Moira Birss
@moira.bsky.social
Climate, economic justice & human rights research, advocacy & policy visioning. Senior Fellow w/ @cplusc.bsky.social studying US disaster insurance & global policy. Board co-Chair of @lawgaction.bsky.social. Amo a 🇨🇴. Living on Ohlone land. she/ella/ela.
Pinned
Moira Birss
@moira.bsky.social
· Aug 29
There is a VERY strong reason to think that moving from private to public insurance will lead to political pressure that keeps premiums artificially low and incentivizes building in the riskiest areas. (See federal flood insurance)
The idea that insurance premiums are a good way to mitigate climate risk to housing is a common misconception that, unfortunately, can obscure real solutions to the risks of climate change and perpetuate existing inequities.
Why is that? Well...
1/8
Why is that? Well...
1/8
Reposted by Moira Birss
Chuck Schumer Helps Pull Democrats Back From Brink Of Courage
November 10, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Chuck Schumer Helps Pull Democrats Back From Brink Of Courage
Just renewed my DSA membership. act.dsausa.org/donate/membe.... And I’m a Working Families Party member.
November 10, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Just renewed my DSA membership. act.dsausa.org/donate/membe.... And I’m a Working Families Party member.
Reposted by Moira Birss
And now, if you read the devastating piece about what Venezuelan deportees endured at the El Salvador torture prison, read what incarcerated U.S. citizens endure in Alabama prisons.
State prisons in the U.S. that are massive systems of human rights violations.
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/oc...
State prisons in the U.S. that are massive systems of human rights violations.
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/oc...
‘How is this possible?’: a new film looks inside the appalling abuses of the Alabama prison system
In the year’s most shocking documentary, The Alabama Solution, prisoners share astonishing footage in a plea for help
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:38 PM
And now, if you read the devastating piece about what Venezuelan deportees endured at the El Salvador torture prison, read what incarcerated U.S. citizens endure in Alabama prisons.
State prisons in the U.S. that are massive systems of human rights violations.
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/oc...
State prisons in the U.S. that are massive systems of human rights violations.
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/oc...
Tax the rich
We should vote only for those who promise to make billionaires history.
We need a great levelling, through tax and redistribution.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
We need a great levelling, through tax and redistribution.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
I wish we could ignore Bill Gates on the climate crisis. But he’s a billionaire, so we can’t | George Monbiot
Money talks – and his essay denouncing ‘near-term emissions goals’ at Cop30 mostly argues the case for letting the ultra-rich off the hook
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Tax the rich
Reposted by Moira Birss
Two years ago, the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration approached the Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and the original caretakers of the land, with an unheard of proposition: Would they like a piece of their land back?
19thnews.org/2025/11/cath...
19thnews.org/2025/11/cath...
For the first time, Catholic sisters return land to a Tribal nation
"This return represents more than the restoration of land — it is the restoration of balance, dignity, and our sacred connection to the places our ancestors once walked."
19thnews.org
November 7, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Two years ago, the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration approached the Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and the original caretakers of the land, with an unheard of proposition: Would they like a piece of their land back?
19thnews.org/2025/11/cath...
19thnews.org/2025/11/cath...
Great piece. "Mamdani’s agenda treats affordability of essentials as democratic obligation, not market efficiency."
This approach also underpins the work at @cplusc.bsky.social, from the reimagining of home insurance that I've done, to @sevier.io's vision for public energy.
#PeopleOverProfits
This approach also underpins the work at @cplusc.bsky.social, from the reimagining of home insurance that I've done, to @sevier.io's vision for public energy.
#PeopleOverProfits
“My friends, the world is changing. It's not a question of whether that change will come. It's a question of who will change it.” @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social
People are choosing real alternatives instead of continuity. Mamdani stands for an antifascist economics in the name of the many. 🧵
People are choosing real alternatives instead of continuity. Mamdani stands for an antifascist economics in the name of the many. 🧵
November 7, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Great piece. "Mamdani’s agenda treats affordability of essentials as democratic obligation, not market efficiency."
This approach also underpins the work at @cplusc.bsky.social, from the reimagining of home insurance that I've done, to @sevier.io's vision for public energy.
#PeopleOverProfits
This approach also underpins the work at @cplusc.bsky.social, from the reimagining of home insurance that I've done, to @sevier.io's vision for public energy.
#PeopleOverProfits
Reposted by Moira Birss
This a great piece by @ddayen.bsky.social. Anyone who is convinced by his argument will appreciate the in-depth look we took at @cplusc.bsky.social about the rules of the affordability crisis. Public power is the cure, and we are building the movement for it.
climateandcommunity.org/research/ove...
climateandcommunity.org/research/ove...
November 6, 2025 at 7:20 PM
This a great piece by @ddayen.bsky.social. Anyone who is convinced by his argument will appreciate the in-depth look we took at @cplusc.bsky.social about the rules of the affordability crisis. Public power is the cure, and we are building the movement for it.
climateandcommunity.org/research/ove...
climateandcommunity.org/research/ove...
