Sign in

Joan Meiners, PhD

@joanmeiners.bsky.social
1.6K followers 636 following 390 posts

🌵 Climate reporter (The Arizona Republic | @azcentral.com) 🐝 Bee doctor (Ecology Ph.D. @UF) 🚴‍♀️ Outdoor athlete (runner, thruhiker, skier, former bike racer) 🖤 Listen. Be human. Fight bullshit. www.azcentral.com/staff/5308605002/…

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Jeff VanderMeer @jeffvandermeer.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
They quoted me in this New Yorker piece about AI today. www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
“Let’s say there’s a world or time line I exist in where A.I. has been subject to regulation. It is ethical. It has no footprint environmentally,” the novelist Jeff VanderMeer, a prominent critic of A.I., told me over the phone. “With those guardrails in place, would I read an A.I. book? All I can say is no. And the reason is, in part, because I want to read something coming from a particular mind.” Using A.I., he said, “feels like a betrayal of the whole point of why you’re a writer.”
109103822546
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Sammy Roth @sammyroth.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Remember less than a year ago, when Bill Gates said aggressive climate action was a waste of limited money that should be spent fighting poverty and disease instead? www.latimes.com/business/sto... 🤔
latimes.com
Gates Foundation commits $1 billion to improving global AI access
Amid calls for slowing down AI development, new funding from Bill Gates' philanthropic organization will support education, healthcare, agriculture and language gaps.
33720
Joan Meiners, PhD @joanmeiners.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Last month, a whole slew of news outlets publ. that the cottonwoods uprooted in AZ for the border wall were “ancient”, or 200 years old. Apparently none of them fact-checked this with a scientist. I did. She said they’re at most 146, but age is not why they matter: www.azcentral.com/story/news/e...
azcentral.com
Giant border trees aren't ancient, AZ scientist says. But they still matter
Tree ring scientist Ceci Martinez says cottonwoods killed by border wall crews are at most 146 years old, not 200. They are still ecologically vital.
1133
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Dr. Jenny Morber @jrmorber.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
YEP
081
Joan Meiners, PhD @joanmeiners.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
This is NOT an “Exclusive!” Honestly, @washingtonpost.com, this is really gross. AZ local 12News had this scoop last week. When you steal work like this, you undermine public comprehension of why local journalism matters…AND your own *actual* source of info about what’s going on across the country.
13721
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Sammy Roth @sammyroth.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Must-read story. @joanmeiners.bsky.social was the first reporter down into the Grand Canyon after the deadly flash flooding. Here's what she saw, and what it means in an era of climate destabilization, including the wildfire-flood connection: www.azcentral.com/story/news/a...
azcentral.com
After fatal flood, reporter hikes into a deserted Grand Canyon | Exclusive
A flash flood killed two and hurt infrastructure. The Republic's Joan Meiners hiked into the Canyon and found flooding made worse by climate change.
1175
Joan Meiners, PhD @joanmeiners.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
It has been a wild week as a #climate reporter in Arizona. On Monday, I hiked to bottom of #GrandCanyon to report on the deadly flash flood. No one else has done that. Today, my story is front page of @azcentral.com. My photos are in WaPo. And I went on 12News to explain the role of #climatechange.
26514
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Bad Hombre Jim ☘️📎 @phxflyer.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
This is a great piece from The Arizona Republic’s @joanmeiners.bsky.social Climate change is taking a greater toll, and more lives, than we think. Check out this article from azcentral: After fatal flood, reporter hikes into a deserted Grand Canyon | Exclusive www.azcentral.com/story/news/a...
azcentral.com
After fatal flood, reporter hikes into a deserted Grand Canyon | Exclusive
A flash flood killed two and hurt infrastructure. The Republic's Joan Meiners hiked into the Canyon and found flooding made worse by climate change.
0155
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Wow, the Trump EPA is proposing a change to the definition of “discharge of a pollutant” that would exempt moving boats and ships from National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program requirements. Let the dumping begin*! *Let’s not. Please comment in the Federal Register.
eos.org
EPA Moves to Redefine “Discharge of a Pollutant” - Eos
The EPA is proposing a change to the definition of “discharge of a pollutant” that would exempt moving boats and ships from pollution regulations.
7365206
Joan Meiners, PhD @joanmeiners.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
As far as I know, I’m the only reporter to make it to the bottom of the Grand Canyon on foot since the major flash flooding damage on Aug. 29. www.instagram.com/reel/DcxDIfN...
instagram.com
azcentral on Instagram: "A severe flash flood on August 29, 2026, on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon killed two hikers and caused damage to the North Kaibab Trail and to the Phantom Ranch area at th...
74 likes, 3 comments - azcentral on September 1, 2026: "A severe flash flood on August 29, 2026, on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon killed two hikers and caused damage to the North Kaibab Trail and ...
