Nietifa Van Suiker
@lukewanderer.bsky.social
|Friend of Dogs
|Science Adherent
|Environmentalist
~techie
~civil eng
|unrepentant godless liberal
|born at 323 ppm
~fermenter
|#BikeCommuter
~#carlite
~more
|Science Adherent
|Environmentalist
~techie
~civil eng
|unrepentant godless liberal
|born at 323 ppm
~fermenter
|#BikeCommuter
~#carlite
~more
Reposted by Nietifa Van Suiker
In the century leading up to 1975, nearly 6000 freighters went down in the Great Lakes.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
November 11, 2025 at 1:50 AM
In the century leading up to 1975, nearly 6000 freighters went down in the Great Lakes.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
Kudos to Downtown Improvement District for not blocking the Hennepin Avenue bikeway when emptying trash cans!
November 11, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Kudos to Downtown Improvement District for not blocking the Hennepin Avenue bikeway when emptying trash cans!
Reposted by Nietifa Van Suiker
Folks have been telling me they’ve noticed I’ve gotten “a lot more political” on social media this year.
Of course I have.
The circumstances have gotten nightmarishly worse, and the consequences of inaction and staying silent infinitely more obvious.
Everyone needs to get “a lot more political.”
Of course I have.
The circumstances have gotten nightmarishly worse, and the consequences of inaction and staying silent infinitely more obvious.
Everyone needs to get “a lot more political.”
November 11, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Folks have been telling me they’ve noticed I’ve gotten “a lot more political” on social media this year.
Of course I have.
The circumstances have gotten nightmarishly worse, and the consequences of inaction and staying silent infinitely more obvious.
Everyone needs to get “a lot more political.”
Of course I have.
The circumstances have gotten nightmarishly worse, and the consequences of inaction and staying silent infinitely more obvious.
Everyone needs to get “a lot more political.”
Reposted by Nietifa Van Suiker
This a big deal: "China’s carbon dioxide emissions have been flat or falling for 18 months"
China's economy has grown by ~5% in the last year, so this comprehensively debunks the idea (again) that emissions are tied to growth. So yes, faster progress needed, but this is how you turn the corner.
China's economy has grown by ~5% in the last year, so this comprehensively debunks the idea (again) that emissions are tied to growth. So yes, faster progress needed, but this is how you turn the corner.
China’s CO2 emissions have been flat or falling for past 18 months, analysis finds
World’s biggest polluter on track to hit peak emissions target early but miss goal for cutting carbon intensity
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:20 AM
This a big deal: "China’s carbon dioxide emissions have been flat or falling for 18 months"
China's economy has grown by ~5% in the last year, so this comprehensively debunks the idea (again) that emissions are tied to growth. So yes, faster progress needed, but this is how you turn the corner.
China's economy has grown by ~5% in the last year, so this comprehensively debunks the idea (again) that emissions are tied to growth. So yes, faster progress needed, but this is how you turn the corner.
Who do I know that lives in Minnetonka Ward 2?
November 10, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Who do I know that lives in Minnetonka Ward 2?
#ButCyclists
Broken pieces of light pole on the ground after being struck by a car. A piece of (presumably, the offending) car lies nearby. Fortunately, the caution sign advising that there is a pedestrian crossing here remains undamaged. A bicyclist's autumn-lengthened shadow is in foreground.
Broken pieces of light pole on the ground after being struck by a car. A piece of (presumably, the offending) car lies nearby. Fortunately, the caution sign advising that there is a pedestrian crossing here remains undamaged. A bicyclist's autumn-lengthened shadow is in foreground.
November 10, 2025 at 11:06 PM
#ButCyclists
Broken pieces of light pole on the ground after being struck by a car. A piece of (presumably, the offending) car lies nearby. Fortunately, the caution sign advising that there is a pedestrian crossing here remains undamaged. A bicyclist's autumn-lengthened shadow is in foreground.
Broken pieces of light pole on the ground after being struck by a car. A piece of (presumably, the offending) car lies nearby. Fortunately, the caution sign advising that there is a pedestrian crossing here remains undamaged. A bicyclist's autumn-lengthened shadow is in foreground.
Reposted by Nietifa Van Suiker
It is wild, if not surprising I guess, that whether people could fly somewhere at Thanksgiving seemed to have more political effect than whether people could *eat* at Thanksgiving.
November 10, 2025 at 4:52 PM
It is wild, if not surprising I guess, that whether people could fly somewhere at Thanksgiving seemed to have more political effect than whether people could *eat* at Thanksgiving.
Remembering that the Syrian civil war started with a drought.
In case you're not aware, Tehran is a city of ~10 MILLION people. "Rivers and reservoirs are running dry, while groundwater sources have been overexploited to sustain agriculture and urban growth."
www.newsweek.com/evacuation-w...
www.newsweek.com/evacuation-w...
November 10, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Reposted by Nietifa Van Suiker
Hey look! Good news.
In an early, small, trial, a new gene-editing drug reduced cholesterol and triglycerides in high-risk heart-disease patients.
