Michael Clifford
@michaeljclifford.bsky.social
Conservation scientist in Nevada focused on conserving on the Mojave Desert, Great Basin, and other drylands. I post on topics related to biodiversity, the energy transition, climate, and critical mineral mining.
Current emissions are way off track but we can still keep it below 2C.
The world has gone off track with pathways to 1.5 °C with no or low overshoot
Global energy-related emissions rose to 38 gigatonnes of CO2 in 2024, far above the reductions needed to stay on course
But avoiding the worst climate risks is still possible: iea.li/4rtMohE
Global energy-related emissions rose to 38 gigatonnes of CO2 in 2024, far above the reductions needed to stay on course
But avoiding the worst climate risks is still possible: iea.li/4rtMohE
November 28, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Current emissions are way off track but we can still keep it below 2C.
Faint rainbow in the Mojave.
November 25, 2025 at 5:51 AM
Faint rainbow in the Mojave.
Reposted by Michael Clifford
Excellent, clear-eyed clean energy perspective to cut through the noise on 10 big things from 10 years since landmark Paris Accord.
Positive preview: Solar power spread much faster than projected & EVs are now a norm worldwide with 20% of all cars sold. https://nyti.ms/4owAD85
Positive preview: Solar power spread much faster than projected & EVs are now a norm worldwide with 20% of all cars sold. https://nyti.ms/4owAD85
10 Years After a Breakthrough Climate Pact, Here's Where We Are
Has anything really changed in the decade since the Paris Agreement was reached? Actually, quite a lot.
nyti.ms
November 12, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Excellent, clear-eyed clean energy perspective to cut through the noise on 10 big things from 10 years since landmark Paris Accord.
Positive preview: Solar power spread much faster than projected & EVs are now a norm worldwide with 20% of all cars sold. https://nyti.ms/4owAD85
Positive preview: Solar power spread much faster than projected & EVs are now a norm worldwide with 20% of all cars sold. https://nyti.ms/4owAD85
A new analysis highlights lower environmental conflict locations for critical mineral mining in Utah. With the massive caveat that ground-truthing and buy-in from tribes and local communities needs to occur.
www.usu.edu/ilwa/reports...
www.usu.edu/ilwa/reports...
4E: Balancing Critical Mineral Mining and Nature in Utah
Through planning and forethought, Utah can provide important supplies of critical minerals vital to energy generation and technology while avoiding environmental conflicts
www.usu.edu
November 13, 2025 at 12:53 AM
A new analysis highlights lower environmental conflict locations for critical mineral mining in Utah. With the massive caveat that ground-truthing and buy-in from tribes and local communities needs to occur.
www.usu.edu/ilwa/reports...
www.usu.edu/ilwa/reports...
Reposted by Michael Clifford
Do groundwater rights retirement programs work? There is certainly demand for them in Nevada. For KNPR and the Daily Yonder, I talked to irrigators about their experiences with a pilot program in areas where aquifers are being depleted faster than they are replenished. knpr.org/desert-compa...
Well Into the Future
A Nevada program addressed overallocation of groundwater by paying farmers to use less. Is it working?
knpr.org
November 7, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Do groundwater rights retirement programs work? There is certainly demand for them in Nevada. For KNPR and the Daily Yonder, I talked to irrigators about their experiences with a pilot program in areas where aquifers are being depleted faster than they are replenished. knpr.org/desert-compa...
Reposted by Michael Clifford
Trump isn't just canceling wind farms now. He just axed his first big solar project.
I've got some ideas for how the renewable energy industry should respond. It's time to stop pandering to "energy dominance" and start trying to win the culture wars: www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/trump-is-c...
I've got some ideas for how the renewable energy industry should respond. It's time to stop pandering to "energy dominance" and start trying to win the culture wars: www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/trump-is-c...
Trump is canceling solar now, too
Until this month, federal officials had only blocked wind farms. No longer.
www.climatecoloredgoggles.com
October 24, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Trump isn't just canceling wind farms now. He just axed his first big solar project.
I've got some ideas for how the renewable energy industry should respond. It's time to stop pandering to "energy dominance" and start trying to win the culture wars: www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/trump-is-c...
I've got some ideas for how the renewable energy industry should respond. It's time to stop pandering to "energy dominance" and start trying to win the culture wars: www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/trump-is-c...
