Graham Zimmerman
@grahamzimmerman.bsky.social
Professional Climbing Athlete - Author - NonProfit Leader -Climate Advocate - Organizer
When I was young, I thought only of mountains.
I never imagined that a life in the vertical world would lead me here—fighting for our climate, our communities, and our democracy.
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on why I keep showing up
I wrote about it:
grahamgzimmerman.substack.com/p/we-should-...
I never imagined that a life in the vertical world would lead me here—fighting for our climate, our communities, and our democracy.
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on why I keep showing up
I wrote about it:
grahamgzimmerman.substack.com/p/we-should-...
We Should Not Surrender the American Experiment
A few weeks ago, I found myself in the back room of the High Desert Museum with a group of exceptionally thoughtful, civically engaged locals.
grahamgzimmerman.substack.com
June 14, 2025 at 5:52 PM
When I was young, I thought only of mountains.
I never imagined that a life in the vertical world would lead me here—fighting for our climate, our communities, and our democracy.
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on why I keep showing up
I wrote about it:
grahamgzimmerman.substack.com/p/we-should-...
I never imagined that a life in the vertical world would lead me here—fighting for our climate, our communities, and our democracy.
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on why I keep showing up
I wrote about it:
grahamgzimmerman.substack.com/p/we-should-...
I focus on the ice, the rock, and the roar of the waterfall beside me. Each swing and kick is deliberate, searching for purchase in the frozen column. Mist rises from the cascade, a reminder of the raw energy beneath me. In this moment, fear and control blur into pure focus—this is why I climb.
February 20, 2025 at 5:43 AM
I focus on the ice, the rock, and the roar of the waterfall beside me. Each swing and kick is deliberate, searching for purchase in the frozen column. Mist rises from the cascade, a reminder of the raw energy beneath me. In this moment, fear and control blur into pure focus—this is why I climb.
New Substack—exploring climbing in Patagonia as a metaphor for planning for the year ahead:
open.substack.com/pub/grahamgz...
open.substack.com/pub/grahamgz...
February 1, 2025 at 6:53 PM
New Substack—exploring climbing in Patagonia as a metaphor for planning for the year ahead:
open.substack.com/pub/grahamgz...
open.substack.com/pub/grahamgz...
Just published a new Substack: Lessons from the Storm: Preparing for the Challenges Ahead.
It’s about using strategies for surviving in the mountains to navigate this critical moment for our democracy. Check it out here: substack.com/@grahamgzimm...
It’s about using strategies for surviving in the mountains to navigate this critical moment for our democracy. Check it out here: substack.com/@grahamgzimm...
Graham Zimmerman | Substack
Graham is an award-winning alpinist, writer, filmmaker, and climate advocate. As a non-profit leader, he bridges adventure and activism. This Substack is a space for his reflections on climbing and cl...
substack.com
January 26, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Just published a new Substack: Lessons from the Storm: Preparing for the Challenges Ahead.
It’s about using strategies for surviving in the mountains to navigate this critical moment for our democracy. Check it out here: substack.com/@grahamgzimm...
It’s about using strategies for surviving in the mountains to navigate this critical moment for our democracy. Check it out here: substack.com/@grahamgzimm...
Reposted by Graham Zimmerman
It is both the case that the 2% of the planet that is it United States is remarkably frigid at the moment, and that the world as a whole is at record-warm levels for this day of the year:
January 21, 2025 at 6:33 AM
It is both the case that the 2% of the planet that is it United States is remarkably frigid at the moment, and that the world as a whole is at record-warm levels for this day of the year:
Curtis Yarvin’s ideas gaining traction in the Trump admin is akin to Ignatius J. Reilly’s medieval fantasies shaping policy—absurd and alarming. When fringe ideologies find power, we must be vigilant. What starts as satire can easily spiral into dangerous reality.
January 19, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Curtis Yarvin’s ideas gaining traction in the Trump admin is akin to Ignatius J. Reilly’s medieval fantasies shaping policy—absurd and alarming. When fringe ideologies find power, we must be vigilant. What starts as satire can easily spiral into dangerous reality.
