Ben Cushing
@bmcushing.bsky.social
👋 Director of the @SierraClub.org Sustainable Finance Campaign: sc.org/sustainable-finance
📍 DC resident, Oakland raised
💭 Thinking a lot about climate, finance, politics, & the NBA
📍 DC resident, Oakland raised
💭 Thinking a lot about climate, finance, politics, & the NBA
Pinned
Ben Cushing
@bmcushing.bsky.social
· Jun 10
📣👋 New paper from @sierraclub.org out today! It's been a long time in the making.
It challenges conventional sustainable investing and urges asset owners to confront climate change as a systemic threat to the global economy and long-term portfolios.
👉 Full paper: www.sierraclub.org/systemic-cli...
It challenges conventional sustainable investing and urges asset owners to confront climate change as a systemic threat to the global economy and long-term portfolios.
👉 Full paper: www.sierraclub.org/systemic-cli...
Reposted by Ben Cushing
🚨 BREAKING: Trump is moving to eliminate the EPA’s Endangerment Finding — one of the strongest legal tools we have to fight climate pollution.
We will fight this. Polluters should pay — not the public. Read more at our statement bit.ly/4aNcAwb
We will fight this. Polluters should pay — not the public. Read more at our statement bit.ly/4aNcAwb
February 11, 2026 at 3:07 PM
🚨 BREAKING: Trump is moving to eliminate the EPA’s Endangerment Finding — one of the strongest legal tools we have to fight climate pollution.
We will fight this. Polluters should pay — not the public. Read more at our statement bit.ly/4aNcAwb
We will fight this. Polluters should pay — not the public. Read more at our statement bit.ly/4aNcAwb
Reposted by Ben Cushing
Rejection of Texas law blacklisting 'woke' BlackRock could challenge anti-ESG laws in other states reut.rs/4bG88kO
Rejection of Texas law blacklisting 'woke' BlackRock could challenge anti-ESG laws in other states
A Texas judge's move to strike down a state law blacklisting "woke" financial firms, including BlackRock and HSBC, that used environmental, social or governance factors in investment decisions will likely drive a broader push to repeal so-called "anti-ESG" laws in other states, analysts said.
reut.rs
February 10, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Rejection of Texas law blacklisting 'woke' BlackRock could challenge anti-ESG laws in other states reut.rs/4bG88kO
Huge. Laws like this were designed to punish investors for taking basic steps to address climate risk.
@sierraclub.org statement: www.sierraclub.org/press-releas...
(Also worth noting: the firms targeted were never actually “boycotting” fossil fuels—that was political misinformation all along.)
@sierraclub.org statement: www.sierraclub.org/press-releas...
(Also worth noting: the firms targeted were never actually “boycotting” fossil fuels—that was political misinformation all along.)
A federal district judge on Wednesday declared Senate Bill 13 — a 2021 law restricting state investments in companies boycotting the fossil fuel industry — unconstitutional, calling it “facially overbroad” and citing First and Fourteenth Amendment concerns.
Texas fossil fuel boycott law ruled unconstitutional
A judge ruled Senate Bill 13, passed in 2021, violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments. The law prevented state investments in firms it deemed as boycotting oil and gas companies.
www.texastribune.org
February 5, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Huge. Laws like this were designed to punish investors for taking basic steps to address climate risk.
@sierraclub.org statement: www.sierraclub.org/press-releas...
(Also worth noting: the firms targeted were never actually “boycotting” fossil fuels—that was political misinformation all along.)
@sierraclub.org statement: www.sierraclub.org/press-releas...
(Also worth noting: the firms targeted were never actually “boycotting” fossil fuels—that was political misinformation all along.)
Reposted by Ben Cushing
For those of you who:
* Feel enraged to watch billionaires destroy important newsrooms
and
* Recall vaguely that Jeff Bezos was once considered a courageous owner who fortified the Washington Post
I recommend this piece by the Post's former fact-checker
glennkessler.substack.com/p/a-billiona...
* Feel enraged to watch billionaires destroy important newsrooms
and
* Recall vaguely that Jeff Bezos was once considered a courageous owner who fortified the Washington Post
I recommend this piece by the Post's former fact-checker
glennkessler.substack.com/p/a-billiona...