Reposted by Michael Clifford
“The American Southwest” is a new film that explores the importance of the Colorado River to people & to wildlife.
Part natural history film, part social documentary, it explores the challenges the Colorado faces as its resources are stretched thin by the demands for cities, energy and agriculture.
Part natural history film, part social documentary, it explores the challenges the Colorado faces as its resources are stretched thin by the demands for cities, energy and agriculture.
‘We can have abundant rivers and wildlife’: Director of ‘The American Southwest’ on new film
At its roots, The American Southwest, from Fin and Fur Films, is a natural history documentary. “I’m a wildlife guy,” says director Ben Masters, who founded Fin and Fur in 2012. His infatuation with…
news.mongabay.com
October 16, 2025 at 9:21 PM
“The American Southwest” is a new film that explores the importance of the Colorado River to people & to wildlife.
Part natural history film, part social documentary, it explores the challenges the Colorado faces as its resources are stretched thin by the demands for cities, energy and agriculture.
Part natural history film, part social documentary, it explores the challenges the Colorado faces as its resources are stretched thin by the demands for cities, energy and agriculture.
Reposted by Michael Clifford
Shout out to @motherjones.com for republishing this and adding the alt title.
Trump Team’s Plans to Exploit Public Lands Follow the Blueprint of Reagan’s Interior Secretary. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Trump Team’s Plans to Exploit Public Lands Follow the Blueprint of Reagan’s Interior Secretary. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
The Trump Team's plans to exploit public lands follow the blueprint of Reagan's Interior secretary
James Watt led a similar effort to privatize natural resources for mining, energy development, logging, and sprawl.
www.motherjones.com
October 8, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Shout out to @motherjones.com for republishing this and adding the alt title.
Trump Team’s Plans to Exploit Public Lands Follow the Blueprint of Reagan’s Interior Secretary. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Trump Team’s Plans to Exploit Public Lands Follow the Blueprint of Reagan’s Interior Secretary. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Michael Clifford
Environmentalists were blunt in their concern:
“NEPA seems so arcane and bureaucratic and ‘oh, it’s red tape,’ but in reality, that red tape is the only thing standing between us and having our water poisoned and our air unbreathable and our wildlife all dead.”
“NEPA seems so arcane and bureaucratic and ‘oh, it’s red tape,’ but in reality, that red tape is the only thing standing between us and having our water poisoned and our air unbreathable and our wildlife all dead.”
The Trump administration has gutted environmental review for projects needing federal approval, dramatically limiting the public’s ability to raise concerns.
A proposed Nevada gold mine will be the first hard rock mine to benefit.
A scoop from me:
insideclimatenews.org/news/1909202...
A proposed Nevada gold mine will be the first hard rock mine to benefit.
A scoop from me:
insideclimatenews.org/news/1909202...
One of the First to Benefit From Trump’s Cuts to Environmental Review: a Nevada Gold Mine - Inside Climate News
Orla Mining's project near Elko will be the first open-pit mine to receive an accelerated review following the Trump administration’s push to speed permitting for extraction. Opponents fear the public...
insideclimatenews.org
September 19, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Environmentalists were blunt in their concern:
“NEPA seems so arcane and bureaucratic and ‘oh, it’s red tape,’ but in reality, that red tape is the only thing standing between us and having our water poisoned and our air unbreathable and our wildlife all dead.”
“NEPA seems so arcane and bureaucratic and ‘oh, it’s red tape,’ but in reality, that red tape is the only thing standing between us and having our water poisoned and our air unbreathable and our wildlife all dead.”
Understanding the shifting burden to mine new materials for emerging energy technologies will be incredibly important for conserving biodiversity.
ICYMI: New online! Mining, biodiversity and social conflict in the renewable energy transition
Mining, biodiversity and social conflict in the renewable energy transition
Nature Reviews Biodiversity, Published online: 11 September 2025; doi:10.1038/s44358-025-00076-3Meeting climate goals requires minerals for renewable energy technologies and infrastructure. However, the mining to obtain these minerals negatively affects biodiversity and local communities, undermining conservation and sustainability goals. This Review explores the effects of mining for the renewable energy transition on biodiversity and social conflict.
bit.ly
September 19, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Understanding the shifting burden to mine new materials for emerging energy technologies will be incredibly important for conserving biodiversity.
