Rivka Fidel, PhD
@rivkafidel.bsky.social
Career track professor teaching #soil and #environmental science in Tucson, Arizona. 🌵
#biochar #biogeochemistry #soilchemistry
Unapologetic feminist scientist 👩🔬 and ally 🌈
Opinions my own
#biochar #biogeochemistry #soilchemistry
Unapologetic feminist scientist 👩🔬 and ally 🌈
Opinions my own
Pinned
Rivka Fidel, PhD
@rivkafidel.bsky.social
· Aug 29
I'm happy to share some newly published #OER from the ISU Digital Press! First up is the 2nd edition of one of our most popular books, Introduction to Soil Science! The new edition welcomes a new author, @rivkafidel.bsky.social along with several improvements & updates:
doi.org/10.31274/isu...
doi.org/10.31274/isu...
Co-authored my first textbook 📚, and it's FREE! 😁
Thank you Abbey, Amber and all of the chapter authors!
#soil #SoilScience #OER #onlinetextbook
Thank you Abbey, Amber and all of the chapter authors!
#soil #SoilScience #OER #onlinetextbook
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
A new state-by-state evaluation of the projected energy and water use of "AI" data centers in the US. Looks… real bad. Like, "undoing tech sector climate gains" bad.
Strongly recommends immediately ensuring any & all new "AI" data centers to run on existing & expanded renewables grids. Which… yeah.
Strongly recommends immediately ensuring any & all new "AI" data centers to run on existing & expanded renewables grids. Which… yeah.
Environmental impact and net-zero pathways for sustainable artificial intelligence servers in the USA - Nature Sustainability
The rapid expansion of AI server installations in the United States poses sustainability challenges in terms of water usage and carbon emissions. A study now quantifies these potential impacts and out...
www.nature.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:06 AM
A new state-by-state evaluation of the projected energy and water use of "AI" data centers in the US. Looks… real bad. Like, "undoing tech sector climate gains" bad.
Strongly recommends immediately ensuring any & all new "AI" data centers to run on existing & expanded renewables grids. Which… yeah.
Strongly recommends immediately ensuring any & all new "AI" data centers to run on existing & expanded renewables grids. Which… yeah.
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
NEW: Global fossil fuel use will peak before 2030 – unless 'stated policies' are abandoned
Contra some terrible news coverage, IEA World Energy Outlook shows coal near peak, oil peaking by 2030 & gas by 2035 (see chart)
What's going on? 🧵 + cool charts
www.carbonbrief.org/iea-fossil-f...
Contra some terrible news coverage, IEA World Energy Outlook shows coal near peak, oil peaking by 2030 & gas by 2035 (see chart)
What's going on? 🧵 + cool charts
www.carbonbrief.org/iea-fossil-f...
November 12, 2025 at 9:02 AM
NEW: Global fossil fuel use will peak before 2030 – unless 'stated policies' are abandoned
Contra some terrible news coverage, IEA World Energy Outlook shows coal near peak, oil peaking by 2030 & gas by 2035 (see chart)
What's going on? 🧵 + cool charts
www.carbonbrief.org/iea-fossil-f...
Contra some terrible news coverage, IEA World Energy Outlook shows coal near peak, oil peaking by 2030 & gas by 2035 (see chart)
What's going on? 🧵 + cool charts
www.carbonbrief.org/iea-fossil-f...
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
I wish it were better understood that this is an act of mass murder akin to firing into a large crowd. Impossible to say specifically who will die as a result of this action, but certainty that it will be many.
The Trump admin seems set to force two Colorado coal plants to stay open past their planned closure this year, even as the costs of keeping an aging, unnecessary Michigan coal plant running through the summer top $80M. Are more must-run orders coming?
www.canarymedia.com/articles/fos...
#energysky
www.canarymedia.com/articles/fos...
#energysky
Trump’s DOE may soon force more coal plants to stay open
Colorado coal plants are likely to face DOE orders to keep running past planned closure dates, even as the costs of keeping an old Michigan plant open…
www.canarymedia.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:31 PM
I wish it were better understood that this is an act of mass murder akin to firing into a large crowd. Impossible to say specifically who will die as a result of this action, but certainty that it will be many.
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
Divvying up the dwindling Colorado River in a warming climate. Much of the river's watershed remains in severe drought, and its water is over-allocated. #copolitics
November 12, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Divvying up the dwindling Colorado River in a warming climate. Much of the river's watershed remains in severe drought, and its water is over-allocated. #copolitics
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
Brilliant new ad campaign I just spotted at the Southwark tube station in London.
November 8, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Brilliant new ad campaign I just spotted at the Southwark tube station in London.
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
Is this in U.S. news? #AcademicSky www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Students and faculty at over 100 US universities protest against Trump’s attacks
Student, national and local groups across US organized day of action to condemn Trump’s assault on academic freedom
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Is this in U.S. news? #AcademicSky www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
"Under the deal, large cargo ships would have paid a fee if their CO₂ emissions exceeded a certain level. The standard would get stricter over time, encouraging the industry to move away from oil-based shipping fuel to cleaner options."
