David Thoreson - The Accidental Explorer
@davidthoreson.bsky.social
Bad Ass #sailor from Iowa. 75,000 tough miles. Expedition #Photographer, storyteller, author. Polar, #NorthwestPassage explorer and eyewitness to the #climate crisis. In the Blue w stories, images, conservation. TEDx. National Fellow at The Explorers Club.
Pinned
Cloud Nine was trapped in the ice of the Arctic’s #NorthwestPassage for roughly 10 days and we battled to save our vessel from being crushed numerous times. Danger level was extremely high.
#Scape #IceScape #SeaScape
#Ice #Sailing #Nikon #Film
#Photography
#PhotographersOfBlueSky
#Scape #IceScape #SeaScape
#Ice #Sailing #Nikon #Film
#Photography
#PhotographersOfBlueSky
Happy Halloween! Be careful, it's so scary and spooky out there. But then again, I'm not supposed to talk politics!
November 1, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Happy Halloween! Be careful, it's so scary and spooky out there. But then again, I'm not supposed to talk politics!
Melissa has now gone through 2 rapid intensifications with winds at 185 mph (gusting 215+) n a low pressure reading of 992 mb, making this the 3rd strongest hurricane recorded in the Atlantic Ocean system. Storm surge 9-13 feet w heavy rain n high tide conditions. Worst case scenario for Jamaica.
October 28, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Melissa has now gone through 2 rapid intensifications with winds at 185 mph (gusting 215+) n a low pressure reading of 992 mb, making this the 3rd strongest hurricane recorded in the Atlantic Ocean system. Storm surge 9-13 feet w heavy rain n high tide conditions. Worst case scenario for Jamaica.
Less #Seaice in the Arctic means more shipping in the Northern Sea Route, which Putin controls. Until the USA understands climate disruption, we are at a strategic disadvantage.
September 27, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Less #Seaice in the Arctic means more shipping in the Northern Sea Route, which Putin controls. Until the USA understands climate disruption, we are at a strategic disadvantage.
Thx Zack. Multi-year thick sea ice is near extinction in the Arctic. Sea ice extent is like the skin of an onion, lots of thin first-year ice. The #NorthwestPassage was again open this season.
Average sea ice thickness across the #Arctic Ocean dropped to a record low for the month of August. Current conditions show higher extent, but very thin ice to end the summer warm season.
More at zacklabe.com/arctic-sea-i.... Data simulated by PIOMAS.
More at zacklabe.com/arctic-sea-i.... Data simulated by PIOMAS.
September 11, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Thx Zack. Multi-year thick sea ice is near extinction in the Arctic. Sea ice extent is like the skin of an onion, lots of thin first-year ice. The #NorthwestPassage was again open this season.
Of course Joe Rogan is an ignorant climate denier.
Joe Rogan is spreading climate misinformation on one of the country’s most popular podcasts, scientists say—and he’s not the only one.
Climate Scientist Cited By Joe Rogan Slams Podcaster For Spreading 'Dumb' Misinformation
Joe Rogan is spreading climate misinformation on one of the country’s most popular podcasts, scientists say—and he’s not the only one.
www.forbes.com
September 5, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Of course Joe Rogan is an ignorant climate denier.
Climate science is in danger.
A tremendous amount of science and societal progress is going out the window fast, *AI included.* Another daily tragedy.
➡️ We need you to spread the word outside of our science bubble.
"NSF terminates funding for its main meteorology focused AI institute" open.substack.com/pub/balanced...
➡️ We need you to spread the word outside of our science bubble.
"NSF terminates funding for its main meteorology focused AI institute" open.substack.com/pub/balanced...
This is AI2ES, my AI institute. No way around it other than to say this is really awful. We are doing so many amazing things! We want to keep doing amazing things but without this level of funding, we will not be able to do so.
September 3, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Climate science is in danger.
Been there. Seen it. Groundtruthed the science multiple times. We’re losing sea ice quickly in the North.
August 2025 #Arctic sea ice extent was the 7th lowest on record for the month...
This was 1,790,000 km² below the 1981-2010 average. August ice extent is decreasing at about 9.79% per decade. Data: nsidc.org/data/seaice_...
This was 1,790,000 km² below the 1981-2010 average. August ice extent is decreasing at about 9.79% per decade. Data: nsidc.org/data/seaice_...
September 3, 2025 at 3:31 AM
Been there. Seen it. Groundtruthed the science multiple times. We’re losing sea ice quickly in the North.
16 years ago, I was the photographer and ice sailing expert on Ocean Watch sailing through the #NorthwestPassage from west to east. I shot this image near Bellot Strait as we were putting the passage behind us. Now a new One Ocean #sailing voyage is retracing our route to document enviro change.
August 31, 2025 at 2:11 PM
16 years ago, I was the photographer and ice sailing expert on Ocean Watch sailing through the #NorthwestPassage from west to east. I shot this image near Bellot Strait as we were putting the passage behind us. Now a new One Ocean #sailing voyage is retracing our route to document enviro change.
