Amanda D. Smith
@amandadsmith.bsky.social
Energy nerd, former engineering academic, scientist, analyst, climate educator. 🇺🇸🏳️🌈🌱🐈🐕📖🌲🍄🥾🥟
Not nostalgic for Twitter. Even "old" Twitter.
"The name of our beautiful reward is not profit. Its name is freedom."
- Ursula K. Le Guin
linktr.ee/amandadsmith
Not nostalgic for Twitter. Even "old" Twitter.
"The name of our beautiful reward is not profit. Its name is freedom."
- Ursula K. Le Guin
linktr.ee/amandadsmith
LED lighting has been a game changer, slashing energy consumed for lighting, and is taking off worldwide.
It's so efficient compared w/ 20th century lighting that switching incandescent to LEDs will actually decrease your cooling load (or increase heating)
Solution assessment by Dr. Henry Igugu ⬇️
It's so efficient compared w/ 20th century lighting that switching incandescent to LEDs will actually decrease your cooling load (or increase heating)
Solution assessment by Dr. Henry Igugu ⬇️
💡 Lighting accounts for 15–20% of a building’s electricity use, so switching to energy-efficient LEDs is a bright idea—it reduces electricity consumption and cuts greenhouse gas emissions from power generation.
Check out the full solution details in the Drawdown Explorer. 🔗 https://bit.ly/47p7kOP
Check out the full solution details in the Drawdown Explorer. 🔗 https://bit.ly/47p7kOP
November 13, 2025 at 7:37 PM
LED lighting has been a game changer, slashing energy consumed for lighting, and is taking off worldwide.
It's so efficient compared w/ 20th century lighting that switching incandescent to LEDs will actually decrease your cooling load (or increase heating)
Solution assessment by Dr. Henry Igugu ⬇️
It's so efficient compared w/ 20th century lighting that switching incandescent to LEDs will actually decrease your cooling load (or increase heating)
Solution assessment by Dr. Henry Igugu ⬇️
We need a part-time researcher to help expand the Drawdown Explorer! This is a 6-mo contract fellowship for analyzing climate solutions related to #PowerGeneration #CleanEnergy & #ElectricityGrid with our all-virtual team.
Read the job description and apply at drawdown.org/careers/rese... by Nov 2.
Read the job description and apply at drawdown.org/careers/rese... by Nov 2.
October 15, 2025 at 10:15 PM
We need a part-time researcher to help expand the Drawdown Explorer! This is a 6-mo contract fellowship for analyzing climate solutions related to #PowerGeneration #CleanEnergy & #ElectricityGrid with our all-virtual team.
Read the job description and apply at drawdown.org/careers/rese... by Nov 2.
Read the job description and apply at drawdown.org/careers/rese... by Nov 2.
Buildings claiming to be #netzero #emissions wind up with a very narrow system boundary or offsets, although they usually are much better than those built w/ common practices! We need new practices, a radical 🌿 shift in how we create and interact with buildings to protect our #climate and ourselves.
"Net zero” sounds like a finish line.
But in reality, buildings marketed as net zero still produce emissions. Certifications often improve design﹣and that’s worth celebrating ﹣but they don’t mean buildings are emission-free.
Read the full article ⬇️ by @amandadsmith.bsky.social
But in reality, buildings marketed as net zero still produce emissions. Certifications often improve design﹣and that’s worth celebrating ﹣but they don’t mean buildings are emission-free.
Read the full article ⬇️ by @amandadsmith.bsky.social
Net zero buildings don’t exist – at least, not yet
It's unclear what true net zero buildings will look like. But to get there in the future, we must be honest about the limitations today.
drawdown.org
August 26, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Buildings claiming to be #netzero #emissions wind up with a very narrow system boundary or offsets, although they usually are much better than those built w/ common practices! We need new practices, a radical 🌿 shift in how we create and interact with buildings to protect our #climate and ourselves.
Wow, just realized I was on @apnews.com video talking about the impacts of #AI #DataCenters and #electricity sector! Using #FossilFuels to meet these demands hurts people closest to those plants as well as the climate.
Great, more detailed info on gas & nuclear from Prof. Lee comes after my clips.
Great, more detailed info on gas & nuclear from Prof. Lee comes after my clips.