Reposted by Michael Clifford
NEW: Mexico could displace ALL US gas imports for power generation, with solar and batteries ☀️
The country’s abundant sunshine means it can become a global solar superpower and boost its energy security at the same time:)
The country’s abundant sunshine means it can become a global solar superpower and boost its energy security at the same time:)
September 19, 2025 at 8:40 AM
NEW: Mexico could displace ALL US gas imports for power generation, with solar and batteries ☀️
The country’s abundant sunshine means it can become a global solar superpower and boost its energy security at the same time:)
The country’s abundant sunshine means it can become a global solar superpower and boost its energy security at the same time:)
Reposted by Michael Clifford
ICYMI: New online! Strategic thinking can ensure the energy transition benefits biodiversity
Strategic thinking can ensure the energy transition benefits biodiversity
Nature Reviews Biodiversity, Published online: 05 September 2025; doi:10.1038/s44358-025-00087-0Activities and infrastructure related to the renewable energy transition can affect biodiversity both positively and negatively. This Focus issue discusses opportunities for harm mitigation and even co-benefits of renewables for biodiversity.
bit.ly
September 12, 2025 at 9:55 PM
ICYMI: New online! Strategic thinking can ensure the energy transition benefits biodiversity
Reposted by Michael Clifford
We learned during our California Solar Canal Initiative meeting this week that this was just put online. It’s the widespan section, complementing the narrow-span section that came online in March—and it’s bigger than a football field!
#SolarCanals #ProjectNexus 💧☀️🔌💡
#SolarCanals #ProjectNexus 💧☀️🔌💡
I'm sure @dustinmulvaney.bsky.social is all over this, but just in case. @mariagallucci.bsky.social tells us "putting panels over 8K miles of federally owned canals and aqueducts could generate over 25 GW of renewable energy — enough to power nearly 20M homes" 🔌💡
www.canarymedia.com/articles/sol...
www.canarymedia.com/articles/sol...
California's first solar-covered canal is now fully online
The 1.6-MW pilot system is among a growing number of initiatives to put solar over waterways. The approach could generate gigawatts of power nationwide.
www.canarymedia.com
September 12, 2025 at 1:24 AM
We learned during our California Solar Canal Initiative meeting this week that this was just put online. It’s the widespan section, complementing the narrow-span section that came online in March—and it’s bigger than a football field!
#SolarCanals #ProjectNexus 💧☀️🔌💡
#SolarCanals #ProjectNexus 💧☀️🔌💡
The vague term “critical minerals” conflates renewable energy, the economy, and National defense. This report quantifies the demand, and lack of demand, for some of those minerals needed for the energy transition.
www.globaljustice.org.uk/resource/mat...
www.globaljustice.org.uk/resource/mat...
Material realities: Who needs ‘critical minerals’ and at whose expense? - Global Justice Now
Over half of minerals designated as ‘critical’ by UK play no major role in the green transition - and are driven in a large way by militarisation.
www.globaljustice.org.uk
August 25, 2025 at 7:56 PM
The vague term “critical minerals” conflates renewable energy, the economy, and National defense. This report quantifies the demand, and lack of demand, for some of those minerals needed for the energy transition.
www.globaljustice.org.uk/resource/mat...
www.globaljustice.org.uk/resource/mat...
Byproducts and mine wastes and tailings have huge potential to meet our needs and reduce environmental conflict.
US mines are literally throwing away critical minerals.
There’s enough lithium in one year of U.S. mine waste to power 10 million electric vehicles.
grist.org/science/us-m...
#EV #Cars #Mining #Lithium #Minerals #Mining #RareEarths #Mines #Policy #Politics #Economics
There’s enough lithium in one year of U.S. mine waste to power 10 million electric vehicles.
grist.org/science/us-m...
#EV #Cars #Mining #Lithium #Minerals #Mining #RareEarths #Mines #Policy #Politics #Economics
US mines are literally throwing away critical minerals
The U.S. discards vast quantities of critical minerals in mine waste each year - including enough lithium to power 10 million EVs.
grist.org
August 22, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Byproducts and mine wastes and tailings have huge potential to meet our needs and reduce environmental conflict.
Reposted by Michael Clifford
California just debunked a big myth about renewable energy.
The state went a record 98 of 116 days providing up to 10 hours of electricity with renewables alone.
grist.org/energy/calif...
