Kate Mackenzie
@katemac.bsky.social
understander of things climate-related, and some other things
@thepolycrisis.bsky.social
@thepolycrisis.bsky.social
Reposted by Kate Mackenzie
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO, SECRETARY OF WAR PETE HEGSETH, AND WHITE HOUSE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF STEPHEN MILLER WILL BE IN CHARGE OF VENEZUELA,
January 6, 2026 at 6:12 AM
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO, SECRETARY OF WAR PETE HEGSETH, AND WHITE HOUSE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF STEPHEN MILLER WILL BE IN CHARGE OF VENEZUELA,
So we are now in the "actually, it IS about oil" phase
January 6, 2026 at 6:15 AM
So we are now in the "actually, it IS about oil" phase
Reposted by Kate Mackenzie
I'm posting this for no other reason than goats
Well, solar's a pretty good reason, too
And also, solar is the GOAT
Well, solar's a pretty good reason, too
And also, solar is the GOAT
January 6, 2026 at 4:02 AM
I'm posting this for no other reason than goats
Well, solar's a pretty good reason, too
And also, solar is the GOAT
Well, solar's a pretty good reason, too
And also, solar is the GOAT
Reposted by Kate Mackenzie
"My sense is that China is using this old RMI playbook to destroy global oil demand. With subsidized EV technology, China can help 50+ emerging markets destroy 3-4 million barrels per day of oil demand by 2030." - @jigarshahdc.bsky.social
rmi.org/insight/winn...
bsky.app/profile/did:...
rmi.org/insight/winn...
bsky.app/profile/did:...
January 5, 2026 at 5:17 AM
"My sense is that China is using this old RMI playbook to destroy global oil demand. With subsidized EV technology, China can help 50+ emerging markets destroy 3-4 million barrels per day of oil demand by 2030." - @jigarshahdc.bsky.social
rmi.org/insight/winn...
bsky.app/profile/did:...
rmi.org/insight/winn...
bsky.app/profile/did:...
Yes and also a specific attraction in bolstering the “we need to ensure supply” idea in this moment, when oil demand is truly facing secular decline
it's about oil (superstructure), not oil (base), to put it in marxo terms
The amount of “this is clearly about oil” posting across all platforms as story after story comes out where the oil industry is saying that the oil isn’t worth extracting is making me feel a little insane
January 5, 2026 at 8:56 AM
Yes and also a specific attraction in bolstering the “we need to ensure supply” idea in this moment, when oil demand is truly facing secular decline
Reposted by Kate Mackenzie
average daniel yergin reader interpreting the motives here
January 4, 2026 at 8:06 PM
average daniel yergin reader interpreting the motives here
it’s about oil and yet from an energy markets perspective that doesn’t make much sense, unless we assume USG all but seizes control of US oil companies. Karthik Sankaran outlines the doesn’t-make-sense reasons here: responsiblestatecraft.org/venezuela-oil/
When Trump's big Venezuela oil grab runs smack into reality
The White House is proudly embracing an era of fossil-fuel imperialism when global markets are vastly different
responsiblestatecraft.org
January 5, 2026 at 5:51 AM
it’s about oil and yet from an energy markets perspective that doesn’t make much sense, unless we assume USG all but seizes control of US oil companies. Karthik Sankaran outlines the doesn’t-make-sense reasons here: responsiblestatecraft.org/venezuela-oil/
I am, only half sarcastically, excited that we’re all becoming experts in crude oil grades, refining, and extraction.
January 5, 2026 at 4:23 AM
I am, only half sarcastically, excited that we’re all becoming experts in crude oil grades, refining, and extraction.
Reposted by Kate Mackenzie
“biggest technological revolution of our lifetimes and it's not AI or blockchain or cryptocurrency or metaverse.” -@mtsw.bsky.social
@katemac.bsky.social & I call this China’s Solar hockey stick of hope.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/30/c...
bsky.app/profile/chad...
@katemac.bsky.social & I call this China’s Solar hockey stick of hope.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/30/c...
bsky.app/profile/chad...
“South Africans like Dr. Booley have found a remedy for power cuts that have plagued people in the developing world for years. Thanks to swiftly falling prices of Chinese made solar panels and batteries, they now draw their power from the sun.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/30/c...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/30/c...
Cheap Solar Is Transforming Lives and Economies Across Africa
www.nytimes.com
December 30, 2025 at 8:33 PM
“biggest technological revolution of our lifetimes and it's not AI or blockchain or cryptocurrency or metaverse.” -@mtsw.bsky.social
@katemac.bsky.social & I call this China’s Solar hockey stick of hope.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/30/c...
bsky.app/profile/chad...
@katemac.bsky.social & I call this China’s Solar hockey stick of hope.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/30/c...
bsky.app/profile/chad...
TIL Germany has majors /entire degrees on “psychology of economics” and they’re what I’d call business/commerce/marketing.
