Mike Dettinger
@mdettinger.bsky.social
Water/environ/climate news & my own calculations when relevant, from CarsonCity (Wá∙šiw land), NV. Retired USGS & now p/t @CW3EScripps scientist
Letters by my name: PhD.UCLA F.AGU F.AAAS M.NAE; www.mdettinger.com
Letters by my name: PhD.UCLA F.AGU F.AAAS M.NAE; www.mdettinger.com
In the U.S., one study showed that there had been 25 EV fires per 100k sold, versus >1,500 per 100k gas cars. In Australia, gas cars caught fire up to 100 times more often than EVs. Sweden's stats were closer to a 20-fold difference.
www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/e...
www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/e...
New analysis reveals unexpected findings after comparing electric vehicles and gas cars: 'Much, much safer'
Electric vehicles have one particular safety advantage over gas cars, according to data compiled.
www.thecooldown.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:47 PM
In the U.S., one study showed that there had been 25 EV fires per 100k sold, versus >1,500 per 100k gas cars. In Australia, gas cars caught fire up to 100 times more often than EVs. Sweden's stats were closer to a 20-fold difference.
www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/e...
www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/e...
McKibben: “In Australia, they’ve built so much solar power [that] electricity will be free for all for 3 hours [per day]. Humans for 700k yrs worked hard to get energy…Now you don’t have to, if you’re in a place [w/wisdom] to build solar panels & wind turbines.”
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘We finally have a tool to at least shave some tenths of a degree off’: author Bill McKibben on the promise of renewable energy
The activist and author of Here Comes the Sun discusses rapid advances in solar and wind power and how the US ceded leadership in the sector to its main rival
www.theguardian.com
December 23, 2025 at 2:24 PM
McKibben: “In Australia, they’ve built so much solar power [that] electricity will be free for all for 3 hours [per day]. Humans for 700k yrs worked hard to get energy…Now you don’t have to, if you’re in a place [w/wisdom] to build solar panels & wind turbines.”
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Evidence is all around. We just need to recognize it, uncover it, use it to clarify the emergency, and push it back in time and out geographically.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Organ-tuning books in English churches provide notes on a warming climate
Researchers have realised the records are a ‘goldmine’ to study changes in environmental conditions
www.theguardian.com
December 22, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Evidence is all around. We just need to recognize it, uncover it, use it to clarify the emergency, and push it back in time and out geographically.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Physicists develop widely applicable power laws for how solid and liquid objects shatter using statistics, entropy, & cracking vs dispersal speeds. Apps include bars, plates, shells & solids, liquid jets, & even plastic debris and shards from cavemen industries.
www.earth.com/news/physici...
www.earth.com/news/physici...
Physicists discover a universal law for everything that shatters
French physicists discover a new law of physics that predicts how many fragments form when objects like vases and meteorites shatter.
www.earth.com
December 21, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Physicists develop widely applicable power laws for how solid and liquid objects shatter using statistics, entropy, & cracking vs dispersal speeds. Apps include bars, plates, shells & solids, liquid jets, & even plastic debris and shards from cavemen industries.
www.earth.com/news/physici...
www.earth.com/news/physici...
Upcoming atmospheric river approaching California could be attached to a “bomb cyclone”…
But here ‘s the current flood fcasts (surely not the final word but), for now broadly not as dire as could be.
www.sfchronicle.com/weather-fore...
But here ‘s the current flood fcasts (surely not the final word but), for now broadly not as dire as could be.
www.sfchronicle.com/weather-fore...
December 20, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Upcoming atmospheric river approaching California could be attached to a “bomb cyclone”…
But here ‘s the current flood fcasts (surely not the final word but), for now broadly not as dire as could be.
www.sfchronicle.com/weather-fore...
But here ‘s the current flood fcasts (surely not the final word but), for now broadly not as dire as could be.
www.sfchronicle.com/weather-fore...
Monday Is Deadline For Public Comments On Trump-Proposed ESA Changes!
You can comment online on the four proposed changes at these sites:
www.regulations.gov/search?filte...
www.regulations.gov/search?filte...
www.regulations.gov/search?filte...
www.regulations.gov/search?filte...
You can comment online on the four proposed changes at these sites:
www.regulations.gov/search?filte...
www.regulations.gov/search?filte...
www.regulations.gov/search?filte...
www.regulations.gov/search?filte...
