David Appell
@davidappell.bsky.social
I'm a freelance science writer. I'm good friends, and maintainer, with a cool cat I named Oliver. I love to read words and I love to work with numbers too. http://www.davidappell.com
On Sunday night the NY Rangers vs Detroit Red Wings reenacted the Battle of Agincourt, because a Red Wing shot the puck into the Ranger empty net a fraction of a second after the final horn. Not an acceptable act in hockey cuture.
November 18, 2025 at 1:23 AM
On Sunday night the NY Rangers vs Detroit Red Wings reenacted the Battle of Agincourt, because a Red Wing shot the puck into the Ranger empty net a fraction of a second after the final horn. Not an acceptable act in hockey cuture.
Reposted by David Appell
“It is certain, in any case, that ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have.”
— James Baldwin
— James Baldwin
November 17, 2025 at 8:51 PM
“It is certain, in any case, that ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have.”
— James Baldwin
— James Baldwin
Monthly GISS v4 anonalies for GMST, via data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/grap...
November 17, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Monthly GISS v4 anonalies for GMST, via data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/grap...
So far, the average global surface temperature of this decade, starting in 2021, is 1.46°C, according to GISS v4.
data source: data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/tabl...
data source: data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/tabl...
November 17, 2025 at 7:46 PM
So far, the average global surface temperature of this decade, starting in 2021, is 1.46°C, according to GISS v4.
data source: data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/tabl...
data source: data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/tabl...
According to NASA GISS v4, the average temperature of Nov25 and Dec25 has to be > 1.05°C for 2025 to be the second-warmest year in their record, which starts in 1880.
That's significantly lower than the year-to-date average of 1.20°C. Average of the last two months is 1.23°C.
Src: bit.ly/43zcdSZ
That's significantly lower than the year-to-date average of 1.20°C. Average of the last two months is 1.23°C.
Src: bit.ly/43zcdSZ
November 17, 2025 at 7:41 PM
According to NASA GISS v4, the average temperature of Nov25 and Dec25 has to be > 1.05°C for 2025 to be the second-warmest year in their record, which starts in 1880.
That's significantly lower than the year-to-date average of 1.20°C. Average of the last two months is 1.23°C.
Src: bit.ly/43zcdSZ
That's significantly lower than the year-to-date average of 1.20°C. Average of the last two months is 1.23°C.
Src: bit.ly/43zcdSZ
Reposted by David Appell
“The purpose of propaganda is to make one set of people forget that certain other sets of people are human.”
― Aldous Huxley
― Aldous Huxley
November 15, 2025 at 7:40 PM
“The purpose of propaganda is to make one set of people forget that certain other sets of people are human.”
― Aldous Huxley
― Aldous Huxley
Reposted by David Appell
60 yrs ago today (Nov 5, 1965), the 1st US government report to warn about climate change was published.
"Restoring the Quality of Our Environment" included warning of C02 build-up and sea-level rise/melting ice-caps.
allouryesterdays.info/2025/11/04/6...
1/n
"Restoring the Quality of Our Environment" included warning of C02 build-up and sea-level rise/melting ice-caps.
allouryesterdays.info/2025/11/04/6...
1/n
November 4, 2025 at 10:12 PM
60 yrs ago today (Nov 5, 1965), the 1st US government report to warn about climate change was published.
"Restoring the Quality of Our Environment" included warning of C02 build-up and sea-level rise/melting ice-caps.
allouryesterdays.info/2025/11/04/6...
1/n
"Restoring the Quality of Our Environment" included warning of C02 build-up and sea-level rise/melting ice-caps.
allouryesterdays.info/2025/11/04/6...
1/n
Reposted by David Appell
In a rare move, one of the monopoly electric utilities operating in Oregon is asking state regulators for permission to lower residential customer rates in 2026. The reduction, though small at less than 1%, is the result of Idaho Power’s break with coal: oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/11/04/a...
An Oregon utility’s break with coal brings customer savings • Oregon Capital Chronicle
While the Trump administration pursues a coal revival, a utility in Oregon is saving money by giving up on the fossil fuel.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:23 PM
In a rare move, one of the monopoly electric utilities operating in Oregon is asking state regulators for permission to lower residential customer rates in 2026. The reduction, though small at less than 1%, is the result of Idaho Power’s break with coal: oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/11/04/a...
Trump's anti-renewable insanity means about 40 GW less wind, solar & battery-generated electricity for US homes in 2030, about 24% of that year's projected household total. One-fourth!
davidappell.blogspot.com/2025/10/chin...
davidappell.blogspot.com/2025/10/chin...