Trump's "AI Action Plan" calls for building data centers fast by weakening environmental safeguards and ramping up fossil fuels. 💻
@amandadsmith.bsky.social explains that if left unchecked, consumers could be left footing the bill and bearing the environmental consequences. @apnews.com
#aienergy
@amandadsmith.bsky.social explains that if left unchecked, consumers could be left footing the bill and bearing the environmental consequences. @apnews.com
#aienergy
Trump's AI plan calls for massive data centers. Here's how it may affect energy in the U.S.
YouTube video by AP Archive
www.youtube.com
August 22, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Wow, just realized I was on @apnews.com video talking about the impacts of #AI #DataCenters and #electricity sector! Using #FossilFuels to meet these demands hurts people closest to those plants as well as the climate.
Great, more detailed info on gas & nuclear from Prof. Lee comes after my clips.
Great, more detailed info on gas & nuclear from Prof. Lee comes after my clips.
Reposted by Amanda D. Smith
This graphic illustrates a core issue with “net zero” claims: offsets may balance the equation on paper, but don’t eliminate the most difficult emissions tied to construction materials, energy systems, and building ops 🏡💨.
👉 Read the full insights post by @amandadsmith.bsky.social: bit.ly/4mwRtTp
👉 Read the full insights post by @amandadsmith.bsky.social: bit.ly/4mwRtTp
August 22, 2025 at 3:21 PM
This graphic illustrates a core issue with “net zero” claims: offsets may balance the equation on paper, but don’t eliminate the most difficult emissions tied to construction materials, energy systems, and building ops 🏡💨.
👉 Read the full insights post by @amandadsmith.bsky.social: bit.ly/4mwRtTp
👉 Read the full insights post by @amandadsmith.bsky.social: bit.ly/4mwRtTp
We do actually have evidence about how to make transit better for people and less harmful for planet. It's both simpler and more complex than you think.
I've learned a lot from former Drawdown climate solutions research fellow Dr. Cameron Roberts and hope you will too. Join next Weds at 10am PDT:
I've learned a lot from former Drawdown climate solutions research fellow Dr. Cameron Roberts and hope you will too. Join next Weds at 10am PDT:
📣 Drawdown Briefings on Transportation... Discussions about low-carbon transportation are often dominated by new technologies. But we already have a whole suite of proven low-carbon mobility technologies.
Sign up today with to learn about...
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Sign up today with to learn about...
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Low-Carbon Mobility: False Solutions, Partial Solutions, and a Full Solution. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the web...
Discussions about low-carbon transportation are often dominated by new technologies such as electric cars, autonomous cars, and ride-hailing. But we already have a whole suite of proven low-carbon mob...
us02web.zoom.us
June 5, 2025 at 5:54 PM
We do actually have evidence about how to make transit better for people and less harmful for planet. It's both simpler and more complex than you think.
I've learned a lot from former Drawdown climate solutions research fellow Dr. Cameron Roberts and hope you will too. Join next Weds at 10am PDT:
I've learned a lot from former Drawdown climate solutions research fellow Dr. Cameron Roberts and hope you will too. Join next Weds at 10am PDT:
It seems the financial prospects of AI tech changed suddenly, especially in the US.
The tech didn't change that suddenly. The financial system is entirely made up.
Whether something is cost-effective or profitable cannot be the main factor guiding any of our decisions as we build a better world.
The tech didn't change that suddenly. The financial system is entirely made up.
Whether something is cost-effective or profitable cannot be the main factor guiding any of our decisions as we build a better world.
January 28, 2025 at 2:13 AM
It seems the financial prospects of AI tech changed suddenly, especially in the US.
The tech didn't change that suddenly. The financial system is entirely made up.
Whether something is cost-effective or profitable cannot be the main factor guiding any of our decisions as we build a better world.
The tech didn't change that suddenly. The financial system is entirely made up.
Whether something is cost-effective or profitable cannot be the main factor guiding any of our decisions as we build a better world.
Modern bureaucracy requires 'calculable rules' in order to work, and the more those rules are divorced from our humanity, the more 'calculable' things become and the more optimized we think our bureaucracies are.
(Max Weber in translation, openlibrary.org/books/OL6498...)
(Max Weber in translation, openlibrary.org/books/OL6498...)
January 14, 2025 at 4:40 AM
Modern bureaucracy requires 'calculable rules' in order to work, and the more those rules are divorced from our humanity, the more 'calculable' things become and the more optimized we think our bureaucracies are.
(Max Weber in translation, openlibrary.org/books/OL6498...)
(Max Weber in translation, openlibrary.org/books/OL6498...)
How does the climate system relate to disasters like wildfires in the US?
