Rivka Fidel, PhD
@rivkafidel.bsky.social
Career track professor teaching #soil and #environmental science in Tucson, Arizona. 🌵
#biochar #biogeochemistry #soilchemistry
Unapologetic feminist scientist 👩🔬 and ally 🌈
Opinions my own
#biochar #biogeochemistry #soilchemistry
Unapologetic feminist scientist 👩🔬 and ally 🌈
Opinions my own
Pinned
Less than 6 months after publishing, our 🪱 Introduction to Soil Science Second Edition 📙 textbook has hit...
3k downloads ⬇️
7k readers 📚
15k views 👀
🎉
#Soil #SoilScience #OpenAccess #OER
🙏 Thank you Amber Anderson and @openaccesselder.bsky.social
Check it out here 👇
doi.org/10.31274/isu...
3k downloads ⬇️
7k readers 📚
15k views 👀
🎉
#Soil #SoilScience #OpenAccess #OER
🙏 Thank you Amber Anderson and @openaccesselder.bsky.social
Check it out here 👇
doi.org/10.31274/isu...
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
"We can have democracy in this country, or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can't have both." –Justice Louis Brandeis
Words spoken many years ago that are just as relevant today.
We must continue the fight to get big money out of politics.
Words spoken many years ago that are just as relevant today.
We must continue the fight to get big money out of politics.
February 16, 2026 at 11:01 PM
"We can have democracy in this country, or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can't have both." –Justice Louis Brandeis
Words spoken many years ago that are just as relevant today.
We must continue the fight to get big money out of politics.
Words spoken many years ago that are just as relevant today.
We must continue the fight to get big money out of politics.
Less than 6 months after publishing, our 🪱 Introduction to Soil Science Second Edition 📙 textbook has hit...
3k downloads ⬇️
7k readers 📚
15k views 👀
🎉
#Soil #SoilScience #OpenAccess #OER
🙏 Thank you Amber Anderson and @openaccesselder.bsky.social
Check it out here 👇
doi.org/10.31274/isu...
3k downloads ⬇️
7k readers 📚
15k views 👀
🎉
#Soil #SoilScience #OpenAccess #OER
🙏 Thank you Amber Anderson and @openaccesselder.bsky.social
Check it out here 👇
doi.org/10.31274/isu...
February 16, 2026 at 3:37 AM
Less than 6 months after publishing, our 🪱 Introduction to Soil Science Second Edition 📙 textbook has hit...
3k downloads ⬇️
7k readers 📚
15k views 👀
🎉
#Soil #SoilScience #OpenAccess #OER
🙏 Thank you Amber Anderson and @openaccesselder.bsky.social
Check it out here 👇
doi.org/10.31274/isu...
3k downloads ⬇️
7k readers 📚
15k views 👀
🎉
#Soil #SoilScience #OpenAccess #OER
🙏 Thank you Amber Anderson and @openaccesselder.bsky.social
Check it out here 👇
doi.org/10.31274/isu...
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
ProPublica received eight handwritten letters from children who have been held at the detention center that 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos was recently released from.
We'll let their words speak for themselves.
We'll let their words speak for themselves.
“I Have Been Here Too Long”: Read Letters from the Children Detained at ICE’s Dilley Facility
Hundreds of children are currently being held with their parents at an immigration detention center in Dilley, Texas. In letters and drawings, eight kids convey the pain of feeling trapped with no end...
www.propublica.org
February 16, 2026 at 2:00 AM
ProPublica received eight handwritten letters from children who have been held at the detention center that 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos was recently released from.
We'll let their words speak for themselves.
We'll let their words speak for themselves.
Sphinx Moth enjoying some Desert Bells
February 15, 2026 at 2:11 AM
Sphinx Moth enjoying some Desert Bells
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
The first storm of the much-anticipated pattern shift brought widespread rain to CA, with some modest mountain snowfall in Sierra Nevada and points east. After a couple of quieter days, a sequence of much colder storms will follow (with much larger mountain snowfalls).
