Sign in

Phaedra C. Pezzullo

@phaedra.bsky.social
3.8K followers 1.2K following 674 posts

Professor @ CU Boulder Environmental & climate justice, sustainability & storytelling, environmental comm. Editor UC Press+ Taylor&Francis. Author: Beyond Straw Men: Plastic Pollution & Networked Cultures of Care. Opinions=mine phaedracpezzullo.com

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Jessica Green @greenprofgreen.bsky.social · 7h
Like I have said many times before, tax policy is climate policy. Data centers are driving a huge demand for natural gas. US tax policy is turbo-charging this demand.
nytimes.com
How Meta Uses A.I. Data Centers to Avoid Billions in Federal Taxes (Gift Article)
Meta is exploiting a lucrative tax break intended to support research and experimentation. Its own accountants say the gambit is risky.
071
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Ketan Joshi @ketanjoshi.co · 29/09/2026
Interesting new data collection from the nice people at the Sustainable AI Group. Most of this is estimates, particularly the closed models where OpenAI etc don't report energy or climate impacts. This stood out: there is *no* increase in model efficiency cleerdash.sustainableaigroup.com
a chart showing no increase in efficiency for each new model a chart showing no increase in efficiency for each new model • KEY TAKEAWAYS
For the sanle task, the chdce of modd can change energy use by >30X
is an imperfect guide to impwt: in about 1 5 he«i-to-head
comparisons, the cheaper nudel had the higher estimated energy.
For the model. a session used mote energy a
chat with a heavy agentic reaching
(Opus/Pro/S01) used 4X as much on
average, as car,pared to taster. lightweight tiers (Haiku/FlashfTerra).
Frontier models aren't recessarily getting rncte efficient: reb—e date shows no
relationship with erwrgy.
34520
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Michael E. Mann @michaelemann.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
"Inside the anti-climate campaign against researchers" by @chelseaeharvey.bsky.social, Lesley Clark and @corbinhiar.bsky.social for @politico.com: www.politico.com/news/2026/09...
politico.com
Inside the anti-climate campaign against researchers
A POLITICO investigation reveals more than 100 open records requests demanding documents from climate scientists nationwide.
19749
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
More Perfect University @mpuniversity.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
@aoc.bsky.social: The best thing that we can do to rein in runaway costs at private institutions is by having tuition free public colleges and universities. “For anyone who wants to say that that’s pie in the sky and unrealistic… this is literally what baby boomers gave themselves.”
291198268
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
When they get back in power, Democrats need to go all-in on higher education. We need a campaign of reinvestment in public universities across the country that makes the Morrill Land-Grant Act look like nothing by comparison *and* a GI Bill of Rights-style program of tuition grants.
20752321418
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Center for Climate Integrity @climateintegrity.org · 23/09/2026
Justice Alito must recuse from Suncor v. Boulder @consumerwatchdog.bsky.social says. Alito was warned climate deception lawsuits like Boulder's could adversely affect his investments in Big Oil companies. “Under the Supreme Court’s own Code of Conduct, Alito should recuse.”
climateintegrity.org
Watchdog group reveals Justice Alito’s financial, ethical conflicts in Big Oil lawsuit before the court | Center for Climate Integrity
Justice Alito must recuse from Suncor v. Boulder under the court’s own Code of Conduct, watchdog says.
54516
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
CNN @cnn.com · 28/09/2026
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito announced that he will recuse himself from a major climate change-related case the court is set to hear next week, following weeks of pressure from environmental groups that argued he was compromised by his financial holdings in the oil and gas industry.
cnn.com
Justice Alito recuses himself from major climate change case after complaints about his oil and gas holdings | CNN Politics
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito announced Monday that he will recuse himself from a major climate change-related case the court is set to hear next week, following weeks of pressure from environmen...
2118458
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Politico @politico.com · 28/09/2026
Alito bows out of blockbuster Supreme Court climate case
dlvr.it
Alito bows out of blockbuster Supreme Court climate case
The conservative justice had previously resisted calls from environmentalists to recuse himself.
