Alex Jania
@aejania.bsky.social
Historian and practitioner of disaster memorials. Focused on environment, disaster, memory, Japan, and the TransPacific. Institutional Giving Manager at Hyde Park Art Center
Pinned
Alex Jania
@aejania.bsky.social
· Dec 6
The American Historical Review | Oxford Academic
The official journal of the American Historical Association. Publishes research that brings together scholarship from every major field of historical study. Articles include original interpretation an...
academic.oup.com
So excited my article, "Between the Emergency and the Everyday," was recently published in the AHR special issue on the histories of resilience! It is about the rise and fall of a set of tsunami memorial halls in Japan and is available to read here: academic.oup.com/ahr @historians.org
Reposted by Alex Jania
【阪神淡路大震災31年 灯籠文字公募開始 1・17のつどい】
平成7年の阪神淡路大震災から31年となる来年1月17日に東遊園地（神戸市中央区）で営まれる追悼行事「1・17のつどい」の実行委員会は2日、会場に灯籠を並べて描く文字の公募を始めた。締め切りは来年1月7日で、4文字以内の描きやすい言葉を募集する。
平成7年の阪神淡路大震災から31年となる来年1月17日に東遊園地（神戸市中央区）で営まれる追悼行事「1・17のつどい」の実行委員会は2日、会場に灯籠を並べて描く文字の公募を始めた。締め切りは来年1月7日で、4文字以内の描きやすい言葉を募集する。
阪神淡路大震災３１年 灯籠文字公募開始 1・17のつどい
平成7年の阪神淡路大震災から31年となる来年1月17日に東遊園地（神戸市中央区）で営まれる追悼行事「1・17のつどい」の実行委員会は2日、会場に灯籠を並べて描…
www.sankei.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:01 PM
【阪神淡路大震災31年 灯籠文字公募開始 1・17のつどい】
平成7年の阪神淡路大震災から31年となる来年1月17日に東遊園地（神戸市中央区）で営まれる追悼行事「1・17のつどい」の実行委員会は2日、会場に灯籠を並べて描く文字の公募を始めた。締め切りは来年1月7日で、4文字以内の描きやすい言葉を募集する。
平成7年の阪神淡路大震災から31年となる来年1月17日に東遊園地（神戸市中央区）で営まれる追悼行事「1・17のつどい」の実行委員会は2日、会場に灯籠を並べて描く文字の公募を始めた。締め切りは来年1月7日で、4文字以内の描きやすい言葉を募集する。
Reposted by Alex Jania
Finally, national coverage on the loss of 9 seismic stations in #AK going dark this month due to #NOAA funding cuts. This leaves #tsunami forecasters without vital data used to determine if an #earthquake will send tsunami waves toward the #US West Coast.
www.nbcnews.com/science/tsun... #EM #greysky
www.nbcnews.com/science/tsun... #EM #greysky
U.S. tsunami warning system, reeling from funding and staffing cuts, is dealt another blow
Seismic monitoring stations in Alaska are closing after a denied federal grant, risking delayed tsunami warnings for people living on the West Coast.
www.nbcnews.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Finally, national coverage on the loss of 9 seismic stations in #AK going dark this month due to #NOAA funding cuts. This leaves #tsunami forecasters without vital data used to determine if an #earthquake will send tsunami waves toward the #US West Coast.
www.nbcnews.com/science/tsun... #EM #greysky
www.nbcnews.com/science/tsun... #EM #greysky
Reposted by Alex Jania
About 60 people mourned the victims of the eruption of Mount Ontake in central Japan 11 years ago in a memorial ceremony on Saturday.
Victims of Mt. Ontake eruption remembered 11 years on
The eruption claimed the lives of 58 people and left five missing.
ebx.sh
September 28, 2025 at 9:30 AM
About 60 people mourned the victims of the eruption of Mount Ontake in central Japan 11 years ago in a memorial ceremony on Saturday.
