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
Definitely going to contact my Alameda County supervisor about this!
Under pressure from immigrants' rights advocates, San Francisco quit a sensitive data-sharing program with ICE.
But neighboring Alameda County, home to Oakland and Berkeley, remained in the program.
But neighboring Alameda County, home to Oakland and Berkeley, remained in the program.
This Bay Area County Says It Cut Ties with ICE. This Program Says Otherwise.
A widespread data-sharing program highlights financial ties between local police and immigration enforcement—and how even sanctuary jurisdictions still feed “the deportation machine.”
boltsmag.org
December 24, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Definitely going to contact my Alameda County supervisor about this!
In Colombia a few decades ago, when rates of political violence were extremely high, judges heard cases anonymously. This helped protect them and their families, but also has consequences for accountability (see, eg., the impact of “Kavanaugh Stops”).
“A Trump-appointed judge who faced death threats after a high-profile ruling against the Trump administration also told NBC News he was worried more about his family than himself. His wife was overseas at the time of the threats, which added to his unease…” www.nbcnews.com/politics/pol...
Judges who ruled against Trump say harassment and threats have changed their lives
More than 100 pizzas were delivered to the homes of judges and their families this year, some with signs of foreign involvement. Judges say the message is clear: We know where you live.
www.nbcnews.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:21 PM
In Colombia a few decades ago, when rates of political violence were extremely high, judges heard cases anonymously. This helped protect them and their families, but also has consequences for accountability (see, eg., the impact of “Kavanaugh Stops”).
Incredible irony here.
During its worst drought in a century, Iraq signs a water security for oil deal with Turkey. The once rich Tigris & Euphrates rivers are drying up from climate change & mismanagement, leading to crop losses & a water crisis. edition.cnn.com/2025/12/21/c...
Grappling with its worst drought in a century, Iraq bets on a controversial oil-for-water deal | CNN
The historic “land between two rivers” faces a crisis as the Tigris and Euphrates shrink dramatically amid severe drought and the increasing toll of upstream dams, helping create the country’s worst w...
edition.cnn.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Incredible irony here.
Reposted by Moira Birss
You can very clearly see why someone whose job it is to protect war criminals would need this pulled from the airwaves: It’s visible proof the Trump administration is operating concentration camps.
I just uploaded @jasonparis.bsky.social 's recording of the segment CBS News pulled from "60 Minutes" to YouTube:
WATCH: Segment CBS News Pulled From "60 Minutes"
YouTube video by Phil Lewis
www.youtube.com
December 22, 2025 at 11:22 PM
You can very clearly see why someone whose job it is to protect war criminals would need this pulled from the airwaves: It’s visible proof the Trump administration is operating concentration camps.
Reposted by Moira Birss
DHS said that accusations of abuses in Camp East Montana are “clickbait.”
But 911 emergency calls from the massive detention center I obtained paint a different picture, with emergency being made for life-threatening illnesses and acute mental health crises.
My story:
But 911 emergency calls from the massive detention center I obtained paint a different picture, with emergency being made for life-threatening illnesses and acute mental health crises.
My story:
Exclusive: 911 calls from migrant detention center highlight dire conditions
About 90 emergency 911 calls have been made from the Camp East Montana immigration detention center in El Paso, Texas, during the 15 weeks since it opened.
www.elpasotimes.com
December 20, 2025 at 9:20 PM
DHS said that accusations of abuses in Camp East Montana are “clickbait.”
But 911 emergency calls from the massive detention center I obtained paint a different picture, with emergency being made for life-threatening illnesses and acute mental health crises.
My story:
But 911 emergency calls from the massive detention center I obtained paint a different picture, with emergency being made for life-threatening illnesses and acute mental health crises.
My story:
Fascinating insight here: the US trade deficit is correlated with corporate profits, and the admin’s efforts to exempt US corporations from the global minimum corporate tax regime only exacerbates this.
December 22, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Fascinating insight here: the US trade deficit is correlated with corporate profits, and the admin’s efforts to exempt US corporations from the global minimum corporate tax regime only exacerbates this.
