Jonathan Mingle
@jmingle.bsky.social
climate/energy journalist
author of GASLIGHT and FIRE AND ICE
words in @nytimes.com @nybooks.com @yalee360.bsky.social
@undark.org and more
website: jonathanmingle.com
signal contact: jmingle.74
author of GASLIGHT and FIRE AND ICE
words in @nytimes.com @nybooks.com @yalee360.bsky.social
@undark.org and more
website: jonathanmingle.com
signal contact: jmingle.74
Pinned
Jonathan Mingle
@jmingle.bsky.social
· Feb 19
Celebrating the 2025 Reed Environmental Writing Award winners
The Southern Environmental Law Center congratulates this year’s winners of its 2025 Phillip D. Reed Environmental Writing Award. Through their work, winners Jonathan Mingle, Jared Kofsky, Maia Rosenfe...
www.southernenvironment.org
I'm truly honored that my book GASLIGHT has been named winner of the 2025 Reed Environmental Writing Award presented by @selc.bsky.social.
Its David v. Goliath tale of grassroots power overcoming corporate energy interests seems more relevant than ever.
www.southernenvironment.org/news/celebra...
Its David v. Goliath tale of grassroots power overcoming corporate energy interests seems more relevant than ever.
www.southernenvironment.org/news/celebra...
And it's going to make large swaths of America *uninsurable* long before they become physically uninhabitable.
www.nybooks.com/online/2023/...
www.nybooks.com/online/2023/...
November 10, 2025 at 9:25 PM
And it's going to make large swaths of America *uninsurable* long before they become physically uninhabitable.
www.nybooks.com/online/2023/...
www.nybooks.com/online/2023/...
Reposted by Jonathan Mingle
The Post (me and @kcrowebasspro.bsky.social) analyzed the social media posts and appearances of prominent politicians across the country.
We found that no one is talking about climate change anymore. In 2025, mentions are 60% lower than in 2024.
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
We found that no one is talking about climate change anymore. In 2025, mentions are 60% lower than in 2024.
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
November 10, 2025 at 4:24 PM
The Post (me and @kcrowebasspro.bsky.social) analyzed the social media posts and appearances of prominent politicians across the country.
We found that no one is talking about climate change anymore. In 2025, mentions are 60% lower than in 2024.
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
We found that no one is talking about climate change anymore. In 2025, mentions are 60% lower than in 2024.
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
Useful summary of where things stand here from NYT, but hooboy... this glaring error jumped out at me before they fixed the headline.
Emissions are still going up!
Small detail that's, uh, somewhat important if you're trying to frame the climate story circa 2025.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Emissions are still going up!
Small detail that's, uh, somewhat important if you're trying to frame the climate story circa 2025.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
November 7, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Useful summary of where things stand here from NYT, but hooboy... this glaring error jumped out at me before they fixed the headline.
Emissions are still going up!
Small detail that's, uh, somewhat important if you're trying to frame the climate story circa 2025.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Emissions are still going up!
Small detail that's, uh, somewhat important if you're trying to frame the climate story circa 2025.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
The data center backlash has 2009 early days Tea Party vibes.
Except with much more potential broad-based support since, as @heatmap.news own polling has shown, its seems like just about *everyone* hates data centers.
Definitely going to see more politicians try to catch this wave.
Except with much more potential broad-based support since, as @heatmap.news own polling has shown, its seems like just about *everyone* hates data centers.
Definitely going to see more politicians try to catch this wave.
Did you know a former White House climate advisor flipped a GOP stronghold in Virginia by running entirely on putting a stop to more AI data centers?
For @heatmap.news I profiled John McAuliff and a campaign that will be a roadmap for all future anti-AI politicians moving forward.
For @heatmap.news I profiled John McAuliff and a campaign that will be a roadmap for all future anti-AI politicians moving forward.
This Virginia Election Was a Warning for Data Centers
John McAuliff ran his campaign almost entirely on data centers — and won.
heatmap.news
November 7, 2025 at 4:08 PM
The data center backlash has 2009 early days Tea Party vibes.
Except with much more potential broad-based support since, as @heatmap.news own polling has shown, its seems like just about *everyone* hates data centers.
Definitely going to see more politicians try to catch this wave.
