Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
@fkearns.bsky.social
Writing about 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.
Anyway, Wag the Dog tried to warn us
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wag_the...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wag_the...
Wag the Dog - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
January 3, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Anyway, Wag the Dog tried to warn us
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wag_the...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wag_the...
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
FOX & FRIENDS: What do you see as the future of Venezuela's oil industry?
TRUMP: Well I see that we're gonna be very strongly involved in it. That's all. What can I say. We have the greatest oil companies in the world.
TRUMP: Well I see that we're gonna be very strongly involved in it. That's all. What can I say. We have the greatest oil companies in the world.
January 3, 2026 at 2:50 PM
FOX & FRIENDS: What do you see as the future of Venezuela's oil industry?
TRUMP: Well I see that we're gonna be very strongly involved in it. That's all. What can I say. We have the greatest oil companies in the world.
TRUMP: Well I see that we're gonna be very strongly involved in it. That's all. What can I say. We have the greatest oil companies in the world.
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
Pressures to lead AI innovation outpace our understanding of the protections-policy we may want to do it sustainably.
www.eenews.net/articles/sta...
www.eenews.net/articles/sta...
States push to end secrecy over data center water use
The effort is drawing bipartisan support and is expected to come up again next year as officials grapple with the artificial intelligence boom’s side
www.eenews.net
January 3, 2026 at 2:52 PM
Pressures to lead AI innovation outpace our understanding of the protections-policy we may want to do it sustainably.
www.eenews.net/articles/sta...
www.eenews.net/articles/sta...
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
Scoop : ICE plans to descend on Phoenix
www.thebulwark.com/p/scoop-ice-...
www.thebulwark.com/p/scoop-ice-...
Scoop: ICE Plans to Descend on Phoenix
Following L.A., Chicago, and Charlotte, DHS now intends to scale up arrests—and its network of detention facilities—in Maricopa County.
www.thebulwark.com
January 2, 2026 at 10:11 PM
Scoop : ICE plans to descend on Phoenix
www.thebulwark.com/p/scoop-ice-...
www.thebulwark.com/p/scoop-ice-...
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
This Upton Sinclair quote never misses
“It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.”
“It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.”
But can anyone tell me what this bit means? “For too long, those fluent in the good grammar of civility have deployed decorum to mask agendas of cruelty.”
January 2, 2026 at 1:56 PM
This Upton Sinclair quote never misses
“It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.”
“It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.”
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
if you work in news & have witnessed (in the course of reporting) traumatic events, you may experience serious psychological effects. make time for therapy, get rest & maintain friendships. these are important. even if you are “only” a witness to trauma, take care. news.vt.edu/articles/202...
Virginia Tech study finds unique brain changes linked to witnessing trauma
Researchers discovered distinct molecular differences in how the brain processes directly experienced versus witnessed trauma — a finding that could lead to more targeted treatments for PTSD.
news.vt.edu
December 29, 2025 at 11:16 PM
if you work in news & have witnessed (in the course of reporting) traumatic events, you may experience serious psychological effects. make time for therapy, get rest & maintain friendships. these are important. even if you are “only” a witness to trauma, take care. news.vt.edu/articles/202...
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
Despicable and unconscionable: In 2024, the copper smelter in AZ emitted more than 11.6 tons of lead and 2.5 tons of arsenic. In 2025, Trump & Zeldin said to the mine owner, essentially: no worries, carry on. The people of AZ and everywhere down wind should be furious.
@docsforclimate.bsky.social
@docsforclimate.bsky.social
A Top Source of Lead Pollution Faced Tighter Rules. Then Trump Intervened.
www.nytimes.com
December 28, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Despicable and unconscionable: In 2024, the copper smelter in AZ emitted more than 11.6 tons of lead and 2.5 tons of arsenic. In 2025, Trump & Zeldin said to the mine owner, essentially: no worries, carry on. The people of AZ and everywhere down wind should be furious.
@docsforclimate.bsky.social
@docsforclimate.bsky.social
Things are just so upside down
December 28, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Things are just so upside down
This was a succinct message, delivered clearly, when everyone ahead of him did exactly as he said. I appreciated it as well.
#westwater Click the link to be taken to the website of New Mexico's water historian John Fleck. Today's quote on the impasse facing 7 states & 2 countries on water sharing options for the over-allocated and shrinking Colorado River is from Las Vegas's water manager www.inkstain.net/2025/12/quot...
December 28, 2025 at 5:50 PM
This was a succinct message, delivered clearly, when everyone ahead of him did exactly as he said. I appreciated it as well.
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
Agree with Walker’s take here. If this were the standard that I adhered to, I would never be able to do my labor reporting. I am a union member, a strong supporter of the labor movement, and I report on labor issues.
