Rocky Kistner
@therockyfiles.bsky.social
Independent journalist, Society of Environmental Journalists board. Formerly with ABC News, PBS Frontline, Marketplace public radio, NRDC OnEarth, HuffPost contributing writer. Mizzou J School alum. TheRockyFiles.org,
https://themoneytrail.substack.com/
https://themoneytrail.substack.com/
Killing the pollinators. “Honey bees are the backbone of our food system, pollinating the crops that feed our nation...If we continue to see losses at this rate, we simply won’t be able to sustain current food production.”
themoneytrail.substack.com/p/trumps-war...
themoneytrail.substack.com/p/trumps-war...
November 25, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Killing the pollinators. “Honey bees are the backbone of our food system, pollinating the crops that feed our nation...If we continue to see losses at this rate, we simply won’t be able to sustain current food production.”
themoneytrail.substack.com/p/trumps-war...
themoneytrail.substack.com/p/trumps-war...
Health experts cry foul over Trump plans to cut air safety rules: "The Trump EPA is siding with big polluters, challenging safer standards and asking a court to do its dirty work.” https//wapo.st/49zm7rA @AmudalatAjasa
November 25, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Health experts cry foul over Trump plans to cut air safety rules: "The Trump EPA is siding with big polluters, challenging safer standards and asking a court to do its dirty work.” https//wapo.st/49zm7rA @AmudalatAjasa
A free press matters: “When fundamental freedoms are at stake, however, it becomes our duty, as an independent, not-for-profit news organization, with no owner and no shareholders, to stand up….AP’s freedom of speech is yours, too.” apnews.com/article/asso...
OpEd: Executive Editor Julie Pace on why AP is standing for your right to speak freely
The executive editor of The Associated Press says the news organization is fighting for the right of the press and public to speak freely without being targeted by the government.
apnews.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:58 PM
A free press matters: “When fundamental freedoms are at stake, however, it becomes our duty, as an independent, not-for-profit news organization, with no owner and no shareholders, to stand up….AP’s freedom of speech is yours, too.” apnews.com/article/asso...
Bad COP: scientists say #COP30 was an "abject failure," ignoring a key climate threat--fossil fuels--and calling for a change in UN conference rules: "a small number of rogue nations cannot be allowed to block progress for the rest of the world." @Michaelemann.bsky.social michaelmann.net/bad-cop/
Bad COP | Michael E. Mann
The COP30 global climate summit in Brazil may have been the last opportunity for the nations of the world to reach an agreement that limits planetary […]
michaelmann.net
November 23, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Bad COP: scientists say #COP30 was an "abject failure," ignoring a key climate threat--fossil fuels--and calling for a change in UN conference rules: "a small number of rogue nations cannot be allowed to block progress for the rest of the world." @Michaelemann.bsky.social michaelmann.net/bad-cop/
COP30 ignored the most important climate issue in the room: cutting fossil fuels. “It felt like a whole lot of tapdancing on the Titanic.” @amywestervelt.bsky.social drilled.ghost.io/there-can-be...
There Can Be No Information Integrity Without Scientific and Political Integrity
I'm just back from COP30 in Belém and it is making me feel crazy to watch so many climate advocates and reporters declare the final text coming out of it a victory. It's true that the final text inclu...
drilled.ghost.io
November 23, 2025 at 3:10 PM
COP30 ignored the most important climate issue in the room: cutting fossil fuels. “It felt like a whole lot of tapdancing on the Titanic.” @amywestervelt.bsky.social drilled.ghost.io/there-can-be...
A #climate crossroads risking “the pathway to “hothouse Earth”, a scenario where even if emissions were reduced, self amplifying feedback loops would drive global temperature increases up to or even beyond 5°C” @PIK_Climate @ConversationUK x.com/therockyfile... theconversation.com/the-world-lo...
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x.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:55 PM
A #climate crossroads risking “the pathway to “hothouse Earth”, a scenario where even if emissions were reduced, self amplifying feedback loops would drive global temperature increases up to or even beyond 5°C” @PIK_Climate @ConversationUK x.com/therockyfile... theconversation.com/the-world-lo...
The dismal state of local news: "digital news sites don’t come close to replacing the number of newspapers and journalism jobs being lost." Most digital news sites are based in urban centers, leaving rural areas without local news. @MedillSchool localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/projects/sta...
