Steve Harrell
@steveharrell.bsky.social
Retired professor, unretired ethnographer, polyglot, part-time climate activist, occasional contrarian. Taiwan, China, and Whatcom County--Post mostly plants, mountains, energy transition. Occasionally political snark.
November 30, 2025 at 7:05 PM
#Bellingham #Forests 2025, Day 333:
Some plants, like this vibe maple, are already thinking of spring, even though it’s still at least three months off.
Some plants, like this vibe maple, are already thinking of spring, even though it’s still at least three months off.
November 29, 2025 at 10:01 PM
#Bellingham #Forests 2025, Day 333:
Some plants, like this vibe maple, are already thinking of spring, even though it’s still at least three months off.
Some plants, like this vibe maple, are already thinking of spring, even though it’s still at least three months off.
"The Trump administration’s war on the [IRA] and all things climate embodies the horrors of Republican rule: a paranoid, lawless crusade waged by…ideologues who are using their control over every branch of government to stoke culture wars, settle scores, and please their deep-pocketed donors."
Worth reading as a summary and history of what happened. Cc: @katearonoff.bsky.social
I’ll add: aside from @sunrisemvmt.bsky.social push there was NO nat’l big campaign for a federal green new deal style push. No big grassroots effort for what became IRA. No fight for. No fight to save it, either.
I’ll add: aside from @sunrisemvmt.bsky.social push there was NO nat’l big campaign for a federal green new deal style push. No big grassroots effort for what became IRA. No fight for. No fight to save it, either.
"The IRA’s survival was premised on the logic that a loose alignment of corporations would support climate policies in exchange for subsidies and convince Republicans to get on their side. That didn’t work." newrepublic.com/article/2027...
November 28, 2025 at 3:36 PM
"The Trump administration’s war on the [IRA] and all things climate embodies the horrors of Republican rule: a paranoid, lawless crusade waged by…ideologues who are using their control over every branch of government to stoke culture wars, settle scores, and please their deep-pocketed donors."
November 28, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Artificial Stupidity. All so that a few billionaires can get richer.
"One of the facilities, Plant Bowen northwest of Atlanta, was ranked as the second-deadliest coal plant in the country, contributing to the deaths of 7,500 people, the study said."
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
"One of the facilities, Plant Bowen northwest of Atlanta, was ranked as the second-deadliest coal plant in the country, contributing to the deaths of 7,500 people, the study said."
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Pollution from coal plants was dropping. Then came Trump and AI.
Data centers’ hunger for electricity is prompting some states to keep their coal-burning power plants from closing — while DC relaxes air pollution limits.
www.politico.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Artificial Stupidity. All so that a few billionaires can get richer.
"One of the facilities, Plant Bowen northwest of Atlanta, was ranked as the second-deadliest coal plant in the country, contributing to the deaths of 7,500 people, the study said."
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
"One of the facilities, Plant Bowen northwest of Atlanta, was ranked as the second-deadliest coal plant in the country, contributing to the deaths of 7,500 people, the study said."
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Just askin'
It now seems to be part of our national narrative that you fight with relatives over politics during Thanksgiving dinner. I wonder what percentage of US households fight over politics during Thanksgiving dinner?
It now seems to be part of our national narrative that you fight with relatives over politics during Thanksgiving dinner. I wonder what percentage of US households fight over politics during Thanksgiving dinner?
November 27, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Just askin'
It now seems to be part of our national narrative that you fight with relatives over politics during Thanksgiving dinner. I wonder what percentage of US households fight over politics during Thanksgiving dinner?
It now seems to be part of our national narrative that you fight with relatives over politics during Thanksgiving dinner. I wonder what percentage of US households fight over politics during Thanksgiving dinner?
This is positively Orwellian--a new bitumen pipeline as part of a net-zero plan? It's like arsenic is good for you when combined with B-vitamins.
www.ctvnews.ca/politics/art...
www.ctvnews.ca/politics/art...
Carney signs major energy agreement with Alberta, laying out conditions for new oil pipeline
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have signed a major new energy cooperation agreement outlining the emission and other climate conditions that need to be met in order for ...
www.ctvnews.ca
November 27, 2025 at 5:19 PM
This is positively Orwellian--a new bitumen pipeline as part of a net-zero plan? It's like arsenic is good for you when combined with B-vitamins.
www.ctvnews.ca/politics/art...
www.ctvnews.ca/politics/art...
Bellingham in the news...sigh
www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/nov/26/...
www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/nov/26/...
Officials: National Guard shooting suspect lived in Bellingham, drove across country for attack | Cascadia Daily News
Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal entered the U.S. in 2021
www.cascadiadaily.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Bellingham in the news...sigh
www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/nov/26/...
www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/nov/26/...
Reposted by Steve Harrell
Have you visited the research farm at Restinclieres north of Montpellier? I can connect you with the lead researcher there to discuss this tree system and also vines w/ PV solar: for @mongabay.com we hired a reporter to talk about #agrivoltaics with him recently too, because he’s also expert on that
We need a better understanding of how crops fare under solar panels, study shows
The dream of agrivoltaics is to generate your electricity and eat your edamame too. But a recent study in Agroforestry Systems shows that agrivoltaics — growing food beneath solar panels — is not so s...
