MacKenzie Elmer, journalist.
@journomack.bsky.social
Climate, science and environment reporter at Voice of San Diego. Anthropocene gal. Scripps Institution of Oceanography grad.
More journalism, less bullshit.
More journalism, less bullshit.
Pinned
Mexico Said River Border Wall Broke Treaties. The US Built it Anyway.
Experts warn Customs and Border Protection’s wall through the Tijuana River will eventually cause catastrophic flooding in both nations. The IBWC was the only agency with the power to stop it.
voiceofsandiego.org
Spent a year fighting the Feds in court to for these records. The result? Trump/Biden built a border wall through the Tijuana River that violates treaties with Mexico — and it could cause catastrophic flooding in both countries. No biggie. voiceofsandiego.org/2025/02/11/m... @voiceofsandiego.org
Reposted by MacKenzie Elmer, journalist.
A Republican congressman from Texas has introduced legislation to stop California from helping people understand which products are actually recyclable: www.latimes.com/environment/... via @susrust.bsky.social
With a nudge from industry, Congress takes aim at California recycling laws
A bill in Congress seeks to eliminate different state recycling requirements and labeling by creating a single, national standard that would be voluntary.
www.latimes.com
January 17, 2026 at 10:07 PM
A Republican congressman from Texas has introduced legislation to stop California from helping people understand which products are actually recyclable: www.latimes.com/environment/... via @susrust.bsky.social
trying to be a good citizen and pay for my parking at Balboa Park but the machine is broken. Don’t you come for me anyway, city of sd.
January 16, 2026 at 6:00 PM
trying to be a good citizen and pay for my parking at Balboa Park but the machine is broken. Don’t you come for me anyway, city of sd.
The rain woke Brenda de La Mora at 2 a.m. She roused her husband to grab a rake and tend the storm drain near the flooding creek. Two years ago, the creek consumed hundreds of homes. So far, nothing's changed except that neighbors are triggered. voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/05/e...
Environment Report: Flood Scares Won’t Quit in Shelltown
At 2 a.m. Monday morning, the De la Mora’s were outside in the rain cleaning a city storm drain with a rake.
voiceofsandiego.org
January 6, 2026 at 9:52 PM
The rain woke Brenda de La Mora at 2 a.m. She roused her husband to grab a rake and tend the storm drain near the flooding creek. Two years ago, the creek consumed hundreds of homes. So far, nothing's changed except that neighbors are triggered. voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/05/e...
Things look bad for the Colorado River, San Diego's main water lifeline. The river's source water, the Rocky Mountain snowpack, is at record lows. Colorado had its second warmest December since 1893.
www.skyhinews.com/news/colorad...
www.skyhinews.com/news/colorad...
Unseasonably warm December sets temperature records as Colorado snowpack remains poor
Across Colorado, this past December was among the hottest ever recorded. Both Denver and Grand Junction recorded their second-hottest December on record, according to the National Weather Service.…
www.skyhinews.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Things look bad for the Colorado River, San Diego's main water lifeline. The river's source water, the Rocky Mountain snowpack, is at record lows. Colorado had its second warmest December since 1893.
www.skyhinews.com/news/colorad...
www.skyhinews.com/news/colorad...
I just asked Scott Cameron, Trump’s top water boss at Bureau of Reclamation, why the federal government hasn’t done anything except set new deadlines which seem to be meaningless. He wouldn’t answer my question. #CRWUA2025 @crwua_2025
December 17, 2025 at 8:19 PM
I just asked Scott Cameron, Trump’s top water boss at Bureau of Reclamation, why the federal government hasn’t done anything except set new deadlines which seem to be meaningless. He wouldn’t answer my question. #CRWUA2025 @crwua_2025
Trump’s acting head of the Bureau of Reclamation warns Colorado River negotiators against suing each other: “Only certainty around litigation is a bunch of water lawyers will be able to put their children through grad school.” #CRWUA2025
December 17, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Trump’s acting head of the Bureau of Reclamation warns Colorado River negotiators against suing each other: “Only certainty around litigation is a bunch of water lawyers will be able to put their children through grad school.” #CRWUA2025
San Diego @SenStevePadilla introduces bill to update California's toxic hydrogen sulfide gas standards. People living next to the Tijuana River are consistently exposed to levels of the gas the EPA says is unsafe long term. voiceofsandiego.org/2025/12/08/s...