The State of Local News 2025
The latest insights and trends on the local news landscape across the country. Through data and graphics, explore the state of local news outlets and learn about news deserts, network sites and pathwa...
localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu
November 21, 2025 at 6:59 PM
The dismal state of local news: "digital news sites don’t come close to replacing the number of newspapers and journalism jobs being lost." Most digital news sites are based in urban centers, leaving rural areas without local news. @MedillSchool localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/projects/sta...
Killing the eagles: Trump admin to propose weakening wildlife protections; “defanging the Endangered Species Act…will only accelerate the loss of species at a time when hundreds of thousands are at risk of vanishing for good”
@dino_grandoni @washingtonpost www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
@dino_grandoni @washingtonpost www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
This law helped save the bald eagle. Trump officials want to weaken it.
The Trump administration announced plans to roll back protections for plants and animals under the Endangered Species Act.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Killing the eagles: Trump admin to propose weakening wildlife protections; “defanging the Endangered Species Act…will only accelerate the loss of species at a time when hundreds of thousands are at risk of vanishing for good”
@dino_grandoni @washingtonpost www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
@dino_grandoni @washingtonpost www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
How the Trump administration threatens our water resources and all who depend on them: "The current occupants of the White House, Congress and the Supreme Court are clearly bent on tearing the Clean Water Act to shreds." @derrickzjackson87294 open.substack.com/pub/themoney...
The Fight for Clean Water: Majesty or Madness
The Trump administration is hell-bent on reversing the progress we’ve made
open.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:20 PM
How the Trump administration threatens our water resources and all who depend on them: "The current occupants of the White House, Congress and the Supreme Court are clearly bent on tearing the Clean Water Act to shreds." @derrickzjackson87294 open.substack.com/pub/themoney...
Dead coral reefs, melting glaciers, warming permafrost top climate scientists’ concerns: “"Every tenth of a degree matters. And every act we take matters” @rhersher @NPR @lesommer www.npr.org/2025/11/19/n...
3 massive changes you'll see as the climate careens toward tipping points
Scientists are increasingly concerned that the planet is headed for massive, irreversible changes due to global warming. In some cases, those changes have already begun.
www.npr.org
November 19, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Dead coral reefs, melting glaciers, warming permafrost top climate scientists’ concerns: “"Every tenth of a degree matters. And every act we take matters” @rhersher @NPR @lesommer www.npr.org/2025/11/19/n...
Solar energy on fire: “The global solar energy market, driven by a push for carbon reduction and sustainable power generation, is projected to quadruple its valuation over the next decade”
@OilandEnergy
oilprice.com/Alternative-...
@OilandEnergy
oilprice.com/Alternative-...
Solar Energy Market Set To Grow to $1.6 Trillion by 2034 | OilPrice.com
The global solar energy market is projected to reach $1.6 trillion by 2034, driven by technological advancements and supportive policies, but its long-term growth depends on solving the persistent cha...
oilprice.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Solar energy on fire: “The global solar energy market, driven by a push for carbon reduction and sustainable power generation, is projected to quadruple its valuation over the next decade”
@OilandEnergy
oilprice.com/Alternative-...
@OilandEnergy
oilprice.com/Alternative-...
Environmentalists rail against Trump proposal to curtail water protections: “The EPA is taking a big swipe at the Clean Water Act, our greatest tool for ensuring clean water nationwide.” @brady_dennis @washingtonpost
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
Trump proposal would limit protections for U.S. waterways
The EPA proposed curtailing broader definitions of wetlands embraced by the Obama and Biden administrations, removing protections under the Clean Water Act.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Environmentalists rail against Trump proposal to curtail water protections: “The EPA is taking a big swipe at the Clean Water Act, our greatest tool for ensuring clean water nationwide.” @brady_dennis @washingtonpost
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
The American Petroleum Institute is backing a seven-figure ad campaign featuring real landmen during Paramount+ and CBS broadcasts of "Landman." www.axios.com/2025/11/16/l...
New season of "Landman" reflects oil industry's renewed swagger
"'Landman' reflects a pivot point of how the industry is viewed," American Petroleum Institute president says.
www.axios.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:05 PM
The American Petroleum Institute is backing a seven-figure ad campaign featuring real landmen during Paramount+ and CBS broadcasts of "Landman." www.axios.com/2025/11/16/l...
