Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Cari Barcas @caribarcas.bsky.social · 3h

Simultaneously heartbroken and inspired to witness what's unfolding in my former hometown this week. On one side are the horrific accounts of abductions and abuse amid this unconstitutional invasion and occupation, and on the other are incredible stories of community solidarity. Bear down, Chicago.

Jacob Soboroff @jacobsoboroff.bsky.social · 6h

Michigan Avenue right now.

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Stand.earth @stand.earth · 15d

Our research on Microsoft’s data centers is out and it’s 😬

💡Huge energy demand (as much as New England by 2030!)

 ⛽️ Fossil fuel reliance (most data centers in states with ≥50% FF grids)

 🏫Local impacts (data centers used to justify more gas)

Learn more and take action: stand.earth/microsoft-ai

White background. Text reads “A hyperscale data center can use as much energy as an entire city. Whether that data center runs on fossil fuels or renewable energy matters - a lot. As of right now most Microsoft data centers are in states with grids that are
≥50% dependent on fossil fuels.” Photo of a data center in the center of the image.

Red background. Text reads “600%” “Microsoft's North American AI data center build-out is set to grow by 600% through 2030, and will demand as much electricity as the entire New England Region.” Graph shows exponentially increasing electricity demand starting in fiscal year 24 and estimating as far as fiscal year 30.

White background. Text reads “Unless surging energy demand from Microsoft's data centers is met with round-the-clock renewable electricity, it will lead to a huge increase in climate and local pollution, including extending the life of coal plants as well as new fossil fuel power plants and pipelines to meet the electricity needs of the data centers.” Photo of a polluting data center, with photo credit reading “Credit: Shelley Robbins”.

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Stand.earth @stand.earth · 16d

🔔 #goodclimatenews alert 🔔

The renewable revolution is picking up speed.

All across the globe, we’re seeing unprecedented growth and investment in clean energy – displacing fossil fuels and helping to reduce planet-heating emissions.

Climate action can feel slow – but the fastest energy leap in history has begun

Weaning ourselves off fossil fuels is glacially slow – isn’t it? This pessimistic narrative doesn’t stack up against evidence of very rapid change in the real world.

theconversation.com

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Stand.earth @stand.earth · 23d

Canada's newly launched housing agency will build affordable homes. 🙌

They should also be safe and comfortable for residents to live in. That means equipping them with modern, clean heating systems like electric heat pumps! ⚡️

👉 www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/0...

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Stand.earth @stand.earth · 23d

Learn more about our plans at this link, and stay tuned to our socials this week for a deeper dive on each of Stand's Climate Week events.

Stand.earth gears up for Climate Week NYC 2025 - Stand.earth

International environmental advocacy organization Stand.earth will be hosting and collaborating on numerous events as part of Climate Week NYC later this month. Stand aims to deliver large-scale chang...

stand.earth

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Stand.earth @stand.earth · 25d

From Portugal to California, one wildfire solution is gaining attention: rewilding by reintroducing wild herbivores.

One Wildfire Solution? Letting Herbivores Run Wild | Atmos

As climate change makes the world hotter and drier, wildfires are proliferating. Can rewilding be the solution?

atmos.earth

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Stand.earth @stand.earth · 28d

The Trump regime wants to rescind the decades-old Roadless Rule in order to build more roads through national forests across the U.S. – a big concern considering the administration’s desire to increase timber production in those same forests.

The Trump administration wants to build more roads through national forests

The Trump administration argues that rescinding the 2001 Roadless Rule will help wildland firefighters. Fire researchers warn that more roads could exacerbate the problem.

www.npr.org

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Stand.earth @stand.earth · 29d

ICYMI: The Trump regime’s DOE’s draft report isn’t science - it’s spin.

It cherry-picks evidence, ignores consensus, and was written in secret by a hand-picked few.

Last week, independent experts called it out.

