Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
@fkearns.bsky.social
Scientist writing about humans, water, wildfire, climate, and disaster in Arizona and California | views=mine
Pinned
Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
@fkearns.bsky.social
· Aug 15
Grand Canyon’s Dragon Bravo megafire shows the growing wildfire threat to water systems
Water systems are vulnerable to melting plastic components, toxic contamination and failures that can leave firefighters without flowing water.
theconversation.com
The Dragon Bravo Fire at the Grand Canyon hit a water system facility, setting off a dangerous chlorine gas leak that halted the firefight at a critical time.
That was just one of many water-related challenges on this fire, and is indicative of a larger pattern across the western US.
New, from me.
That was just one of many water-related challenges on this fire, and is indicative of a larger pattern across the western US.
New, from me.
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
Breaking: POTUS signs fed funding bill, while National Science Foundation issues "Dear Colleague" letter requesting proposals for operating restructured NCAR weather infrastructure, implying administration continuing to move forward with plans to dismantle research facility. tinyurl.com/yc5pny9n
Breaking: POTUS signs federal science funding budget bill, and National Science Foundation issues call for NCAR "restructuring" proposals
As major winter storm starts its days of significant impacts
tinyurl.com
January 24, 2026 at 1:05 AM
Breaking: POTUS signs fed funding bill, while National Science Foundation issues "Dear Colleague" letter requesting proposals for operating restructured NCAR weather infrastructure, implying administration continuing to move forward with plans to dismantle research facility. tinyurl.com/yc5pny9n
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
Great piece in AZ Water Agenda explaining options in draft EIS for managing Colo River water in drier future. Though I suspect future hydrology will be even worse than pictured, this may be drastic enough to finally get the attention of people here in AZ! azwateragenda.beehiiv.com/p/the-cost-o...
The cost of inaction
The feds outlined their plans if states don’t reach a deal on Colorado River water. It’s a lot of bad options.
azwateragenda.beehiiv.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Great piece in AZ Water Agenda explaining options in draft EIS for managing Colo River water in drier future. Though I suspect future hydrology will be even worse than pictured, this may be drastic enough to finally get the attention of people here in AZ! azwateragenda.beehiiv.com/p/the-cost-o...
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
It really doesn't matter *what* the threat is; deep, relationship-based organizing is ALWAYS how you effectively push back against those who would attack your community.
Community and workplace relationship-building is NEVER a waste, it is trust-rooted, and there are no shortcuts.
Community and workplace relationship-building is NEVER a waste, it is trust-rooted, and there are no shortcuts.
January 23, 2026 at 2:32 PM
It really doesn't matter *what* the threat is; deep, relationship-based organizing is ALWAYS how you effectively push back against those who would attack your community.
Community and workplace relationship-building is NEVER a waste, it is trust-rooted, and there are no shortcuts.
Community and workplace relationship-building is NEVER a waste, it is trust-rooted, and there are no shortcuts.
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
RFK Jr. appointee Kirk Milhoan has just clearly stated, out loud, that he wants to experiment on the people of the United States by seeing what happens as vaccination coverage plummets and infectious diseases spread.
January 22, 2026 at 7:47 PM
RFK Jr. appointee Kirk Milhoan has just clearly stated, out loud, that he wants to experiment on the people of the United States by seeing what happens as vaccination coverage plummets and infectious diseases spread.
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
Trump administration drops legal appeal over anti-DEI funding threat to schools and colleges. This leaves in place a federal judge's ruling that the anti-DEI effort violated the First Amendment and federal procedural rules. (Via AP) apnews.com/article/dei-... #ncpol #nced
Trump administration drops legal appeal over anti-DEI funding threat to schools and colleges
The Trump administration is dropping its appeal of a federal court ruling that blocked a campaign against diversity, equity, and inclusion threatening federal funding to the nation’s schools and colle...
apnews.com
January 21, 2026 at 7:34 PM
Trump administration drops legal appeal over anti-DEI funding threat to schools and colleges. This leaves in place a federal judge's ruling that the anti-DEI effort violated the First Amendment and federal procedural rules. (Via AP) apnews.com/article/dei-... #ncpol #nced
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
It turns out that having experienced emergency management staff is important during emergencies: www.cnn.com/2026/01/23/p...