Experts call Trump’s revision of radiation standards “catastrophic” for women: “It’s an attack on the science and the policy behind radiation protection of people and the environment that has been in place for decades” @BulletinAtomic
thebulletin.org/2025/11/trum...
thebulletin.org/2025/11/trum...
Trump's new radiation exposure limits could be 'catastrophic' for women and girls
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission may soon loosen radiation exposure safety standards at nuclear plants and operations. Experts warn the general public is unsafe.
thebulletin.org
November 17, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Experts call Trump’s revision of radiation standards “catastrophic” for women: “It’s an attack on the science and the policy behind radiation protection of people and the environment that has been in place for decades” @BulletinAtomic
thebulletin.org/2025/11/trum...
thebulletin.org/2025/11/trum...
Meltdown in the Himalayas: “As humans warm the planet, so much ice has been erased from around Mount Everest that the elevation at base camp in Nepal, which sits on a melting glacier, has dropped more than 220 feet since the 1980s.” @nytimes www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Melting Glaciers in the Himalayas Feed Lakes That Threaten Towns Below
Melting ice from the Himalayas is creating thousands of unstable lakes, a growing menace to towns and cities below.
www.nytimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Meltdown in the Himalayas: “As humans warm the planet, so much ice has been erased from around Mount Everest that the elevation at base camp in Nepal, which sits on a melting glacier, has dropped more than 220 feet since the 1980s.” @nytimes www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Meltdown in the Himalayas: “As humans warm the planet, so much ice has been erased from around Mount Everest that the elevation at base camp in Nepal, which sits on a melting glacier, has dropped more than 220 feet since the 1980s.” @nytimes www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Melting Glaciers in the Himalayas Feed Lakes That Threaten Towns Below
Melting ice from the Himalayas is creating thousands of unstable lakes, a growing menace to towns and cities below.
www.nytimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Meltdown in the Himalayas: “As humans warm the planet, so much ice has been erased from around Mount Everest that the elevation at base camp in Nepal, which sits on a melting glacier, has dropped more than 220 feet since the 1980s.” @nytimes www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Global CO2 emissions are flattening but #methane emissions are rising at record levels, fueled by the rising use of methane gas, melting permafrost and deforestation. Scientists say we are on a path for climate disaster. @AmyAHarder @axios
www.axios.com/2025/11/13/c...
www.axios.com/2025/11/13/c...
This chart shows that progress has actually been made on climate change
The possible trajectories are better than a decade ago, but still indicate significant global warming.
www.axios.com
November 16, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Global CO2 emissions are flattening but #methane emissions are rising at record levels, fueled by the rising use of methane gas, melting permafrost and deforestation. Scientists say we are on a path for climate disaster. @AmyAHarder @axios
www.axios.com/2025/11/13/c...
www.axios.com/2025/11/13/c...
Oceans on acid pose an existential threat to marine life: "Areas are acidifying more quickly than thought, posing an existential threat to coastal economies around the world". @aaas www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
Ocean in coastal areas becoming more acidic than previously thought
New research from the university of St Andrews has found that some coastal areas will become much more acidic than previously anticipated, posing an existential threat to coastal economies around the ...
www.eurekalert.org
November 13, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Oceans on acid pose an existential threat to marine life: "Areas are acidifying more quickly than thought, posing an existential threat to coastal economies around the world". @aaas www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
A warming climate fuels a river of rain in the sky: “this conveyor belt of moisture from the gulf has intensified along the East Coast by an average of 4 to 7 percent over the past three decades — as much as twice the global average.” @washingtonpost www.washingtonpost.com/weather/inte...
Where the sky keeps bursting
A Washington Post investigation shows why much of the eastern U.S. is increasingly vulnerable to extreme rain and floods.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:18 AM
A warming climate fuels a river of rain in the sky: “this conveyor belt of moisture from the gulf has intensified along the East Coast by an average of 4 to 7 percent over the past three decades — as much as twice the global average.” @washingtonpost www.washingtonpost.com/weather/inte...
Bad news for the global climate: oil and gas to expand over the next 2 decades. "...growing concerns over energy security and a global lack of ambitious climate policies will delay the peak of the fossil fuel era until at least 2050." @HumbertoBasilio www.scientificamerican.com/article/iea-...
