Alec Luhn
@alecluhn.bsky.social
Pulitzer Center 🌊 reporting fellow | Kavli, Schmidt & Covering Climate Now 🏆 | 2x Emmy nominee | non-beefeater 🐄
Personal news 🚨: I’ve started a 10-month gig as environment news reporter at New Scientist, the most popular weekly science & tech magazine.
I'm in the office on a mobility scooter as I recover from a broken femur & frostbite on a mountain in Norway this summer—thank you for the messages of support!
I'm in the office on a mobility scooter as I recover from a broken femur & frostbite on a mountain in Norway this summer—thank you for the messages of support!
November 13, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Personal news 🚨: I’ve started a 10-month gig as environment news reporter at New Scientist, the most popular weekly science & tech magazine.
I'm in the office on a mobility scooter as I recover from a broken femur & frostbite on a mountain in Norway this summer—thank you for the messages of support!
I'm in the office on a mobility scooter as I recover from a broken femur & frostbite on a mountain in Norway this summer—thank you for the messages of support!
40+ glaciologists just published a paper calling geoengineering to save the Arctic & Antarctic a dangerous distraction.
But other scientists argue that with ice melting we at least need to research them.
My report about a sea ice thickening experiment in Nunavut, on CBC www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
But other scientists argue that with ice melting we at least need to research them.
My report about a sea ice thickening experiment in Nunavut, on CBC www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
October 20, 2025 at 8:13 PM
40+ glaciologists just published a paper calling geoengineering to save the Arctic & Antarctic a dangerous distraction.
But other scientists argue that with ice melting we at least need to research them.
My report about a sea ice thickening experiment in Nunavut, on CBC www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
But other scientists argue that with ice melting we at least need to research them.
My report about a sea ice thickening experiment in Nunavut, on CBC www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
Trump’s EPA canceled a $20m grant to fortify the Alaska Native village of Kipnuk against flooding.
Now 121 houses in Kipnuk have been destroyed by flooding, & a total 1,800 people have been evacuated in one of the biggest airlifts in Alaska history. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Now 121 houses in Kipnuk have been destroyed by flooding, & a total 1,800 people have been evacuated in one of the biggest airlifts in Alaska history. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
October 17, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Trump’s EPA canceled a $20m grant to fortify the Alaska Native village of Kipnuk against flooding.
Now 121 houses in Kipnuk have been destroyed by flooding, & a total 1,800 people have been evacuated in one of the biggest airlifts in Alaska history. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Now 121 houses in Kipnuk have been destroyed by flooding, & a total 1,800 people have been evacuated in one of the biggest airlifts in Alaska history. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
The Aletsch glacier, the largest in Europe, has now retreated 1.4 miles.
Mountain glaciers in total lost 450 billion tonnes of ice in 2024. Not good for streams & rivers.
Great photos here: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Mountain glaciers in total lost 450 billion tonnes of ice in 2024. Not good for streams & rivers.
Great photos here: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
October 5, 2025 at 6:32 PM
The Aletsch glacier, the largest in Europe, has now retreated 1.4 miles.
Mountain glaciers in total lost 450 billion tonnes of ice in 2024. Not good for streams & rivers.
Great photos here: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Mountain glaciers in total lost 450 billion tonnes of ice in 2024. Not good for streams & rivers.
Great photos here: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
72% of Americans: “Global warming is happening”
Trump: Global warming is “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world … & I’m really good at predicting things”
Trump: Global warming is “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world … & I’m really good at predicting things”
September 23, 2025 at 6:30 PM
72% of Americans: “Global warming is happening”
Trump: Global warming is “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world … & I’m really good at predicting things”
Trump: Global warming is “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world … & I’m really good at predicting things”
Wildfire smoke now kills more Americans than car crashes—41,000 people per year.
For decades air quality has been improving, but not anymore.
It won't help that the Trump administration is loosening regulations on factory & power plant emissions. www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
For decades air quality has been improving, but not anymore.
It won't help that the Trump administration is loosening regulations on factory & power plant emissions. www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
September 19, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Wildfire smoke now kills more Americans than car crashes—41,000 people per year.
For decades air quality has been improving, but not anymore.