Check out this chapter of the National Climate Assessment. I'm proud to know and trust the Chapter Lead Author ⬇️.
And this ain't the IPCC, it's very readable.
They even have art: nca2023.globalchange.gov/art-climate/
Check out this chapter of the National Climate Assessment. I'm proud to know and trust the Chapter Lead Author ⬇️.
And this ain't the IPCC, it's very readable.
They even have art: nca2023.globalchange.gov/art-climate/
January 11, 2025 at 2:02 AM
How does the climate system relate to disasters like wildfires in the US?
Check out this chapter of the National Climate Assessment. I'm proud to know and trust the Chapter Lead Author ⬇️.
And this ain't the IPCC, it's very readable.
They even have art: nca2023.globalchange.gov/art-climate/
Check out this chapter of the National Climate Assessment. I'm proud to know and trust the Chapter Lead Author ⬇️.
And this ain't the IPCC, it's very readable.
They even have art: nca2023.globalchange.gov/art-climate/
Reposted by Amanda D. Smith
Key points on masks for wildfires:
-N95s only capture particles, but wildfires have toxic gases, too
-there are masks (respirators) that capture both particles and gases
-here’s what they look like
-here’s what you should look for: P100+ organic vapor
-you can buy on Amazon and at Home Depot
-N95s only capture particles, but wildfires have toxic gases, too
-there are masks (respirators) that capture both particles and gases
-here’s what they look like
-here’s what you should look for: P100+ organic vapor
-you can buy on Amazon and at Home Depot
January 9, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Key points on masks for wildfires:
-N95s only capture particles, but wildfires have toxic gases, too
-there are masks (respirators) that capture both particles and gases
-here’s what they look like
-here’s what you should look for: P100+ organic vapor
-you can buy on Amazon and at Home Depot
-N95s only capture particles, but wildfires have toxic gases, too
-there are masks (respirators) that capture both particles and gases
-here’s what they look like
-here’s what you should look for: P100+ organic vapor
-you can buy on Amazon and at Home Depot
@davidzipper.bsky.social is...well, on fire today 🔥
I didn't care about Big Tobacco when we got smoking out of our buildings and I don't care about Giant Car now.
I do own a truck. I don't want to kill anyone.
We can do better. See @lloydalter.bsky.social: lloydalter.substack.com/p/its-time-f...
I didn't care about Big Tobacco when we got smoking out of our buildings and I don't care about Giant Car now.
I do own a truck. I don't want to kill anyone.
We can do better. See @lloydalter.bsky.social: lloydalter.substack.com/p/its-time-f...
January 6, 2025 at 11:41 PM
@davidzipper.bsky.social is...well, on fire today 🔥
I didn't care about Big Tobacco when we got smoking out of our buildings and I don't care about Giant Car now.
I do own a truck. I don't want to kill anyone.
We can do better. See @lloydalter.bsky.social: lloydalter.substack.com/p/its-time-f...
I didn't care about Big Tobacco when we got smoking out of our buildings and I don't care about Giant Car now.
I do own a truck. I don't want to kill anyone.
We can do better. See @lloydalter.bsky.social: lloydalter.substack.com/p/its-time-f...
Reposted by Amanda D. Smith
A way to think about "AI" is that it's like single-use plastic: Super-convenient, sold as disposable, designed to be used without much thought, and while it's easy to get annoyed with your mom for using it, the real problem are the dudes destroying the planet in order to keep shoveling it out
January 3, 2025 at 11:07 PM
A way to think about "AI" is that it's like single-use plastic: Super-convenient, sold as disposable, designed to be used without much thought, and while it's easy to get annoyed with your mom for using it, the real problem are the dudes destroying the planet in order to keep shoveling it out
Criminalizing homelessness doesn't address the problem.
But we do have evidence about what does and doesn't work.
@michaelhobbes.bsky.social explains how we make it worse: www.huffpost.com/entry/homele...
Poverty, By America shows us 🇺🇸 it doesn't have to be this way: bookshop.org/p/books/pove...
But we do have evidence about what does and doesn't work.
@michaelhobbes.bsky.social explains how we make it worse: www.huffpost.com/entry/homele...
Poverty, By America shows us 🇺🇸 it doesn't have to be this way: bookshop.org/p/books/pove...
January 5, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Criminalizing homelessness doesn't address the problem.
But we do have evidence about what does and doesn't work.
@michaelhobbes.bsky.social explains how we make it worse: www.huffpost.com/entry/homele...
