Rachel Ramirez
@rachelreports.bsky.social
Former CNN Climate Writer. Current fellow with the Metcalf Ocean Nexus Academy. AAJA + Uproot Project proud. Based in NYC.
Filipina American & daughter of the Northern Mariåna Islands.
Filipina American & daughter of the Northern Mariåna Islands.
Pinned
Rachel Ramirez
@rachelreports.bsky.social
· Oct 20
Tonga Could Soon Become the First Country to Recognize Whale Rights | Atmos
Ahead of Tonga’s election, whale and ocean advocates are preparing a bill to grant legal personhood to the island kingdom’s first ancestors.
atmos.earth
Recognizing whales as legal persons “shifts this perspective of whales and the environment as a resource and property to exploit with a value primarily derived from human benefit” Michelle Bender, one of the lawyers working on the draft legislation, told me. atmos.earth/ecological-w...
Reposted by Rachel Ramirez
The Trump regime is working on eliminating NOAA Fisheries, either eliminating its mission responsibilities or moving them to Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service.
Short version: we will drive whales and other endangered species to extinction and our fisheries will collapse.
Short version: we will drive whales and other endangered species to extinction and our fisheries will collapse.
Welcome to NOAA | NOAA Fisheries
NOAA Fisheries—the trusted government authority on the science and management of fish, other marine life, and their habitats.
www.fisheries.noaa.gov
November 18, 2025 at 3:52 PM
The Trump regime is working on eliminating NOAA Fisheries, either eliminating its mission responsibilities or moving them to Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service.
Short version: we will drive whales and other endangered species to extinction and our fisheries will collapse.
Short version: we will drive whales and other endangered species to extinction and our fisheries will collapse.
Incredible reporting from @nytimes.com on how the auto industry, particularly US automakers, is poisoning people in parts of Africa through harmful lead recycling programs. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
The Auto Industry’s Lead Recycling Program is Poisoning People
We documented the toxic fallout of a green technology.
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Incredible reporting from @nytimes.com on how the auto industry, particularly US automakers, is poisoning people in parts of Africa through harmful lead recycling programs. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
I swear I just passed by Stephen Schwartz on the streets of Hell’s Kitchen just now….
November 17, 2025 at 4:28 AM
I swear I just passed by Stephen Schwartz on the streets of Hell’s Kitchen just now….
Reposted by Rachel Ramirez
NOAA cut funding to the Alaska Earthquake Center, directed by my friend Mike West. As a result, seismic monitoring by nine stations in Alaska tracking tsunami-causing earthquakes will go offline by the end of the month. This endangers people in Alaska, Hawaiʻi, and other parts of the Pacific.
This lab is key for tracking deadly waves. Its sensors are about to go offline.
After NOAA cut funding to the lab that’s been monitoring seismic activity for more than 25 years, nine stations tracking tsunami-causing earthquakes for the agency will go offline by the end of the mo...
www.washingtonpost.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:24 PM
NOAA cut funding to the Alaska Earthquake Center, directed by my friend Mike West. As a result, seismic monitoring by nine stations in Alaska tracking tsunami-causing earthquakes will go offline by the end of the month. This endangers people in Alaska, Hawaiʻi, and other parts of the Pacific.
The US told an ambassador from Asia if he voted in favor of a plan to cut ship pollution, his country’s sailors would no longer be allowed to disembark at US ports, Caribbean diplomats were also told that they could be blacklisted from entering the US … and so on. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/c...
Trump Officials Accused of Bullying Tactics to Kill a Climate Measure
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:12 PM
The US told an ambassador from Asia if he voted in favor of a plan to cut ship pollution, his country’s sailors would no longer be allowed to disembark at US ports, Caribbean diplomats were also told that they could be blacklisted from entering the US … and so on. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/c...
Reposted by Rachel Ramirez
Kudos to the @seattletimes.com for spelling with diacritical marks used in the Hawaiian language, the ʻokina and the kahakō.
A few years ago, when I asked the NY Times to spell my affiliation as University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, they refused because it went against their style guide.
A few years ago, when I asked the NY Times to spell my affiliation as University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, they refused because it went against their style guide.
Why we're using this spelling of Hawaiʻi
You may notice a change in how we spell Hawaiʻi and other Native Hawaiian words at The Seattle Times. Here's why.
www.seattletimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Kudos to the @seattletimes.com for spelling with diacritical marks used in the Hawaiian language, the ʻokina and the kahakō.
A few years ago, when I asked the NY Times to spell my affiliation as University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, they refused because it went against their style guide.
A few years ago, when I asked the NY Times to spell my affiliation as University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, they refused because it went against their style guide.
Reposted by Rachel Ramirez
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore appoints an advisory commission to propose a new congressional map ahead of the 2026 midterms.
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Wes Moore launches Maryland redistricting commission after top state Dem stymies effort
"We will explore every avenue possible to make sure Maryland has fair and representative maps,” Moore said.
www.politico.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore appoints an advisory commission to propose a new congressional map ahead of the 2026 midterms.
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Rachel Ramirez
Zohran Mamdani once framed aggressive climate action as not just necessary, but a response to Trumpism.