Accuracy, integrity is the name of the game. But I am not a piece of cardboard
Accuracy, integrity is the name of the game. But I am not a piece of cardboard
I’m just going to say this (not diving back into an argument or attacking anyone):
The idea that journalists cannot accurately or fully report on topics they have strong feelings about is silly.
The idea that journalists cannot accurately or fully report on topics they have strong feelings about is silly.
December 28, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Agree with Walker’s take here. If this were the standard that I adhered to, I would never be able to do my labor reporting. I am a union member, a strong supporter of the labor movement, and I report on labor issues.
Accuracy, integrity is the name of the game. But I am not a piece of cardboard
Accuracy, integrity is the name of the game. But I am not a piece of cardboard
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
I am interested in working with an artist on a graphic novel on soil and/ or global environmental change. The lab would have money to fund this.
Do you know of any graphic artists that would be interested?
Do you know of any graphic artists that would be interested?
December 28, 2025 at 9:35 AM
I am interested in working with an artist on a graphic novel on soil and/ or global environmental change. The lab would have money to fund this.
Do you know of any graphic artists that would be interested?
Do you know of any graphic artists that would be interested?
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
One thing 2025 made clear: Durable progress on climate in the US will require structural reform to our corrupted political systems. Otherwise, steps forward will always be vulnerable to the bloody clawbacks we saw this year. A political strategy that doesn't center system reform is not "pragmatic."
December 27, 2025 at 11:45 AM
One thing 2025 made clear: Durable progress on climate in the US will require structural reform to our corrupted political systems. Otherwise, steps forward will always be vulnerable to the bloody clawbacks we saw this year. A political strategy that doesn't center system reform is not "pragmatic."
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
"We envision a resistance that is...a repudiation of the efficiencies that automated algorithmic education falsely promises: a resistance comprising the collective force of small acts of friction."
"How to Resist AI in Education" by me & @cnygren.bsky.social
www.publicbooks.org/four-frictio...
"How to Resist AI in Education" by me & @cnygren.bsky.social
www.publicbooks.org/four-frictio...
Four Frictions: or, How to Resist AI in Education - Public Books
We are calling for resistance to the AI industry’s ongoing capture of higher education.
www.publicbooks.org
December 16, 2025 at 5:27 PM
"We envision a resistance that is...a repudiation of the efficiencies that automated algorithmic education falsely promises: a resistance comprising the collective force of small acts of friction."
"How to Resist AI in Education" by me & @cnygren.bsky.social
www.publicbooks.org/four-frictio...
"How to Resist AI in Education" by me & @cnygren.bsky.social
www.publicbooks.org/four-frictio...
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
The latest from the Kobziar Fire Ecology Lab with a photo taken by yours truly.
We’ve recovered many fungal pathogens in wildland fire 🔥 smoke. Viability was confirmed through culturing & mice developed lung disease when exposed.
Lots still to learn abt smoke as a microbial reservoir & vector.
🧬💻🧪
We’ve recovered many fungal pathogens in wildland fire 🔥 smoke. Viability was confirmed through culturing & mice developed lung disease when exposed.
Lots still to learn abt smoke as a microbial reservoir & vector.
🧬💻🧪
Wildfire smoke, already a health hazard, may come with a dangerous hitchhiker: fungal spores.
Research presented at #AGU25 by @kobziar.bsky.social, @phin-lampman.bsky.social, & colleagues. eos.org/articles/fun...
Research presented at #AGU25 by @kobziar.bsky.social, @phin-lampman.bsky.social, & colleagues. eos.org/articles/fun...
Fungal Spores in Wildfire Smoke Could Cause Lung Disease - Eos
Mice exposed to fungi spready by wildfires developed symptoms, exposing a potential health hazard to humans that has been understudied.
eos.org
December 27, 2025 at 8:34 PM
The latest from the Kobziar Fire Ecology Lab with a photo taken by yours truly.
We’ve recovered many fungal pathogens in wildland fire 🔥 smoke. Viability was confirmed through culturing & mice developed lung disease when exposed.
Lots still to learn abt smoke as a microbial reservoir & vector.
🧬💻🧪
We’ve recovered many fungal pathogens in wildland fire 🔥 smoke. Viability was confirmed through culturing & mice developed lung disease when exposed.
Lots still to learn abt smoke as a microbial reservoir & vector.
🧬💻🧪
Such a great book! We talked with Dr. Taylor on Water Talk - one of my favorite episodes ever www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/epi...
December 27, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Such a great book! We talked with Dr. Taylor on Water Talk - one of my favorite episodes ever www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/epi...