February 13, 2026 at 8:46 PM
The first storm of the much-anticipated pattern shift brought widespread rain to CA, with some modest mountain snowfall in Sierra Nevada and points east. After a couple of quieter days, a sequence of much colder storms will follow (with much larger mountain snowfalls).
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
Bluesky is the new science Twitter, new study by @whysharksmatter.bsky.social and Julia Wester concludes!
"Results show that for every reported professional benefit that scientists once gained from Twitter, scientists can now gain that benefit more effectively on Bluesky than on Twitter."
"Results show that for every reported professional benefit that scientists once gained from Twitter, scientists can now gain that benefit more effectively on Bluesky than on Twitter."
Scientists no Longer Find Twitter Professionally Useful, and have Switched to Bluesky
Synopsis. Social media has become widely used by the scientific community for a variety of professional uses, including networking and public outreach. For
academic.oup.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:08 PM
Bluesky is the new science Twitter, new study by @whysharksmatter.bsky.social and Julia Wester concludes!
"Results show that for every reported professional benefit that scientists once gained from Twitter, scientists can now gain that benefit more effectively on Bluesky than on Twitter."
"Results show that for every reported professional benefit that scientists once gained from Twitter, scientists can now gain that benefit more effectively on Bluesky than on Twitter."
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
The Trump administration on Thursday revoked a scientific finding that climate change is a danger to public health, an idea the president called "a scam."
Repeated scientific studies say it's a documented and quantifiable harm. https://to.pbs.org/4ctVHJ7
Repeated scientific studies say it's a documented and quantifiable harm. https://to.pbs.org/4ctVHJ7
Trump calls climate change threat to public health 'a scam' but scientific findings show otherwise
The decision from the administration on Thursday reverses a 2009 finding that says warming endangers Americans' lives and health.
to.pbs.org
February 13, 2026 at 9:28 PM
The Trump administration on Thursday revoked a scientific finding that climate change is a danger to public health, an idea the president called "a scam."
Repeated scientific studies say it's a documented and quantifiable harm. https://to.pbs.org/4ctVHJ7
Repeated scientific studies say it's a documented and quantifiable harm. https://to.pbs.org/4ctVHJ7
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
We are hiring an Assistant or Associate Professor in Indigenous Environmental Governance and Management. Very excited for this position.
Please circulate widely among your networks:
www.sfu.ca/rem/about/em...
#academia #HigherEd #AcademicSky
Please circulate widely among your networks:
www.sfu.ca/rem/about/em...
#academia #HigherEd #AcademicSky
Faculty Positions
www.sfu.ca
February 10, 2026 at 9:53 PM
We are hiring an Assistant or Associate Professor in Indigenous Environmental Governance and Management. Very excited for this position.
Please circulate widely among your networks:
www.sfu.ca/rem/about/em...
#academia #HigherEd #AcademicSky
Please circulate widely among your networks:
www.sfu.ca/rem/about/em...
#academia #HigherEd #AcademicSky
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
Friends from Minneapolis reporting to me that things are at the point where folks are being hidden in other people's houses and we are in the "again" part of "never again" which the "never" was supposed to preclude
February 10, 2026 at 10:54 PM
Friends from Minneapolis reporting to me that things are at the point where folks are being hidden in other people's houses and we are in the "again" part of "never again" which the "never" was supposed to preclude
Autocracy Loading 40% ⏳
#NotTooLate #DefendDemocracy #Resist
✊
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
#NotTooLate #DefendDemocracy #Resist
✊
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Opinion | ICE and Minnesota Have Pushed the U.S. Closer to Autocracy (Gift Article)
Measuring America’s slide toward democratic erosion.
www.nytimes.com
February 7, 2026 at 2:41 AM
Autocracy Loading 40% ⏳
#NotTooLate #DefendDemocracy #Resist
✊
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
#NotTooLate #DefendDemocracy #Resist
✊
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
Most people are worried about climate change - but most don't hear or talk about regularly.
That's why I started my free newsletter Talking Climate. Every week I share good news, not so good news, and what people can do.
If you aren't a reader yet, see below. I have 6 different ways to subscribe!
That's why I started my free newsletter Talking Climate. Every week I share good news, not so good news, and what people can do.