Reposted by Graham Zimmerman
some ways to generate electricity
A) use sunlight to drive photosynthesis in plants, let plants die, wait ~100 million years, dig up fossilized plants, burn plants, use heat to boil water, use steam to drive a rotating turbine, use generator to make electrons
B) use sunlight to make electrons
A) use sunlight to drive photosynthesis in plants, let plants die, wait ~100 million years, dig up fossilized plants, burn plants, use heat to boil water, use steam to drive a rotating turbine, use generator to make electrons
B) use sunlight to make electrons
January 17, 2025 at 9:55 PM
some ways to generate electricity
A) use sunlight to drive photosynthesis in plants, let plants die, wait ~100 million years, dig up fossilized plants, burn plants, use heat to boil water, use steam to drive a rotating turbine, use generator to make electrons
B) use sunlight to make electrons
A) use sunlight to drive photosynthesis in plants, let plants die, wait ~100 million years, dig up fossilized plants, burn plants, use heat to boil water, use steam to drive a rotating turbine, use generator to make electrons
B) use sunlight to make electrons
Delighted to launch my Substack, blending climbing + climate 🌍
First posts:
The Hottest Year on Record (why equity is key to climate action)
A Storm on Mount Bradley (an Alaska climb story)
Subscribe if you’re keen to be inspired and take action. lnkd.in/g9DCDpFX
First posts:
The Hottest Year on Record (why equity is key to climate action)
A Storm on Mount Bradley (an Alaska climb story)
Subscribe if you’re keen to be inspired and take action. lnkd.in/g9DCDpFX
January 15, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Delighted to launch my Substack, blending climbing + climate 🌍
First posts:
The Hottest Year on Record (why equity is key to climate action)
A Storm on Mount Bradley (an Alaska climb story)
Subscribe if you’re keen to be inspired and take action. lnkd.in/g9DCDpFX
First posts:
The Hottest Year on Record (why equity is key to climate action)
A Storm on Mount Bradley (an Alaska climb story)
Subscribe if you’re keen to be inspired and take action. lnkd.in/g9DCDpFX
American energy use, in one diagram
How much energy we use, what kind, and how much is wasted.
www.vox.com
January 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Reposted by Graham Zimmerman
Did you know that 2/3 of all energy we use ends up as waste heat because of how inefficient our energy system is?
Yet we pay for 100% of the energy inputs.
Here’s the US as an example.
Yet we pay for 100% of the energy inputs.
Here’s the US as an example.
January 5, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Did you know that 2/3 of all energy we use ends up as waste heat because of how inefficient our energy system is?
Yet we pay for 100% of the energy inputs.
Here’s the US as an example.
Yet we pay for 100% of the energy inputs.
Here’s the US as an example.
Three months in with little Sloane, and life is full. Balancing fatherhood, supporting Shannon, and training as a climber has been a challenge I love. Strong fingers, tired legs, and learning every day—here’s to showing up fully for family and staying strong on the wall!
January 5, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Three months in with little Sloane, and life is full. Balancing fatherhood, supporting Shannon, and training as a climber has been a challenge I love. Strong fingers, tired legs, and learning every day—here’s to showing up fully for family and staying strong on the wall!
Reposted by Graham Zimmerman
For climate posts most Fantastic, @katharinehayhoe.com @renewableenergy.bsky.social @georgetownclimate.bsky.social @greenpeaceuk.bsky.social @climatewwf.bsky.social You are all now inc. in our Climate Law & Energy Starter Pack go.bsky.app/KNf2qH9 #everylittlehelps TY @coreycottrell.bsky.social ^G👩⚖️
January 1, 2025 at 10:24 AM
For climate posts most Fantastic, @katharinehayhoe.com @renewableenergy.bsky.social @georgetownclimate.bsky.social @greenpeaceuk.bsky.social @climatewwf.bsky.social You are all now inc. in our Climate Law & Energy Starter Pack go.bsky.app/KNf2qH9 #everylittlehelps TY @coreycottrell.bsky.social ^G👩⚖️
This article draws an interesting pathway forward -
It shares that facing the new admin, clean energy companies are shifting shifting messaging from “clean and affordable” to “reliable and essential” and critical to meeting America’s energy demands as they soar.
www.wsj.com/business/ene...
It shares that facing the new admin, clean energy companies are shifting shifting messaging from “clean and affordable” to “reliable and essential” and critical to meeting America’s energy demands as they soar.
www.wsj.com/business/ene...
Green-Energy Firms’ Pitch to Trump: You’re Going to Need a Lot of Power
Instead of touting projects as “clean and affordable,” renewables firms are highlighting their projects’ ability to meet energy needs.
www.wsj.com
January 1, 2025 at 6:02 PM
This article draws an interesting pathway forward -
It shares that facing the new admin, clean energy companies are shifting shifting messaging from “clean and affordable” to “reliable and essential” and critical to meeting America’s energy demands as they soar.
www.wsj.com/business/ene...
It shares that facing the new admin, clean energy companies are shifting shifting messaging from “clean and affordable” to “reliable and essential” and critical to meeting America’s energy demands as they soar.
www.wsj.com/business/ene...
Places like this keep me inspired day in and day out.
December 24, 2024 at 1:24 AM
Places like this keep me inspired day in and day out.
Got asked again at a presentation—probably for the thousandth time—“How can you, as a professional athlete, advocate for climate solutions given your travel?”
I’m sure others get this too.
How do you answer?
I’m sure others get this too.
How do you answer?
December 17, 2024 at 1:20 AM
Got asked again at a presentation—probably for the thousandth time—“How can you, as a professional athlete, advocate for climate solutions given your travel?”
I’m sure others get this too.
How do you answer?
I’m sure others get this too.
How do you answer?
Reposted by Graham Zimmerman
I often hear wind and solar lead to more power outages.
But it’s not true. Here's the data for Germany:
Wind + solar had a share of 33% of electricity in 2022.