It won't help that the Trump administration is loosening regulations on factory & power plant emissions. www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
For decades air quality has been improving, but not anymore.
It won't help that the Trump administration is loosening regulations on factory & power plant emissions. www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
“A shutdown is an attentional event. It’s an effort to turn the diffuse crisis of Trump’s corrupting of the government into an acute crisis that the media, that the public, will actually pay attention to.” www.nytimes.com/2025/09/07/o...
September 7, 2025 at 1:32 PM
“A shutdown is an attentional event. It’s an effort to turn the diffuse crisis of Trump’s corrupting of the government into an acute crisis that the media, that the public, will actually pay attention to.” www.nytimes.com/2025/09/07/o...
AI consumes large amounts of water, 0.000085 gallons per response in the case of ChatGPT.
But eating a hamburger consumes 7 million times more water www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
But eating a hamburger consumes 7 million times more water www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
August 27, 2025 at 1:51 PM
AI consumes large amounts of water, 0.000085 gallons per response in the case of ChatGPT.
But eating a hamburger consumes 7 million times more water www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
But eating a hamburger consumes 7 million times more water www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
Olivia Campbell-Cavendish announced at @transpridebrighton.bsky.social that the Trans Legal Clinic has raided £70,000 to match JK Rowling’s donation to lawsuit against trans recognition
July 19, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Olivia Campbell-Cavendish announced at @transpridebrighton.bsky.social that the Trans Legal Clinic has raided £70,000 to match JK Rowling’s donation to lawsuit against trans recognition
The heat deaths due to climate change last week are crazy if you think about it.
In London, 171 were killed in 10 days.
That's far more than were killed in homicides in London in all of 2024 (102).
In London, 171 were killed in 10 days.
That's far more than were killed in homicides in London in all of 2024 (102).
July 9, 2025 at 3:42 PM
The heat deaths due to climate change last week are crazy if you think about it.
In London, 171 were killed in 10 days.
That's far more than were killed in homicides in London in all of 2024 (102).
In London, 171 were killed in 10 days.
That's far more than were killed in homicides in London in all of 2024 (102).
The breakthrough is scientists found the climate change impact not only on temperatures but also deaths.
Previous research graphed excess deaths & higher temperatures in Euro cities.
They applied this curve to real-world temperatures & those calculated for a non-warming world to find the death toll
Previous research graphed excess deaths & higher temperatures in Euro cities.
They applied this curve to real-world temperatures & those calculated for a non-warming world to find the death toll
July 9, 2025 at 3:38 PM
The breakthrough is scientists found the climate change impact not only on temperatures but also deaths.
Previous research graphed excess deaths & higher temperatures in Euro cities.
They applied this curve to real-world temperatures & those calculated for a non-warming world to find the death toll
Previous research graphed excess deaths & higher temperatures in Euro cities.
They applied this curve to real-world temperatures & those calculated for a non-warming world to find the death toll
In London, 263 people died in the heatwave, 171 of them because of climate change.
London & other European cities clearly aren't prepared for extreme heat.
While authorities are now giving more warnings, they need to improve response plans & public awareness about the danger
London & other European cities clearly aren't prepared for extreme heat.
While authorities are now giving more warnings, they need to improve response plans & public awareness about the danger
July 9, 2025 at 3:10 PM
In London, 263 people died in the heatwave, 171 of them because of climate change.
London & other European cities clearly aren't prepared for extreme heat.
While authorities are now giving more warnings, they need to improve response plans & public awareness about the danger
London & other European cities clearly aren't prepared for extreme heat.
While authorities are now giving more warnings, they need to improve response plans & public awareness about the danger
In a non-warming world, a heatwave still would have happened last week. But climate change increased the temperatures by 2-4˚C.
"Now, it’s closer to dangerous heat for more people,” especially the elderly, said Ben Clarke @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social
"Now, it’s closer to dangerous heat for more people,” especially the elderly, said Ben Clarke @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social
July 9, 2025 at 3:05 PM
In a non-warming world, a heatwave still would have happened last week. But climate change increased the temperatures by 2-4˚C.
