Jessica McKenzie
@jessimckenzi.bsky.social
editing & reporting climate stories @thebulletin.org // outdoorsy newsletter: http://pinchofdirt.substack.com // tips: jmckenzie@thebulletin.org or jsmckenzie@protonmail.com or jessimckenzi.01 on signal
Pinned
A perfect firestorm: The social, political, and climate forces that keep Athens burning
Athens and its suburbs have lost 37 percent of its forests and grasslands to wildfire since 2017. What will it take to keep the city from burning?
thebulletin.org
A few assorted observations from my latest story about wildfires in Greece: thebulletin.org/2025/08/a-pe...
new (to me) salmon farming horror since i published this story: "salmon asthma"
December 31, 2025 at 7:33 PM
new (to me) salmon farming horror since i published this story: "salmon asthma"
Reposted by Jessica McKenzie
the fact that there is free parking at all in manhattan is wild to me
“Pairing free buses with paid parking says we value people in motion more than cars at rest,” writes Nicolas Rohatyn.
Opinion | The Way to Pay for Free Buses Is to End Free Parking
Free buses would be transformative not only for riders, but for the ecosystem of the city as a whole.
nyti.ms
December 24, 2025 at 1:38 PM
the fact that there is free parking at all in manhattan is wild to me
Reposted by Jessica McKenzie
About 18 seconds into this news story the reporter says the police AI report writing software erroneously wrote that someone turned into a frog. Yet this is the headline they’re going with.
December 29, 2025 at 8:56 PM
About 18 seconds into this news story the reporter says the police AI report writing software erroneously wrote that someone turned into a frog. Yet this is the headline they’re going with.
Reposted by Jessica McKenzie
for the love of god, AI systems aren't "just tools that are neither good nor evil in and of themselves". AI systems *are* tools of capitalism. they exist as tools of capitalism. there is no AI system "in and of itself" outside of capitalism
December 29, 2025 at 4:24 PM
for the love of god, AI systems aren't "just tools that are neither good nor evil in and of themselves". AI systems *are* tools of capitalism. they exist as tools of capitalism. there is no AI system "in and of itself" outside of capitalism
ughhhhhh i forever have mixed feeling about future perfect because almost everything they do on animal ag is Good and everything else is Not So Good (rough imperfect assessment)
anyway a few thoughts on this one
anyway a few thoughts on this one
This column on Vox is the biggest pile of steaming AI crap I've seen this year. Human's aren't running out of ideas. Instead, those with power and money don't want to listen to ideas that threaten their power and money.
Ideas are plentiful. Putting those ideas into action is the hard part.
Ideas are plentiful. Putting those ideas into action is the hard part.
We’re running out of good ideas. AI might be how we find new ones.
What if the best use of AI is restarting the world’s idea machine?
www.vox.com
December 30, 2025 at 9:33 PM
ughhhhhh i forever have mixed feeling about future perfect because almost everything they do on animal ag is Good and everything else is Not So Good (rough imperfect assessment)
anyway a few thoughts on this one
anyway a few thoughts on this one
Reposted by Jessica McKenzie
Requested a correction from @princetonupress.bsky.social. Let's see what happens.
December 27, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Requested a correction from @princetonupress.bsky.social. Let's see what happens.
Reposted by Jessica McKenzie
NEW: Climate change is worsening California’s suffocating living costs
I spoke with a woman made homeless by the Eaton Fire, & folks at a food pantry beaten down by high prices
Amid converging crises some want energy companies to foot a chunk of the climate bill
capitalandmain.com/the-poor-are...
I spoke with a woman made homeless by the Eaton Fire, & folks at a food pantry beaten down by high prices
Amid converging crises some want energy companies to foot a chunk of the climate bill
capitalandmain.com/the-poor-are...
‘The Poor Are in a Very Bad State’: Climate Change Accelerates California’s Cost-of-Living Crisis
In ways subtle and extreme, the warming climate is hitting those with the least the hardest.
capitalandmain.com
December 20, 2025 at 3:07 AM
NEW: Climate change is worsening California’s suffocating living costs
I spoke with a woman made homeless by the Eaton Fire, & folks at a food pantry beaten down by high prices
Amid converging crises some want energy companies to foot a chunk of the climate bill
capitalandmain.com/the-poor-are...
I spoke with a woman made homeless by the Eaton Fire, & folks at a food pantry beaten down by high prices
Amid converging crises some want energy companies to foot a chunk of the climate bill
capitalandmain.com/the-poor-are...
all that and you're on the couch when she gets home my guy?
also, ew
also, ew
I am begging everyone on here to read this new post by Bryan Johnson — the super rich tech guy who is now doing the “never die” protocol.
I need to talk about it with you all.
I need to talk about it with you all.