THE LEADING SHIPPING LOBBY SUPPORTED IT
THE LEADING SHIPPING LOBBY SUPPORTED IT
The nation’s top diplomat: “Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, personally called officials in several countries to threaten financial penalties and other punishments if they continued to support the agreement to cut ship pollution.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/c...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/c...
Trump Officials Accused of Bullying Tactics to Kill a Climate Measure
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:30 AM
"Under the deal, large cargo ships would have paid a fee if their CO₂ emissions exceeded a certain level. The standard would get stricter over time, encouraging the industry to move away from oil-based shipping fuel to cleaner options."
THE LEADING SHIPPING LOBBY SUPPORTED IT
THE LEADING SHIPPING LOBBY SUPPORTED IT
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
Scientists point to a long list of findings that emerged out of fundamental research, the type of studies the US government is cutting, and went on to change the world. Nature lists a few of their examples. 🧪
7 basic science discoveries that changed the world
Ozempic, MRI machines and flat screen televisions all emerged out of fundamental research decades earlier — the very types of study being slashed by the US government.
go.nature.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Scientists point to a long list of findings that emerged out of fundamental research, the type of studies the US government is cutting, and went on to change the world. Nature lists a few of their examples. 🧪
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
Look at this. The hurricane downed and washed away the vegetation. One of my students told me today that the soil of her dad's farm just washed away. He has no farm now.
🔴⚠️🌀🇯🇲In the aftermath of hurricane #Melissa, the tropical vegetation of southwestern Jamaica has been devastated by the landfall at almost 300km/h.The first #Sentinel2 images after the event show the extreme consequences on BlackRiver and the wider area. #ClimateEmergency
November 5, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Look at this. The hurricane downed and washed away the vegetation. One of my students told me today that the soil of her dad's farm just washed away. He has no farm now.
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
NOAA cancels funding for data collection crucial to tsunami warning systems
NOAA cancels funding for data collection crucial to tsunami warning systems
Direct feeds from seismology stations across Alaska are expected to stop in mid-November, state officials say.
www.adn.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:28 PM
NOAA cancels funding for data collection crucial to tsunami warning systems
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
Finally, some longitudinal data on faculty morale.
Academics in Assyria in the 7th c BC complain that admin is preventing them from doing research and teaching
November 3, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Finally, some longitudinal data on faculty morale.
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
Just heard a story on NPR about how cops are now using genAI to write their police reports... so a mystery machine is now writing the fundamental base legal document that gets used in *any* legal incident... great
November 3, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Just heard a story on NPR about how cops are now using genAI to write their police reports... so a mystery machine is now writing the fundamental base legal document that gets used in *any* legal incident... great
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
New #WomenLeadingOnClimate episode drops today! This week, I climate scientist @katharinehayhoe.com and I talk about how to talk to real people about climate in a real way that gives them hope & motivates them to act... Listen, share & subscribe.
www.womenleadingonclimate.org/our-podcast
www.womenleadingonclimate.org/our-podcast
October 31, 2025 at 3:14 AM
New #WomenLeadingOnClimate episode drops today! This week, I climate scientist @katharinehayhoe.com and I talk about how to talk to real people about climate in a real way that gives them hope & motivates them to act... Listen, share & subscribe.
www.womenleadingonclimate.org/our-podcast
www.womenleadingonclimate.org/our-podcast
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
The government shutdown has put SNAP benefits at risk for millions of Americans. Travis Peters, an urban farmer in Detroit, is giving out free produce tomorrow
'If it's getting tight, my food is free. Don’t even sweat that'
'If it's getting tight, my food is free. Don’t even sweat that'
As SNAP benefits come under threat, a Detroit farmer is stepping up to help fill the void
The federal shutdown has put SNAP benefits at risk for millions of Americans. Urban farmers like Travis Peters are stepping up to ensure their communities can eat.
www.whatimreading.net
October 27, 2025 at 11:06 PM
The government shutdown has put SNAP benefits at risk for millions of Americans. Travis Peters, an urban farmer in Detroit, is giving out free produce tomorrow
'If it's getting tight, my food is free. Don’t even sweat that'
'If it's getting tight, my food is free. Don’t even sweat that'
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
TWO PhD positions at Uni Western Australia with Caitlin Moore studying #agrivoltaics & #microclimate. Funding available for int'l & domestic students. Closing soon–apply by Fri 31 Oct (Aus time).
#PlantScience
researchdegrees.uwa.edu.au/scholarships...
researchdegrees.uwa.edu.au/scholarships...
#PlantScience
researchdegrees.uwa.edu.au/scholarships...
researchdegrees.uwa.edu.au/scholarships...
October 27, 2025 at 2:58 AM
TWO PhD positions at Uni Western Australia with Caitlin Moore studying #agrivoltaics & #microclimate. Funding available for int'l & domestic students. Closing soon–apply by Fri 31 Oct (Aus time).
#PlantScience
researchdegrees.uwa.edu.au/scholarships...
researchdegrees.uwa.edu.au/scholarships...