0164
Joan Meiners, PhD @joanmeiners.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
I dare anyone, including AI, to send this many messages in this amount of time with no mistakes. www.azcentral.com/story/news/l... Story for @azcentral.com by @debkrol.bsky.social
082
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Kendra "Gloom is My Beat" Pierre-Louis @kendrawrites.com · 28/07/2026
The whole point of living in a country and paying stupid amounts of money in taxes is being able to assume that if you can buy a thing it is relatively safe. That isn't true - especially for supplements. And we should all be angrier that it isn't.
316139
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Simon Evans @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org · 24/07/2026
Renewables are now the world's largest source of electricity – and the main source of new supplies
20078532050
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Brandon Bishop @brandontbishop.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
"administration hates academic science funding, full stop. They hate where that money goes, and they hate who it goes to. They want to keep all that money for themselves, to hand out to favored cronies who can help them get elected and to steer yet more money and more power back into their hands."
11914
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
Independent journalism is great but we will always need strong corporate media who have the resources to fight authoritarian governments.
nytimes.com
Times Journalists Subpoenaed as Trump Escalates Pressure on Media (Gift Article)
The Justice Department is seeking to compel testimony from reporters who wrote about the new Air Force One. The Times called the move a “brazen act.”
59622
Joan Meiners, PhD @joanmeiners.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
As of this week, Arizona no longer has rules guiding electric energy efficiency at regulated utilities. In March, state officials (2 of 5 are up for reelection this fall) also did away with longstanding rules for renewable energy generation. Details & context here: www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
azcentral.com
Arizona utility regulators gut energy efficiency standards
Since 2011, the statewide standards have saved ratepayers an estimated $1.7 billion on electricity costs, while preventing pollution and grid strain.
137
Joan Meiners, PhD @joanmeiners.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
On the front page of The Arizona Republic | @azcentral.com today: my story about a small town in northern Arizona near an active wildfire that just wants to celebrate #America250 by lighting shit on fire, never you mind their history of starting brush fires with fireworks..
183
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Bill Goodykoontz @goodyk.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Walter Cronkite - yes, that Walter Cronkite - once told me the secret to a functioning democracy. Today is the perfect day to subscribe to my newsletter and see what he said. There’s a link in the comments.
112
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Climate change comes for the Tour de France and no amount of hydration breaks can save it.
cyclingnews.com
'You may decide to cancel a stage' – French regions will be authorised to call off Tour de France stages if extreme heatwaves hit the race
Minister of the Interior issues message to department prefects as more high temperatures are forecast in France this July
1326096
Joan Meiners, PhD @joanmeiners.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
I spent all week covering the #PocketFire as it grew 20k acres, toward Flagstaff. Then the Mayor of nearby Williams told me: “(Flagstaff) likes to think they should be able to tell everybody to do the same thing they do. And I've let them know that's not the case." www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
azcentral.com
Williams to light July Fourth fireworks as wildfires burn nearby
The town has a history of igniting spot fires with its "famous" show. Neither neighborly fears nor the ongoing, nearby Pocket Fire have deterred them.
444
Joan Meiners, PhD @joanmeiners.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
This asshat has never tried to be nonpartisan a day in his life. Taking cheap shots at old people for no reason doesn’t make you cool.
040
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Julian Sanchez @normative.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
It‘s just insane to me that a sitting president has made MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLARS peddling fucking fairy dust with no intrinsic value beyond his stature and power AS president, and it’s not treated as the biggest corruption scandal in American history.
1745211475
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Grand Canyon Trust @grandcanyontrust.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Congress needs to understand the urgency of rebuilding the north rim of Grand Canyon National Park. A closer look at the North Rim 1 year after the Dragon Bravo Fire via @brandonloomis.bsky.social @joanmeiners.bsky.social @goesbykim.bsky.social @azcentral.com www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
azcentral.com
Dragon Bravo Fire broke hearts, but Grand Canyon shows its resilience
The Dragon Bravo Fire burned across 150,000 acres and destroyed the historic lodge at the North Rim, but work to repair it started almost immediately.
033
Joan Meiners, PhD @joanmeiners.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
The American Southwest, my home, is burning — massive and deadly. That anyone could look at this map and still not think we have a real #climate problem (or that laying off firefighters saved us any $$) is so deranged. We all sadly predicted this, incl. me on our @azcentral.com podcast weeks ago.
242
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Bethany Brookshire @beebrookshire.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
It was my patriotic duty to write this piece. www.sciencenews.org/article/alga...
sciencenews.org
New science on algae die-offs is too late for the Reflecting Pool
Iron and hydrogen peroxide trigger cell death via ferroptosis, which cascades killer molecules through the population, causing mass die-offs of algae.
