@philipswenz.bsky.social
Environmental writer. Most articles are about the impacts of climate change and other environmental problems, and the future of the planet and civilization. My blog is FIREBIRD JOURNAL: Survival and Renewal in the Anthropocene (firebirdjournal.com)
Can AI really "solve" climate change?
Tech Bro and Wall Street hype says "yes," AI will cure cancer, end war and fix the climate. Reality says U.S. AI development is accelerating the climate crisis. Read about it in my latest blog post at Firebird Journal.
Tech Bro and Wall Street hype says "yes," AI will cure cancer, end war and fix the climate. Reality says U.S. AI development is accelerating the climate crisis. Read about it in my latest blog post at Firebird Journal.
Firebird Journal
Survival and Renewal in the Anthropocene
firebirdjournal.com
October 10, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Can AI really "solve" climate change?
Tech Bro and Wall Street hype says "yes," AI will cure cancer, end war and fix the climate. Reality says U.S. AI development is accelerating the climate crisis. Read about it in my latest blog post at Firebird Journal.
Tech Bro and Wall Street hype says "yes," AI will cure cancer, end war and fix the climate. Reality says U.S. AI development is accelerating the climate crisis. Read about it in my latest blog post at Firebird Journal.
Quote of the week
"This show is not important. What is important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this". — Jimmy Kimmel
Free speech is a losing issue for the Trumpies. We should frame all their "legal" attacks on the Left as First Amendment violations.
"This show is not important. What is important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this". — Jimmy Kimmel
Free speech is a losing issue for the Trumpies. We should frame all their "legal" attacks on the Left as First Amendment violations.
September 25, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Quote of the week
"This show is not important. What is important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this". — Jimmy Kimmel
Free speech is a losing issue for the Trumpies. We should frame all their "legal" attacks on the Left as First Amendment violations.
"This show is not important. What is important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this". — Jimmy Kimmel
Free speech is a losing issue for the Trumpies. We should frame all their "legal" attacks on the Left as First Amendment violations.
Mike Johnson's DNA Revealed!
Recently leaked Congressional DNA tests have revealed the genetic makeup of House Speaker Mike Johnson.
It turns out 98% of Johnson's genes are identical to those of the worm that once infected R.F.K., Jr.'s brain.
"That's not a surprise," many are saying.
Recently leaked Congressional DNA tests have revealed the genetic makeup of House Speaker Mike Johnson.
It turns out 98% of Johnson's genes are identical to those of the worm that once infected R.F.K., Jr.'s brain.
"That's not a surprise," many are saying.
Firebird Journal
Survival and Renewal in the Anthropocene
firebirdjournal.com
September 19, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Mike Johnson's DNA Revealed!
Recently leaked Congressional DNA tests have revealed the genetic makeup of House Speaker Mike Johnson.
It turns out 98% of Johnson's genes are identical to those of the worm that once infected R.F.K., Jr.'s brain.
"That's not a surprise," many are saying.
Recently leaked Congressional DNA tests have revealed the genetic makeup of House Speaker Mike Johnson.
It turns out 98% of Johnson's genes are identical to those of the worm that once infected R.F.K., Jr.'s brain.
"That's not a surprise," many are saying.
HOLD ON! We have no idea what motivated Kirk's killer.
In 1967, George Lincoln Rockwell, head of the American Nazi Party, was shot and killed by another party leader.
Kirk's killer could be pissed off about lots of stuff — money, power, etc. Or, just nuts.
We might never know.
In 1967, George Lincoln Rockwell, head of the American Nazi Party, was shot and killed by another party leader.
Kirk's killer could be pissed off about lots of stuff — money, power, etc. Or, just nuts.
We might never know.
Firebird Journal
Survival and Renewal in the Anthropocene
firebirdjournal.com
September 11, 2025 at 4:49 PM
HOLD ON! We have no idea what motivated Kirk's killer.
In 1967, George Lincoln Rockwell, head of the American Nazi Party, was shot and killed by another party leader.
Kirk's killer could be pissed off about lots of stuff — money, power, etc. Or, just nuts.
We might never know.