96732
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Asheesh Kapur Siddique @asheeshks.org · 25/06/2026
I beg of you: please read @uncivilcollective.bsky.social's new report on the "civility industrial complex" that is pushing a right-wing version of the humanities into public higher ed while defunding actual humanistic teaching & research. www.uncivilcollective.org
uncivilcollective.org
UNCIVIL Website
17128
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Naomi Klein @naomiaklein.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Big Tech wants us talking about about whether AI will usher in "superintelligent" heaven or killer-robot hell so we won't talk about the harms their technologies are already unleashing. @arimelber.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaja88xxirY
youtube.com
AI psyop? Author calls BS on 'end times' warnings
YouTube video by MS NOW
634198
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Kevin J. Kircher @kevinjkircher.com · 26/09/2026
Microsoft's data center subcontractor in New Jersey illegally runs a bunch of gas "backup" generators on site, figuring they won't get caught or will just eat the wrist-slap fines if they do. Regulatory enforcement is so bad that a third party had to take drone images to get the state to act.
theguardian.com
New Jersey datacenter fined $1.1m after visual investigation showed dozens of unpermitted generators
State regulator’s record fine for DataOne facility in Vineland follows Floodlight investigation with the Guardian
12371200
Phaedra C. Pezzullo @phaedra.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
This is the full speech, over 30 mins, by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley. Recommended to understand why the word "polycrisis" matters to climate justice: www.youtube.com/watch?v=inzS...
youtube.com
FULL SPEECH: Barbados PM Takes on Slavery, Slams Global Inequality, Climate Crisis & UN Power | AC1G
YouTube video by DRM News
086
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Prisonculture @prisonculture.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
“In fine, I am going to tell this story as though Negroes were ordinary human beings, realizing that this attitude will from the first seriously curtail my audience.” W.E.B Du Bois - Black Reconstruction
626147
Phaedra C. Pezzullo @phaedra.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Compelling articulation of the polycrisis we face and pathways forward--while it's a beloved Global North fantasy to address the climate crisis with techno-solutions, we would do well to hear this grounded call to action
030
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Ali Haydor @alihaydor.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
They plunder, they butcher, they ravish, they make it desert and call it peace.” A powerful moment from Barbados’ Prime Minister on the world stage. #Barbados #MiaMottley #UnitedNations #WorldNews #GlobalPolitics
01610
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Emily Sandoval @sandovalemily.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
From CU Boulder: “A landmark Boulder climate case is heading to SCOTUS. What's at stake?” www.colorado.edu/today/2026/0...
colorado.edu
A landmark Boulder climate case is heading to SCOTUS. What's at stake?
Can state courts decide who pays for damage from climate change? As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to consider the question, an environmental law expert
052
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Third Act Maryland @thirdactmd.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Icymi, here's the recording and links to key resources: coveringclimatenow.org/event/suncor...
coveringclimatenow.org
Suncor v. Boulder: The Climate Showdown at the Supreme Court — Covering Climate Now
 The first case the US Supreme Court will hear this fall term is a blockbuster climate lawsuit — one of dozens brought by state and local governments that argue oil companies deceived the public abou...
052
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Feminist Media Studies @femmediastudies.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Big news from Feminist Media Studies: we’re looking for our next Editor-in-Chief!
177
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Justine Calma @justcalma.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Talking about AI and fossil fuels, Huang says ‘in order to save you, they’ve got to hurt you first.' Huang’s extreme level of privilege is glaring (gift link) www.theverge.com/tech/1000140...
theverge.com
Jensen Huang talks about AI and climate change like a supervillain
It’s giving Thanos energy.
810028
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Climate Defiance @climatedefiance.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
HUGE UPDATE: we halted Amazon's panel at Climate Week. We shut it down so hard that every guest and every speaker had to leave the premises. No one was able to return. Their whole event lasted less time than their warehouse workers' pee break.