Monday Is Deadline For Public Comments On Proposed ESA Changes
The public comment period on changes proposed for the Endangered Species Act by the Trump administration closes on Monday.
www.nationalparkstraveler.org
December 20, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Monday Is Deadline For Public Comments On Trump-Proposed ESA Changes!
You can comment online on the four proposed changes at these sites:
www.regulations.gov/search?filte...
www.regulations.gov/search?filte...
www.regulations.gov/search?filte...
www.regulations.gov/search?filte...
You can comment online on the four proposed changes at these sites:
www.regulations.gov/search?filte...
www.regulations.gov/search?filte...
www.regulations.gov/search?filte...
www.regulations.gov/search?filte...
Reposted by Mike Dettinger
Despite the escalating threats to rivers, 2025 brought real progress worth celebrating. To highlight the positive strides being made across the country, we’ve curated a list of our biggest river successes from this past year – Read below! www.americanrivers.org/2025/12/10-b...
10 Big Wins for Rivers in 2025
Despite the escalating threats to rivers, this past year brought real progress worth celebrating. To highlight the positive strides being made across the country, we’ve curated a list of 10 exciting w...
www.americanrivers.org
December 19, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Despite the escalating threats to rivers, 2025 brought real progress worth celebrating. To highlight the positive strides being made across the country, we’ve curated a list of our biggest river successes from this past year – Read below! www.americanrivers.org/2025/12/10-b...
Reposted by Mike Dettinger
New AMS Statement: Dismantling NSF’s National Center for Atmospheric Research would weaken U.S. leadership in weather, water, and climate science, putting public safety at risk.
For more than 60 years, NSF NCAR has improved forecasts and early warnings that save lives. More: https://bit.ly/4q6eChn
For more than 60 years, NSF NCAR has improved forecasts and early warnings that save lives. More: https://bit.ly/4q6eChn
December 19, 2025 at 10:54 PM
New AMS Statement: Dismantling NSF’s National Center for Atmospheric Research would weaken U.S. leadership in weather, water, and climate science, putting public safety at risk.
For more than 60 years, NSF NCAR has improved forecasts and early warnings that save lives. More: https://bit.ly/4q6eChn
For more than 60 years, NSF NCAR has improved forecasts and early warnings that save lives. More: https://bit.ly/4q6eChn
Quite a hefty (cat 4 or 5) atmospheric river now showing up pointed at Bay area in both GEFS and ECMWF forecasts this coming week. The Sierra will get some precip too, with serious snow potential at/after xmas....
December 19, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Quite a hefty (cat 4 or 5) atmospheric river now showing up pointed at Bay area in both GEFS and ECMWF forecasts this coming week. The Sierra will get some precip too, with serious snow potential at/after xmas....
In 2024, Nevada Supreme Court ruled the State Engineer was empowered to “conjunctively manage surface waters & groundwater” previously were managed separately. Last week the State Engineer was fired cuz GOP Governor & admin doesn’t like how he’s proceeding.
thenevadaindependent.com/article/it-w...
thenevadaindependent.com/article/it-w...
‘It was a shock’: Nevada water regulator speaks on why he was fired - The Nevada Independent
Former state engineer Adam Sullivan, who was terminated amid a water rights struggle in an overtapped basin, said he “faced pressure” to change decisions.
thenevadaindependent.com
December 19, 2025 at 5:30 PM
In 2024, Nevada Supreme Court ruled the State Engineer was empowered to “conjunctively manage surface waters & groundwater” previously were managed separately. Last week the State Engineer was fired cuz GOP Governor & admin doesn’t like how he’s proceeding.
thenevadaindependent.com/article/it-w...
thenevadaindependent.com/article/it-w...
Restoration gone wild? There were 5 million once-endangered geese around Hudson Bay in the 1980s, 10 million in the late 1990s and 21 million by 2014. Now limits on how much recovery is appropriate are being discussed…
www.audubon.org/magazine/can...
www.audubon.org/magazine/can...
Can Anything Stop the Explosion of Snow Geese in the Western Arctic?
When a threatened species rebounds, it’s usually an unequivocal conservation success. When it comes to Snow Geese and their habitat-destroying ways, it’s complicated.
www.audubon.org
December 19, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Restoration gone wild? There were 5 million once-endangered geese around Hudson Bay in the 1980s, 10 million in the late 1990s and 21 million by 2014. Now limits on how much recovery is appropriate are being discussed…
www.audubon.org/magazine/can...
www.audubon.org/magazine/can...
