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Dan Farber

@dfarber1950.bsky.social
3.1K followers 63 following 453 posts

Law professor and director of Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment at UC Berkeley

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Reposted by Dan Farber
Legal Planet @legal-planet.org · 8h
"Justice Gorsuch is wrong about the cure, but delegation has gotten out of hand." @dfarber1950.bsky.social legal-planet.org/2026/09/30/g...
legal-planet.org
Gorsuch is (Partly) Right - Legal Planet
Broad delegations like those dealing with emergencies and national security invite abuse. Gorsuch is right about this, but not the cure.
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 1h
It's kind of hard to believe that Pete Hegseth is as much of an idiot as he seems. But why, then, is he trying to do so much damage of national security? Testosterone overdose causing roid rage? www.nytimes.com/2026/09/30/u...
nytimes.com
In Speech, Hegseth Targets Diversity, Transgender People, Reporters and Iran
In his “State of the Force” address, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth focused on the culture war and accused reporters of “treason” over Iran war coverage.
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Reposted by Dan Farber
Brennan Center @brennancenter.org · 9h
The Trump administration’s illegal cuts to FEMA have undermined the nation’s ability to prepare for and respond to natural disasters. Congress must hold the line against further efforts to weaken FEMA and rebuild the agency’s capacity. bit.ly/4ypsAyP
bit.ly
Administration’s Arbitrary, Unlawful Cuts to FEMA Funding and Staff Threaten American Communities
Grant cancellations, staff reductions, and other policy changes far overstep the president’s authority while limiting FEMA’s ability to respond to disasters.
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 9h
Justice Gorsuch has been complaining that Congress has given the President too much unchecked power. He's certainly right in terms of national security & emergency powers. Here's what we need to do. legal-planet.org/2026/09/30/g...
legal-planet.org
Gorsuch is (Partly) Right - Legal Planet
Broad delegations like those dealing with emergencies and national security invite abuse. Gorsuch is right about this, but not the cure.
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 11h
Talking about the Suncor case and the quest for compensation for harm done by climate change. youtu.be/bG6N1D7aYXQ?...
youtu.be
Can You Sue Exxon for Climate Change? A Berkeley Law Professor Explains
YouTube video by Cut to the Chase Network
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
“The criticism has been that I let a child predator out after one day. Well guess what? They served 60 days.” — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), speaking at an event. How did this guy ever win elected office?
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Reposted by Dan Farber
Legal Planet @legal-planet.org · 28/09/2026
The Trump administration unveiled new CAFE standards that actually make cars LESS fuel efficient, defy Congressional intent, and increase air and climate pollution. @uclalawemmett.bsky.social legal-planet.org/2026/09/28/w...
legal-planet.org
Who Cares About Affordability and Gas Prices? Not DOT - Legal Planet
The Trump administration's new CAFE standards actually make cars LESS fuel efficient, defy Congressional intent, and increase pollution.
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
State regulations are more important than ever while the Feds are doing their best to trash the environment. Here are the key Governor's races that will help shape the next four years of state environmental policy. legal-planet.org/2026/09/28/e...
legal-planet.org
Election 2026: Governor’s Races - Legal Planet
The governor's races are toss-ups or have only a slight lean in five states The outcomes could have a big effect on energy policies.
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Reposted by Dan Farber
Legal Planet @legal-planet.org · 24/09/2026
Whenever he wants to roll back environmental protections, Trump cooks up a new national security justification. @dfarber1950.bsky.social legal-planet.org/2026/09/24/n...
legal-planet.org
"National Security" is Becoming a Punch Line - Legal Planet
Whether it's emitting toxics, halting windmill projects, or threatening endangered whales, national security is always the excuse.
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Our democracy center has been busy fighting the good fight: helping election officials deal with legal attacks, helping states protect the civil rights when the Feds are AWOL, and researching ways to fight back. myemail.constantcontact.com/Edley-Center...
myemail.constantcontact.com
Edley Center News - September, 2026
Email from UC Berkeley School of Law     As the midterm elections approach, the Edley Center is pleased to share vital new election law materials on our website. The first set of materials addresses a
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Here's a new one. "Why did Trump's chicken cross the road?" Answer: "National security!" That's a tribute to the indiscriminate use of national security to shield destructive actions like waiving pollution limits or protections for endangered species. legal-planet.org/2026/09/24/n...
legal-planet.org
"National Security" is Becoming a Punch Line - Legal Planet
Whether it's emitting toxics, halting windmill projects, or threatening endangered whales, national security is always the excuse.
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
This is great news (even though it's not my school.) I hope others follow the example. Private universities educate a tiny fraction of college students. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/23/u...
nytimes.com
$1 Billion Donation to University of Oregon Makes History
The gift from Phil Knight, the Nike co-founder, is the largest known donation to a flagship university. It will fund a new engineering college.
