Scott Dance
@byscottdance.com
Writing about the ways climate change is reshaping our lives for The New York Times. Send news tips and recipes to @ssdance.22 on Signal.
Reposted by Scott Dance
SCOOP: A council created by Trump has recommended that FEMA should not be eliminated.
Earlier this year, Trump said the agency should "go away." w/ @byscottdance.com www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/c...
Earlier this year, Trump said the agency should "go away." w/ @byscottdance.com www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/c...
Trump Wanted to Abolish FEMA. His Own Advisers Disagree.
www.nytimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:32 PM
SCOOP: A council created by Trump has recommended that FEMA should not be eliminated.
Earlier this year, Trump said the agency should "go away." w/ @byscottdance.com www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/c...
Earlier this year, Trump said the agency should "go away." w/ @byscottdance.com www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/c...
As the Trump administration reforms FEMA, acting administrator David Richardson is out and will be replaced by Karen Evans, a political appointee with a background in cybersecurity and IT who has helped lead FEMA cost-cutting. Federal law requires FEMA head to have emergency management background.
Acting FEMA Administrator Is Out, Injecting Uncertainty at Agency in Limbo
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:00 PM
As the Trump administration reforms FEMA, acting administrator David Richardson is out and will be replaced by Karen Evans, a political appointee with a background in cybersecurity and IT who has helped lead FEMA cost-cutting. Federal law requires FEMA head to have emergency management background.
There are no Trump officials at this year's global climate conference. Instead, it was 2028 contender California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaking for the U.S. on Tuesday. And he stressed a desire to recast climate change as a “cost of living issue,” @sominisengupta.bsky.social writes from Brazil:
Newsom in the Spotlight at the Climate Conference That Trump Decided to Skip
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:14 PM
There are no Trump officials at this year's global climate conference. Instead, it was 2028 contender California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaking for the U.S. on Tuesday. And he stressed a desire to recast climate change as a “cost of living issue,” @sominisengupta.bsky.social writes from Brazil:
The Colorado River states missed a deadline to agree on permanent and voluntary water use cuts Tuesday. Negotiations will continue as the stakes get higher and river forecasts increasingly dire.
States That Rely on the Colorado River Miss Deadline to Agree on Cuts
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:02 PM
The Colorado River states missed a deadline to agree on permanent and voluntary water use cuts Tuesday. Negotiations will continue as the stakes get higher and river forecasts increasingly dire.
A @washingtonpost.com analysis of changing global precipitation patterns explains what people in Appalachia already know: The region has become a dangerous hot spot of intensifying rainfall.
Where the sky keeps bursting
A Washington Post investigation shows why one region of the United States is increasingly vulnerable to extreme rainfall and floods.
wapo.st
November 12, 2025 at 1:55 PM
A @washingtonpost.com analysis of changing global precipitation patterns explains what people in Appalachia already know: The region has become a dangerous hot spot of intensifying rainfall.
“Climate change has fallen into the ‘friend zone’ of voting.” @shannonosaka.bsky.social @kcrowebasspro.bsky.social report that Democrats are hardly talking about climate change anymore, focused on energy affordability instead:
Climate change is out. Energy affordability is in.
A Washington Post analysis of Democratic lawmakers’ appearances and social media posts show they are going quiet on climate.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
“Climate change has fallen into the ‘friend zone’ of voting.” @shannonosaka.bsky.social @kcrowebasspro.bsky.social report that Democrats are hardly talking about climate change anymore, focused on energy affordability instead:
Climate change "doesn’t automatically mean all hurricanes will become powerful,” @bmcnoldy.bsky.social said. But it makes it more likely that an average storm will encounter factors that help it intensify.
How climate change made Hurricane Melissa stronger:
How climate change made Hurricane Melissa stronger:
Global Warming Made Hurricane Melissa More Damaging, Researchers Say
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Climate change "doesn’t automatically mean all hurricanes will become powerful,” @bmcnoldy.bsky.social said. But it makes it more likely that an average storm will encounter factors that help it intensify.
How climate change made Hurricane Melissa stronger:
How climate change made Hurricane Melissa stronger:
Deadly rivers in the sky: How global warming is amplifying atmospheric moisture and helping to trigger catastrophic floods. Proud of my @washingtonpost.com colleagues for this one:
Deadly rivers in the sky
A new Washington Post investigation reveals where climate change has supercharged the movement of moisture through the skies.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Deadly rivers in the sky: How global warming is amplifying atmospheric moisture and helping to trigger catastrophic floods. Proud of my @washingtonpost.com colleagues for this one:
U.S. Forest Service staff cuts have translated to a 40% reduction in regular efforts to thin the vegetation that could fuel massive wildfires. Via @washingtonpost.com:
How Trump cuts may have hindered a key way of preventing future wildfires
U.S. Forest Service work to reduce wildfire fuel was down nearly 40 percent from where it’s been on average over the last four years, a new report shows.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:41 PM
U.S. Forest Service staff cuts have translated to a 40% reduction in regular efforts to thin the vegetation that could fuel massive wildfires. Via @washingtonpost.com:
Does it taste like something is missing from your favorite chocolate bar this Halloween? It may be the chocolate.
