Dr. Elizabeth Sawin
@bethsawin.bsky.social
Director Multisolving Institute. She/her. Systems thinking, climate justice, and multisolving, with a sprinkle of gardens and the odd puns. @bethsawin on X
Anger tells you there is something precious that needs your protection.
November 10, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Anger tells you there is something precious that needs your protection.
You can't create collective well-being by incentivizing its opposite.
November 10, 2025 at 1:38 PM
You can't create collective well-being by incentivizing its opposite.
Medieval serfs living through their oat fields being trampled by the armies of rival kings but the oat fields are our health insurance access, the rival kings are the insurance and airline lobbies, and the mercenaries on horseback are senators.
November 10, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Medieval serfs living through their oat fields being trampled by the armies of rival kings but the oat fields are our health insurance access, the rival kings are the insurance and airline lobbies, and the mercenaries on horseback are senators.
Reposted by Dr. Elizabeth Sawin
The least most politically engaged people I know are texting me before 8am to say, “we won’t forget.”
So I don’t know man.
So I don’t know man.
November 10, 2025 at 12:38 PM
The least most politically engaged people I know are texting me before 8am to say, “we won’t forget.”
So I don’t know man.
So I don’t know man.
Reposted by Dr. Elizabeth Sawin
I talked to Vermont Public about my sticker shock over the ACA premiums
‘It makes me sick to think about’: Vermonters get sticker shock during ACA open enrollment
Estimates from the state’s commercial insurers, MVP and Blue Cross Blue Shield, suggest thousands in the state could drop coverage entirely as a consequence of the enhanced, COVID-era subsidies going ...
www.vermontpublic.org
November 9, 2025 at 11:47 PM
I talked to Vermont Public about my sticker shock over the ACA premiums
I remember where I was standing when Citizens United came down and the feeling of dread that swept over me and I was right to dread.
November 9, 2025 at 11:16 PM
I remember where I was standing when Citizens United came down and the feeling of dread that swept over me and I was right to dread.
Reposted by Dr. Elizabeth Sawin
I’m no great fan of the ACA.
I believe we should guarantee health care as a human right through a single-payer Medicare for All system.
But — at minimum — we cannot allow Republicans to destroy our already-broken system by doubling insurance premiums for 20 million Americans.
I believe we should guarantee health care as a human right through a single-payer Medicare for All system.
But — at minimum — we cannot allow Republicans to destroy our already-broken system by doubling insurance premiums for 20 million Americans.
November 9, 2025 at 9:09 PM
I’m no great fan of the ACA.
I believe we should guarantee health care as a human right through a single-payer Medicare for All system.
But — at minimum — we cannot allow Republicans to destroy our already-broken system by doubling insurance premiums for 20 million Americans.
I believe we should guarantee health care as a human right through a single-payer Medicare for All system.
But — at minimum — we cannot allow Republicans to destroy our already-broken system by doubling insurance premiums for 20 million Americans.
If you were a visitor from a distant land and had to understand the purpose of the democratic party elite from only their actions not their words, what would you say their function is? I think this is an important question to understand our situation clearly.
November 9, 2025 at 11:04 PM
If you were a visitor from a distant land and had to understand the purpose of the democratic party elite from only their actions not their words, what would you say their function is? I think this is an important question to understand our situation clearly.
@welch.senate.gov can you reassure your constituents that you stand firm against this rumored deal? Extension of the ACA subsidies is essential for many Vermonters' wellbeing. www.cnn.com/2025/11/09/p...
Senators near deal to reopen government as key Democrats signal willingness to back plan | CNN Politics
The emerging deal would include a stopgap measure to extend government funding until January and be tied to a larger package to fully fund several key agencies.
www.cnn.com
November 9, 2025 at 11:02 PM
@welch.senate.gov can you reassure your constituents that you stand firm against this rumored deal? Extension of the ACA subsidies is essential for many Vermonters' wellbeing. www.cnn.com/2025/11/09/p...
Reposted by Dr. Elizabeth Sawin
For all our Christmasing, the adults in my family are NOT exchanging presents this holiday season. Each kid will pick ONE main gift they want.
Our usual spending will go to those in need. We are NOT participating in Black Friday. We're reusing old holiday decor. *Not a dime extra for this admin.*
Our usual spending will go to those in need. We are NOT participating in Black Friday. We're reusing old holiday decor. *Not a dime extra for this admin.*
November 9, 2025 at 10:05 PM
For all our Christmasing, the adults in my family are NOT exchanging presents this holiday season. Each kid will pick ONE main gift they want.
Our usual spending will go to those in need. We are NOT participating in Black Friday. We're reusing old holiday decor. *Not a dime extra for this admin.*
Our usual spending will go to those in need. We are NOT participating in Black Friday. We're reusing old holiday decor. *Not a dime extra for this admin.*
Reposted by Dr. Elizabeth Sawin
Sitting here editing a high schooler's piece on how the upheaval surrounding SNAP has impacted her community and she's describing how devastation from a flood in February already cut resources and now people are lining up for a church's food bags hours before they start giving them out.