25750252
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Isaac Kamola @isaackamola.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
@aclu.org & @amnesty.org just published a massive report "Student Speech Under Attack." 300pp & 2 years in the making it offers the definitive account of how the speech of students (faculty and staff) was silenced, and continues to be policed, on campus. @aaup.org www.aclu.org/publications...
aclu.org
"Student Speech Under Attack: Suppression of Pro-Palestine Speech and Dissent on Campus" | American Civil Liberties Union
"Student Speech Under Attack: Suppression of Pro-Palestine Speech and Dissent on Campus," an ACLU and Amnesty International USA research report, documents the heavy-handed responses by certain univers...
03327
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
State Court Report @statecourtreport.org · 23/09/2026
The Delaware Supreme Court is hearing arguments today over a law allowing corporations that own property in a town to vote in municipal elections. The ACLU argues the law unconstitutionally dilutes the votes of humans. Watch and read more about the arguments here: bit.ly/4cFwJ8Z
statecourtreport.org
State Court Oral Arguments to Watch for in September
Issues on the dockets include voting by corporations, congressional redistricting, National Guard deployment, and an abortion-ban challenge by religious plaintiffs.
078
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Greenpeace International 🌍 @greenpeace.org · 23/09/2026
[Press Release] 11 Greenpeace activists face unprecedented 5-year punishment in Spain for peaceful climate action The trial of 11 Greenpeace activists began today in Valencia with Spain’s Public Prosecutor seeking one of the harshest punishments ever in Europe for peaceful environmental protest.
act.gp
11 Greenpeace activists face unprecedented 5-year punishment in Spain for peaceful climate action - Greenpeace International
The trial of 11 Greenpeace activists began today in Valencia with Spain’s Public Prosecutor seeking one of the harshest punishments ever in Europe for peaceful environmental protest.
27043
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Moms Clean Air Force @momscleanairforce.org · 23/09/2026
NJ fines data center $1 million for illegally powering facility with gas generators... gothamist.com/news/nj-fines-data-ce…?
gothamist.com
NJ fines data center $1 million for illegally powering facility with gas generators
Gov. Mikie Sherill said it was the largest fine handed out to a data center in state history.
0124
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Prisonculture @prisonculture.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
I know that some people don't think these types of things are important but I really do. Cultural change precedes political change. When you don't have the culture, it's more difficult to win politically or to sustain political wins. newrepublic.com/post/215697/...
newrepublic.com
MAGA Festival With Kid Rock Canceled After No One Wanted to Go
The “Freedom Fest” is no longer happening after dismal ticket sales.
373185781
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Climate News @climatenews.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The first 2 minutes of this exceptional documentary are a very good indication of the high quality of this brilliant 1 and a half hour journey through fear and despair and arriving at hope.
212657
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
PM2.5 Kills ~9 Million People Each Year Worldwide @tkovach.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
'He called on data center builders to commit to powering their facilities with clean energy by 2030, and said that the rush to build new gas plants for artificial intelligence infrastructure “has no future.”'
nytimes.com
A Departing U.N. Chief’s Dire Warning on Climate Change (Gift Article)
As he nears the end of his term as the Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres looks back on his efforts to stop climate change.
094
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Carbon Brief @carbonbrief.org · 22/09/2026
NEW – Analysis: Nepal’s $20m ‘loss-and-damage’ claim only covers 0.7% of flood costs | @arunacsekhar.bsky.social @joshgabbatiss.bsky.social w/ comment from @harjeet11.bsky.social Read here: www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-nep...
02514
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Brad Johnson @climatebrad.hillheat.com · 21/09/2026
"When we find something in common, we can win." - Dr. Beverly Wright. "There is commonality in saving humans on *this* planet. I have no interest in living on Mars. I do have interest in sending a *few* people there today..." #climateweeknyc
Dr. Beverly Wright
152
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Costa Samaras @costasamaras.com · 21/09/2026
In case you missed this, the new US Energy Data Dashboard is a powerful and free tool made in partnership with the Our World in Data folks: usenergydata.org
usenergydata.org
Understanding America's energy system
Track and understand the numbers behind US energy — year by year, and state by state.