Except with much more potential broad-based support since, as @heatmap.news own polling has shown, its seems like just about *everyone* hates data centers.
Definitely going to see more politicians try to catch this wave.
This is exactly the sentiment I heard over and over while reporting on the broad grassroots opposition to a proposed fossil gas pipeline in rural Virginia.
Much of organizers' energy at first went into simply convincing their neighbors that the project wasn't inevitable.
That they had some agency.
Much of organizers' energy at first went into simply convincing their neighbors that the project wasn't inevitable.
That they had some agency.
"'There’s been this air of inevitability around data centers and AI and all this new tech stuff coming out — how it’s going to happen, so either get out of the way or get run over,' he said.
'And our job is to try and remind people in power of their humanity, at the end of the day.'"
🫡
'And our job is to try and remind people in power of their humanity, at the end of the day.'"
🫡
The Data Center Backlash Is Swallowing American Politics
Activists on both the left and the right are pushing back against AI development.
heatmap.news
November 7, 2025 at 2:47 AM
This is exactly the sentiment I heard over and over while reporting on the broad grassroots opposition to a proposed fossil gas pipeline in rural Virginia.
Much of organizers' energy at first went into simply convincing their neighbors that the project wasn't inevitable.
That they had some agency.
Much of organizers' energy at first went into simply convincing their neighbors that the project wasn't inevitable.
That they had some agency.
Reposted by Jonathan Mingle
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
You mean... let FERC rubber-stamp them?
With a 99.5% approval rate?
And tell opponents to go pound sand?
With a 99.5% approval rate?
And tell opponents to go pound sand?
November 6, 2025 at 8:11 PM
You mean... let FERC rubber-stamp them?
With a 99.5% approval rate?
And tell opponents to go pound sand?
With a 99.5% approval rate?
And tell opponents to go pound sand?
Reposted by Jonathan Mingle
By this time next week, the estimated deaths due to the illegal destruction of USAID and the shuttering of its aid efforts will breach 400,000.
More than 260,000 will be children.
Source: www.bu.edu/sph/news/art...
More than 260,000 will be children.
Source: www.bu.edu/sph/news/art...
Tracking Anticipated Deaths from USAID Funding Cuts
Brooke Nichols has launched online tracking tools that capture estimated increases in mortality and disease spread for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and other diseases as a result of the near-total...
www.bu.edu
November 5, 2025 at 10:28 PM
By this time next week, the estimated deaths due to the illegal destruction of USAID and the shuttering of its aid efforts will breach 400,000.
More than 260,000 will be children.
Source: www.bu.edu/sph/news/art...
More than 260,000 will be children.
Source: www.bu.edu/sph/news/art...
In fact I agree so hard that I wrote a book making precisely that case in 2015.
Soot melts glaciers, disrupts monsoons critical to food security, kills millions per year. Tackling it offers climate/health win-wins.
Happy to send you a copy, @billgates.bsky.social!
us.macmillan.com/books/978125...
Soot melts glaciers, disrupts monsoons critical to food security, kills millions per year. Tackling it offers climate/health win-wins.
Happy to send you a copy, @billgates.bsky.social!
us.macmillan.com/books/978125...
November 5, 2025 at 5:44 PM
In fact I agree so hard that I wrote a book making precisely that case in 2015.
Soot melts glaciers, disrupts monsoons critical to food security, kills millions per year. Tackling it offers climate/health win-wins.
Happy to send you a copy, @billgates.bsky.social!
us.macmillan.com/books/978125...
Soot melts glaciers, disrupts monsoons critical to food security, kills millions per year. Tackling it offers climate/health win-wins.
Happy to send you a copy, @billgates.bsky.social!
us.macmillan.com/books/978125...
100% agree with Zeke's core critique of the Gates memo here: climate mitigation and poverty alleviation are not zero-sum!
And his point that solutions like rural electrification, clean cookstoves, and cutting outdoor and indoor air pollution will both slow climate change and save millions of lives.
And his point that solutions like rural electrification, clean cookstoves, and cutting outdoor and indoor air pollution will both slow climate change and save millions of lives.
