Sign in

Rachel Ramirez

@rachelreports.bsky.social
8.7K followers 244 following 168 posts

I write The Confluence newsletter. Former CNN Climate Writer. AAJA + Uproot Project proud. Based in NYC. Filipina American & daughter of the Northern Mariåna Islands.

PostsRepliesMedia
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Any climate scientists want to talk to me for my newsletter about this reversal? www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Trump administration reverses decision to scrap ocean monitoring system
Move to dismantle $368m sea observatory initiative faced opposition from experts and lawmakers
140 0
Reposted by Rachel Ramirez
The Xylom @thexylom.com · 09/05/2026
Residents of the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. territory, are no strangers to tropical cyclones, but climate change is supercharging storms and disrupting education on the islands. This story by @rachelreports.bsky.social was originally published by @climateconnections.bsky.social.
thexylom.com
‘We Didn’t Lose Each Other:’ How People Are Picking up the Pieces After Super Typhoon Sinlaku
Residents of the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. territory, are no strangers to tropical cyclones, but climate change is supercharging storms and disrupting education on the islands.
0219 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
No Asian American songwriters on the list? www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
nytimes.com
The 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters
More than 250 music insiders and six New York Times critics weighed in on who defines the new American songbook. Here are the artists they chose.
020 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
For more on what’s needed + drop-off sites in the West Coast and Guam:
001 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
April 22 is #EarthDay & it’s also my 30th birthday. This year, the best gift I could ask for is you to help my home. My heart is with my family, friends, and communities currently recovering from Typhoon Sinlaku. I’d be so grateful if you donated and sent aid their way instead. linktr.ee/sinlaku
112 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
I’m looking to talk to climate scientists/meteorologists who have analyzed Super Typhoon Sinlaku’s characteristics as it barreled through the Northern Mariana Islands, particularly the wind speed and how it seemingly stalled longer than usual. Please DM me!
024 0
Reposted by Rachel Ramirez
Covering Climate Now @coveringclimatenow.org · 19/04/2026
CCNow’s Andrew McCormick and Kyle Pope were in Chicago this week for #SEJ2016. They talked with @rachelreports.bsky.social about the power of community for climate journalists. It’s a tough beat and connecting in person is, as Rachel says, so important. We agree!
044 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
My fam texted me this video. The whiplash, the agonizing sound …
050 0
Reposted by Rachel Ramirez
Covering Climate Now @coveringclimatenow.org · 14/04/2026
Expert panelists: ⭐ Aparna Mukherjee, @sejorg.bsky.social ⭐ @rachelreports.bsky.social, The Confluence ⭐ Mark Hertsgaard, CCNow CCNow’s @kylepope01.bsky.social will moderate. Come with questions! And watch out for the release of the ‘State of Climate Journalism’ white paper this Thursday
031 0
Reposted by Rachel Ramirez
Covering Climate Now @coveringclimatenow.org · 14/04/2026
📣 State of Climate Journalism webinar 🌡️ Join us this Thursday, April 16, at 12pm ET, for a conversation launching a new CCNow white paper about the state of climate journalism. We're broadcasting from @sejorg.bsky.social's annual conference! RSVP: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
294 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
I’m seeing coverage of Typhoon Sinlaku only highlighting Guam. A reminder that the storm shifted and is now passing the Northern Mariana Islands, a separate U.S. territory just north of Guam. Specifically, the eye of the storm will track close, if not over, the islands of Saipan and Tinian.
194 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
It’s only April. Preparing for typhoons is not unfamiliar to me but to do so during April … for a super typhoon? The likelihood of a super typhoon developing in the Mariånas in April is historically very low, since peak typhoon season typically runs from August to November.
