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Rachel Donald

@racheldonald.bsky.social
18K followers 372 following 314 posts

I investigate why the world is in crisis: www.planetcritical.com I also investigate what to do about it: www.planetcoordinate.com Join subscribers in 188 countries. OOO until Nov.

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Reposted by Rachel Donald
Simon Evans @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org · 03/08/2026
🧵Right-leaning newspapers are trying to blame Europe's raging wildfires on everything EXCEPT fossil fuels 1. The Wall Street Journal Frontpage story: "Greece fights wildfires as Europe crisis spreads" WSJ editorial: "How green policies fuel fires in Europe"
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Reposted by Rachel Donald
Brooke Harrington @ebharrington.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
"don't make enough money" is a fig leaf All those degree programs--social work, art, etc.--have disproportionately female student bodies. This is designed to make it harder for women to attend college--college education being a key factor in women's autonomy from men & left-leaning voting pattern.
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Invasive species management has little to do with ecology and everything to do with economics Which is exactly why some introduced species, like 'cattle', are not treated as invasive while anything that harms it is Full ep with @clarefollmann.bsky.social: www.planetcritical.com/clare-follmann/
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
This morning on @therestpolitics.bsky.social, @rory-stewart.bsky.social said my position on a.i not being an inevitability was "essentially wrong". He compared the development of a.i. to the industrial revolution, and made subsequent comparisons between the technology and energy: wind, steam etc.
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
One of the world's biggest data centres is being proposed five miles from where I grew up. The planning proposal is total nonsense—but they're not fooling any locals. I attended the public meeting against the centre. Read my report: www.planetcritical.com/plans-for-ma...
planetcritical.com
One of the biggest data centres in the world is being planned on Scottish soil. The plans for it are so obviously bullshit the developers must think we're fools.
Locals are rallying against the CATO, an allegedly "net zero", "zero waste" data centre which will "harvest rainwater" while providing "data sovereignty".
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Within the context of a globally extractive system, no matter the intention, all developments eventually lead down a path of further exploitation, explains @jeremylent.bsky.social, author of 'Eco-Civilization: Making a World That Works For All' out now. Full Ep: www.planetcritical.com/jeremy-lent/
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
I wrote a love letter www.planetcritical.com/for-goodness...
planetcritical.com
For Goodness To Grow
On becoming humus
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Reposted by Rachel Donald
David Farrier @david-farrier.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
It was such a pleasure to talk to @racheldonald.bsky.social for the Planet Critical podcast!
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
What is the role of art in any crisis? To understand what is, and to imagine what could be. This is the message of @david-farrier.bsky.social, professor in literature and the author of 'Nature's Genius: Evolutions Lessons for a Changing Planet'. Full Episode: www.planetcritical.com/david-farrier/
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
We've been sold a lie that our purchasing power can somehow change the world And we believe it because, as @michaelmaniates.bsky.social explains, we are yearning for solutions, and this gives us a sense of control over our impact on the planet Full Ep: www.planetcritical.com/michael-maniates/
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
More women at the top isn't going to be good enough. The feminism movement must strive to change the system, not just women's place within it. For the full episode with @natashawalter.bsky.social, whose latest book 'Feminism for a World on Fire' hit shelves last week, go to: lnkd.in/dQu_yXg3
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
@realwhitneywebb.bsky.social Would love to interview you! Please reach out: rachel [at] planetcritical.com
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Most of my corner of the internet is screaming about the collapse of global society. I returned to the land that raised me and learned that whatever we're living through has been going on a very, very long time. www.planetcritical.com/when-the-wor...
planetcritical.com
When the world "collapses"
What we need to recover ourselves.
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
We know what happens to a people when they are removed from their land. But what happens to their culture? It cannot be maintained without practice, without relationship. It cannot exist separate to those who materialise it, without the soil and the flesh. www.planetcritical.com/oil-and-vine...
planetcritical.com
Oil and Vinegar
On land, loss and peace
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
We don't have a choice. Big industry is working with the state to impose overconsumption and dependence on their products. Explains Julia Steinberger - @jksteinberger.bsky.social Professor of ecological economics at Lausanne University. Full episode: www.planetcritical.com/julia-steinberger/
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Incredible energy demands from AI data centres are threatening attempts to ween our societies off of fossil fuels. @parismarx.com, journalist and host of Tech Won't Save us, explains the influence of AI on our energy mix. Full episode: planetcritical.com
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Why aren't we rioting? Because we don't know who we would be without the conditions of our own oppression. www.planetcritical.com/revolutionar...
planetcritical.com
Revolutionary Impotence
We can't tear down the conditions of our oppression because we don't know who we would be without them.