#ScienceNotSpin #RealScience

Light green patterned background with image of a wildfire at bottom of image. Text reads “A NEW DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY STUDY THAT DOWNPLAYS THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ....Isn't Scientifically Credible” Arrow icon pointing right with text above reads “SWIPE FOR MORE”. Text at bottom right corner of image reads “DOE Study Review August 2025”

Light green background. Text reads “MORE THAN 85 CLIMATE

EXPERTS HAVE RELEASED A REVIEW OF THE U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE'S NEW CLIMATE REPORT, FINDING IT BIASED, FULL OF ERRORS, AND NOT FIT TO INFORM POLICYMAKING.” Arrow icon pointing right with text above reads “A FEW REASONS WHY”. Text at bottom right corner of image reads “DOE Study Review August 2025”

Light green background. Text reads “1. TINY TEAM OF HAND-PICKED CONTRARIANS.

Major assessments typically take years and involve a wide range of subject-matter experts. DOE employed a team of just five authors, all well known for manufacturing uncertainty. With the authors often writing outside their areas of expertise, the committee produced a report containing basic errors.” Text at bottom right corner of image reads “DOE Study Review August 2025”

Light green background. Text reads “2. NO PEER REVIEW OR TRANSPARENCY. Unlike legitimate assessments, the report was drafted in secret, with no independent peer review and no accountability for responding to public comments.” Text at bottom right corner of image reads “DOE Study Review August 2025”

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Stand.earth @stand.earth · 29d

It’s time to fight back.

On Sept 20th, we will #MakeBillionairesPay.

All across the world, authoritarian regimes are rising.

A tiny circle of billionaires is profiting off the mess while the rest of us, especially women and gender-expansive people, scramble to keep families safe.

Orange background. Text reads “ON SEPTEMBER 20TH

WE WILL MAKE BILLIONAIRES PAY” “NYC & EVERYWHERE” Photo of climate protesters marching arm in arm. Photo credit reads “Photo by Kisha Bari”. Text below image reads “MAKEBILLIONAIRESPAY.US”

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Stand.earth @stand.earth · Sep 8

On September 21, 2025 Stand.earth is joining @sundayofaction.bsky.social to harness the power of the sun! 🧵

Dark green background. Text reads “A Day Of Action

Celebrating The Power Of Clean Energy.” Text at bottom of graphic reads “Sun Day September 21, 2025”

Orange background. Text reads “On September 21, we're harnessing the power of the sun. On Sun Day, we will build, march, rally, sing and come together in communities across the country to get laws changed and clean energy built. We want everyone to join us for Sun Day, whether you're already powering your family's home with solar or whether you're dreaming of a clean energy future and want to demand action.

Text at bottom of graphic reads “Sun Day September 21, 2025”

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Tim Onion @bencollins.bsky.social · Sep 6

Can’t express in words how big this rally in Chicago is. The president’s fascist goon squad is not welcome here.

A completely full Chicago on Michigan Avenue protesting Donald Trump.

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Stand.earth @stand.earth · Sep 6

Everyone say: thank you, scientists! 🙌

“Whether people realize it or not, climate change impacts everyone, regardless of the current political environment,” said Rebecca Lindsey, leader of the effort to build climate.us and former managing editor of climate.gov.

#ClimateChange #Climate

Scientists breathe new life into climate website after shutdown under Trump

Climate.gov, which went dark this summer, to be revived by volunteers as climate.us with expanded mission

www.theguardian.com

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Adam Schwarz @adamjschwarz.bsky.social · Sep 2

Illinois Gov. Pritzker ahead of Trump National Guard deployment:

"To Chicagoans... Look out for your communities and your neighbours. Know your rights. Film things that you see happening... Authoritarians thrive on your silence. Be loud for America."

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Cari Barcas @caribarcas.bsky.social · Sep 1

Great turnout for a joyful gathering in Asheville today to stand in solidarity with workers rights, and against the billionaire agenda that is destroying our democracy and our planet. The people united can build a better future where we all can thrive. #WorkersOverBillionaires #LaborDay #UnionStrong

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Jan Rosenow @janrosenow.bsky.social · Aug 29

I don't think we fully grasped yet how important solar will be as an energy source.