48828
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Rep. Joe Neguse @neguse.house.gov · 14/09/2026
We must stop the Trump administration's recklessness towards the health and safety of the American people. I'll continue to be on the case.
311639
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Rep. Joe Neguse @neguse.house.gov · 19/09/2026
President Trump's purported press ban is a blatant violation of the First Amendment. It will not stand.
47868241
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Ambassador Ken Fairfax (ret) @portlandken.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
The accounting is in: In Oregon there are 111 data centers. The TOTAL number of people employed at data centers is just 2,630, or 0.1% of the labor force. Those 100 data centers consumer 23% of all electricity used in Oregon. Meanwhile, electricity rates skyrocket as more centers are built.
opb.org
Oregon data centers by the numbers: 111 facilities consume nearly one-quarter of state’s power, according to new report
A first-of-its-kind report details the footprint of the controversial facilities.
8030831809
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Kyle Clark @kylec.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Squirrels on suicide missions have knocked out power to Castle Rock, Colorado twice this week. Our investigation has revealed a century of squirrel attacks covered up by the pro-squirrel media.
1422420539
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Alex Ip 葉清霖 @alexip718.com · 18/09/2026
This guy who assaulted a sitting member of Congress got 28 years and 10 months less jail time than a Texas resident who transported a box of zines that contained constitutionally protected content opposing ICE reason.com/2026/06/25/t...
reason.com
Texas man gets 30 years in prison for transporting 'anti-government' pamphlets
The case stems from a violent anti-ICE protest, but critics say the government's prosecution threatens First Amendment rights.
4152372446
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Ketan Joshi @ketanjoshi.co · 18/09/2026
This is why I hate "just a tool" so so so much. You can make a calculator without access to every calculation. You can make photoshop without access to all photos. Someone show me a genai tool that didn't require all of our labour in its production. It's plagiarism software.
3540741432
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Ketan Joshi @ketanjoshi.co · 18/09/2026
NVIDIA plans to sell *twice* as many chips next year - that means the climate destruction it's helping to enable will double (or worse, if they keeps skewing towards the filthiest gas-fired projections. Read the first ever deep-dive into the product-use emissions of the richest company on Earth:
News article headline reporting Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says the company will sell twice as many chips next year, with bullet-point key takeaways about his comments and Nvidia’s chip products.Estimated total 2025 product use emissions: 4 to 21 MTCO2‑e, shown in a green label with a double-headed arrow; a purple line and shaded band show emissions rising from 2022 to 2026 with a widening range toward 2026.Stacked area chart showing cumulative category volumes from 2022‑Q1 to 2026‑Q2, with small orange segments early (A100, H800, A800), growing purple and light‑purple layers mid‑period (H100/H200, B200, H20), and a large bright green B300 segment dominating from 2025 onward.Stacked bar chart showing total spend by category rising sharply from 2020 to 2026, with purple (purchased goods & services), orange (capital goods) and peach (other) segments stacking to about 12,000,000 and a green diagonal arrow highlighting a 725% increase.
55630
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Ketan Joshi @ketanjoshi.co · 18/09/2026
ketanjoshi.co/2026/09/16/n...
ketanjoshi.co
NVIDIA'S AI Climate hoax
What does the real climate footprint of the biggest company on the planet look like? It's a good question, but here's a better one: why don't we already know the answer?
2176
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Elisabeth R. Anker @libankerdc.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
It steals pictures of our children
062
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Elisabeth R. Anker @libankerdc.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
AI is the largest theft of labor in history, but the case doesn't go far enough -- AI steals not only from journalists and researchers but from authors throughout history, from policymakers and legal writers, from photographers and artists in every medium.
17335
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Elisabeth R. Anker @libankerdc.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
AI training is the largest theft of labor in history
washingtonpost.com
Microsoft exec called AI the ‘largest theft of labor’ in history, court records show
The quote headlined an unsealed document in the New York Times’s copyright case against Microsoft and OpenAI.
