Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
@fkearns.bsky.social
Scientist-communicator working on water, wildfire, climate, & disaster issues in AZ + CA | Words: High Country News, New Republic, & more | Book: Getting to the Heart of Science Communication | Water Talk podcast co-host | www.faithkearns.com | views=mine
Pinned
Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
@fkearns.bsky.social
· Aug 15
Grand Canyon’s Dragon Bravo megafire shows the growing wildfire threat to water systems
Water systems are vulnerable to melting plastic components, toxic contamination and failures that can leave firefighters without flowing water.
theconversation.com
The Dragon Bravo Fire at the Grand Canyon hit a water system facility, setting off a dangerous chlorine gas leak that halted the firefight at a critical time.
That was just one of many water-related challenges on this fire, and is indicative of a larger pattern across the western US.
New, from me.
That was just one of many water-related challenges on this fire, and is indicative of a larger pattern across the western US.
New, from me.
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
Disaster imperialism in full effect in Jamaica according to family there who tell me there is now a strong US military presence under the guise of aid including military planes, drones and helicopters.
Please continue to support grassroots & mutual aid hurricane recovery efforts as you are able.
Please continue to support grassroots & mutual aid hurricane recovery efforts as you are able.
November 16, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Disaster imperialism in full effect in Jamaica according to family there who tell me there is now a strong US military presence under the guise of aid including military planes, drones and helicopters.
Please continue to support grassroots & mutual aid hurricane recovery efforts as you are able.
Please continue to support grassroots & mutual aid hurricane recovery efforts as you are able.
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
I've been trying to write this story for months. I've had a sneaking suspicion that the public perception of what El Nino and La Nina means for weather outcomes is not aligned with the truth.
www.sfchronicle.com/weather/arti...
www.sfchronicle.com/weather/arti...
California’s rule book on El Niño and La Niña is broken
La Niña is back, but week-to-week jet-stream chaos really decide whether California floods or stays dry.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:26 PM
I've been trying to write this story for months. I've had a sneaking suspicion that the public perception of what El Nino and La Nina means for weather outcomes is not aligned with the truth.
www.sfchronicle.com/weather/arti...
www.sfchronicle.com/weather/arti...
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
Sexual harassment is a productivity tax on women in STEM
Imagine the things we could do with our time if we didn’t have to do this bsky.app/profile/chan...
I did my job. And then I did a job that never should have been my responsibility afterwards, sending emails and having meetings about how this was allowed to happen in the first place. Other women scholars had to spend their time explaining to Aspen leadership why this was not ok.
November 16, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Sexual harassment is a productivity tax on women in STEM
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
Listen: Water Talk discusses cranberry growing with @fkearns.bsky.social
Oregon is known for rain, but my friend’s harvest was delayed by insufficient water to flood the sandy bogs. Chilling hours were a bit short this season, too
Oregon is known for rain, but my friend’s harvest was delayed by insufficient water to flood the sandy bogs. Chilling hours were a bit short this season, too
November 16, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Listen: Water Talk discusses cranberry growing with @fkearns.bsky.social
Oregon is known for rain, but my friend’s harvest was delayed by insufficient water to flood the sandy bogs. Chilling hours were a bit short this season, too
Oregon is known for rain, but my friend’s harvest was delayed by insufficient water to flood the sandy bogs. Chilling hours were a bit short this season, too
I cannot bear to think we have to wade through all this sexual assault and violence news AGAIN and in the end it will just be the same old sigh and move on. But the breathless news coverage of these vile people and what they did with so little attention to the victims leaves me little hope.
November 16, 2025 at 6:15 PM
I cannot bear to think we have to wade through all this sexual assault and violence news AGAIN and in the end it will just be the same old sigh and move on. But the breathless news coverage of these vile people and what they did with so little attention to the victims leaves me little hope.
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
The drought plaguing Washington's Yakima River basin is something of a train wreck in motion. Farmers are tearing out apple orchards and letting their wine grapes die on the vine.
This is only going to worsen. www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
This is only going to worsen. www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
November 16, 2025 at 5:17 PM
The drought plaguing Washington's Yakima River basin is something of a train wreck in motion. Farmers are tearing out apple orchards and letting their wine grapes die on the vine.
This is only going to worsen. www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
This is only going to worsen. www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
After disasters, investors benefit & residents lose: “Altadena has been flooded by investors…of the 289 properties that have been sold, 168 were bought by limited liability investors and private equity firms, as opposed to 93 purchased by individuals.”
www.latimes.com/california/s...
www.latimes.com/california/s...
