Ronald Steenblik
@ronsteenblik.bsky.social
Retired OECD staff member. I post on trade, environment, energy (especially fossil fuel subsidies). Supporting QUNO's work on identifying & reducing subsidies to #plastics. Commenting in my personal capacity.
Once told by Mel Brooks: "You have no taste!"
Once told by Mel Brooks: "You have no taste!"
Pinned
Fossil Fuel Subsidies
Subsidies are intended to protect consumers by keeping prices low, but they come at a high cost. Subsidies have sizable fiscal costs (leading to higher taxes/borrowing or lower spending), promote inef...
www.imf.org
1⃣ Since 2013, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has published biennially global estimates of what they call "explicit" and "implicit" #FossilFuelSubsidies.
Those estimates are widely cited, but also widely misinterpreted & misrepresented. And some things they include shouldn't be.
A long 🧵.
Those estimates are widely cited, but also widely misinterpreted & misrepresented. And some things they include shouldn't be.
A long 🧵.
As an American living abroad and having learned some history of Venice, the French Revolution, the Corsican Republic, and the Swiss Federation, I’ve found myself often yelling at my phone when listening to podcasters repeat the mantra that “the USA is the only nation in the world built on an idea.”
November 16, 2025 at 10:32 PM
As an American living abroad and having learned some history of Venice, the French Revolution, the Corsican Republic, and the Swiss Federation, I’ve found myself often yelling at my phone when listening to podcasters repeat the mantra that “the USA is the only nation in the world built on an idea.”
Reposted by Ronald Steenblik
The AMA leadership has been creepily conservative all my life. They're one of the reasons the United States still has an expensive privatized healthcare system and their arrogance drives people into the arms of quacks.
@kylegriffin1.bsky.social the @ama-assn.org has caved to Trump. They invited known grifter Dr Mehmet Oz to give a speech, but, the AMA board/ John Whyte decided to censor all delegates in the following way.
1. Questions can be asked, but all must be vetted.
1. Questions can be asked, but all must be vetted.
November 16, 2025 at 5:47 PM
The AMA leadership has been creepily conservative all my life. They're one of the reasons the United States still has an expensive privatized healthcare system and their arrogance drives people into the arms of quacks.
My early projection for 2026: MTG switches parties and competes in her current House district in Georgia in the Democratic Primary. President J.D. Vance issues snarky tweets against her.
November 15, 2025 at 4:44 PM
My early projection for 2026: MTG switches parties and competes in her current House district in Georgia in the Democratic Primary. President J.D. Vance issues snarky tweets against her.
Reposted by Ronald Steenblik
Happy Half-Century Birthday (one day late) to one of my all-time favorite albums.
November 13, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Happy Half-Century Birthday (one day late) to one of my all-time favorite albums.
Reposted by Ronald Steenblik
If **Jeffrey Epstein** thinks you're a evil and demented sociopath, the odds are overwhelming that you are, in fact, an evil and demented sociopath.
November 13, 2025 at 2:18 AM
If **Jeffrey Epstein** thinks you're a evil and demented sociopath, the odds are overwhelming that you are, in fact, an evil and demented sociopath.
Reposted by Ronald Steenblik
Scientists created a model to simulate the breakdown of plastic and how long it takes to end up in the deep sea. They found that existing pollution would still float on the surface for more than one hundred years, even if no more floating plastic was dumped in the ocean.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Plastic pollution spends a century on ocean surface, study finds
Scientists from HR Wallingford say the study provides "critical insights" into tackling plastic pollution.
www.bbc.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Scientists created a model to simulate the breakdown of plastic and how long it takes to end up in the deep sea. They found that existing pollution would still float on the surface for more than one hundred years, even if no more floating plastic was dumped in the ocean.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Ronald Steenblik
November 10th marks the 50th anniversary of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, perhaps the most famous of all the estimated 6,500 ships that have gone down in the Great Lakes.
'The legend lives on': Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald still resonates 50 years later
November 10th marks the 50th anniversary of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, perhaps the most famous of all the estimated 6,500 ships that have gone down in the Great Lakes.
bit.ly
November 1, 2025 at 9:10 AM
November 10th marks the 50th anniversary of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, perhaps the most famous of all the estimated 6,500 ships that have gone down in the Great Lakes.
In case anyone is fooled by the prefix “bio” in the term “biobeads”, it has nothing to do with being of biological origin. Rather, the beads are similar in size to pellets used in producing final plastic products (“nurdles”) but have a rough or dimpled surface and are used in wastewater treatment.
Southern Water apologises for catastrophic spill of plastic biobeads in Sussex
Southern Water apologises for catastrophic spill of plastic biobeads in Sussex
Resulting pollution on Camber Sands beach poses threat to wildlife including dolphins and seals
Southern Water has taken responsibility for the catastrophic spill of plastic biobeads that polluted the Sussex coastline.