A Billionaire’s Surrender
Bezos is not trying to save The Washington Post. He’s trying to survive Donald Trump.
glennkessler.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:27 PM
For those of you who:
* Feel enraged to watch billionaires destroy important newsrooms
and
* Recall vaguely that Jeff Bezos was once considered a courageous owner who fortified the Washington Post
I recommend this piece by the Post's former fact-checker
glennkessler.substack.com/p/a-billiona...
* Feel enraged to watch billionaires destroy important newsrooms
and
* Recall vaguely that Jeff Bezos was once considered a courageous owner who fortified the Washington Post
I recommend this piece by the Post's former fact-checker
glennkessler.substack.com/p/a-billiona...
Reposted by Ben Cushing
Short-term investor pressure is driving companies to ditch climate plans, even though climate risk threatens long-term portfolios and the entire economy.
Great letter from @bmcushing.bsky.social @ @sierraclub.org:
www.ft.com/content/e100...
Great letter from @bmcushing.bsky.social @ @sierraclub.org:
www.ft.com/content/e100...
Letter: How climate goals skewed incentives for Shell and BP
From Ben Cushing, Director, The Sierra Club’s Sustainable Finance Campaign, Washington, DC, US
www.ft.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:29 PM
Short-term investor pressure is driving companies to ditch climate plans, even though climate risk threatens long-term portfolios and the entire economy.
Great letter from @bmcushing.bsky.social @ @sierraclub.org:
www.ft.com/content/e100...
Great letter from @bmcushing.bsky.social @ @sierraclub.org:
www.ft.com/content/e100...
Reposted by Ben Cushing
Reposted by Ben Cushing
Reposted by Ben Cushing
TODAY: The Senate is expected to hold its first procedural vote on the DHS funding bill — and it can’t pass without Democratic votes.
We need to flood the Senate with calls demanding Democrats hold the line and vote NO on giving more money to the regime’s death squads.
We need to flood the Senate with calls demanding Democrats hold the line and vote NO on giving more money to the regime’s death squads.
Tell the Senate: Not a penny more for ICE brutality | Indivisible
indivisible.org
January 29, 2026 at 1:24 PM
TODAY: The Senate is expected to hold its first procedural vote on the DHS funding bill — and it can’t pass without Democratic votes.
We need to flood the Senate with calls demanding Democrats hold the line and vote NO on giving more money to the regime’s death squads.
We need to flood the Senate with calls demanding Democrats hold the line and vote NO on giving more money to the regime’s death squads.
My letter on the @financialtimes.com story on BP/Shell’s climate rollbacks is now published.
The key takeaway: most investors should recognize that the interests of major polluters are often at odds with their own long-term portfolio interests—and should act accordingly.
www.ft.com/content/e100...
The key takeaway: most investors should recognize that the interests of major polluters are often at odds with their own long-term portfolio interests—and should act accordingly.
www.ft.com/content/e100...
Letter: How climate goals skewed incentives for Shell and BP
From Ben Cushing, Director, The Sierra Club’s Sustainable Finance Campaign, Washington, DC, US
www.ft.com
January 29, 2026 at 1:59 AM
My letter on the @financialtimes.com story on BP/Shell’s climate rollbacks is now published.
The key takeaway: most investors should recognize that the interests of major polluters are often at odds with their own long-term portfolio interests—and should act accordingly.
www.ft.com/content/e100...
The key takeaway: most investors should recognize that the interests of major polluters are often at odds with their own long-term portfolio interests—and should act accordingly.
www.ft.com/content/e100...
Reposted by Ben Cushing
Last week in Minnesota, I watched ordinary people risk their lives to protect their neighbors. In the process, they not only won a significant—though not final—victory against authoritarianism, they proved virtually every MAGA social theory wrong. (gift link) www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
January 27, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Last week in Minnesota, I watched ordinary people risk their lives to protect their neighbors. In the process, they not only won a significant—though not final—victory against authoritarianism, they proved virtually every MAGA social theory wrong. (gift link) www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Reposted by Ben Cushing
tomorrow, StandWithMinnesota.com will hit a million site visits and over 650,000 unique visitors.
i made it 10 days ago with $600 from you guys for hosting and cloudflare.
thank you. thank you.
i made it 10 days ago with $600 from you guys for hosting and cloudflare.
thank you. thank you.
Stand With Minnesota Donation Directory
Stand With Minnesota is a hub for supporting, learning, and taking action to support Minnesotans impacted by ICE and federal enforcement.