If you aren't a reader yet, see below. I have 6 different ways to subscribe!
February 4, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Most people are worried about climate change - but most don't hear or talk about regularly.
That's why I started my free newsletter Talking Climate. Every week I share good news, not so good news, and what people can do.
If you aren't a reader yet, see below. I have 6 different ways to subscribe!
That's why I started my free newsletter Talking Climate. Every week I share good news, not so good news, and what people can do.
If you aren't a reader yet, see below. I have 6 different ways to subscribe!
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
What's glossed over a bit here is it took this guy who proved it like 25 years and a huge community push and tons of advocacy to make this happen. Same with guy who figured out you should wash hands before surgery. We think "why should all this obvious shit be so hard?" But it's ALWAYS been hard
A century of hair samples proves leaded gas ban worked arstechnica.com/science/2026...
A century of hair samples proves leaded gas ban worked
“We should not forget the lessons of history. And the lesson is those regulations have been very important.”...
arstechnica.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:33 PM
What's glossed over a bit here is it took this guy who proved it like 25 years and a huge community push and tons of advocacy to make this happen. Same with guy who figured out you should wash hands before surgery. We think "why should all this obvious shit be so hard?" But it's ALWAYS been hard
January 31, 2026 at 4:45 AM
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
It is literally false that the Jews being hunted by Nazis were citizens, because the first step toward genocide was stripping them of citizenship and making them stateless. As Arendt reminds us, citizenship is a legal category created to facilitate a machinery of exclusion of the out-group.
January 28, 2026 at 4:19 AM
It is literally false that the Jews being hunted by Nazis were citizens, because the first step toward genocide was stripping them of citizenship and making them stateless. As Arendt reminds us, citizenship is a legal category created to facilitate a machinery of exclusion of the out-group.
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
Microsoft had pledged to save water. But now, driven by the artificial intelligence frenzy, the tech giant is projecting that water use at its data centers will more than double by 2030 from 2020, including in places that face shortages.
Microsoft Pledged to Save Water. In the A.I. Era, It Expects Water Use to Soar.
Driven by the artificial intelligence frenzy, Microsoft is internally projecting that water use at its data centers will more than double by 2030 from 2020, including in places that face shortages.
nyti.ms
January 29, 2026 at 3:40 AM
Microsoft had pledged to save water. But now, driven by the artificial intelligence frenzy, the tech giant is projecting that water use at its data centers will more than double by 2030 from 2020, including in places that face shortages.
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
Folks, I'm getting married! Next weekend!
I'd love to spead the good news around. Here's a list of science, conservation, and education charities I love, and instructions on how to donate in our honor if you're so moved.
Please share!
I'd love to spead the good news around. Here's a list of science, conservation, and education charities I love, and instructions on how to donate in our honor if you're so moved.
Please share!
I’m getting married! Want to honor us? Here are some great charities you can donate to.
Some, as they say, personal news: I’m getting married! I’d love to use this happy occassion to spread good news around. To that end, if you’re so inclined to make a donation ̶…
www.southernfriedscience.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:41 PM
Folks, I'm getting married! Next weekend!
I'd love to spead the good news around. Here's a list of science, conservation, and education charities I love, and instructions on how to donate in our honor if you're so moved.
Please share!
I'd love to spead the good news around. Here's a list of science, conservation, and education charities I love, and instructions on how to donate in our honor if you're so moved.
Please share!
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
WHO removing Us Flag
January 23, 2026 at 9:45 PM
WHO removing Us Flag
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
Branching scenarios make for great assessments: show the implications of the choice, ask questions that allow the student to unpack those implications. Playing with H5P as a way to capture the students' rationale as they progress through the branching scenario. #EduSky #AcademicSky #EdTech
The Educational Designer Step-by-step: Building impactful branching scenarios -
Discover how to create interactive, “choose your own adventure” style branching scenarios that elevate student engagement and critical thinking in higher education. This guide explains the practical…
wp.me
January 23, 2026 at 1:58 AM
Branching scenarios make for great assessments: show the implications of the choice, ask questions that allow the student to unpack those implications. Playing with H5P as a way to capture the students' rationale as they progress through the branching scenario. #EduSky #AcademicSky #EdTech
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
The United States has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization.