In 1967, George Lincoln Rockwell, head of the American Nazi Party, was shot and killed by another party leader.
Kirk's killer could be pissed off about lots of stuff — money, power, etc. Or, just nuts.
We might never know.
DELAY, DENY, DEPOSE — Private AI is coming for Medicare
The new post on my FIREBIRD JOURNAL blog discusses how Medicare is hiring private contractors to use AI to deny claims. The more treatments they deny, the more money they make. This affects everyone!
firebirdjournal.com/delay-deny-d...
The new post on my FIREBIRD JOURNAL blog discusses how Medicare is hiring private contractors to use AI to deny claims. The more treatments they deny, the more money they make. This affects everyone!
firebirdjournal.com/delay-deny-d...
Delay, Deny, Depose — Private AI is coming for Medicare - Firebird Journal
“The A.I. companies selected to oversee the program would have a strong financial incentive to deny claims” —Reed Abelson and Teddy Rosenbluth, Reporters, the New York Times Picture this. You are 73, ...
firebirdjournal.com
September 8, 2025 at 3:32 AM
DELAY, DENY, DEPOSE — Private AI is coming for Medicare
The new post on my FIREBIRD JOURNAL blog discusses how Medicare is hiring private contractors to use AI to deny claims. The more treatments they deny, the more money they make. This affects everyone!
firebirdjournal.com/delay-deny-d...
The new post on my FIREBIRD JOURNAL blog discusses how Medicare is hiring private contractors to use AI to deny claims. The more treatments they deny, the more money they make. This affects everyone!
firebirdjournal.com/delay-deny-d...
WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE
Here's a new poem for to share with anyone you'd like. (But do tell 'em I sent ya.)
"Waste, fraud and abuse”
Is the Republicans’ excuse
To screw the poor
So they get more.
But We the People
See through their ruse.
— Philip S. Wenz
Here's a new poem for to share with anyone you'd like. (But do tell 'em I sent ya.)
"Waste, fraud and abuse”
Is the Republicans’ excuse
To screw the poor
So they get more.
But We the People
See through their ruse.
— Philip S. Wenz
Firebird Journal
Survival and Renewal in the Anthropocene
firebirdjournal.com
August 20, 2025 at 4:40 AM
WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE
Here's a new poem for to share with anyone you'd like. (But do tell 'em I sent ya.)
"Waste, fraud and abuse”
Is the Republicans’ excuse
To screw the poor
So they get more.
But We the People
See through their ruse.
— Philip S. Wenz
Here's a new poem for to share with anyone you'd like. (But do tell 'em I sent ya.)
"Waste, fraud and abuse”
Is the Republicans’ excuse
To screw the poor
So they get more.
But We the People
See through their ruse.
— Philip S. Wenz
Weather…or not? Will future extreme weather warnings come in time?
New blog post tells how DOGE's cuts to the National Weather Service were at least partially responsible for the deaths of 132 people in the July 4 Texas floods. Will hurricane warnings fail too?
Firebirdjournal.com
New blog post tells how DOGE's cuts to the National Weather Service were at least partially responsible for the deaths of 132 people in the July 4 Texas floods. Will hurricane warnings fail too?
Firebirdjournal.com
August 13, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Weather…or not? Will future extreme weather warnings come in time?
New blog post tells how DOGE's cuts to the National Weather Service were at least partially responsible for the deaths of 132 people in the July 4 Texas floods. Will hurricane warnings fail too?
Firebirdjournal.com
New blog post tells how DOGE's cuts to the National Weather Service were at least partially responsible for the deaths of 132 people in the July 4 Texas floods. Will hurricane warnings fail too?
Firebirdjournal.com
Burning discarded auto batteries in the Good Old Days — EPA photo from 1972 (Public Domain). New EPA Chief Lee Zeldin wants to return the country to this. Read about in my blog's latest post at firebirdjournal.com.
April 11, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Burning discarded auto batteries in the Good Old Days — EPA photo from 1972 (Public Domain). New EPA Chief Lee Zeldin wants to return the country to this. Read about in my blog's latest post at firebirdjournal.com.
