William S. Becker
@sustainabil.bsky.social
Journalist and author writing about environmental protection, climate change, democracy, ethics, and whatever else comes to mind.
From his control of the world's second-largest nuclear arsenal to his active contribution to global climate change, and from a lack of checks and balances to his mental deterioration, Donald Trump is arguably the world's most dangerous person. Congress must do something.
thehill.com/opinion/whit...
thehill.com/opinion/whit...
Trump is the world’s most dangerous man
It is time — actually, well past time — for members of Congress to hitch up their Big Boy and Girl pants, red as well as blue, to do something about this.
thehill.com
December 15, 2025 at 2:04 PM
From his control of the world's second-largest nuclear arsenal to his active contribution to global climate change, and from a lack of checks and balances to his mental deterioration, Donald Trump is arguably the world's most dangerous person. Congress must do something.
thehill.com/opinion/whit...
thehill.com/opinion/whit...
Three growing problems threaten life as we know it -- and life itself, but we are doing too little about them: the proliferation of nuclear weapons, global warming, and the loss of human agency to artificial intelligence. I write about this at bit.ly/49Z3cqn
Taming the three horses of the apocalypse
Confronting the triple threat of climate change, nuclear proliferation, and artificial intelligence
bit.ly
December 8, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Three growing problems threaten life as we know it -- and life itself, but we are doing too little about them: the proliferation of nuclear weapons, global warming, and the loss of human agency to artificial intelligence. I write about this at bit.ly/49Z3cqn
Who is responsible for the possible war crime in the Caribbean boat attack? Pete Hegseth? The Navy admiral? In this case, culpability flows up as well as down the chain of command. President Trump misuses the military and Congress has let him. The Hill has published my argument at bit.ly/44AJ8ar
bit.ly
December 8, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Who is responsible for the possible war crime in the Caribbean boat attack? Pete Hegseth? The Navy admiral? In this case, culpability flows up as well as down the chain of command. President Trump misuses the military and Congress has let him. The Hill has published my argument at bit.ly/44AJ8ar
To avoid the ravages of drug addiction, we must stop using the drug. Yet, for the 30th time, world leaders failed to prescribe a cure for our addiction to fossil fuels. The Hill published my reaction this morning at thehill.com/opinion/ener...
thehill.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:10 PM
To avoid the ravages of drug addiction, we must stop using the drug. Yet, for the 30th time, world leaders failed to prescribe a cure for our addiction to fossil fuels. The Hill published my reaction this morning at thehill.com/opinion/ener...
The Roberts Court has made several blunders, but none as careless as placing presidents above the law. Donald Trump has proved how dangerous that decision is to the Constitution and the justice system. The Court should reverse itself. The Hill has published my argument at thehill.com/opinion/judi...
thehill.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:31 PM
The Roberts Court has made several blunders, but none as careless as placing presidents above the law. Donald Trump has proved how dangerous that decision is to the Constitution and the justice system. The Court should reverse itself. The Hill has published my argument at thehill.com/opinion/judi...
Can music fight oppression? It has in the past. It was instrumental in the social and anti-war movements of 60 years ago. Let's use it again. the-real-biocene.net/f/can-tik-to...
Can Tik Tok Troubadours Save Us?
By William S. Becker
the-real-biocene.net
November 11, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Can music fight oppression? It has in the past. It was instrumental in the social and anti-war movements of 60 years ago. Let's use it again. the-real-biocene.net/f/can-tik-to...
COP-30 began today, the second time the U.S. has failed to attend international climate negotiations. America is an outlier, outlaw, and free-rider in global climate talks. It is reneging on its UNFCCC obligations and expecting others to save it from climate change. www.meer.com/en/99902-cop...
www.meer.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:29 PM
COP-30 began today, the second time the U.S. has failed to attend international climate negotiations. America is an outlier, outlaw, and free-rider in global climate talks. It is reneging on its UNFCCC obligations and expecting others to save it from climate change. www.meer.com/en/99902-cop...
Bill Gates' message in the runup to COP-30 revealed a startling misunderstanding of the climate crisis. The world isn't ignoring poverty as it confronts global warming. The poor are more affected by the climate crisis than any other group. The Hill has published my reaction at bit.ly/3LGrDOZ
November 3, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Bill Gates' message in the runup to COP-30 revealed a startling misunderstanding of the climate crisis. The world isn't ignoring poverty as it confronts global warming. The poor are more affected by the climate crisis than any other group. The Hill has published my reaction at bit.ly/3LGrDOZ
Trump says he isn't a king, but he acts like one and lives like one, and the American people are paying for it. The Hill posted my critique this morning at thehill.com/opinion/whit...
thehill.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Trump says he isn't a king, but he acts like one and lives like one, and the American people are paying for it. The Hill posted my critique this morning at thehill.com/opinion/whit...