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
who would like to work at Google crafting narratives to promote data centres
www.google.com/about/career...
www.google.com/about/career...
December 27, 2025 at 6:43 PM
who would like to work at Google crafting narratives to promote data centres
www.google.com/about/career...
www.google.com/about/career...
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
I've been grateful to have this reporting from @fkearns.bsky.social over this past year. As crucial as water is in our arid environment, public awareness of physical and political constraints is sometimes shockingly lacking.
I am a rural Arizonan too so I do really understand the suite of issues at play here - clear groundwater decline, worries about urban extraction, intentionally limited policy tools and both skepticism and pragmatic acceptance about what does exist, the role of chaos agents…2026 will be interesting
December 27, 2025 at 8:11 PM
I've been grateful to have this reporting from @fkearns.bsky.social over this past year. As crucial as water is in our arid environment, public awareness of physical and political constraints is sometimes shockingly lacking.
Interesting to see how this situation has evolved. Several of the folks quoted here attended our rural groundwater workshop earlier this year, and there was definitely strong appetite for action azwaterinnovation.asu.edu/arizona-comm...
December 27, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Interesting to see how this situation has evolved. Several of the folks quoted here attended our rural groundwater workshop earlier this year, and there was definitely strong appetite for action azwaterinnovation.asu.edu/arizona-comm...
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
Where a Saudi company pumps desert groundwater, Arizona considers imposing limits www.latimes.com/environment/...
Where a Saudi company pumps desert groundwater, Arizona considers imposing limits
Fondomonte, a subsidiary of a Saudi dairy company, grows hay in the Arizona desert by pumping groundwater. State officials are considering imposing regulation and limiting pumping.
www.latimes.com
December 27, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Where a Saudi company pumps desert groundwater, Arizona considers imposing limits www.latimes.com/environment/...
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
In not-very-good news, extreme winds (114 mph gusts) on the early morning of the 25th caused significant damage to the 36" Great Refractor at Lick Observatory. Half of the main shutter broke off and landed on the main building.
December 27, 2025 at 1:00 AM
In not-very-good news, extreme winds (114 mph gusts) on the early morning of the 25th caused significant damage to the 36" Great Refractor at Lick Observatory. Half of the main shutter broke off and landed on the main building.
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
Totally normal
Data centres turn to aircraft engines to avoid grid connection delays ft.trib.al/N1NLaCs
Data centres turn to aircraft engines to avoid grid connection delays
Supply chain shortages drive developers to use smaller and less efficient power sources to fuel AI power demand
ft.trib.al
December 27, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Totally normal
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
Fantastic creative documentation of the 2025 wildfires in Southern California.
Three more tracks from "Particularly Dangerous Situation" are streaming now on Bandcamp. The full album is released on January 23rd, 2026 on @elevatorbath.com. Pre-orders for clean and black vinyl and digital editions are live now.
Particularly Dangerous Situation, by Ian Wellman
10 track album
ianwellman.bandcamp.com
December 26, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Fantastic creative documentation of the 2025 wildfires in Southern California.
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
Kristina Gjerde was a mentor to me in high seas policy. I, and many others, owe our careers to her.
May her memory be a blessing.
news.mongabay.com/2025/12/kris...
May her memory be a blessing.
news.mongabay.com/2025/12/kris...
Kristina Gjerde, defender of the deep ocean, has died
Half the planet lies outside any country’s border. In those waters, rules have long been thinner than the myths: freedom to fish meant freedom to take; “out of sight” became “out of mind.” The deep oc...
news.mongabay.com
December 27, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Kristina Gjerde was a mentor to me in high seas policy. I, and many others, owe our careers to her.
May her memory be a blessing.
news.mongabay.com/2025/12/kris...
May her memory be a blessing.
news.mongabay.com/2025/12/kris...
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
Part of this is about how we refuse to listen to women, by the way. A dozen better female artists who aren’t pantomiming folk music but are actually making it, left politics and all.
If we're genuinely looking for good activist songwriting/performance, there's this: haleyheynderickx.bandcamp.com/album/what-o...
What of Our Nature, by Haley Heynderickx, Max García Conover
10 track album
haleyheynderickx.bandcamp.com
December 26, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Part of this is about how we refuse to listen to women, by the way. A dozen better female artists who aren’t pantomiming folk music but are actually making it, left politics and all.
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
Seems bad
Swaths of the Permian Basin appear to be on the cusp of geological malfunction.
www.wsj.com/business/ene...
www.wsj.com/business/ene...
America’s Biggest Oil Field Is Turning Into a Pressure Cooker
Drillers’ injection of wastewater is creating mayhem across the Permian Basin, raising concern about the future of fossil-fuel production there.
www.wsj.com
December 26, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Seems bad