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
When was the last time society was this unequal? Probably under the Pharaohs, says former Minister of Finance, Andrés Velasco. There's one point we didn't disagree on throughout this episode. Listen now: www.planetcritical.com/andres-velasco/
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Do we need growth? Andrés Velasco, Chile's former Minister of Finance, insists we do. He calls for reform—not revolution. But can these institutions be reformed? Listen now: www.planetcritical.com/andres-velasco/
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
What does it mean to be free when our freedoms are curtailed? What does it mean to be free when our nature is limited? What does it mean to be free at all? Huge thanks to @alybatt.bsky.social whose book Free Gifts inspired this meditation. www.planetcritical.com/freedom-at-t...
planetcritical.com
Freedom, at the end of the world
We are nearing the limits of resources, international politics, and war. Can we be free if we do not overcome them?
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
The Founding Fathers were legal revolutionaries. But over two centuries on, the world needs an update. The Founding Mothers is a movement dedicated to universal dignity, human rights, peace and ending war—through empowering women. Listen now: www.planetcritical.com/laura-george/
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Mexicans built a popular movement over a century of organising—and now they're using state power to finance revolutionary politics. This is how Mexico City is building utopia. Listen now: www.planetcritical.com/ashwin-ravikumar/
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
We're looking at global food shortages in coming weeks due to Trump's illegal war on Iran and their retaliation by derailing traffic through the strait of hormuz. This is about so much more than oil. It's about how we feed the future. Listen now: www.planetcritical.com/feeding-the-...
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
That feeling in your chest that threatens to crush your bones to dust? That's the fear and horror of billions of us. And it's why you can't make any of this singular moment of global unravelling make sense. www.planetcritical.com/how-to-make-...
planetcritical.com
How to make this senseless world make sense
It's all too much for any of us to handle alone
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
I've read numerous articles characterising Epstein’s world as "paedophilic". But this analysis neglects how patriarchy actively works to undermine women’s empowerment in order to protect capital accumulation. I discuss the connection in this week's newsletter: www.planetcritical.com/thin-shaved-...
planetcritical.com
Thin, shaved and infantile: What the Epstein Files reveal about the misogyny shaping political power
Characterising Epstein’s world as "paedophilic" misses how patriarchy fears women’s empowerment
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
The feminist political project in the heart of the Middle East, Rojava, is a fierce assertion that other worlds are possible. They have defended their right to self-determination—for all our sakes. Journalist Matt Broomfield has spent years there. Listen now: www.planetcritical.com/rojava-the-f...
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Reposted by Rachel Donald
Jonathan Larsen @jonathanlarsen.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
EXCLUSIVE: At more than 30 installations, U.S. commanders told troops the war on Iran is a Christian war. The Military Religious Freedom Foundation has been “inundated” with more than 110 complaints. One NCO said they were told the U.S. war is to bring about Armageddon and the return of Jesus…
jonathanlarsen.substack.com
U.S. Troops Were Told Iran War Is for “Armageddon,” Return of Jesus
Advocacy group reports commanders giving similar messages at more than 30 installations in every branch of the military
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Today I saw a Leftist publicly criticise another Leftist for mentioning Iran's reputation in a post expressing solidarity with the Iranian people. We are never going to win ANY ground if it is more fashionable to take aim at each other than murderous regimes. www.planetcritical.com/the-enemy-of...
planetcritical.com
The Enemy of Your Enemy is Not Your Friend
The history of the Iranian regime shows just how closely political adversaries can work together to advance their own interests. Meanwhile, on the Left, criticising that regime makes you a political t...
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
How do we design liveable futures? Architects @jeremytill.bsky.social and Tatiana Schneider on how "sustainable architecture" is not just falling short, but even contributing to the intersecting social, economic and climate crises. Listen now: www.planetcritical.com/designing-li...
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
@alybatt.bsky.social — I would love to interview you on the relationship between nature, reproductive labour and capitalism, and Free Gifts more broadly! DMs open!
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Reposted by Rachel Donald
Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
The SAVE Act requires citizenship ID to vote. It may be that some Republicans truly believe that lots of non-citizens are voting, but that is just not the reality. So who will the law impact? People without ID docs and people whose ID docs are not current - which is mostly women.
Married women who took their partners’ names — around 69 million of them — will be especially impacted by a citizenship requirement. Their current names don’t match the names on their birth certificate–and only about half of women have a valid passport. In practice, it will be far more complicated for these women to ‘prove’ their citizenship. The surest option–a passport or a paper trail reconciling their married name with the name on their birth certificate–requires significant investments of time and money.
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
INDEPENDENT JOURNOS & CLIMATE PEOPLE ON GHOST: I want to simulate Substack's brilliant recommendation ecosystem. Please drop me your URL and let's recommend each other's sites. READERS: Same goes for the newsletters you love most!
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
I'm having a baby this summer. I believe the roots of the tense relationship between motherhood and feminism shine a light on how to liberate Earth from Man's violence. www.planetcritical.com/females-vs-c...
planetcritical.com
Females vs Citizens
I'm having a baby this summer. I believe the roots of the tense relationship between motherhood and feminism shine a light on how to liberate Earth from Man's violence.
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Lithium is branded as the cure-all to our fossil fuel dependence. But its history tells another story: that the solution to the world's problems is always more mining. Make time for this astounding episode with history of science scholar Javiera Barandarian: www.planetcritical.com/javiera-bara...