Democracy's enemies are counting on the "bystander syndrome." What is it? See my post at the-real-biocene.net/f/democracy%...
Democracy’s Enemies are Counting on the Bystanders Syndrome
By William S. Becker
the-real-biocene.net
October 24, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Democracy's enemies are counting on the "bystander syndrome." What is it? See my post at the-real-biocene.net/f/democracy%...
U.S. military and intelligence leaders have warned for years that climate change threatens national security. Trump not only ignores the threat, he's actively making it worse. What are our generals doing about it? Apparently, not much. The Hill has published my reaction: thehill.com/opinion/ener...
October 20, 2025 at 5:51 PM
U.S. military and intelligence leaders have warned for years that climate change threatens national security. Trump not only ignores the threat, he's actively making it worse. What are our generals doing about it? Apparently, not much. The Hill has published my reaction: thehill.com/opinion/ener...
King George III called the American Revolution a "desperate conspiracy" by deluded traitors. Sound familiar? Trump says his opponents are "the enemy within." Speaker Johnson calls Saturday's No Kings events a "hate America rally." Instead, it's a Love America rally against another would-be king.
October 16, 2025 at 2:15 PM
King George III called the American Revolution a "desperate conspiracy" by deluded traitors. Sound familiar? Trump says his opponents are "the enemy within." Speaker Johnson calls Saturday's No Kings events a "hate America rally." Instead, it's a Love America rally against another would-be king.
This weekend's "No Kings" protest should be directed not only at Donald Trump, but also at the members of Congress, governors, and other elected officials who support and enable him. They should get a clear message that they will not be re-elected.
October 14, 2025 at 12:51 PM
This weekend's "No Kings" protest should be directed not only at Donald Trump, but also at the members of Congress, governors, and other elected officials who support and enable him. They should get a clear message that they will not be re-elected.
President Trump will decide soon whether to disband or reform FEMA. Let's adopt the polluter-pays principle with a user fee on fossil fuels and the repeal of oil subsidies, and revenues sent to states for disaster resilience, response, and recovery.
See The Hill at thehill.com/opinion/ener...
See The Hill at thehill.com/opinion/ener...
thehill.com
October 13, 2025 at 4:56 PM
President Trump will decide soon whether to disband or reform FEMA. Let's adopt the polluter-pays principle with a user fee on fossil fuels and the repeal of oil subsidies, and revenues sent to states for disaster resilience, response, and recovery.
See The Hill at thehill.com/opinion/ener...
See The Hill at thehill.com/opinion/ener...
The international magazine Meer just published my piece about applying the polluter-pays principle. If you're interested, you'll find it at www.meer.com/en/98735-cli....
Climate clouds keep gathering
All we need is the courage to break the carbon cartel’s grip
www.meer.com
October 8, 2025 at 5:44 PM
The international magazine Meer just published my piece about applying the polluter-pays principle. If you're interested, you'll find it at www.meer.com/en/98735-cli....
The military, governors, and voters are the last lines of defense against Donald Trump's authoritarianism. When he bullies them, they should just say no. I discuss this at the-real-biocene.net/f/memo-to-am...
Memo to America: Just Say No
By William S. Becker
the-real-biocene.net
October 7, 2025 at 8:04 PM
The military, governors, and voters are the last lines of defense against Donald Trump's authoritarianism. When he bullies them, they should just say no. I discuss this at the-real-biocene.net/f/memo-to-am...
Presidents set the tone of the national conversation. Our current president encourages anger and hate. I discuss this on The Hill at thehill.com/opinion/camp...
thehill.com
October 7, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Presidents set the tone of the national conversation. Our current president encourages anger and hate. I discuss this on The Hill at thehill.com/opinion/camp...
Global warming was once a science debate. Then it was an environmental concern for the future. Now it's a quality-of-life issue affecting our safety, health, household incomes, and cost of living. By ignoring it, Trump is breaking his promises to voters. See The Hill at thehill.com/opinion/ener...
thehill.com
September 29, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Global warming was once a science debate. Then it was an environmental concern for the future. Now it's a quality-of-life issue affecting our safety, health, household incomes, and cost of living. By ignoring it, Trump is breaking his promises to voters. See The Hill at thehill.com/opinion/ener...