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Montana is running an experiment in selling untested drugs with privatized ethics oversight. Maybe the experiment will surprise everyone and be a success, but there are pitfalls, including the risk of violating of federal drug law. legal-planet.org/2026/09/21/m...
legal-planet.org
Montana's Human Experiment with Untested Drugs - Legal Planet
Montana is launching a risky experiment in which untested medical treatments will be sold freely inside the state.
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
This headline from the Wall Street Journal says a lot about the paper and its readership: "It’s Hard to Build a Home for Under $1 Million—But It Isn’t Impossible." www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
wsj.com
It’s Hard to Build a Home for Under $1 Million—But It Isn’t Impossible
Plus, a trip to Italy’s Costa Smeralda and three real-estate pros share some over-the-top asks from their clients.
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
I've been looking for an opportunity to point out that the dispute over late ballots is settled by the Mailbox Rule, which every law student learns in contracts class.
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Trump says: "“The only control or ‘guardrails’ that AI needs is a STRONG AND SMART (High IQ!) PRESIDENT." Someone needs to put up the Bat Signal for Barack.
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Trump's Energy Dept. issued emergency orders requiring decrepit coal-fired power plants to stay inoperations. Fortunately, the D.C. Circuit saw through the ruse and struck down this abuse of emergency power. Here's why. legal-planet.org/2026/09/14/t...
legal-planet.org
The Rise and Fall of an Energy Emergency - Legal Planet
The Feds have used a vaguely defined "emergency" to keep open uneconomic coal-fired power plants, only to get slapped down in the DC Circuit.
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Reposted by Dan Farber
Legal Planet @legal-planet.org · 04/09/2026
How will the Supreme Court’s opinion impact environmental standing? @dfarber1950.bsky.social legal-planet.org/2026/09/03/s...
legal-planet.org
Strictly Ballroom - Legal Planet
Given the facts as the Court presented them, its ruling that there was no standing in the ballroom cases shouldn't impact environmental law.
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Reposted by Dan Farber
Legal Planet @legal-planet.org · 11/09/2026
About the best Trump can hope for in the long run is to maintain the status quo. @dfarber1950.bsky.social legal-planet.org/2026/09/10/t...
legal-planet.org
The Dim Outlook for Trump Energy Dominance - Legal Planet
The baseline prediction is longterm stagnation in oil markets and growth in natural gas driven by exports. That's probably too optimistic.
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Reposted by Dan Farber
James Goodwin @jamesgoodwin.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
On Sept 30, @progressivereform.bsky.social is hosting a webinar to preview the oral arguments in Suncor v. Boulder. Come listen to expert insights from our panelists @profrrothschild.bsky.social, @dfarber1950.bsky.social, and @alejandrocamacho.bsky.social. us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
us06web.zoom.us
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Oral Arguments in Suncor v. Boulder: What to Expect, What to Look For. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
Join the Center for Progressive Reform for a webinar, “Oral Arguments in Suncor v. Boulder: What to Expect, What to Look For.” The first oral argument scheduled for the U.S. Supreme Court’s next term...
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
At least based on the Bruin's story, I don't think this is quite fair. What's true is that the Chancellor expressed sympathy for families of victims who were upset by the event and seemingly said nothing on behalf of free speech or academic freedom. Which he should have.
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
I really don't think Howard Lutnick is this stupid. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Taxes wouldn’t fund $5,000 Trump ‘dividend’ if Republicans win midterms, says commerce secretary
Lutnick said $500bn of estimated $1tn needed to fund checks to all US adults could come from new visa program
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Reposted by Dan Farber
Legal Planet @legal-planet.org · 08/09/2026
The Wall Street Journal is a conservative business outlet but its news coverage of EVs is surprisingly positive. @dfarber1950.bsky.social legal-planet.org/2026/09/08/w...
legal-planet.org
Word on The Street - Legal Planet
The Wall Street Journal's news coverage of electric vehicles is a lot more positive than you might expect from a conservative business outlet.
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Trump has a dream: A dream of US oil & gas ruling the world. This vision of "energy dominance" bucks some of the most powerful trends in the energy world. The best he can really hope for is that oil & gas hold their own. legal-planet.org/2026/09/10/t...
legal-planet.org
The Dim Outlook for Trump Energy Dominance - Legal Planet
The baseline prediction is longterm stagnation in oil markets and growth in natural gas driven by exports. That's probably too optimistic.
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Just in case you're wondering, the statute admitting the state to the union says it's called "New Mexico." www.congress.gov/committee-re...
congress.gov
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
A paper that likes to think of itself as the voice of American business has some very upbeat coverage about electric vehicles. That should be reassuring to the EV industry as well as climate advocates. legal-planet.org/2026/09/08/w...
legal-planet.org
Word on The Street - Legal Planet
The Wall Street Journal's news coverage of electric vehicles is a lot more positive than you might expect from a conservative business outlet.