There are a lot of things I agree with in Bill Gates' new climate memo, but I think it sets up a false dichotomy between reducing emissions and helping the world's poorest. I've put together a piece with my thoughts over at TCB:
On the Gates climate memo
There is a lot of things I agree with in Bill Gates’ new memo on climate change, but I think it fundamentally sets up a false dichotomy.
www.theclimatebrink.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:35 PM
100% agree with Zeke's core critique of the Gates memo here: climate mitigation and poverty alleviation are not zero-sum!
And his point that solutions like rural electrification, clean cookstoves, and cutting outdoor and indoor air pollution will both slow climate change and save millions of lives.
And his point that solutions like rural electrification, clean cookstoves, and cutting outdoor and indoor air pollution will both slow climate change and save millions of lives.
Reposted by Jonathan Mingle
20+ years of climate impacts research in one figure. Climate change hits everything, everywhere, all at once.
From Solomon Hsiang's new NBER paper on empirical methods and economic impacts of climate change: www.nber.org/papers/w34357
From Solomon Hsiang's new NBER paper on empirical methods and economic impacts of climate change: www.nber.org/papers/w34357
November 5, 2025 at 5:16 PM
20+ years of climate impacts research in one figure. Climate change hits everything, everywhere, all at once.
From Solomon Hsiang's new NBER paper on empirical methods and economic impacts of climate change: www.nber.org/papers/w34357
From Solomon Hsiang's new NBER paper on empirical methods and economic impacts of climate change: www.nber.org/papers/w34357
Reposted by Jonathan Mingle
Perfect. 60 Minutes edited out an important part of its Trump interview in which he boasts about extracting millions from its parent company on an utterly meritless claim . . . that 60 Minutes selectively edited its Kamala Harris interview.
I see that CBS chose not to air this part. It probably explains much of what they did decide to air.
November 3, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Perfect. 60 Minutes edited out an important part of its Trump interview in which he boasts about extracting millions from its parent company on an utterly meritless claim . . . that 60 Minutes selectively edited its Kamala Harris interview.
the spookiest Halloween content I've encountered today:
📢 New paper out!
🌊 We discuss how well mechanisms of variability in the subpolar gyre are represented in climate models, finding that models that do this best are also the models in which abrupt shifts are found 😬.
It's a technical story, so here's a simple overview 🧵
doi.org/10.5194/esd-...
🌊 We discuss how well mechanisms of variability in the subpolar gyre are represented in climate models, finding that models that do this best are also the models in which abrupt shifts are found 😬.
It's a technical story, so here's a simple overview 🧵
doi.org/10.5194/esd-...
Causal mechanisms of subpolar gyre variability in CMIP6 models
Abstract. The subpolar gyre is at risk of crossing a tipping point under future climate change associated with the collapse of deep convection. As such, tipping can have significant climate impacts; i...
doi.org
October 31, 2025 at 7:22 PM
the spookiest Halloween content I've encountered today:
The Lancet and WHO effectively rebutting Bill Gates' 'climate is not that important' take in real-time:
"This report makes clear that climate inaction is killing people now in all countries. However, climate action is also the greatest health opportunity of our time."
www.who.int/news/item/29...
"This report makes clear that climate inaction is killing people now in all countries. However, climate action is also the greatest health opportunity of our time."
www.who.int/news/item/29...
October 30, 2025 at 4:46 PM
The Lancet and WHO effectively rebutting Bill Gates' 'climate is not that important' take in real-time:
"This report makes clear that climate inaction is killing people now in all countries. However, climate action is also the greatest health opportunity of our time."
www.who.int/news/item/29...
"This report makes clear that climate inaction is killing people now in all countries. However, climate action is also the greatest health opportunity of our time."
www.who.int/news/item/29...
Reposted by Jonathan Mingle
A stat we don't talk about enough: Newspapers have lost 77% of their jobs over the last 20 year, more than any of the 532 other industries tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
October 27, 2025 at 11:54 PM
A stat we don't talk about enough: Newspapers have lost 77% of their jobs over the last 20 year, more than any of the 532 other industries tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Reposted by Jonathan Mingle
NHC 5 pm Melissa update for Jamaica:
"Remain in your safe shelter and do not venture outside."
Winds "may cause total structural failure."
Wind speeds are now at *175 mph*.
"Remain in your safe shelter and do not venture outside."
