Don C. Schmitz
@tallydon.bsky.social
Conservation Biologist (retired) -invasive species prevention, management, research, ecological impacts, government policy, and climate change wildlife adaptation and invasive species.
Pinned
Don C. Schmitz
@tallydon.bsky.social
· Oct 19
I served as the lead editor, author, and organizer for a state report on invasive species in Florida, which was later expanded into a book to reach a broader audience. I’m sharing this information to assure you that I am not a bot.
Reposted by Don C. Schmitz
A number of new estimates of current policy warming by 2100 have been released in recent months, including three prominent ones from UNEP, IEA, and CAT in the run-up to COP30.
I've got a new piece over at The Climate Brink digging into the details: www.theclimatebrink....
I've got a new piece over at The Climate Brink digging into the details: www.theclimatebrink....
November 14, 2025 at 6:52 PM
A number of new estimates of current policy warming by 2100 have been released in recent months, including three prominent ones from UNEP, IEA, and CAT in the run-up to COP30.
I've got a new piece over at The Climate Brink digging into the details: www.theclimatebrink....
I've got a new piece over at The Climate Brink digging into the details: www.theclimatebrink....
Reposted by Don C. Schmitz
“As the planet warms, so much ice has been erased from around Mount Everest that the elevation at base camp in Nepal, which sits on a melting glacier, has dropped more than 220 feet since the 1980s.” www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Melting Glaciers in the Himalayas Feed Lakes That Threaten Towns Below
Melting ice from the Himalayas is creating thousands of unstable lakes, a growing menace to towns and cities below.
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:07 PM
“As the planet warms, so much ice has been erased from around Mount Everest that the elevation at base camp in Nepal, which sits on a melting glacier, has dropped more than 220 feet since the 1980s.” www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Don C. Schmitz
Dramatic increase in conflicts over #water in 2024 compared to previous years.
pacinst.org/announcement...
pacinst.org/announcement...
November 14, 2025 at 3:53 AM
Dramatic increase in conflicts over #water in 2024 compared to previous years.
pacinst.org/announcement...
pacinst.org/announcement...
Something to ponder.
November 14, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Something to ponder.
Reposted by Don C. Schmitz
Never forget: At breakneck speed we are leaving the stable Holocene climate in which human society developed and thrived. Weather extremes are outside historical experience. Sea-level rise is accelerating. Dangerous tipping points are ahead.
Graph: ed-hawkins.github.io/climate-visu...
Graph: ed-hawkins.github.io/climate-visu...
November 13, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Never forget: At breakneck speed we are leaving the stable Holocene climate in which human society developed and thrived. Weather extremes are outside historical experience. Sea-level rise is accelerating. Dangerous tipping points are ahead.
Graph: ed-hawkins.github.io/climate-visu...
Graph: ed-hawkins.github.io/climate-visu...
Reposted by Don C. Schmitz
"To achieve this through..... direct air capture, would require the construction of the world’s second biggest industry, after oil and gas, and require expenditures of about a trillion dollars a year"
Pie in the sky
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Pie in the sky
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Removing CO2 from atmosphere vital to avoid catastrophic tipping points, leading scientist says
10bn tonnes must be captured from the air every year to limit global heating to 1.7C, says Johan Rockström
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:26 PM
"To achieve this through..... direct air capture, would require the construction of the world’s second biggest industry, after oil and gas, and require expenditures of about a trillion dollars a year"
Pie in the sky
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Pie in the sky
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Don C. Schmitz
Relevant as #COP30 gets underway...
"As Trump abdicates U.S. leadership on climate change, Asia is filling the void" | New op-ed by Benjamin Horton & myself for the @sfchronicle.com: www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/open...
As Trump abdicates U.S. leadership on climate change, Asia is filling the void
OPINION: The U.S. once led the charge in confronting the planet’s most pressing challenges. But today, that leadership is eroding. Nowhere is this loss more visible than in climate science.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Relevant as #COP30 gets underway...
Global emissions are up 34% since the first COP conference in 1995.
The market for solar panels & EVs has grown - but so has fossil fuel use. However, without the COP process, world temperatures would be headed for a catastrophic 5C of heating, instead of the 3C+ increase that is now projected.
The market for solar panels & EVs has grown - but so has fossil fuel use. However, without the COP process, world temperatures would be headed for a catastrophic 5C of heating, instead of the 3C+ increase that is now projected.
November 8, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Global emissions are up 34% since the first COP conference in 1995.
The market for solar panels & EVs has grown - but so has fossil fuel use. However, without the COP process, world temperatures would be headed for a catastrophic 5C of heating, instead of the 3C+ increase that is now projected.
The market for solar panels & EVs has grown - but so has fossil fuel use. However, without the COP process, world temperatures would be headed for a catastrophic 5C of heating, instead of the 3C+ increase that is now projected.
Reposted by Don C. Schmitz
“These things came [to California] clearly from another region, another country — and that means all of our waterways are at risk,” Ransom said, calling the mussels a “serious emerging threat” to farms, water supplies, and recreation.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/11/06/e...
www.mercurynews.com/2025/11/06/e...