Early. Small. But still.
www.npr.org/2025/11/08/n...
In an early, small, trial, a new gene-editing drug reduced cholesterol and triglycerides in high-risk heart-disease patients.
Early. Small. But still.
www.npr.org/2025/11/08/n...
CRISPR gene-editing works to reduce high cholesterol in a new study
An experimental gene-editing treatment shows promise for permanently lowering levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, possibly helping cut the risk for heart disease.
www.npr.org
November 10, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Hey look! Good news.
In an early, small, trial, a new gene-editing drug reduced cholesterol and triglycerides in high-risk heart-disease patients.
Early. Small. But still.
www.npr.org/2025/11/08/n...
In an early, small, trial, a new gene-editing drug reduced cholesterol and triglycerides in high-risk heart-disease patients.
Early. Small. But still.
www.npr.org/2025/11/08/n...
Reposted by Nietifa Van Suiker
🏳️🌈 Old news: Kim Davis was jailed for contempt of court when she refused to issue a marriage license to a gay couple and then lost her reelection for county clerk in 2018.
New news:
New news:
The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected Kim Davis' call to overturn its 2015 ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
www.mississippifreepress.org/us-supreme-c...
www.mississippifreepress.org/us-supreme-c...
US Supreme Court Rejects Kim Davis' Call to Overturn Same-Sex Marriage Rights
The Supreme Court has rejected a call to overturn its landmark decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
www.mississippifreepress.org
November 10, 2025 at 3:05 PM
🏳️🌈 Old news: Kim Davis was jailed for contempt of court when she refused to issue a marriage license to a gay couple and then lost her reelection for county clerk in 2018.
New news:
New news:
Reposted by Nietifa Van Suiker
Breaking News: The Supreme Court denied a request to consider overturning its landmark decision to legalize same-sex marriage a decade ago. nyti.ms/3Ju2Ayd
November 10, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Reposted by Nietifa Van Suiker
Imagine a parallel-universe US with a ~$20 trillion public wealth fund, built from the profits that O&G owners/executives/major shareholders took in our universe. Imagine how much better US health care, education, infrastructure, childcare, retirement support, etc. could be. Breaks the brain a bit.
(Norway's oil fund is about $2 trillion [about $350k per person], built from oil reserves and past production that are about 10x smaller than America's. Which puts the hypothetical US oil fund in a parallel universe at $20 trillion or so, very roughly.)
November 10, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Imagine a parallel-universe US with a ~$20 trillion public wealth fund, built from the profits that O&G owners/executives/major shareholders took in our universe. Imagine how much better US health care, education, infrastructure, childcare, retirement support, etc. could be. Breaks the brain a bit.
Reposted by Nietifa Van Suiker
You may not be able to hold your elected government leaders accountable for anything whatsoever, but you can get extremely expensive groceries by bike.
Inspiring words in 2025 feels impossible.
Inspiring words in 2025 feels impossible.
November 10, 2025 at 1:33 PM
You may not be able to hold your elected government leaders accountable for anything whatsoever, but you can get extremely expensive groceries by bike.
Inspiring words in 2025 feels impossible.
Inspiring words in 2025 feels impossible.
Reposted by Nietifa Van Suiker
Arizona has paused development of hundreds of thousands of homes on the far Phoenix fringes due to insufficient groundwater supplies, @highcountrynews.org finds: www.hcn.org/issues/57-10...
The dried-out subdivisions of Phoenix - High Country News
A groundwater crisis halted the construction of thousands of homes and pitted affordability against environmental concerns.
www.hcn.org
November 10, 2025 at 5:25 AM
Arizona has paused development of hundreds of thousands of homes on the far Phoenix fringes due to insufficient groundwater supplies, @highcountrynews.org finds: www.hcn.org/issues/57-10...
Reposted by Nietifa Van Suiker
They're trying to sneak a nationwide abortion ban into the bill and many Dems are actually considering caving.
They've held the line for 40 days... it's pointless if they cave now.
Call your elected representatives!
They've held the line for 40 days... it's pointless if they cave now.
Call your elected representatives!
"Hyde language" would be a ban on anything related to abortion. So, any Senate Democrat that caves is agreeing to vote to implement a nationwide abortion ban in exchange for healthcare subsidies.
Democrats are likely to get a vote on an extension later. But they've already gotten similar votes. Republicans already vowing to block an extension without major changes to the ACA, like adding Hyde language.
November 9, 2025 at 10:22 PM
They're trying to sneak a nationwide abortion ban into the bill and many Dems are actually considering caving.
They've held the line for 40 days... it's pointless if they cave now.
Call your elected representatives!
They've held the line for 40 days... it's pointless if they cave now.
Call your elected representatives!
Reposted by Nietifa Van Suiker
This piece is as good as people say it is. Read it to appreciate that writing isn't just about content, but style. AI can't do this.
