Nancy Knowlton
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nancyknowlton.bsky.social
Nancy Knowlton
@nancyknowlton.bsky.social
7.4K followers 6.1K following 540 posts

marine biologist, boomer not doomer, solutionista, 💗Maine💗
Member Natl. Acad. Sci., Darwin Medal
#EarthOptimism #OceanOptimism #BeyondTheObituaries
Author-Citizens of the Sea https://www.amazon.com/Citizens-Sea-Wondrous-Creatures-Census/dp/1426206437 .. more

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Nancy Knowlton is a coral reef biologist and a former Sant Chair for Marine Science at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

Source: Wikipedia
Environmental science 57%
Geography 16%
Posts Replies Media Videos

nancyknowlton.bsky.social
Nancy Knowlton @nancyknowlton.bsky.social · 9h
File under silver linings - my news to me good news for Jan 13 #EarthOptimism #BeyondTheObituaries www.positive.news/environment/...
Abandoned oil refineries are becoming unlikely havens for wildlife
From southeast England to California, decommissioned oil refineries are being reclaimed by nature, prompting calls to protect them
www.positive.news

Reposted by Nancy­ Knowlton­

justinmikulka.bsky.social
Justin Mikulka @justinmikulka.bsky.social · 10h
Two great tastes that taste great together!
Solar power could drive African EV boom sooner than expected - theFreesheet
Electric vehicles (EVs) could overtake petrol and diesel cars in Africa far sooner than experts predicted, thanks to a combination of cheap Chinese imports
thefreesheet.com

Reposted by Nancy­ Knowlton­, Richard Waite, Bartosz Bartkowski

ourworldindata.org
Our World in Data @ourworldindata.org · 20h
The world dedicates a Poland-sized area of land to producing liquid biofuels such as bioethanol & biodiesel. Is there a more efficient way to generate energy?

Putting solar panels on the land used for biofuels, e.g., would produce enough electricity for all cars and trucks worldwide to go electric.
How much energy can be produced on global land currently used for liquid biofuels? Bar comparison showing energy per year from land currently used for liquid biofuels: Biofuels for transport — 1,400 TWh per year; Solar panels on the same land — 32,000 TWh per year. Side annotations: 31,000 TWh shown for context as the amount of electricity the world generated in 2024; 7,000 TWh per year shown as the amount of electricity the world would need to power all of its cars and trucks if they were electric. Note: This assumes the world uses 32 million hectares of land to grow crops for liquid biofuels, based on net land use which subtracts land allocated to co-products such as animal feed, and assumes solar PV uses 1 hectare of land per GWh. Data source: Energy Institute; Cerulogy; Ember; and author calculations. Chart is licensed CC BY to Our World in Data.

nancyknowlton.bsky.social
Nancy Knowlton @nancyknowlton.bsky.social · 1d
A complicated story but my news to me good news for Jan 12. #earthOptimism #BeyondTheObituaries news.mongabay.com/2026/01/cowb...
Cowboy boots made from pirarucu leather fund Amazon’s sustainable fishery
A massive Amazonian fish yields the unique and once overlooked leather prized by luxury brands and Texas cowboys.
news.mongabay.com

Reposted by Nancy­ Knowlton­

zapaman.bsky.social
Dominic McCann @zapaman.bsky.social · 1d
Some petrol stations set to stop selling diesel fuel by 2030,
London is expected to be the UK’s first city with no diesel cars
www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-...
Some petrol stations set to stop selling diesel fuel by 2030
London is expected to be the UK’s first city with no diesel cars
www.independent.co.uk

nancyknowlton.bsky.social
Nancy Knowlton @nancyknowlton.bsky.social · 2d
where sanity prevails (at least for cars) www.zmescience.com/science/news...
96% of Cars Sold in Norway in 2025 Were Electric
Norway is leaving the combustion engine behind.
www.zmescience.com