FEMA halts terminations of disaster workers as agency prepares for massive winter storm | CNN Politics
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has abruptly halted ongoing terminations of hundreds of disaster workers as the agency prepares for an enormous winter storm expected to pound a large swath of ...
www.cnn.com
January 23, 2026 at 1:27 PM
It turns out that having experienced emergency management staff is important during emergencies: www.cnn.com/2026/01/23/p...
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
I have been on KamchatkaTok all week, it is absolutely crazy
January 23, 2026 at 2:04 PM
I have been on KamchatkaTok all week, it is absolutely crazy
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
i designed this sign yesterday and i normally don’t like…claim my work, but i just want to talk about the power of a good podium sign.
put your message there! it ends up in every photo! have it mounted on foam so it stays straight for photos!
put your message there! it ends up in every photo! have it mounted on foam so it stays straight for photos!
January 23, 2026 at 1:07 AM
i designed this sign yesterday and i normally don’t like…claim my work, but i just want to talk about the power of a good podium sign.
put your message there! it ends up in every photo! have it mounted on foam so it stays straight for photos!
put your message there! it ends up in every photo! have it mounted on foam so it stays straight for photos!
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
With Colorado River negotiations at an impasse, the Trump administration has called the governors of seven states to a meeting in Washington to try to hash out a consensus.
www.latimes.com/environment/... @latimes.com
www.latimes.com/environment/... @latimes.com
Western governors called to Washington as Colorado River impasse drags on
Talks among seven states on Colorado River water cutbacks have hit a wall. The Trump administration summoned governors to Washington, DC to try to get an agreement.
www.latimes.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:18 AM
With Colorado River negotiations at an impasse, the Trump administration has called the governors of seven states to a meeting in Washington to try to hash out a consensus.
www.latimes.com/environment/... @latimes.com
www.latimes.com/environment/... @latimes.com
On day 2 of 3 talking about water, wildfire, disaster, recovery, etc. It is overwhelming, even for somebody who has been in this space for a long time, how much work there is to do, how little funding, how many people are in the recovery phase for way too long. It's pretty untenable, really.
Check out the latest on financial difficulties faced by water systems in LA post-fire, via @laist.com
“So we're basically running the company off of 25% of the revenue that we used to have,”
laist.com/news/climate...
“So we're basically running the company off of 25% of the revenue that we used to have,”
laist.com/news/climate...
Water company's fire recovery plan gives Altadena residents sticker shock. Here's what's happening
Las Flores Water Company will discuss its plans to stay solvent at a meeting Thursday night.
laist.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:29 AM
On day 2 of 3 talking about water, wildfire, disaster, recovery, etc. It is overwhelming, even for somebody who has been in this space for a long time, how much work there is to do, how little funding, how many people are in the recovery phase for way too long. It's pretty untenable, really.
Nope nope nope
The chair of a federal vaccine advisory panel charted a new course for the committee in a podcast released Thursday, suggesting the public might want to reconsider the use of polio vaccines. www.statnews.com/2026/01/22/v...
Top CDC vaccine adviser questions need for polio shot, other longstanding recommendations
The chair of a federal vaccine advisory panel charted a new course for the committee in a podcast released Thursday, questioning longstanding recommendations.
www.statnews.com
January 22, 2026 at 7:33 PM
Nope nope nope
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
Mid-January snowpack is at record-low levels across much of the American West. Yet it has not been a record dry winter virtually anywhere. So, what's going on? Well, persistent and record-breaking warmth has essentially overwhelmed all other factors.
Why is January 2026 snowpack at record low levels across much of the American West? Record warmth.
The Western United States has experienced a mix of wetter and drier than usual conditions so far this 2025-2026 season, yet snowpack is extremely low nearly region wide and in many cases the lowest ever observed for mid January. What's really going on? Well, record warm temperatures have been widesp
www.youtube.com
January 22, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Mid-January snowpack is at record-low levels across much of the American West. Yet it has not been a record dry winter virtually anywhere. So, what's going on? Well, persistent and record-breaking warmth has essentially overwhelmed all other factors.
