Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Abrahm @abrahm.bsky.social · Jul 28

The craziest discovery about our global water crisis -- besides the fact that the continents are drying -- is that groundwater pumping is now driving sea level rise. @hrishikeshac.bsky.social @jayfamiglietti.bsky.social www.propublica.org/article/wate...

“Staggering” Water Loss Driven by Groundwater Mining Poses Global Threat

A new study finds that freshwater resources are rapidly disappearing, creating arid “mega” regions and causing sea levels to rise.

www.propublica.org

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Jay Famiglietti @jayfamiglietti.bsky.social · Jul 28

From our new @science.org paper on unprecedented continental drying www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... @hrishikeshac.bsky.social @wisegrouporg.bsky.social @propublica.org @abrahm.bsky.social

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ProPublica @propublica.org · Jul 28

Nearly 6 billion people live in the 101 countries that a new study has identified as confronting a net decline in water supply — signaling enormous challenges for food production and a heightening risk of conflict and instability.

By @abrahm.bsky.social, w/ graphics by @lucaswaldron.bsky.social

“Staggering” Water Loss Driven by Groundwater Mining Poses Global Threat

A new study finds that freshwater resources are rapidly disappearing, creating arid “mega” regions and causing sea levels to rise.

www.propublica.org

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ProPublica @propublica.org · Jul 26

You may not feel it, but the ground beneath you may be sinking.

In fact, the surface of California’s Central Valley is nearly 30 vertical feet lower than it was a century ago.

Why is this happening? Because our planet is rapidly drying. THREAD/

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Jay Famiglietti @jayfamiglietti.bsky.social · Jul 26

Excellent feature story on yesterday's Science Advances article (led by @hrishikeshac.bsky.social and myself) from @propublica.org. Kudos to @abrahm.bsky.social and @lucaswaldron.bsky.social for expert story and graphics. @wisegrouporg.bsky.social www.propublica.org/article/wate...

“Staggering” Water Loss Driven by Groundwater Mining Poses Global Threat

A new study finds that freshwater resources are rapidly disappearing, creating arid “mega” regions and causing sea levels to rise.

www.propublica.org

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Abrahm @abrahm.bsky.social · Jul 25

A looming global water crisis may be under appreciated as climate change takes hold. Today I report on a new study that finds the planet is quickly drying, with mega-regions of water loss now stretching across continents. www.propublica.org/article/wate...

“Staggering” Water Loss Driven by Groundwater Mining Poses Global Threat

A new study finds that freshwater resources are rapidly disappearing, creating arid “mega” regions and causing sea levels to rise.

www.propublica.org

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ProPublica @propublica.org · Jul 17

🎧 Our reporter @abrahm.bsky.social was on @npr.org's Fresh Air today to talk about how Trump's undermining of science — at a time when erratic weather is making disasters more common — is "extraordinarily concerning":

'ProPublica' climate reporter calls Texas floods an 'early warning' of future chaos

Abrahm Lustgarten says the undermining of science, and cuts to FEMA and NOAA, at a time when erratic weather is making disasters more common, should be "extraordinarily concerning" to us.

www.npr.org

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Justin Gundlach @justingundlach.bsky.social · Jul 9

Crazy that @abrahm.bsky.social has so few followers here.

The guy is an oracle at a time when we could really use oracles. www.propublica.org/article/texa...

The Texas Flash Flood Is a Preview of the Chaos to Come

Climate change is making disasters more common, more deadly and far more costly, even as the federal government is running away from the policies that might begin to protect the nation.

www.propublica.org

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Abrahm @abrahm.bsky.social · Jul 9

Its been 60 years since our leaders knew climate change was approaching. My latest reflections on the tragedy in Texas... fighting off the numbness of these repetitive disasters now coming faster than I can tally them, and trying to keep the big picture in focus.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...

The Texas Flash Flood Is a Preview of the Chaos to Come

Climate change is making disasters more common, more deadly and far more costly, even as the federal government is running away from the policies that might begin to protect the nation.

www.propublica.org

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Charles Ornstein @charlesornstein.bsky.social · Jul 9

Texas Flash Flood Is a Preview of Climate Chaos to Come, by @abrahm.bsky.social

The Texas Flash Flood Is a Preview of the Chaos to Come

Climate change is making disasters more common, more deadly and far more costly, even as the federal government is running away from the policies that might begin to protect the nation.

www.propublica.org

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Robert Faturechi @robert-faturechi.bsky.social · May 14

Records show Attorney General Pam Bondi sold between $1 and $5 million worth of Trump Media shares on April 2.

That same day, after the market closed, Trump announced his Liberation Day tariffs, sending the stock market plunging.

www.propublica.org/article/pam-...

U.S. AG Pam Bondi Sold More than $1 Million in Trump Media Stock the Day Trump Announced Sweeping Tariffs

Disclosure forms show that Bondi sold between $1 million and $5 million worth of shares on April 2. That day, after the market closed, Trump’s “Liberation Day” press conference sent the market tumblin...

www.propublica.org

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City Atlas @cityatlas.bsky.social · May 6

Cued to the other way to culturally realign, not by choice - via @abrahm.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/live/0Jp1qac...

We may be past climate change's point of no return. What now?

YouTube video by eCornell

www.youtube.com

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Abrahm @abrahm.bsky.social · May 3

I’m pulling for Journalism today. Just sayin.

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Abrahm @abrahm.bsky.social · Apr 24

The proposed cuts to NOAA cold have profound consequences not just for climate change, but for our national security and the entire economy. Here's what I learned: www.propublica.org/article/trum...

