Ken Caldeira
@kencaldeira.com
Mostly mentoring a group of postdocs at Stanford.
Senior Scientist at Gates Ventures.
climate / energy / etc
https://sustainablesolutions.stanford.edu/people/ken-caldeira
Posts imperfectly represent the views of my former self and not my employer.
Senior Scientist at Gates Ventures.
climate / energy / etc
https://sustainablesolutions.stanford.edu/people/ken-caldeira
Posts imperfectly represent the views of my former self and not my employer.
Pinned
Ken Caldeira
@kencaldeira.com
· Nov 18
Folks, I am really appreciative of people who have followed me and added me to their starter packs.
I post about climate science, energy system transition, and related issues.
I try to restrain myself to information and questions, and try to avoid unseemly opining in public.
I post about climate science, energy system transition, and related issues.
I try to restrain myself to information and questions, and try to avoid unseemly opining in public.
It is time for a Constitutional amendment to take the pardon power away from US Presidents.
The pardon power can be used as a means to condone widespread corruption and illegality.
The potential harms of the pardon power greatly exceed potential benefits.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
The pardon power can be used as a means to condone widespread corruption and illegality.
The potential harms of the pardon power greatly exceed potential benefits.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
Trump Pardons the Husband of a Republican Congressional Ally
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:47 AM
It is time for a Constitutional amendment to take the pardon power away from US Presidents.
The pardon power can be used as a means to condone widespread corruption and illegality.
The potential harms of the pardon power greatly exceed potential benefits.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
The pardon power can be used as a means to condone widespread corruption and illegality.
The potential harms of the pardon power greatly exceed potential benefits.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
I'm preparing slides for a talk I'll be giving at Stanford this Thursday. Here is a draft slide.
events.stanford.edu/event/earth-...
events.stanford.edu/event/earth-...
November 10, 2025 at 9:26 PM
I'm preparing slides for a talk I'll be giving at Stanford this Thursday. Here is a draft slide.
events.stanford.edu/event/earth-...
events.stanford.edu/event/earth-...
Reposted by Ken Caldeira
8 Senate Democrats sided with Trump and Republican fascists in throwing 15 million Americans off Medicaid and Obamacare:
Dick Durbin (IL), Maggie Hassan (NH), Tim Kaine (VA), Angus King (I-ME), Cortez Masto (NV), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Jacky Rosen (NV), John Fetterman (PA).
Dick Durbin (IL), Maggie Hassan (NH), Tim Kaine (VA), Angus King (I-ME), Cortez Masto (NV), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Jacky Rosen (NV), John Fetterman (PA).
November 10, 2025 at 1:19 PM
8 Senate Democrats sided with Trump and Republican fascists in throwing 15 million Americans off Medicaid and Obamacare:
Dick Durbin (IL), Maggie Hassan (NH), Tim Kaine (VA), Angus King (I-ME), Cortez Masto (NV), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Jacky Rosen (NV), John Fetterman (PA).
Dick Durbin (IL), Maggie Hassan (NH), Tim Kaine (VA), Angus King (I-ME), Cortez Masto (NV), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Jacky Rosen (NV), John Fetterman (PA).
I missed this news.
In the space of a decade, @ricarda-winkelmann.bsky.social goes from PhD student to founding Director of a Max Planck Institute.
It is always great to see excellent people succeed.
Focus on science, Ricarda. Don't get lost in Administration.
www.pik-potsdam.de/en/news/late...
In the space of a decade, @ricarda-winkelmann.bsky.social goes from PhD student to founding Director of a Max Planck Institute.
It is always great to see excellent people succeed.
Focus on science, Ricarda. Don't get lost in Administration.
www.pik-potsdam.de/en/news/late...
Ricarda Winkelmann appointed Max Planck founding director in Jena
07/07/2023 - PIK researcher Ricarda Winkelmann has been appointed founding director at the Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology in Jena, dedicated to understanding the interactions between humans ...
www.pik-potsdam.de
November 10, 2025 at 2:22 PM
I missed this news.
In the space of a decade, @ricarda-winkelmann.bsky.social goes from PhD student to founding Director of a Max Planck Institute.
It is always great to see excellent people succeed.
Focus on science, Ricarda. Don't get lost in Administration.
www.pik-potsdam.de/en/news/late...
In the space of a decade, @ricarda-winkelmann.bsky.social goes from PhD student to founding Director of a Max Planck Institute.