311841
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Many people are sharing this tour de force but you should follow @themadstone.bsky.social and check out her thread for additional background. Also follow @amywestervelt.bsky.social and @katieworth.bsky.social.
14820
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Amy Maxmen, PhD @amymaxmen.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Very sad to see stellar science reportrs & eds laid off @sciam.bsky.social. This isn't a job easily replaced bc it requires specialized knowledge+communication skills. Also sad: union says: "The company has sought to quash or tone down political or sensitive stories" www.wgaeast.org/wgae-scienti...
wgaeast.org
WGAE-Scientific American Union Statement on Springer Nature’s Sale and Layoffs | Press Room
The following is a statement from Writers Guild of America East members at Scientific American on today’s decision to sell Springer Nature and lay off staff: “Earlier today in an all-staff meeting we ...
12912
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
This amount would fund the US National Science Foundation for a decade. 🧪
apnews.com
Pentagon seeks $80 billion from Congress for Iran war
The Pentagon has told lawmakers it needs roughly $80 billion, mostly to cover the cost of the war in Iran.
271680564
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Ted Gartner @gartneraz.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
Timely article about AZ's water situation in today's AZ Republic. We've got to prevent idiots like Trump from defunding this necessary research. Thank you @joanmeiners.bsky.social for your reporting! New Arizona water report brings some optimism arizonarepublic-az.newsmemory.com?publink=112a...
arizonarepublic-az.newsmemory.com
New Arizona water report brings some optimism
Research effort spanned 31 /2 years, funded by AZ Board of RegentsJoa
163
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Michael J. Stern @michaeljstern.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
When you are paying $765 million to companies to get them to cancel clean, renewable energy projects, you are screaming to the world that you are a corrupt fossil fuel lobbyist bitch who does not give a damn about what's best for America. www.nytimes.com/2026/06/17/c...
nytimes.com
Trump Administration to Pay $765 Million to Cancel 4 More Wind Projects
15539651468
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Faith Kearns, Ph.D. @fkearns.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Really excellent in depth reporting from @joanmeiners.bsky.social on new state-of-the-art groundwater recharge work from colleagues at ASU/UA/NAU. This is work started by Thomas Meixner, who was shot and killed on campus in its early days. His student, Neha Gupta, kept it going. Really impressive.
182
Joan Meiners, PhD @joanmeiners.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
A new report out yesterday shares findings about Arizona’s water future from a 3-year collaboration of researchers at each of Arizona’s three major universities. In an age of #climate drying and #ColoradoRiver system collapse, the team found actionable hope. Story: www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
azcentral.com
Arizona's water future looks grim, but a new report sees room for hope
Despite challenges caused by warming, drying and overuse, researchers found opportunities for reducing evaporation and facilitating aquifer recharge.
1162
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Daniel Swain @weatherwest.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Today's "ask me anything" live session on El Niño was recorded and is now available! There were far more excellent questions than I could answer in even 90 minutes, so I'll have additional live AMA session this summer! Stay tuned. www.youtube.com/live/blLHZdh...
youtube.com
Special Ask Me Anything" (AMA) session on El Niño and its local-to-global scale consequences!
YouTube video by Weather West
410333
Joan Meiners, PhD @joanmeiners.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Come hear me talk about my reporting on #climatechange along the #ArizonaTrail this long weekend if you’re in the vicinity of northern Arizona.
061
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Sammy Roth @sammyroth.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
Absolutely insane story by @joanmeiners.bsky.social about an oil and gas lease sale on Arizona public lands that almost certainly contain no oil or gas. Keep reading for the crazy twist! www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
azcentral.com
'Drilling for investors' on public lands without oil or gas
After 320,000 acres in northern Arizona were nominated for oil and gas leasing, where experts say no oil or gas exists, a public lands mystery began.
02013
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Center for Western Priorities @westernpriorities.org · 12/06/2026
Incredible reporting from @joanmeiners.bsky.social about why 320,000 acres of Arizona public lands are being leased even though geologists agree there's no oil there. Absolutely worth a read, it's a wild ride.
043
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
DiscoPriest 🌱 @discopriest.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
This is a great mystery story by @joanmeiners.bsky.social - the investigative payoff is totally worth the read (via @azcentral.com / Arizona Republic):
azcentral.com
'Drilling for investors' on public lands without oil or gas
After 320,000 acres in northern Arizona were nominated for oil and gas leasing, where experts say no oil or gas exists, a public lands mystery began.
051
Joan Meiners, PhD @joanmeiners.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Read this one. (It's free.) Possibly the craziest investigation I've published. It's got mystery, fraud, false leads, a road trip & plenty of characters as I dig into what could be going on with 320K acres of public lands up for oil drilling in a place without oil. www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
azcentral.com
'Drilling for investors' on public lands without oil or gas
After 320,000 acres in northern Arizona were nominated for oil and gas leasing, where experts say no oil or gas exists, a public lands mystery began.