This is a shameful move that puts both Americans and people all over the world at greater risk from disease outbreaks, which require international collaboration to contain.
This is a shameful move that puts both Americans and people all over the world at greater risk from disease outbreaks, which require international collaboration to contain.
January 23, 2026 at 1:57 AM
The United States has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization.
This is a shameful move that puts both Americans and people all over the world at greater risk from disease outbreaks, which require international collaboration to contain.
This is a shameful move that puts both Americans and people all over the world at greater risk from disease outbreaks, which require international collaboration to contain.
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
So all colleges and universities will bring back the DEI stuff they cut when obeying in advance right...............................................................................................................................................right?
Re the February Dear Colleagues letter that threatened funding for schools & universities over DEI-related efforts:
‘[Ed Dept]…moved to dismiss its appeal. It leaves in place a federal judge’s August decision finding that the anti-DEI effort violated the First Amendment & federal procedural rules.’
‘[Ed Dept]…moved to dismiss its appeal. It leaves in place a federal judge’s August decision finding that the anti-DEI effort violated the First Amendment & federal procedural rules.’
Trump administration drops legal appeal over anti-DEI funding threat to schools and colleges
The Trump administration is dropping its appeal of a federal court ruling that blocked a campaign against diversity, equity, and inclusion threatening federal funding to the nation’s schools and colle...
apnews.com
January 21, 2026 at 7:42 PM
So all colleges and universities will bring back the DEI stuff they cut when obeying in advance right...............................................................................................................................................right?
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
I've never seen a population more united. If people can hold onto that unity, if people can accept that different people will have different ways of confronting fascism, if we can remind NGOs and orgs that they can join but not control the resistance, then, well, people here will write history.
January 22, 2026 at 3:58 AM
I've never seen a population more united. If people can hold onto that unity, if people can accept that different people will have different ways of confronting fascism, if we can remind NGOs and orgs that they can join but not control the resistance, then, well, people here will write history.
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
While countries are making progress at measuring & mitigating methane from fossil fuels, we need to increase our efforts in curbing methane from livestock, rice, & food waste.
@paul-west.bsky.social and I explain in our latest article @projectdrawdown.bsky.social drawdown.org/insights/we-...
@paul-west.bsky.social and I explain in our latest article @projectdrawdown.bsky.social drawdown.org/insights/we-...
January 15, 2026 at 8:20 PM
While countries are making progress at measuring & mitigating methane from fossil fuels, we need to increase our efforts in curbing methane from livestock, rice, & food waste.
@paul-west.bsky.social and I explain in our latest article @projectdrawdown.bsky.social drawdown.org/insights/we-...
@paul-west.bsky.social and I explain in our latest article @projectdrawdown.bsky.social drawdown.org/insights/we-...
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
Dr. Gladys West, the pioneering mathematician whose work laid the foundation for modern GPS technology, has died. She was 95.
Dr. Gladys West, Mathematician Whose Work Made GPS Possible, Dies at 95
ALEXANDRIA, VA — Dr. Gladys West, the pioneering mathematician whose work laid the foundation for modern GPS technology, has died. She passed away
thezebra.org
January 19, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Dr. Gladys West, the pioneering mathematician whose work laid the foundation for modern GPS technology, has died. She was 95.
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
New online! The High Seas Treaty spells hope for the ocean, but only if it is powered by science
The High Seas Treaty spells hope for the ocean, but only if it is powered by science
Nature Reviews Biodiversity, Published online: 15 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s44358-025-00124-yThe new High Seas Treaty presents an unprecedented opportunity to protect and sustainably use the biodiversity in an area that covers nearly half the planet. Jane Lubchenco calls on scientists to help it to succeed by encouraging rapid global ratification, promoting science-based decisions and identifying strong options for effective marine protected areas.
dlvr.it
January 15, 2026 at 2:00 AM
New online! The High Seas Treaty spells hope for the ocean, but only if it is powered by science