"Now, it’s closer to dangerous heat for more people,” especially the elderly, said Ben Clarke @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social
"Now, it’s closer to dangerous heat for more people,” especially the elderly, said Ben Clarke @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social
Brahim Ait El Hajjam, 47, collapsed while pouring concrete in Bologna, one of >9 people confirmed killed by the European heatwave.
The real number is surely in the hundreds if not thousands. news.sky.com/story/bluesk...
The real number is surely in the hundreds if not thousands. news.sky.com/story/bluesk...
July 3, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Brahim Ait El Hajjam, 47, collapsed while pouring concrete in Bologna, one of >9 people confirmed killed by the European heatwave.
The real number is surely in the hundreds if not thousands. news.sky.com/story/bluesk...
The real number is surely in the hundreds if not thousands. news.sky.com/story/bluesk...
The same light trap in a Costa Rican conservation area in 1984 & 2019 illustrates the disastrous decline in insects. That loss is accelerating due to warming.
“We’re talking about nearly half the tree of life disappearing in one human lifetime.” www.theguardian.com/environment/...
“We’re talking about nearly half the tree of life disappearing in one human lifetime.” www.theguardian.com/environment/...
July 1, 2025 at 4:09 PM
The same light trap in a Costa Rican conservation area in 1984 & 2019 illustrates the disastrous decline in insects. That loss is accelerating due to warming.
“We’re talking about nearly half the tree of life disappearing in one human lifetime.” www.theguardian.com/environment/...
“We’re talking about nearly half the tree of life disappearing in one human lifetime.” www.theguardian.com/environment/...
“Why your big ugly utility bill will get bigger & uglier under President Trump’s big beautiful spending bill”—a beautifully simple explanation here of the cost rises, which will be the biggest in red states @billweircnn.bsky.social
July 1, 2025 at 12:14 PM
“Why your big ugly utility bill will get bigger & uglier under President Trump’s big beautiful spending bill”—a beautifully simple explanation here of the cost rises, which will be the biggest in red states @billweircnn.bsky.social
In congress: Bill to give billions to ICE, cut billions from
Medicaid & renewables
In the Supreme Court: Decision to limit challenges to Trump’s executive orders
In the media:
Medicaid & renewables
In the Supreme Court: Decision to limit challenges to Trump’s executive orders
In the media:
June 30, 2025 at 12:58 PM
In congress: Bill to give billions to ICE, cut billions from
Medicaid & renewables
In the Supreme Court: Decision to limit challenges to Trump’s executive orders
In the media:
Medicaid & renewables
In the Supreme Court: Decision to limit challenges to Trump’s executive orders
In the media:
Ed Milliband tells the largest ever London Climate Action Week that oil price ups & downs over Iran show “we need to get off the rollercoaster of fossil fuels” for energy security as well as climate #lcaw
June 25, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Ed Milliband tells the largest ever London Climate Action Week that oil price ups & downs over Iran show “we need to get off the rollercoaster of fossil fuels” for energy security as well as climate #lcaw
Enric Sala, NatGeo explorer & exec producer of David Attenborough's 'Ocean,' calls the UN Ocean Conference "disappointing."
Despite new MPA announcements, only 8-9% of the ocean is protected—& bottom trawling is still allowed in many areas, including by host country France
Despite new MPA announcements, only 8-9% of the ocean is protected—& bottom trawling is still allowed in many areas, including by host country France
June 13, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Enric Sala, NatGeo explorer & exec producer of David Attenborough's 'Ocean,' calls the UN Ocean Conference "disappointing."
Despite new MPA announcements, only 8-9% of the ocean is protected—& bottom trawling is still allowed in many areas, including by host country France
Despite new MPA announcements, only 8-9% of the ocean is protected—& bottom trawling is still allowed in many areas, including by host country France
UPD: Signing has finished & the High Seas Treaty still appears to be several countries short of the 60 needed for it to be adopted—a huge disappointment.
For now 2/3 of the ocean remains the "Wild West" where fishing & pollution is basically unregulated.
For now 2/3 of the ocean remains the "Wild West" where fishing & pollution is basically unregulated.
June 13, 2025 at 10:46 AM
UPD: Signing has finished & the High Seas Treaty still appears to be several countries short of the 60 needed for it to be adopted—a huge disappointment.