The new post on my blog, "The EPA's New Mission, Explained," uses a bit of sarcasm to help new EPA "executioner" Lee Zeldin explain the Agency's current "mission" in his own words. (Hint: He says it's to help business, not protect the environment.) Read in on firebirdjournal.com, & get back to me.
Firebird Journal
Survival and Renewal in the Anthropocene
firebirdjournal.com
April 11, 2025 at 4:20 AM
The new post on my blog, "The EPA's New Mission, Explained," uses a bit of sarcasm to help new EPA "executioner" Lee Zeldin explain the Agency's current "mission" in his own words. (Hint: He says it's to help business, not protect the environment.) Read in on firebirdjournal.com, & get back to me.
CLIMATE CHANGE ISN'T GOING AWAY…
…despite the Trump Administration's "ostrich act" pretending it doesn't exist. To survive, we must form local organizations to build climate resilience. Read about it at firebirdjournal.com, and please leave a comment.
(Photo Allisdare Hickson, Flickr CC)
…despite the Trump Administration's "ostrich act" pretending it doesn't exist. To survive, we must form local organizations to build climate resilience. Read about it at firebirdjournal.com, and please leave a comment.
(Photo Allisdare Hickson, Flickr CC)
March 12, 2025 at 4:25 AM
CLIMATE CHANGE ISN'T GOING AWAY…
…despite the Trump Administration's "ostrich act" pretending it doesn't exist. To survive, we must form local organizations to build climate resilience. Read about it at firebirdjournal.com, and please leave a comment.
(Photo Allisdare Hickson, Flickr CC)
…despite the Trump Administration's "ostrich act" pretending it doesn't exist. To survive, we must form local organizations to build climate resilience. Read about it at firebirdjournal.com, and please leave a comment.
(Photo Allisdare Hickson, Flickr CC)
What the world is experiencing now — killer heat waves, flooding, tornadoes and so on — are like the small foreshocks that precede a major earthquake. Minor rumblings compared to what's about to happen.
I've described some aspects of it in my blog at Firebird Journal. firebirdjournal.com
I've described some aspects of it in my blog at Firebird Journal. firebirdjournal.com
Firebird Journal
Survival and Renewal in the Anthropocene
firebirdjournal.com
June 24, 2024 at 1:12 AM
What the world is experiencing now — killer heat waves, flooding, tornadoes and so on — are like the small foreshocks that precede a major earthquake. Minor rumblings compared to what's about to happen.
I've described some aspects of it in my blog at Firebird Journal. firebirdjournal.com
I've described some aspects of it in my blog at Firebird Journal. firebirdjournal.com
I see a lot of posts about the supply side of the energy equation. More renewables. But what about the demand side — negawatts. Is is possible for us to adjust our schedules to use less energy at work and school? Nothing is cheaper and more effective than insulating existing building. Etc.
May 14, 2024 at 4:32 AM
I see a lot of posts about the supply side of the energy equation. More renewables. But what about the demand side — negawatts. Is is possible for us to adjust our schedules to use less energy at work and school? Nothing is cheaper and more effective than insulating existing building. Etc.
There is a lot of "doomerism" bashing, with very little nuance. Realism — looking realistically at where we are headed — is what we need. We won't reduce emissions sufficiently in the next 10-15 years to avoid serious environmental and social disruption. To survive, we must prepare.
Firebird Journal
Survival and Renewal in the Anthropocene
firebirdjournal.com
April 11, 2024 at 7:49 PM
There is a lot of "doomerism" bashing, with very little nuance. Realism — looking realistically at where we are headed — is what we need. We won't reduce emissions sufficiently in the next 10-15 years to avoid serious environmental and social disruption. To survive, we must prepare.
Really good article in today's NY Times about reforestation efforts in the U.S. West — how they actually work. www.nytimes.com/2024/04/04/h...
Firebird Journal
Survival and Renewal in the Anthropocene
firebirdjournal.com
April 4, 2024 at 5:17 PM
Really good article in today's NY Times about reforestation efforts in the U.S. West — how they actually work. www.nytimes.com/2024/04/04/h...