December 30, 2025 at 6:16 AM
all that and you're on the couch when she gets home my guy?
also, ew
also, ew
Reposted by Jessica McKenzie
You probably heard the US admin is threatening to break up the National Center for Atmospheric Research: but did you know they already froze funding for the 9 regional Climate Science Adaptation Centers? From tracking invasives to helping tribes with drought, here's why the CASCs matter ⬇️
From invasive species tracking to water security – what’s lost with federal funding cuts at US Climate Adaptation Science Centers
The people who manage America’s aquifers, wetlands, shorelines and recreation areas rely on federal science as they face new and rising risks in a changing climate.
theconversation.com
December 29, 2025 at 12:02 PM
You probably heard the US admin is threatening to break up the National Center for Atmospheric Research: but did you know they already froze funding for the 9 regional Climate Science Adaptation Centers? From tracking invasives to helping tribes with drought, here's why the CASCs matter ⬇️
Reposted by Jessica McKenzie
“You can’t tax unrealized gains.” My man we tax the hell out of unsold assets all the time; we call them “property taxes,” appropriately.
December 29, 2025 at 6:06 AM
“You can’t tax unrealized gains.” My man we tax the hell out of unsold assets all the time; we call them “property taxes,” appropriately.
Reposted by Jessica McKenzie
It’s really alarming how quickly the quality of our digital lives is deteriorating. Foisting AI onto Adobe users but then making it impossible for them to work without an internet connection is diabolical.
As someone who often conducts fieldwork in remote places, I find it really irritating that many basic applications now require an internet connection to function.
December 29, 2025 at 5:32 AM
It’s really alarming how quickly the quality of our digital lives is deteriorating. Foisting AI onto Adobe users but then making it impossible for them to work without an internet connection is diabolical.
Reposted by Jessica McKenzie
100% this. I would also add that not just climate science has been under attack. I would argue that science in general, & the mechanisms for evidence-based decision-making more specifically, have seen systematic erosion & dismantling… and while the US leads the charge, this is happening globally.
👇👇
👇👇
my editor told us to try to keep our "best of" lists to five or less, but i found a workaround...
the climate story of the year, imo, was attacks on science
the climate story of the year, imo, was attacks on science
Reflecting on a year of attacks on climate science (and three other stories)
One of the defining themes of the past 11 months, and certainly one most pertinent to the climate beat, was “attacks on science and expertise,” which seem likely to continue into 2026.
thebulletin.org
December 28, 2025 at 8:04 PM
100% this. I would also add that not just climate science has been under attack. I would argue that science in general, & the mechanisms for evidence-based decision-making more specifically, have seen systematic erosion & dismantling… and while the US leads the charge, this is happening globally.
👇👇
👇👇
got overwhelmed on xmas day and didn't end up making whipped cream as planned but made up for it today
December 28, 2025 at 3:59 PM
got overwhelmed on xmas day and didn't end up making whipped cream as planned but made up for it today
Reposted by Jessica McKenzie
You have to hand it to Republicans, unfortunately.
They lost in 2020 and spent the next four years on Project 2025 and executed it immediately.
Imagine if Democrats had both that foresight and execution! Imagine how much we could actually achieve if they were worth a damn.
They lost in 2020 and spent the next four years on Project 2025 and executed it immediately.
Imagine if Democrats had both that foresight and execution! Imagine how much we could actually achieve if they were worth a damn.
I’ve seen no serious engagement from senior Dems about what, exactly, they plan to do in terms of reasserting congressional power, as in identifying the available tools and thinking seriously about ways to use them to dig us out of the current state of total constitutional collapse.
Pelosi: "Right now, Republicans in Congress have abolished the Congress. They just do what the president insists that they do. That will be over as soon as we have the gavel."
December 28, 2025 at 3:16 PM
You have to hand it to Republicans, unfortunately.
They lost in 2020 and spent the next four years on Project 2025 and executed it immediately.
Imagine if Democrats had both that foresight and execution! Imagine how much we could actually achieve if they were worth a damn.
They lost in 2020 and spent the next four years on Project 2025 and executed it immediately.
Imagine if Democrats had both that foresight and execution! Imagine how much we could actually achieve if they were worth a damn.
Reposted by Jessica McKenzie
my editor told us to try to keep our "best of" lists to five or less, but i found a workaround...
the climate story of the year, imo, was attacks on science
the climate story of the year, imo, was attacks on science
Reflecting on a year of attacks on climate science (and three other stories)
One of the defining themes of the past 11 months, and certainly one most pertinent to the climate beat, was “attacks on science and expertise,” which seem likely to continue into 2026.
thebulletin.org
December 26, 2025 at 3:44 PM
my editor told us to try to keep our "best of" lists to five or less, but i found a workaround...
the climate story of the year, imo, was attacks on science
the climate story of the year, imo, was attacks on science
Reposted by Jessica McKenzie
Here is a list of 3 stories I am very jealous I did not write this year. ✍🏻
(Kudos to the writers who did!)