➡️But there were 43% FEWER interruptions than in 2006 when wind + solar contributed only 5%.
But it’s not true. Here's the data for Germany:
Wind + solar had a share of 33% of electricity in 2022.
➡️But there were 43% FEWER interruptions than in 2006 when wind + solar contributed only 5%.
December 15, 2024 at 4:08 PM
I often hear wind and solar lead to more power outages.
But it’s not true. Here's the data for Germany:
Wind + solar had a share of 33% of electricity in 2022.
➡️But there were 43% FEWER interruptions than in 2006 when wind + solar contributed only 5%.
But it’s not true. Here's the data for Germany:
Wind + solar had a share of 33% of electricity in 2022.
➡️But there were 43% FEWER interruptions than in 2006 when wind + solar contributed only 5%.
Clinging to frozen waterfalls, high above the quiet snow-covered valley, feels like a deep breath of fresh air. It’s where I find the clarity, perspective, and reset I need to dig back into the work on climate.
December 15, 2024 at 5:47 PM
Clinging to frozen waterfalls, high above the quiet snow-covered valley, feels like a deep breath of fresh air. It’s where I find the clarity, perspective, and reset I need to dig back into the work on climate.
November 2024 was 1.6°C warmer than normal, showing a very concerning increase in global temperatures. This is critical because a 1.5°C increase is a key climate change threshold - higher temps will lead to more heatwaves, droughts, and heavy rain. Data from the Copernicus Climate program.
December 10, 2024 at 7:06 AM
November 2024 was 1.6°C warmer than normal, showing a very concerning increase in global temperatures. This is critical because a 1.5°C increase is a key climate change threshold - higher temps will lead to more heatwaves, droughts, and heavy rain. Data from the Copernicus Climate program.
Reposted by Graham Zimmerman
Don't assume maximalist outcomes for the Trump administration. That's a form of psychological surrender. We should attempt to exploit every stumble, failure, and misstep, and there will be stumbles, failures, and missteps.
December 9, 2024 at 2:58 AM
Don't assume maximalist outcomes for the Trump administration. That's a form of psychological surrender. We should attempt to exploit every stumble, failure, and misstep, and there will be stumbles, failures, and missteps.
In ‘16 I climbed Llullaillaco where the 6739m summit holds the highest archaeological site on Earth
Incas sacrificed children there hoping to calm cycles of droughts and floods
Today we know these cycles as El Niño/La Niña
Simply put: science is crucial to how we understand/thrive in our world
Incas sacrificed children there hoping to calm cycles of droughts and floods
Today we know these cycles as El Niño/La Niña
Simply put: science is crucial to how we understand/thrive in our world
December 8, 2024 at 11:33 PM
In ‘16 I climbed Llullaillaco where the 6739m summit holds the highest archaeological site on Earth
Incas sacrificed children there hoping to calm cycles of droughts and floods
Today we know these cycles as El Niño/La Niña
Simply put: science is crucial to how we understand/thrive in our world
Incas sacrificed children there hoping to calm cycles of droughts and floods
Today we know these cycles as El Niño/La Niña
Simply put: science is crucial to how we understand/thrive in our world
It’ll be exhausting, but we have to stay on top of Trump’s misleading claims. Lies from his Meet the Press interview:
-Crime is at an all-time high, driven by migrants—false.
-Pelosi caused Jan. 6 by rejecting National Guard help—no evidence.
-Inflation solely Biden’s fault—misleading.
-Crime is at an all-time high, driven by migrants—false.
-Pelosi caused Jan. 6 by rejecting National Guard help—no evidence.
-Inflation solely Biden’s fault—misleading.
December 8, 2024 at 6:29 PM
It’ll be exhausting, but we have to stay on top of Trump’s misleading claims. Lies from his Meet the Press interview:
-Crime is at an all-time high, driven by migrants—false.
-Pelosi caused Jan. 6 by rejecting National Guard help—no evidence.
-Inflation solely Biden’s fault—misleading.
-Crime is at an all-time high, driven by migrants—false.
-Pelosi caused Jan. 6 by rejecting National Guard help—no evidence.
-Inflation solely Biden’s fault—misleading.
Post-election days have me leaning hard on a simple truth: medium to long training sessions are magic for mental health. Reset, recharge, repeat.
December 8, 2024 at 3:55 AM
Post-election days have me leaning hard on a simple truth: medium to long training sessions are magic for mental health. Reset, recharge, repeat.
Holding both sadness and frustration over the election results and celebrating the incredible grassroots organizing my team accomplished is tricky—but it feels essential. Honoring the work fuels the fire for what comes next.
December 5, 2024 at 4:12 PM
Holding both sadness and frustration over the election results and celebrating the incredible grassroots organizing my team accomplished is tricky—but it feels essential. Honoring the work fuels the fire for what comes next.
Y’all, parenthood feels a lot like alpine climbing.
December 5, 2024 at 2:55 AM
Y’all, parenthood feels a lot like alpine climbing.