Reposted by Alex Jania
This is an AMAZING collection! I recommend it to people all the time, whether they’re interested in environmental history, outdoor rec and sport history, or clothing history. It’s also a reminder of the great and important work archivists can do if given long-term institutional support.
I've been obsessed with old clothing catalogs for decades and used to buy stacks of them off eBay. Recently, I interviewed the co-founders of one of the most amazing catalog collections in the world, The Outdoor Recreation Archive at Utah State University. I mean, look at this stuff:
September 26, 2025 at 9:46 PM
This is an AMAZING collection! I recommend it to people all the time, whether they’re interested in environmental history, outdoor rec and sport history, or clothing history. It’s also a reminder of the great and important work archivists can do if given long-term institutional support.
Reposted by Alex Jania
Today is the National Disaster Prevention Day in Japan, commemorating the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake which devastated Tokyo and Yokohama.
Here is the ground displacements map after the EQ, which was of course made without GPS or InSAR...
www.gsi.go.jp/kohokocho/ko...
Here is the ground displacements map after the EQ, which was of course made without GPS or InSAR...
www.gsi.go.jp/kohokocho/ko...
September 1, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Today is the National Disaster Prevention Day in Japan, commemorating the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake which devastated Tokyo and Yokohama.
Here is the ground displacements map after the EQ, which was of course made without GPS or InSAR...
www.gsi.go.jp/kohokocho/ko...
Here is the ground displacements map after the EQ, which was of course made without GPS or InSAR...
www.gsi.go.jp/kohokocho/ko...
Reposted by Alex Jania
Finishing a syllabus for a class on environmental and/or climate and/or disaster justice? Check out The Syllabus for resources! We are adding more readings and databases every day! Open and free to everyone! www.just-environments.org/the-syllabus
The Syllabus — Just Environments Lab
www.just-environments.org
August 19, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Finishing a syllabus for a class on environmental and/or climate and/or disaster justice? Check out The Syllabus for resources! We are adding more readings and databases every day! Open and free to everyone! www.just-environments.org/the-syllabus
Reposted by Alex Jania
Bathsheba Demuth @brdemuth.bsky.social on the future of sled dogs in the Yukon River valley
Where the Dogs Run | Bathsheba Demuth
The best days to work a salmon net are dry and bright. Bankside willows tilt from summer green to autumn gold. Light wind, no longer warm, riffles the
buff.ly
August 18, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Bathsheba Demuth @brdemuth.bsky.social on the future of sled dogs in the Yukon River valley
Reposted by Alex Jania
This is why I wrote about Paris in "The Heat Will Kill You First." The city is both extraordinarily vulnerable to extreme heat and extraordinarily thoughtful about what needs to be done to prepare for it.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/18/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/18/w...
Paris Braces for a Future of Possibly Paralyzing Heat
www.nytimes.com
August 18, 2025 at 12:09 PM
This is why I wrote about Paris in "The Heat Will Kill You First." The city is both extraordinarily vulnerable to extreme heat and extraordinarily thoughtful about what needs to be done to prepare for it.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/18/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/18/w...
Reposted by Alex Jania
People who read my heat book often ask ask me: how hot can heat waves get?
It’s a complex question. But this new paper suggests models may be underestimating future temperature extremes by as much as 5 C.
That’s a lot.
It’s a complex question. But this new paper suggests models may be underestimating future temperature extremes by as much as 5 C.
That’s a lot.
Climate models have underestimated the departure of high temperature extremes from monthly means.
If we assume these model biases persist in future projections, then the climate models are also likely underestimating the magnitude of future high temperature extremes.
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
If we assume these model biases persist in future projections, then the climate models are also likely underestimating the magnitude of future high temperature extremes.
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
Historical model biases in monthly high temperature anomalies indicate under-estimation of future temperature extremes - Communications Earth & Environment
Models tend to underestimate mean monthly maximum temperature anomalies by 2-3% and extreme anomalies by 11-12% over the period 1980 and 2023, which could lead to temperatures 3 °C to 5 °C higher than...
www.nature.com
August 1, 2025 at 1:45 AM
People who read my heat book often ask ask me: how hot can heat waves get?
