the #UN, will vote whether to implement the world’s first global tax on fossil-fuel emissions -- those emitted by large ships.
Markets may respond immediately.
But it will be years before any actual taxes are levied.
Markets may respond immediately.
But it will be years before any actual taxes are levied.
Reposted by Robert Frederick
Journalist here
I’m interested in talking to a federal agency scientist who was fired, then rehired. I can keep you anonymous. I’m on Signal ginnyg.04
Reposts are appreciated!
I’m interested in talking to a federal agency scientist who was fired, then rehired. I can keep you anonymous. I’m on Signal ginnyg.04
Reposts are appreciated!
October 11, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Journalist here
I’m interested in talking to a federal agency scientist who was fired, then rehired. I can keep you anonymous. I’m on Signal ginnyg.04
Reposts are appreciated!
I’m interested in talking to a federal agency scientist who was fired, then rehired. I can keep you anonymous. I’m on Signal ginnyg.04
Reposts are appreciated!
We journalists and science communicators need to think differently about informing people regarding slow-moving existential threats such as #ClimateChange.
I think our work needs to be #local and #actionable.
My latest for SustainLab. (Image is from Netflix's satire "Don't Look Up")
I think our work needs to be #local and #actionable.
My latest for SustainLab. (Image is from Netflix's satire "Don't Look Up")
Covering Sustainability
Meeting the needs of an emerging science-focused beat and making its coverage more sustainable
sustainlab.substack.com
October 8, 2025 at 5:39 PM
We journalists and science communicators need to think differently about informing people regarding slow-moving existential threats such as #ClimateChange.
I think our work needs to be #local and #actionable.
My latest for SustainLab. (Image is from Netflix's satire "Don't Look Up")
I think our work needs to be #local and #actionable.
My latest for SustainLab. (Image is from Netflix's satire "Don't Look Up")
I just voted in my local, non-partisan, primary.
But voting is not enough.
"If you ‘think globally,’ it is overwhelming and you do not have enough energy left to ‘act locally.’ Just act locally and see what a difference you can make!"
— Dr. Jane Goodall, may she rest in peace
But voting is not enough.
"If you ‘think globally,’ it is overwhelming and you do not have enough energy left to ‘act locally.’ Just act locally and see what a difference you can make!"
— Dr. Jane Goodall, may she rest in peace
October 7, 2025 at 6:50 PM
I just voted in my local, non-partisan, primary.
But voting is not enough.
"If you ‘think globally,’ it is overwhelming and you do not have enough energy left to ‘act locally.’ Just act locally and see what a difference you can make!"
— Dr. Jane Goodall, may she rest in peace
But voting is not enough.
"If you ‘think globally,’ it is overwhelming and you do not have enough energy left to ‘act locally.’ Just act locally and see what a difference you can make!"
— Dr. Jane Goodall, may she rest in peace
Have you considered hosting your own ClimateWeek, or some version of it suitable to your community?
My latest for SustainLab:
sustainlab.substack.com/p/your-commu...
My latest for SustainLab:
sustainlab.substack.com/p/your-commu...
Your Community's ClimateWeek
When is yours? Can your community keep it going all year?
sustainlab.substack.com
September 30, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Have you considered hosting your own ClimateWeek, or some version of it suitable to your community?
My latest for SustainLab:
sustainlab.substack.com/p/your-commu...
My latest for SustainLab:
sustainlab.substack.com/p/your-commu...
When it comes to #ClimateChange actions, do you know, simply, "where to begin"?
My latest for SustainLab -- simple poll included.
My latest for SustainLab -- simple poll included.
A Turning Point for Sustainability
Knowing where to begin is not as important as beginning.
sustainlab.substack.com
September 23, 2025 at 10:16 PM
When it comes to #ClimateChange actions, do you know, simply, "where to begin"?
My latest for SustainLab -- simple poll included.
My latest for SustainLab -- simple poll included.
Reposted by Robert Frederick
National Academies is releasing their fast-tracked review of the science of the endangerment finding in about 1 hour, with a webcast in about 2 hours.
www.nationalacademies.org/event/45701_...
www.nationalacademies.org/event/45701_...
September 17, 2025 at 2:48 PM
National Academies is releasing their fast-tracked review of the science of the endangerment finding in about 1 hour, with a webcast in about 2 hours.
www.nationalacademies.org/event/45701_...
www.nationalacademies.org/event/45701_...
In an uncertain world of dangers and perils, we are compelled to seek certainty and safety.