‘Emerging threat’: An invasive species is upending life in the Delta, with no help on the way
One year after the discovery that golden mussels had invaded the Delta, thick colonies coat boats and piers and threaten water supplies for cities and farms. Yet the state has no specific funding o…
www.mercurynews.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:25 AM
“These things came [to California] clearly from another region, another country — and that means all of our waterways are at risk,” Ransom said, calling the mussels a “serious emerging threat” to farms, water supplies, and recreation.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/11/06/e...
www.mercurynews.com/2025/11/06/e...
Reposted by Don C. Schmitz
I believe it’s time we adopt a universal symbol to represent humanity’s failure to heed scientists’ warnings about climate change—while we still have the power to prevent the worst outcomes. Symbols can work because they communicate powerful ideas instantly—without needing words.
November 6, 2025 at 3:03 PM
I believe it’s time we adopt a universal symbol to represent humanity’s failure to heed scientists’ warnings about climate change—while we still have the power to prevent the worst outcomes. Symbols can work because they communicate powerful ideas instantly—without needing words.
We still hold the power to prevent the worst outcomes of climate change if we act decisively to end our dependence on fossil fuels. But that window is closing fast. Humanity needs to get their heads out of the sand before it is too late to stop climate change!
November 6, 2025 at 2:00 PM
We still hold the power to prevent the worst outcomes of climate change if we act decisively to end our dependence on fossil fuels. But that window is closing fast. Humanity needs to get their heads out of the sand before it is too late to stop climate change!
Something timely and new for your Holiday tree this year?
November 1, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Something timely and new for your Holiday tree this year?
Reposted by Don C. Schmitz
Let me excerpt the concluding paragraph:
October 31, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Let me excerpt the concluding paragraph:
Let’s go back to the 1950s when children consumed Strontium 90 in their breakfast meals every morning. It was the breakfast of champions.
October 30, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Let’s go back to the 1950s when children consumed Strontium 90 in their breakfast meals every morning. It was the breakfast of champions.
Given the United States’ current trajectory of promoting fossil fuel use—and if future elections continue to reinforce this direction—our only remaining choice may soon be how we prefer humanity cooked: medium rare, medium, well done, or extra crispy. Just madness.
"It’s a scandal the U.S. is pulling back from efforts to address environmental challenges,” said Peter Gleick. “The rest of the world should ignore efforts by the US to delay progress on these problems… and I’m hopeful that other countries will continue to step up.”
www.latimes.com/environment/...
www.latimes.com/environment/...
Humanity is on path toward 'climate chaos,' scientists warn
Global use of fossil fuels rose to a new record last year, releasing even more greenhouse gases. Humanity is 'hurtling toward climate chaos,' scientists warn.
www.latimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Given the United States’ current trajectory of promoting fossil fuel use—and if future elections continue to reinforce this direction—our only remaining choice may soon be how we prefer humanity cooked: medium rare, medium, well done, or extra crispy. Just madness.
Stopping climate change has become a battle of communication—a struggle to win the hearts and minds of people around the world. Unfortunately, the fossil fuel industry is winning that battle with ease, as if taking candy from a baby.
October 24, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Stopping climate change has become a battle of communication—a struggle to win the hearts and minds of people around the world. Unfortunately, the fossil fuel industry is winning that battle with ease, as if taking candy from a baby.
Reposted by Don C. Schmitz
Climate disasters in first half of 2025 costliest ever on record, research shows.
LA wildfires and storms this year cost $101bn, new study by non-profit resurrecting work axed by Trump says.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
LA wildfires and storms this year cost $101bn, new study by non-profit resurrecting work axed by Trump says.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Climate disasters in first half of 2025 costliest ever on record, research shows
LA wildfires and storms this year cost $101bn, new study by non-profit resurrecting work axed by Trump says
www.theguardian.com
October 22, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Climate disasters in first half of 2025 costliest ever on record, research shows.
LA wildfires and storms this year cost $101bn, new study by non-profit resurrecting work axed by Trump says.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
LA wildfires and storms this year cost $101bn, new study by non-profit resurrecting work axed by Trump says.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Don C. Schmitz
Today, the U.S. faces one billion+ dollar climate/weather disaster on average every 2w. That's a massive increase from one every 4m in the 1980s.
This is 'global weirding' and people are taking notice!
The government told NOAA to stop tracking these events: but @climatecentral.org is on the job.
This is 'global weirding' and people are taking notice!
The government told NOAA to stop tracking these events: but @climatecentral.org is on the job.
U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters | Climate Central
Explore U.S. billion-dollar weather and climate disasters since 1980, including total costs, trends, and impacts.
www.climatecentral.org
October 22, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Today, the U.S. faces one billion+ dollar climate/weather disaster on average every 2w. That's a massive increase from one every 4m in the 1980s.
This is 'global weirding' and people are taking notice!
The government told NOAA to stop tracking these events: but @climatecentral.org is on the job.
This is 'global weirding' and people are taking notice!
The government told NOAA to stop tracking these events: but @climatecentral.org is on the job.