Reposted by David Thoreson - The Accidental Explorer
What the Arctic Teaches Us About the Climate Crisis: A Conversation with Dr. Zachary Labe - chrisgloninger.substack.com/p/what-the-a...
(many thanks for the awesome conversation and article @climatechris.bsky.social, @davidthoreson.bsky.social, and @channingdutton.bsky.social)
(many thanks for the awesome conversation and article @climatechris.bsky.social, @davidthoreson.bsky.social, and @channingdutton.bsky.social)
What the Arctic Teaches Us About the Climate Crisis: A Conversation with Dr. Zachary Labe
From weather blogs to world-class graphics, a leading young climate scientist helps us visualize a planet in flux.
chrisgloninger.substack.com
August 11, 2025 at 8:51 PM
What the Arctic Teaches Us About the Climate Crisis: A Conversation with Dr. Zachary Labe - chrisgloninger.substack.com/p/what-the-a...
(many thanks for the awesome conversation and article @climatechris.bsky.social, @davidthoreson.bsky.social, and @channingdutton.bsky.social)
(many thanks for the awesome conversation and article @climatechris.bsky.social, @davidthoreson.bsky.social, and @channingdutton.bsky.social)
Come on Dems. You can fit stuff on a bumper sticker.
“The president cut your health care so he could build himself a golden ballroom” is a pretty easy message to sell
August 1, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Come on Dems. You can fit stuff on a bumper sticker.
I’m definitely pro-Motherfvcking Wind Farms!!
July 31, 2025 at 4:37 PM
I’m definitely pro-Motherfvcking Wind Farms!!
Hey BlueSky friends, sorry about my absence from the platform for a while. Long story, but I’m back. We are in some real trouble in regards to the #climatecrisis luckily my friends @climatechris.bsky.social and @michaelemann.bsky.social are all over it.
July 31, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Hey BlueSky friends, sorry about my absence from the platform for a while. Long story, but I’m back. We are in some real trouble in regards to the #climatecrisis luckily my friends @climatechris.bsky.social and @michaelemann.bsky.social are all over it.
Trump and his science-denying thugs are wiping climate change data from the system.
They are willing to burn 🔥 the USA and civilization to the ground.
The #climatecrisis is real and life threatening.
This shit is real folks and the fossil fuel industry doesn’t want you to have the data anymore.
They are willing to burn 🔥 the USA and civilization to the ground.
The #climatecrisis is real and life threatening.
This shit is real folks and the fossil fuel industry doesn’t want you to have the data anymore.
The US Global Change Research Program's website, including all its sub-domains that host the National Climate Assessments and related reports, is now offline.
The 1990 Global Change Research Act (see below) mandates its research findings be available to all federal agencies & departments.
The 1990 Global Change Research Act (see below) mandates its research findings be available to all federal agencies & departments.
July 1, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Trump and his science-denying thugs are wiping climate change data from the system.
They are willing to burn 🔥 the USA and civilization to the ground.
The #climatecrisis is real and life threatening.
This shit is real folks and the fossil fuel industry doesn’t want you to have the data anymore.
They are willing to burn 🔥 the USA and civilization to the ground.
The #climatecrisis is real and life threatening.
This shit is real folks and the fossil fuel industry doesn’t want you to have the data anymore.
Hey BlueSky photographers, artists and outdoor recreational enthusiasts, our pubic lands and waters are under assault once again by the greedy bastards in the MAGA GOP. resist these efforts. Protect #publiclands
#photography #adventure #nature #conservation
open.substack.com/pub/thoreson...
#photography #adventure #nature #conservation
open.substack.com/pub/thoreson...
America’s Public Lands and Waters Threatened
Protection is the key to biodiversity, water quality and climate security.
open.substack.com
June 28, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Hey BlueSky photographers, artists and outdoor recreational enthusiasts, our pubic lands and waters are under assault once again by the greedy bastards in the MAGA GOP. resist these efforts. Protect #publiclands
#photography #adventure #nature #conservation
open.substack.com/pub/thoreson...
#photography #adventure #nature #conservation
open.substack.com/pub/thoreson...
Want know what adventure travel and the glamorous life of a professional sailor photographer really looks like? Pls check out my latest Substack column. Enjoy!
#Photography #Sailing #Ocean
#Adventure #Seascape
substack.com/@davidthores...
#Photography #Sailing #Ocean
#Adventure #Seascape
substack.com/@davidthores...
Surviving the Pacific: Heat, Humidity, and the Trials of Ocean Life
Swamp ass in the tropics and Murphy’s Law always rules the day.
substack.com
June 21, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Want know what adventure travel and the glamorous life of a professional sailor photographer really looks like? Pls check out my latest Substack column. Enjoy!
#Photography #Sailing #Ocean
#Adventure #Seascape
substack.com/@davidthores...
#Photography #Sailing #Ocean
#Adventure #Seascape
substack.com/@davidthores...
The Puamau Valley is one of the richest archaeological sites in French Polynesia with many mysterious Tiki stone statues on the island of Hiva Oa.