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
The Trump Administration finds threats to national security under every bush, using those claims to justify all manner of government actions and limit review in the courts. There are signs that some judges are beginning to see through this ruse. legal-planet.org/2026/09/07/t...
legal-planet.org
The National Security Scam - Legal Planet
The Trump Administration is profligate with claims of national security & emergency claims. Courts are starting to get skeptical.
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Reposted by Dan Farber
hana martin @nitramanah.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
"Across the board, these judges .. describe a spike in disturbing phone calls, emails and death threats. Some have urged loved ones to take different routes home, and barred their children from playing outside. Some were advised to buy a firearm for protection." ⬇️
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Reposted by Dan Farber
Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
There's some alarm about whether the Supreme Court's ballroom decision could make it harder for environmental groups to sue. My view: the Court got the doctrine right but the facts wrong. As a result, there shouldn't be huge repercussions for standing doctrine. legal-planet.org/2026/09/03/s...
legal-planet.org
Strictly Ballroom - Legal Planet
Given the facts as the Court presented them, its ruling that there was no standing in the ballroom cases shouldn't impact environmental law.
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Berkeley's Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment is about to celebrate its 20th birthday. That's twenty years of developing pragmatic solutions for tough environmental problems. www.eventbrite.com/e/20-years-o...
eventbrite.com
20 Years of CLEE: Moving Ideas into Action in a Shifting Policy Landscape
Join Berkeley Law's Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment (CLEE) for a symposium marking the research center's 20th anniversary.
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Permitting reformers want to streamline consideration of the environmental factors in permitting procedures. That may be a good idea, but there are others way to ensure that the environment is taken into account. legal-planet.org/2026/09/03/p...
legal-planet.org
Moving Environment Assessment Outside the Permit Process - Legal Planet
There's a lot to be said for permit reform, but we need to avoid throwing out the environment a baby with the procedural bathwater.
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Reposted by Dan Farber
Ethan Elkind @ethanelkind.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
The Supreme Court's ballroom case blatantly distorted the facts and ignored federal law to reach the majority's desired outcome of letting Trump continue with his project, as @dfarber1950.bsky.social describes in @legal-planet.org: legal-planet.org/2026/09/03/s...
legal-planet.org
Strictly Ballroom - Legal Planet
Given the facts as the Court presented them, its ruling that there was no standing in the ballroom cases shouldn't impact environmental law.
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
There's some alarm about whether the Supreme Court's ballroom decision could make it harder for environmental groups to sue. My view: the Court got the doctrine right but the facts wrong. As a result, there shouldn't be huge repercussions for standing doctrine. legal-planet.org/2026/09/03/s...
legal-planet.org
Strictly Ballroom - Legal Planet
Given the facts as the Court presented them, its ruling that there was no standing in the ballroom cases shouldn't impact environmental law.
001
Reposted by Dan Farber
Legal Planet @legal-planet.org · 27/08/2026
U.S. clean energy has taken a major hit but not a fatal one. @dfarber1950.bsky.social legal-planet.org/2026/08/27/w...
legal-planet.org
What We Know About Trump’s Impact on Clean Energy - Legal Planet
Parts of Biden's climate legacy survive, despite Trump. It's not that easy to kill off energy technologies that are sweeping the world.
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Reposted by Dan Farber
Legal Planet @legal-planet.org · 28/08/2026
President Trump just changed the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America. Why stop there? For instance, he could also change "atmosphere" to "manosphere," writes @dfarber1950.bsky.social legal-planet.org/2026/08/28/t...
legal-planet.org
The Logical Next Step After Renaming Lake Ontario - Legal Planet
President Trump just changed Lake Ontario to Lake America. Why stop there? Why not change "atmosphere" to "manosphere"?
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Keep an eye on these four hotly contested races in California. The outcomes could be crucial to Democrats' plans to flip control of the House. legal-planet.org/2026/08/31/f...
legal-planet.org
Four Tight House Races in California - Legal Planet
Only four congressional districts in California are in play. Democrats have the edge, but the Republicans have a real shot at winning.
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Is this a parody? Or something Trump might actually do? These days, it's hard to tell the ddifference. legal-planet.org/2026/08/28/t...
legal-planet.org
The Logical Next Step After Renaming Lake Ontario - Legal Planet
President Trump just changed Lake Ontario to Lake America. Why stop there? Why not change "atmosphere" to "manosphere"?
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
If El-Sayed wins his Senate race, I guess Trump will probably rename Lake Michigan too. :-)
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Trump's rage against clean energy has done some major damage. But it's been far from a total success. legal-planet.org/2026/08/27/w...
legal-planet.org
What We Know About Trump’s Impact on Clean Energy - Legal Planet
Parts of Biden's climate legacy survive, despite Trump. It's not that easy to kill off energy technologies that are sweeping the world.