It is always great to see excellent people succeed.
Focus on science, Ricarda. Don't get lost in Administration.
www.pik-potsdam.de/en/news/late...
Reposted by Ken Caldeira
Chuck Schumer Helps Pull Democrats Back From Brink Of Courage
November 10, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Chuck Schumer Helps Pull Democrats Back From Brink Of Courage
Please, tell me it isn't so ...
Are Senate Democrats once again snatching defeat from the jaws of victory?
Are they showing they have no spine, no unity, no real ability to govern in the broad interest of Americans?
Are Senate Democrats once again snatching defeat from the jaws of victory?
Are they showing they have no spine, no unity, no real ability to govern in the broad interest of Americans?
November 10, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Please, tell me it isn't so ...
Are Senate Democrats once again snatching defeat from the jaws of victory?
Are they showing they have no spine, no unity, no real ability to govern in the broad interest of Americans?
Are Senate Democrats once again snatching defeat from the jaws of victory?
Are they showing they have no spine, no unity, no real ability to govern in the broad interest of Americans?
Reposted by Ken Caldeira
Dems backed Trump into a corner where he’s advocating for starving Americans and hemorrhaging support. If they vote to let him off the hook in exchange for nothing it’s a cataclysmic failure. I know people are in pain but insulating Republicans from political consequences is not the answer.
November 9, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Dems backed Trump into a corner where he’s advocating for starving Americans and hemorrhaging support. If they vote to let him off the hook in exchange for nothing it’s a cataclysmic failure. I know people are in pain but insulating Republicans from political consequences is not the answer.
Bill Gates donates US$1.4 billion to help farmers adapt to climate change
The donation includes boosting crop yields and livestock production, and also providing digital advisory services
financialpost.com/news/bill-ga...
The donation includes boosting crop yields and livestock production, and also providing digital advisory services
financialpost.com/news/bill-ga...
Bill Gates donates US$1.4 billion to help farmers adapt to climate change
Bill Gates is pouring money into helping small-scale farmers adapt to climate change and address a gap in funding for production. Read more.
financialpost.com
November 9, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Bill Gates donates US$1.4 billion to help farmers adapt to climate change
The donation includes boosting crop yields and livestock production, and also providing digital advisory services
financialpost.com/news/bill-ga...
The donation includes boosting crop yields and livestock production, and also providing digital advisory services
financialpost.com/news/bill-ga...
Opinion
Nicholas Kristof
"Trump Aid Cuts Kill More Christians Than Jihadists Do"
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/o...
Nicholas Kristof
"Trump Aid Cuts Kill More Christians Than Jihadists Do"
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/o...
November 9, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Opinion
Nicholas Kristof
"Trump Aid Cuts Kill More Christians Than Jihadists Do"
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/o...
Nicholas Kristof
"Trump Aid Cuts Kill More Christians Than Jihadists Do"
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/o...
Reposted by Ken Caldeira
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
Who would have guessed that sending masked unidentified people out with weapons and a mandate to abuse people would lead to copy-cat wrongdoing?
I'm shocked.
ttps://www.wired.com/story/fbi-warns-of-criminals-posing-as-ice-urges-agents-to-id-themselves/
I'm shocked.
ttps://www.wired.com/story/fbi-warns-of-criminals-posing-as-ice-urges-agents-to-id-themselves/
FBI Warns of Criminals Posing as ICE, Urges Agents to ID Themselves
In a bulletin to law enforcement agencies, the FBI said criminal impersonators are exploiting ICE’s image and urged nationwide coordination to distinguish real operations from fakes.
www.wired.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Who would have guessed that sending masked unidentified people out with weapons and a mandate to abuse people would lead to copy-cat wrongdoing?
I'm shocked.
ttps://www.wired.com/story/fbi-warns-of-criminals-posing-as-ice-urges-agents-to-id-themselves/
I'm shocked.
ttps://www.wired.com/story/fbi-warns-of-criminals-posing-as-ice-urges-agents-to-id-themselves/
Reposted by Ken Caldeira
Fig 1 from our Year in Fire report. This figure is our attempt to measure and separate “good” low to moderate severity fire from “bad” high severity fire in California. We need more of the green in CA - as much as 4 million acres a year - but less of the blue. That’s the landscape fire challenge.