#PlantScience
researchdegrees.uwa.edu.au/scholarships...
researchdegrees.uwa.edu.au/scholarships...
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
Birds thrive after fire — but only where we don’t log the aftermath.
In the Sierra parks, no salvage crews came through.
Research shows post-fire logging turns recovery into decline. Snags aren’t waste; they’re home.
www.sfgate.com/bayarea/arti...
In the Sierra parks, no salvage crews came through.
Research shows post-fire logging turns recovery into decline. Snags aren’t waste; they’re home.
www.sfgate.com/bayarea/arti...
Long-term Calif. study finds surprising link between birds and wildfires
New long-term research investigated 42 bird species in several national parks.
www.sfgate.com
October 24, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Birds thrive after fire — but only where we don’t log the aftermath.
In the Sierra parks, no salvage crews came through.
Research shows post-fire logging turns recovery into decline. Snags aren’t waste; they’re home.
www.sfgate.com/bayarea/arti...
In the Sierra parks, no salvage crews came through.
Research shows post-fire logging turns recovery into decline. Snags aren’t waste; they’re home.
www.sfgate.com/bayarea/arti...
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
AI chatbots are sycophants — researchers say it's harming science
AI chatbots are sycophants — researchers say it's harming science
Nature asked researchers who use artificial intelligence how its propensity for people-pleasing affects their work — and what they are doing to mitigate it.
www.nature.com
October 24, 2025 at 5:28 PM
AI chatbots are sycophants — researchers say it's harming science
The comments 💀
Fault laterally offsetting El Paso and Montoya Group limestones, Scenic Drive overlook, Franklin Mtns, Texas. ⚒️
October 23, 2025 at 2:56 PM
The comments 💀
Estimated say there were 5.2-8.2 million people protesting so out of 347M we're between 1.5-2.3%.
Getting closer, let's do this!! 💪
Getting closer, let's do this!! 💪
Research shows that it takes around 3.5% of the population actively participating in actions to bring about transformative change. Keep going! #upupup
October 22, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Estimated say there were 5.2-8.2 million people protesting so out of 347M we're between 1.5-2.3%.
Getting closer, let's do this!! 💪
Getting closer, let's do this!! 💪
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
Research shows that it takes around 3.5% of the population actively participating in actions to bring about transformative change. Keep going! #upupup
October 22, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Research shows that it takes around 3.5% of the population actively participating in actions to bring about transformative change. Keep going! #upupup
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
Good evening. We estimate that between 4.2 and 7.6 million people turned out for the No Kings Day demonstrations held around the country on Saturday. This makes Oct 18 very likely the biggest single-day U.S. protest event since 1970. www.gelliottmorris.com/p/second-no-...
Second "No Kings Day" protests likely the largest single-day political demonstration since 1970, with 4.2-7.6 million participants
Here are the initial results from our crowdsourced crowd-counting estimates
www.gelliottmorris.com
October 19, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Good evening. We estimate that between 4.2 and 7.6 million people turned out for the No Kings Day demonstrations held around the country on Saturday. This makes Oct 18 very likely the biggest single-day U.S. protest event since 1970. www.gelliottmorris.com/p/second-no-...
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
If you refuse to let the immigrants free, behold, I will plague all your country with frogs
WE ARE COMING, FATHER ABRAHAM, THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND MORE,
FROM MISSISSIPPI'S WINDING STREAM AND FROM NEW ENGLAND'S SHORE.
WE DARE NOT LOOK BEHIND US BUT STEADFASTLY BEFORE.
WE ARE COMING, FATHER ABRAHAM, THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND MORE!
FROM MISSISSIPPI'S WINDING STREAM AND FROM NEW ENGLAND'S SHORE.
WE DARE NOT LOOK BEHIND US BUT STEADFASTLY BEFORE.
WE ARE COMING, FATHER ABRAHAM, THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND MORE!
October 19, 2025 at 1:30 AM
If you refuse to let the immigrants free, behold, I will plague all your country with frogs
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
Breaking: Today is officially one of the biggest days of protest in American history.
Over 7 million Americans turned out to No Kings events to stand up against MAGA fascism.
Over 7 million Americans turned out to No Kings events to stand up against MAGA fascism.
October 19, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Breaking: Today is officially one of the biggest days of protest in American history.
Over 7 million Americans turned out to No Kings events to stand up against MAGA fascism.
Over 7 million Americans turned out to No Kings events to stand up against MAGA fascism.
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
not exactly a student of history, is he
October 19, 2025 at 2:36 AM
not exactly a student of history, is he
Reposted by Rivka Fidel, PhD
And from image events, we get POLYSEMIC images that carry multiple forms of ideology into the present. Here, we have the convergence of Shepard Fairey's iconic HOPE poster for the Obama campaign with the frog icon from #NoKings. The is how you visually dismantle fascist iconography.
October 19, 2025 at 2:01 AM
And from image events, we get POLYSEMIC images that carry multiple forms of ideology into the present. Here, we have the convergence of Shepard Fairey's iconic HOPE poster for the Obama campaign with the frog icon from #NoKings. The is how you visually dismantle fascist iconography.