#California #CA #Energy #Renewables #Solar #Wind #Batteries #Climate #Policy
The state went a record 98 of 116 days providing up to 10 hours of electricity with renewables alone.
grist.org/energy/calif...
#California #CA #Energy #Renewables #Solar #Wind #Batteries #Climate #Policy
California just debunked a big myth about renewable energy
Are renewables reliable? A new study says California ran on renewables alone for a record number of days last year.
grist.org
August 20, 2025 at 1:30 PM
California just debunked a big myth about renewable energy.
The state went a record 98 of 116 days providing up to 10 hours of electricity with renewables alone.
grist.org/energy/calif...
#California #CA #Energy #Renewables #Solar #Wind #Batteries #Climate #Policy
The state went a record 98 of 116 days providing up to 10 hours of electricity with renewables alone.
grist.org/energy/calif...
#California #CA #Energy #Renewables #Solar #Wind #Batteries #Climate #Policy
Important work in one of the fastest warming cities in the country.
Important work is underway at @driscience.bsky.social, filling a gap in Nevada government as a small team of researchers “own” the urban heat issue and guide policy.
Does Nevada need a dedicated government office for extreme heat? Story @reviewjournal.com
www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-...
Does Nevada need a dedicated government office for extreme heat? Story @reviewjournal.com
www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-...
‘We’re 10 to 15 years behind’: The Nevada Heat Lab is working to save your life
While Nevada is behind Phoenix, Arizona, when it comes to heat, a Desert Research Institute team led by Ariel Choinard is forcing progress.
www.reviewjournal.com
August 21, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Important work in one of the fastest warming cities in the country.
Reposted by Michael Clifford
A win for biodiversity, stewardship and the future of the pygmy rabbit - squee! 🐰
Our latest land transfer will help protect Washington's shrub-steppe ecosystem and the endangered (and very cute) Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit: https://nature.ly/41hc0mi
Our latest land transfer will help protect Washington's shrub-steppe ecosystem and the endangered (and very cute) Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit: https://nature.ly/41hc0mi
August 20, 2025 at 7:58 PM
A win for biodiversity, stewardship and the future of the pygmy rabbit - squee! 🐰
Our latest land transfer will help protect Washington's shrub-steppe ecosystem and the endangered (and very cute) Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit: https://nature.ly/41hc0mi
Our latest land transfer will help protect Washington's shrub-steppe ecosystem and the endangered (and very cute) Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit: https://nature.ly/41hc0mi
Reposted by Michael Clifford
In the race to find critical minerals, there’s a ‘gold mine’ literally at our shoreline.
grist.org/video/seawat...
#Mining #Oceans #Climate #Seaweed #Kelp #Minerals
grist.org/video/seawat...
#Mining #Oceans #Climate #Seaweed #Kelp #Minerals
In the race to find critical minerals, there’s a ‘gold mine’ literally at our shoreline
Instead of continuing to dig tunnels or pits, some scientists are looking to a promising yet challenging source of minerals: seawater.
grist.org
August 20, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Reposted by Michael Clifford
LISTEN to this great piece from NPR’s NPR All Things Considered:
Hear from Mojave Desert Land Trust’s Patrick Emblidge, UC Riverside's Cameron Burrows, and Kristina Drake....
Photos: Joshua Tree National Park
#mojave #desert #tortoise #endangered #science #conservation 🧪
Hear from Mojave Desert Land Trust’s Patrick Emblidge, UC Riverside's Cameron Burrows, and Kristina Drake....
Photos: Joshua Tree National Park
#mojave #desert #tortoise #endangered #science #conservation 🧪
August 12, 2025 at 1:41 PM
LISTEN to this great piece from NPR’s NPR All Things Considered:
Hear from Mojave Desert Land Trust’s Patrick Emblidge, UC Riverside's Cameron Burrows, and Kristina Drake....
Photos: Joshua Tree National Park
#mojave #desert #tortoise #endangered #science #conservation 🧪
Hear from Mojave Desert Land Trust’s Patrick Emblidge, UC Riverside's Cameron Burrows, and Kristina Drake....
