Joan Meiners, PhD
@joanmeiners.bsky.social
🌵 Climate reporter (@azcentral.com = The Arizona Republic)
🐝 Bee doctor (Ecology Ph.D. @UF)
🚴♀️ Outdoor athlete (runner, thruhiker, skier, former bike racer)
Listen. Be human. Fight bullshit.
https://www.azcentral.com/staff/5308605002/joan-meiners/
🐝 Bee doctor (Ecology Ph.D. @UF)
🚴♀️ Outdoor athlete (runner, thruhiker, skier, former bike racer)
Listen. Be human. Fight bullshit.
https://www.azcentral.com/staff/5308605002/joan-meiners/
Pinned
I'm riding my mountain bike on the 850-mile Arizona Trail this fall to see and write about #climate impacts along the way. We're publishing weekly dispatches from the trail in The Arizona Republic | @azcentral.com as I go.
The first one just dropped:
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
The first one just dropped:
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Trump’s shuttering of the National Center for Atmospheric Research is Stalinist, write @michaelemann.bsky.social & Bob Ward
- It is latest move in relentless purge of climate researchers who refuse to be co-opted by fossil fuel industry
@ncar-ucar.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
- It is latest move in relentless purge of climate researchers who refuse to be co-opted by fossil fuel industry
@ncar-ucar.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Trump’s shuttering of the National Center for Atmospheric Research is Stalinist | Michael Mann and Bob Ward
This is the latest in the relentless purge of climate researchers who refuse to be co-opted by the fossil fuel industry
www.theguardian.com
December 29, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Trump’s shuttering of the National Center for Atmospheric Research is Stalinist, write @michaelemann.bsky.social & Bob Ward
- It is latest move in relentless purge of climate researchers who refuse to be co-opted by fossil fuel industry
@ncar-ucar.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
- It is latest move in relentless purge of climate researchers who refuse to be co-opted by fossil fuel industry
@ncar-ucar.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Winter floods wreak havoc on Gaza displacement camps as Israel blocks aid https://aje.io/nu8pwm
![Palestinians try to recover their tent after overnight rainfall flooded a beachside tent camp in Khan Younis, the southern Gaza Strip. [Mohammad Jahjouh/AP Photo]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2lofqead276vtc5647ye7sl2/bafkreia2lbcevdnitlmolcegxmejks5nwbia4fqz53fakc4x7cizai5esa@jpeg)
![Shaimaa Wadi, 25, sits with her one-year-old daughter Tala, inside their tent in a makeshift camp for displaced Palestinians in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza Strip. [Abdel Kareem Hana/AP Photo]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2lofqead276vtc5647ye7sl2/bafkreihvv47aocembizmroftboziw5rihse36vuyxwbtrvhor2xtfoetvy@jpeg)
![Palestinians receive donated food at a temporary camp for displaced people, on the beach near the port of Gaza City. [Jehad Alshrafi/AP Photo]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2lofqead276vtc5647ye7sl2/bafkreicw524666hjfphqi7u6jbpd7rsd5obzlmcc7kcfhxhm3ggqwyoatq@jpeg)
![A woman tries to recover a carpet after overnight rainfall flooded a beachside tent camp in Khan Younis. [Mohammad Jahjouh/AP Photo]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2lofqead276vtc5647ye7sl2/bafkreidkx5zpdreoziv74oxivetwhv2l4wxkgcgqt4n6q4hmqjvbbtst3a@jpeg)
December 29, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Winter floods wreak havoc on Gaza displacement camps as Israel blocks aid https://aje.io/nu8pwm
He’s deporting citizens without due process and against judges’ orders + putting out suggested hits on his political enemies, which could very plausibly be acted upon by his extremist followers. Take note.
December 24, 2025 at 5:49 AM
He’s deporting citizens without due process and against judges’ orders + putting out suggested hits on his political enemies, which could very plausibly be acted upon by his extremist followers. Take note.
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
this isn’t how journalism works
On a call just now, Bari Weiss tells staff she held the CECOT story because it wasn’t ready & to advance a months-old story, they need "the principals" on record.
Yesterday, CBS reporter Sharyn Alfonsi warned if they can only do stories when government responds, it “gains control” over 60 Minutes.
Yesterday, CBS reporter Sharyn Alfonsi warned if they can only do stories when government responds, it “gains control” over 60 Minutes.
December 22, 2025 at 7:55 PM
this isn’t how journalism works
100% this. I spent most of 2024 investigating an AZ utility company that kept insisting more gas was necessary in one of the sunniest places in America — because clouds?
Wrong. Batteries are a thing. Smart demand management is a thing. Learn about it.
That story: www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Wrong. Batteries are a thing. Smart demand management is a thing. Learn about it.