Winds "may cause total structural failure."
Wind speeds are now at *175 mph*.
October 27, 2025 at 9:19 PM
NHC 5 pm Melissa update for Jamaica:
"Remain in your safe shelter and do not venture outside."
Winds "may cause total structural failure."
Wind speeds are now at *175 mph*.
"Remain in your safe shelter and do not venture outside."
Winds "may cause total structural failure."
Wind speeds are now at *175 mph*.
Reposted by Jonathan Mingle
From a crewmember on yesterday's Teal 74 mission into now-Category 5 Hurricane #Melissa. As clear of an eye as you will see in the Atlantic basin.
October 27, 2025 at 4:11 PM
From a crewmember on yesterday's Teal 74 mission into now-Category 5 Hurricane #Melissa. As clear of an eye as you will see in the Atlantic basin.
Reposted by Jonathan Mingle
A remarkable, and ominous, satellite snapshot this evening of Hurricane #Melissa as it continues to move very slowly westward just south of #Jamaica. The storm will likely further strengthen into a Category 5 storm before turning northward & making landfall in Jamaica on Tue.
October 27, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Here's what ~30 inches of rain that fell on mountainous Nelson County, VA in 1969 in the wake of Hurricane Camille did:
Liquefied entire mountainsides, sent debris flows down on people below while they slept, parked house-sized boulders in valley floors, ground the bark off trees.
Cataclysm.
Liquefied entire mountainsides, sent debris flows down on people below while they slept, parked house-sized boulders in valley floors, ground the bark off trees.
Cataclysm.
October 26, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Here's what ~30 inches of rain that fell on mountainous Nelson County, VA in 1969 in the wake of Hurricane Camille did:
Liquefied entire mountainsides, sent debris flows down on people below while they slept, parked house-sized boulders in valley floors, ground the bark off trees.
Cataclysm.
Liquefied entire mountainsides, sent debris flows down on people below while they slept, parked house-sized boulders in valley floors, ground the bark off trees.
Cataclysm.
At current warming rates, 80% of Himalayan glaciers gone by 2100.
Our highest mtns, mostly ice-free *in our lifetimes.*
A truly staggering 'achievement' for humanity.
Wrote a book about this a decade ago.
Still shocked by collective global shrug in response.
www.yahoo.com/news/article...
Our highest mtns, mostly ice-free *in our lifetimes.*
A truly staggering 'achievement' for humanity.
Wrote a book about this a decade ago.
Still shocked by collective global shrug in response.
www.yahoo.com/news/article...
Researchers raise alarm about looming 'catastrophe' that could impact 2 billion people: 'We need leaders to act now'
"There is still time."
www.yahoo.com
October 24, 2025 at 2:21 PM
At current warming rates, 80% of Himalayan glaciers gone by 2100.
Our highest mtns, mostly ice-free *in our lifetimes.*
A truly staggering 'achievement' for humanity.
Wrote a book about this a decade ago.
Still shocked by collective global shrug in response.
www.yahoo.com/news/article...
Our highest mtns, mostly ice-free *in our lifetimes.*
A truly staggering 'achievement' for humanity.
Wrote a book about this a decade ago.
Still shocked by collective global shrug in response.
www.yahoo.com/news/article...
Good reporting by @insideclimatenews.org on Dominion's astroturf push for its gas peaker plant.
Same tactics it used for its Atlantic Coast Pipeline:
“We can't just sit back and hope that the merit of our project will sell itself" - Dominion lobbyist, 2017
insideclimatenews.org/news/2310202...
Same tactics it used for its Atlantic Coast Pipeline:
“We can't just sit back and hope that the merit of our project will sell itself" - Dominion lobbyist, 2017
insideclimatenews.org/news/2310202...
A Pro-Dominion Grassroots Group Has Financial Ties—to Dominion - Inside Climate News
Supporters of the Virginia Energy Reliability Alliance were out in force at an air permit hearing last month for the utility’s controversial natural gas “peaker” plant in Chesterfield County. Dominion...
insideclimatenews.org
October 24, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Good reporting by @insideclimatenews.org on Dominion's astroturf push for its gas peaker plant.