It’s a complex question. But this new paper suggests models may be underestimating future temperature extremes by as much as 5 C.
That’s a lot.
It’s a complex question. But this new paper suggests models may be underestimating future temperature extremes by as much as 5 C.
That’s a lot.
Reposted by Alex Jania
blue sky earthquake list!
Want to learn more about earthquakes like today's M8.7? Get your info straight from the experts with this spectacular list of seismologists!
Assembled by the awesome @geohenning.bsky.social: go.bsky.app/ND4oS9k
Assembled by the awesome @geohenning.bsky.social: go.bsky.app/ND4oS9k
July 30, 2025 at 1:53 AM
blue sky earthquake list!
In all my tsunami research the many survivors I’ve encountered emphasize a “just in case” approach to tsunami risk. Don’t hesitate to evacuate, do it just in case.
July 30, 2025 at 2:09 AM
In all my tsunami research the many survivors I’ve encountered emphasize a “just in case” approach to tsunami risk. Don’t hesitate to evacuate, do it just in case.
Reposted by Alex Jania
NHK Broadcaster saying "It's hot, so please bring water and don't get heatstroke while evacuating" is a real commentary on the times.
July 30, 2025 at 2:07 AM
NHK Broadcaster saying "It's hot, so please bring water and don't get heatstroke while evacuating" is a real commentary on the times.
Reposted by Alex Jania
NHK is covering: www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/...
July 30, 2025 at 1:01 AM
NHK is covering: www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/...
Reposted by Alex Jania
Japanese coastal communities evacuating to higher ground due to tsunami warning after 8.7 mag earthquake near Russia video ht L Morikawa
July 30, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Japanese coastal communities evacuating to higher ground due to tsunami warning after 8.7 mag earthquake near Russia video ht L Morikawa
Reposted by Alex Jania
This event has generated a tsunami - current size is not yet known. Please pay attention to all information and notices from your local officials. www.tsunami.gov
U.S. Tsunami Warning Centers
www.tsunami.gov
July 30, 2025 at 12:55 AM
This event has generated a tsunami - current size is not yet known. Please pay attention to all information and notices from your local officials. www.tsunami.gov
Reposted by Alex Jania
If you have to: Evacuate up. It is a good idea to evacuate up. Just going inland does not guarantee safety.
July 30, 2025 at 1:05 AM
If you have to: Evacuate up. It is a good idea to evacuate up. Just going inland does not guarantee safety.
Reposted by Alex Jania
This is a VERY large earthquake, possibly/probably among the 10 largest ever recorded. A clear subduction zone megathrust event. And it is another M>8.5 event with a notable foreshock (the recent M7.4 in same location), like Tohoku in 2011.
July 30, 2025 at 12:36 AM
This is a VERY large earthquake, possibly/probably among the 10 largest ever recorded. A clear subduction zone megathrust event. And it is another M>8.5 event with a notable foreshock (the recent M7.4 in same location), like Tohoku in 2011.
Reposted by Alex Jania
In advance of the upcoming school year, our team is updating the Environmental and Climate Justice syllabus! If you know of or have published anything that fits in the database, please don't hesitate to reach out!
See the database here: www.just-environments.org/the-syllabus
See the database here: www.just-environments.org/the-syllabus
The Syllabus — Just Environments Lab
www.just-environments.org
July 17, 2025 at 6:14 PM
In advance of the upcoming school year, our team is updating the Environmental and Climate Justice syllabus! If you know of or have published anything that fits in the database, please don't hesitate to reach out!
See the database here: www.just-environments.org/the-syllabus
See the database here: www.just-environments.org/the-syllabus
Reposted by Alex Jania
Emilio Aguirre, a World War II combat veteran, died in his apartment in Chicago, not from illness, nor injury, but from extreme temperatures during the 1995 Chicago heat wave.