05619
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
The Guardian @theguardian.com · 17/09/2026
Annie Dillard, Pulitzer prize-winning author of nonfiction and nature essays, dies aged 81
theguardian.com
Annie Dillard, Pulitzer prize-winning author of nonfiction and nature essays, dies aged 81
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, published when Dillard was 28, skyrocketed her to become one of the most prominent nonfiction writers of her generation
27226
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Tim Stephens @proftimstephens.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
'Pfas companies are launching a “tidal wave” of forever chemicals production to meet demand from the AI industry' Another reason to hate AI. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
‘Tidal wave’ of Pfas being launched to satisfy AI industry, campaigners warn
Big manufacturers planning to produce more of the forever chemicals to meet demand from datacentres
11911
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Rebecca Solnit @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
You don't have to wait for some next phase of AI. They are trying very hard to destroy the world right now.
5514156
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Climate, Ecology, War & More: Dr. Glen Barry BigEarthData.ai @bigearthdata.ai · 14/09/2026
US repeals rules limiting greenhouse gas emissions by power plants ->Al Jazeera | More on "EPA repeals power plant emission rules" at BigEarthData.ai | #GreenhouseGasEmission #ClimateChange
aljazeera.com
US repeals rules limiting greenhouse gas emissions by power plants
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is repealing rules limiting emissions by coal and gas power plants, in a move that undoes decades of protections meant to curb gasses scientists say are responsible for global warming. “Americans have been demanding more common sense at federal agencies under President [Donald] Trump’s leadership,” EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said at a news conference in Houston on Monday. “That means cutting red tape so we can build new power-generating infrastructure.” Recommended Stories list of 4 items list 1 of 4War and heat: Why are wheat prices soaring? list 2 of 4US records hottest summer in 132 years list 3 of 4US states sue Trump over weakening of endangered species protections list 4 of 4Trump’s EPA announcement revokes key research behind climate regulations end of list The EPA estimated the changes would eliminate more than $300bn in costs for power plants. The agency also proposed a separate rule, expected to be made final next year, that could prevent future administrations from returning and again regulating greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. The lifting of restrictions is sure to be challenged by environmental groups, who say it would come at a cost to the health...
141
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Moms Clean Air Force @momscleanairforce.org · 14/09/2026
www.momscleanairforce.org/press-releas...
momscleanairforce.org
EPA Expected to Abandon Limits on Climate Pollution from Power Plants—and Abandon Children and Families EPA Expected to Abandon Limits on Climate Pollution from Power Plants—and Abandon Children and F...
CONTACT: DKC News, MomsCleanAirForce@dkcnews.com WASHINGTON, DC– Today, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is expected to announce that his agency plans to stop Today, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is expect...
032
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
lligrd.bsky.social @lligrd.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
www.yahoo.com/news/politic...
yahoo.com
Trump's EPA is ending one of the nation's biggest climate protections
Agency chief Lee Zeldin had planned the repeal as part a slew of proposals he called "the largest deregulatory announcement in U.S. history."
111
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Ketan Joshi @ketanjoshi.co · 13/09/2026
This post from SemiAnalysis is well worth reading, to get a direct insight into how the AI industry is completely disconnected from the climate consequences of what they're doing.
Stacked bars showing cumulative onsite generation by quarter from Q1 2024 to Q3 2026 rising to ~75 GW, with a line indicating named suppliers reaching 22; colored segments represent gas turbines, recip engines, steam turbines, fuel cells and other.
312065
Reposted by Phaedra C. Pezzullo
Jess Calarco @jessicacalarco.com · 11/09/2026
"We're poisoning ourselves for productivity" is about as late stage capitalism as it gets. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/10/c...
nytimes.com
A.I. Data Center Pollution Poses Health Threat, Former E.P.A. Officials Warn (Gift Article)
Air pollution from gas-fired power plants to run data centers is expected to add at least $20 billion in annual health care costs by 2028, the group warns.
622179