IEA Now Predicts Oil and Gas Demand Will Rise beyond 2030, Departing from Previous Forecasts
The International Energy Agency says weak climate action and energy security fears are effectively delaying peak fossil fuel consumption
www.scientificamerican.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Bad news for the global climate: oil and gas to expand over the next 2 decades. "...growing concerns over energy security and a global lack of ambitious climate policies will delay the peak of the fossil fuel era until at least 2050." @HumbertoBasilio www.scientificamerican.com/article/iea-...
Reposted by Rocky Kistner
The clock is ticking on the shrinking Colorado River as Western states miss a key deadline
"There’s no agreement yet, but time marches on, and conditions on the river continue to be problematic — more problematic over time as those reservoirs decline.” www.latimes.com/environment/...
"There’s no agreement yet, but time marches on, and conditions on the river continue to be problematic — more problematic over time as those reservoirs decline.” www.latimes.com/environment/...
The clock is ticking on the shrinking Colorado River as Western states miss a key deadline
Negotiators for seven states say they're making progress in negotiations aimed at addressing the Colorado River's chronic water shortages. But they missed an initial deadline.
www.latimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:32 PM
The clock is ticking on the shrinking Colorado River as Western states miss a key deadline
"There’s no agreement yet, but time marches on, and conditions on the river continue to be problematic — more problematic over time as those reservoirs decline.” www.latimes.com/environment/...
"There’s no agreement yet, but time marches on, and conditions on the river continue to be problematic — more problematic over time as those reservoirs decline.” www.latimes.com/environment/...
A year of magical thinking: billionaires claim climate change isn't an existential threat. "The notion that you can alleviate suffering in a world of uncontrolled warming isn’t just shortsighted, it edges toward magical thinking." @ElizKolbert @New Yorker www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...
Governments and Billionaires Retreat Ahead of COP30 Climate Talks
Worldwide, every other week seems to bring a new climate-related crisis. Increasingly, the response has seemed to be a dulled acceptance.
www.newyorker.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:13 PM
A year of magical thinking: billionaires claim climate change isn't an existential threat. "The notion that you can alleviate suffering in a world of uncontrolled warming isn’t just shortsighted, it edges toward magical thinking." @ElizKolbert @New Yorker www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...
The cost of a warming planet: Iran's record heat and drought may result in catastrophic measures. "Facing Iran’s worst drought in 60 years, the country’s president warned that the capital might need to be evacuated" nytimes.com/2025/11/09/w...
@SanamMahoozi @ErikaSolomon @nytimes
@SanamMahoozi @ErikaSolomon @nytimes
As Aquifers Dry Up, Tehran Rations Water and Calls for Rain Prayers
nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:46 PM
The cost of a warming planet: Iran's record heat and drought may result in catastrophic measures. "Facing Iran’s worst drought in 60 years, the country’s president warned that the capital might need to be evacuated" nytimes.com/2025/11/09/w...
@SanamMahoozi @ErikaSolomon @nytimes
@SanamMahoozi @ErikaSolomon @nytimes
Governments are committed to fighting climate change except one major polluter: “every country remains committed to the Paris Agreement, except one. That’s the United States.” via @NYTimes @SominiSengupta www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
10 Years After a Breakthrough Climate Pact, Here’s Where We Are
Has anything really changed in the decade since the Paris Agreement was reached? Actually, quite a lot.
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Governments are committed to fighting climate change except one major polluter: “every country remains committed to the Paris Agreement, except one. That’s the United States.” via @NYTimes @SominiSengupta www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Scientists: treat the rising threats of climate tipping points for the real danger it is. “Crossing one tipping point could set off a cascade of other tipping point crossings with the majority of interactions being destabilizing," @patrickpester
www.livescience.com/planet-earth...
www.livescience.com/planet-earth...
Global warming is forcing Earth's systems toward 'doom loop' tipping points. Can we avoid them?
Earth may be on the verge of crossing several climate change tipping points that could have irreversible and devastating consequences. Here's everything you need to know about these "points of no retu...
www.livescience.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Scientists: treat the rising threats of climate tipping points for the real danger it is. “Crossing one tipping point could set off a cascade of other tipping point crossings with the majority of interactions being destabilizing," @patrickpester
www.livescience.com/planet-earth...
www.livescience.com/planet-earth...