First, this brilliant essay by @petergleick.bsky.social about the dangerous contortionist Trump has become — twisting “national security” in knots to justify his personal war on “windmills.”
(Kudos to the writers who did!)
First, this brilliant essay by @petergleick.bsky.social about the dangerous contortionist Trump has become — twisting “national security” in knots to justify his personal war on “windmills.”
Trump is manipulating national security to stop energy projects he doesn’t like
On Monday, December 22, the Trump Administration announced it was pausing five major offshore wind energy projects, citing “national security risks.”
thebulletin.org
December 27, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Here is a list of 3 stories I am very jealous I did not write this year. ✍🏻
(Kudos to the writers who did!)
First, this brilliant essay by @petergleick.bsky.social about the dangerous contortionist Trump has become — twisting “national security” in knots to justify his personal war on “windmills.”
(Kudos to the writers who did!)
First, this brilliant essay by @petergleick.bsky.social about the dangerous contortionist Trump has become — twisting “national security” in knots to justify his personal war on “windmills.”
southwest changing the cheapest fare from "wanna get away" (quirky, charming, kinda cute) to "basic" (cold, sterile, same as the other airlines, lame, rude, and, dare i say, basic af) is such an own goal
December 26, 2025 at 6:29 PM
southwest changing the cheapest fare from "wanna get away" (quirky, charming, kinda cute) to "basic" (cold, sterile, same as the other airlines, lame, rude, and, dare i say, basic af) is such an own goal
Reposted by Jessica McKenzie
Reckless destruction of climate science won’t stop climate change from happening.
my editor told us to try to keep our "best of" lists to five or less, but i found a workaround...
the climate story of the year, imo, was attacks on science
the climate story of the year, imo, was attacks on science
Reflecting on a year of attacks on climate science (and three other stories)
One of the defining themes of the past 11 months, and certainly one most pertinent to the climate beat, was “attacks on science and expertise,” which seem likely to continue into 2026.
thebulletin.org
December 26, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Reckless destruction of climate science won’t stop climate change from happening.
my editor told us to try to keep our "best of" lists to five or less, but i found a workaround...
the climate story of the year, imo, was attacks on science
the climate story of the year, imo, was attacks on science
Reflecting on a year of attacks on climate science (and three other stories)
One of the defining themes of the past 11 months, and certainly one most pertinent to the climate beat, was “attacks on science and expertise,” which seem likely to continue into 2026.
thebulletin.org
December 26, 2025 at 3:44 PM
my editor told us to try to keep our "best of" lists to five or less, but i found a workaround...
the climate story of the year, imo, was attacks on science
the climate story of the year, imo, was attacks on science
Reposted by Jessica McKenzie
Pope Leo said in a Christmas Eve sermon that the story of Jesus being born in a stable because there was no room at an inn should remind Christians that refusing to help the poor and strangers today is tantamount to rejecting God himself. For @reuters.com
Pope Leo, on Christmas Eve, says denying help to poor is rejecting God
Pope Leo said in a Christmas Eve sermon on Wednesday that the story of Jesus being born in a stable because there was no room at an inn should remind Christians that refusing to help the poor and stra...
www.reuters.com
December 24, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Pope Leo said in a Christmas Eve sermon that the story of Jesus being born in a stable because there was no room at an inn should remind Christians that refusing to help the poor and strangers today is tantamount to rejecting God himself. For @reuters.com
the ghosts of christmas are really falling down on their jobs.
After buying it for $18.8 billion, Walgreens' new private equity owner has eliminated paid holidays for all hourly workers on Christmas and New Year's.
Last year, Walgreens had a CEO-to-Worker pay gap of 410 to 1.
Corporate greed that would make even Scrooge blush.
Last year, Walgreens had a CEO-to-Worker pay gap of 410 to 1.
Corporate greed that would make even Scrooge blush.
December 24, 2025 at 8:51 PM
the ghosts of christmas are really falling down on their jobs.
Reposted by Jessica McKenzie
Trump is manipulating national security to stop energy projects he doesn’t like buff.ly/7SfgoUZ
Trump is manipulating national security to stop energy projects he doesn’t like
On Monday, December 22, the Trump Administration announced it was pausing five major offshore wind energy projects, citing “national security risks.”
thebulletin.org
December 23, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Trump is manipulating national security to stop energy projects he doesn’t like buff.ly/7SfgoUZ
Reposted by Jessica McKenzie
Year 1 data on congestion pricing in Manhattan…
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
December 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Year 1 data on congestion pricing in Manhattan…
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.