032 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
When a typhoon comes barreling toward my home islands, it rarely makes it to major news outlets this fast, so thank you @nytimes.com for tracking. www.nytimes.com/interactive/... Typhoon Sinlaku is now on track for the Northern Marianas. Be safe friends & family 🥺
nytimes.com
Tracking Super Typhoon Sinlaku
See the likely path and wind arrival times for Sinlaku
031 0
Reposted by Rachel Ramirez
The Xylom @thexylom.com · 10/04/2026
Although Papua New Guinea Minister for Fisheries Jelta Wong publicly committed to delivering laboratory investigation results of the country's contaminated waters by March 31st, the government missed the deadline without issuing any statement, writes @rachelreports.bsky.social.
thexylom.com
“We Are All Still Waiting for Answers:” Papua New Guinea’s Ocean Crisis Enters Fourth Month
Mass marine die-off triggers health emergency in New Ireland Province as neglected coastal towns wait on government action.
0218 0
Reposted by Rachel Ramirez
David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Our burning of fossil fuels is melting sea ice and drowning emperor penguin chicks, putting them in danger of extinction. 😱
theguardian.com
Mass drowning of chicks puts emperor penguins at risk of extinction
Record low levels of Antarctic sea ice is having grim consequences for penguins yet to grow waterproof feathers
10526252 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
My newsletter, The Confluence, brings you original reporting and writing that tells ocean stories connecting science and social justice. My latest is about a toxic marine event in Papua New Guinea, where dead fish have been washing ashore for months. Subscribe now for FREE: theconfluence.news
183 0
Reposted by Rachel Ramirez
The Xylom @thexylom.com · 09/04/2026
NEW: Entering the fourth month of a health emergency triggered by a mass marine die-off, neglected coastal towns in New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea, are still waiting on government action. This story by @rachelreports.bsky.social is produced by The Confluence and co-published by The Xylom:
thexylom.com
“We Are All Still Waiting for Answers:” Papua New Guinea’s Ocean Crisis Enters Fourth Month
Mass marine die-off triggers health emergency in New Ireland Province as neglected coastal towns wait on government action.
23125 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Schools of fish are dying across a number of sites in New Ireland, while 1,000+ people have reported skin burns, respiratory illnesses & gastrointestinal symptoms after being in contact with the ocean. As of April 7, locals are still waiting on government action. theconfluence.news/p/toxic-tide...
theconfluence.news
Toxic Tides and Broken Promises in Papua New Guinea
Mass marine die-off triggers health emergency in New Ireland Province as neglected coastal towns wait on government action
132 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
As Americans face rising gas prices and the threat of higher inflation, “it is becoming clearer who is making “a lot of money”: defense contractors and oil companies.” Good analysis from @theguardian.com. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...
theguardian.com
How defense contractors and oil companies profit from war on Iran as US gas prices soar
As Americans struggle amid the threat of higher inflation, Lockheed Martin, Shell and other companies are experiencing gains
194 0
Reposted by Rachel Ramirez
Julia Métraux @juliametraux.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
The death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a Blind Rohingya refugee who was left on the freezing streets of Buffalo by Border Patrol officers, was ruled a homicide. New from me at @motherjones.com. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
motherjones.com
Nurul Amin Shah Alam's death was a homicide
County medical examiners announced the ruling on Wednesday. New York Attorney General Letitia James is investigating.
2140191617 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Oil prices surged and stock markets sank today, which is the opposite of what Trump was hoping to achieve after his national address last night.
190 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Taxpayer dollars 💸 www.nytimes.com/2026/03/26/u...
nytimes.com
Trump Eyes White House Treaty Room for Latest Renovation Project
020 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
I know it’s not their fault tho… sigh
010 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
I’ve been at LaGuardia airport since 6am, waited in TSA precheck line for 1 hour, only for my 9am flight to keep getting delayed every hour. Now, my 9am flight is at 2pm. Lounge employees are like “you’re back!” The unfortunate thing is LGA was my fav airport. This experience is ruining that😭
260 0
Reposted by Rachel Ramirez
David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
I’d rather live next to wind turbines and solar panels.
apnews.com
Large oil refinery explosion near Texas coast forces residents to shelter in place
Officials say a large explosion at an oil refinery near the Texas coast has shot plumes of smoke into the air and forced nearby residents to shelter in place.