That story: www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
December 20, 2025 at 6:40 PM
100% this. I spent most of 2024 investigating an AZ utility company that kept insisting more gas was necessary in one of the sunniest places in America — because clouds?
Wrong. Batteries are a thing. Smart demand management is a thing. Learn about it.
That story: www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Wrong. Batteries are a thing. Smart demand management is a thing. Learn about it.
That story: www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
These “climate shelters” appear to just be cooling centers. In theory, setting up free places for the public to stay cool can save lives.
But in 2022, I reported on research that found they’re not as effective as officials pushing this as climate solution suggest:
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
But in 2022, I reported on research that found they’re not as effective as officials pushing this as climate solution suggest:
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
December 20, 2025 at 6:02 PM
These “climate shelters” appear to just be cooling centers. In theory, setting up free places for the public to stay cool can save lives.
But in 2022, I reported on research that found they’re not as effective as officials pushing this as climate solution suggest:
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
But in 2022, I reported on research that found they’re not as effective as officials pushing this as climate solution suggest:
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
There are many claims that AI is a “planet killing” source of greenhouse gases.
But is it?
This paper might be the most detailed estimate of the emissions associated with AI.
It suggests that AI could emit as much as 30-80 *million* tons of CO2 per year.
www.cell.com/patterns/ful...
But is it?
This paper might be the most detailed estimate of the emissions associated with AI.
It suggests that AI could emit as much as 30-80 *million* tons of CO2 per year.
www.cell.com/patterns/ful...
The carbon and water footprints of data centers and what this could mean for artificial intelligence
Company-wide metrics from the environmental disclosure of data center operators suggest
that AI systems may have a carbon footprint equivalent to that of New York City in
2025, while their water footp...
www.cell.com
December 19, 2025 at 5:28 AM
There are many claims that AI is a “planet killing” source of greenhouse gases.
But is it?
This paper might be the most detailed estimate of the emissions associated with AI.
It suggests that AI could emit as much as 30-80 *million* tons of CO2 per year.
www.cell.com/patterns/ful...
But is it?
This paper might be the most detailed estimate of the emissions associated with AI.
It suggests that AI could emit as much as 30-80 *million* tons of CO2 per year.
www.cell.com/patterns/ful...
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
What an astonishingly dishonest piece of propaganda for the fossil fuel industry, including its citing of Obama's extremely outdated energy policies and its misrepresentation of Norwegian public opinion.
“The mind-set shift needed here is to acknowledge that while climate change is real and harmful, the utility of fossil fuels is not something the oil and gas industry tricked the public into,” Matthew Yglesias writes.
Opinion | Obama Supported It. The Left in Canada and Norway Do. Why Don’t Democrats?
Liberals should reconcile with America’s oil and gas industry.
nyti.ms
December 18, 2025 at 11:14 PM
What an astonishingly dishonest piece of propaganda for the fossil fuel industry, including its citing of Obama's extremely outdated energy policies and its misrepresentation of Norwegian public opinion.
He got votes for this exact empty promise
The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act includes provisions related to parental leave — but notably excludes provisions that would have provided IVF coverage for active-duty military.
The Senate just passed a new $900 billion defense bill. Here’s what’s in it.
The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act includes provisions related to parental leave — but notably excludes provisions that would have provided IVF coverage for active-duty military.
19thnews.org
December 18, 2025 at 8:30 PM
He got votes for this exact empty promise
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
States typically have a list of items that residents should have on hand in case of an emergency. But according to a new 50-state scorecard released on Thursday, only one state — Maryland — does a good job of including sexual and reproductive health supplies into its preparedness checklist.
Preparing for a wildfire or hurricane? Don’t forget water, documents — and your birth control.
Few states include sexual and reproductive health supplies in emergency checklist recommendations, a new report finds.
19thnews.org
December 18, 2025 at 2:14 PM
States typically have a list of items that residents should have on hand in case of an emergency. But according to a new 50-state scorecard released on Thursday, only one state — Maryland — does a good job of including sexual and reproductive health supplies into its preparedness checklist.
Removing science from society is never a good sign. I grew up near this lab. It’s incredibly important.
Exclusive: The Trump administration is moving to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, according to a senior White House official, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
Trump moves to dismantle major US climate research center in Colorado
The Trump administration is breaking up the National Center for Atmospheric Research, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
bit.ly
December 17, 2025 at 4:54 AM
Removing science from society is never a good sign. I grew up near this lab. It’s incredibly important.