Chinese vs US Wind
Paul Krugman: "In his rambling speech at the United Nations, Donald Trump insisted that China isn’t making use of wind power: 'They use coal...
davidappell.blogspot.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Trump's anti-renewable insanity means about 40 GW less wind, solar & battery-generated electricity for US homes in 2030, about 24% of that year's projected household total. One-fourth!
davidappell.blogspot.com/2025/10/chin...
davidappell.blogspot.com/2025/10/chin...
If Trump is really {boo, hiss} going to shut down the Mauna Loa CO2/CH4 daily measurements and ruin the continuity of the Keeling curve, some billionaire should donate whatever is necessary to keep it going and pay the scientist to do that work (equipment+data). Maybe $250 K/yr at most?
October 15, 2025 at 7:56 PM
If Trump is really {boo, hiss} going to shut down the Mauna Loa CO2/CH4 daily measurements and ruin the continuity of the Keeling curve, some billionaire should donate whatever is necessary to keep it going and pay the scientist to do that work (equipment+data). Maybe $250 K/yr at most?
Reposted by David Appell
Additional ocean warmth #Imelda will encounter as a hurricane in the coming days will increase the storm's projected peak wind speed by ~10mph.
Put simply, Imelda is forecast to reach Category 2 strength; without climate change, it would only peak as a Category 1 storm.
🧵/2
Put simply, Imelda is forecast to reach Category 2 strength; without climate change, it would only peak as a Category 1 storm.
🧵/2
September 30, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Additional ocean warmth #Imelda will encounter as a hurricane in the coming days will increase the storm's projected peak wind speed by ~10mph.
Put simply, Imelda is forecast to reach Category 2 strength; without climate change, it would only peak as a Category 1 storm.
🧵/2
Put simply, Imelda is forecast to reach Category 2 strength; without climate change, it would only peak as a Category 1 storm.
🧵/2
Fascism: Words to be avoided or limited in government documents according to the Trump administration:
female, females
women
victim, victims
pollution
climate science
injustice
bias, racism, trauma
race, gender
status (huh?)
disability, disabilities
plus many more.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
female, females
women
victim, victims
pollution
climate science
injustice
bias, racism, trauma
race, gender
status (huh?)
disability, disabilities
plus many more.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
September 26, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Fascism: Words to be avoided or limited in government documents according to the Trump administration:
female, females
women
victim, victims
pollution
climate science
injustice
bias, racism, trauma
race, gender
status (huh?)
disability, disabilities
plus many more.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
female, females
women
victim, victims
pollution
climate science
injustice
bias, racism, trauma
race, gender
status (huh?)
disability, disabilities
plus many more.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
RFKJr: what percentage of kids who don’t get the MMR vaccine develop autism?
September 26, 2025 at 3:32 AM
RFKJr: what percentage of kids who don’t get the MMR vaccine develop autism?
Reposted by David Appell
"experts say"
www.cnn.com/2025/08/11/b...
www.cnn.com/2025/08/11/b...
September 26, 2025 at 1:59 AM
"experts say"
www.cnn.com/2025/08/11/b...
www.cnn.com/2025/08/11/b...
Reposted by David Appell
tinyurl.com/yc5nhcv4
In one of the most irresponsible presidential press conferences in history, Donald Trump declares that Tylenol during pregnancy cause autism. Again, apparently, mothers are to blame.
In one of the most irresponsible presidential press conferences in history, Donald Trump declares that Tylenol during pregnancy cause autism. Again, apparently, mothers are to blame.
Doctors push back on Trump admin’s autism & Tylenol link | CNN
Dr. Paul Offit and Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell joins The Lead
tinyurl.com
September 23, 2025 at 10:32 AM
tinyurl.com/yc5nhcv4
In one of the most irresponsible presidential press conferences in history, Donald Trump declares that Tylenol during pregnancy cause autism. Again, apparently, mothers are to blame.
In one of the most irresponsible presidential press conferences in history, Donald Trump declares that Tylenol during pregnancy cause autism. Again, apparently, mothers are to blame.
Reposted by David Appell
Good point. Although there's weak evidence of an ASD-acetaminophen link, there's somewhat stronger evidence of links between ASD and environmental ills that, unlike acetaminophen, have no offsetting virtues. Why not go after those first, instead of targeting a drug that relieves a lot of suffering?
As long as we’re all autism experts now, here’s an actual study showing links to air pollution and fossil fuel
hsph.harvard.edu/news/air-pol...
hsph.harvard.edu/news/air-pol...
