Steph Spera
@steph-spera.bsky.social
Land change science. Physical geography. Climate. Pop culture. SciComm. Motherhood.
Climate careers podcast: https://www.hwghpod.com
URichmond Geography & Environmental Science 🕷️
Climate careers podcast: https://www.hwghpod.com
URichmond Geography & Environmental Science 🕷️
Pinned
Steph Spera
@steph-spera.bsky.social
· Dec 11
Hi! I'm Steph, a land-change scientist who thinks about how changes in the landscape affect climate and how changes in the climate affect landscapes.
I'm a geog prof at @urichmond.bsky.social (go 🕷️s!).
I’ll likely post about remote sensing, climate, academia, pop culture, and some family life.
I'm a geog prof at @urichmond.bsky.social (go 🕷️s!).
I’ll likely post about remote sensing, climate, academia, pop culture, and some family life.
The #NASA Roses call came out today & I am beside myself. There exists no #earthsci funding. None.
And like, yes, duh, has the LCLUC meeting been indefinitely postponed; have I mourned the loss of #SERVIR; have I been paying attention to everything around me. All yes. Still hurts.
And like, yes, duh, has the LCLUC meeting been indefinitely postponed; have I mourned the loss of #SERVIR; have I been paying attention to everything around me. All yes. Still hurts.
July 10, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Main takeaways:
-NWS did their jobs
-Breakdown in warning/alert system (this isn't NWS)
-DOGE cuts mean fewer instruments (weather balloons) & studies that allow us to predict these events
-BBB gutting of climate change progress will make these rare and devastating events more frequent
-NWS did their jobs
-Breakdown in warning/alert system (this isn't NWS)
-DOGE cuts mean fewer instruments (weather balloons) & studies that allow us to predict these events
-BBB gutting of climate change progress will make these rare and devastating events more frequent
Another excellent thread from Daniel regarding the Texas flash flood tragedy:
Predicting such storms is at the cutting edge of science right now, and the stakes are rising in a warming world in which they are intensifying. Yet this is precisely the kind of research that NOAA/NSF have funded in the U.S. over decades that is at imminent risk of disappearing.
July 5, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Main takeaways:
-NWS did their jobs
-Breakdown in warning/alert system (this isn't NWS)
-DOGE cuts mean fewer instruments (weather balloons) & studies that allow us to predict these events
-BBB gutting of climate change progress will make these rare and devastating events more frequent
-NWS did their jobs
-Breakdown in warning/alert system (this isn't NWS)
-DOGE cuts mean fewer instruments (weather balloons) & studies that allow us to predict these events
-BBB gutting of climate change progress will make these rare and devastating events more frequent
Rep Rob Wittman just outright lying in his email after he voted yes on BBB.
July 3, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Rep Rob Wittman just outright lying in his email after he voted yes on BBB.
Reposted by Steph Spera
Y'all... I had to pull some numbers for my congressional district here in Virginia (VA-01).
And not to be lost — for my friends outside of the weather business — the budget proposal this week that *shuts down* key weather research labs.
So here's an open message to my congressman — Rob Wittman.
And not to be lost — for my friends outside of the weather business — the budget proposal this week that *shuts down* key weather research labs.
So here's an open message to my congressman — Rob Wittman.
July 2, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Y'all... I had to pull some numbers for my congressional district here in Virginia (VA-01).
And not to be lost — for my friends outside of the weather business — the budget proposal this week that *shuts down* key weather research labs.
So here's an open message to my congressman — Rob Wittman.
And not to be lost — for my friends outside of the weather business — the budget proposal this week that *shuts down* key weather research labs.
So here's an open message to my congressman — Rob Wittman.
#RVA, help us map flooding in and around Richmond this summer. It's so easy!
We're collecting data all summer - fill it out every time it rains!
survey123.arcgis.com/share/e6e2ab...
Thanks, @subletteweather.com for post. Everyone should subscribe to his amazing substack!
We're collecting data all summer - fill it out every time it rains!
survey123.arcgis.com/share/e6e2ab...
Thanks, @subletteweather.com for post. Everyone should subscribe to his amazing substack!
March 20, 2025 at 7:52 PM
#RVA, help us map flooding in and around Richmond this summer. It's so easy!