Local charities reported a huge spill of millions of biobeads over the weekend, washing up on beaches including Camber Sands. Andy Dinsdale, the founder of the plastic pollution campaign group Strandliners, said it was the worst pollution event he had seen. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:30 AM
In case anyone is fooled by the prefix “bio” in the term “biobeads”, it has nothing to do with being of biological origin. Rather, the beads are similar in size to pellets used in producing final plastic products (“nurdles”) but have a rough or dimpled surface and are used in wastewater treatment.
Reposted by Ronald Steenblik
The corruption never ends
November 10, 2025 at 4:54 AM
The corruption never ends
Trumpublicans are wont to label politicians to the left of them as “Socialists”. Shouldn’t we be calling them out for their SOCIAL DARWINIST leanings?
“Social Darwinists believe that the strong should see their wealth and power increase, while the weak should see their wealth and power decrease.”
“Social Darwinists believe that the strong should see their wealth and power increase, while the weak should see their wealth and power decrease.”
Social Darwinism - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
November 9, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Trumpublicans are wont to label politicians to the left of them as “Socialists”. Shouldn’t we be calling them out for their SOCIAL DARWINIST leanings?
“Social Darwinists believe that the strong should see their wealth and power increase, while the weak should see their wealth and power decrease.”
“Social Darwinists believe that the strong should see their wealth and power increase, while the weak should see their wealth and power decrease.”
Reposted by Ronald Steenblik
1/ Unique typing style aside, the President raises an interesting question here:
Why do some like me think Congress and the Founders are comfortable with him banning or licensing an import during an economic emergency, but not applying a tariff on it?
Let's talk about it.
Why do some like me think Congress and the Founders are comfortable with him banning or licensing an import during an economic emergency, but not applying a tariff on it?
Let's talk about it.
November 9, 2025 at 4:52 PM
1/ Unique typing style aside, the President raises an interesting question here:
Why do some like me think Congress and the Founders are comfortable with him banning or licensing an import during an economic emergency, but not applying a tariff on it?
Let's talk about it.
Why do some like me think Congress and the Founders are comfortable with him banning or licensing an import during an economic emergency, but not applying a tariff on it?
Let's talk about it.
Reposted by Ronald Steenblik
Among various kinds of plastic pollution, I am most concerned about those that animals mistake for food.
‘Environmental catastrophe’ fears as millions of plastic beads wash up on Camber Sands
Southern Water is being investigated amid concerns the spill could have dire impact on rare sea life
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Among various kinds of plastic pollution, I am most concerned about those that animals mistake for food.
This action is going to be REALLY popular as the U.S. Thanksgiving holidays — the busiest travel period of the year — approaches in about two weeks’ time.
The 40 airports impacted by the cuts span more than two dozen states. The Federal Aviation Administration said the reductions would start at 4% and ramp up to 10% by Nov. 14. n.pr/47voOJn
The FAA's order to cut flights due to the government shutdown is set to take effect
The 40 airports impacted by the cuts span more than two dozen states. The Federal Aviation Administration said the reductions would start at 4% and ramp up to 10% by Nov. 14.
n.pr
November 7, 2025 at 1:11 PM
This action is going to be REALLY popular as the U.S. Thanksgiving holidays — the busiest travel period of the year — approaches in about two weeks’ time.
Reposted by Ronald Steenblik
That's 391 pounds for every American. Dr. Oz can't math.
Oz: We thought it was 125 million pounds. Our estimate is Americans will lose 135 billion pounds by the midterms
November 6, 2025 at 10:38 PM
That's 391 pounds for every American. Dr. Oz can't math.
Reposted by Ronald Steenblik
"Russia’s 1-ton knock-off Reaper drone is loaded with American electronics, according to the latest Ukrainian intelligence assessment"
.
kyivindependent.com/follow-the-c...
.
kyivindependent.com/follow-the-c...
Under the hood, Russia’s 'Reaper' drone copy is shockingly American
The Orion was set to be Russia’s flagship unmanned vehicle until that position was usurped by Iranian-designed Shaheds.
kyivindependent.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:53 PM
"Russia’s 1-ton knock-off Reaper drone is loaded with American electronics, according to the latest Ukrainian intelligence assessment"
.
kyivindependent.com/follow-the-c...
.
kyivindependent.com/follow-the-c...