Air pollution linked with increased risk of autism in children | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Exposure to fine particulate air pollution has been linked with significantly increased risk of autism spectrum disorder in children, particularly if exposure occurs during the third trimester of preg...
hsph.harvard.edu
September 23, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Good point. Although there's weak evidence of an ASD-acetaminophen link, there's somewhat stronger evidence of links between ASD and environmental ills that, unlike acetaminophen, have no offsetting virtues. Why not go after those first, instead of targeting a drug that relieves a lot of suffering?
Some wealthy person should set up a little foundation to ensure that daily CO2 measurements can continue at Mana Loa.
#climate #CO2 #climatechange
#climate #CO2 #climatechange
September 17, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Some wealthy person should set up a little foundation to ensure that daily CO2 measurements can continue at Mana Loa.
#climate #CO2 #climatechange
#climate #CO2 #climatechange
Reposted by David Appell
The free speech activist who built a list of professors he worked to get fired for their speech must be celebrated for his support of free speech, and anyone who quotes his speech accurately in context will be fired and/or face state punishment by the champions of free speech, do I have that right?
September 15, 2025 at 2:43 PM
The free speech activist who built a list of professors he worked to get fired for their speech must be celebrated for his support of free speech, and anyone who quotes his speech accurately in context will be fired and/or face state punishment by the champions of free speech, do I have that right?
The average Arctic sea ice thickness for August 2025 is a record low among Augusts since 1979. <thickness>=volume/area, via PIOMAS and NSIDC.
September 12, 2025 at 8:24 PM
The average Arctic sea ice thickness for August 2025 is a record low among Augusts since 1979. <thickness>=volume/area, via PIOMAS and NSIDC.
The Lancet (via NYT) says Musk's USAID cuts “could result in more than 14.05 million additional all-age deaths, including 4.54 million in children younger than age 5 years, by 2030.”
Ironic for someone who promotes global fertility. Or maybe only fertility for some.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/09/o...
Ironic for someone who promotes global fertility. Or maybe only fertility for some.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/09/o...
Opinion | What Can’t Trump Wreck?
www.nytimes.com
September 10, 2025 at 4:12 AM
The Lancet (via NYT) says Musk's USAID cuts “could result in more than 14.05 million additional all-age deaths, including 4.54 million in children younger than age 5 years, by 2030.”
Ironic for someone who promotes global fertility. Or maybe only fertility for some.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/09/o...
Ironic for someone who promotes global fertility. Or maybe only fertility for some.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/09/o...
1,100 coal mining employees have lost their jobs since Trump came into office (-2.7%).
fred.stlouisfed.org/graph/?g=1M5s2
fred.stlouisfed.org/graph/?g=1M5s2
All Employees, Coal Mining
All Employees, Coal Mining
fred.stlouisfed.org
September 5, 2025 at 9:11 PM
1,100 coal mining employees have lost their jobs since Trump came into office (-2.7%).
fred.stlouisfed.org/graph/?g=1M5s2
fred.stlouisfed.org/graph/?g=1M5s2
This essay asks the same question I asked earlier today: why are unions laying down without fighting?
Maybe workers today have too much to lose so go along meekly.
free article:
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...
Maybe workers today have too much to lose so go along meekly.
free article:
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...
Opinion | Trump Is Wiping Out Unions. Why Are They So Quiet?
www.nytimes.com
September 1, 2025 at 11:56 PM
This essay asks the same question I asked earlier today: why are unions laying down without fighting?
Maybe workers today have too much to lose so go along meekly.
free article:
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...
Maybe workers today have too much to lose so go along meekly.
free article:
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...
How can anyone strip a union of rights? Unions take their own rights? If someone doesn’t like it too bad, they undertake a work slowdown or strike. They don’t take it lying down.
“Trump Orders Have Stripped Nearly Half a Million Federal Workers of Union Rights” www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/u...
“Trump Orders Have Stripped Nearly Half a Million Federal Workers of Union Rights” www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/u...
Trump Orders Have Stripped Nearly Half a Million Federal Workers of Union Rights
www.nytimes.com
September 1, 2025 at 8:22 PM
How can anyone strip a union of rights? Unions take their own rights? If someone doesn’t like it too bad, they undertake a work slowdown or strike. They don’t take it lying down.
“Trump Orders Have Stripped Nearly Half a Million Federal Workers of Union Rights” www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/u...
“Trump Orders Have Stripped Nearly Half a Million Federal Workers of Union Rights” www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/u...
The military is glorifying a traitor to the country. Whats next, statues in town centers??
August 28, 2025 at 6:40 PM
The military is glorifying a traitor to the country. Whats next, statues in town centers??