We're collecting data all summer - fill it out every time it rains!
survey123.arcgis.com/share/e6e2ab...
Thanks, @subletteweather.com for post. Everyone should subscribe to his amazing substack!
We're collecting data all summer - fill it out every time it rains!
survey123.arcgis.com/share/e6e2ab...
Thanks, @subletteweather.com for post. Everyone should subscribe to his amazing substack!
#Richmond / #RVA, we have a powerful cold-front moving through, so it's going to rain! And we want to know where flash flooding occurs. Help us out by sharing this (beta version of a) survey and filling it out if you're out and about. (But stay safe!)
#participatoryscience
#scicomm
#participatoryscience
#scicomm
March 5, 2025 at 3:07 PM
#Richmond / #RVA, we have a powerful cold-front moving through, so it's going to rain! And we want to know where flash flooding occurs. Help us out by sharing this (beta version of a) survey and filling it out if you're out and about. (But stay safe!)
#participatoryscience
#scicomm
#participatoryscience
#scicomm
Some of our students are trying to collect data on where there's flash flooding around #rva #richmond - and it's going to storm tomorrow! See their flyer below.
If you're out and about when / shortly after it rains, fill out this link: survey123.arcgis.com/share/e6e2ab...
If you're out and about when / shortly after it rains, fill out this link: survey123.arcgis.com/share/e6e2ab...
March 4, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Some of our students are trying to collect data on where there's flash flooding around #rva #richmond - and it's going to storm tomorrow! See their flyer below.
If you're out and about when / shortly after it rains, fill out this link: survey123.arcgis.com/share/e6e2ab...
If you're out and about when / shortly after it rains, fill out this link: survey123.arcgis.com/share/e6e2ab...
Where my brain immediately goes every time I read about how Elon Musk is destroying democracy.
February 21, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Where my brain immediately goes every time I read about how Elon Musk is destroying democracy.
Reposted by Steph Spera
ICYMI, last week we published an interactive map of more than $300 billion worth of Inflation Reduction Act and bipartisan infrastructure law funding. Enter your ZIP code or city and a search radius and find projects in your area:
grist.org/accountabili...
grist.org/accountabili...
Where did billions in climate and infrastructure funding go? Search our map by ZIP code.
From clean energy projects to bridges, this interactive tool shows what projects lawmakers announced in your neighborhood.
grist.org
February 20, 2025 at 11:46 PM
ICYMI, last week we published an interactive map of more than $300 billion worth of Inflation Reduction Act and bipartisan infrastructure law funding. Enter your ZIP code or city and a search radius and find projects in your area:
grist.org/accountabili...
grist.org/accountabili...
Yes, trump/elon are ruining everything.
But in particular, dems should be SHOUTING from the rooftops about decreased flight safety, national parks not having working bathrooms, grocery prices, everything bipartisan that this new administration is ruining.
(along with all of the other stuff).
But in particular, dems should be SHOUTING from the rooftops about decreased flight safety, national parks not having working bathrooms, grocery prices, everything bipartisan that this new administration is ruining.
(along with all of the other stuff).
February 18, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Yes, trump/elon are ruining everything.
But in particular, dems should be SHOUTING from the rooftops about decreased flight safety, national parks not having working bathrooms, grocery prices, everything bipartisan that this new administration is ruining.
(along with all of the other stuff).
But in particular, dems should be SHOUTING from the rooftops about decreased flight safety, national parks not having working bathrooms, grocery prices, everything bipartisan that this new administration is ruining.
(along with all of the other stuff).
Richmond! Everything is awful right now but it's one of the three days a year you can have windows open and there's no pollen and low humidity and you get a delightful cross breeze!
If we're in this hellscape, you might as well embrace the (unseasonably warm) weather.
If we're in this hellscape, you might as well embrace the (unseasonably warm) weather.
February 4, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Richmond! Everything is awful right now but it's one of the three days a year you can have windows open and there's no pollen and low humidity and you get a delightful cross breeze!
If we're in this hellscape, you might as well embrace the (unseasonably warm) weather.
If we're in this hellscape, you might as well embrace the (unseasonably warm) weather.
