Cathy Cowan Becker
@ccbecker271.bsky.social
I just want to use whatever time I've got left on Earth to help save this beautiful planet from those who want to do it harm.
Beautiful music ahead ...
December 24, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Beautiful music ahead ...
Reposted by Cathy Cowan Becker
This thread perfectly explains why AI has little value for qualitative research.
Yes, large language models can find patterns in qualitative data. But, they're trained on what we already know. So, they won't find anything surprising. And, surprise is qualitative research's primary value-add.
Yes, large language models can find patterns in qualitative data. But, they're trained on what we already know. So, they won't find anything surprising. And, surprise is qualitative research's primary value-add.
Absolutely right.
AI might be able to summarize (poorly) what we currently know, but a major goal of historical research is to find the hidden surprises out there.
Let me illustrate …
AI might be able to summarize (poorly) what we currently know, but a major goal of historical research is to find the hidden surprises out there.
Let me illustrate …
Not a historian but like to research. The AI might summarize what I'm looking for, but it doesn't find what I'm *not* looking for. The book on the shelf next to the one I wanted. The insight in chapter 6 based on the quote I needed from chapter 4.
December 24, 2025 at 9:05 PM
This thread perfectly explains why AI has little value for qualitative research.
Yes, large language models can find patterns in qualitative data. But, they're trained on what we already know. So, they won't find anything surprising. And, surprise is qualitative research's primary value-add.
Yes, large language models can find patterns in qualitative data. But, they're trained on what we already know. So, they won't find anything surprising. And, surprise is qualitative research's primary value-add.
Reposted by Cathy Cowan Becker
Very fancy potato bear postcard from my collection, unsent and date unknown.
December 24, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Very fancy potato bear postcard from my collection, unsent and date unknown.
Reposted by Cathy Cowan Becker
1/4) China is already generating, in 2025, from wind-water-solar (WWS) alone, 54% of all end-use energy the U.S. needs for all purposes (electricity, transport, buildings, industry) & 61% of the end-use energy India needs for all purposes in 2050.
Paper
pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...
Paper
pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...
December 23, 2025 at 5:38 PM
1/4) China is already generating, in 2025, from wind-water-solar (WWS) alone, 54% of all end-use energy the U.S. needs for all purposes (electricity, transport, buildings, industry) & 61% of the end-use energy India needs for all purposes in 2050.
Paper
pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...
Paper
pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...
This is so sad and so unnecessary. They were trying to plug an orphan well. There are somewhere between 20,000 and 60,000 orphan wells in Ohio, a product of the oil and gas industry.
Solar panels don't explode.
Solar panels don't explode.
A second death announced following August orphan well-plugging explosion in Wayne National Forest. Eric Bevin News and Sentinel: bit.ly/3KVZtzL
And BLM and U.S. Forest Service claim there will be "no significant impact" from fracking the Wayne...
@buckeyeenviro.bsky.social @ccbecker271.bsky.social
And BLM and U.S. Forest Service claim there will be "no significant impact" from fracking the Wayne...
@buckeyeenviro.bsky.social @ccbecker271.bsky.social
2 injured in Washington County well explosion have died
PARKERSBURG – Two people have died since being injured in an orphan well explosion in Washington County in August — the most recent on Dec. 14. Chris Pinkerton, 48, of Woodsfield, was an employee of M...
bit.ly
December 23, 2025 at 5:42 PM
This is so sad and so unnecessary. They were trying to plug an orphan well. There are somewhere between 20,000 and 60,000 orphan wells in Ohio, a product of the oil and gas industry.
Solar panels don't explode.
Solar panels don't explode.
Reposted by Cathy Cowan Becker
The Trump administration has wasted no time gutting fuel efficiency standards and consumer protections in the auto industry, thanks to strong lobbying support from the National Automobile Dealers Association.
The Lobbying Behemoth Vying to Pollute the Air and Scam the Public | Revolving Door Project
The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) has spent millions opposing emissions regulations, consumer protections, and more.
therevolvingdoorproject.org
December 22, 2025 at 1:00 AM
The Trump administration has wasted no time gutting fuel efficiency standards and consumer protections in the auto industry, thanks to strong lobbying support from the National Automobile Dealers Association.