Reposted by Moira Birss
DENTRO DEL CECOT (ENLACE DE REGALO) El informe del Washington Post sobre la prisión salvadoreña a la que la administración Trump envió a migrantes deportados de los Estados Unidos, basado en entrevistas con 16 exdetenidos
wapo.st/3MPEeA6
wapo.st/3MPEeA6
‘Bienvenidos al infierno’: La mega cárcel donde EE. UU. deportó a migrantes
Entrevistas a 16 exdetenidos en el Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo de El Salvador ofrecen la visión más completa hasta la fecha sobre las condiciones en esta prisión infame.
wapo.st
December 22, 2025 at 3:16 PM
DENTRO DEL CECOT (ENLACE DE REGALO) El informe del Washington Post sobre la prisión salvadoreña a la que la administración Trump envió a migrantes deportados de los Estados Unidos, basado en entrevistas con 16 exdetenidos
wapo.st/3MPEeA6
wapo.st/3MPEeA6
Reposted by Moira Birss
Seeing some binary thinking in the feed so just noting that to stop the worst effects of climate change we need to get fossil emissions to zero ASAP *and* we need to get land emissions below zero ASAP, which includes minimizing ag emissions and land use, ending deforestation, & restoring ecosystems.
December 21, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Seeing some binary thinking in the feed so just noting that to stop the worst effects of climate change we need to get fossil emissions to zero ASAP *and* we need to get land emissions below zero ASAP, which includes minimizing ag emissions and land use, ending deforestation, & restoring ecosystems.
Reposted by Moira Birss
Speaking as someone who stopped breathing last night because the power went out, we are NOT equipped for the disablity impacts of our failing power infrastructure. Great read from @juliametraux.bsky.social
What a crumbling power grid means for disabled Americans
Angela Frederick’s new book calls to put disability at the center of disaster planning.
grist.org
December 21, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Speaking as someone who stopped breathing last night because the power went out, we are NOT equipped for the disablity impacts of our failing power infrastructure. Great read from @juliametraux.bsky.social
Reposted by Moira Birss
i really think there is legit political space for running on "we are going to dismantle ICE"
How it started vs. How it’s going NOW 👀
LA tow truck driver who towed ICE’s car found NOT GUILTY 🦸🏽♂️
LA tow truck driver who towed ICE’s car found NOT GUILTY 🦸🏽♂️
December 21, 2025 at 12:41 AM
i really think there is legit political space for running on "we are going to dismantle ICE"
Reposted by Moira Birss
This Yglesias piece in the NYT is horrifically bad. Almost every "fact" it cites is provably false. At best it is cocktail party banter from a pundit who knows nothing of energy. At worst, it was cut/paste from oil industry talking points. So, a rebuttal: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/o...
Opinion | Obama Supported It. The Left in Canada and Norway Does. Why Don’t Democrats?
www.nytimes.com
December 20, 2025 at 2:57 PM
This Yglesias piece in the NYT is horrifically bad. Almost every "fact" it cites is provably false. At best it is cocktail party banter from a pundit who knows nothing of energy. At worst, it was cut/paste from oil industry talking points. So, a rebuttal: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/o...
Reposted by Moira Birss
Here's a good example of how we can talk about inequality, climate, and affordability all at the same time
Pledging to address the escalating cost of home insurance is a way Dems can demonstrate that they’re willing to challenge the profiteers making life more expensive, while addressing the impacts & causes of climate change, @aaronregunberg.bsky.social & I write newrepublic.com/article/2044...
Here’s the Climate Message That Can Help Democrats Win Big in 2026
Rising home insurance costs are making life unaffordable for both homeowners and renters. Robust climate policy and public disaster insurance could save many households’ finances.
newrepublic.com
December 19, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Here's a good example of how we can talk about inequality, climate, and affordability all at the same time
Oh cool Oakland city council just voted to approve a Flock contract
State troopers are investigating the company behind thousands of license plate-reading cameras for police agencies and private groups across the Houston region. bit.ly/4s5uH82
December 19, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Oh cool Oakland city council just voted to approve a Flock contract
Reposted by Moira Birss
Scientist at #AGU25 are speaking out to #SaveNCAR. Join more than 2000 of your colleagues to call or email your members of Congress to ask them to support NCAR today: agu.quorum.us/campaign/151...