Reposted by Steph Spera
There is *a lot* going on right now. My hot take, as I try to keep up wrt our planet:
“These executive orders will make our air dirtier, make people sicker, make energy more expensive, and make our communities less prepared for extreme weather.”
apnews.com/article/trum...
“These executive orders will make our air dirtier, make people sicker, make energy more expensive, and make our communities less prepared for extreme weather.”
apnews.com/article/trum...
What to know about Trump's first executive actions on climate and environment
President Donald Trump’s first week in office included a flurry of executive orders with implications for Earth’s climate and environment.
apnews.com
January 28, 2025 at 11:06 PM
There is *a lot* going on right now. My hot take, as I try to keep up wrt our planet:
“These executive orders will make our air dirtier, make people sicker, make energy more expensive, and make our communities less prepared for extreme weather.”
apnews.com/article/trum...
“These executive orders will make our air dirtier, make people sicker, make energy more expensive, and make our communities less prepared for extreme weather.”
apnews.com/article/trum...
Reposted by Steph Spera
I moved it up a bit from earlier
January 28, 2025 at 11:15 PM
I moved it up a bit from earlier
Reposted by Steph Spera
Anyone who read Project 2025 saw things like this coming a mile away
NEW — OMB temporarily pauses all agency grants and loans programs.
Per copy of memo: "The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve."
Per copy of memo: "The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve."
January 28, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Anyone who read Project 2025 saw things like this coming a mile away
Reposted by Steph Spera
Per an NIH source:
“Discussions with colleagues have suggested that if the universities all come together and raise hell about the delays to funding caused by not holding meetings, that might move the needle. From every state. There are well-funded universities in red states that will be impacted.”
“Discussions with colleagues have suggested that if the universities all come together and raise hell about the delays to funding caused by not holding meetings, that might move the needle. From every state. There are well-funded universities in red states that will be impacted.”
January 28, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Per an NIH source:
“Discussions with colleagues have suggested that if the universities all come together and raise hell about the delays to funding caused by not holding meetings, that might move the needle. From every state. There are well-funded universities in red states that will be impacted.”
“Discussions with colleagues have suggested that if the universities all come together and raise hell about the delays to funding caused by not holding meetings, that might move the needle. From every state. There are well-funded universities in red states that will be impacted.”
Reposted by Steph Spera
I am begging the national media to start taking this seriously.
Stop buying the claims that the framing of "temporary" or "pause."
They are altering the review processes of federally funded scientific research from merit-based peer review processes to political screening by ideologues.
Stop buying the claims that the framing of "temporary" or "pause."
They are altering the review processes of federally funded scientific research from merit-based peer review processes to political screening by ideologues.
NEW — OMB temporarily pauses all agency grants and loans programs.
Per copy of memo: "The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve."
Per copy of memo: "The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve."
January 28, 2025 at 1:46 AM
I am begging the national media to start taking this seriously.
Stop buying the claims that the framing of "temporary" or "pause."
They are altering the review processes of federally funded scientific research from merit-based peer review processes to political screening by ideologues.
Stop buying the claims that the framing of "temporary" or "pause."
They are altering the review processes of federally funded scientific research from merit-based peer review processes to political screening by ideologues.
Can someone explain to me, like a 5 year old, why the dems aren't putting up any fights right now?
It's stomach churning to realize how little it takes to dismantle a democracy, how quickly it can happen, and how few people at the top are even pretending to try and fight back.
It's stomach churning to realize how little it takes to dismantle a democracy, how quickly it can happen, and how few people at the top are even pretending to try and fight back.
January 28, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Can someone explain to me, like a 5 year old, why the dems aren't putting up any fights right now?
It's stomach churning to realize how little it takes to dismantle a democracy, how quickly it can happen, and how few people at the top are even pretending to try and fight back.
It's stomach churning to realize how little it takes to dismantle a democracy, how quickly it can happen, and how few people at the top are even pretending to try and fight back.
We're #hiring a #postdoc to work in collaboration with Native Co-Is on #climate resilience. (Grant deets: tinyurl.com/nasagrnt)
Skills = remote sensing, GIS, climate data analysis, and, importantly, community-engaged collaborative research.