In Altadena, a woman is racing to buy land for her business that burned, before developers get it
Shelene Hearring has until Nov. 25 to raise $600,000 so she can purchase property in Altadena she needs to rebuild her martial arts business.
www.latimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 5:31 PM
After disasters, investors benefit & residents lose: “Altadena has been flooded by investors…of the 289 properties that have been sold, 168 were bought by limited liability investors and private equity firms, as opposed to 93 purchased by individuals.”
www.latimes.com/california/s...
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
"Iran is facing its worst water crisis in decades. With no end in sight and authorities warning they may even have to evacuate the capital of 10 million people, residents like Ensani are scrambling to respond."
www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/i...
www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/i...
Taps run dry as water crisis forces Iran to consider evacuating its capital
A prolonged drought along with years of overconsumption, an inefficient agricultural sector and mismanagement have led to the problem, analysts say.
www.nbcnews.com
November 16, 2025 at 1:12 PM
"Iran is facing its worst water crisis in decades. With no end in sight and authorities warning they may even have to evacuate the capital of 10 million people, residents like Ensani are scrambling to respond."
www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/i...
www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/i...
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
“Yes, life is a complete dumpster fire, but I am reminded that I am not alone, that I am in this with many others.”
Gift link:
Gift link:
Alice Wong, Writer and Relentless Advocate for Disability Rights, Dies at 51
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:25 PM
“Yes, life is a complete dumpster fire, but I am reminded that I am not alone, that I am in this with many others.”
Gift link:
Gift link:
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
May my friend @sfdirewolf.bsky.social rest in power. I will especially miss texting with her about Star Trek.
We were lucky, all of us, to have Alice and her warmth and enthusiasm.
www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...
We were lucky, all of us, to have Alice and her warmth and enthusiasm.
www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...
Alice Wong on Instagram: "ID: Yellow background with black text "This is Alice's friend Sandy Ho, posting. Per Alice's wishes, this message is being shared at the time of her passing. Hi everyone, it ...
6,794 likes, 536 comments - alicatsamurai on November 14, 2025: "ID: Yellow background with black text "This is Alice's friend Sandy Ho, posting. Per Alice's wishes, this message is being shared at th...
www.instagram.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:33 PM
May my friend @sfdirewolf.bsky.social rest in power. I will especially miss texting with her about Star Trek.
We were lucky, all of us, to have Alice and her warmth and enthusiasm.
www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...
We were lucky, all of us, to have Alice and her warmth and enthusiasm.
www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
2/🧵 New piece with @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social in @NewRepublic: We analyzed 60,000+ respondents in the 2024 Cooperative Election Study. Gen Z has the lowest racial resentment of any generation. The generational shift overwhelms the education divide that supposedly defines modern politics.
The Shocking Truth About Gen Z Voters Is That They’re Pretty Great
Stop panicking: They are the most progressive generation ever, especially on race. If that surprises you, you’ve been listening to the wrong story.
newrepublic.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:44 PM
2/🧵 New piece with @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social in @NewRepublic: We analyzed 60,000+ respondents in the 2024 Cooperative Election Study. Gen Z has the lowest racial resentment of any generation. The generational shift overwhelms the education divide that supposedly defines modern politics.
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
One thing that's abundantly clear: passing the SAFE Research Act would permanently end the United States' ability to be competitive in any area of advanced technology. Just straight up suicidal policy-making.
This has gotten surprisingly little attention — it's not even on the front page of @science.org right now — but it's really hard to describe what the SAFE Research Act would do to US science and scientists without sounding insane
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
November 14, 2025 at 8:44 PM
One thing that's abundantly clear: passing the SAFE Research Act would permanently end the United States' ability to be competitive in any area of advanced technology. Just straight up suicidal policy-making.
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
🧵if you cover the community & economic & environmental impact of data centers, cloud & AI companies, so called hyperscalers in the US… please be aware:
"10a labs", a 'security research' firm employed by the big AI companies has begun collecting information and attacking organised opposition to data centres, framing them as "NIMBYS" and wildly exaggerating claims.
www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/grou...
www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/grou...
![Data Center Watch has published a report claiming that $64 billion worth of American data center projects were ‘threatened’ because of grassroots opposition.
Data Center Watch picture
A map produced by Data Center Watch tracking opposition to data centers in America
– Data Center Watch
The organization is backed by 10a Labs, an intelligence company specializing in AI security. Led by Robert McKenzie, a former adjunct professor of international and public affairs at Columbia University, it provides “intelligence collection, investigative research, and analysis for AI unicorns, Fortune 10 companies, and US tech leaders.”
The report claimed that $18bn worth of projects were ‘blocked’ and a further $46bn more were ‘delayed’ in the two years prior to March 2025.