Photos: Joshua Tree National Park
#mojave #desert #tortoise #endangered #science #conservation 🧪
Reposted by Michael Clifford
ICYMI, Great Salt Lake dust made it to Utah County. One environmental group says it highlights how big the problem of the lake’s decline has gotten: www.fox13now.com/news/great-s... #utpol #Utah
August 10, 2025 at 2:40 PM
ICYMI, Great Salt Lake dust made it to Utah County. One environmental group says it highlights how big the problem of the lake’s decline has gotten: www.fox13now.com/news/great-s... #utpol #Utah
Reposted by Michael Clifford
As California burns, new research shows smoke is wildfire’s silent killer.
The official death count from the Palisades and Eaton fires was 30 — the real number may be 15 times higher.
grist.org/health/calif...
#CA #California #Wildfire #Fires #Smoke #Climate #LA #LosAngeles
The official death count from the Palisades and Eaton fires was 30 — the real number may be 15 times higher.
grist.org/health/calif...
#CA #California #Wildfire #Fires #Smoke #Climate #LA #LosAngeles
As California burns, new research shows smoke is wildfire’s silent killer
The official death count from the Palisades and Eaton fires was 30 — the real number may be 15 times higher.
grist.org
August 8, 2025 at 6:47 PM
As California burns, new research shows smoke is wildfire’s silent killer.
The official death count from the Palisades and Eaton fires was 30 — the real number may be 15 times higher.
grist.org/health/calif...
#CA #California #Wildfire #Fires #Smoke #Climate #LA #LosAngeles
The official death count from the Palisades and Eaton fires was 30 — the real number may be 15 times higher.
grist.org/health/calif...
#CA #California #Wildfire #Fires #Smoke #Climate #LA #LosAngeles
Reposted by Michael Clifford
“They’re letting down 50,000 Nevadans."
Feds take back $150 million.
This is an essential current and future industry for the state. Maybe someone needs to explain to POTUS that it's...always sunny in Nevada.
thenevadaindependent.com/article/neva...
Feds take back $150 million.
This is an essential current and future industry for the state. Maybe someone needs to explain to POTUS that it's...always sunny in Nevada.
thenevadaindependent.com/article/neva...
Nevada to lose more than $150M in federal aid geared toward rooftop solar - The Nevada Independent
More than $150 million in federal funding has been clawed back from the Nevada Clean Energy Fund, the state’s “green bank” that facilitates financing for clean energy projects in the state.
thenevadaindependent.com
August 8, 2025 at 7:31 PM
“They’re letting down 50,000 Nevadans."
Feds take back $150 million.
This is an essential current and future industry for the state. Maybe someone needs to explain to POTUS that it's...always sunny in Nevada.
thenevadaindependent.com/article/neva...
Feds take back $150 million.
This is an essential current and future industry for the state. Maybe someone needs to explain to POTUS that it's...always sunny in Nevada.
thenevadaindependent.com/article/neva...
Reposted by Michael Clifford
Hundreds of old EV batteries have new jobs in Texas: Stabilizing the grid.
After reaching the end of their automotive lives, the batteries are being reused to provide lower-cost grid energy storage.
grist.org/energy/hundr...
#EV #Batteries #Climate #TX #Texas #Electricity
After reaching the end of their automotive lives, the batteries are being reused to provide lower-cost grid energy storage.
grist.org/energy/hundr...
#EV #Batteries #Climate #TX #Texas #Electricity
Hundreds of old EV batteries have new jobs in Texas: Stabilizing the grid
After reaching the end of their automotive lives, the batteries are being reused to provide lower-cost grid energy storage.
grist.org
August 7, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Hundreds of old EV batteries have new jobs in Texas: Stabilizing the grid.
After reaching the end of their automotive lives, the batteries are being reused to provide lower-cost grid energy storage.
grist.org/energy/hundr...
#EV #Batteries #Climate #TX #Texas #Electricity
After reaching the end of their automotive lives, the batteries are being reused to provide lower-cost grid energy storage.
grist.org/energy/hundr...
#EV #Batteries #Climate #TX #Texas #Electricity
Reposted by Michael Clifford
A guide to the 4 minerals shaping the world’s energy future.
To address climate change, we're going to need a whole lot of metal.
grist.org/energy/criti...
#Minerals #Lithium #Cobalt #Nickel #Mining #Energy
To address climate change, we're going to need a whole lot of metal.
grist.org/energy/criti...
#Minerals #Lithium #Cobalt #Nickel #Mining #Energy
A guide to the 4 minerals shaping the world's energy future
To address climate change, we're going to need a whole lot of metal.
grist.org
August 6, 2025 at 5:40 PM