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
A review of more than 100 court cases in Alabama found some immigrants saw harsher punishments, even when they have fewer prior convictions. Defendants in these cases said they believe their citizenship status tipped the scales of justice against them. by @amyyurkanin.bsky.social
Immigrants in Alabama Can Face Harsher Sentences Than Citizens for the Same Crimes
A review of more than 100 court cases found some immigrants saw harsher punishments, even when they have fewer prior convictions. Defendants in these cases said they believe their citizenship status t...
www.propublica.org
December 15, 2025 at 6:48 PM
A review of more than 100 court cases in Alabama found some immigrants saw harsher punishments, even when they have fewer prior convictions. Defendants in these cases said they believe their citizenship status tipped the scales of justice against them. by @amyyurkanin.bsky.social
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
They want banks to be able to go back to openly discriminating against women and POC. They want women to need to have a man to cosign a credit card or a bank loan like before this rule was passed.
US consumer watchdog to narrow civil rights era lending law, sources say
The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau plans to propose in the coming days narrowing a key part of civil-rights era fair-lending regulations as Republican President Donald Trump's administratio...
www.reuters.com
December 14, 2025 at 1:11 PM
They want banks to be able to go back to openly discriminating against women and POC. They want women to need to have a man to cosign a credit card or a bank loan like before this rule was passed.
Losing access to newspapers and the historical context they provide around current events is not a hypothetical. It’s deeply scary.
I could ask the same Q about the @nytimes.com’s many fossil fuel ads, but we’ve been down that road.
Look, I realize it’s not journalism’s place to screen ads based on value systems. But it does seem like there should be some standards to avoid gaslighting the public and erasing informed discourse.
Look, I realize it’s not journalism’s place to screen ads based on value systems. But it does seem like there should be some standards to avoid gaslighting the public and erasing informed discourse.
Hey @nytimes.com, why are you airing a childish, trashy audio ad for streaming service Sling that calls newspapers “outdated information rolled like a burrito about things that happened forever ago.”
Did you forget you’re a newspaper or that history (= forever ago) is society’s greatest teacher? 🤦♀️
Did you forget you’re a newspaper or that history (= forever ago) is society’s greatest teacher? 🤦♀️
December 13, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Losing access to newspapers and the historical context they provide around current events is not a hypothetical. It’s deeply scary.
I could ask the same Q about the @nytimes.com’s many fossil fuel ads, but we’ve been down that road.
Look, I realize it’s not journalism’s place to screen ads based on value systems. But it does seem like there should be some standards to avoid gaslighting the public and erasing informed discourse.
Look, I realize it’s not journalism’s place to screen ads based on value systems. But it does seem like there should be some standards to avoid gaslighting the public and erasing informed discourse.
Hey @nytimes.com, why are you airing a childish, trashy audio ad for streaming service Sling that calls newspapers “outdated information rolled like a burrito about things that happened forever ago.”
Did you forget you’re a newspaper or that history (= forever ago) is society’s greatest teacher? 🤦♀️
Did you forget you’re a newspaper or that history (= forever ago) is society’s greatest teacher? 🤦♀️
December 13, 2025 at 11:24 PM
I could ask the same Q about the @nytimes.com’s many fossil fuel ads, but we’ve been down that road.
Look, I realize it’s not journalism’s place to screen ads based on value systems. But it does seem like there should be some standards to avoid gaslighting the public and erasing informed discourse.
Look, I realize it’s not journalism’s place to screen ads based on value systems. But it does seem like there should be some standards to avoid gaslighting the public and erasing informed discourse.
Hey @nytimes.com, why are you airing a childish, trashy audio ad for streaming service Sling that calls newspapers “outdated information rolled like a burrito about things that happened forever ago.”
Did you forget you’re a newspaper or that history (= forever ago) is society’s greatest teacher? 🤦♀️
Did you forget you’re a newspaper or that history (= forever ago) is society’s greatest teacher? 🤦♀️
December 13, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Hey @nytimes.com, why are you airing a childish, trashy audio ad for streaming service Sling that calls newspapers “outdated information rolled like a burrito about things that happened forever ago.”
Did you forget you’re a newspaper or that history (= forever ago) is society’s greatest teacher? 🤦♀️
Did you forget you’re a newspaper or that history (= forever ago) is society’s greatest teacher? 🤦♀️
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Via Politico: "Polluters Pay" is dead in the California Legislature in 2026, and it's not even January yet.
December 13, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Via Politico: "Polluters Pay" is dead in the California Legislature in 2026, and it's not even January yet.
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Our infrastructure isn’t ready for what’s coming.
The Bay took over the highway during this morning's #KingTides in Marin.
December 5, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Our infrastructure isn’t ready for what’s coming.
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
The harm isn't just from the gross disinformation itself, but also resulting erosion of trust in federal science and guidance.
Rebuilding the latter will take far longer than correcting the former.
Rebuilding the latter will take far longer than correcting the former.
It appears that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has, within the past week, scrubbed a large amount of climate change content from its official website, as well as *removed human-caused warming* from the discussion on its "causes of climate change" page.
December 8, 2025 at 8:29 PM
The harm isn't just from the gross disinformation itself, but also resulting erosion of trust in federal science and guidance.