December 18, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Scientist at #AGU25 are speaking out to #SaveNCAR. Join more than 2000 of your colleagues to call or email your members of Congress to ask them to support NCAR today: agu.quorum.us/campaign/151...
Reposted by Moira Birss
I'm not linking to Matt Yglesias' piece in @nytopinion.nytimes.com here, but no, Democrats should NOT embrace oil and gas and kick climate under the bus. Instead, Ds should continue to run on energy affordability, clean energy jobs, and stand against fossil fuel oligarchs stealing our future. 🧵1/
December 18, 2025 at 10:01 PM
I'm not linking to Matt Yglesias' piece in @nytopinion.nytimes.com here, but no, Democrats should NOT embrace oil and gas and kick climate under the bus. Instead, Ds should continue to run on energy affordability, clean energy jobs, and stand against fossil fuel oligarchs stealing our future. 🧵1/
These findings would seem to undermine the argument that risk-based premium pricing is an effective way to achieve risk reduction. If households just forego the insurance when premiums rise, no flood risk is reduced AND those households are exposed to greater risk of financial catastrophe.
Changes to US government flood insurance have resulted in many lower-income homeowners dropping their coverage, new research finds.
Poorer Americans Dropped Federal Flood Insurance When Rates Rose
Higher prices more accurately reflect risk but prompted an exodus of low-income policyholders, a new study finds.
bloom.bg
December 18, 2025 at 5:32 PM
These findings would seem to undermine the argument that risk-based premium pricing is an effective way to achieve risk reduction. If households just forego the insurance when premiums rise, no flood risk is reduced AND those households are exposed to greater risk of financial catastrophe.
Tax the rich
This is obscene. Why can't other politicians say that?
The 25 richest families are collectively $358.7 billion richer than a year ago, with a combined fortune totaling $2.9 trillion.
The 25 richest families are collectively $358.7 billion richer than a year ago, with a combined fortune totaling $2.9 trillion.
December 18, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Tax the rich
It's wild to see the reflexive attacks from the abundance/yimby crowd on a brief mention of a public disaster insurance proposal for CA with critiques that ignore:
a) they have no idea what risk reduction components the proposal includes,
b) that risk-based pricing is HIGHLY regressive 1/3
a) they have no idea what risk reduction components the proposal includes,
b) that risk-based pricing is HIGHLY regressive 1/3
December 16, 2025 at 11:43 PM
It's wild to see the reflexive attacks from the abundance/yimby crowd on a brief mention of a public disaster insurance proposal for CA with critiques that ignore:
a) they have no idea what risk reduction components the proposal includes,
b) that risk-based pricing is HIGHLY regressive 1/3
a) they have no idea what risk reduction components the proposal includes,
b) that risk-based pricing is HIGHLY regressive 1/3
Reposted by Moira Birss
The excellent @moira.bsky.social and @aaronregunberg.bsky.social point out that insurance policy is a climate and affordability layup newrepublic.com/article/2044...
Here’s the Climate Message That Can Help Democrats Win Big in 2026
Rising home insurance costs are making life unaffordable for both homeowners and renters. Robust climate policy and public disaster insurance could save many households’ finances.
newrepublic.com
December 16, 2025 at 5:08 PM
The excellent @moira.bsky.social and @aaronregunberg.bsky.social point out that insurance policy is a climate and affordability layup newrepublic.com/article/2044...
Reposted by Moira Birss
Don't listen to centrist pundits who are urging Democrats to stop talking about climate and clean energy. Instead, center messaging on these issues in themes about affordability and the harms that communities are experiencing when oligarchs put profits over people.
Some pundits claim replacing climate with affordability messages is the way for Dems to win. But climate is driving unaffordability (like with home insurance), voters trust Dems on climate, & solution exist that center people not CEOs. That’s a layup. @newrepublic.com
newrepublic.com/article/2044...
newrepublic.com/article/2044...