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
my favorite thing about a texas freeze is the very serious advice from the news and government on how to use a whataburger cup to insulate your outdoor spigots.
it is always a whataburger cup.
it is always a whataburger cup.
January 22, 2026 at 7:02 PM
my favorite thing about a texas freeze is the very serious advice from the news and government on how to use a whataburger cup to insulate your outdoor spigots.
it is always a whataburger cup.
it is always a whataburger cup.
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
Water company's fire recovery plan gives Altadena residents sticker shock. Here's what's happening
laist.com/news/climate...
laist.com/news/climate...
Water company's fire recovery plan gives Altadena residents sticker shock. Here's what's happening
Las Flores Water Company will discuss its plans to stay solvent at a meeting Thursday night.
laist.com
January 22, 2026 at 7:03 PM
Water company's fire recovery plan gives Altadena residents sticker shock. Here's what's happening
laist.com/news/climate...
laist.com/news/climate...
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
"Lois is absolutely fierce. She’ll stand up and say what’s really going on."
Great Q&A with Lois Henry about @sjvwater.bsky.social's must-read coverage, by @raineytime.bsky.social:
www.latimes.com/california/n... @latimes.com
Great Q&A with Lois Henry about @sjvwater.bsky.social's must-read coverage, by @raineytime.bsky.social:
www.latimes.com/california/n... @latimes.com
She tells the state's water story, from sinking land to fallow fields
Your morning catch up: A (water) truth teller in the state's heartland, 2026 Oscar nominations and more big stories.
www.latimes.com
January 22, 2026 at 5:11 PM
"Lois is absolutely fierce. She’ll stand up and say what’s really going on."
Great Q&A with Lois Henry about @sjvwater.bsky.social's must-read coverage, by @raineytime.bsky.social:
www.latimes.com/california/n... @latimes.com
Great Q&A with Lois Henry about @sjvwater.bsky.social's must-read coverage, by @raineytime.bsky.social:
www.latimes.com/california/n... @latimes.com
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
⚠️~132 million: Number of people under alerts for snow, sleet, & freezing rain.
A large, long-duration winter storm is expected to bring widespread heavy snow, sleet, & freezing rain from the Southern Rockies & Plains beginning Friday (Jan. 23), spreading eastward toward New England this weekend.
🧵
A large, long-duration winter storm is expected to bring widespread heavy snow, sleet, & freezing rain from the Southern Rockies & Plains beginning Friday (Jan. 23), spreading eastward toward New England this weekend.
🧵
January 22, 2026 at 4:17 PM
⚠️~132 million: Number of people under alerts for snow, sleet, & freezing rain.
A large, long-duration winter storm is expected to bring widespread heavy snow, sleet, & freezing rain from the Southern Rockies & Plains beginning Friday (Jan. 23), spreading eastward toward New England this weekend.
🧵
A large, long-duration winter storm is expected to bring widespread heavy snow, sleet, & freezing rain from the Southern Rockies & Plains beginning Friday (Jan. 23), spreading eastward toward New England this weekend.
🧵
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
NEW: Friends, my shop @sehnetwork.bsky.social has released a new report WATER USE IN DATA CENTERS that reviews the available science and serves as an explainer for the various types of DC cooling systems.
Written for frontline communities fighting all the secrecy and bullshit.
www.sehn.org/water
Written for frontline communities fighting all the secrecy and bullshit.
www.sehn.org/water
Water — The Science and Environmental Health Network
Water
www.sehn.org
January 22, 2026 at 4:50 PM
NEW: Friends, my shop @sehnetwork.bsky.social has released a new report WATER USE IN DATA CENTERS that reviews the available science and serves as an explainer for the various types of DC cooling systems.