Rebuilding the latter will take far longer than correcting the former.
Rebuilding the latter will take far longer than correcting the former.
We published the final dispatch from my mountain bike ride across Arizona on the #ArizonaTrail today in The Arizona Republic | @azcentral.com. It ends, as the trail does, at the state's border with Mexico, which is currently a construction zone with limited access..
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
On the Arizona Trail, humans can choose to build connections or divide with walls
Finding other people on the Arizona Trail is energizing, but people are also changing the trail along its final miles.
www.azcentral.com
December 8, 2025 at 10:27 PM
We published the final dispatch from my mountain bike ride across Arizona on the #ArizonaTrail today in The Arizona Republic | @azcentral.com. It ends, as the trail does, at the state's border with Mexico, which is currently a construction zone with limited access..
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
NEW:
Trump’s Own Mortgages Match His Description of Mortgage Fraud, Records Reveal
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
w/ @robert-faturechi.bsky.social @amierjeski.bsky.social
Trump’s Own Mortgages Match His Description of Mortgage Fraud, Records Reveal
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
w/ @robert-faturechi.bsky.social @amierjeski.bsky.social
Trump’s Own Mortgages Match His Description of Mortgage Fraud, Records Reveal
The Trump administration has argued that Fed board member Lisa Cook may have committed mortgage fraud by declaring more than one primary residence on her loans. We found Trump once did the very thing ...
www.propublica.org
December 8, 2025 at 12:32 PM
NEW:
Trump’s Own Mortgages Match His Description of Mortgage Fraud, Records Reveal
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
w/ @robert-faturechi.bsky.social @amierjeski.bsky.social
Trump’s Own Mortgages Match His Description of Mortgage Fraud, Records Reveal
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
w/ @robert-faturechi.bsky.social @amierjeski.bsky.social
In June, I spoke with Flagstaff's @trevorritland.bsky.social about his new book on his search for the golden toad, the first terrestrial species to go extinct from #climatechange.
Today that discussion has been published in print and online @azcentral.com. Enjoy!
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Today that discussion has been published in print and online @azcentral.com. Enjoy!
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
December 7, 2025 at 6:21 PM
In June, I spoke with Flagstaff's @trevorritland.bsky.social about his new book on his search for the golden toad, the first terrestrial species to go extinct from #climatechange.
Today that discussion has been published in print and online @azcentral.com. Enjoy!
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Today that discussion has been published in print and online @azcentral.com. Enjoy!
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
I think about this a lot. My friends who oversee summer internships in wildlife biology saw the application numbers drop this past cycle and another friend who teaches conservation biology is seeing more apathy in the classroom.
The kids are right to wonder what of nature will be left to protect. 💔
The kids are right to wonder what of nature will be left to protect. 💔
My teen, who had dreamt of being an astrophysicist, just told me he wants to go to law school because, “Science isn’t going to be a priority in the US in the future…I don’t want a job where I’ll be constantly worried my funding will be taken away.”
Gutting. How many future scientists have we lost?
Gutting. How many future scientists have we lost?
December 7, 2025 at 5:45 PM
I think about this a lot. My friends who oversee summer internships in wildlife biology saw the application numbers drop this past cycle and another friend who teaches conservation biology is seeing more apathy in the classroom.
The kids are right to wonder what of nature will be left to protect. 💔
The kids are right to wonder what of nature will be left to protect. 💔
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
@amywestervelt.bsky.social @billmckibben.bsky.social @sammyroth.bsky.social on the future of climate journalism tonight at 8!
News, Climate & Our Constitution: The Value of Robust Climate Journalism to a Healthy Planet and Strong Democracy
At this pivotal moment in American history, climate journalism is more essential than ever. As we face unprecedented environmental and political challenges—when...
hillheat.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:16 AM
@amywestervelt.bsky.social @billmckibben.bsky.social @sammyroth.bsky.social on the future of climate journalism tonight at 8!
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Sad that this series is almost over. Thoroughly enjoyed following @joanmeiners.bsky.social along the AZT and learn about climate impacts along the way. This series is worth a read if you enjoy bikepacking, climate reporting, or simply good writing.
Second to last dispatch from my ride documenting #climate impacts on the #ArizonaTrail!
Theme of the week is limits and tipping points.
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Theme of the week is limits and tipping points.
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
On the Arizona Trail, rough tracks and changing climate test the limits of people and land
Will people continue to hike and bike the Arizona Trail? Extreme weather and land use challenges may test the limits.
www.azcentral.com
December 3, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Sad that this series is almost over. Thoroughly enjoyed following @joanmeiners.bsky.social along the AZT and learn about climate impacts along the way. This series is worth a read if you enjoy bikepacking, climate reporting, or simply good writing.