Deets here: tinyurl.com/ykrxan2u
#academia
Plz share!
Skills = remote sensing, GIS, climate data analysis, and, importantly, community-engaged collaborative research.
Deets here: tinyurl.com/ykrxan2u
#academia
Plz share!
January 21, 2025 at 9:32 PM
We're #hiring a #postdoc to work in collaboration with Native Co-Is on #climate resilience. (Grant deets: tinyurl.com/nasagrnt)
Skills = remote sensing, GIS, climate data analysis, and, importantly, community-engaged collaborative research.
Deets here: tinyurl.com/ykrxan2u
#academia
Plz share!
Skills = remote sensing, GIS, climate data analysis, and, importantly, community-engaged collaborative research.
Deets here: tinyurl.com/ykrxan2u
#academia
Plz share!
just watching videos from my bird feeder and ignoring all news today.
January 20, 2025 at 4:35 PM
just watching videos from my bird feeder and ignoring all news today.
World's literally on fire so let's all just look at this lady cardinal glowing in some great morning light.
January 11, 2025 at 1:55 PM
World's literally on fire so let's all just look at this lady cardinal glowing in some great morning light.
The fires in LA are everywhere on the news - as they should be - climate change is here and now and affects everyone.
But I don't see nearly as many national news updates about how there are over 200,000 people here in Richmond, VA without water. (1/4)
But I don't see nearly as many national news updates about how there are over 200,000 people here in Richmond, VA without water. (1/4)
January 8, 2025 at 11:04 PM
The fires in LA are everywhere on the news - as they should be - climate change is here and now and affects everyone.
But I don't see nearly as many national news updates about how there are over 200,000 people here in Richmond, VA without water. (1/4)
But I don't see nearly as many national news updates about how there are over 200,000 people here in Richmond, VA without water. (1/4)
Obsessed with this take:
January 8, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Obsessed with this take:
We made our annual pilgrimage to the delightfully cold climates where parents live. My oldest LOVES snow; lives for snowtivities. But now the snow doesn't stick around as long as it used to. We felt lucky to get a day of icy sledding in. It's unsettling the amount of green outside.
#climatechange
#climatechange
December 29, 2024 at 4:27 PM
We made our annual pilgrimage to the delightfully cold climates where parents live. My oldest LOVES snow; lives for snowtivities. But now the snow doesn't stick around as long as it used to. We felt lucky to get a day of icy sledding in. It's unsettling the amount of green outside.
#climatechange
#climatechange
Reposted by Steph Spera
8️⃣ Our cartographers @gfiske.bsky.social and @cmshintani.bsky.social shared captivating visuals inspired by our research with thousands in the science community and beyond.
Scroll to see their stunning work. Want to propel more impact in 2025? www.woodwellclimate.org/givenow/
Scroll to see their stunning work. Want to propel more impact in 2025? www.woodwellclimate.org/givenow/
December 16, 2024 at 7:14 PM
8️⃣ Our cartographers @gfiske.bsky.social and @cmshintani.bsky.social shared captivating visuals inspired by our research with thousands in the science community and beyond.
Scroll to see their stunning work. Want to propel more impact in 2025? www.woodwellclimate.org/givenow/
Scroll to see their stunning work. Want to propel more impact in 2025? www.woodwellclimate.org/givenow/
Hi! I'm Steph, a land-change scientist who thinks about how changes in the landscape affect climate and how changes in the climate affect landscapes.
I'm a geog prof at @urichmond.bsky.social (go 🕷️s!).
I’ll likely post about remote sensing, climate, academia, pop culture, and some family life.
I'm a geog prof at @urichmond.bsky.social (go 🕷️s!).
I’ll likely post about remote sensing, climate, academia, pop culture, and some family life.
December 11, 2024 at 6:14 PM
Hi! I'm Steph, a land-change scientist who thinks about how changes in the landscape affect climate and how changes in the climate affect landscapes.
I'm a geog prof at @urichmond.bsky.social (go 🕷️s!).
I’ll likely post about remote sensing, climate, academia, pop culture, and some family life.
I'm a geog prof at @urichmond.bsky.social (go 🕷️s!).
I’ll likely post about remote sensing, climate, academia, pop culture, and some family life.