@thomasmost.bsky.social Hi. Can you help me? I'm new to blsky. I can't figure out how to post on your feed, not just comment. I'm an environmental writer and ecological designer with years of teaching about sustainable design and want to post — but I don't know how it works. Thanks, Philip S. Wenz
Firebird Journal
Survival and Renewal in the Anthropocene
firebirdjournal.com
April 4, 2024 at 5:13 PM
@thomasmost.bsky.social Hi. Can you help me? I'm new to blsky. I can't figure out how to post on your feed, not just comment. I'm an environmental writer and ecological designer with years of teaching about sustainable design and want to post — but I don't know how it works. Thanks, Philip S. Wenz
@ketanjoshi.co
Hi. I'm not sure I'm doing this right, because I'm brand new to social media. You said to ping you if I want to post (not comment) on your GreenSky feed, and I'm not sure how to ping. So I'm sending this message (hope it gets through). Write me at philipswenz.bsky.social. Thanks.
Hi. I'm not sure I'm doing this right, because I'm brand new to social media. You said to ping you if I want to post (not comment) on your GreenSky feed, and I'm not sure how to ping. So I'm sending this message (hope it gets through). Write me at philipswenz.bsky.social. Thanks.
April 4, 2024 at 4:29 AM
@ketanjoshi.co
Hi. I'm not sure I'm doing this right, because I'm brand new to social media. You said to ping you if I want to post (not comment) on your GreenSky feed, and I'm not sure how to ping. So I'm sending this message (hope it gets through). Write me at philipswenz.bsky.social. Thanks.
Hi. I'm not sure I'm doing this right, because I'm brand new to social media. You said to ping you if I want to post (not comment) on your GreenSky feed, and I'm not sure how to ping. So I'm sending this message (hope it gets through). Write me at philipswenz.bsky.social. Thanks.
Hi. I'm a climate journalist who has written the same newspaper column "Your Ecological House," for 18 years. My blog at firebirdjournal.com appeared five years ago. I'd like to post on GreenSky, and join that community. But I'm a social media newby. What do I do? Thanks.
April 2, 2024 at 11:41 PM
Hi. I'm a climate journalist who has written the same newspaper column "Your Ecological House," for 18 years. My blog at firebirdjournal.com appeared five years ago. I'd like to post on GreenSky, and join that community. But I'm a social media newby. What do I do? Thanks.
@gamleode.bsky.social
Thanks for liking my comment on climate realism (as opposed to denialism and doomism). I've been writing about the subject on my (ad free) blog at firebirdjournal.com, if you're interested. PSW
(Also appalled by Israel's attacks on aid workers.)
Thanks for liking my comment on climate realism (as opposed to denialism and doomism). I've been writing about the subject on my (ad free) blog at firebirdjournal.com, if you're interested. PSW
(Also appalled by Israel's attacks on aid workers.)
April 2, 2024 at 5:44 PM
@gamleode.bsky.social
Thanks for liking my comment on climate realism (as opposed to denialism and doomism). I've been writing about the subject on my (ad free) blog at firebirdjournal.com, if you're interested. PSW
(Also appalled by Israel's attacks on aid workers.)
Thanks for liking my comment on climate realism (as opposed to denialism and doomism). I've been writing about the subject on my (ad free) blog at firebirdjournal.com, if you're interested. PSW
(Also appalled by Israel's attacks on aid workers.)
@sal12.bsky.social
Thanks for liking my comment on climate realism (as opposed to denialism and doomism). I've been writing about the subject on my (ad free) blog at firebirdjournal.com, if you're interested. PSW
BTW: Also from California, though living in Oregon now.
Thanks for liking my comment on climate realism (as opposed to denialism and doomism). I've been writing about the subject on my (ad free) blog at firebirdjournal.com, if you're interested. PSW
BTW: Also from California, though living in Oregon now.
April 2, 2024 at 5:41 PM
@sal12.bsky.social
Thanks for liking my comment on climate realism (as opposed to denialism and doomism). I've been writing about the subject on my (ad free) blog at firebirdjournal.com, if you're interested. PSW
BTW: Also from California, though living in Oregon now.