Same tactics it used for its Atlantic Coast Pipeline:
“We can't just sit back and hope that the merit of our project will sell itself" - Dominion lobbyist, 2017
insideclimatenews.org/news/2310202...
Same tactics it used for its Atlantic Coast Pipeline:
“We can't just sit back and hope that the merit of our project will sell itself" - Dominion lobbyist, 2017
insideclimatenews.org/news/2310202...
So... building AI slop factories and cleaning up climate disasters are the two sectors propping up the US economy right now?
Excuse me
” In a US buffeted by extreme weather, disaster spending is becoming a key driver of the economy.”
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
” In a US buffeted by extreme weather, disaster spending is becoming a key driver of the economy.”
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
October 22, 2025 at 10:35 PM
So... building AI slop factories and cleaning up climate disasters are the two sectors propping up the US economy right now?
Took my brain a second to register this wasn't a new photo of the White House being demolished.
Whew, nope, just climate change whacking the US economy with its wrecking ball faster than ever. No biggie.
Whew, nope, just climate change whacking the US economy with its wrecking ball faster than ever. No biggie.
In First Six Months, Cost of Weather Catastrophes Escalated at a Record Pace www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/c...
In First Six Months, Cost of Weather Catastrophes Escalated at a Record Pace
www.nytimes.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Took my brain a second to register this wasn't a new photo of the White House being demolished.
Whew, nope, just climate change whacking the US economy with its wrecking ball faster than ever. No biggie.
Whew, nope, just climate change whacking the US economy with its wrecking ball faster than ever. No biggie.
Reposted by Jonathan Mingle
Our story so far:
Trump orders minions to destroy the Capitol on Jan 6.
He's banned from YouTube.
He returns to the White House.
He sues YouTube for banning him.
They settle for $22 million.
That money is used by Trump to destroy the East Wing
www.cnbc.com/2025/10/22/t...
Trump orders minions to destroy the Capitol on Jan 6.
He's banned from YouTube.
He returns to the White House.
He sues YouTube for banning him.
They settle for $22 million.
That money is used by Trump to destroy the East Wing
www.cnbc.com/2025/10/22/t...
Trump White House East Wing ballroom project got $22M boost from YouTube legal settlement
President Trump has said he and donors will cover the costs of the White House East Wing ballroom, but it is not clear who all the contributors are.
www.cnbc.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Our story so far:
Trump orders minions to destroy the Capitol on Jan 6.
He's banned from YouTube.
He returns to the White House.
He sues YouTube for banning him.
They settle for $22 million.
That money is used by Trump to destroy the East Wing
www.cnbc.com/2025/10/22/t...
Trump orders minions to destroy the Capitol on Jan 6.
He's banned from YouTube.
He returns to the White House.
He sues YouTube for banning him.
They settle for $22 million.
That money is used by Trump to destroy the East Wing
www.cnbc.com/2025/10/22/t...
Reposted by Jonathan Mingle
🚨EXCLUSIVE🚨
Many things are changing before our eyes. Others are harder to see
Like the US economy
Americans are spending more 💲 recovering from disasters and preparing for the next one. 36% of US GDP growth since 2000 is related to climate disasters.
Welcome to the Disaster Industrial Complex 🎁🔗
Many things are changing before our eyes. Others are harder to see
Like the US economy
Americans are spending more 💲 recovering from disasters and preparing for the next one. 36% of US GDP growth since 2000 is related to climate disasters.
Welcome to the Disaster Industrial Complex 🎁🔗
Disaster Recovery Is an $8 Trillion Driver of US Growth
Investors are on the hunt for companies powering the disaster industrial complex, which are fueling US growth and outpacing the S&P 500
www.bloomberg.com
October 21, 2025 at 9:42 PM
🚨EXCLUSIVE🚨
Many things are changing before our eyes. Others are harder to see
Like the US economy
Americans are spending more 💲 recovering from disasters and preparing for the next one. 36% of US GDP growth since 2000 is related to climate disasters.
Welcome to the Disaster Industrial Complex 🎁🔗
Many things are changing before our eyes. Others are harder to see
Like the US economy
Americans are spending more 💲 recovering from disasters and preparing for the next one. 36% of US GDP growth since 2000 is related to climate disasters.
Welcome to the Disaster Industrial Complex 🎁🔗