What’s Missing From Your Favorite Chocolate Bar? It May Be Chocolate.
www.nytimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Does it taste like something is missing from your favorite chocolate bar this Halloween? It may be the chocolate.
Reposted by Scott Dance
Since the start of the summer, “Gulf of America” has been losing what little popularity it had as the "Gulf of Mexico" is still in use almost everywhere. www.niemanlab.org/2025/10/nine... via @niemanlab.org
Nine months later, that body of water down south is still the “Gulf of Mexico” to news outlets
Since the start of summer, "Gulf of America" has been losing what little popularity it had in newsrooms.
www.niemanlab.org
October 28, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Since the start of the summer, “Gulf of America” has been losing what little popularity it had as the "Gulf of Mexico" is still in use almost everywhere. www.niemanlab.org/2025/10/nine... via @niemanlab.org
“It is not hyperbole to say that western Jamaica experienced something near to the worst tropical cyclone impacts our planet can produce.”
@wxmanms1.bsky.social on Melissa and the warning it brings:
@wxmanms1.bsky.social on Melissa and the warning it brings:
Opinion | In 40 Years of Forecasting, I’ve Never Seen a Hurricane Like Melissa
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:18 PM
“It is not hyperbole to say that western Jamaica experienced something near to the worst tropical cyclone impacts our planet can produce.”
@wxmanms1.bsky.social on Melissa and the warning it brings:
@wxmanms1.bsky.social on Melissa and the warning it brings:
After staff cuts earlier this year, some veteran NOAA hurricane researchers are working on a volunteer basis to help collect data from Melissa and other storms. “With the losses, we have a very young remaining staff and not a lot of experience flying in hurricanes."
Volunteers Step In to Help Understaffed NOAA Track Hurricane Melissa
www.nytimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:29 PM
After staff cuts earlier this year, some veteran NOAA hurricane researchers are working on a volunteer basis to help collect data from Melissa and other storms. “With the losses, we have a very young remaining staff and not a lot of experience flying in hurricanes."
MacKenzie Scott is giving $60 million to a nonprofit focused on disaster recovery in marginalized and overlooked communities. It follows recent investments she made in HBCUs and preservation of Black history, and counters the Trump administration's pullback from DEI and changes to disaster aid.
MacKenzie Scott Backs Disaster Recovery in Marginalized Communities
www.nytimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:03 PM
MacKenzie Scott is giving $60 million to a nonprofit focused on disaster recovery in marginalized and overlooked communities. It follows recent investments she made in HBCUs and preservation of Black history, and counters the Trump administration's pullback from DEI and changes to disaster aid.
NOAA isn't tracking billion-dollar disasters anymore. But the cost of such catastrophes continues to escalate, according to a revived disaster database from @climatecentral.org:
NOAA Isn’t Tracking Disaster Damages Anymore. These Scientists Are.
www.nytimes.com
October 22, 2025 at 2:09 PM
NOAA isn't tracking billion-dollar disasters anymore. But the cost of such catastrophes continues to escalate, according to a revived disaster database from @climatecentral.org:
North Carolina counties that spent millions on Hurricane Helene recovery are still waiting for FEMA disaster aid that they thought would have been paid out by now. Via @washingtonpost.com:
N.C. counties that busted budgets after Helene still waiting for FEMA to pay them back
A year after Hurricane Helene, FEMA hasn’t reimbursed millions of dollars spent on cleanup and recovery, upending local budgets and hindering reconstruction.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:42 PM
North Carolina counties that spent millions on Hurricane Helene recovery are still waiting for FEMA disaster aid that they thought would have been paid out by now. Via @washingtonpost.com:
Reposted by Scott Dance
Early retirement withdrawals for hardship have tripled since 2020, as disasters strike and insurance fails — leaving workers on their own in old age.
Climate Disasters Are Destroying Black Retirements and the American Dream
Early retirement withdrawals for hardship have tripled since 2020, as disasters strike and insurance fails — leaving workers on their own in old age.
capitalbnews.org
October 20, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Early retirement withdrawals for hardship have tripled since 2020, as disasters strike and insurance fails — leaving workers on their own in old age.