34126
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Ted Zukoski @tedzukoski.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Fantastic deep dive from @joanmeiners.bsky.social on how Trump's policy & signature legislation opened lands across the West - & near Grand Canyon - to highly speculative oil & gas leasing. And how a hollowed-out federal agency is ill-prepared to deal with it. www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
azcentral.com
'Drilling for investors' on public lands without oil or gas
After 320,000 acres in northern Arizona were nominated for oil and gas leasing, where experts say no oil or gas exists, a public lands mystery began.
133
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Amy Maxmen, PhD @amymaxmen.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Brilliant story on RFK's push for an unethical study that withholds vaccines from 7000 children in Guinea-Bissau, based on a "house of cards." Guinea-Bissau says they never approved of this. And yet HHS calls it an "opportunity." By Arthur Allen @kffhealthnews.org www.wired.com/story/a-dani...
wired.com
A Danish Couple’s Maverick African Research Finds Its Moment in RFK Jr.’s Vaccine Policy
The work of Peter Aaby and Christine Stabell Benn has long been controversial. Until Robert F. Kennedy Jr. became US health policy chief, most vaccine scientists tended to ignore it. Now they can’t.
011767
Joan Meiners, PhD @joanmeiners.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
🚨 BREAKING: The Bureau of Land Management has just announced plans to open up ~80,000 acres across rural NW Arizona (north of the Grand Canyon) for oil and gas leasing. The rub? The geologists and land managers I spoke with said there’s not any oil or gas there. www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
azcentral.com
Trump agency targets northwest Arizona for new oil and gas drilling
The northwestern part of Arizona, where nearly 80,000 acres may soon be offered for drilling, is not known to have substantial oil or gas reserves.
712270
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Erik Hoffner @erikhoffner.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Glad to say @mongabay.com is a finalist for a #podcast award for this episode on how outdoor adventure can boost #conservation “We harness the collective power of the tens of thousands of people that are outside every day to benefit conservation.” Listen here: news.mongabay.com/podcast/2025...
Mongabay podcast award
0143
Joan Meiners, PhD @joanmeiners.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
This is a nightmare come to life (like many other aspects of society right now). But the ethics at the NYT have definitely disappointed me before, so I’m not sure I’m surprised.
051
Joan Meiners, PhD @joanmeiners.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
I know it's May the Fourth and I'm not trying to cross universes, but I have a story today for Arizona Heat Awareness Week that, IMO, has a forcefully strong LOTR reference (which my editor did not comment on but also did not delete... gotta count wins where I can). www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
azcentral.com
Arizona can be a 'proving ground' for heat solutions, communities say
Phoenix leaders gathered along the Rio Salado to carve a new channel for solutions, one conference to rule them all and in the heat bind them.
042
Joan Meiners, PhD @joanmeiners.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
The Colorado River Basin story that never dies. (Well, one of them. Western water shortages inspire many zombie stories.) If we had a nickel for each time a reader thinks they've solved Arizona's water crisis with a plan for a pipeline from the Mississippi River.. www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
azcentral.com
Could a massive pipeline from the East solve Arizona's water woes?
Proposals to address western water deficits by importing eastern overflows resurface in times of drought. It's never our best option, experts say.
4142
Joan Meiners, PhD @joanmeiners.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
Damn. Well at least people are starting to say it out loud now.
040
Joan Meiners, PhD @joanmeiners.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
Border wall construction has now resulted in DHS closing the southernmost mile of the #ArizonaTrail — by dragging a park bench across it. The terminus will soon be walled off into Mexico, with consequences for hikers and wildlife. My story and video from the scene: www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
azcentral.com
A park bench and explosives shorten the Arizona Trail at the border
One week before Earth Day, the Department of Homeland Security announced trail closures for a double-layered border wall through a national park site.
022
Joan Meiners, PhD @joanmeiners.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Quick PSA: Joan is a real name. It’s not even an odd or unusual one. It’s not Jone. It’s not Joanne. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve told someone my name out loud and they either spell it “Jone” or they correctively address me as “Joanne.” I know this is not important. But it’s just weird.
290
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
Bloomberg News @bloomberg.com · 07/04/2026
Donald Trump threatened to jail journalists who published details of a daring US military raid to rescue two airmen whose aircraft was shot down over Iran
bloom.bg
Trump Threatens to Jail Journalists Who Wrote on Rescue Mission
President Donald Trump threatened to jail journalists who published details of a daring US military raid to rescue two airmen whose aircraft was shot down over Iran, accusing them of jeopardizing the mission.
245832
Reposted by Joan Meiners, PhD
jae holzman @jael.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
some of the most beautiful art in the world was created out of everything falling apart
25810