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
The Epstein Files reveal how sexual abuse sits hand in glove with capitalist exploitation. www.planetcritical.com/epsteins-inn...
planetcritical.com
Epstein's Inner Circle Normalised His Sex Crimes — Because They're All Guilty of Abuse
The Epstein Files reveal how sexual abuse sits hand in glove with capitalist exploitation
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
In my conversation with XR co-founder Roger Hallam, I asked him about his advising Palestinians to commit to non-violence in the face of genocide. His response really surprised me. Full episode out now: www.planetcritical.com/roger-hallam/
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
OUT NOW: I interviewed Roger Hallam, cofounder of Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil, about his vision of activism. Roger is convinced of his methodologies and strategies. I am not. I end up asking him if he has a Messiah complex. Listen now: www.planetcritical.com/roger-hallam/
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
We can afford to unconditionally provide healthcare, education, housing, transport, food and more to everyone – and doing so would dramatically improve people's ability to contribute to society. Universal Basic Services could change everything. Learn how: www.planetcritical.com/andrew-percy/
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
@climatehuman.bsky.social Would love to interview you about your recent post, 'Get Organized'. I believe my DMs are open!
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
From storm-battered Cornwall to the highest hill in Paris, last week I learned all about how the best place to change the world is right where you already are: www.planetcritical.com/how-to-chang...
planetcritical.com
How To Change The World
One self-sustaining hilltop in Paris became a beacon of artistic and political freedom, changing the landscape of modern art forever. We have everything to learn from the rebels of Montmartre.
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Reposted by Rachel Donald
George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
Two things to learn from this. 1. The rightwing newspapers are lobby groups whose purpose is to advance the class interest of their proprietors. 2. Lobbyists for the rich and powerful lose their jobs if they are not prepared to lie. www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-uk-...
carbonbrief.org
Analysis: UK newspaper editorial opposition to climate action overtakes support for first time - Carbon Brief
Nearly 100 UK newspaper editorials opposed climate action in 2025, a record figure that reveals the backlash against net-zero in the right-leaning press
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
"Non-violence is a posture which demands witnesses. Self defence is a response which demands participation. Only one can protect us in life or death situations." www.planetcritical.com/can-non-viol...
planetcritical.com
Can Non-Violence Save the USA?
The American public are being held hostage by a ruthless, murderous, unconscionable government. They will not listen to non-violent demands.
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
"Non-violence is a posture which demands witnesses. Self defence is a response which demands participation. Only one can protect us in life or death situations." www.planetcritical.com/can-non-viol...
planetcritical.com
Can Non-Violence Save the USA?
The American public are being held hostage by a ruthless, murderous, unconscionable government. They will not listen to non-violent demands.
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Reposted by Rachel Donald
Liam Thorp @liamthorp.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Worth remembering when looking at the horrific scenes in the US right now that both Reform and the Tories have pledged to bring in ICE-style organisations to the UK if they win power
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Laura Bassett @lebassett.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
The killings will continue until you give us the state voter rolls
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
The threatening and fascistic dictates of the Trump administration met a series of stumbling blocks over the weekend. From Minnesota to Denmark, and from protesters to politicians, people have had enough. www.planetcritical.com/and-the-worl...
planetcritical.com
And the World Stood Up
All over the world, people have had enough of Trump. From Minneapolis to Canada, the world said: "No."
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Heather Ray Milligan @hrmilligan.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
big thanks to the brilliant @racheldonald.bsky.social for the opportunity to chat on Planet: Critical we kicked off the new year by asking: what's up with climate fiction? www.planetcritical.com/heather-mill...
planetcritical.com
How Fiction Makes Sense of the Crisis | Heather Milligan
How does literature reflect the crisis we're collectively experiencing—and why do some of the novels published today fail to grasp both the intensity and complexity of our world?
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Something a little different from me today, but racing around my mind all weekend. www.planetcritical.com/europe-must-...
planetcritical.com
To Defeat Trump, Europe Must Abandon Its Aryan Dream
The European elite who believe Trump in power is Whiteness in power fail to recognise just how little the New World cares about them.
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Angelos Arnis 🏴 @arn.is · 08/01/2026
Thank you @racheldonald.bsky.social on your extremely humane and thoughtful latest episode of Planet Critical. It's what I needed today. www.planetcritical.com/for-the-futu...
planetcritical.com
For the Future We May Never See | Rachel Donald
Welcome to 2026, and this special episode of Planet: Critical where I discuss hope, collapse, effective action and what may yet be in store for us all.  Here are your questions I chose this year: 1...
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Rachel Donald @racheldonald.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
Alex Kleytman was just a child when he survived the Holocaust. To have been killed by anti-semitic hatred 80 years after the end of WWII is like being crushed under the wheel of time. It should take the breath out of all of us. www.planetcritical.com/an-unmistaka...
planetcritical.com
An Unmistakable Beginning
Anger has kept me sane and determined in the face of injustice. But learning that one of the victims of the mass shooting at Bondi beach was a Holocaust survivor, I broke down in tears.
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