nancyknowlton.bsky.social
Nancy Knowlton @nancyknowlton.bsky.social · 2d
Beavers and storks in #London oh my! www.theguardian.com/environment/...
White storks to make historic return to London in 2026
Species extinct as breeding birds in Britain since 1416 to be reintroduced in Barking and Dagenham as part of rewilding effort
www.theguardian.com

nancyknowlton.bsky.social
Nancy Knowlton @nancyknowlton.bsky.social · 3d
hope to visit some day...https://apnews.com/article/whooping-crane-endangered-species-texas-climate-environment-988377544ea9237966af392fb4f460e1?ck_subscriber_id=3069218149&utm_source=convertkit&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=The%20year%E2%80%99s%20predicted%20dining%20trends%20-%2020246763
Along the Texas Coast, a new sanctuary aims to protect the endangered and rare whooping crane
Partners at the International Crane Foundation and The Conservation Fund have secured permanent protection of more than 3,300 acres of high-priority wintering habitat for whooping cranes near Port Ara...
apnews.com

nancyknowlton.bsky.social
Nancy Knowlton @nancyknowlton.bsky.social · 3d
www.npr.org/2025/11/28/n...
A bright spot for turtles: Olive ridleys are recovering in India, but still at risk
India's olive ridley turtle numbers appear to have rebounded after years of patchwork efforts to stem their decline. Can it last?
www.npr.org

nancyknowlton.bsky.social
Nancy Knowlton @nancyknowlton.bsky.social · 3d
Catching up from the holidays, I found this :-) www.bbc.com/future/artic...
'After 200 years, we're seeing this species again': The lost birds making a comeback in the Galapagos Islands
Freed from the threat of invasive predators, Galapagos birds are performing astonishing feats of return and innovation – 200 years after Charles Darwin visited the archipelago.
www.bbc.com

Reposted by Nathan Bennett

nancyknowlton.bsky.social
Nancy Knowlton @nancyknowlton.bsky.social · 3d
insideclimatenews.org/news/1001202...
The Environmental and Cultural Benefits of Restoring the American Prairie - Inside Climate News
How policies to prevent the collapse of the grasslands can also support farmers.
insideclimatenews.org

nancyknowlton.bsky.social
Nancy Knowlton @nancyknowlton.bsky.social · 3d
The return of oxbow lakes in Iowa is my news to me good news for Jan 10 - turns out they aren't just good for a fish - they also improve water quality #EarthOptimism #BeyondTheObituaries insideclimatenews.org/news/0701202...
To Save An Endangered Prairie Fish, Dried-up Iowa Wetlands Get New Life - Inside Climate News
Efforts to save the Topeka shiner have restored hundreds of oxbow lakes across Iowa. Now, those wetlands are helping to improve the state’s water quality.
insideclimatenews.org

Reposted by Nancy­ Knowlton­, Rupert Read

nickofnz.bsky.social
Nick Young @nickofnz.bsky.social · 3d
The evidence shows that cities with protected bike lanes are safer for ALL road users.

Not just people on bike, ALL road users.

And that’s just one of many benefits. Quieter, more efficient, cleaner, more pleasant - for everyone.

Build more bike lanes.

Reposted by Nancy­ Knowlton­

biometlab.bsky.social
biometlab @biometlab.bsky.social · 3d
www.sfchronicle.com/outdoors/art...

This is exciting. My Nonna and Nonno had a dairy along this Estero. Been wanting to hike on nearby trails. Now we can
Stunning stretch of California coastline opens to public for first time in 100 years
A stretch of undeveloped Bay Area coast, privately owned for a century, has opened to visitors with new hiking trails, a secluded beach, magnificent wildflower blooms and sensational views.
www.sfchronicle.com

Reposted by Nancy­ Knowlton­

canarymedia.com
Canary Media Inc. @canarymedia.com · 3d
It’s not easy to turn a Superfund site into a solar powerhouse. But Waukegan, Illinois, made it happen, with help from state policy.
How community solar turned a Superfund site into savings in Illinois
A new 9.1-MW solar array will help residents of Waukegan, Illinois, reduce energy bills. State incentives for low-income solar made the project possible.
www.canarymedia.com