It would be nice if — instead of complicated financial instruments with huge loopholes for fraud —we just directly addressed climate change.
Brazil’s Federal Police have indicted 31 suspects for fraud and land-grabbing in a massive criminal carbon credit scheme in the Amazon, according to Brazilian national media outlet Folha de S.Paulo.
It is the largest known criminal operation involving carbon credit fraud to date in the nation.
It is the largest known criminal operation involving carbon credit fraud to date in the nation.
Brazil charges 31 people in major carbon credit fraud investigation
Brazil’s Federal Police have indicted 31 suspects for fraud and land-grabbing in a massive criminal carbon credit scheme in the Brazilian Amazon, according to Brazilian national media outlet Folha de…
news.mongabay.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:57 PM
It would be nice if — instead of complicated financial instruments with huge loopholes for fraud —we just directly addressed climate change.
Welcome to wokelandia, OC
November 5, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Welcome to wokelandia, OC
Reposted by Moira Birss
I eyeballed it. Okay, turns out it's nearly *half* of Senators got fewer votes than Mamdani.
November 5, 2025 at 6:16 AM
I eyeballed it. Okay, turns out it's nearly *half* of Senators got fewer votes than Mamdani.
I do not regret to inform you that we are going to TAX THE RICH!!
BREAKING: Colorado voters approved a ballot measure that would raise state income taxes on higher-earning households to fund free meals for all public school students.
Follow AP for live updates.
Follow AP for live updates.
Live updates: US voters head to the polls in first general election since Trump's return to power
One year after Donald Trump retook the presidency, 2025 Election Day includes closely watched races for New York City mayor, New Jersey governor and California's Proposition 50.
bit.ly
November 5, 2025 at 4:22 AM
I do not regret to inform you that we are going to TAX THE RICH!!
Reposted by Moira Birss
@governor.ca.gov Governor Newsom, given the abject failure of GOP transphobia tonight to get them absolutely any success whatsoever with voters, will you be reconsidering your policy of throwing transgender Californians under the bus to further your political ambitions?
November 5, 2025 at 3:54 AM
@governor.ca.gov Governor Newsom, given the abject failure of GOP transphobia tonight to get them absolutely any success whatsoever with voters, will you be reconsidering your policy of throwing transgender Californians under the bus to further your political ambitions?
California coming in to round out the night of WINNING!!!!
November 5, 2025 at 4:02 AM
California coming in to round out the night of WINNING!!!!
Reposted by Moira Birss
The Biden administration worked hard to accomplish this new free IRS filing system. It’s astounding that one should have to pay fees in order to pay their taxes. But this rent seeking is entirely consistent with the economic policies of the current administration that benefit the most wealthy.
👀 Scoop: IRS Direct File, the free government-backed program that let you file your taxes for free, is dead.
IRS wrote to state tax agencies saying it would not be operational this coming tax season, per records I've obtained.
IRS Direct File: 2023-2025.
(Story from when the pilot launched.)
IRS wrote to state tax agencies saying it would not be operational this coming tax season, per records I've obtained.
IRS Direct File: 2023-2025.
(Story from when the pilot launched.)
IRS tests free e-filing system that could compete with tax-prep giants
The tax agency has quietly built its own prototype system for filing tax returns digitally and free of charge, according to current and former officials.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:50 PM
The Biden administration worked hard to accomplish this new free IRS filing system. It’s astounding that one should have to pay fees in order to pay their taxes. But this rent seeking is entirely consistent with the economic policies of the current administration that benefit the most wealthy.
Reposted by Moira Birss
The people of Little Village showed the nation what courage looks like: standing unarmed, united, ＆ unafraid in the face of ICE’s tear gas ＆ violence. They protected their neighbors, not with weapons, but with peaceful ＆ fierce solidarity.
November 1, 2025 at 10:02 PM
The people of Little Village showed the nation what courage looks like: standing unarmed, united, ＆ unafraid in the face of ICE’s tear gas ＆ violence. They protected their neighbors, not with weapons, but with peaceful ＆ fierce solidarity.
In fact we don’t need billionaire opinions on anything because billionaires should not exist.
Tax the rich.
Tax the rich.
It's possible we might not need billionaire opinions on absolutely everything all the time
billmckibben.substack.com/p/climate-ga...
billmckibben.substack.com/p/climate-ga...
Climate Gates
Maybe we don't need billionaire opinions on everything
billmckibben.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:28 PM
In fact we don’t need billionaire opinions on anything because billionaires should not exist.
Tax the rich.
Tax the rich.
Reposted by Moira Birss
Amazon is helping fund a $300 million build of a ballroom for the White House.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
October 30, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Amazon is helping fund a $300 million build of a ballroom for the White House.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
Reposted by Moira Birss
We must keep Jamaica in the news and in our hearts and actions.
What's happening there right now in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa is nothing short of a humanitarian emergency and it requires an immediate international aid response.