“The US is now squandering an opportunity to reap the benefits of its own technology developments”, but from a global pov, the good news is 2025 has marked a banner year for renewable energy deployments and generation.
www.sciencemagazinedigital.org/sciencemagaz...
www.sciencemagazinedigital.org/sciencemagaz...
Science Magazine - Here comes the Sun
Even though 2025 presented many troubling challenges for science, there was a bright spot: It was the first year in which more power was generated worldwide from renewable energy, including wind...
www.sciencemagazinedigital.org
December 19, 2025 at 4:47 PM
“The US is now squandering an opportunity to reap the benefits of its own technology developments”, but from a global pov, the good news is 2025 has marked a banner year for renewable energy deployments and generation.
www.sciencemagazinedigital.org/sciencemagaz...
www.sciencemagazinedigital.org/sciencemagaz...
The complicated story/estimates of how much water an AI data center really uses…
undark.org/2025/12/16/a...
undark.org/2025/12/16/a...
How Much Water Do AI Data Centers Really Use?
How the AI industry uses water and how that impacts an increasingly parched world is more complicated than people think.
undark.org
December 19, 2025 at 4:40 PM
The complicated story/estimates of how much water an AI data center really uses…
undark.org/2025/12/16/a...
undark.org/2025/12/16/a...
85% of >7200 California schools experienced tree loss from 2018-2022, and some Central Valley school districts lost 25% of their tree cover. Schools had less than half the tree cover of surrounding urban areas.
eos.org/articles/cal...
eos.org/articles/cal...
California Schools Are Feeling the Heat - Eos
Even though trees help keep children safe from the Sun, some school districts have lost 25% of their tree canopy in just 4 years.
eos.org
December 19, 2025 at 4:24 PM
85% of >7200 California schools experienced tree loss from 2018-2022, and some Central Valley school districts lost 25% of their tree cover. Schools had less than half the tree cover of surrounding urban areas.
eos.org/articles/cal...
eos.org/articles/cal...
Solar panels over agricultural crops can do more than produce food & clean energy on the same land: It improves quality of life for farmworkers. Benefits include shelter from sun, cooler drinking water & reduced fatigue, and they help prevent dangerous heat stress.
news.agu.org/press-releas...
news.agu.org/press-releas...
Solar panels over crops may boost farmworkers’ comfort
Putting solar panels above agricultural crops may do more than produce food and clean energy on the same land: It can also significantly augment quality of life for farmworkers, according to new resea...
news.agu.org
December 19, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Solar panels over agricultural crops can do more than produce food & clean energy on the same land: It improves quality of life for farmworkers. Benefits include shelter from sun, cooler drinking water & reduced fatigue, and they help prevent dangerous heat stress.
news.agu.org/press-releas...
news.agu.org/press-releas...
>3/4 US public oppose removal of climate research & info from agencies & support participation in Paris Agreement. 3/4 support generating renewable energy on public land & research into more clean energy. 2/3 support transitioning to 100% clean energy by 2050.
www.businessgreen.com/news/4523538...
www.businessgreen.com/news/4523538...
It's the saliency, stupid
From the US to the UK, polls show a large majority of the public want more climate action - green businesses, campaigners, and political leaders need to now work to push the issue up their list of pri...
www.businessgreen.com
December 19, 2025 at 3:24 PM
>3/4 US public oppose removal of climate research & info from agencies & support participation in Paris Agreement. 3/4 support generating renewable energy on public land & research into more clean energy. 2/3 support transitioning to 100% clean energy by 2050.
www.businessgreen.com/news/4523538...
www.businessgreen.com/news/4523538...
Reposted by Mike Dettinger
"A Democratic senator involved in the negotiations...said that Trump’s attempt to break up a premier weather and climate center based in Boulder, Colo., was like a “stick of dynamite” that exploded any chance of a bipartisan breakthrough on spending."
thehill.com/homenews/sen...
thehill.com/homenews/sen...
Trump move to dismantle climate agency blows up Senate funding deal
A potential deal to fund large swaths of the federal government, including the Departments of Defense and Health and Human Services, collapsed on Thursday night after Colorado senators demanded tha…
thehill.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:40 AM
"A Democratic senator involved in the negotiations...said that Trump’s attempt to break up a premier weather and climate center based in Boulder, Colo., was like a “stick of dynamite” that exploded any chance of a bipartisan breakthrough on spending."
thehill.com/homenews/sen...
thehill.com/homenews/sen...