June 20, 2025 at 3:49 AM
The Puamau Valley is one of the richest archaeological sites in French Polynesia with many mysterious Tiki stone statues on the island of Hiva Oa.
My latest on Substack. I just sailed 3000 miles across the Pacific #Ocean. Ever wonder about a #sailing plan? How our #climate system works? Trade wind sailing? Pls subscribe and remember I donate paid subscriptions to water quality efforts. Thank you. open.substack.com/pub/thoreson...
Sailing Across an Ocean Wilderness
Part Four: Understanding our climate system will take you a long way.
open.substack.com
June 10, 2025 at 1:06 PM
My latest on Substack. I just sailed 3000 miles across the Pacific #Ocean. Ever wonder about a #sailing plan? How our #climate system works? Trade wind sailing? Pls subscribe and remember I donate paid subscriptions to water quality efforts. Thank you. open.substack.com/pub/thoreson...
I’m back from #sailing the Pacific. “Along with ocean currents circulating warm and cold water, this is our natural heating, and air conditioning system, which provides the stability for all life to exist on Planet Earth. Man-made #climatechange is disrupting these natural systems…”
#Photography
#Photography
June 8, 2025 at 2:21 PM
I’m back from #sailing the Pacific. “Along with ocean currents circulating warm and cold water, this is our natural heating, and air conditioning system, which provides the stability for all life to exist on Planet Earth. Man-made #climatechange is disrupting these natural systems…”
#Photography
#Photography
We sailed 2900 miles on Polar Sun and finally crossed the Evans made it into Hiva Oa in the French Marquesas Islands. Spectacular!
#Travel #Sailing #Oceans #Adventure #Photography
#Travel #Sailing #Oceans #Adventure #Photography
May 11, 2025 at 8:15 PM
We sailed 2900 miles on Polar Sun and finally crossed the Evans made it into Hiva Oa in the French Marquesas Islands. Spectacular!
#Travel #Sailing #Oceans #Adventure #Photography
#Travel #Sailing #Oceans #Adventure #Photography
Sailing through the doldrums near the equator. Lots of heat and rain. Slow progress. 190 nautical miles to our crossing.
About 1000 miles to the Marquesas Islands.
#Ocean #Sailing #Landscape
#BlackandWhite
About 1000 miles to the Marquesas Islands.
#Ocean #Sailing #Landscape
#BlackandWhite
April 27, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Sailing through the doldrums near the equator. Lots of heat and rain. Slow progress. 190 nautical miles to our crossing.
About 1000 miles to the Marquesas Islands.
#Ocean #Sailing #Landscape
#BlackandWhite
About 1000 miles to the Marquesas Islands.
#Ocean #Sailing #Landscape
#BlackandWhite
We have a stowaway on Polar Sun now as we head to the Equator, a blue-footed booby!
Been on board with us for 12 hours hanging out.
#ocean #nature #Bird #photography #sailing
Been on board with us for 12 hours hanging out.
#ocean #nature #Bird #photography #sailing
April 25, 2025 at 3:39 PM
We have a stowaway on Polar Sun now as we head to the Equator, a blue-footed booby!
Been on board with us for 12 hours hanging out.
#ocean #nature #Bird #photography #sailing
Been on board with us for 12 hours hanging out.
#ocean #nature #Bird #photography #sailing
We left Mexico from Barra de Navidad n headed west and slightly south, #sailing 3000 miles now across the Pacific Ocean on a 47' sailboat named Polar Sun. We went through the Northwest Passage and were the cover of Nat Geo in 2023.
Awesome days on the #ocean.
#Photography #Drone #landscape #explore
Awesome days on the #ocean.
#Photography #Drone #landscape #explore
April 24, 2025 at 9:07 PM
We left Mexico from Barra de Navidad n headed west and slightly south, #sailing 3000 miles now across the Pacific Ocean on a 47' sailboat named Polar Sun. We went through the Northwest Passage and were the cover of Nat Geo in 2023.
Awesome days on the #ocean.
#Photography #Drone #landscape #explore
Awesome days on the #ocean.
#Photography #Drone #landscape #explore
Happy Earth Day 🌎 everyone from the Pacific #Ocean. Celebrate the the magic to be found in nature. This lovely home planet is 70% water and it’s all threatened, our oceans and freshwater systems. Let’s all work hard in our own watersheds and support conservation and climate efforts as we can.
April 22, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Happy Earth Day 🌎 everyone from the Pacific #Ocean. Celebrate the the magic to be found in nature. This lovely home planet is 70% water and it’s all threatened, our oceans and freshwater systems. Let’s all work hard in our own watersheds and support conservation and climate efforts as we can.
The best news of the day.
GOOD NEWS - "Thank you to everyone who expressed their strong support for the Regional Climate Center program. Our funding has been restored by NOAA and the Department of Commerce." www.ncei.noaa.gov/regional/reg...
April 22, 2025 at 2:08 AM
The best news of the day.