Syris Valentine
@shapersyris.bsky.social
Independent journalist obsessed with transformative climate action.
Words in The Atlantic, Scientific American, Grist, Mother Jones, and elsewhere.
Check out my newsletter: justprogress.substack.com
Words in The Atlantic, Scientific American, Grist, Mother Jones, and elsewhere.
Check out my newsletter: justprogress.substack.com
The human body knows that when winter arrives, it's time for some extra rest. Is it time for the economy to accept that?
In my latest essay, I argue: Yes.
In my latest essay, I argue: Yes.
Winter is coming (and your body knows it)
The biological reality your work schedule denies
www.importantnotimportant.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:02 PM
The human body knows that when winter arrives, it's time for some extra rest. Is it time for the economy to accept that?
In my latest essay, I argue: Yes.
In my latest essay, I argue: Yes.
Reposted by Syris Valentine
Very interesting piece @sciam.bsky.social by @shapersyris.bsky.social looking at a decidedly low-tech way to do carbon removal: bury wood that would otherwise be burned or left to decompose. 🧪
It's called "wood vaulting".
It's called "wood vaulting".
Can We Bury Enough Wood to Slow Climate Change?
Wood vaulting, a simple, low-tech approach to storing carbon, has the potential to remove 12 billion tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year—and some companies are already trying it
www.scientificamerican.com
October 16, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Very interesting piece @sciam.bsky.social by @shapersyris.bsky.social looking at a decidedly low-tech way to do carbon removal: bury wood that would otherwise be burned or left to decompose. 🧪
It's called "wood vaulting".
It's called "wood vaulting".
To everyone who wrote some version of "Trump Can't Stop the Clean Energy Revolution":
You were wrong.
Sure, despite $19B of clean energy already axed, in the long run, we might have a net-zero grid. But in 7 months, Trump has made such a mess that by the time that happens, it won't matter.
You were wrong.
Sure, despite $19B of clean energy already axed, in the long run, we might have a net-zero grid. But in 7 months, Trump has made such a mess that by the time that happens, it won't matter.
Donald Trump’s attacks on renewables sector quash nearly $19bn worth of projects
Stifled growth will hamper ability to meet energy demand from artificial intelligence, analysts say
www.ft.com
August 25, 2025 at 9:54 PM
To everyone who wrote some version of "Trump Can't Stop the Clean Energy Revolution":
You were wrong.
Sure, despite $19B of clean energy already axed, in the long run, we might have a net-zero grid. But in 7 months, Trump has made such a mess that by the time that happens, it won't matter.
You were wrong.
Sure, despite $19B of clean energy already axed, in the long run, we might have a net-zero grid. But in 7 months, Trump has made such a mess that by the time that happens, it won't matter.
"Naming the collapse is the first step toward resistance. The question is whether we can see the failure clearly enough to imagine what comes next." -Lois Parshley for Grist
The Trump administration's assault on science feels eerily Soviet
The United States is drifting ever further away from science and climate reality. So why does life seem so normal?
grist.org
August 25, 2025 at 8:43 PM
"Naming the collapse is the first step toward resistance. The question is whether we can see the failure clearly enough to imagine what comes next." -Lois Parshley for Grist
9-in-10 chance we'll hit 2degs C of warming even if we cut emissions quickly, according to a new study by researchers from Stanford and Colorado State.
We're so fucked.
This is why I go hard for community-led solutions. They not only help us now, but build resilience for a disaster-filled future.
We're so fucked.
This is why I go hard for community-led solutions. They not only help us now, but build resilience for a disaster-filled future.
AI predicts Earth's peak warming
Artificial intelligence provides new evidence that rapid decarbonization will not prevent warming beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius. The hottest years of this century are likely to shatter recent records.
sustainability.stanford.edu
January 3, 2025 at 1:44 AM
9-in-10 chance we'll hit 2degs C of warming even if we cut emissions quickly, according to a new study by researchers from Stanford and Colorado State.
We're so fucked.
This is why I go hard for community-led solutions. They not only help us now, but build resilience for a disaster-filled future.
We're so fucked.
This is why I go hard for community-led solutions. They not only help us now, but build resilience for a disaster-filled future.
Even the secretary of energy knows that allowing gas exports to continue to grow is “neither sustainable nor advisable.”
Still, as @nytimes.com reported: "To date, the Energy Department has never denied" a permit for a new natural gas terminal.
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/16/c...
Still, as @nytimes.com reported: "To date, the Energy Department has never denied" a permit for a new natural gas terminal.
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/16/c...
‘Unfettered’ Gas Exports Would Harm U.S. Economy, Energy Secretary Warns
Jennifer Granholm said a new analysis showed that the continued pace of exports was “neither sustainable nor advisable.”
www.nytimes.com
December 17, 2024 at 11:46 PM
Even the secretary of energy knows that allowing gas exports to continue to grow is “neither sustainable nor advisable.”
Still, as @nytimes.com reported: "To date, the Energy Department has never denied" a permit for a new natural gas terminal.
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/16/c...
Still, as @nytimes.com reported: "To date, the Energy Department has never denied" a permit for a new natural gas terminal.
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/16/c...