It primarily attributed this opposition to local concern, identifying several “common themes” of opposition, such as “higher utility bills, water consumption, noise, impact on property value, and green space preservation.”
However, the report’s claims should be read with close attention to its definitions. For instance, ‘blocked’ projects include cases where a “company submits a new proposal with similar characteristics in a different but nearby location after withdrawing a previous project.”
Two examples, which amount to $14.5bn out of the total $18bn, fit this criterion.
The first is attributable to Tract, a company specializing in ‘master-planned’ data center parks, which withdrew a $14bn, 1,000-acre project located in Maricopa County, Arizona, in May 2024. Tract then announced in August of the same year that they had acquired a land parcel - double the size of the original project - within the same county for a data center park.
Whether Tract had already intended to develop a second facility prior to the withdrawal of the first is unclear. Grant von Rooyen, Tract’s CEO, previously told DCD that the company “very rarely [goes] into a market with only one solution… [Tract] will ultimately have multiple s…](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:66lbtw2porscqpmair6mir37/bafkreihtwegmocoffjawkkb5v5gtnkxsca76piog2t6mexzippglpwjnza@jpeg)
November 15, 2025 at 12:30 PM
🧵if you cover the community & economic & environmental impact of data centers, cloud & AI companies, so called hyperscalers in the US… please be aware:
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
Heavy metals are turning up in💧wells across the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon fire area. 🔥
Antimony in 93% of wells.
Could fire retardant be the source?
The ONE paper characterizing heavy metals in firefighting products suggests that’s the case.
#HPCC #NewMexico #groundwater #contamination
Antimony in 93% of wells.
Could fire retardant be the source?
The ONE paper characterizing heavy metals in firefighting products suggests that’s the case.
#HPCC #NewMexico #groundwater #contamination
“Eleven metals were found at elevated levels in groundwater samples from private wells, including three — antimony, arsenic and uranium — at levels above U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking water standards, and one, manganese, above an EPA lifetime health advisory.”
Risky level of heavy metals found in Mora County groundwater
www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_n...
www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_n...
November 15, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Heavy metals are turning up in💧wells across the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon fire area. 🔥
Antimony in 93% of wells.
Could fire retardant be the source?
The ONE paper characterizing heavy metals in firefighting products suggests that’s the case.
#HPCC #NewMexico #groundwater #contamination
Antimony in 93% of wells.
Could fire retardant be the source?
The ONE paper characterizing heavy metals in firefighting products suggests that’s the case.
#HPCC #NewMexico #groundwater #contamination
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
Struck this morning by how the win wasn’t from the UC system itself pushing back—it was its worker power through *unions* and aligned groups like @aaup.org defending UC interests, even though admin itself wasn’t.
There’s some kind of lesson here
There’s some kind of lesson here
One reason why elite schools (Columbia, Brown, Cornell) caving to Trump’s illegal impoundment and extortion is so galling — a betrayal, really — is that they would have won had they fought. By giving up, they guaranteed every other school will have to fight harder.
Judge bars Trump from immediately cutting funding to the University of California | CNN Politics
The Trump administration cannot immediately cut federal funding to the University of California or issue fines against the school system over claims it allows antisemitism or other forms of discrimina...
www.cnn.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Struck this morning by how the win wasn’t from the UC system itself pushing back—it was its worker power through *unions* and aligned groups like @aaup.org defending UC interests, even though admin itself wasn’t.
There’s some kind of lesson here
There’s some kind of lesson here
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
The Australian visitor who joined a carpool full of Nat. Resc. students did not believe me that this is how cranberries are grown & harvested.
In fairness the stretch along hwy 21 from Necedah to LaCrosse is really unexpected-looking!
In fairness the stretch along hwy 21 from Necedah to LaCrosse is really unexpected-looking!
Did you know that Wisconsin produces 60% of the U.S. cranberry harvest?
Did you further know that Wisconet supports the Wisconsin cranberry growers, with 5 weather stations installed at cranberry sites?
Now you know.
Did you further know that Wisconet supports the Wisconsin cranberry growers, with 5 weather stations installed at cranberry sites?
Now you know.
November 15, 2025 at 1:20 AM
The Australian visitor who joined a carpool full of Nat. Resc. students did not believe me that this is how cranberries are grown & harvested.
In fairness the stretch along hwy 21 from Necedah to LaCrosse is really unexpected-looking!
In fairness the stretch along hwy 21 from Necedah to LaCrosse is really unexpected-looking!
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
Did you know that Wisconsin produces 60% of the U.S. cranberry harvest?
Did you further know that Wisconet supports the Wisconsin cranberry growers, with 5 weather stations installed at cranberry sites?
