Joan Meiners, PhD
@joanmeiners.bsky.social
🌵 Climate reporter (The Arizona Republic | @azcentral.com)
🐝 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...
For the nerds out there, this story also includes some original analyses and data visualizations of Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs' track record on environment-related bills in the first three years of her first term, as she begins campaigning for re-election.
February 10, 2026 at 6:31 PM
For the nerds out there, this story also includes some original analyses and data visualizations of Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs' track record on environment-related bills in the first three years of her first term, as she begins campaigning for re-election.
My story out today covers the absolute blitzkrieg of bills attacking progress on #climate and environmental issues that have been introduced before the 2026 Arizona Legislature as midterms near.
Environmentalists will gather at the AZ Capitol Feb. 11 to strategize.
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Environmentalists will gather at the AZ Capitol Feb. 11 to strategize.
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Environmentalists brace for a barrage of bills as 2026 elections near
Even with a democratic governor in her final year as the last line of defense, activists fear backward progress on water, energy and climate policy.
www.azcentral.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:47 PM
My story out today covers the absolute blitzkrieg of bills attacking progress on #climate and environmental issues that have been introduced before the 2026 Arizona Legislature as midterms near.
Environmentalists will gather at the AZ Capitol Feb. 11 to strategize.
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Environmentalists will gather at the AZ Capitol Feb. 11 to strategize.
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
In a deeply fucked-up world, this still stands out. WTAF. Not ok.
Last night, Trump posted a video to his social media platform that contained a racist clip showing Barack and Michelle Obama as monkeys. It's still up:
February 6, 2026 at 6:15 PM
In a deeply fucked-up world, this still stands out. WTAF. Not ok.
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
BREAKING: Over 680 members of the National Academy of Sciences, Medicine, and Engineering have endorsed articles of impeachment against RFK Jr.
(1/2 🧵)
(1/2 🧵)
February 5, 2026 at 9:08 PM
BREAKING: Over 680 members of the National Academy of Sciences, Medicine, and Engineering have endorsed articles of impeachment against RFK Jr.
(1/2 🧵)
(1/2 🧵)
NEW: A just-published study found that 911 calls/EMS activations increased by 68% in the U.S. btw 2019-2024, overwhelming medical systems.
Extreme #heat caused incidents to increase faster among mid-aged adults, low-income ppl & those in Mountain states.
My story: www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Extreme #heat caused incidents to increase faster among mid-aged adults, low-income ppl & those in Mountain states.
My story: www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Heat-related 911 emergency calls are growing fast, Arizona study finds
The number of people seeking emergency care for heat-related issues grew faster than for non-heat-related health issues in mountain states and Texas.
www.azcentral.com
February 5, 2026 at 6:28 PM
NEW: A just-published study found that 911 calls/EMS activations increased by 68% in the U.S. btw 2019-2024, overwhelming medical systems.
Extreme #heat caused incidents to increase faster among mid-aged adults, low-income ppl & those in Mountain states.
My story: www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Extreme #heat caused incidents to increase faster among mid-aged adults, low-income ppl & those in Mountain states.
My story: www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Wait...are they putting a paywall of sorts on the White House website? We now can't read executive orders without signing up for Trump's email list?! Has anyone else run into this?
February 4, 2026 at 3:59 AM
Wait...are they putting a paywall of sorts on the White House website? We now can't read executive orders without signing up for Trump's email list?! Has anyone else run into this?
So much for AI knowing what I want and how to help. I have never once needed info about anime backgrounds or Persian cats.
February 3, 2026 at 8:00 PM
So much for AI knowing what I want and how to help. I have never once needed info about anime backgrounds or Persian cats.
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
When I realized that performing an emotional reaction to the news was not activism my life got a lot better
February 3, 2026 at 12:34 PM
When I realized that performing an emotional reaction to the news was not activism my life got a lot better
Imagine being this boring
January 28, 2026 at 2:50 AM
Imagine being this boring
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
On NPR on Friday, there was a story of a 4-year-old--an American citizen--who hasn't left her house since early December, not even to play in the yard. And her 8-year-old brother recently stopped going to school, too. Their father is undocumented, and the family doesn't want to risk him being taken.