StandWithMinnesota.com
January 25, 2026 at 8:12 PM
tomorrow, StandWithMinnesota.com will hit a million site visits and over 650,000 unique visitors.
i made it 10 days ago with $600 from you guys for hosting and cloudflare.
thank you. thank you.
i made it 10 days ago with $600 from you guys for hosting and cloudflare.
thank you. thank you.
Reposted by Ben Cushing
Wrote myself a pep talk to get back to work tomorrow. It helped me. Hope it helps you.
I don't know how to do this
But I'm going to keep doing it anyway.
heated.world
January 26, 2026 at 12:19 AM
Wrote myself a pep talk to get back to work tomorrow. It helped me. Hope it helps you.
Reposted by Ben Cushing
California pension @calpers.bsky.social invested $60B in 'climate solutions'. So why does that include fossil fuels?
As the largest U.S. public pension, what CalPERS does matters, writes Allie Lindstrom & Jakob Evans for @calmatters.org.
calmatters.org/commentary/2...
As the largest U.S. public pension, what CalPERS does matters, writes Allie Lindstrom & Jakob Evans for @calmatters.org.
calmatters.org/commentary/2...
January 21, 2026 at 7:27 PM
California pension @calpers.bsky.social invested $60B in 'climate solutions'. So why does that include fossil fuels?
As the largest U.S. public pension, what CalPERS does matters, writes Allie Lindstrom & Jakob Evans for @calmatters.org.
calmatters.org/commentary/2...
As the largest U.S. public pension, what CalPERS does matters, writes Allie Lindstrom & Jakob Evans for @calmatters.org.
calmatters.org/commentary/2...
Reposted by Ben Cushing
🚨 Our new scorecard reveals U.S. public pensions are lagging on investing in climate solutions like clean energy & resilience infrastructure, despite knowing that climate change massively threatens millions of public sector workers' retirement savings.
New Report: Most U.S. Public Pensions Lag on Investing in Climate Solutions Needed to Protect Retirement Savings
Only 4 of 30 pensions earn ‘strong’ scores for strategies to invest in climate solutions
www.sierraclub.org
January 22, 2026 at 6:22 PM
🚨 Our new scorecard reveals U.S. public pensions are lagging on investing in climate solutions like clean energy & resilience infrastructure, despite knowing that climate change massively threatens millions of public sector workers' retirement savings.
Reposted by Ben Cushing
@bmcushing.bsky.social: “Climate change is undermining the financial security of workers and retirees, and threatening the long-term performance of the diversified portfolios that pensions depend on." New @sierraclub.org report highlights the handful of US pensions taking climate seriously.
January 22, 2026 at 3:32 PM
@bmcushing.bsky.social: “Climate change is undermining the financial security of workers and retirees, and threatening the long-term performance of the diversified portfolios that pensions depend on." New @sierraclub.org report highlights the handful of US pensions taking climate seriously.
Reposted by Ben Cushing
How are public pension managers addressing climate risks in their investments? New @sierraclub.org report rates different funds on their approaches to these critical issues. @jessyewaxman.bsky.social @bmcushing.bsky.social
📊🌍 NEW Sierra Club report: How are U.S. public pensions managing climate risk through their investments—and are they directing capital to credible #climate solutions? This thread breaks down the key findings. 🧵👇
Read: www.sierraclub.org/reports/sust...
Read: www.sierraclub.org/reports/sust...
The Climate Solutions Gap: An Assessment of U.S. Public Pensions’ Investment Strategies
www.sierraclub.org
January 22, 2026 at 6:11 PM
How are public pension managers addressing climate risks in their investments? New @sierraclub.org report rates different funds on their approaches to these critical issues. @jessyewaxman.bsky.social @bmcushing.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Cushing
📊🌍 NEW Sierra Club report: How are U.S. public pensions managing climate risk through their investments—and are they directing capital to credible #climate solutions? This thread breaks down the key findings. 🧵👇
Read: www.sierraclub.org/reports/sust...
Read: www.sierraclub.org/reports/sust...
The Climate Solutions Gap: An Assessment of U.S. Public Pensions’ Investment Strategies
www.sierraclub.org
January 22, 2026 at 2:54 PM
📊🌍 NEW Sierra Club report: How are U.S. public pensions managing climate risk through their investments—and are they directing capital to credible #climate solutions? This thread breaks down the key findings. 🧵👇
Read: www.sierraclub.org/reports/sust...