Reposted by Syris Valentine
And that's not to mention what it will cost the planet just to host the world cup in Saudi Arabia
theconversation.com/new-stadiums...
theconversation.com/new-stadiums...
December 17, 2024 at 7:15 PM
And that's not to mention what it will cost the planet just to host the world cup in Saudi Arabia
theconversation.com/new-stadiums...
theconversation.com/new-stadiums...
Given players are pushed harder than ever, I do wonder what this will mean during the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Qatar was bad enough in 2022.
What are temperatures gonna be like by the time the Saudi cup is played?
Qatar was bad enough in 2022.
What are temperatures gonna be like by the time the Saudi cup is played?
In non-climate news:
The World Cup has gotten a lot more intense since the 1960s, according to a new study.
Footballers are passing the ball faster and more often, which is pushing the players themselves to be faster and more accurate and more better dribblers.
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
The World Cup has gotten a lot more intense since the 1960s, according to a new study.
Footballers are passing the ball faster and more often, which is pushing the players themselves to be faster and more accurate and more better dribblers.
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
World Cup soccer is getting faster for men and women alike: new study
If the experience of watching a FIFA World Cup soccer final is intense, spare a thought for the players, who are competing at an ever increasing intensity, according to a new study published in the&nb...
www.eurekalert.org
December 17, 2024 at 7:14 PM
Given players are pushed harder than ever, I do wonder what this will mean during the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Qatar was bad enough in 2022.
What are temperatures gonna be like by the time the Saudi cup is played?
Qatar was bad enough in 2022.
What are temperatures gonna be like by the time the Saudi cup is played?
In non-climate news:
The World Cup has gotten a lot more intense since the 1960s, according to a new study.
Footballers are passing the ball faster and more often, which is pushing the players themselves to be faster and more accurate and more better dribblers.
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
The World Cup has gotten a lot more intense since the 1960s, according to a new study.
Footballers are passing the ball faster and more often, which is pushing the players themselves to be faster and more accurate and more better dribblers.
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
World Cup soccer is getting faster for men and women alike: new study
If the experience of watching a FIFA World Cup soccer final is intense, spare a thought for the players, who are competing at an ever increasing intensity, according to a new study published in the&nb...
www.eurekalert.org
December 17, 2024 at 7:10 PM
In non-climate news:
The World Cup has gotten a lot more intense since the 1960s, according to a new study.
Footballers are passing the ball faster and more often, which is pushing the players themselves to be faster and more accurate and more better dribblers.
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
The World Cup has gotten a lot more intense since the 1960s, according to a new study.
Footballers are passing the ball faster and more often, which is pushing the players themselves to be faster and more accurate and more better dribblers.
www.eurekalert.org/news-release...
Bottom shelves are where books go to die.
December 7, 2024 at 4:24 PM
Bottom shelves are where books go to die.
Talking with other folks in their late-20s to early-30s, the subject "how has climate change affected your life?" came up.
Much to my dismay, most of them couldn't name anything specific beyond saying, "I guess it's gotten hotter in my hometown."
Much to my dismay, most of them couldn't name anything specific beyond saying, "I guess it's gotten hotter in my hometown."
December 9, 2023 at 6:58 PM
Talking with other folks in their late-20s to early-30s, the subject "how has climate change affected your life?" came up.
Much to my dismay, most of them couldn't name anything specific beyond saying, "I guess it's gotten hotter in my hometown."
Much to my dismay, most of them couldn't name anything specific beyond saying, "I guess it's gotten hotter in my hometown."
The Atlantic put together a set of 24 essays exposing just how disastrous a second Trump term would be, and despite all of this, I'm not convinced Biden can win in 2024.
December 8, 2023 at 3:46 PM
The Atlantic put together a set of 24 essays exposing just how disastrous a second Trump term would be, and despite all of this, I'm not convinced Biden can win in 2024.
It's obvious that Trump would be terrible for the planet. But a 2nd Biden term would be only marginally better.
You can't compromise on the climate crisis. Yes, every bit matters, but without swift action, disaster is inevitable. Biden would just make things a little less apocalyptic.
You can't compromise on the climate crisis. Yes, every bit matters, but without swift action, disaster is inevitable. Biden would just make things a little less apocalyptic.
The Climate Can’t Afford Another Trump Presidency
His approach to the environment: ignore it.
www.theatlantic.com
December 8, 2023 at 3:37 PM
It's obvious that Trump would be terrible for the planet. But a 2nd Biden term would be only marginally better.
You can't compromise on the climate crisis. Yes, every bit matters, but without swift action, disaster is inevitable. Biden would just make things a little less apocalyptic.
You can't compromise on the climate crisis. Yes, every bit matters, but without swift action, disaster is inevitable. Biden would just make things a little less apocalyptic.
For years, the relevance of the annual COP discussions in advancing global climate action has been debatable at best. But COP28 has really solidified the fact that if we want to see aggressive action on the climate crisis, we can't rely on appeals to government.
December 8, 2023 at 2:23 AM
For years, the relevance of the annual COP discussions in advancing global climate action has been debatable at best. But COP28 has really solidified the fact that if we want to see aggressive action on the climate crisis, we can't rely on appeals to government.