December 28, 2025 at 11:51 PM
TIL Germany has majors /entire degrees on “psychology of economics” and they’re what I’d call business/commerce/marketing.
While I’m criticising the FT, which I do because I expect high standards there: couldn’t find any mention of bombing Nigeria on app home page, looked a couple of times over the 36-12 hours ago. Found it #4 on World page.
December 26, 2025 at 11:23 PM
While I’m criticising the FT, which I do because I expect high standards there: couldn’t find any mention of bombing Nigeria on app home page, looked a couple of times over the 36-12 hours ago. Found it #4 on World page.
Reposted by Kate Mackenzie
By "populist", it's safe to say the FT is referring to the far right
This matters though because it helps conflate any alternative to the status quo, whether left or far right, and leaves only the status quo as a "reasonable" alternative, even if said status quo is increasingly far right...
This matters though because it helps conflate any alternative to the status quo, whether left or far right, and leaves only the status quo as a "reasonable" alternative, even if said status quo is increasingly far right...
December 26, 2025 at 10:19 PM
By "populist", it's safe to say the FT is referring to the far right
This matters though because it helps conflate any alternative to the status quo, whether left or far right, and leaves only the status quo as a "reasonable" alternative, even if said status quo is increasingly far right...
This matters though because it helps conflate any alternative to the status quo, whether left or far right, and leaves only the status quo as a "reasonable" alternative, even if said status quo is increasingly far right...
Reposted by Kate Mackenzie
And (took me AGES to find this), have a read of this excellent piece by @rebleber.bsky.social on the history of cooking with gas.
bsky.app/profile/rebl...
bsky.app/profile/rebl...
NEW STORY
How did the gas stove become the icon of the kitchen?
Well newly uncovered documents show how natural gas industry paid Julia Child and Hollywood for promotion , at a time the health risks of gas emissions were becoming clear
www.vox.com/23941889/jul...
How did the gas stove become the icon of the kitchen?
Well newly uncovered documents show how natural gas industry paid Julia Child and Hollywood for promotion , at a time the health risks of gas emissions were becoming clear
www.vox.com/23941889/jul...
Julia Child, the natural gas industry’s most famous influencer
Documents reveal the untold story of how the natural gas industry infiltrated American’s kitchens through the beloved chef.
www.vox.com
December 26, 2025 at 12:12 AM
And (took me AGES to find this), have a read of this excellent piece by @rebleber.bsky.social on the history of cooking with gas.
bsky.app/profile/rebl...
bsky.app/profile/rebl...
Reposted by Kate Mackenzie
Would you believe me if I told you Mark Cuban didn’t want a peer reviewed answer to his question from the top medical journal
Mr. Cuban, I'm a professor at Yale School of Public Health. Here's a paper published by one of my colleagues in the top medical journal evaluating the Medicare for All Act, which would not only get us there, but would save $450B per year. Happy to discuss! www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Improving the prognosis of health care in the USA
Although health care expenditure per capita is higher in the USA than in any other
country, more than 37 million Americans do not have health insurance, and 41 million
more have inadequate access to c...
www.thelancet.com
December 25, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Would you believe me if I told you Mark Cuban didn’t want a peer reviewed answer to his question from the top medical journal
Reposted by Kate Mackenzie
UPDATE: We may see the first time English is displaced as the most popular language among Bluesky posters as soon as Americans head to sleep tonight.
Japanese users were close to achieving that feat at 7 am Eastern Time, and their activity is increasing at an exponential pace. This is remarkable.
Japanese users were close to achieving that feat at 7 am Eastern Time, and their activity is increasing at an exponential pace. This is remarkable.
December 25, 2025 at 3:43 AM
UPDATE: We may see the first time English is displaced as the most popular language among Bluesky posters as soon as Americans head to sleep tonight.
Japanese users were close to achieving that feat at 7 am Eastern Time, and their activity is increasing at an exponential pace. This is remarkable.
Japanese users were close to achieving that feat at 7 am Eastern Time, and their activity is increasing at an exponential pace. This is remarkable.
Reposted by Kate Mackenzie
Wanted: A global euro?
A multi-polar world needs a multi-polar currency said Mark Carney the central banker in 2019.
@katemac.bsky.social & I asked @shahinvallee.bsky.social to look into Europe's moves against US & China
NEW: @phenomenalworld.bsky.social
www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/a-g...
A multi-polar world needs a multi-polar currency said Mark Carney the central banker in 2019.
@katemac.bsky.social & I asked @shahinvallee.bsky.social to look into Europe's moves against US & China
NEW: @phenomenalworld.bsky.social
www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/a-g...
December 21, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Wanted: A global euro?
A multi-polar world needs a multi-polar currency said Mark Carney the central banker in 2019.