Great graph @carbonbrief.org based on @iea.org data.

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The Lincoln Project @lincolnproject.us · Aug 25

“Do not come to Chicago” -JB Pritzker

This is what we have been talking about, since 2020. Hit back harder. That’s how you win a fight.

The entire Democrat party should be taking notes.

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Acyn @acyn.bsky.social · Aug 25

Pritzker: This is not about fighting crime. This is about the President and his complicit lackey, Stephen Miller, searching for ways to lay the groundwork to circumvent our democracy, militarize our cities, and end elections.

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Adam Schwarz @adamjschwarz.bsky.social · Aug 25

Illinois Gov. Pritzker vows to pursue Trump officials who participate in an illegal National Guard deployment to Chicago:

"If you hurt my people, nothing will stop me - not time or political circumstance - from making sure that you face justice under our constitutional rule of law."

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Cari Barcas @caribarcas.bsky.social · Aug 24

Standing in solidarity with friends and family in my hometown of Chicago as they stare down threats of an unwanted, unnecessary, and unlawful authoritarian invasion. Take care and stay strong. ✊🏻

Kat Abughazaleh @katmabu.bsky.social · Aug 22

Donald Trump says he is going to deploy the National Guard to Chicago. This is what weak men do to pretend they’re strong.

Stay safe, stand with your community, and most importantly, know your rights:

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PoliticsGirl @politicsgirl.bsky.social · Aug 22

They ARE LYING to us!
Click the link to end it! act.link/gi-colm
youtu.be/7dtlVO61y_o

They ARE LYING to us!

YouTube video by PoliticsGirl

youtu.be

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Stand.earth @stand.earth · Aug 18

When you hear folks asking why there’s so many unnatural disasters wreaking havoc on communities across the globe, give them the truth:

#ThisIsClimateChange.

We need bold climate action to protect our communities from these devastating disasters – and we need it NOW.

#LaterIsTooLate

How Climate Change Is Fueling Stronger, Wetter and More Destructive Hurricanes

As ocean temperatures rise, tropical cyclones are becoming more powerful and unpredictable.

www.bloomberg.com

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Stand.earth @stand.earth · Aug 16

In case you haven’t heard, Canada just got a COMPLAINT from some lawmakers in the United States about the smoke drifting across the border from wildfires.

This performative finger-pointing isn’t just insulting – it’s ineffective.

ON THE RECORD: Canada Receives Complaint from U.S. for Wildfire Smoke

YouTube video by Stand.earth

www.youtube.com

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Stand.earth @stand.earth · Aug 15

A new study has found that marine heat waves and noise pollution are silencing the ocean’s largest singers: blue whales. 🐳

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Stand.earth @stand.earth · Aug 12

Historic flooding in Wisconsin prompted a state of emergency over the weekend, with over a foot of rain falling in Milwaukee – forcing the cancellation of the final day of the Wisconsin State Fair.

#ThisIsClimateChange.

Milwaukee flooding prompts state of emergency with residents warned of 'dangerous,' contaminated water

In the suburban village of Wauwatosa, an overflowing and fast-moving Menomonee River submerged a popular playground.

www.nbcchicago.com

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Committee to Protect Journalists @pressfreedom.bsky.social · Aug 11

An entire news crew working for Al Jazeera was killed by Israel as they sought to bring the world firsthand reporting from #Gaza.

Among them was prominent journalist Anas Al-Sharif, who had been previously smeared and threatened by the IDF.

#NotATarget

Full statement: cpj.org/2025/08/isra...

Israel kills Al Jazeera journalists in targeted Gaza City airstrike - Committee to Protect Journalists

New York, August 10, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists is appalled to learn of the killing today of Al Jazeera journalist Anas Al-Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh, camera operators Ibrahim Zaher and M...

cpj.org

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