If the news that THEY are going to steal NCAR from the American people and the world is going over your head, this Atlantic article lays it pretty well out for you. It really is a(bother) big deal, self-own, stupid move!
For many years, I worked in Boulder CO as a computer guy in the Forecast Systems Lab, NCAR, and the National Science foundation. We, also took high interest data for the FAA and the NTSB. Project 2025 is the cookbook to dismantle Science.
www.theatlantic.com/science/2025...
www.theatlantic.com/science/2025...
The U.S. Is on the Verge of Meteorological Malpractice
The Trump administration says it will dismantle a premier climate center, while somehow keeping weather forecasting intact.
www.theatlantic.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:56 PM
If the news that THEY are going to steal NCAR from the American people and the world is going over your head, this Atlantic article lays it pretty well out for you. It really is a(bother) big deal, self-own, stupid move!
Reposted by Mike Dettinger
My long read on Sao Paulo at the brink, and the politics of water rationing.
aldanacohen.com/wp-content/u...
aldanacohen.com/wp-content/u...
December 19, 2025 at 2:17 PM
My long read on Sao Paulo at the brink, and the politics of water rationing.
aldanacohen.com/wp-content/u...
aldanacohen.com/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Mike Dettinger
As someone who studied Sao Paulo running out of water, I’m shocked to read an essay on this without a mention of inequality.
Our challenge isn’t living abstractly within limits, but *equitably sharing* limited resources. The fundamental challenge is unequal power.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/o...
Our challenge isn’t living abstractly within limits, but *equitably sharing* limited resources. The fundamental challenge is unequal power.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/o...
Opinion | How Did a City of 10 Million People Nearly Run Out of Water?
www.nytimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:15 PM
As someone who studied Sao Paulo running out of water, I’m shocked to read an essay on this without a mention of inequality.
Our challenge isn’t living abstractly within limits, but *equitably sharing* limited resources. The fundamental challenge is unequal power.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/o...
Our challenge isn’t living abstractly within limits, but *equitably sharing* limited resources. The fundamental challenge is unequal power.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/o...
Compound atmospheric drivers of the 2025 Los Angeles urban firestorm…Analysis shows driven by rare “jet-forced Santa Ana” wind wextreme northerly flow, subsidence & mountain waves. While extreme sfc winds not unprecedented, occurrence before 1st rains was uncommon.
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
www.nature.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Compound atmospheric drivers of the 2025 Los Angeles urban firestorm…Analysis shows driven by rare “jet-forced Santa Ana” wind wextreme northerly flow, subsidence & mountain waves. While extreme sfc winds not unprecedented, occurrence before 1st rains was uncommon.
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Economically marginalized communities experience more severe urban-vegetation degradations during droughts, and those unequal UVDs during drought exacerbate existing inequalities in heat exposure.
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
December 18, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Economically marginalized communities experience more severe urban-vegetation degradations during droughts, and those unequal UVDs during drought exacerbate existing inequalities in heat exposure.
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
Reposted by Mike Dettinger
Exxon is happy to help the tech industry meet its greenwashing needs, claiming that 90% of emissions from fossil-powered data centers will be captured. Never mind that CCS has never been successfully deployed at a gas plant and no CCS facility has ever come close to 90%. @emorwee.bsky.social
Exxon’s new greenwashing ploy
The oil giant claims it can eliminate more than 90 percent of emissions from gas-powered AI facilities. Critics say that’s nonsense.
heated.world
December 18, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Exxon is happy to help the tech industry meet its greenwashing needs, claiming that 90% of emissions from fossil-powered data centers will be captured. Never mind that CCS has never been successfully deployed at a gas plant and no CCS facility has ever come close to 90%. @emorwee.bsky.social
Growing criminalization of climate protest intends to impede movements 3 ways: legal consequences divert resources from movements; delegitimizes climate movements in the public eye; & diverts attention from climate change by focusing on ‘extremists’ rather than climate.
grist.org/global-indig...
grist.org/global-indig...
Here's the global playbook being used to crack down on climate protest
A new study finds that repression of environmental protest is rising worldwide and Indigenous land defenders face the greatest risk.
grist.org
December 18, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Growing criminalization of climate protest intends to impede movements 3 ways: legal consequences divert resources from movements; delegitimizes climate movements in the public eye; & diverts attention from climate change by focusing on ‘extremists’ rather than climate.
grist.org/global-indig...
grist.org/global-indig...