221715424 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Also simply calling the Northern Marianas, a U.S. territory, a “military hub” diminishes the cultural value of the Indigenous people living there, who have been speaking out the last few months against US deep sea mining ventures.
021 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
As I mentioned above, the US is literally growing its Pacific influence by offering Pacific Island nations a "rules-based alternative" to Chinese investment, often tied to security and infrastructure aid. Will Pacific Island nations even see this aid?
122 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
China is a member of the International Seabed Authority, party to UNCLOS, while the U.S. is neither a member of the ISA, hasn't ratified UNCLOS. That means China has been engaging with rulemaking from within international law, while the US bypasses the ISA via domestic permitting and other deals.
122 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
This is a good visual piece of China’s deep sea mining influence, but it appears quite one-sided. In international waters, China may be the heavyweight, but in territorial waters, the US is gaining ground by bribing Pacific Island nations & bypassing international law. www.cnn.com/interactive/...
cnn.com
How deep-sea mining is growing China’s influence in the Pacific
China’s oceanographic fleet — the largest in the world — may serve strategic, military-use purposes.
185 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Key deep-sea mining news this week: 1. ISA meeting ended with no deep-sea mining code 2. Trump nearly doubles the size it wants to mine around Guam and the Northern Marianas 3. US and Japan makes a joint rare earths deal theconfluence.news/p/the-un-say...
theconfluence.news
The UN says wait, but the White House says go
ISA meeting concludes with no mining code, while Trump expands potential mining areas and makes a deal with Japan
031 0
Reposted by Rachel Ramirez
David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
$200 billion could fund the National Science Foundation for 20 years.
washingtonpost.com
Pentagon seeks more than $200 billion in budget request for Iran war
That figure would far surpass the costs of the U.S. airstrike campaign to date and aims to boost production of critical weapons depleted in the conflict, people familiar with the matter said.
17636262 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
A reminder that there are local people who actually rely on the Strait of Hormuz for food and livelihood. theconfluence.news/p/how-confli...
theconfluence.news
How conflict in the Strait of Hormuz is devastating local fisheries and ecosystems
As the world watches the oil markets, a silent ecological collapse threatens livelihoods and the biodiversity of one of the world's most vital maritime corridors.
086 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
I wrote this about Cesar Chavez a while back.
081 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Prime Minister Takaichi is “constrained not just by Japan’s pacifist constitution, but overwhelming public opposition: Only 9 percent of Japanese endorse the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran, according to a recent poll by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper.” www.nytimes.com/2026/03/18/w...
nytimes.com
Trump’s Friendship With Japan’s Leader Faces Test Over Iran
151 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
90 days left of being a fiancée 💍 📸: Samantha Salamon 📍my beautiful home island of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands 🇲🇵
050 0
Reposted by Rachel Ramirez
The Uproot Project @uprootproject.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
"As the world watches the oil markets, a silent ecological collapse threatens livelihoods and the biodiversity of one of the world's most vital maritime corridors." Uprooter @rachelreports.bsky.social in her newsletter, The Confluence theconfluence.news/p/how-confli...
theconfluence.news
How conflict in the Strait of Hormuz is devastating local fisheries and ecosystems
As the world watches the oil markets, a silent ecological collapse threatens livelihoods and the biodiversity of one of the world's most vital maritime corridors.
097 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Caught in the crossfire? Coastal communities who rely on fishing the Strait of Hormuz as their primary source of income. They are already living with economic uncertainty, blistering climate change-fueled heat, and limited job opportunities outside the ocean. theconfluence.news/p/how-confli...
theconfluence.news
How conflict in the Strait of Hormuz is devastating local fisheries and ecosystems
As the world watches the oil markets, a silent ecological collapse threatens livelihoods and the biodiversity of one of the world's most vital maritime corridors.
051 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
By subscribing to The Confluence, you get original reporting by yours truly. With this latest piece, I talked to researchers from Gaza and Iran about how the war is devastating local fisheries, coastal communities, and vital marine ecosystems. Subscribe now 📩 theconfluence.news
theconfluence.news
The Confluence | Substack
Ocean stories that connect science and social justice for the people. Click to read The Confluence, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.