Reposted by Cathy Cowan Becker
The leader you are looking for is you.
Connect with those who know how to navigate protecting clean air, clean water, great soils and pristine Ohio state parks and public lands.
@ccbecker271.bsky.social @healthylakes.org @psrpennsylvania.bsky.social
Connect with those who know how to navigate protecting clean air, clean water, great soils and pristine Ohio state parks and public lands.
@ccbecker271.bsky.social @healthylakes.org @psrpennsylvania.bsky.social
December 21, 2025 at 3:34 PM
The leader you are looking for is you.
Connect with those who know how to navigate protecting clean air, clean water, great soils and pristine Ohio state parks and public lands.
@ccbecker271.bsky.social @healthylakes.org @psrpennsylvania.bsky.social
Connect with those who know how to navigate protecting clean air, clean water, great soils and pristine Ohio state parks and public lands.
@ccbecker271.bsky.social @healthylakes.org @psrpennsylvania.bsky.social
Reposted by Cathy Cowan Becker
once again thinking about how DC has 200k more people living in it than the entire state of wyoming, but doesn’t have any actual representation in congress
December 18, 2025 at 6:07 PM
once again thinking about how DC has 200k more people living in it than the entire state of wyoming, but doesn’t have any actual representation in congress
Reposted by Cathy Cowan Becker
Public records over the last 10 years show the oil and gas industry in Ohio has an accident or incident every 1.5 days.
Meanwhile, a solar spill is called a nice day.
Meanwhile, a solar spill is called a nice day.
EOG Resources fracking well pad explodes and burns at Malvern in Carroll County. @cleveland19.com: bit.ly/4jclkj1
No one hurt, but there's always more to the story. Will lax Ohio DNR investigate, or brush it off?
@ccbecker271.bsky.social @fractracker.bsky.social
No one hurt, but there's always more to the story. Will lax Ohio DNR investigate, or brush it off?
@ccbecker271.bsky.social @fractracker.bsky.social
Fire causes explosion at oil well in Carroll County
An oil well pad exploded Tuesday morning in Carroll County, sending thick black smoke into the sky.
bit.ly
December 18, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Public records over the last 10 years show the oil and gas industry in Ohio has an accident or incident every 1.5 days.
Meanwhile, a solar spill is called a nice day.
Meanwhile, a solar spill is called a nice day.
BlackRock is losing business because it is backpedaling on its climate commitments. And they should lose business until they start using their financial power to make our world more climate safe.
🎊 WIN! Pension fund PME breaks with polluting asset giant BlackRock – thanks to the pressure of our movement.
✍️ Now it's time for ABP to break with BlackRock as well. Over 5.000 people have already signed our petition. Will you add your name? www.breekmetblackrock.nl
✍️ Now it's time for ABP to break with BlackRock as well. Over 5.000 people have already signed our petition. Will you add your name? www.breekmetblackrock.nl
December 15, 2025 at 8:12 PM
BlackRock is losing business because it is backpedaling on its climate commitments. And they should lose business until they start using their financial power to make our world more climate safe.
Reposted by Cathy Cowan Becker
Ohio has become a dumping ground for toxic oil & gas waste-- much of it coming from out of state.
The General Assembly must toughen state's oversight oil & gas (fracking) waste injection. Opinion @cleveland.com bit.ly/4pNoPyT
@twrader.bsky.social @kentksmith.bsky.social @ccbecker271.bsky.social
The General Assembly must toughen state's oversight oil & gas (fracking) waste injection. Opinion @cleveland.com bit.ly/4pNoPyT
@twrader.bsky.social @kentksmith.bsky.social @ccbecker271.bsky.social
Ohio urgently needs a toughened, more transparent fracking-waste permit process: editorial
While it appears Ohio can't outright bar out-of-state waste from being disposed of in Ohio under the Constitution's Commerce Clause, that doesn't mean it has to trundle out the welcome wagon for demon...
bit.ly
December 15, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Ohio has become a dumping ground for toxic oil & gas waste-- much of it coming from out of state.
The General Assembly must toughen state's oversight oil & gas (fracking) waste injection. Opinion @cleveland.com bit.ly/4pNoPyT
@twrader.bsky.social @kentksmith.bsky.social @ccbecker271.bsky.social
The General Assembly must toughen state's oversight oil & gas (fracking) waste injection. Opinion @cleveland.com bit.ly/4pNoPyT
@twrader.bsky.social @kentksmith.bsky.social @ccbecker271.bsky.social
Reposted by Cathy Cowan Becker
Russia destroyed 100% of Odesa’s energy infrastructure. All substations were destroyed by missiles and drones.
The city has been completely left without electricity, hot water, and heating for over one million people, including all critical infrastructure.
The city has been completely left without electricity, hot water, and heating for over one million people, including all critical infrastructure.
December 14, 2025 at 5:52 AM
Russia destroyed 100% of Odesa’s energy infrastructure. All substations were destroyed by missiles and drones.
The city has been completely left without electricity, hot water, and heating for over one million people, including all critical infrastructure.
The city has been completely left without electricity, hot water, and heating for over one million people, including all critical infrastructure.
Good for LEEDCo. What happened to that project is a travesty that never should have taken place, and only did because of corruption.
The corruption tentacles of FirstEnergy’s historic bribery scheme seem to keep growing.
LEEDCo Icebreaker wind project sues FirstEnergy for bribe it claims cost it Lake Erie's first wind project. @kmkowalski.bsky.social @canarymedia.com: bit.ly/4q8LWDP
@ccbecker271.bsky.social @cleveland.com
LEEDCo Icebreaker wind project sues FirstEnergy for bribe it claims cost it Lake Erie's first wind project. @kmkowalski.bsky.social @canarymedia.com: bit.ly/4q8LWDP
@ccbecker271.bsky.social @cleveland.com
FirstEnergy bribery scheme sank Lake Erie offshore wind, lawsuit says
The corruption that led to Ohio’s infamous HB 6 also torpedoed what would have been the Great Lakes’ first wind farm, the suit alleges. FirstEnergy is…
bit.ly
December 13, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Good for LEEDCo. What happened to that project is a travesty that never should have taken place, and only did because of corruption.
My local nonprofit Save Ohio Parks is a co-signer. Glad to be part of this! @saveohioparks.bsky.social
BREAKING: We're proud to join 230+ groups to call on Congress to stop the approval and construction of new data centers. With huge impacts on water, climate, electricity bills and more, it's time to put the brakes on the unregulated data center frenzy: https://fwwat.ch/44bzr1R
December 12, 2025 at 10:39 PM
My local nonprofit Save Ohio Parks is a co-signer. Glad to be part of this! @saveohioparks.bsky.social
Reposted by Cathy Cowan Becker
Reposted by Cathy Cowan Becker
worth noting here that the position of the conservative legal movement is that trying to remedy environmental racism is itself illegal race discrimination
ballsandstrikes.org/legal-cultur...
ballsandstrikes.org/legal-cultur...
December 10, 2025 at 4:07 PM
worth noting here that the position of the conservative legal movement is that trying to remedy environmental racism is itself illegal race discrimination
ballsandstrikes.org/legal-cultur...
ballsandstrikes.org/legal-cultur...
Reposted by Cathy Cowan Becker
By me and @andy-rowell.bsky.social
Two fossil-fuel billionaires with close ties to Donald Trump bought millions of shares in the company they co-founded just days after a meeting with senior White House officials, who then issued them key regulatory permit
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Two fossil-fuel billionaires with close ties to Donald Trump bought millions of shares in the company they co-founded just days after a meeting with senior White House officials, who then issued them key regulatory permit
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Fossil-fuel billionaires bought up millions of shares after meeting with top Trump officials
Co-founders’ acquisition of Venture Global shares before key permit granted draws scrutiny as pair deny wrongdoing
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:21 PM
By me and @andy-rowell.bsky.social
Two fossil-fuel billionaires with close ties to Donald Trump bought millions of shares in the company they co-founded just days after a meeting with senior White House officials, who then issued them key regulatory permit
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Two fossil-fuel billionaires with close ties to Donald Trump bought millions of shares in the company they co-founded just days after a meeting with senior White House officials, who then issued them key regulatory permit
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Cathy Cowan Becker
@aepnews.bsky.social had Ohio siting board fast-track Hilliard 73 MW Amazon data center-- powered by fuel cell.
It will emit CO2 equal to 66,000 cars/day near homes, parks and schools. @ccbecker271.bsky.social @ohiocapitaljournal.com: bit.ly/3YkTNlM
@dispatch.com @columbusfreepress.bsky.social
It will emit CO2 equal to 66,000 cars/day near homes, parks and schools. @ccbecker271.bsky.social @ohiocapitaljournal.com: bit.ly/3YkTNlM
@dispatch.com @columbusfreepress.bsky.social
I told Ohio lawmakers that a new law would put gas plants in residential areas. Now it’s happening. • Ohio Capital Journal
According to Data Center Map, there are now 215 data centers in Ohio, of which 133 are in Central Ohio. Many are in residential areas. Thanks to a new law, gas fuel cell power supplies that release ca...
bit.ly
December 10, 2025 at 2:41 PM
@aepnews.bsky.social had Ohio siting board fast-track Hilliard 73 MW Amazon data center-- powered by fuel cell.
It will emit CO2 equal to 66,000 cars/day near homes, parks and schools. @ccbecker271.bsky.social @ohiocapitaljournal.com: bit.ly/3YkTNlM
@dispatch.com @columbusfreepress.bsky.social
It will emit CO2 equal to 66,000 cars/day near homes, parks and schools. @ccbecker271.bsky.social @ohiocapitaljournal.com: bit.ly/3YkTNlM
@dispatch.com @columbusfreepress.bsky.social
Hey @jpmorganchasebank.bsky.social All of this goes for you too. Stop financing the companies that are fracking LNG terminals in the Gulf South and Ohio's state parks snd public lands!
December 10, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Hey @jpmorganchasebank.bsky.social All of this goes for you too. Stop financing the companies that are fracking LNG terminals in the Gulf South and Ohio's state parks snd public lands!
Reposted by Cathy Cowan Becker
The grim death toll from heat waves across European cities this past summer would have been captured in shocking headlines if they happened all at once, in a bombing or plane crash—835 in Rome, 630 in Athens, 409 in Paris.
Human-Caused Warming Tripled the Death Toll of European Heat Waves This Summer, New Report Shows - Inside Climate News
Public health researchers struggle to track the accelerating pace of global warming impacts.
insideclimatenews.org
December 8, 2025 at 8:07 PM
The grim death toll from heat waves across European cities this past summer would have been captured in shocking headlines if they happened all at once, in a bombing or plane crash—835 in Rome, 630 in Athens, 409 in Paris.
Same goes for Ohio state parks ... Ohio is the only state to sell out its state parks for fracking
Republicans are trying to turn the Arctic Refuge into a gas station for Big Oil. No more drilling, no more disgrace. Our public lands belong to the people—not polluters.
youtube.com/shorts/xG33E...
youtube.com/shorts/xG33E...
The Arctic Refuge does not belong to Big Oil. I'm standing with public lands—not polluters.
YouTube video by Senator Markey
youtube.com
December 8, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Same goes for Ohio state parks ... Ohio is the only state to sell out its state parks for fracking
Reposted by Cathy Cowan Becker
NEW: The DOJ will potentially treat opponents of Trump’s policies as “domestic terrorists,” according to a leaked memo. The move appears to represent the department’s first attempt to implement Trump’s calls to target left-wing activists and others who protest his policies.
Leaked Memo: DOJ To List, Target Anti-Trump Activists as ‘Domestic Terrorists’
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
December 8, 2025 at 10:11 PM
NEW: The DOJ will potentially treat opponents of Trump’s policies as “domestic terrorists,” according to a leaked memo. The move appears to represent the department’s first attempt to implement Trump’s calls to target left-wing activists and others who protest his policies.
Reposted by Cathy Cowan Becker
They're not even trying to hide their corruption anymore
Fossil-fuel billionaires bought up millions of shares after meeting with top Trump officials
Co-founders’ acquisition of Venture Global shares before key permit granted draws scrutiny as pair deny wrongdoing
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:33 PM
They're not even trying to hide their corruption anymore