Maybe Don’t Talk to the New York Times About Zohran Mamdani
It’s remarkable, the people you’ll hear from. Teach for even a little while at an expensive institution—the term they tend to prefer is “elite”—and odds are that eventually someone who was a studen…
lithub.com
November 9, 2025 at 11:10 AM
This piece is as good as people say it is. Read it to appreciate that writing isn't just about content, but style. AI can't do this.
Had to grab a couple things for dinner (sopa de lima - yum!) from the grocery store yesterday but it was cold (36F) so I took the truck...
November 9, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Had to grab a couple things for dinner (sopa de lima - yum!) from the grocery store yesterday but it was cold (36F) so I took the truck...
Reposted by Nietifa Van Suiker
Recognizing bicycle parking as a critical component of any infrastructure network, The Hague’s Amare concert hall has opened 1,000 guarded and sheltered spaces—intended not just for ticket holders visiting the largest cultural building in the Netherlands, but anyone visiting the city’s busy centre.🧵
November 9, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Recognizing bicycle parking as a critical component of any infrastructure network, The Hague’s Amare concert hall has opened 1,000 guarded and sheltered spaces—intended not just for ticket holders visiting the largest cultural building in the Netherlands, but anyone visiting the city’s busy centre.🧵
Reposted by Nietifa Van Suiker
When you switch from fossil to clean you only use like 30-40% of the energy to do the same stuff, bc most energy from fossil fuels is lost as waste heat
What's I'm trying to say is that all climate action is degrowth
WELCOME TO DEGROWTH EVERYONE
What's I'm trying to say is that all climate action is degrowth
WELCOME TO DEGROWTH EVERYONE
From my file on the IEA's world energy outlook.
"Primary energy" = what goes in
"Final energy" = what comes out
a
The space in between: mostly lost energy bc burning fossil fuels is absurdly wasteful.
So in the net zero scenario, that gaps closes to zero --->>
"Primary energy" = what goes in
"Final energy" = what comes out
a
The space in between: mostly lost energy bc burning fossil fuels is absurdly wasteful.
So in the net zero scenario, that gaps closes to zero --->>
November 8, 2025 at 8:52 PM
When you switch from fossil to clean you only use like 30-40% of the energy to do the same stuff, bc most energy from fossil fuels is lost as waste heat
What's I'm trying to say is that all climate action is degrowth
WELCOME TO DEGROWTH EVERYONE
What's I'm trying to say is that all climate action is degrowth
WELCOME TO DEGROWTH EVERYONE
Reposted by Nietifa Van Suiker
So it turns out... the US air travel system was incredibly, deeply dependent on federal funding to just run day-to-day all this time, to the benefit of private airline shareholders, when everyone thinks that state-run trains are leeching off the government. Weird!
November 9, 2025 at 12:10 AM
So it turns out... the US air travel system was incredibly, deeply dependent on federal funding to just run day-to-day all this time, to the benefit of private airline shareholders, when everyone thinks that state-run trains are leeching off the government. Weird!
Reposted by Nietifa Van Suiker
The truly maddening thing is that, unlike when I was a young man in science and the materials and engineering just weren’t there yet, the future is *right there.* The problem is *solved*. What’s holding us back is not just greed, but this bizarre nostalgia, an obsession with petro- masculinity.
Australia has so much electricity from solar power that it is going to start offering free electricity to everyone for at least three hours during the day as the wholesale price of power goes negative
electrek.co/2025/11/04/a...
electrek.co/2025/11/04/a...
Australia has so much solar that it's offering everyone free electricity
Australia's extensive solar power penetration makes so much energy that the government wants to offer free electricity at peak hours.
electrek.co
November 6, 2025 at 2:08 PM
The truly maddening thing is that, unlike when I was a young man in science and the materials and engineering just weren’t there yet, the future is *right there.* The problem is *solved*. What’s holding us back is not just greed, but this bizarre nostalgia, an obsession with petro- masculinity.
Reposted by Nietifa Van Suiker
"Zohran Mamdani will be the first mayor of New York City in decades not to own a car"
Will be exciting to see if he can implement his vision to pedestrianize areas in the congestion pricing zone and dedicate entire streets as combo busways + active transportation
Will be exciting to see if he can implement his vision to pedestrianize areas in the congestion pricing zone and dedicate entire streets as combo busways + active transportation
How Mamdani could push a bold redesign of New York's streets
The mayor-elect has articulated a vision for reshaping the city streets. Janette Sadik-Khan, the former commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation under the Bloomberg Administratio...
www.fastcompany.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:36 PM
"Zohran Mamdani will be the first mayor of New York City in decades not to own a car"
Will be exciting to see if he can implement his vision to pedestrianize areas in the congestion pricing zone and dedicate entire streets as combo busways + active transportation
Will be exciting to see if he can implement his vision to pedestrianize areas in the congestion pricing zone and dedicate entire streets as combo busways + active transportation
Reposted by Nietifa Van Suiker
Downtown Brooklyn is the real life version of that meme of a million people crammed into the sidewalks and a single driver lounging in a car
November 8, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Downtown Brooklyn is the real life version of that meme of a million people crammed into the sidewalks and a single driver lounging in a car