020 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
For coastal communities along the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, the greater concern spans far beyond oil and gas prices. It’s their safety, livelihoods, food security, and the decades-long ecological fallout that follows. My latest newsletter issue: theconfluence.news/p/how-confli...
theconfluence.news
How conflict in the Strait of Hormuz is devastating local fisheries and ecosystems
As the world watches the oil markets, a silent ecological collapse threatens livelihoods and the biodiversity of one of the world's most vital maritime corridors.
0122 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
The ISA Council elects India's Shri Mayank Joshi as the new ISA Council President for the 31st session. He will play a critical role in steering the ISA through complex negotiations, such as the ongoing development of deep sea mining regulations. Uganda's Duncan Muhumuza Laki is outgoing president.
010 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
Both China and Russia raised concerns and called out U.S. unilateral action on deep sea mining (Trump's April 2025 executive order). China said, "unilateralism erodes" international rules. Russia said, "unilateral measures are not acceptable," calling on the US to be a member state under UNCLOS.
130 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
The International Seabed Authority council meeting to discuss international deep sea mining regulations begins today in Jamaica. I’ll be monitoring any updates.
180 0
Reposted by Rachel Ramirez
Radley Balko @radleybalko.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
ICE has arrested and detained a Nashville journalist who reported stories critical of ICE. She’s married to a U.S. citizen and has been seeking asylum here after fleeing death threats in Colombia because of her journalism there. They’ve already sent her to Louisiana.
nashvillebanner.com
ICE detains reporter Estefany Rodríguez in Nashville - Nashville Banner
Reporter Estefany Rodríguez, detained by ICE with no arrest warrant, may face deportation. Her attorneys seek immediate review of the legality of her case.
294123507395 0
Reposted by Rachel Ramirez
Nina Lakhani @ninalakhani.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Israel has razed Gaza, target bombed hospitals and schools in Iran, and is now leveling Southern Lebanon all in "self defence".
1104 0
Reposted by Rachel Ramirez
Metcalf Institute @metcalfuri.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
It's #WorldWildlifeDay! Not just human lives are affected by climate change - animals are, too, including migratory birds. MONA alum @rachelreports.bsky.social covers the importance of forest conservation in Central America for @audubon.org. 🐦➡️ ow.ly/zQtF50YozuZ
ow.ly
Huge Numbers of Migrating Birds Rely on These Five Central American Forests—but They're Disappearing Fast
A new study underscores the importance of conservation for the region’s “Five Great Forests,” which support nearly half of some beloved species’ global populations.
072 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Anyway, subscribe to my newsletter The Confluence: theconfluence.news/p/introducin...
theconfluence.news
Introducing The Confluence
The name refers to the vital, turbulent intersection where the rigor of ocean science meets the heartbeat of social justice.
0254 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Here’s me speaking to students at the Northern Marianas College about my career path & the consequences of the lack of Pacific Islander representation in the media, in hopes they follow the same path I did. We need more of our stories told. 5/
1314 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
News about U.S. territories in the Pacific are frequently framed through the lens of U.S. national security or "Chinese aggression" rather than the lived experiences of the people — Indigenous CHamoru people (all of whom are U.S. citizens), immigrant Filipino workers, etc — residing there. 4/
Night market on Guam.
1144 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
The only thing still booming across the Marianas archipelago? the U.S. military. Just south of the CNMI, on Guam, I drove my fiancé around the island and he was shocked to see the gargantuan military complex presence there. I explained to him how normal this all was to us growing up. 3/
Passing by the USAF base on Guam.
1132 0
Rachel Ramirez @rachelreports.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
I know the CNMI has been struggling economically since Super Typhoon Yutu hit in 2018, then it exacerbated during the pandemic. Walking around our “downtown” area feels like a ghost town. Shops closed. Our only theater and mall closed. Some schools still using FEMA tents. It feels surreal. 2/
Some schools on Saipan still in FEMA tents.
1162 0