South Bay Residents at Risk from Long-Term Toxic Gas Exposure
A year's worth of data shows South Bay residents are constantly exposed to low levels of hydrogen sulfide gas from the polluted Tijuana River that could harm their health in the long run.
voiceofsandiego.org
December 17, 2025 at 5:41 PM
San Diego @SenStevePadilla introduces bill to update California's toxic hydrogen sulfide gas standards. People living next to the Tijuana River are consistently exposed to levels of the gas the EPA says is unsafe long term. voiceofsandiego.org/2025/12/08/s...
Trump officials are at #crwua2025 this morning to give the quibbling states a stern talking to: Give your commissioners room to negotiate and compromise. If you can't, send us representatives who can - Andrea Travnicek, Assistant Secretary of the Interior. @voiceofsandiego
December 17, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Trump officials are at #crwua2025 this morning to give the quibbling states a stern talking to: Give your commissioners room to negotiate and compromise. If you can't, send us representatives who can - Andrea Travnicek, Assistant Secretary of the Interior. @voiceofsandiego
I’m in Las Vegas covering negotiations  among users of the drought-stricken Colorado River. They aren’t going well…again. It’s almost like they want Trump to step in.  voiceofsandiego.org/2025/12/16/d... @voiceofsandiego.org
Dispatch from Sin City: Colorado River Negotiations Are Stuck in the Mud
Reporter MacKenzie Elmer is covering talks in Las Vegas among users of the drought-stricken Colorado River. They aren’t going well.
voiceofsandiego.org
December 17, 2025 at 5:00 PM
I’m in Las Vegas covering negotiations  among users of the drought-stricken Colorado River. They aren’t going well…again. It’s almost like they want Trump to step in.  voiceofsandiego.org/2025/12/16/d... @voiceofsandiego.org
Mexicali farmers will spill their Colorado River water — depriving coastal cities like Tijuana of drinking water — if @Claudiashein doesn’t cut a deal to compensate them for blocking their ability to sell it. voiceofsandiego.org/2025/12/16/m... #CRWUA2025 @voiceofsandiego.org
Mexicali Farmers Threaten to Use Their Colorado River Water, Putting Tijuana’s Supply in Jeopardy
Cities in northern Baja California depend on Mexicali farmers’ rights to use Colorado River water. The Mexican government just wrested control of that water, sparking protests and blockades by farmers...
voiceofsandiego.org
December 17, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Mexicali farmers will spill their Colorado River water — depriving coastal cities like Tijuana of drinking water — if @Claudiashein doesn’t cut a deal to compensate them for blocking their ability to sell it. voiceofsandiego.org/2025/12/16/m... #CRWUA2025 @voiceofsandiego.org
Interesting reporting by @tammyxmurga on Supervisor @jim_desmond calling for recycling used nuclear fuel at SONGS in SoCal. www.kpbs.org/news/environ... @kpbs
San Diego County to explore recycling San Onofre nuclear waste
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved a plan Tuesday to explore partnering with national laboratories that are developing ways to recycle nuclear waste safely.
www.kpbs.org
December 11, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Interesting reporting by @tammyxmurga on Supervisor @jim_desmond calling for recycling used nuclear fuel at SONGS in SoCal. www.kpbs.org/news/environ... @kpbs
Another promising application of hydrogen sulfide: obliterating nail fungus!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Antimicrobial effects and mechanisms of hydrogen sulphide against nail pathogens - Scientific Reports
Scientific Reports - Antimicrobial effects and mechanisms of hydrogen sulphide against nail pathogens
www.nature.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Another promising application of hydrogen sulfide: obliterating nail fungus!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
I spent a lot of time getting to know hydrogen sulfide, a dramatic gas which has caused near-planetary destruction but may also cure erectile dysfunction.