On Thursday, 30 years to the day after his death, Aguirre received full military funeral honors.
On Thursday, 30 years to the day after his death, Aguirre received full military funeral honors.
Homewood ceremony pays tribute to nearly forgotten veteran who died in 1995 heat wave
On Thursday, 1995 heat wave victim and World War II veteran Emilio Aguirre received full military funeral honors in Homewood.
trib.al
July 18, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Emilio Aguirre, a World War II combat veteran, died in his apartment in Chicago, not from illness, nor injury, but from extreme temperatures during the 1995 Chicago heat wave.
On Thursday, 30 years to the day after his death, Aguirre received full military funeral honors.
On Thursday, 30 years to the day after his death, Aguirre received full military funeral honors.
Reposted by Alex Jania
Reposted by Alex Jania
It is absolutely appropriate to talk about climate change in the context of our American Flash Flood Summer 2025. It's certainly not the only factor at play; no serious scientist would argue that, either. But excluding it from the discussion would be just as disingenuous.
July 16, 2025 at 7:37 PM
It is absolutely appropriate to talk about climate change in the context of our American Flash Flood Summer 2025. It's certainly not the only factor at play; no serious scientist would argue that, either. But excluding it from the discussion would be just as disingenuous.
Reposted by Alex Jania
Heatwave anniversary: While more people may have air conditioners than they did 30 years ago, the soaring cost of electricity may mean vulnerable city residents on low or fixed incomes may be reluctant to use them.
30 Years After Mass Heat Wave Deaths, Activists Question Whether Chicago Is Any Better Prepared
Thirty years ago, a heat wave settled over northeast Illinois. By the time the heat relented, 739 people had died and the city was using refrigerated trucks as makeshift morgues.
news.wttw.com
July 16, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Heatwave anniversary: While more people may have air conditioners than they did 30 years ago, the soaring cost of electricity may mean vulnerable city residents on low or fixed incomes may be reluctant to use them.
Reposted by Alex Jania
Honored to be quoted in new Reuters article on the Texas flood response
www.reuters.com/business/env...
www.reuters.com/business/env...
July 13, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Honored to be quoted in new Reuters article on the Texas flood response
www.reuters.com/business/env...
www.reuters.com/business/env...
Reposted by Alex Jania
UC-Berkeley has an open-rank faculty position in our incredible Climate Equity and Environmental Justice (CEEJ) research cluster. It is an extraordinary interdisciplinary group working across multiple colleges and departments at the university! More information here: aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF04842
Assistant/Associate/Full Professor - Climate Equity and Environmental Justice - Rausser College of Natural Resources
University of California, Berkeley is hiring. Apply now!
aprecruit.berkeley.edu
July 12, 2025 at 12:02 AM
UC-Berkeley has an open-rank faculty position in our incredible Climate Equity and Environmental Justice (CEEJ) research cluster. It is an extraordinary interdisciplinary group working across multiple colleges and departments at the university! More information here: aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF04842
It was an honor to be interviewed by Chris Borrelli @chicagotribune.com in a piece that also features the great @ericklinenberg.bsky.social on the dearth of collective memory about or memorials to the 1995 Chicago Heatwave. Public Memorials have important roles to play in disaster response.
Thirty years ago, on July 13, 1995, the temperature in Chicago was 106 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat index — what it actually feels like outside — reached 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
There are few memorials for Chicagoans who died from heat in 1995. But there are remnants.
The closest thing we have to a memorial for people who died from the heat is not even in Chicago. It’s the headstone of the mass grave in Homewood.
www.chicagotribune.com
July 11, 2025 at 9:46 PM
It was an honor to be interviewed by Chris Borrelli @chicagotribune.com in a piece that also features the great @ericklinenberg.bsky.social on the dearth of collective memory about or memorials to the 1995 Chicago Heatwave. Public Memorials have important roles to play in disaster response.