Donald Trump is proving that the Constitution has loopholes and flaws. It is too difficult to amend, and it leaves too much to the discretion of political leaders. The Hill has posted my suggestions at thehill.com/opinion/camp...
The Constitution is failing us — so let’s fix it
It’s time to breathe life back into the document and strengthen it. It is not carved in stone.
thehill.com
September 23, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Donald Trump is proving that the Constitution has loopholes and flaws. It is too difficult to amend, and it leaves too much to the discretion of political leaders. The Hill has posted my suggestions at thehill.com/opinion/camp...
The Donald Trump Tochotchke, Doodad, and Bric-a-Brac Company has issued a "stunning new collectible": A $2 bill "honoring his leadership and vision for America." Order one today and place it next to the Trump Bobblehead, which commemorates his mental confusion. Next up: The Trump Wooden Nickel.
September 21, 2025 at 2:47 PM
The Donald Trump Tochotchke, Doodad, and Bric-a-Brac Company has issued a "stunning new collectible": A $2 bill "honoring his leadership and vision for America." Order one today and place it next to the Trump Bobblehead, which commemorates his mental confusion. Next up: The Trump Wooden Nickel.
The Kirk assassination is a moment in which all Americans should reject violence against those with whom we disagree. Instead, Donald Trump and others in his circle are using the tragedy to declare war on the Left. I've posted my thoughts at the-real-biocene.net/f/thoughts-o...
Thoughts on the Kirk Assassination
By William S. Becker
the-real-biocene.net
September 15, 2025 at 9:32 PM
The Kirk assassination is a moment in which all Americans should reject violence against those with whom we disagree. Instead, Donald Trump and others in his circle are using the tragedy to declare war on the Left. I've posted my thoughts at the-real-biocene.net/f/thoughts-o...
Republicans argue that the government should not pick winners. Donald Trump is picking fossil fuels and suppressing their competition. Wind and solar power are the cheapest ways to generate electricity. Trump's deal with Big Oil forces families to pay more for energy. See thehill.com/opinion/ener...
thehill.com
September 15, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Republicans argue that the government should not pick winners. Donald Trump is picking fossil fuels and suppressing their competition. Wind and solar power are the cheapest ways to generate electricity. Trump's deal with Big Oil forces families to pay more for energy. See thehill.com/opinion/ener...
In the wake of the Charlie Kirk assassination, The Economist has published an analysis of left- and right-wing violence in the U.S. It's at bit.ly/3VKTy22
Extremists on both sides have committed murders. But data show that 76% of them in the last decade were committed by those on the hard right.
Extremists on both sides have committed murders. But data show that 76% of them in the last decade were committed by those on the hard right.
Is “radical-left” violence really on the rise in America?
The killing of Charlie Kirk is part of a grim pattern of political violence. This is what the data show
www.economist.com
September 12, 2025 at 9:07 PM
In the wake of the Charlie Kirk assassination, The Economist has published an analysis of left- and right-wing violence in the U.S. It's at bit.ly/3VKTy22
Extremists on both sides have committed murders. But data show that 76% of them in the last decade were committed by those on the hard right.
Extremists on both sides have committed murders. But data show that 76% of them in the last decade were committed by those on the hard right.
Donald Trump wants the Nobel Peace Prize so badly that he's "talked" foreign leaders into nominating him. Should he receive it? Not unless the Nobel committee wants to destroy the honor's credibility forever. The international magazine Meer has published my argument at www.meer.com/en/97222-don...
September 8, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Donald Trump wants the Nobel Peace Prize so badly that he's "talked" foreign leaders into nominating him. Should he receive it? Not unless the Nobel committee wants to destroy the honor's credibility forever. The international magazine Meer has published my argument at www.meer.com/en/97222-don...
Shifting away from fossil fuels does not threaten America's lifestyles or quality of life. Clean energy can do the job. The real threat is unmitigated climate change. We've waited so long that the energy transition is urgent. The Hill has published my explanation at
thehill.com/opinion/ener...
thehill.com/opinion/ener...
thehill.com
September 8, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Shifting away from fossil fuels does not threaten America's lifestyles or quality of life. Clean energy can do the job. The real threat is unmitigated climate change. We've waited so long that the energy transition is urgent. The Hill has published my explanation at
thehill.com/opinion/ener...
thehill.com/opinion/ener...