White House Proposal Could Gut Climate Modeling the World Depends On

Potential funding cuts for NOAA and its research partners threaten irreparable harm not only to climate research but to American safety, competitiveness, and national security.

www.propublica.org

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Charles Ornstein @charlesornstein.bsky.social · Mar 24

NEW: The Doublespeak of Energy Secretary Chris Wright, by @abrahm.bsky.social

Trump Energy Secretary Chris Wright Is for “All Sources” of Energy, So Long as They’re Oil and Gas

In his confirmation hearing, the Liberty Energy founder pledged broad support for renewable energy. But when speaking to conservatives, he declared, “We don’t have replacements” for coal, oil and gas.

www.propublica.org

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Sammy Roth @sammyroth.bsky.social · Mar 13

Personally, I think it's pretty alarming that 9% of L.A. County residents are very seriously considering leaving because of the fires. www.latimes.com/california/s... via @laurajnelson.bsky.social

Despite the stress of the fires, most L.A. County residents don't plan to leave, poll finds

Despite widespread stress, smoke inhalation and other disruptions caused by the January wildfires, a majority of Los Angeles County residents are happy with their lives here and don't plan to leave.

www.latimes.com

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José Sepúlveda @josesepulveda.bsky.social · Mar 7

WATCH: By eliminating the consideration of carbon’s costs, the Trump admin not only stands to eliminate the consumer benefits, but also allow carbon emissions to grow unabated, intensifying the very increases in 🌎 🌍 🌏 temperature that are driving the broader economic damages.

📰: @abrahm.bsky.social

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Abrahm @abrahm.bsky.social · Feb 21

Climate Change is making the life more costly. That's my lens for asking why Trump's plan to get rid of the regulatory Social Cost of Carbon calculation matters. It's because it will ultimately pass costs that would have been born by industry directly on to you www.propublica.org/article/trum...

Trump Order Shifts the Financial Burden of Climate Change Onto Individuals

The change would effectively transfer financial responsibility from oil drillers, auto manufacturers and others and leave Americans to face greater direct costs as warming continues.

www.propublica.org

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Abrahm @abrahm.bsky.social · Feb 21

The Social Cost of Carbon: Its not what it sounds like. It saves you money. Its essential to policy that slows climate change. Trump is getting rid of it. www.propublica.org/article/trum...

Trump Order Shifts the Financial Burden of Climate Change Onto Individuals

The change would effectively transfer financial responsibility from oil drillers, auto manufacturers and others and leave Americans to face greater direct costs as warming continues.

www.propublica.org

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Charles Ornstein @charlesornstein.bsky.social · Feb 21

NEW: Trump Shifts the Costs of Climate Change Onto Individuals by @abrahm.bsky.social

Trump Order Shifts the Financial Burden of Climate Change Onto Individuals

The change would effectively transfer financial responsibility from oil drillers, auto manufacturers and others and leave Americans to face greater direct costs as warming continues.

www.propublica.org

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Chris Morran @themorrancave.bsky.social · Feb 21

Canceling the measurement of economic impacts from climate change doesn’t make those costs — approx. $2 trillion for the U.S. economy this decade — go away.

Instead, it will likely push them onto citizens.

New, from @abrahm.bsky.social @propublica.org

Trump Order Shifts the Financial Burden of Climate Change Onto Individuals

The change would effectively transfer financial responsibility from oil drillers, auto manufacturers and others and leave Americans to face greater direct costs as warming continues.

www.propublica.org

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ProPublica @propublica.org · Feb 21

NEW: One of Trump’s most damaging strikes against U.S. climate policy is buried in an executive order that would obliterate a critically important calculation the government uses to gauge the real-world costs that climate change imposes on the economy.

By @abrahm.bsky.social

Trump Order Shifts the Financial Burden of Climate Change Onto Individuals

The change would effectively transfer financial responsibility from oil drillers, auto manufacturers and others and leave Americans to face greater direct costs as warming continues.

propub.li

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Ken Schwencke @schwanksta.com · Feb 11

We @propublica.org are still tracking and surfacing more of Elon Musk's demolition crew. We just added 9 more names to our tracker: projects.propublica.org/elon-musk-do...

We wrote a little bit more about that here: www.propublica.org/article/elon...

Elon Musk’s Demolition Crew

Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, has been unleashed on federal agencies. ProPublica is attempting to document who is working with him and what they are doing.

projects.propublica.org

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Henry Farrell @himself.bsky.social · Feb 12

this kind of patient, accumulative journalism requires an enormous amount of work, and has a commensurate degree of value.

Eric Lipton NYT @ericlipton.nytimes.com · Feb 12

Please read this story, and share. Here is a free link again. With Inspectors General fired, Congress controlled by GOP that is aligned with Trump, top federal ethics lawyers removed, newspaper efforts like this are largely what's left of accountability. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/11/u...

Elon Musk’s Business Empire Scores Benefits Under Trump Shake-Up (Gift Article)

Government investigations into Mr. Musk’s companies are stalling amid President Trump’s firings and Biden administration resignations.

www.nytimes.com

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ProPublica @propublica.org · Feb 8

Researchers found that today, insurance underprices climate risk for 39 million properties across the continental United States — meaning that for 27% of properties in the country, premiums are too low to cover their climate exposure.

By @abrahm.bsky.social

How Climate Change Could Upend the American Dream

Americans have long accumulated wealth by owning their homes, but a new study predicts that spiking insurance rates and climate disasters now herald an era of widespread losses.

propub.li

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