Read: www.sierraclub.org/reports/sust...
Hot off the presses: @sierraclub.org scorecard on how major US public pensions approach climate-solutions investing.
Only 4 of 30 earned "strong" scores—despite growing recognition of the threat climate change poses to long-term portfolios and the broader economy.
www.sierraclub.org/reports/sust...
Only 4 of 30 earned "strong" scores—despite growing recognition of the threat climate change poses to long-term portfolios and the broader economy.
www.sierraclub.org/reports/sust...
The Climate Solutions Gap: An Assessment of U.S. Public Pensions’ Investment Strategies
www.sierraclub.org
January 22, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Hot off the presses: @sierraclub.org scorecard on how major US public pensions approach climate-solutions investing.
Only 4 of 30 earned "strong" scores—despite growing recognition of the threat climate change poses to long-term portfolios and the broader economy.
www.sierraclub.org/reports/sust...
Only 4 of 30 earned "strong" scores—despite growing recognition of the threat climate change poses to long-term portfolios and the broader economy.
www.sierraclub.org/reports/sust...
Reposted by Ben Cushing
President Trump’s attempts to torpedo offshore wind farms suffered a second blow this week when a federal judge ruled on Thursday that construction for the $5 billion Empire Wind project off Long Island could resume.
Empire Wind Project Can Resume Construction, Judge Rules
A federal judge said the Empire Wind project off Long Island would suffer “irreparable harm” if the Trump administration continued to hold up work.
nyti.ms
January 16, 2026 at 2:00 AM
President Trump’s attempts to torpedo offshore wind farms suffered a second blow this week when a federal judge ruled on Thursday that construction for the $5 billion Empire Wind project off Long Island could resume.
Reposted by Ben Cushing
An advance look at Barry Blitt’s “Guzzler,” the cover for next week’s issue. #NewYorkerCovers
January 8, 2026 at 1:05 PM
An advance look at Barry Blitt’s “Guzzler,” the cover for next week’s issue. #NewYorkerCovers
Reposted by Ben Cushing
Jacob Frey: "To ICE -- get the fuck out of Minneapolis"
January 7, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Jacob Frey: "To ICE -- get the fuck out of Minneapolis"
Reposted by Ben Cushing
The invasion of Venezuela has nothing to do with American security. Venezuela is not a security threat to the U.S..
This is about making Trump's oil industry and Wall Street friends rich. Trump's foreign policy - the Middle East, Russia, Venezuela - is fundamentally corrupt.
This is about making Trump's oil industry and Wall Street friends rich. Trump's foreign policy - the Middle East, Russia, Venezuela - is fundamentally corrupt.
January 5, 2026 at 2:32 PM
The invasion of Venezuela has nothing to do with American security. Venezuela is not a security threat to the U.S..
This is about making Trump's oil industry and Wall Street friends rich. Trump's foreign policy - the Middle East, Russia, Venezuela - is fundamentally corrupt.
This is about making Trump's oil industry and Wall Street friends rich. Trump's foreign policy - the Middle East, Russia, Venezuela - is fundamentally corrupt.
Reposted by Ben Cushing
Let's not forget that Trump just pardoned Juan Orlando Hernández - ex-Honduras president who backed a coup, committed election fraud, violently repressed activists, lawyers, Indigenous people, youth etc - and was entenced to 35 years by an American jury for trafficking drugs and weapons into the US
January 3, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Let's not forget that Trump just pardoned Juan Orlando Hernández - ex-Honduras president who backed a coup, committed election fraud, violently repressed activists, lawyers, Indigenous people, youth etc - and was entenced to 35 years by an American jury for trafficking drugs and weapons into the US
Reposted by Ben Cushing
International law won't constrain Trump's thirst for oil. But every solar panel that goes up makes crude reserves that much less valuable
billmckibben.substack.com/p/just-possi...
billmckibben.substack.com/p/just-possi...
Just possibly it's the oil?
A solar panel is the new peace sign
billmckibben.substack.com
January 3, 2026 at 4:11 PM
International law won't constrain Trump's thirst for oil. But every solar panel that goes up makes crude reserves that much less valuable
billmckibben.substack.com/p/just-possi...
billmckibben.substack.com/p/just-possi...