Thanks for liking my comment on climate realism (as opposed to denialism and doomism). I've been writing about the subject on my (ad free) blog at firebirdjournal.com, if you're interested. PSW
BTW: Also from California, though living in Oregon now.
@memccarron.bsky.social Thanks for liking my comment on climate realism (as opposed to denialism and doomism). I've been writing about the subject on my (ad free) blog at firebirdjournal.com, if you're interested. PSW
April 2, 2024 at 5:40 PM
@memccarron.bsky.social Thanks for liking my comment on climate realism (as opposed to denialism and doomism). I've been writing about the subject on my (ad free) blog at firebirdjournal.com, if you're interested. PSW
@mollyculture.bsky.social Molly, thanks for liking my comment about climate realism. I've writing a lot more about that on my blog at firebirdjournal.com, if you're interested. PSW.
p.s. You seem like a happy and joy-full soul. And gardening season is just beginning!
p.s. You seem like a happy and joy-full soul. And gardening season is just beginning!
April 2, 2024 at 5:31 PM
@mollyculture.bsky.social Molly, thanks for liking my comment about climate realism. I've writing a lot more about that on my blog at firebirdjournal.com, if you're interested. PSW.
p.s. You seem like a happy and joy-full soul. And gardening season is just beginning!
p.s. You seem like a happy and joy-full soul. And gardening season is just beginning!
@fredshaia.bsky.social
Hi Fred. I'm following your Climate Politics feed, making some comments. I my blog at firebirdjournal.com and newspaper column are about climate issues, and I'd like to post on your climate feed. Is that possible? If so, what do I need to do. (New to social media and bluesky)
Hi Fred. I'm following your Climate Politics feed, making some comments. I my blog at firebirdjournal.com and newspaper column are about climate issues, and I'd like to post on your climate feed. Is that possible? If so, what do I need to do. (New to social media and bluesky)
April 2, 2024 at 4:09 AM
@fredshaia.bsky.social
Hi Fred. I'm following your Climate Politics feed, making some comments. I my blog at firebirdjournal.com and newspaper column are about climate issues, and I'd like to post on your climate feed. Is that possible? If so, what do I need to do. (New to social media and bluesky)
Hi Fred. I'm following your Climate Politics feed, making some comments. I my blog at firebirdjournal.com and newspaper column are about climate issues, and I'd like to post on your climate feed. Is that possible? If so, what do I need to do. (New to social media and bluesky)
@bexrousse.bsky.social Hi Becky. I wrote Jan about feeds. I'm trying write a post and have it show up on a particular feed (climate politics). I don't see any way from my home page to specify that feed so my post doesn't end up in, say, gardening. Help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. PSW
April 1, 2024 at 10:11 PM
@bexrousse.bsky.social Hi Becky. I wrote Jan about feeds. I'm trying write a post and have it show up on a particular feed (climate politics). I don't see any way from my home page to specify that feed so my post doesn't end up in, say, gardening. Help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. PSW
@janzilinsky.bsky.social Thanks again. You posted on the "climate politics" feed, and it wasn't a comment on someone else's post, it seems. When you wrote your post, presumably from your home page, why it didn't end up on, say, the Gardening feed? How did you direct it to climate politics?
April 1, 2024 at 9:27 PM
@janzilinsky.bsky.social Thanks again. You posted on the "climate politics" feed, and it wasn't a comment on someone else's post, it seems. When you wrote your post, presumably from your home page, why it didn't end up on, say, the Gardening feed? How did you direct it to climate politics?
@janzilinsky.bsky.social Hi Jan, thanks for liking my post. I'm sorry to bother you, but I'm brand new to bluesky, and I can't figure out to write a post from my home and have it go to the climate politics feed. Is there a way to specify where I want a post to show up? Any help appreciated. PSW
April 1, 2024 at 7:29 PM
@janzilinsky.bsky.social Hi Jan, thanks for liking my post. I'm sorry to bother you, but I'm brand new to bluesky, and I can't figure out to write a post from my home and have it go to the climate politics feed. Is there a way to specify where I want a post to show up? Any help appreciated. PSW