news.mongabay.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Have you visited the research farm at Restinclieres north of Montpellier? I can connect you with the lead researcher there to discuss this tree system and also vines w/ PV solar: for @mongabay.com we hired a reporter to talk about #agrivoltaics with him recently too, because he’s also expert on that
November 27, 2025 at 2:25 PM
#Bellingham #Forests 2025, Day 330 (finally caught up after three days of jet lag and day confusion):
No roses in almost December, but I did find a fungal rosette:
No roses in almost December, but I did find a fungal rosette:
November 26, 2025 at 10:31 PM
#Bellingham #Forests 2025, Day 330 (finally caught up after three days of jet lag and day confusion):
No roses in almost December, but I did find a fungal rosette:
No roses in almost December, but I did find a fungal rosette:
#Bellingham #Forests 2025, Belated day 329:
Herons' nests at Post Point are empty now, but ready for reoccupation in February:
Herons' nests at Post Point are empty now, but ready for reoccupation in February:
November 26, 2025 at 10:29 PM
#Bellingham #Forests 2025, Belated day 329:
Herons' nests at Post Point are empty now, but ready for reoccupation in February:
Herons' nests at Post Point are empty now, but ready for reoccupation in February:
#Bellingham #Forests 2025, Belated day 327:
Birches are one of the last trees to drop their leaves in the fall:
Birches are one of the last trees to drop their leaves in the fall:
November 26, 2025 at 10:28 PM
#Bellingham #Forests 2025, Belated day 327:
Birches are one of the last trees to drop their leaves in the fall:
Birches are one of the last trees to drop their leaves in the fall:
#Bellingham #Forests 2025, Belated day 325:
Hips of Nootka Rose appear when the leaves fall off, red before they turn black and inconspicuous again:
Hips of Nootka Rose appear when the leaves fall off, red before they turn black and inconspicuous again:
November 26, 2025 at 10:26 PM
#Bellingham #Forests 2025, Belated day 325:
Hips of Nootka Rose appear when the leaves fall off, red before they turn black and inconspicuous again:
Hips of Nootka Rose appear when the leaves fall off, red before they turn black and inconspicuous again:
"the study results are “all over the map,”...“Some say that (dairy) doesn’t harm or help you, some say that it might harm you a little bit, and some say it’s actually very helpful.”
Back to the original Pollan: "Eat food, not too much, mostly [not all] plants.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/w...
Back to the original Pollan: "Eat food, not too much, mostly [not all] plants.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/w...
Is Full-Fat Dairy Healthier?
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:22 PM
"the study results are “all over the map,”...“Some say that (dairy) doesn’t harm or help you, some say that it might harm you a little bit, and some say it’s actually very helpful.”
Back to the original Pollan: "Eat food, not too much, mostly [not all] plants.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/w...
Back to the original Pollan: "Eat food, not too much, mostly [not all] plants.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/w...
Man the politics are complicated. Extreme fossil fuel boosters and extreme climate worriers (among whom I count myself) are united in opposition to CCS.
www.eenews.net/articles/rep...
www.eenews.net/articles/rep...
Republican split widens as Texas regulator bashes CCS
A growing number of GOP elected officials question the use of carbon capture and storage for oil and gas projects.
www.eenews.net
November 25, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Man the politics are complicated. Extreme fossil fuel boosters and extreme climate worriers (among whom I count myself) are united in opposition to CCS.
www.eenews.net/articles/rep...
www.eenews.net/articles/rep...
A couple of reactions: 1) This may be an illustration of how the market rules...solar power is now so cheap that Trump can't stop it. 2) The EIA is apparently still an independent agency, or it wouldn't publish this. How long?
www.eia.gov/todayinenerg...
www.eia.gov/todayinenerg...
Natural gas use for electricity in California falls as solar generation rises - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
www.eia.gov
November 25, 2025 at 3:12 PM
A couple of reactions: 1) This may be an illustration of how the market rules...solar power is now so cheap that Trump can't stop it. 2) The EIA is apparently still an independent agency, or it wouldn't publish this. How long?
www.eia.gov/todayinenerg...
www.eia.gov/todayinenerg...
#Bellingham #Forests 2025, Day 328
Salmonberry (Rubus parvifolium) already shows next spring’s buds among the last fall leaves.
Salmonberry (Rubus parvifolium) already shows next spring’s buds among the last fall leaves.
November 25, 2025 at 3:21 AM
#Bellingham #Forests 2025, Day 328
Salmonberry (Rubus parvifolium) already shows next spring’s buds among the last fall leaves.
Salmonberry (Rubus parvifolium) already shows next spring’s buds among the last fall leaves.
Fantastic piece about the problem behind just about every other problem in today’s world. How the Elite Behave When No One Is Watching: Inside the Epstein Emails www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/o...
Opinion | How the Elite Behave When No One Is Watching: Inside the Epstein Emails
www.nytimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Fantastic piece about the problem behind just about every other problem in today’s world. How the Elite Behave When No One Is Watching: Inside the Epstein Emails www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/o...
November 22, 2025 at 10:08 AM
November 21, 2025 at 8:58 AM
#Bellingham #Forests 2025, day 323:
In the fall, the third kingdom pops up in random places, as if it were emerging from a hidden fourth dimension.
In the fall, the third kingdom pops up in random places, as if it were emerging from a hidden fourth dimension.
November 20, 2025 at 2:05 AM
#Bellingham #Forests 2025, day 323:
In the fall, the third kingdom pops up in random places, as if it were emerging from a hidden fourth dimension.
In the fall, the third kingdom pops up in random places, as if it were emerging from a hidden fourth dimension.
#Bellingham #Forests 2025, Day 322. Ocean Spray (Holodiscus discolor) certainly is discolored on the fall, but the seeds remaining on the clusters spell F O O D to a flock of hungry bushtits.
November 19, 2025 at 1:19 PM
#Bellingham #Forests 2025, Day 322. Ocean Spray (Holodiscus discolor) certainly is discolored on the fall, but the seeds remaining on the clusters spell F O O D to a flock of hungry bushtits.
November 17, 2025 at 11:16 PM