Reposted by Julie L. Lockwood, Nancy­ Knowlton­

robedwards1.bsky.social
Robb Edwards 🌱 @robedwards1.bsky.social · 4d
New Zealand's rare flightless parrot begins breeding again

phys.org/news/2026-01...
New Zealand's rare flightless parrot begins breeding again
New Zealand's critically endangered flightless parrot, the kakapo, started breeding last week for the first time in four years, the government conservation department said.
phys.org

nancyknowlton.bsky.social
Nancy Knowlton @nancyknowlton.bsky.social · 4d
From #India, making plastic pay - my news to me good news for Jan 9 #EarthOptimism #BeyondTheObituaries reasonstobecheerful.world/india-school...
The School Where Students Pay With Plastic Bags
An innovative education model in northeast India aims to reduce plastic pollution, cut school drop-out rates and give students vocational training.
reasonstobecheerful.world

Reposted by Nancy­ Knowlton­

brenttoderian.bsky.social
Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 4d
“Copenhagen reported that 62% of its residents are now commuting to work or school by bike — an increase from 52% in 2015 & 36% in 2012, when the City Council launched a 14-year-plan to improve the quality, safety & comfort of cycling.”

#Copenhagen chose. They keep choosing even better every year.
Copenhagen has taken bicycle commuting to a whole new level
Cycling has been a part of that good life in Copenhagen for decades. In recent years, it has enjoyed yet another unfathomable surge in popularity — taken to the next level thanks to constantly improvi...
www.latimes.com

nancyknowlton.bsky.social
Nancy Knowlton @nancyknowlton.bsky.social · 5d
A lovely story of people doing the right thing - we need more of this! #EarthOptimism #BeyondTheObituaries www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2026/...
Sacred land returned to North Carolina Cherokee Indians after 200 years
The Franklin Town Council on Monday voted unanimously to transfer the deed to the Noquisiyi Mound to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina.
www.washingtonpost.com

nancyknowlton.bsky.social
Nancy Knowlton @nancyknowlton.bsky.social · 7d
Sanity does exist, including in places "disparaged" by US leadership (diplomacy-speak, so-called "S-H countries" that increasingly put us to shame).... Thank you #Rwanda for my news to me good new for Jan 6 #EarthOptimism #BeyondTheObituaries e360.yale.edu/features/kig...
Plagued by Flooding, an African City Reengineers Its Wetlands
As climate change and urbanization intensify flooding in Rwanda, the capital of Kigali has embraced nature-based solutions. The city is restoring and reshaping 18,000 acres of degraded wetlands, plant...
e360.yale.edu

nancyknowlton.bsky.social
Nancy Knowlton @nancyknowlton.bsky.social · 8d
I took a break for the holidays, but the bad news didn't :-(. Time to regroup now that I'm back, with a small contribution to mental health - my news to me good news for Jan 5 #EarthOptimism #BeyondTheObituaries reasonstobecheerful.world/city-where-f...
The City Where Free Buses Changed Everything
New York's new mayor Zohran Mamdani has said he’ll make every bus free to ride. This French city did just that — and is reaping the rewards.
reasonstobecheerful.world

Reposted by Nancy­ Knowlton­

michaelburchert.bsky.social
Michael Burchert @michaelburchert.bsky.social · 8d
Blow-in straw seems to be getting traction in some countries. Can you see why? #strawbuilding #strawhouse #biobased #renewables Foto: bioblow.com
Roof model with a thick ibsulation layer of blow in straw. Black under-roof with battens ready for roofing tiles or metal sheets.