January 26, 2026 at 3:47 AM
On NPR on Friday, there was a story of a 4-year-old--an American citizen--who hasn't left her house since early December, not even to play in the yard. And her 8-year-old brother recently stopped going to school, too. Their father is undocumented, and the family doesn't want to risk him being taken.
It feels strange to celebrate a front page these days. But today’s marks the end of our print run of my #ArizonaTrail series in The Arizona Republic | @azcentral.com.
Here’s to still fighting to preserve our humanity + climate through empathy + information sharing.
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Here’s to still fighting to preserve our humanity + climate through empathy + information sharing.
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
January 25, 2026 at 9:17 PM
It feels strange to celebrate a front page these days. But today’s marks the end of our print run of my #ArizonaTrail series in The Arizona Republic | @azcentral.com.
Here’s to still fighting to preserve our humanity + climate through empathy + information sharing.
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Here’s to still fighting to preserve our humanity + climate through empathy + information sharing.
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
I am a climate scientist and this is correct.
As the planet warms, storms like the one today are getting stronger… and as the Arctic is warming twice as fast as the mid latitudes, it increases the risk of the “freezer door” swinging open.
Technical explanation here: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
As the planet warms, storms like the one today are getting stronger… and as the Arctic is warming twice as fast as the mid latitudes, it increases the risk of the “freezer door” swinging open.
Technical explanation here: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
January 24, 2026 at 6:38 PM
I am a climate scientist and this is correct.
As the planet warms, storms like the one today are getting stronger… and as the Arctic is warming twice as fast as the mid latitudes, it increases the risk of the “freezer door” swinging open.
Technical explanation here: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
As the planet warms, storms like the one today are getting stronger… and as the Arctic is warming twice as fast as the mid latitudes, it increases the risk of the “freezer door” swinging open.
Technical explanation here: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Okay sorry one more shot:
January 23, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Okay sorry one more shot:
Bold to market this months ahead of time. Anything could happen in the next seven weeks, much of which is likely to bring us closer to fascism. Curious how he is going about preparing this talk when every day is something new.
January 23, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Bold to market this months ahead of time. Anything could happen in the next seven weeks, much of which is likely to bring us closer to fascism. Curious how he is going about preparing this talk when every day is something new.
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Under the law, ICE is required to provide necessary medical care for the people it detains, often using third-party providers to do so.
ICE, however, has not paid any third-party providers for medical care for detainees since October 3, 2025.
ICE, however, has not paid any third-party providers for medical care for detainees since October 3, 2025.
ICE has stopped paying for detainee medical treatment
Despite ample funding, the agency halted payments in October. They may not resume for several months.
www.motherjones.com
January 20, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Under the law, ICE is required to provide necessary medical care for the people it detains, often using third-party providers to do so.
ICE, however, has not paid any third-party providers for medical care for detainees since October 3, 2025.
ICE, however, has not paid any third-party providers for medical care for detainees since October 3, 2025.
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
It's just wild to see in the federal government's own models how close the nation's second largest reservoir is to losing hydropower production, potentially for months on end in early 2027.
Is the plan to just drain Flaming Gorge, Blue Mesa and Navajo to keep it propped up another year?
Is the plan to just drain Flaming Gorge, Blue Mesa and Navajo to keep it propped up another year?
January 16, 2026 at 10:07 PM
It's just wild to see in the federal government's own models how close the nation's second largest reservoir is to losing hydropower production, potentially for months on end in early 2027.
Is the plan to just drain Flaming Gorge, Blue Mesa and Navajo to keep it propped up another year?
Is the plan to just drain Flaming Gorge, Blue Mesa and Navajo to keep it propped up another year?
I grew up near this important and inspirational laboratory. This is deeply, deeply uncool.
Sigh. Shutting down the National Center for Atmospheric Research will make the world a more dangerous place for all of us.
Colorado senators’ bid to save NCAR funding fails as U.S. Senate passes spending bills
“In the face of unrelenting political attacks from President Trump, we are standing together to protect institutions like NCAR that are vital to our state and our economy,” Sen. John Hickenlo…
www.denverpost.com
January 16, 2026 at 4:56 AM
I grew up near this important and inspirational laboratory. This is deeply, deeply uncool.