Poverty, By America shows us 🇺🇸 it doesn't have to be this way: bookshop.org/p/books/pove...
But we do have evidence about what does and doesn't work.
@michaelhobbes.bsky.social explains how we make it worse: www.huffpost.com/entry/homele...
Poverty, By America shows us 🇺🇸 it doesn't have to be this way: bookshop.org/p/books/pove...
+1 AND your ability to remain here should not be tied to the whims of one particular corporation.
Just like a graduate student's ability to remain in the country should not depend on the good graces of one particular professor.
Just like a graduate student's ability to remain in the country should not depend on the good graces of one particular professor.
Folks who are here on H1-Bs: you are welcome here and it should be easier for you and your family to live and work here and become citizens.
January 3, 2025 at 2:40 AM
+1 AND your ability to remain here should not be tied to the whims of one particular corporation.
Just like a graduate student's ability to remain in the country should not depend on the good graces of one particular professor.
Just like a graduate student's ability to remain in the country should not depend on the good graces of one particular professor.
Reposted by Amanda D. Smith
Come join our growing team!
Project Drawdown seeks
- a new Director of Private-Sector Partnerships (full-time, US based)
- several part-time research fellows (part-time, US or international)
Drawdown.org/careers
Project Drawdown seeks
- a new Director of Private-Sector Partnerships (full-time, US based)
- several part-time research fellows (part-time, US or international)
Drawdown.org/careers
Careers
Drawdown.org
January 2, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Come join our growing team!
Project Drawdown seeks
- a new Director of Private-Sector Partnerships (full-time, US based)
- several part-time research fellows (part-time, US or international)
Drawdown.org/careers
Project Drawdown seeks
- a new Director of Private-Sector Partnerships (full-time, US based)
- several part-time research fellows (part-time, US or international)
Drawdown.org/careers
Grateful for whoever put this in the Q&A box during my last webinar:
"There's no magic bullet. Instead there are thousands of answers—at least. You can be one of them if you choose to be"- Octavia Butler
Yes.
That's right.🙏
I will keep coming back to this.🕯️
Read the whole essay - it's short! ⬇️
"There's no magic bullet. Instead there are thousands of answers—at least. You can be one of them if you choose to be"- Octavia Butler
Yes.
That's right.🙏
I will keep coming back to this.🕯️
Read the whole essay - it's short! ⬇️
November 29, 2024 at 6:10 AM
Grateful for whoever put this in the Q&A box during my last webinar:
"There's no magic bullet. Instead there are thousands of answers—at least. You can be one of them if you choose to be"- Octavia Butler
Yes.
That's right.🙏
I will keep coming back to this.🕯️
Read the whole essay - it's short! ⬇️
"There's no magic bullet. Instead there are thousands of answers—at least. You can be one of them if you choose to be"- Octavia Butler
Yes.
That's right.🙏
I will keep coming back to this.🕯️
Read the whole essay - it's short! ⬇️
A while ago I bought "climate neutral" tweezers.
Manufactured metal. Plastic wrapped. Shipped to my store.
Not sure why they annoyed me so, but I kept complaining.
Then got into a chat w/ a brilliant creative communications colleague that turned into something real to say about climate marketing:
Manufactured metal. Plastic wrapped. Shipped to my store.
Not sure why they annoyed me so, but I kept complaining.
Then got into a chat w/ a brilliant creative communications colleague that turned into something real to say about climate marketing:
As the holiday shopping season approaches, how can retailers and brands market their sustainability efforts while staying transparent about the carbon footprint that still remains?
Tips below:
drawdown.org/insights/how...
#netzero #CarbonNeutral
Tips below:
drawdown.org/insights/how...
#netzero #CarbonNeutral
How marketers can communicate net zero claims to regain consumer trust
Net zero climate marketing is ramping up while trust in corporate climate claims is plummeting. How do you share good news about emissions reductions while being honest about emissions that are still ...
drawdown.org
November 28, 2024 at 12:08 AM
A while ago I bought "climate neutral" tweezers.
Manufactured metal. Plastic wrapped. Shipped to my store.
Not sure why they annoyed me so, but I kept complaining.
Then got into a chat w/ a brilliant creative communications colleague that turned into something real to say about climate marketing:
Manufactured metal. Plastic wrapped. Shipped to my store.
Not sure why they annoyed me so, but I kept complaining.
Then got into a chat w/ a brilliant creative communications colleague that turned into something real to say about climate marketing: