Clare Fieseler, PhD
@fieseler.bsky.social
Journalist covering the ocean and climate change / currently: columnist @sciencepolitics.bsky.social / former: POLITICO, The Washington Post, The Post & Courier / National Geographic Explorer / AI hater / signal @clare.14
Pinned
Clare Fieseler, PhD
@fieseler.bsky.social
· Nov 13
Hello, BlueSky! 👋
I’m Clare, a U.S.-based reporter covering climate and the oceans. I’m a 2024 top winner of Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications. I recently left my role at POLITICO and will be announcing my new reporting job in 2025. Current status: chilling 😎
I’m Clare, a U.S.-based reporter covering climate and the oceans. I’m a 2024 top winner of Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications. I recently left my role at POLITICO and will be announcing my new reporting job in 2025. Current status: chilling 😎
My 6 year old said one of the kids in her class rolled in late to class this morning and when the teacher asked why he was tardy he just said “I blame Bad Bunny.”
February 10, 2026 at 2:51 AM
My 6 year old said one of the kids in her class rolled in late to class this morning and when the teacher asked why he was tardy he just said “I blame Bad Bunny.”
There it is. The very last BOOK WORLD.
I’m still in shock that Jeff Bezos, the man who is everything he is today because of selling books, would abandon readers like this.
I grieve for The Washington Post and everything that has been stripped from it.
I’m still in shock that Jeff Bezos, the man who is everything he is today because of selling books, would abandon readers like this.
I grieve for The Washington Post and everything that has been stripped from it.
February 8, 2026 at 2:38 PM
There it is. The very last BOOK WORLD.
I’m still in shock that Jeff Bezos, the man who is everything he is today because of selling books, would abandon readers like this.
I grieve for The Washington Post and everything that has been stripped from it.
I’m still in shock that Jeff Bezos, the man who is everything he is today because of selling books, would abandon readers like this.
I grieve for The Washington Post and everything that has been stripped from it.
Please correct this headline @apnews.com. All humans are primates. That’s a biology.
What Trump posted was a depiction of the first Black U.S. president and First Lady as chimpanzees. That’s racist.
(Please repost to get an AP editor’s attention on this.)
What Trump posted was a depiction of the first Black U.S. president and First Lady as chimpanzees. That’s racist.
(Please repost to get an AP editor’s attention on this.)
Trump shares a racist video that depicts the Obamas as primates
President Donald Trump has used his social media account to share a video about election conspiracy theories that includes a racist depiction of former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Ob...
apnews.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Please correct this headline @apnews.com. All humans are primates. That’s a biology.
What Trump posted was a depiction of the first Black U.S. president and First Lady as chimpanzees. That’s racist.
(Please repost to get an AP editor’s attention on this.)
What Trump posted was a depiction of the first Black U.S. president and First Lady as chimpanzees. That’s racist.
(Please repost to get an AP editor’s attention on this.)
Reposted by Clare Fieseler, PhD
🌊I have a new gig. 🌊
Introducing: OCEAN EMPIRE, my new column about U.S ocean policy and foreign affairs for @sciencepolitics.bsky.social.
We are a brand new online magazine housed at Georgetown University. I'm thrilled to bring in-depth news analysis about what's happening to 70% of our planet.
Introducing: OCEAN EMPIRE, my new column about U.S ocean policy and foreign affairs for @sciencepolitics.bsky.social.
We are a brand new online magazine housed at Georgetown University. I'm thrilled to bring in-depth news analysis about what's happening to 70% of our planet.
Ocean Empire - Science Politics
Introducing a new column breaking down seismic shifts in ocean policy and explaining why they matter.
sciencepolitics.org
February 5, 2026 at 7:54 PM
🌊I have a new gig. 🌊
Introducing: OCEAN EMPIRE, my new column about U.S ocean policy and foreign affairs for @sciencepolitics.bsky.social.
We are a brand new online magazine housed at Georgetown University. I'm thrilled to bring in-depth news analysis about what's happening to 70% of our planet.
Introducing: OCEAN EMPIRE, my new column about U.S ocean policy and foreign affairs for @sciencepolitics.bsky.social.
We are a brand new online magazine housed at Georgetown University. I'm thrilled to bring in-depth news analysis about what's happening to 70% of our planet.
Reposted by Clare Fieseler, PhD
@fieseler.bsky.social has a new column in @sciencepolitics.bsky.social! Ocean Empire will bring an essay a month.
"The U.S. — this ocean nation I call home — is an empire of political and cultural influence whose reach, at times, seems unlimited."
sciencepolitics.org/2026/02/05/o...
"The U.S. — this ocean nation I call home — is an empire of political and cultural influence whose reach, at times, seems unlimited."
sciencepolitics.org/2026/02/05/o...
Ocean Empire - Science Politics
Introducing a new column breaking down seismic shifts in ocean policy and explaining why they matter.
sciencepolitics.org
February 5, 2026 at 3:14 PM
@fieseler.bsky.social has a new column in @sciencepolitics.bsky.social! Ocean Empire will bring an essay a month.
"The U.S. — this ocean nation I call home — is an empire of political and cultural influence whose reach, at times, seems unlimited."
sciencepolitics.org/2026/02/05/o...
"The U.S. — this ocean nation I call home — is an empire of political and cultural influence whose reach, at times, seems unlimited."
sciencepolitics.org/2026/02/05/o...
Marty Weil is a legend. He was the last reporter remaining from the Watergate era at the Post. Just an phenomenal old-school metro reporter. They axed him too.
Please read this story to honor his tenure at the Post. (Gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/b...
Please read this story to honor his tenure at the Post. (Gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/b...
He Was Laid Off at The Washington Post After Working There 60 Years
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:29 AM
Marty Weil is a legend. He was the last reporter remaining from the Watergate era at the Post. Just an phenomenal old-school metro reporter. They axed him too.
Please read this story to honor his tenure at the Post. (Gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/b...
Please read this story to honor his tenure at the Post. (Gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/b...
Reposted by Clare Fieseler, PhD
A column to keep an eye on, folks sciencepolitics.org/2026/02/05/o...
February 5, 2026 at 8:09 PM
A column to keep an eye on, folks sciencepolitics.org/2026/02/05/o...
🌊I have a new gig. 🌊
Introducing: OCEAN EMPIRE, my new column about U.S ocean policy and foreign affairs for @sciencepolitics.bsky.social.
We are a brand new online magazine housed at Georgetown University. I'm thrilled to bring in-depth news analysis about what's happening to 70% of our planet.
Introducing: OCEAN EMPIRE, my new column about U.S ocean policy and foreign affairs for @sciencepolitics.bsky.social.
We are a brand new online magazine housed at Georgetown University. I'm thrilled to bring in-depth news analysis about what's happening to 70% of our planet.
Ocean Empire - Science Politics
Introducing a new column breaking down seismic shifts in ocean policy and explaining why they matter.
sciencepolitics.org
February 5, 2026 at 7:54 PM
🌊I have a new gig. 🌊
Introducing: OCEAN EMPIRE, my new column about U.S ocean policy and foreign affairs for @sciencepolitics.bsky.social.
We are a brand new online magazine housed at Georgetown University. I'm thrilled to bring in-depth news analysis about what's happening to 70% of our planet.
Introducing: OCEAN EMPIRE, my new column about U.S ocean policy and foreign affairs for @sciencepolitics.bsky.social.
We are a brand new online magazine housed at Georgetown University. I'm thrilled to bring in-depth news analysis about what's happening to 70% of our planet.
Reposted by Clare Fieseler, PhD
The Post cutting its climate team is a textbook example of oligarchy hollowing out public institutions. You can suppress inconvenient truths, but physics, biology, and their consequences cast the final verdict.
www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/washington...
www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/washington...
Breaking: Washington Post gutting its climate team
Clean energy dies in darkness. Courtesy of Jeff Bezos.
www.climatecoloredgoggles.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:22 AM
The Post cutting its climate team is a textbook example of oligarchy hollowing out public institutions. You can suppress inconvenient truths, but physics, biology, and their consequences cast the final verdict.
www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/washington...
www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/washington...
I really love reading the Post’s Books section in their Sunday print edition at my kitchen table every Sunday.
I relish the reviews. Discover new books. It is a pure delight, completely void of the uppity tone of the NYT Book Review.
The Post’s Books section has now been “Eliminated.”
I relish the reviews. Discover new books. It is a pure delight, completely void of the uppity tone of the NYT Book Review.
The Post’s Books section has now been “Eliminated.”
February 4, 2026 at 4:50 PM
I really love reading the Post’s Books section in their Sunday print edition at my kitchen table every Sunday.
I relish the reviews. Discover new books. It is a pure delight, completely void of the uppity tone of the NYT Book Review.
The Post’s Books section has now been “Eliminated.”
I relish the reviews. Discover new books. It is a pure delight, completely void of the uppity tone of the NYT Book Review.
The Post’s Books section has now been “Eliminated.”
Reposted by Clare Fieseler, PhD
I'm sad to hear this, but looking forward to what Clare does next.
I find good energy journalists to be surprisingly rare. Especially ones that have good judgement and write meaningful stories, instead of chasing sensationalism.
I find good energy journalists to be surprisingly rare. Especially ones that have good judgement and write meaningful stories, instead of chasing sensationalism.
✨PERSONAL NEWS✨
I was let go from my staff reporter role at @canarymedia.com. Sadly the philanthropic funds supporting my beat came to an end. I love the staff there and will continue to root for them. Please support nonprofit journalism!
Meanwhile, my ocean reporting found a new home. Stay tuned.
I was let go from my staff reporter role at @canarymedia.com. Sadly the philanthropic funds supporting my beat came to an end. I love the staff there and will continue to root for them. Please support nonprofit journalism!
Meanwhile, my ocean reporting found a new home. Stay tuned.
February 3, 2026 at 7:31 PM
I'm sad to hear this, but looking forward to what Clare does next.
I find good energy journalists to be surprisingly rare. Especially ones that have good judgement and write meaningful stories, instead of chasing sensationalism.
I find good energy journalists to be surprisingly rare. Especially ones that have good judgement and write meaningful stories, instead of chasing sensationalism.
✨PERSONAL NEWS✨
I was let go from my staff reporter role at @canarymedia.com. Sadly the philanthropic funds supporting my beat came to an end. I love the staff there and will continue to root for them. Please support nonprofit journalism!
Meanwhile, my ocean reporting found a new home. Stay tuned.
I was let go from my staff reporter role at @canarymedia.com. Sadly the philanthropic funds supporting my beat came to an end. I love the staff there and will continue to root for them. Please support nonprofit journalism!
Meanwhile, my ocean reporting found a new home. Stay tuned.
February 3, 2026 at 4:39 PM
✨PERSONAL NEWS✨
I was let go from my staff reporter role at @canarymedia.com. Sadly the philanthropic funds supporting my beat came to an end. I love the staff there and will continue to root for them. Please support nonprofit journalism!
Meanwhile, my ocean reporting found a new home. Stay tuned.
I was let go from my staff reporter role at @canarymedia.com. Sadly the philanthropic funds supporting my beat came to an end. I love the staff there and will continue to root for them. Please support nonprofit journalism!
Meanwhile, my ocean reporting found a new home. Stay tuned.
Reposted by Clare Fieseler, PhD
For nearly a century, the @washingtonpost’s foreign correspondents have been on the ground for the world’s most pressing stories. Now, our desk is facing potential steep cuts. Washington needs us. The world needs us. If you read us and need us, please watch this video and share.
January 29, 2026 at 11:32 PM
For nearly a century, the @washingtonpost’s foreign correspondents have been on the ground for the world’s most pressing stories. Now, our desk is facing potential steep cuts. Washington needs us. The world needs us. If you read us and need us, please watch this video and share.
Reposted by Clare Fieseler, PhD
The Washington Post gave me my first newsroom job. And I’ve been a daily print subscriber for 8 years.
Every morning, I open the door and reach down for the Post. My husband and kid read the headlines over oatmeal. Its reporting is intertwined with our daily lives.
This feels like a gut punch.
Every morning, I open the door and reach down for the Post. My husband and kid read the headlines over oatmeal. Its reporting is intertwined with our daily lives.
This feels like a gut punch.
News: The Washington Post is preparing to slash upwards of 300 staffers, incl sports, metro and foreign desks @nataliekorach.bsky.social reports.
“The newsroom is being punished for absolute incompetence from the owner and publisher,” one staffer told @status.news
www.status.news/p/washington...
“The newsroom is being punished for absolute incompetence from the owner and publisher,” one staffer told @status.news
www.status.news/p/washington...
Post Parting Depression
Looming cuts at The Washington Post threaten to decimate key coverage areas as staffers question the motives and commitment of billionaire owner Jeff Bezos.
www.status.news
January 26, 2026 at 9:08 PM
The Washington Post gave me my first newsroom job. And I’ve been a daily print subscriber for 8 years.
Every morning, I open the door and reach down for the Post. My husband and kid read the headlines over oatmeal. Its reporting is intertwined with our daily lives.
This feels like a gut punch.
Every morning, I open the door and reach down for the Post. My husband and kid read the headlines over oatmeal. Its reporting is intertwined with our daily lives.
This feels like a gut punch.
The Washington Post gave me my first newsroom job. And I’ve been a daily print subscriber for 8 years.
Every morning, I open the door and reach down for the Post. My husband and kid read the headlines over oatmeal. Its reporting is intertwined with our daily lives.
This feels like a gut punch.
Every morning, I open the door and reach down for the Post. My husband and kid read the headlines over oatmeal. Its reporting is intertwined with our daily lives.
This feels like a gut punch.
News: The Washington Post is preparing to slash upwards of 300 staffers, incl sports, metro and foreign desks @nataliekorach.bsky.social reports.
“The newsroom is being punished for absolute incompetence from the owner and publisher,” one staffer told @status.news
www.status.news/p/washington...
“The newsroom is being punished for absolute incompetence from the owner and publisher,” one staffer told @status.news
www.status.news/p/washington...
Post Parting Depression
Looming cuts at The Washington Post threaten to decimate key coverage areas as staffers question the motives and commitment of billionaire owner Jeff Bezos.
www.status.news
January 26, 2026 at 9:08 PM
The Washington Post gave me my first newsroom job. And I’ve been a daily print subscriber for 8 years.
Every morning, I open the door and reach down for the Post. My husband and kid read the headlines over oatmeal. Its reporting is intertwined with our daily lives.
This feels like a gut punch.
Every morning, I open the door and reach down for the Post. My husband and kid read the headlines over oatmeal. Its reporting is intertwined with our daily lives.
This feels like a gut punch.
🕯️ 🕯️ 🕯️
January 25, 2026 at 4:48 AM
🕯️ 🕯️ 🕯️
Praying and singing in below freezing weather. Mostly clergy. A protest against ICE’s violence at the Minnesota airport.
Singing
January 23, 2026 at 5:18 PM
Praying and singing in below freezing weather. Mostly clergy. A protest against ICE’s violence at the Minnesota airport.
Deep-sea mining CEOs testifying on Capitol Hill right now saying U.S. needs to mine the high seas now before China does.
It's not true.
China is waiting for an international frameworks to take shape. America is the one going rogue. And that's driving U.S. allies closer to China. My reporting 👇
It's not true.
China is waiting for an international frameworks to take shape. America is the one going rogue. And that's driving U.S. allies closer to China. My reporting 👇
Trump’s push to mine deep-sea battery metals draws ire from allies
At U.N. talks in Jamaica, allies blasted the U.S. bid to unilaterally mine the high seas. Some made an unusual move to side with America’s economic foe:…
www.canarymedia.com
January 22, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Deep-sea mining CEOs testifying on Capitol Hill right now saying U.S. needs to mine the high seas now before China does.
It's not true.
China is waiting for an international frameworks to take shape. America is the one going rogue. And that's driving U.S. allies closer to China. My reporting 👇
It's not true.
China is waiting for an international frameworks to take shape. America is the one going rogue. And that's driving U.S. allies closer to China. My reporting 👇
Rep. Huffman: “I think there is a very tight connection between NOAA and your company right now … and I don’t think there is any effective oversight by NOAA. I think you guys are in bed together to go out here and mine in the high seas.”
The Metals Company CEO: "I refute that sir."
#deepseamining
The Metals Company CEO: "I refute that sir."
#deepseamining
January 22, 2026 at 8:12 PM
Rep. Huffman: “I think there is a very tight connection between NOAA and your company right now … and I don’t think there is any effective oversight by NOAA. I think you guys are in bed together to go out here and mine in the high seas.”
The Metals Company CEO: "I refute that sir."
#deepseamining
The Metals Company CEO: "I refute that sir."
#deepseamining
No commercial deep-sea mining exists anywhere because international legal frameworks don't yet allow it.
But The Metals Company CEO is here saying "it is our plan to be in commercial production by the end of next year 2027.”
Rep. Huffman barks back "because the U.S. a potential loophole" for you.
But The Metals Company CEO is here saying "it is our plan to be in commercial production by the end of next year 2027.”
Rep. Huffman barks back "because the U.S. a potential loophole" for you.
January 22, 2026 at 8:00 PM
No commercial deep-sea mining exists anywhere because international legal frameworks don't yet allow it.
But The Metals Company CEO is here saying "it is our plan to be in commercial production by the end of next year 2027.”
Rep. Huffman barks back "because the U.S. a potential loophole" for you.
But The Metals Company CEO is here saying "it is our plan to be in commercial production by the end of next year 2027.”
Rep. Huffman barks back "because the U.S. a potential loophole" for you.
Lots of chatter by two deep-sea mining CEOs on this panel about the urgency to mine seabed for stock piling & natural security purposes. Then @drandrewthaler.bsky.social comes in with....
"... and the cheapest place to stockpile a polymetallic nodule is to leave it on the seafloor.” 💥
"... and the cheapest place to stockpile a polymetallic nodule is to leave it on the seafloor.” 💥
I'm watching @drandrewthaler.bsky.social testify now in front of the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources.
"While I have significant concerns about the long-term environmental harms that can result from mining the deep seafloor, I am not an absolutist against all forms of deep-sea mining."
"While I have significant concerns about the long-term environmental harms that can result from mining the deep seafloor, I am not an absolutist against all forms of deep-sea mining."
January 22, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Lots of chatter by two deep-sea mining CEOs on this panel about the urgency to mine seabed for stock piling & natural security purposes. Then @drandrewthaler.bsky.social comes in with....
"... and the cheapest place to stockpile a polymetallic nodule is to leave it on the seafloor.” 💥
"... and the cheapest place to stockpile a polymetallic nodule is to leave it on the seafloor.” 💥
I'm watching @drandrewthaler.bsky.social testify now in front of the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources.
"While I have significant concerns about the long-term environmental harms that can result from mining the deep seafloor, I am not an absolutist against all forms of deep-sea mining."
"While I have significant concerns about the long-term environmental harms that can result from mining the deep seafloor, I am not an absolutist against all forms of deep-sea mining."
January 22, 2026 at 7:43 PM
I'm watching @drandrewthaler.bsky.social testify now in front of the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources.
"While I have significant concerns about the long-term environmental harms that can result from mining the deep seafloor, I am not an absolutist against all forms of deep-sea mining."
"While I have significant concerns about the long-term environmental harms that can result from mining the deep seafloor, I am not an absolutist against all forms of deep-sea mining."
Reposted by Clare Fieseler, PhD
I wrote about the deluge of AI slop that is gushing into scientific discourse
www.theatlantic.com/science/2026...
www.theatlantic.com/science/2026...
Science Is Drowning in AI Slop
Peer review has met its match.
www.theatlantic.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:31 PM
I wrote about the deluge of AI slop that is gushing into scientific discourse
www.theatlantic.com/science/2026...
www.theatlantic.com/science/2026...
Reposted by Clare Fieseler, PhD
The Trump administration issued a new rule to fast-track deep sea mining in international waters, consolidating a two-step permitting process—one for exploration and another for commercial recovery—into a single review.
This reduces environmental oversight. www.reuters.com/world/trump-...
This reduces environmental oversight. www.reuters.com/world/trump-...
Trump to speed permits for deep-sea mining in international waters
The Trump administration is pressing ahead on Wednesday with an effort to encourage U.S. exploration of the deep sea by accelerating permitting for companies hunting for critical minerals in internati...
www.reuters.com
January 21, 2026 at 1:56 PM
The Trump administration issued a new rule to fast-track deep sea mining in international waters, consolidating a two-step permitting process—one for exploration and another for commercial recovery—into a single review.
This reduces environmental oversight. www.reuters.com/world/trump-...
This reduces environmental oversight. www.reuters.com/world/trump-...
Reposted by Clare Fieseler, PhD
My new parenting hack is just collapsing face down on the ground and saying in a loud robot voice things like:
“Warning! Mom de-activated. Warning! Mom de-activated. To reactivate Mom, do the thing she just asked you to do 34 times.”
They break the sound barrier putting on those shoes. 🤖
“Warning! Mom de-activated. Warning! Mom de-activated. To reactivate Mom, do the thing she just asked you to do 34 times.”
They break the sound barrier putting on those shoes. 🤖
January 14, 2026 at 3:07 AM
My new parenting hack is just collapsing face down on the ground and saying in a loud robot voice things like:
“Warning! Mom de-activated. Warning! Mom de-activated. To reactivate Mom, do the thing she just asked you to do 34 times.”
They break the sound barrier putting on those shoes. 🤖
“Warning! Mom de-activated. Warning! Mom de-activated. To reactivate Mom, do the thing she just asked you to do 34 times.”
They break the sound barrier putting on those shoes. 🤖