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
From nationalizing voter suppression to flooding the streets with federal agents, the president and his allies are using all the tricks in the authoritarian playbook to tilt the midterms in their favor.
Project 2026: Trump's plan to rig the next election
From nationalizing voter suppression to flooding the streets with federal agents, the president and his allies are using all the tricks in the authoritarian playbook to tilt the midterms in their…
www.motherjones.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:00 AM
From nationalizing voter suppression to flooding the streets with federal agents, the president and his allies are using all the tricks in the authoritarian playbook to tilt the midterms in their favor.
NEW: Trump is expected to announce any day now the final repeal of 2009 Endangerment Finding, which granted EPA authority to regulate greenhouse gas air pollutants from power plants & vehicles
My sources view the move as anti-health, anti-environment & anti-science
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
My sources view the move as anti-health, anti-environment & anti-science
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Trump set to repeal air pollution limits despite fervent opposition
Experts fear consequences will include health complications, stalled industry, a society further disconnected from science and faster climate impacts.
www.azcentral.com
January 15, 2026 at 10:30 PM
NEW: Trump is expected to announce any day now the final repeal of 2009 Endangerment Finding, which granted EPA authority to regulate greenhouse gas air pollutants from power plants & vehicles
My sources view the move as anti-health, anti-environment & anti-science
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
My sources view the move as anti-health, anti-environment & anti-science
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
This is really interesting in light of my interviews with #climate experts in #Arizona who are grappling with this question — while watching the Phoenix Mayor embrace the term and the Arizona Governor avoid it — as I wrote about last year here:
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
January 14, 2026 at 5:27 PM
This is really interesting in light of my interviews with #climate experts in #Arizona who are grappling with this question — while watching the Phoenix Mayor embrace the term and the Arizona Governor avoid it — as I wrote about last year here:
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
We’ve fought fascism and oligarchy before, and it’s so boring to have to do it again when our primary focus should be on addressing climate change. But the fascists and oligarchs are exacerbating climate change and hindering our efforts to combat it, so fight them we will.
What to know about the world's great climate collapse
"We've gone from over-indexing it to zero-indexing it," S&P Global's Dan Yergin says.
www.axios.com
January 14, 2026 at 4:51 AM
We’ve fought fascism and oligarchy before, and it’s so boring to have to do it again when our primary focus should be on addressing climate change. But the fascists and oligarchs are exacerbating climate change and hindering our efforts to combat it, so fight them we will.
Idk what’s going on at the Guardian science desk but this is FAR FROM the first credible critique of their work and methods I’ve heard, or had myself.
Interesting to see the Guardian's @dpcarrington.bsky.social weighing in on this. My take, as someone covering microplastics heavily for the past year (and currently sitting at a 200+ person conference with many of the scientists in question):
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘A bombshell’: doubt cast on discovery of microplastics throughout human body
Exclusive: Some scientists say many detections are most likely error, with one high-profile study called a ‘joke’
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2026 at 10:49 PM
Idk what’s going on at the Guardian science desk but this is FAR FROM the first credible critique of their work and methods I’ve heard, or had myself.
In 2025, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego @mayorgallego.bsky.social served as chair of @climatemayors.bsky.social, leading on local #climate action during a year of federal backsliding. I spoke with her the day her term ended, right as Trump exited another climate treaty.
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
What Phoenix Mayor Gallego learned in a year leading on climate action
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said she was proud of the way U.S. mayors took the lead on climate issues as the White House walked away.
www.azcentral.com
January 12, 2026 at 6:17 PM
In 2025, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego @mayorgallego.bsky.social served as chair of @climatemayors.bsky.social, leading on local #climate action during a year of federal backsliding. I spoke with her the day her term ended, right as Trump exited another climate treaty.
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
This funding news is a relief but
WHY IS THE USDA (includes the Forest Service) NOT ON THIS LIST?
WHY IS THE USDA (includes the Forest Service) NOT ON THIS LIST?
January 10, 2026 at 3:58 PM
This funding news is a relief but
WHY IS THE USDA (includes the Forest Service) NOT ON THIS LIST?
WHY IS THE USDA (includes the Forest Service) NOT ON THIS LIST?