So how do we move beyond the easy binary choices -- e.g., fight or flight -- and take a pragmatic approach to DO SOMETHING?
Thinking in terms of a spectrum of "more or less."
My latest for SustainLab. 🧪
So how do we move beyond the easy binary choices -- e.g., fight or flight -- and take a pragmatic approach to DO SOMETHING?
Thinking in terms of a spectrum of "more or less."
My latest for SustainLab. 🧪
Can "More or Less" Thinking Save Our Future?
Move beyond binary choices of "sustainable or not" to take a pragmatic approach to Do Something.
sustainlab.substack.com
September 17, 2025 at 3:18 AM
In an uncertain world of dangers and perils, we are compelled to seek certainty and safety.
So how do we move beyond the easy binary choices -- e.g., fight or flight -- and take a pragmatic approach to DO SOMETHING?
Thinking in terms of a spectrum of "more or less."
My latest for SustainLab. 🧪
So how do we move beyond the easy binary choices -- e.g., fight or flight -- and take a pragmatic approach to DO SOMETHING?
Thinking in terms of a spectrum of "more or less."
My latest for SustainLab. 🧪
Fellow journalists -- having trouble getting scientist/scholar interviews?
Seen these "Thematic analysis of scholars’ experiences with journalists in the clickbait era, organized by theme"?
🧪 Source:
dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/...
h/t @niemanlab.org
www.niemanlab.org/2025/09/the-...
Seen these "Thematic analysis of scholars’ experiences with journalists in the clickbait era, organized by theme"?
🧪 Source:
dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/...
h/t @niemanlab.org
www.niemanlab.org/2025/09/the-...
September 10, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Fellow journalists -- having trouble getting scientist/scholar interviews?
Seen these "Thematic analysis of scholars’ experiences with journalists in the clickbait era, organized by theme"?
🧪 Source:
dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/...
h/t @niemanlab.org
www.niemanlab.org/2025/09/the-...
Seen these "Thematic analysis of scholars’ experiences with journalists in the clickbait era, organized by theme"?
🧪 Source:
dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/...
h/t @niemanlab.org
www.niemanlab.org/2025/09/the-...
"They were very critical of the CDC. When I asked if they were referring to the current or former CDC, they looked at me with blank stares. 'What is the difference?' they said. They were completely unaware of what is going on with health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr...."
"Here's how to talk to strangers in a bar about Covid." www.statnews.com/2025/09/06/c...
I inserted myself into a conversation at a bar about Covid and vaccines. Here’s what happened
What happened when a public health scientist overheard four men sharing misinformation about Covid — and decided to talk to them about it.
www.statnews.com
September 9, 2025 at 2:47 PM
"They were very critical of the CDC. When I asked if they were referring to the current or former CDC, they looked at me with blank stares. 'What is the difference?' they said. They were completely unaware of what is going on with health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr...."
There's a new podcast out there -- called "Shocked" -- about sustainable solutions to climate problems. Its first episode published today.
As a long-time podcaster, here's my short review of the first episode titled "Bad Energy."
As a long-time podcaster, here's my short review of the first episode titled "Bad Energy."
Pay to Play with Carbon-Dioxide Offsets
Wired, Tired, or Expired: "Instead of shaming energy use, pay for it with carbon offsets."
sustainlab.substack.com
September 8, 2025 at 10:30 PM
There's a new podcast out there -- called "Shocked" -- about sustainable solutions to climate problems. Its first episode published today.
As a long-time podcaster, here's my short review of the first episode titled "Bad Energy."
As a long-time podcaster, here's my short review of the first episode titled "Bad Energy."
Today I got an email from the U.S. National Academies titled “Resources for Educators” that starts with “School Active Shooter Drills.”
The rest of the resources are related to STEM education and curriculum.
mailchi.mp/nationalacad...
The rest of the resources are related to STEM education and curriculum.
mailchi.mp/nationalacad...
September 2, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Today I got an email from the U.S. National Academies titled “Resources for Educators” that starts with “School Active Shooter Drills.”
The rest of the resources are related to STEM education and curriculum.
mailchi.mp/nationalacad...
The rest of the resources are related to STEM education and curriculum.
mailchi.mp/nationalacad...
On the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina... I learned the flood protection system for New Orleans -- that Congress authorized in 1965 -- was still not finished when Hurricane Katrina hit 40 years later.
😱
😱
Testing, Measuring, Informing, But Not Making Policy
"Follow the science" is like following the news, not the leader. But leaders who reject science can start a viscous cycle of lower innovation, economic decline, and further public resentment.
sustainlab.substack.com
September 2, 2025 at 12:40 AM
On the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina... I learned the flood protection system for New Orleans -- that Congress authorized in 1965 -- was still not finished when Hurricane Katrina hit 40 years later.