Reposted by Nancy­ Knowlton­

breeze420.bsky.social
Breezie @breeze420.bsky.social · 10d
I looked for an hour for a quote tonight
none were right
either too dark or too light
for today
I want to encourage
to quote of beauty and hope
of freedom and sanity
and these are the only words
I can find
A house, a barn and other roofs with snow covering them. There is a wood fence in front with a large tree to the right with a light shining through the foggy snow.

Reposted by Christian Odendahl, Richard S.J. Tol, Scott C. Doney , and 6 more

oceanandice.bsky.social
Prof Michael Meredith 🌊🧪🥼❄️ @oceanandice.bsky.social · 11d
A picture is worth 1000 words...

This appeared on the BBC News today, showing the increase in solar electric generation in the UK.

Not sure who produced it, but genuinely think this is a genius piece of scientific communication - the construct and choice of colour scale is near-perfect.

Chapeau!

Reposted by Nancy­ Knowlton­

coastalpaleo.bsky.social
Robert Boessenecker, Dr. of Whaleontology ™️ @coastalpaleo.bsky.social · 15d
Captive bred sunflower stars (Pycnopodia helianthoides) successfully released into Monterey Bay for the first time! This species has been more or less extirpated south of Washington since the 2014 outbreak of sea star wasting disease.🧪🦑
Sunflower star recovery project in California hits major milestone
Their return could help reverse a decade of kelp forest die-offs along the coast.
www.sfgate.com

Reposted by Mark Lubell, Julie L. Lockwood, Nancy­ Knowlton­ , and 3 more

hugepossum.bsky.social
Hugh Possingham @hugepossum.bsky.social · 18d
How do you know whether or not your conservation monitoring program is helping you to deliver outcomes? We have made a checklist of 15 distinct reasons - some more directly connected to outcomes than others.
royalsocietypublishing.org Royal Society Publishing @royalsocietypublishing.org · 22d
2025 Georgina Mace Review now out in #ProcB - How monitoring matters for nature #conservation: 15 reasons framed in a theory of change #OpenAccess royalsocietypublishing.org/rspb/article...

nancyknowlton.bsky.social
Nancy Knowlton @nancyknowlton.bsky.social · 18d
Meow meow. My news to me good news for Dec 26 is the return of a tiny wild cat to Thailand after being MIA for 30 years. #EarthOptimism #BeyondTheObituaries. www.popsci.com/environment/...
Tiny wild cat spotted in Thailand for first time in 30 years
The flat-headed felines are the smallest wild cats in Southeast Asia.
www.popsci.com

Reposted by Nancy­ Knowlton­

bigearthdata.bsky.social
Climate, Ecology, War & More - Dr Glen Barry BigEarthData.ai @bigearthdata.bsky.social · 19d
Wildlife Cam Captures Norfolk's First Wild Beaver In Over 500 Years
->Plant Based News | #wildlife | More from Lil Dr Glen EcoChat at BigEarthData.ai
Wildlife Cam Captures Norfolk's First Wild Beaver In Over 500 Years
Norfolk has a wild beaver living on its rivers for the first time in more than 500 years. A wildlife camera spotted the animal moving logs around to build a lodge, which serves as an above-ground burrow. Broken branches, wood...
plantbasednews.org

Reposted by Stephen D. Murphy

nancyknowlton.bsky.social
Nancy Knowlton @nancyknowlton.bsky.social · 21d
My news to me good news for Dec 23? You can watch laysan albatrosses doing their thing live on Midway Atoll. For those of you with frazzled nerves (all of you?) it is very calming.... Picture below doesn't convey the actual sights and sounds. Give it a try! www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3iK...
Midway Atoll NWR Wildlife Live Camera
YouTube video by Friends of Midway Atoll NWR
www.youtube.com

Reposted by Nancy­ Knowlton­

waiterich.bsky.social
Richard Waite @waiterich.bsky.social · 21d
seems good
marklevinenyc.bsky.social Mark D. Levine @marklevinenyc.bsky.social · 21d
Year 1 data on congestion pricing in Manhattan…

* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M

So YES this has been a huge success.