Last year scientists sparked fear of its presence in the polluted Tijuana River valley. voiceofsandiego.org/2025/12/08/s...
Last year scientists sparked fear of its presence in the polluted Tijuana River valley. voiceofsandiego.org/2025/12/08/s...
December 8, 2025 at 6:04 PM
I spent a lot of time getting to know hydrogen sulfide, a dramatic gas which has caused near-planetary destruction but may also cure erectile dysfunction.
Last year scientists sparked fear of its presence in the polluted Tijuana River valley. voiceofsandiego.org/2025/12/08/s...
Last year scientists sparked fear of its presence in the polluted Tijuana River valley. voiceofsandiego.org/2025/12/08/s...
Toxic gas data from the Tijuana River shows the amount of hydrogen sulfide won’t kill anyone instantly, for which H2S is most famous.
But there’s enough of the gas consistently circulating in South Bay that people’s health could be impacted longterm.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/12/08/s...
But there’s enough of the gas consistently circulating in South Bay that people’s health could be impacted longterm.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/12/08/s...
South Bay Has a Gas Problem
A year's worth of data shows South Bay residents are constantly exposed to low levels of hydrogen sulfide gas from the polluted Tijuana River that could harm their health in the long run.
voiceofsandiego.org
December 8, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Toxic gas data from the Tijuana River shows the amount of hydrogen sulfide won’t kill anyone instantly, for which H2S is most famous.
But there’s enough of the gas consistently circulating in South Bay that people’s health could be impacted longterm.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/12/08/s...
But there’s enough of the gas consistently circulating in South Bay that people’s health could be impacted longterm.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/12/08/s...
This will be good:
@sammyroth.bsky.social, @amywestervelt.bsky.social & @billmckibben.bsky.social talking climate reporting Wednesday @ 5. Register here: thirdact.org/events/news-...
@sammyroth.bsky.social, @amywestervelt.bsky.social & @billmckibben.bsky.social talking climate reporting Wednesday @ 5. Register here: thirdact.org/events/news-...
News, Climate & Our Constitution: The Value of Robust Climate Journalism to a Healthy Planet and Strong Democracy – Third Act
thirdact.org
December 2, 2025 at 10:00 PM
This will be good:
@sammyroth.bsky.social, @amywestervelt.bsky.social & @billmckibben.bsky.social talking climate reporting Wednesday @ 5. Register here: thirdact.org/events/news-...
@sammyroth.bsky.social, @amywestervelt.bsky.social & @billmckibben.bsky.social talking climate reporting Wednesday @ 5. Register here: thirdact.org/events/news-...
ICYMI, Jenna Ramiscal has this great piece on California’s hydrogen fuel paradox: North County Transit District trucks the fuel in from over 100 miles away to fuel its hydrogen-powered buses. voiceofsandiego.org/2025/11/25/n...
December 1, 2025 at 5:10 PM
ICYMI, Jenna Ramiscal has this great piece on California’s hydrogen fuel paradox: North County Transit District trucks the fuel in from over 100 miles away to fuel its hydrogen-powered buses. voiceofsandiego.org/2025/11/25/n...
Arizona will use taxpayer dollars to pay private companies to build desalination plants in California or Mexico. AZ would trade that investment for more supplies from the Colorado River.
www.kawc.org/news/2025-11...
www.kawc.org/news/2025-11...
Arizona water board approves desalination plants in California, Mexico
Arizona will provide taxpayer money to help private companies develop plans for at least two and possibly three desalination plants in California or Mexico under proposals approved by a state…
www.kawc.org
November 20, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Arizona will use taxpayer dollars to pay private companies to build desalination plants in California or Mexico. AZ would trade that investment for more supplies from the Colorado River.
www.kawc.org/news/2025-11...
www.kawc.org/news/2025-11...