Reposted by Ronald Steenblik
Check out the report to follow the money: bit.ly/prria-lobbying
November 6, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Check out the report to follow the money: bit.ly/prria-lobbying
Perhaps of interest:
@sjrickard.bsky.social
@inumanak.bsky.social
@hhesterm.bsky.social
@monapaulsen.bsky.social
@bobwolfe.bsky.social
@mbengoa.bsky.social
@robertkoopman.bsky.social
@ciuriakd.bsky.social
@sjrickard.bsky.social
@inumanak.bsky.social
@hhesterm.bsky.social
@monapaulsen.bsky.social
@bobwolfe.bsky.social
@mbengoa.bsky.social
@robertkoopman.bsky.social
@ciuriakd.bsky.social
"You’ve got a number of justices who have real questions about the limits of presidential power although they get there in different ways — some more modest and some more broad."
MSNBC Senior Legal Reporter @lawofruby.bsky.social shares her takeaways from the SCOTUS hearing on Trump’s tariffs.
MSNBC Senior Legal Reporter @lawofruby.bsky.social shares her takeaways from the SCOTUS hearing on Trump’s tariffs.
November 6, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Reposted by Ronald Steenblik
🚨🚨This is stellar investigative journalism by @kaitlintosh.bsky.social and @michelleinezsimon.bsky.social on how #elonmusk is boosting the #british right. 🧵 news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:51 AM
🚨🚨This is stellar investigative journalism by @kaitlintosh.bsky.social and @michelleinezsimon.bsky.social on how #elonmusk is boosting the #british right. 🧵 news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Reposted by Ronald Steenblik
The US military is now advising its soldiers in Germany, who are not receiving their paychecks due to the shutdown, to ask for food from local German food banks. One advantage France has of being one of the few countries in Europe without a US base: you don't have to feed starving US soldiers.
November 5, 2025 at 10:02 PM
The US military is now advising its soldiers in Germany, who are not receiving their paychecks due to the shutdown, to ask for food from local German food banks. One advantage France has of being one of the few countries in Europe without a US base: you don't have to feed starving US soldiers.
I agree with many of the comments: what a dumb name change.
Meanwhile, I’m still in a long-running dispute with NBC over their abysmal “MSNBC Premium” service.
MSNBC advertises it as delivering the podcast versions of their shows early and ad-free. Yet 1/4 of them arrive late and are not ad-free.
Meanwhile, I’m still in a long-running dispute with NBC over their abysmal “MSNBC Premium” service.
MSNBC advertises it as delivering the podcast versions of their shows early and ad-free. Yet 1/4 of them arrive late and are not ad-free.
November 5, 2025 at 7:34 AM
I agree with many of the comments: what a dumb name change.
Meanwhile, I’m still in a long-running dispute with NBC over their abysmal “MSNBC Premium” service.
MSNBC advertises it as delivering the podcast versions of their shows early and ad-free. Yet 1/4 of them arrive late and are not ad-free.
Meanwhile, I’m still in a long-running dispute with NBC over their abysmal “MSNBC Premium” service.
MSNBC advertises it as delivering the podcast versions of their shows early and ad-free. Yet 1/4 of them arrive late and are not ad-free.
This post and comments made my day. Thank you! 😂🙏
Big day at U.S. District Court in D.C. where Sean Dunn, the D.C. Sandwich Guy, is on trial for misdemeanor assault of a federal officer.
Border Patrol agent Gregory Lairmore is on the stand narrating surveillance video of the sammie toss.
'Now he’s struck me with the sandwich,' Lairmore says.
Border Patrol agent Gregory Lairmore is on the stand narrating surveillance video of the sammie toss.
'Now he’s struck me with the sandwich,' Lairmore says.
November 4, 2025 at 6:02 PM
This post and comments made my day. Thank you! 😂🙏
Next time one of your MAGA relatives disputes that Trump's tariff's are exacerbating price inflation in the United States and claim that the tariffs are being paid by the exporting countries, ask them: "Do you understand what the Boston Tea Party was protesting, and why?".
a man in a pirate costume is holding a barrel and the caption spill thy tea
Alt: GIF of a man dressed as a colonial American rolling a barrel on an old wooden ship with the caption "SPILL THY TEA".
media.tenor.com
November 4, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Next time one of your MAGA relatives disputes that Trump's tariff's are exacerbating price inflation in the United States and claim that the tariffs are being paid by the exporting countries, ask them: "Do you understand what the Boston Tea Party was protesting, and why?".
Reposted by Ronald Steenblik
One of the most fascinating books ever written, by far...
... was just shared online.
theanarchistlibrary.org/library/davi...
You're welcome.
... was just shared online.
theanarchistlibrary.org/library/davi...
You're welcome.
The dawn of everything - a new science of human history with David Wengrow
YouTube video by The Science and Cocktails Foundation
www.youtube.com
October 15, 2025 at 12:19 PM
One of the most fascinating books ever written, by far...
... was just shared online.
theanarchistlibrary.org/library/davi...
You're welcome.
... was just shared online.
theanarchistlibrary.org/library/davi...
You're welcome.