But during the mayoral race, he almost never spoke about climate change and did not tie his biggest slogans back to it. I wrote about his big pivot to affordability: heatmap.news/politics/zoh...
But during the mayoral race, he almost never spoke about climate change and did not tie his biggest slogans back to it. I wrote about his big pivot to affordability: heatmap.news/politics/zoh...
Zohran Mamdani’s Muted Climate Politics
The self-described “ecosocialist” ran an ultra-disciplined campaign for New York City mayor. Once he’s in office, the climate issue could become unavoidable.
heatmap.news
November 5, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Zohran Mamdani once framed aggressive climate action as not just necessary, but a response to Trumpism.
But during the mayoral race, he almost never spoke about climate change and did not tie his biggest slogans back to it. I wrote about his big pivot to affordability: heatmap.news/politics/zoh...
But during the mayoral race, he almost never spoke about climate change and did not tie his biggest slogans back to it. I wrote about his big pivot to affordability: heatmap.news/politics/zoh...
Reposted by Rachel Ramirez
Zohran Mamdani says on NY1 he didn't get a congratulatory call from either Andrew Cuomo or Eric Adams last night.
He says he got a congratulatory call from Curtis Sliwa, though.
He says he got a congratulatory call from Curtis Sliwa, though.
November 5, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Zohran Mamdani says on NY1 he didn't get a congratulatory call from either Andrew Cuomo or Eric Adams last night.
He says he got a congratulatory call from Curtis Sliwa, though.
He says he got a congratulatory call from Curtis Sliwa, though.
at least NHC isn’t burying the lede …
October 28, 2025 at 3:35 PM
at least NHC isn’t burying the lede …
Reposted by Rachel Ramirez
Wait until they find out that some of us have cousins that aren't our cousins.
Wait, are people really upset that Mamdani spoke about his “aunt,” and it was actually his father’s cousin and not his father’s sibling?
Because that is an extremely normal thing a lot of cultures do. Including a lot of large Jewish families!
Because that is an extremely normal thing a lot of cultures do. Including a lot of large Jewish families!
In a bit of a tense moment, one of the La Mega co-hosts presses Mamdani on why he "lied" about his "aunt" having been scared to ride the subway after 9/11 while wearing a hijab.
Mamdani says it was "not a lie" because he refers to his father's cousin as his "aunt."
Mamdani says it was "not a lie" because he refers to his father's cousin as his "aunt."
October 28, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Wait until they find out that some of us have cousins that aren't our cousins.
Reposted by Rachel Ramirez
Echoing colleagues: Think before you (re)post. #Melissa is about to impact a relatively poor part of Jamaica. I doubt we will know the true extent of the devastation for days or weeks.
Information vacuums fill with disinformation. Expect a lot of “breaking wind” on SM.
Map source: World Bank
Information vacuums fill with disinformation. Expect a lot of “breaking wind” on SM.
Map source: World Bank
October 28, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Echoing colleagues: Think before you (re)post. #Melissa is about to impact a relatively poor part of Jamaica. I doubt we will know the true extent of the devastation for days or weeks.
Information vacuums fill with disinformation. Expect a lot of “breaking wind” on SM.
Map source: World Bank
Information vacuums fill with disinformation. Expect a lot of “breaking wind” on SM.
Map source: World Bank
There was CNN+, then CNN Max …. now, CNN All Access lol
October 28, 2025 at 3:20 PM
There was CNN+, then CNN Max …. now, CNN All Access lol
this is so kind! thank you 🫶
@rachelreports.bsky.social
At a time when climate change reporting couldn’t matter more, it’s reassuring to see experts like Rachel are leading the coverage. Her voice turns data into impact — and truth into action. 🌎👏
/Mitch
#Climate #Journalism #Environment
At a time when climate change reporting couldn’t matter more, it’s reassuring to see experts like Rachel are leading the coverage. Her voice turns data into impact — and truth into action. 🌎👏
/Mitch
#Climate #Journalism #Environment
October 25, 2025 at 4:11 PM
this is so kind! thank you 🫶
Reposted by Rachel Ramirez
“In the first 3 weeks of the government shutdown, the BLM has approved 308 applications for permits to drill (APDs) on national public lands. The majority of those permits (245) are in NM, with another 38 in WY. The rest of the permits were issued in Utah, Texas, North Dakota, Montana, & Oklahoma.”
Interior department issuing hundreds of oil and gas drilling permits during government shutdown - Center for Western Priorities
New tracker monitors Trump administration permitting activity DENVER—As the government shutdown enters its fourth week, a new analysis by the Center for Western Priorities finds the Trump administrati...
westernpriorities.org
October 21, 2025 at 7:31 PM
“In the first 3 weeks of the government shutdown, the BLM has approved 308 applications for permits to drill (APDs) on national public lands. The majority of those permits (245) are in NM, with another 38 in WY. The rest of the permits were issued in Utah, Texas, North Dakota, Montana, & Oklahoma.”
A reminder that I am open for freelance work! I cover climate change, environment, oceans, energy and the Pacific Islands.