What's happening there right now in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa is nothing short of a humanitarian emergency and it requires an immediate international aid response.
Power outage: Before and After from satellite...
October 31, 2025 at 1:49 PM
We must keep Jamaica in the news and in our hearts and actions.
What's happening there right now in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa is nothing short of a humanitarian emergency and it requires an immediate international aid response.
What's happening there right now in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa is nothing short of a humanitarian emergency and it requires an immediate international aid response.
100%. It’s absolutely beautiful how people are showing up for each other.
AND what we really need is a government that provides for all these social goods by taxing the rich so regular folks don’t have to scrape the bottom of the barrel to help each other out.
AND what we really need is a government that provides for all these social goods by taxing the rich so regular folks don’t have to scrape the bottom of the barrel to help each other out.
The people yearn for (democratic) socialism (this one will make you cry)
October 30, 2025 at 3:14 PM
100%. It’s absolutely beautiful how people are showing up for each other.
AND what we really need is a government that provides for all these social goods by taxing the rich so regular folks don’t have to scrape the bottom of the barrel to help each other out.
AND what we really need is a government that provides for all these social goods by taxing the rich so regular folks don’t have to scrape the bottom of the barrel to help each other out.
A good politician LEADS with integrity and vision guided by the values and principles they ran on, while responding to changes in the broader context.
Leadership is not holding up a finger to see which way the wind blows.
Leadership is not holding up a finger to see which way the wind blows.
Here with yellow checkmarks we have five examples of real things that Gavin Newsom and leading California Democrats espouse. Not a straw man.
My take is Democrats should drop these ideas, ideas that do not sound at all like economic populism to me.
My take is Democrats should drop these ideas, ideas that do not sound at all like economic populism to me.
October 29, 2025 at 8:38 PM
A good politician LEADS with integrity and vision guided by the values and principles they ran on, while responding to changes in the broader context.
Leadership is not holding up a finger to see which way the wind blows.
Leadership is not holding up a finger to see which way the wind blows.
Reposted by Moira Birss
These are prisons.
The criminalization of homelessness and push towards mandated, coerced medical interventions and civil commitment—a bipartisan project—was always going to lead us here.
This is why when we talk about, strategize and organize around abolition, we must include ALL carceral spaces.
The criminalization of homelessness and push towards mandated, coerced medical interventions and civil commitment—a bipartisan project—was always going to lead us here.
This is why when we talk about, strategize and organize around abolition, we must include ALL carceral spaces.
Under Trump, the draconian future of homelessness policy is coming into focus: mass internment. Utah is building a 16-acre site to detain up to 1,300 homeless people inside locked "accountability centers." This is profoundly alarming.
Vital reporting from @ellenbarry.bsky.social and Jason DeParle:
Vital reporting from @ellenbarry.bsky.social and Jason DeParle:
In Utah, Trump’s Vision for Homelessness Begins to Take Shape
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:18 PM
These are prisons.
The criminalization of homelessness and push towards mandated, coerced medical interventions and civil commitment—a bipartisan project—was always going to lead us here.
This is why when we talk about, strategize and organize around abolition, we must include ALL carceral spaces.
The criminalization of homelessness and push towards mandated, coerced medical interventions and civil commitment—a bipartisan project—was always going to lead us here.
This is why when we talk about, strategize and organize around abolition, we must include ALL carceral spaces.
Tax the rich
Over the past 5 years the wealth held by the top 0.1% has nearly doubled from $12 trillion to over $23 trillion.
October 29, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Tax the rich
Reposted by Moira Birss
super important thread and report.
please read.
please read.
A year ago, Spain was hit by deadly floods
They were supercharged by climate change
Yet in their wake, climate-denying politicians gained influence - which risks undermining climate action, making people less safe
Today we publish new research on this troubling dynamic🧵
www.scri.org.uk/derailment
They were supercharged by climate change
Yet in their wake, climate-denying politicians gained influence - which risks undermining climate action, making people less safe
Today we publish new research on this troubling dynamic🧵
www.scri.org.uk/derailment
Welcome to the Strategic Climate Risk Initiative
How can we stop the consequences of climate change from undermining climate action?
www.scri.org.uk
October 28, 2025 at 11:29 AM
super important thread and report.
please read.
please read.
Financial market investors are worried about Hurricane Melissa hitting Jamaica because… they might lose money on catastrophe bond investments.
These guys always love the logic of markets until it means they might actually have to pay out.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
These guys always love the logic of markets until it means they might actually have to pay out.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Catastrophe Bond Investors Told to Brace for Jamaica Payout
Investors in a catastrophe bond tied to Jamaica look set to experience a trigger event as Hurricane Melissa barrels toward the Caribbean island as a Category 5 storm.
www.bloomberg.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Financial market investors are worried about Hurricane Melissa hitting Jamaica because… they might lose money on catastrophe bond investments.
These guys always love the logic of markets until it means they might actually have to pay out.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
These guys always love the logic of markets until it means they might actually have to pay out.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...