November 4, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Fig 1 from our Year in Fire report. This figure is our attempt to measure and separate “good” low to moderate severity fire from “bad” high severity fire in California. We need more of the green in CA - as much as 4 million acres a year - but less of the blue. That’s the landscape fire challenge.
It amazes me to see what venture capitalists are willing to invest in.
Are the investors actually hoping to see a positive return, or do they see investing in companies that seem doomed to failure a form of philanthropy?
(Maybe I am being too optimistic.)
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
Are the investors actually hoping to see a positive return, or do they see investing in companies that seem doomed to failure a form of philanthropy?
(Maybe I am being too optimistic.)
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
Global cooling startup raises $60M to test sun-reflecting technology
The fundraising haul marks strong enthusiasm for experiments aimed at lowering temperatures, said the company. But it also raises questions about commercializing technologies with potentially damaging...
www.politico.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:14 PM
It amazes me to see what venture capitalists are willing to invest in.
Are the investors actually hoping to see a positive return, or do they see investing in companies that seem doomed to failure a form of philanthropy?
(Maybe I am being too optimistic.)
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
Are the investors actually hoping to see a positive return, or do they see investing in companies that seem doomed to failure a form of philanthropy?
(Maybe I am being too optimistic.)
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
Reposted by Ken Caldeira
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
Experience curves indicate that successful technologies reduce in cost by ~20% for each doubling of cumulative production.
However, we find that past learning rates are not very predictive of future learning rates, throwing many energy tech cost projections into doubt.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ad...
However, we find that past learning rates are not very predictive of future learning rates, throwing many energy tech cost projections into doubt.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ad...
November 4, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Experience curves indicate that successful technologies reduce in cost by ~20% for each doubling of cumulative production.
However, we find that past learning rates are not very predictive of future learning rates, throwing many energy tech cost projections into doubt.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ad...
However, we find that past learning rates are not very predictive of future learning rates, throwing many energy tech cost projections into doubt.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ad...
Whatever happened to blind justice without fear or favor?
Biden Admin gives a pass to powerful political opponents, while the Trump Admin practices it's vindictiveness.
///
'If it was anybody else, we'd arrest him tomorrow,' Justice Department aide said of Trump
www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/t...
Biden Admin gives a pass to powerful political opponents, while the Trump Admin practices it's vindictiveness.
///
'If it was anybody else, we'd arrest him tomorrow,' Justice Department aide said of Trump
www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/t...
‘If it was anybody else, we’d arrest him tomorrow,' Justice Department aide said of Trump
A handful of documents found by the FBI at Mar-a-Lago were so sensitive that even a senior Justice Department official didn’t have authorization to see them.
www.msnbc.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:14 AM
Whatever happened to blind justice without fear or favor?
Biden Admin gives a pass to powerful political opponents, while the Trump Admin practices it's vindictiveness.
///
'If it was anybody else, we'd arrest him tomorrow,' Justice Department aide said of Trump
www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/t...
Biden Admin gives a pass to powerful political opponents, while the Trump Admin practices it's vindictiveness.
///
'If it was anybody else, we'd arrest him tomorrow,' Justice Department aide said of Trump
www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/t...
Reposted by Ken Caldeira
Essential background here: "did climate change cause Hurricane Melissa" is an attribution question, and there are two main approaches to attribution. Probabilistic event attribution asks: was a Hurricane Melissa-like storm more likely because of climate change? Whereas storyline event attribution...
October 31, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Essential background here: "did climate change cause Hurricane Melissa" is an attribution question, and there are two main approaches to attribution. Probabilistic event attribution asks: was a Hurricane Melissa-like storm more likely because of climate change? Whereas storyline event attribution...
#29 in the continuing saga of musical soundtracks for Yann Le Bihan's Mandelbrot zoom videos.
Yann and I are soul brothers even though we have never met and don't speak each other's language.
We met through the YouTube comments section, discussing "What is art?"
youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Yann and I are soul brothers even though we have never met and don't speak each other's language.
We met through the YouTube comments section, discussing "What is art?"
youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Yann Le Bihan with Art of Chance - YouTube
Tracks available at https://artofchance.bandcamp.com/
youtube.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:49 AM
#29 in the continuing saga of musical soundtracks for Yann Le Bihan's Mandelbrot zoom videos.
Yann and I are soul brothers even though we have never met and don't speak each other's language.
We met through the YouTube comments section, discussing "What is art?"
youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Yann and I are soul brothers even though we have never met and don't speak each other's language.