Recognizing whales as legal persons “shifts this perspective of whales and the environment as a resource and property to exploit with a value primarily derived from human benefit” Michelle Bender, one of the lawyers working on the draft legislation, told me. atmos.earth/ecological-w...
Tonga Could Soon Become the First Country to Recognize Whale Rights | Atmos
Ahead of Tonga’s election, whale and ocean advocates are preparing a bill to grant legal personhood to the island kingdom’s first ancestors.
atmos.earth
October 21, 2025 at 6:27 PM
A reminder that I am open for freelance work! I cover climate change, environment, oceans, energy and the Pacific Islands.
Reposted by Rachel Ramirez
There is now a tropical storm (Melissa) in the southern Caribbean that might get up to some weird stuff around Jamaica and Haiti over the next few days. Potential tracks for this are all over the place at this point.
October 21, 2025 at 3:20 PM
There is now a tropical storm (Melissa) in the southern Caribbean that might get up to some weird stuff around Jamaica and Haiti over the next few days. Potential tracks for this are all over the place at this point.
Recognizing whales as legal persons “shifts this perspective of whales and the environment as a resource and property to exploit with a value primarily derived from human benefit” Michelle Bender, one of the lawyers working on the draft legislation, told me. atmos.earth/ecological-w...
Tonga Could Soon Become the First Country to Recognize Whale Rights | Atmos
Ahead of Tonga’s election, whale and ocean advocates are preparing a bill to grant legal personhood to the island kingdom’s first ancestors.
atmos.earth
October 20, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Recognizing whales as legal persons “shifts this perspective of whales and the environment as a resource and property to exploit with a value primarily derived from human benefit” Michelle Bender, one of the lawyers working on the draft legislation, told me. atmos.earth/ecological-w...
Day 17. “Unlike past presidents, Mr. Trump appears to feel little urgency to strike a deal to reopen the government.“ www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/u...
The Shutdown Is Stretching On. Trump Doesn’t Seem to Mind.
www.nytimes.com
October 18, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Day 17. “Unlike past presidents, Mr. Trump appears to feel little urgency to strike a deal to reopen the government.“ www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/u...
Multiple people were killed and several others were missing after an explosion at an ammunition plant in Tennessee on Friday morning, NYT reports. www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10...
Live Updates: Deaths Are Reported in Explosion at Tennessee Munitions Plant
www.nytimes.com
October 10, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Multiple people were killed and several others were missing after an explosion at an ammunition plant in Tennessee on Friday morning, NYT reports. www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10...
pov: you're a journalist just trying to get some U.S. Census Bureau data amid a government shutdown
October 7, 2025 at 12:19 PM
pov: you're a journalist just trying to get some U.S. Census Bureau data amid a government shutdown
Reposted by Rachel Ramirez
Again: this research is real but it exists in part to help MANUFACTURERS make better inhalers.
If you need to use your inhaler, use it. The problem doesn't lie with consumers. Writing this up as consumer service piece is a disservice. It's not for US beyond pushing manufacturers to do better.
If you need to use your inhaler, use it. The problem doesn't lie with consumers. Writing this up as consumer service piece is a disservice. It's not for US beyond pushing manufacturers to do better.
The people who are most vulnerable to the hard-to-breathe air that comes with climate change may inadvertently be adding to the problem, new research finds. https://cnn.it/4pWQMoh
October 6, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Again: this research is real but it exists in part to help MANUFACTURERS make better inhalers.
If you need to use your inhaler, use it. The problem doesn't lie with consumers. Writing this up as consumer service piece is a disservice. It's not for US beyond pushing manufacturers to do better.
If you need to use your inhaler, use it. The problem doesn't lie with consumers. Writing this up as consumer service piece is a disservice. It's not for US beyond pushing manufacturers to do better.
Reposted by Rachel Ramirez
Up. Up. And away!
North Pacific water temps the past 15 years, with September 2025 being the cherry on the top (right) of the chart. @zacklabe.com is going to need a bigger Y axis!
North Pacific water temps the past 15 years, with September 2025 being the cherry on the top (right) of the chart. @zacklabe.com is going to need a bigger Y axis!
October 7, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Up. Up. And away!
North Pacific water temps the past 15 years, with September 2025 being the cherry on the top (right) of the chart. @zacklabe.com is going to need a bigger Y axis!
North Pacific water temps the past 15 years, with September 2025 being the cherry on the top (right) of the chart. @zacklabe.com is going to need a bigger Y axis!
Reposted by Rachel Ramirez
Records obtained by ProPublica indicate that food banks across the country were expecting more than 27 million pounds of chicken, 2 million gallons of milk, 10 million pounds of dried fruit and 60 million eggs that never arrived.
Trump Canceled 94 Million Pounds of Food Aid. Here’s What Never Arrived.
ProPublica obtained records from the Department of Agriculture that detail the millions of pounds of food, down to the number of eggs, that never reached food banks because of the administration’s cut...
projects.propublica.org
October 7, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Records obtained by ProPublica indicate that food banks across the country were expecting more than 27 million pounds of chicken, 2 million gallons of milk, 10 million pounds of dried fruit and 60 million eggs that never arrived.