@katemac.bsky.social & I asked @shahinvallee.bsky.social to look into Europe's moves against US & China
NEW: @phenomenalworld.bsky.social
www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/a-g...
A multi-polar world needs a multi-polar currency said Mark Carney the central banker in 2019.
@katemac.bsky.social & I asked @shahinvallee.bsky.social to look into Europe's moves against US & China
NEW: @phenomenalworld.bsky.social
www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/a-g...
Reposted by Kate Mackenzie
Widely true from my experience: huge gulf between energy people & normal ppl - even informed ones - about the change in global energy, technology, economics, politics and geopolitics.
@katemac.bsky.social & I will have something out soon... www.science.org/content/arti...
bsky.app/profile/sean...
@katemac.bsky.social & I will have something out soon... www.science.org/content/arti...
bsky.app/profile/sean...
December 20, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Widely true from my experience: huge gulf between energy people & normal ppl - even informed ones - about the change in global energy, technology, economics, politics and geopolitics.
@katemac.bsky.social & I will have something out soon... www.science.org/content/arti...
bsky.app/profile/sean...
@katemac.bsky.social & I will have something out soon... www.science.org/content/arti...
bsky.app/profile/sean...
Reposted by Kate Mackenzie
NEW: In this moment of profound uncertainty over the global monetary order, Europe needs to move swiftly on becoming a truly global currency issuer, writes @shahinvallee.bsky.social www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/a-g...
A Global Euro | Phenomenal World
With the global monetary order on less certain ground, will Europeans seize the opportunity to make the euro a true reserve currency issuer?
www.phenomenalworld.org
December 19, 2025 at 10:47 PM
NEW: In this moment of profound uncertainty over the global monetary order, Europe needs to move swiftly on becoming a truly global currency issuer, writes @shahinvallee.bsky.social www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/a-g...
"The peasantry feels sick and low-energy because they eat seed oils and doomscroll. But do they know that vitamins are an Ancestral Vitality Stack? Leverage your elite vocabulary to write that TikTok script. Remember it’s not magnesium it’s Mineral of the Stoics.
hegemon.substack.com/p/how-to-mon...
hegemon.substack.com/p/how-to-mon...
How to monetize the rise of Medieval Peasant Brain in a post-literate society
a short guide for the downwardly mobile elite
hegemon.substack.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:13 AM
"The peasantry feels sick and low-energy because they eat seed oils and doomscroll. But do they know that vitamins are an Ancestral Vitality Stack? Leverage your elite vocabulary to write that TikTok script. Remember it’s not magnesium it’s Mineral of the Stoics.
hegemon.substack.com/p/how-to-mon...
hegemon.substack.com/p/how-to-mon...
Reposted by Kate Mackenzie
It crops up every Xmas and I always post it, because I love it.
Ian Curtis at his office Xmas party.
Ian Curtis at his office Xmas party.
December 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM
It crops up every Xmas and I always post it, because I love it.
Ian Curtis at his office Xmas party.
Ian Curtis at his office Xmas party.
I didn't have high hopes for this piece as the standard of analysis on oil/gas transition issues has been so weak lately. But mostly it just tells a story of "BP went too fast and with too much McKinsey; while Shell just did it very half-heartedly". A pity we didn't hear more from investors...
Inside the failed green revolutions at BP and Shell
How the energy giants tried to transform their businesses — but ended up dramatically scaling back those plans and writing off billions of dollars
www.ft.com
December 12, 2025 at 7:00 AM
I didn't have high hopes for this piece as the standard of analysis on oil/gas transition issues has been so weak lately. But mostly it just tells a story of "BP went too fast and with too much McKinsey; while Shell just did it very half-heartedly". A pity we didn't hear more from investors...
Remember, way back in 2024, when we were hearing about “overcapacity” in Chinese solar manufacturing?
"Realizing that people in Germany could just go to the supermarket and spend $550 on a balcony solar panel that they could install themselves vs. $30,000 for a rooftop system was, uh, mildly radicalizing" - Kim-Mai Cutler
www.canarymedia.com/articles/sol...
US hates those cheap chinese solar...
www.canarymedia.com/articles/sol...
US hates those cheap chinese solar...
December 11, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Remember, way back in 2024, when we were hearing about “overcapacity” in Chinese solar manufacturing?
Eh, let them..?
“.. Skeptics believe the technical risks are being underestimated and say space-based data centers won’t be competitive on cost, especially if power and other constraints ease on the ground.”
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/tech/bezos-a...
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/tech/bezos-a...
December 11, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Eh, let them..?
Reposted by Kate Mackenzie
Ukrainians hitting the shadow fleet vessels from the back so the rudder / propellor is busted without a breach of main fuel storage. Pretty neat Andreas Malm grade stuff.
December 10, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Ukrainians hitting the shadow fleet vessels from the back so the rudder / propellor is busted without a breach of main fuel storage. Pretty neat Andreas Malm grade stuff.