For now 2/3 of the ocean remains the "Wild West" where fishing & pollution is basically unregulated.
For now 2/3 of the ocean remains the "Wild West" where fishing & pollution is basically unregulated.
Protest against deep sea mining by @greenpeace.org Arctic Sunrise outside Nice, where it was blocked from docking before
#UNOC:
“The draft political declaration at this UN Ocean Conference is weak on stopping deep sea mining, a clear symbol that the levels of ambition here must be raised”
#UNOC:
“The draft political declaration at this UN Ocean Conference is weak on stopping deep sea mining, a clear symbol that the levels of ambition here must be raised”
June 11, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Protest against deep sea mining by @greenpeace.org Arctic Sunrise outside Nice, where it was blocked from docking before
#UNOC:
“The draft political declaration at this UN Ocean Conference is weak on stopping deep sea mining, a clear symbol that the levels of ambition here must be raised”
#UNOC:
“The draft political declaration at this UN Ocean Conference is weak on stopping deep sea mining, a clear symbol that the levels of ambition here must be raised”
Chile announces at the UN Ocean Conference it will protect 50% of its Exclusive Economic Zone.
“It makes economic sense—protection—& it makes leadership sense because it’s done with the communities,” environment minister Maisa Rojas says on board the @oceanxorg.bsky.social OceanXplorer. #UNOC
“It makes economic sense—protection—& it makes leadership sense because it’s done with the communities,” environment minister Maisa Rojas says on board the @oceanxorg.bsky.social OceanXplorer. #UNOC
June 11, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Chile announces at the UN Ocean Conference it will protect 50% of its Exclusive Economic Zone.
“It makes economic sense—protection—& it makes leadership sense because it’s done with the communities,” environment minister Maisa Rojas says on board the @oceanxorg.bsky.social OceanXplorer. #UNOC
“It makes economic sense—protection—& it makes leadership sense because it’s done with the communities,” environment minister Maisa Rojas says on board the @oceanxorg.bsky.social OceanXplorer. #UNOC
The Trump administration didn't send a public delegation to the UN Ocean Conference, but Macron said "the White House is represented at the technical level" here.
"But we will follow up, don't worry."
"But we will follow up, don't worry."
June 9, 2025 at 7:33 PM
The Trump administration didn't send a public delegation to the UN Ocean Conference, but Macron said "the White House is represented at the technical level" here.
"But we will follow up, don't worry."
"But we will follow up, don't worry."
I asked Macron what he thought about the US skipping the UN Ocean Conference. He said UNOC would pass the High Seas Treaty & "it will be enforced, no choice."
"We have 92% of the property rights, you cannot block with 8% of the property rights, even when you live in one big flat of the building."
"We have 92% of the property rights, you cannot block with 8% of the property rights, even when you live in one big flat of the building."
June 9, 2025 at 7:28 PM
I asked Macron what he thought about the US skipping the UN Ocean Conference. He said UNOC would pass the High Seas Treaty & "it will be enforced, no choice."
"We have 92% of the property rights, you cannot block with 8% of the property rights, even when you live in one big flat of the building."
"We have 92% of the property rights, you cannot block with 8% of the property rights, even when you live in one big flat of the building."
Almost all the 193 member states are attending the UN Ocean Conference in Nice—but not the US.
While Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse has been here, the US delegation seats are empty at the opening plenary. @pulitzercenter.bsky.social @whitehouse.senate.gov @johnmoralestv.bsky.social #UNOC #UNOC2025
While Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse has been here, the US delegation seats are empty at the opening plenary. @pulitzercenter.bsky.social @whitehouse.senate.gov @johnmoralestv.bsky.social #UNOC #UNOC2025
June 9, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Almost all the 193 member states are attending the UN Ocean Conference in Nice—but not the US.
While Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse has been here, the US delegation seats are empty at the opening plenary. @pulitzercenter.bsky.social @whitehouse.senate.gov @johnmoralestv.bsky.social #UNOC #UNOC2025
While Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse has been here, the US delegation seats are empty at the opening plenary. @pulitzercenter.bsky.social @whitehouse.senate.gov @johnmoralestv.bsky.social #UNOC #UNOC2025