We met through the YouTube comments section, discussing "What is art?"
youtube.com/playlist?lis...
What's the word for rounding up people and involuntarily putting them in camps?
It starts with the homeless.
Who wants to bet that it will end there?
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/u...
It starts with the homeless.
Who wants to bet that it will end there?
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/u...
In Utah, Trump’s Vision for Homelessness Begins to Take Shape
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:58 PM
What's the word for rounding up people and involuntarily putting them in camps?
It starts with the homeless.
Who wants to bet that it will end there?
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/u...
It starts with the homeless.
Who wants to bet that it will end there?
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/u...
Climate change hits hardest poor people in hot places.
We need to help them not be so poor and help them not be so hot.
Neither climate change, nor malaria, nor malnutrition will decimate civilization.
Nevertheless, we need to solve all of these problems.
www.gatesnotes.com/home/home-pa...
We need to help them not be so poor and help them not be so hot.
Neither climate change, nor malaria, nor malnutrition will decimate civilization.
Nevertheless, we need to solve all of these problems.
www.gatesnotes.com/home/home-pa...
www.gatesnotes.com
October 28, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Climate change hits hardest poor people in hot places.
We need to help them not be so poor and help them not be so hot.
Neither climate change, nor malaria, nor malnutrition will decimate civilization.
Nevertheless, we need to solve all of these problems.
www.gatesnotes.com/home/home-pa...
We need to help them not be so poor and help them not be so hot.
Neither climate change, nor malaria, nor malnutrition will decimate civilization.
Nevertheless, we need to solve all of these problems.
www.gatesnotes.com/home/home-pa...
Making America Great Again!
BREAKING: A Department of Homeland Security officer shot at an unarmed black man during a traffic stop in DC, and the DC police officer said he was told by superiors not to mention the shooting in his incident report. 1/ www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Lawyers allege cover-up after fed shoots at man during D.C. traffic stop
Neither D.C. police nor the Department of Homeland Security have explained why the Homeland Security agent fired his weapon.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 28, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Making America Great Again!
If you are interested in a postdoc position on the Stanford campus on the climate effects of a slowdown/shutdown of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, please contact me.
Atmosphere or ocean modeling experience is a plus.
sustainablesolutions.stanford.edu/people/ken-c...
Atmosphere or ocean modeling experience is a plus.
sustainablesolutions.stanford.edu/people/ken-c...
October 28, 2025 at 1:50 PM
If you are interested in a postdoc position on the Stanford campus on the climate effects of a slowdown/shutdown of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, please contact me.
Atmosphere or ocean modeling experience is a plus.
sustainablesolutions.stanford.edu/people/ken-c...
Atmosphere or ocean modeling experience is a plus.
sustainablesolutions.stanford.edu/people/ken-c...
Reposted by Ken Caldeira
#RIP the great Jack de Johnette, aged 83.
Jack DeJohnette, versatile jazz drummer known for Miles Davis fusion recordings, dies aged 83
Drummer played on Bitches Brew and other landmark recordings, as well as making numerous albums as a bandleader
www.theguardian.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:56 PM
#RIP the great Jack de Johnette, aged 83.
Supreme Court: "Money talks, and money talking is Constitutionally protected speech".
"And by the way (wink, wink), you cannot bribe us for a specified quid pro quo, but tips for services rendered are greatly appreciated."
Democracy dying in the light of day.
www.skadden.com/insights/pub...
"And by the way (wink, wink), you cannot bribe us for a specified quid pro quo, but tips for services rendered are greatly appreciated."
Democracy dying in the light of day.
www.skadden.com/insights/pub...
US Supreme Court Holds That Federal Bribery Law Does Not Criminalize Gratuities | Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Snyder v. United States has the potential to impact other statutes dealing with bribes and payments to government officials, such as the FCPA.
www.skadden.com
October 26, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Supreme Court: "Money talks, and money talking is Constitutionally protected speech".
"And by the way (wink, wink), you cannot bribe us for a specified quid pro quo, but tips for services rendered are greatly appreciated."
Democracy dying in the light of day.
www.skadden.com/insights/pub...
"And by the way (wink, wink), you cannot bribe us for a specified quid pro quo, but tips for services rendered are greatly appreciated."
Democracy dying in the light of day.
www.skadden.com/insights/pub...
Aryan imagery
I made an image of all the art posted by US DOL on X since approximately Labor Day
October 26, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Aryan imagery