😱
😱
42% of U.S. conservatives say climate change is not a threat, compared with 9% of moderates and just 2% of liberals.
But to respondents from 7 countries in the Global South "Climate change is the most important longer term problem the world is facing."
sustainlab.substack.com/p/setting-pr...
But to respondents from 7 countries in the Global South "Climate change is the most important longer term problem the world is facing."
sustainlab.substack.com/p/setting-pr...
August 29, 2025 at 2:11 AM
42% of U.S. conservatives say climate change is not a threat, compared with 9% of moderates and just 2% of liberals.
But to respondents from 7 countries in the Global South "Climate change is the most important longer term problem the world is facing."
sustainlab.substack.com/p/setting-pr...
But to respondents from 7 countries in the Global South "Climate change is the most important longer term problem the world is facing."
sustainlab.substack.com/p/setting-pr...
"Climate change is the most important longer term problem the world is facing."
-- ranked the most common viewpoint (of 10 options) re: climate change in a rare survey of 7 countries in the Global South.
In this post, I reviewed the recent research published last Friday in Nature Climate Change.
-- ranked the most common viewpoint (of 10 options) re: climate change in a rare survey of 7 countries in the Global South.
In this post, I reviewed the recent research published last Friday in Nature Climate Change.
Setting Priorities in the Global South
A new survey ranks climate change 1st among longer term problems, improving healthcare 1st among government priorities, and respiratory diseases from pollution and smoking 1st among health concerns.
sustainlab.substack.com
August 26, 2025 at 9:48 PM
"Climate change is the most important longer term problem the world is facing."
-- ranked the most common viewpoint (of 10 options) re: climate change in a rare survey of 7 countries in the Global South.
In this post, I reviewed the recent research published last Friday in Nature Climate Change.
-- ranked the most common viewpoint (of 10 options) re: climate change in a rare survey of 7 countries in the Global South.
In this post, I reviewed the recent research published last Friday in Nature Climate Change.
There's one way to be responsible to the planet -- whether you're a sustainability leader, follower, or none of the above.
Not Leading Or Following—But Still Responsible
Not a sustainability leader? Circumstances prevent you from following sustainability practices yourself? How can you responsibly get out of the way, then?
sustainlab.substack.com
August 21, 2025 at 9:10 PM
There's one way to be responsible to the planet -- whether you're a sustainability leader, follower, or none of the above.
So proud of my fellow Americans for their thoughtful, emotive, and informed testimony to the EPA today regarding the proposed recision of the 2009 Endangerment Finding.
Ameen (speaking, pictured) represents #BLKHLTH.
Ameen (speaking, pictured) represents #BLKHLTH.
August 19, 2025 at 3:14 PM
So proud of my fellow Americans for their thoughtful, emotive, and informed testimony to the EPA today regarding the proposed recision of the 2009 Endangerment Finding.
Ameen (speaking, pictured) represents #BLKHLTH.
Ameen (speaking, pictured) represents #BLKHLTH.
Elected officials, attorneys general, organizations, companies, and (so far) 225 private individuals are scheduled to speak at the public hearing (starting tomorrow) about the proposed recision of EPA's Endangerment finding.
Link here is the latest official PDF of speakers/timing
lnkd.in/dhCsfiNb
Link here is the latest official PDF of speakers/timing
lnkd.in/dhCsfiNb
Next week, the U.S. EPA is holding public hearings on the proposal to rescind the 2009 #EndangermentFinding, which is used to curb #greenhouse-gas emissions.
Want to attend/participate in public hearings and/or comment on the proposal?
Learn how here:
sustainlab.substack.com/p/inconvenie...
Want to attend/participate in public hearings and/or comment on the proposal?
Learn how here:
sustainlab.substack.com/p/inconvenie...
Inconvenient Endangerment
Time and again, "Trust the Market" fails to protect human health and the environment. Now, the public has only a short time to respond to the latest deregulatory move by the U.S. EPA.
sustainlab.substack.com
August 18, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Elected officials, attorneys general, organizations, companies, and (so far) 225 private individuals are scheduled to speak at the public hearing (starting tomorrow) about the proposed recision of EPA's Endangerment finding.
Link here is the latest official PDF of speakers/timing
lnkd.in/dhCsfiNb
Link here is the latest official PDF of speakers/timing
lnkd.in/dhCsfiNb