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Reposted by Dan Farber
Climate Adaptation and Restoration Team @clubadaptation.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Letters: There’s a simple reason for the racial disparity in electric car ownership—What we need is a more equitable distribution of charging stations, something that… www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/lett... @dfarber1950.bsky.social @cleeberkeley.bsky.social
sfchronicle.com
Letters: There’s a simple reason for the racial disparity in electric car ownership
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Chronicle readers comment on electric vehicle ownership, reinstating the SAT at UC, revenue for fairgrounds and Piedmont’s exclusivity.
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
US investment in clean energy took a huge hit in 2025, but things seem to be looking up now. A lot of this is driven by consumer demand for solar, home energy storage, and EV/hybrids. Some may be driven by AI and Iran, which have spooked consumers about prices. legal-planet.org/2026/08/24/c...
legal-planet.org
Consumer Clean-Energy Sovereignty - Legal Planet
Clean energy investments have taken a hit from Trump but are stabilizing. Consumers are turning to rooftop solar, EV/hybrids, and batteries.
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Things are going badly awry in water systems. Unprecedented droughts are drying up key reservoirs in some places. Millions of gallons of raw sewage flood out in others. And in Texas, fracking water pumped underground is reemerging as geysers.TIme to start worrying! legal-planet.org/2026/08/20/t...
legal-planet.org
Troubled Waters   - Legal Planet
From geysers of toxic wastewater in Texas to the disappearing reservoirs on the Colorado, our water systems are sending us cries for help.
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
We're very grateful for Ruth and Joseph Bell's generous support of the Center for Law, Energy, and Environment. It couldn't have come at a better time, given the current assault on environmental protection. www.law.berkeley.edu/article/majo...
law.berkeley.edu
Major gift launches Climate Action Fund to bolster Berkeley Law’s environmental leadership work
The $500,000 commitment from Ruth Bell ’67 and her husband Joseph Bell aims to expand the Center for Law, Energy & the Environment’s impact in guiding California policymakers.
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Maybe you know someone who's now going to law school or thinking about it. If they're worried about climate change, this letter explains why they could make an important contribution to sustainability and the many ways of doing so. legal-planet.org/2026/08/17/d...
legal-planet.org
Dear 2026 1L - Legal Planet
Today's entering law students are tomorrow's environmental and energy lawyers. They're urgently needed in this time of crisis.
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
It's hard to think of anyone who has damaged U.S. national security more than Trump. Now turning away from South Korea because he likes the North Korean dictator. www.nytimes.com/live/2026/08...
nytimes.com
Trump Administration Live Updates: President Orders Reduction of Military Exercises With South Korea, a Key Ally
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Worrying about climate change seems to be a little passé right now among the political class. Unfortunately, reality doesn't care about our political mood swings. Unprecedented climate impactsare leaving rivers dry and cities under heat domes. legal-planet.org/2026/08/13/y...
legal-planet.org
You May Have Forgotten About Climate Change. But It Hasn’t Forgotten About You - Legal Planet
While public attention has strayed elsewhere, climate change is roaring along anyway. Tick tock, tick tock.
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
In a case involving the Central Valley, a Ninth Circuit opinion last week ups the pressure on states that fall behind on their plans to achieve national air quality standards. The case also shows why the Supreme Court's abandonment of the Chevron doctrine matters. legal-planet.org/2026/08/10/i...
legal-planet.org
Interpreting the Clean Air Act After Chevron’s Demise - Legal Planet
A recent Ninth Circuit cases tests the Supreme Court's new approach to reviewing agency decisions, with big implications for air pollution.
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
The "Blue Danube" is now only 6 inches deep in places, and the Colorado River is in crisis. What more is in store for us as the climate continues changing? legal-planet.org/2026/08/06/w...
legal-planet.org
What the Disappearing Danube Could Tell Us About the Colorado - Legal Planet
The Danube is now only 9 inches deep in places. The Colorado River drought is the worse in 1200 years. And things could get worse.
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Here's how the midterms are shaping up. The outcome will determine how much room Trump will have in his campaign to eliminate environmental safeguards and kneecap clean energy. legal-planet.org/2026/08/03/e...
legal-planet.org
Election 2026: Three Months to Go - Legal Planet
SummaryAggressive gerrymandering has given Republicans a better chance of holding control of the House of Representatives. Democrats have an uphill battle in trying to take control of the Senate becau...
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Dan Farber @dfarber1950.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Trump's impact on clean energy hasn't stopped it from, expanding, but we'll need a huge increase in the 2030s. legal-planet.org/2026/07/30/f...
legal-planet.org
Strategies for the 2030s - Legal Planet
Good news: U.S. carbon emissions will continue to fall until after Trump is out of office. After that, it will all depend on us.
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