November 8, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Sitting here editing a high schooler's piece on how the upheaval surrounding SNAP has impacted her community and she's describing how devastation from a flood in February already cut resources and now people are lining up for a church's food bags hours before they start giving them out.
In this time of overwhelm, uncertainty & urgency we often hear the good advice to pick a lane and stay in it.
At the same time..
Our challenges are interconnected. Our lanes need to be connected, mutually supporting & coherent.
If that sounds right to you this training might be of interest 👇🏻
At the same time..
Our challenges are interconnected. Our lanes need to be connected, mutually supporting & coherent.
If that sounds right to you this training might be of interest 👇🏻
We are hosting a hands on training with FLOWER - the tool for helping cross sectoral groups build shared understanding and take action together in complexity. The training will get you on your way to use FLOWER in your own organizations and communities. Nov 19 12-1:30 PM ET bit.ly/MultisolvingF...
November 7, 2025 at 8:32 PM
In this time of overwhelm, uncertainty & urgency we often hear the good advice to pick a lane and stay in it.
At the same time..
Our challenges are interconnected. Our lanes need to be connected, mutually supporting & coherent.
If that sounds right to you this training might be of interest 👇🏻
At the same time..
Our challenges are interconnected. Our lanes need to be connected, mutually supporting & coherent.
If that sounds right to you this training might be of interest 👇🏻
We are hosting a hands on training with FLOWER - the tool for helping cross sectoral groups build shared understanding and take action together in complexity. The training will get you on your way to use FLOWER in your own organizations and communities. Nov 19 12-1:30 PM ET bit.ly/MultisolvingF...
November 7, 2025 at 7:46 PM
We are hosting a hands on training with FLOWER - the tool for helping cross sectoral groups build shared understanding and take action together in complexity. The training will get you on your way to use FLOWER in your own organizations and communities. Nov 19 12-1:30 PM ET bit.ly/MultisolvingF...
Reposted by Dr. Elizabeth Sawin
Bluesky, I need your help. My adult nephew asked me for some of the best examples of solarpunk fiction, and some of the most outstanding authors of the genre. Ideas?
#solarpunk #futurism #ClimateSky #GreenSky #climate #energy 💡
#solarpunk #futurism #ClimateSky #GreenSky #climate #energy 💡
November 7, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Bluesky, I need your help. My adult nephew asked me for some of the best examples of solarpunk fiction, and some of the most outstanding authors of the genre. Ideas?
#solarpunk #futurism #ClimateSky #GreenSky #climate #energy 💡
#solarpunk #futurism #ClimateSky #GreenSky #climate #energy 💡
Reposted by Dr. Elizabeth Sawin
So uh.
I've spent the last five years working on a book about grief, mourning, who is allowed to grieve and how, and where we go from here, and...
you can now preorder it!
I've spent the last five years working on a book about grief, mourning, who is allowed to grieve and how, and where we go from here, and...
you can now preorder it!
All My Dead Cats and Other Losses: Practicing Good Grief in a Culture That Fears Mourning
Practicing Good Grief in a Culture That Fears Mourning
bookshop.org
November 5, 2025 at 3:59 PM
So uh.
I've spent the last five years working on a book about grief, mourning, who is allowed to grieve and how, and where we go from here, and...
you can now preorder it!
I've spent the last five years working on a book about grief, mourning, who is allowed to grieve and how, and where we go from here, and...
you can now preorder it!
Reposted by Dr. Elizabeth Sawin
This is a good game. I will add:
- a cashmere sweater, whose pilling I removed with excessive vigour
- the approval of several men, whose arguments‘ weaknesses I noted aloud
- my child’s happiness, every time I ask him to unload the dishwasher
- a cashmere sweater, whose pilling I removed with excessive vigour
- the approval of several men, whose arguments‘ weaknesses I noted aloud
- my child’s happiness, every time I ask him to unload the dishwasher
Things I, a woman, have ruined, a partial list:
- the frosting of a cake when I used too many crushed peppermint candies & it came out bright pink instead of classy white & frothy
- many conversations that were nice and comfortable until I spoke up
- a pair of wool socks that I washed in hot water
- the frosting of a cake when I used too many crushed peppermint candies & it came out bright pink instead of classy white & frothy
- many conversations that were nice and comfortable until I spoke up
- a pair of wool socks that I washed in hot water
November 6, 2025 at 10:33 PM
This is a good game. I will add:
- a cashmere sweater, whose pilling I removed with excessive vigour
- the approval of several men, whose arguments‘ weaknesses I noted aloud
- my child’s happiness, every time I ask him to unload the dishwasher
- a cashmere sweater, whose pilling I removed with excessive vigour
- the approval of several men, whose arguments‘ weaknesses I noted aloud
- my child’s happiness, every time I ask him to unload the dishwasher
Things I, a woman, have ruined, a partial list:
- the frosting of a cake when I used too many crushed peppermint candies & it came out bright pink instead of classy white & frothy
- many conversations that were nice and comfortable until I spoke up
- a pair of wool socks that I washed in hot water
- the frosting of a cake when I used too many crushed peppermint candies & it came out bright pink instead of classy white & frothy
- many conversations that were nice and comfortable until I spoke up
- a pair of wool socks that I washed in hot water
November 6, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Things I, a woman, have ruined, a partial list:
- the frosting of a cake when I used too many crushed peppermint candies & it came out bright pink instead of classy white & frothy
- many conversations that were nice and comfortable until I spoke up
- a pair of wool socks that I washed in hot water
- the frosting of a cake when I used too many crushed peppermint candies & it came out bright pink instead of classy white & frothy
- many conversations that were nice and comfortable until I spoke up
- a pair of wool socks that I washed in hot water
Reposted by Dr. Elizabeth Sawin
This is great news and a rare display of bipartisanship on a clime related issue. Because at its core, Energy Star is just a common sense way to lower bills for consumers and everyone can get behind that messaging.