More evidence of San Diego’s lack of public restrooms: A man just threw two planters onto the floor of a local Starbucks after being refused access to the bathroom, which is “for customers only.”
November 17, 2025 at 8:08 PM
More evidence of San Diego’s lack of public restrooms: A man just threw two planters onto the floor of a local Starbucks after being refused access to the bathroom, which is “for customers only.”
Reposted by MacKenzie Elmer, journalist.
Don't know how to feel about Bill Gates' controversial climate memo? Join me and four top climate scientists at 1:30pm PT today for a live discussion! Details and RSVP here: www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/live-event...
Live event Tuesday: The Bill Gates climate memo
Join me for an urgent virtual discussion with leading climate scientists.
www.climatecoloredgoggles.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Don't know how to feel about Bill Gates' controversial climate memo? Join me and four top climate scientists at 1:30pm PT today for a live discussion! Details and RSVP here: www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/live-event...
SDG&E's biggest union is enraged over non-union layoffs and buyouts of represented workers. "Over my dead body would SDG&E layoff or negatively impact one of our represented families,” said Nate Fairman of Local 465. voiceofsandiego.org/2025/11/03/s...
SDG&E Layoffs Spark Union Backlash
Local 465 blames ‘corporate greed’ and says layoffs won’t translate into lower energy rates.
voiceofsandiego.org
November 4, 2025 at 6:58 PM
SDG&E's biggest union is enraged over non-union layoffs and buyouts of represented workers. "Over my dead body would SDG&E layoff or negatively impact one of our represented families,” said Nate Fairman of Local 465. voiceofsandiego.org/2025/11/03/s...
Ratio utility billing victims are everywhere - wrote about this often third-party billing system used to mask extra costs on tenants back in 2023 voiceofsandiego.org/2023/04/26/r...
November 3, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Ratio utility billing victims are everywhere - wrote about this often third-party billing system used to mask extra costs on tenants back in 2023 voiceofsandiego.org/2023/04/26/r...
Politico's Annie Snider has this great piece laying out how the impending fate of the drying Colorado River is the only water war the Trump Administration hasn't blown up. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
The water war Trump hasn’t blown up
The fight over the Colorado River’s dwindling resources is made for MAGA — but so far the Trump administration has been playing it straight.
www.politico.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Politico's Annie Snider has this great piece laying out how the impending fate of the drying Colorado River is the only water war the Trump Administration hasn't blown up. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Councilmember Marni Von Wilpert. She pushed for San Diego to stop paying its water bills to the Water Authority.
“They’re not going to turn off our tap,” Von Wilpert said. “We can go to litigation over this. We can’t continue to rubberstamp.” voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/29/m...
“They’re not going to turn off our tap,” Von Wilpert said. “We can go to litigation over this. We can’t continue to rubberstamp.” voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/29/m...
Morning Report: Water Rates Going Up, Up, Up
San Diego City Councilmembers on Tuesday begrudgingly voted to hike the city’s water rates by nearly 30 percent over the next two years, despite the fact that the region has […]
voiceofsandiego.org
October 29, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Councilmember Marni Von Wilpert. She pushed for San Diego to stop paying its water bills to the Water Authority.
“They’re not going to turn off our tap,” Von Wilpert said. “We can go to litigation over this. We can’t continue to rubberstamp.” voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/29/m...
“They’re not going to turn off our tap,” Von Wilpert said. “We can go to litigation over this. We can’t continue to rubberstamp.” voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/29/m...
Council passes 31% increase in water and wastewater rates over next two years. Citizens who spoke against the move stage promoters outside chambers after vote. @voiceofsandiego
October 28, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Council passes 31% increase in water and wastewater rates over next two years. Citizens who spoke against the move stage promoters outside chambers after vote. @voiceofsandiego
Council passes 31% increase in water and wastewater rates over next two years. Citizens who spoke against the move stage promoters outside chambers after vote. @voiceofsandiego
October 28, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Council passes 31% increase in water and wastewater rates over next two years. Citizens who spoke against the move stage promoters outside chambers after vote. @voiceofsandiego