Here’s the Climate Message That Can Help Democrats Win Big in 2026
Rising home insurance costs are making life unaffordable for both homeowners and renters. Robust climate policy and public disaster insurance could save many households’ finances.
newrepublic.com
December 16, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Don't listen to centrist pundits who are urging Democrats to stop talking about climate and clean energy. Instead, center messaging on these issues in themes about affordability and the harms that communities are experiencing when oligarchs put profits over people.
Reposted by Moira Birss
Dems are ISO a populist affordability message, huh?
How about fighting one of the primary drivers of higher housing costs: home insurance rates that are spiking due to climate change. @aaronregunberg.bsky.social @moira.bsky.social newrepublic.com/article/2044...
How about fighting one of the primary drivers of higher housing costs: home insurance rates that are spiking due to climate change. @aaronregunberg.bsky.social @moira.bsky.social newrepublic.com/article/2044...
Here’s the Climate Message That Can Help Democrats Win Big in 2026
Rising home insurance costs are making life unaffordable for both homeowners and renters. Robust climate policy and public disaster insurance could save many households’ finances.
newrepublic.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Dems are ISO a populist affordability message, huh?
How about fighting one of the primary drivers of higher housing costs: home insurance rates that are spiking due to climate change. @aaronregunberg.bsky.social @moira.bsky.social newrepublic.com/article/2044...
How about fighting one of the primary drivers of higher housing costs: home insurance rates that are spiking due to climate change. @aaronregunberg.bsky.social @moira.bsky.social newrepublic.com/article/2044...
Some pundits claim replacing climate with affordability messages is the way for Dems to win. But climate is driving unaffordability (like with home insurance), voters trust Dems on climate, & solution exist that center people not CEOs. That’s a layup. @newrepublic.com
newrepublic.com/article/2044...
newrepublic.com/article/2044...
Here’s the Climate Message That Can Help Democrats Win Big in 2026
Rising home insurance costs are making life unaffordable for both homeowners and renters. Robust climate policy and public disaster insurance could save many households’ finances.
newrepublic.com
December 16, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Some pundits claim replacing climate with affordability messages is the way for Dems to win. But climate is driving unaffordability (like with home insurance), voters trust Dems on climate, & solution exist that center people not CEOs. That’s a layup. @newrepublic.com
newrepublic.com/article/2044...
newrepublic.com/article/2044...
Beautiful story of communities providing support for their neighbors.
This is a moment when activists have real fear of retaliation and the undocumented live with constant threat of deportation.
Many spaces offering help and services to migrants are secretive and secure.
I am so grateful they let me in to report. talkingpointsmemo.com/feature/insi...
Many spaces offering help and services to migrants are secretive and secure.
I am so grateful they let me in to report. talkingpointsmemo.com/feature/insi...
Inside the Secret Network Offering Sanctuary to Immigrants Amid Trump’s ICE Onslaught
They call them the “forgotten migrants.” Of the approximately 11 million undocumented...
talkingpointsmemo.com
December 15, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Beautiful story of communities providing support for their neighbors.
Tax the rich.
"For the first time, a majority of Americans believe billionaires are a threat to democracy. A remarkable 71 percent believe there should be a wealth tax. A majority believe there should be a cap on how much wealth a person can accumulate."
Opinion | The Billionaires Have Gone Full Louis XV
www.nytimes.com
December 15, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Tax the rich.
My senators @schiff.senate.gov $ @padilla.senate.gov better be voting no on this bill!
The full House of Representatives will vote this week on the most extreme anti-trans bill ever brought to a vote.
It’ll be reported that the bill only bans care for trans minors.
But it would *criminalize* the care — doctors would face up to a decade in prison.
It’ll be reported that the bill only bans care for trans minors.
But it would *criminalize* the care — doctors would face up to a decade in prison.
House Must Reject Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Attempt To Criminalize Transgender Health Care | American Civil Liberties Union
WASHINGTON – The American Civil Liberties Union is urging members of the House of Representatives to vote “NO’ on a bill sponsored by Rep....
www.aclu.org
December 15, 2025 at 4:03 PM
My senators @schiff.senate.gov $ @padilla.senate.gov better be voting no on this bill!