E.P.A. Retreats From Plans to End the Energy Star Program
www.nytimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:01 PM
This is great news and a rare display of bipartisanship on a clime related issue. Because at its core, Energy Star is just a common sense way to lower bills for consumers and everyone can get behind that messaging.
LOL I've been avoiding flying for the past 5 years, trying to burn less jet fuel and be exposed to fewer viruses. But guess who is flying next week to a city on the FAAs flight reduction list?
November 6, 2025 at 1:57 PM
LOL I've been avoiding flying for the past 5 years, trying to burn less jet fuel and be exposed to fewer viruses. But guess who is flying next week to a city on the FAAs flight reduction list?
A beautiful thing is that we paid taxes and vested power in a system to manage some of that money so that fewer children, families, and elders would go hungry.
That that beautiful thing is being disrupted by the whims of power doesn't make it less beautiful.
That that beautiful thing is being disrupted by the whims of power doesn't make it less beautiful.
November 5, 2025 at 10:48 PM
A beautiful thing is that we paid taxes and vested power in a system to manage some of that money so that fewer children, families, and elders would go hungry.
That that beautiful thing is being disrupted by the whims of power doesn't make it less beautiful.
That that beautiful thing is being disrupted by the whims of power doesn't make it less beautiful.
Reposted by Dr. Elizabeth Sawin
I was hollering and pounding on the table even before I saw this was a @colinreports.bsky.social job
I am doing my damnedest to do and advocate for climate work that makes a big positive impact on people’s daily lives, and not center the C word, in my community
IMO that’s the way forward
I am doing my damnedest to do and advocate for climate work that makes a big positive impact on people’s daily lives, and not center the C word, in my community
IMO that’s the way forward
“'Climate and quality of life are not two separate concerns,' Mamdani told The Nation magazine in April. 'They are, in fact, one and the same.'”
What Zohran Mamdani’s Win Means for New York's Climate Politics
The mayor-elect’s approach reflects a view that is going mainstream: To succeed, climate policies may need to lose the label.
nysfocus.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:46 PM
I was hollering and pounding on the table even before I saw this was a @colinreports.bsky.social job
I am doing my damnedest to do and advocate for climate work that makes a big positive impact on people’s daily lives, and not center the C word, in my community
IMO that’s the way forward
I am doing my damnedest to do and advocate for climate work that makes a big positive impact on people’s daily lives, and not center the C word, in my community
IMO that’s the way forward
Reposted by Dr. Elizabeth Sawin
Grateful to spend two days on the Klamath watching chinook, liberated by dam removal, return to streams from which they’d been precluded since the Titanic sank. Fish are everywhere, in numbers that stagger the mind & locations that biologists figured would take years to repopulate. Too beautiful.
November 5, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Grateful to spend two days on the Klamath watching chinook, liberated by dam removal, return to streams from which they’d been precluded since the Titanic sank. Fish are everywhere, in numbers that stagger the mind & locations that biologists figured would take years to repopulate. Too beautiful.
Reposted by Dr. Elizabeth Sawin
One of my favorite things about Halloween in New York City is just how many kids opt for dressing up like their favorite subway line. Just spotted an A train holding hands with her mom.
October 31, 2025 at 12:36 PM
One of my favorite things about Halloween in New York City is just how many kids opt for dressing up like their favorite subway line. Just spotted an A train holding hands with her mom.
Reposted by Dr. Elizabeth Sawin
At a very busy food bank in Hyattsville, MD, the government shutdown, SNAP benefits running out, and previous budget cuts all converged. “There’s absolutely more need, but less food," the food bank's leader told me. "It’s bad.” www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
The shutdown is pushing federal workers to food banks—just as SNAP is set to expire
"There's absolutely more need, but less food. It's bad."
www.motherjones.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:49 PM
At a very busy food bank in Hyattsville, MD, the government shutdown, SNAP benefits running out, and previous budget cuts all converged. “There’s absolutely more need, but less food," the food bank's leader told me. "It’s bad.” www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Dr. Elizabeth Sawin
envelope math: 15% of Middletown’s population on SNAP = about 500 people, figure $200/mo per person = $100,000 a month in my one tiny rural town
October 29, 2025 at 8:46 PM
envelope math: 15% of Middletown’s population on SNAP = about 500 people, figure $200/mo per person = $100,000 a month in my one tiny rural town