Reposted by Don C. Schmitz
In the 2025 State of Wildfires report, the authors suggest that climate change made southern California wildfires much more expansive in 2025, increasing burned area 25-fold. And also that, in decades ahead, fire risk may *decrease* in the region, despite warming. essd.copernicus.org/articles/17/...
State of Wildfires 2024–2025
Abstract. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme wildfires globally, yet our understanding of these high-impact events remains uneven and shaped by media attention and reg...
essd.copernicus.org
October 20, 2025 at 2:51 PM
In the 2025 State of Wildfires report, the authors suggest that climate change made southern California wildfires much more expansive in 2025, increasing burned area 25-fold. And also that, in decades ahead, fire risk may *decrease* in the region, despite warming. essd.copernicus.org/articles/17/...
Reposted by Don C. Schmitz
In the last 10 years Swiss glaciers lost a quarter of their ice volume
The warming is accelerating!
From now on, I publish my articles in English as well
Free accessible. The only thing I ask is a push on the repost button
(the donation button is ❤️)
reportersonline.eu/2025-another...
The warming is accelerating!
From now on, I publish my articles in English as well
Free accessible. The only thing I ask is a push on the repost button
(the donation button is ❤️)
reportersonline.eu/2025-another...
2025 another disastrous year for glaciers in Switzerland - Reporters Online
The glaciers in the Swiss Alps suffered significant damage again last summer. In the melt season of 2025 a total of 1.4 cubic kilometers of ice has melted – a reduction of 3 percent of Switzerland's t...
reportersonline.eu
October 18, 2025 at 9:02 AM
In the last 10 years Swiss glaciers lost a quarter of their ice volume
The warming is accelerating!
From now on, I publish my articles in English as well
Free accessible. The only thing I ask is a push on the repost button
(the donation button is ❤️)
reportersonline.eu/2025-another...
The warming is accelerating!
From now on, I publish my articles in English as well
Free accessible. The only thing I ask is a push on the repost button
(the donation button is ❤️)
reportersonline.eu/2025-another...
The decline of marine algae due to stronger thermal stratifications will have far-reaching consequences: reduced CO₂ absorption, the collapse of plankton-based food webs, decreased oxygen production, severe impacts on fisheries & biodiversity, & major global economic & humanitarian losses.
"Declining ocean greenness and phytoplankton blooms in low to mid-latitudes under a warming climate" | Our (Hong et al) new article in @aaas.org #ScienceAdvances: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Declining ocean greenness and phytoplankton blooms in low to mid-latitudes under a warming climate
Chlorophyll a is declining in low- to mid-latitude oceans, indicating reduced ocean productivity and fewer phytoplankton blooms.
www.science.org
October 17, 2025 at 8:29 PM
The decline of marine algae due to stronger thermal stratifications will have far-reaching consequences: reduced CO₂ absorption, the collapse of plankton-based food webs, decreased oxygen production, severe impacts on fisheries & biodiversity, & major global economic & humanitarian losses.
Reposted by Don C. Schmitz
Our new study finds that the upper atmosphere is becoming more sheared and less stratified because of climate change. Both these changes are making the air less stable and more conducive to turbulence.
Published in the November issue of Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences.
doi.org/10.1175/JAS-...
Published in the November issue of Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences.
doi.org/10.1175/JAS-...
October 14, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Our new study finds that the upper atmosphere is becoming more sheared and less stratified because of climate change. Both these changes are making the air less stable and more conducive to turbulence.
Published in the November issue of Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences.
doi.org/10.1175/JAS-...
Published in the November issue of Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences.
doi.org/10.1175/JAS-...
Reposted by Don C. Schmitz
📢 New paper on burned and thawing permafrost #peatlands in northern Alberta! Large Carbon Losses From Burned Permafrost Peatlands During Post‐Fire Succession - led by Chris Schulze - 2025 agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/...
Really great research involving some difficult field work!
Really great research involving some difficult field work!
Large Carbon Losses From Burned Permafrost Peatlands During Post‐Fire Succession
Burned permafrost peatlands lost ∼130 g C m−2 yr−1 during the first four years post-fire
Burned landscapes returned to a net carbon dioxide sink ∼15 years post-fire
Net ecosystem exchange carbon...
agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
October 10, 2025 at 1:05 AM
📢 New paper on burned and thawing permafrost #peatlands in northern Alberta! Large Carbon Losses From Burned Permafrost Peatlands During Post‐Fire Succession - led by Chris Schulze - 2025 agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/...
Really great research involving some difficult field work!
Really great research involving some difficult field work!
As an old saying — attributed to Winston Churchill — goes: “Americans can always be trusted to do the right thing once all other possibilities have been exhausted.”
Let’s hope this applies to climate change.
Let’s hope this applies to climate change.
October 9, 2025 at 3:46 PM
As an old saying — attributed to Winston Churchill — goes: “Americans can always be trusted to do the right thing once all other possibilities have been exhausted.”
Let’s hope this applies to climate change.
Let’s hope this applies to climate change.