Written for frontline communities fighting all the secrecy and bullshit.
www.sehn.org/water
Written for frontline communities fighting all the secrecy and bullshit.
www.sehn.org/water
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
"if we want to repair shared reality and change the direction of the trust trend at some point—if we want a commons again—the incentives of the communication ecosystem are going to have to change." - @noupside.bsky.social
Crisis of Trust 2026: The Retreat Into Insularity
70% are hesitant to trust “the other side.” The 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer offers “trust brokering” tactics—but no clear path back to a shared reality.
agentsofinfluence.substack.com
January 22, 2026 at 3:32 PM
"if we want to repair shared reality and change the direction of the trust trend at some point—if we want a commons again—the incentives of the communication ecosystem are going to have to change." - @noupside.bsky.social
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
Ummmm...we sold out!?!? 😱 We thought this book was important; it's humbling to learn y'all agree. You can still order Teaching and Mentoring Writers in the Sciences for cheap! Use UCPNEW for 30% off the paperpack. 👉https://buff.ly/G5nWPqA
#academia #scientificwriting #scicomm #teachingwriting
#academia #scientificwriting #scicomm #teachingwriting
January 22, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Ummmm...we sold out!?!? 😱 We thought this book was important; it's humbling to learn y'all agree. You can still order Teaching and Mentoring Writers in the Sciences for cheap! Use UCPNEW for 30% off the paperpack. 👉https://buff.ly/G5nWPqA
#academia #scientificwriting #scicomm #teachingwriting
#academia #scientificwriting #scicomm #teachingwriting
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
Calling all the PhDs I know to make monumental annoyances of themselves (and honestly, who better)
January 21, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Calling all the PhDs I know to make monumental annoyances of themselves (and honestly, who better)
Unacceptable
A five-year-old boy seized on his way home in Minnesota and now locked up in Texas. His family didn't know where he was for 24 hours.
Here’s the report from KARE. The boy is five-year-old Liam Ramos.
January 22, 2026 at 1:28 AM
Unacceptable
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
I forgot how much white dudes think they own weather. It's like how white women own dogs. You literally cannot mention these topics on social media without some of them losing their ever loving minds.
January 21, 2026 at 4:10 PM
I forgot how much white dudes think they own weather. It's like how white women own dogs. You literally cannot mention these topics on social media without some of them losing their ever loving minds.
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
🤯🚨 this is absolutely bananas. @propublica.org reporting that USDA scientists directed to “investigate” and report on foreign collaborators on papers. Additionally, anything to do with diversity or climate change will be cancelled. 🧪
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
Trump Administration Orders USDA Employees to Investigate Foreign Researchers They Work With
The new directive asks workers to check the backgrounds of foreign nationals collaborating with the department’s scientists for evidence of “subversive or criminal activity.” Their names are being sen...
www.propublica.org
January 21, 2026 at 3:12 PM
🤯🚨 this is absolutely bananas. @propublica.org reporting that USDA scientists directed to “investigate” and report on foreign collaborators on papers. Additionally, anything to do with diversity or climate change will be cancelled. 🧪
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
ScienceBlogs . com, which was one of the premier online science communication communities, was funded by Epstein money and later sold to white supremacists.
Lots of big names in my world got their start there.
I've seen very little reckoning.
Lots of big names in my world got their start there.
I've seen very little reckoning.
Why did Jeffrey Epstein cultivate famous scientists? www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-... | I’d love to see more of a reckoning from the scientific community on this.
Why did Jeffrey Epstein cultivate famous scientists?
The Epstein files revive questions of whether the disgraced financier sought to merely cultivate famous scientists, or to shape science itself
www.scientificamerican.com
January 21, 2026 at 2:16 PM
ScienceBlogs . com, which was one of the premier online science communication communities, was funded by Epstein money and later sold to white supremacists.
Lots of big names in my world got their start there.
I've seen very little reckoning.
Lots of big names in my world got their start there.
I've seen very little reckoning.
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
Coyotes are such fascinating, maligned animals. As generalists, they survive in every environment, from the wilds of Yellowstone and Yosemite to urban streets and suburban neighborhoods. Now they’re swimming to Bay Area islands. First it was Angel Island… now The Rock?
www.sfgate.com/local/articl...
www.sfgate.com/local/articl...
San Francisco coyote swims to Alcatraz for first time ever
"This was the first time our park biologists observed anything like this."
www.sfgate.com
January 19, 2026 at 4:38 PM
Coyotes are such fascinating, maligned animals. As generalists, they survive in every environment, from the wilds of Yellowstone and Yosemite to urban streets and suburban neighborhoods. Now they’re swimming to Bay Area islands. First it was Angel Island… now The Rock?
www.sfgate.com/local/articl...
www.sfgate.com/local/articl...