Millions of taxpayer dollars go toward restoring Chesapeake Bay beaches to their natural marshy state and cleaning the water. Signs on those shorelines also read: "RESIDENTS ONLY." Important story by @alexmann.bsky.social @leeosanderlin.bsky.social @adampwillis.bsky.social @thebaltimorebanner.com:
The hidden cost of saving the Chesapeake Bay: millions for private waterfronts
Virtually all of the Chesapeake Bay’s shoreline is privately owned, which means taxpayer-funded waterfront improvements go to properties with limited public access.
www.thebanner.com
October 20, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Millions of taxpayer dollars go toward restoring Chesapeake Bay beaches to their natural marshy state and cleaning the water. Signs on those shorelines also read: "RESIDENTS ONLY." Important story by @alexmann.bsky.social @leeosanderlin.bsky.social @adampwillis.bsky.social @thebaltimorebanner.com:
Under President Biden, the Federal Reserve and FDIC began pushing big banks to account for climate risks. The rules have now been eliminated. Reported w/ @stacycowley.bsky.social:
Fed Rescinds Mandate That Banks Plan for Climate Risks
www.nytimes.com
October 20, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Under President Biden, the Federal Reserve and FDIC began pushing big banks to account for climate risks. The rules have now been eliminated. Reported w/ @stacycowley.bsky.social:
Three months after the deadly floods in Texas Hill Country, FEMA disaster aid applications are moving slowly and being denied at elevated rates, @texastribune.org reports:
FEMA denied or didn’t advance most Kerr County flood requests
Advocates are questioning why so many applicants from the flood-ravaged county have not received federal disaster help. Nonprofits are trying to fill in the gaps.
www.texastribune.org
October 20, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Three months after the deadly floods in Texas Hill Country, FEMA disaster aid applications are moving slowly and being denied at elevated rates, @texastribune.org reports:
Absorb, fortify and retreat: Here's a look at what New York City is doing, and must do, to adapt to the rising threats of tidal flooding, intense rainfall and storm surge.
What New York Can Do to Survive Flooding
Adaptation is a matter of survival, and the city may have to throw every solution available at a worsening situation.
www.nytimes.com
October 16, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Absorb, fortify and retreat: Here's a look at what New York City is doing, and must do, to adapt to the rising threats of tidal flooding, intense rainfall and storm surge.
President Trump has said he wants to eventually shift the burden of disaster relief and recovery onto states. It’s already happening.
Communities across the country are adjusting as FEMA slows down disaster reimbursements and cuts back programs that help them prepare for emergencies.
Communities across the country are adjusting as FEMA slows down disaster reimbursements and cuts back programs that help them prepare for emergencies.
How FEMA Is Pushing Communities to Fend for Themselves
www.nytimes.com
October 16, 2025 at 2:00 PM
President Trump has said he wants to eventually shift the burden of disaster relief and recovery onto states. It’s already happening.
Communities across the country are adjusting as FEMA slows down disaster reimbursements and cuts back programs that help them prepare for emergencies.
Communities across the country are adjusting as FEMA slows down disaster reimbursements and cuts back programs that help them prepare for emergencies.
Reposted by Scott Dance
Before catastrophic floods swept through the Alaska Native village of Kipnuk on Sunday, the EPA canceled a $20 million grant intended to protect the community from extreme flooding. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/14/c...
Before Alaska Flooding, E.P.A. Canceled $20 Million Flood Protection Grant
www.nytimes.com
October 14, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Before catastrophic floods swept through the Alaska Native village of Kipnuk on Sunday, the EPA canceled a $20 million grant intended to protect the community from extreme flooding. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/14/c...
Reposted by Scott Dance
Emergency crews rescued dozens of people in western Alaska on Sunday as flooding from the remnants of Typhoon Halong battered remote coastal communities and tore houses off their foundations, officials said.
Dozens Rescued in Remote Alaskan Villages in Storm That Swept Away Homes
The Coast Guard and the Alaska National Guard were conducting search-and-rescue operations in two villages along the Bering Sea on Sunday.
nyti.ms
October 13, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Emergency crews rescued dozens of people in western Alaska on Sunday as flooding from the remnants of Typhoon Halong battered remote coastal communities and tore houses off their foundations, officials said.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has a new leader. Read what he has said about climate change, the dismantling of climate research and U.S. weather forecasting models: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/u...
Senate Confirms ‘Sharpiegate’ Meteorologist to Lead NOAA
www.nytimes.com
October 8, 2025 at 1:46 PM
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has a new leader. Read what he has said about climate change, the dismantling of climate research and U.S. weather forecasting models: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/u...