Now you know.
Did you further know that Wisconet supports the Wisconsin cranberry growers, with 5 weather stations installed at cranberry sites?
Now you know.
November 14, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Did you know that Wisconsin produces 60% of the U.S. cranberry harvest?
Did you further know that Wisconet supports the Wisconsin cranberry growers, with 5 weather stations installed at cranberry sites?
Now you know.
Did you further know that Wisconet supports the Wisconsin cranberry growers, with 5 weather stations installed at cranberry sites?
Now you know.
Super fun episode of Water Talk out today! Whether you like them fresh or canned, cranberries are both well-loved and mysterious. Leslie Holland and Amaya Atucha, UW Madison, tell us about cranberry bogs v marshes and why cranberries float. Bonus: recipes! www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/epi...
Episode 78: Inside the Working Cranberry Marsh — Water Talk
A conversation with Professors Leslie Holland and Amaya Atucha (University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension) about cranberry production, water use, recycling, and enjoyment. Released Novembe...
www.watertalkpodcast.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Super fun episode of Water Talk out today! Whether you like them fresh or canned, cranberries are both well-loved and mysterious. Leslie Holland and Amaya Atucha, UW Madison, tell us about cranberry bogs v marshes and why cranberries float. Bonus: recipes! www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/epi...
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
Interesting article looking at the emergence and function of spontaneous digital communities during 4 major wildfire events: August Complex Fire (California, 2020), Dixie Fire (California, 2021), Marshall Fire (Colorado, 2021), and Maui Wildfires (Hawaii, 2023).
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Digital wildfire: the role of social media in emergency response during wildfire crises
This study examines the emergence and function of spontaneous digital communities during wildfire emergencies through a mixed-methods analysis of four major wildfire events: the August Complex Fire...
www.tandfonline.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Interesting article looking at the emergence and function of spontaneous digital communities during 4 major wildfire events: August Complex Fire (California, 2020), Dixie Fire (California, 2021), Marshall Fire (Colorado, 2021), and Maui Wildfires (Hawaii, 2023).
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
New article from our Marshall Fire research team, led by Katie Dickinson and including @deseraicrow.bsky.social and @enviropolicy-prof.bsky.social, among others not on Bluesky.
We surveyed 823 people in the aftermath of the disaster. Some key findings:
ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/...
We surveyed 823 people in the aftermath of the disaster. Some key findings:
ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/...
Disaster Damage as a Driver of Climate Resilience Policy Support | Natural Hazards Review | Vol 27, No 1
AbstractThe 2021 Marshall Fire, the most destructive wildfire in Colorado’s history, destroyed
over 1,000 homes and damaged many others in the communities of Louisville, Superior,
and unincorporated B...
ascelibrary.org
November 14, 2025 at 1:08 PM
New article from our Marshall Fire research team, led by Katie Dickinson and including @deseraicrow.bsky.social and @enviropolicy-prof.bsky.social, among others not on Bluesky.
We surveyed 823 people in the aftermath of the disaster. Some key findings:
ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/...
We surveyed 823 people in the aftermath of the disaster. Some key findings:
ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/...
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
Growing up in a time when “selling out” was the most shameful thing you could do and then being forced to live through the 2020s feels like being kicked in the head by a horse every day
November 13, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Growing up in a time when “selling out” was the most shameful thing you could do and then being forced to live through the 2020s feels like being kicked in the head by a horse every day
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
Goods stuff here. We really need to be talking about this topic more. I obviously talk a lot about climate change issues. But this subsidence problem (for Houston & many other places) is also a very, very big deal -- *especially* when compounded by climate change issues.
Multiple Houston suburbs are sinking fast as a rapidly growing population is creating rising demands for groundwater. Here are the billion-dollar solutions Texas officials are working on to mitigate this mostly irreversible phenomenon.
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
November 14, 2025 at 4:57 AM
Goods stuff here. We really need to be talking about this topic more. I obviously talk a lot about climate change issues. But this subsidence problem (for Houston & many other places) is also a very, very big deal -- *especially* when compounded by climate change issues.
Reposted by Faith Kearns, Ph.D.
California’s getting soaked, but there’s still a wildfire across the Sierra Nevada with mandatory evacuations. My friend’s parents live just off Hwy 395 by Crowley Lake pictured below, right at the fire’s edge. 📸: CalFire
November 14, 2025 at 7:45 AM
California’s getting soaked, but there’s still a wildfire across the Sierra Nevada with mandatory evacuations. My friend’s parents live just off Hwy 395 by Crowley Lake pictured below, right at the fire’s edge. 📸: CalFire