Appalachian Naturalist (Calvin)
Environmental scientist writing on energy and environmental policy, ecological impacts, and resilience.
U.S. Men Must Register for Draft Until Age 25
“They are forcing eligible men to register for the draft” I hate this administration, but I also hate those of you that just fearmonger. All men in the U.S starting at the age of 18 are required to register for the draft. We have until age 25 to register or face Federal Felony charges. It’s been this way since 80s.
Holistic Influencers Exploit Fear, Selling Unproven Supplements
Why do people buy into holistic “medicine/healing” influencers? They are legit the biggest grifters on social media. Most recent example was one convincing people boxes of ticks were being left around farms but refused to provide evidence to back up...
2‑Day‑Old Cluster Feeds, Soothing Swaddle Calms Baby
It’s 2AM and our 2 day old has entered into the cluster feeding stage. She’s eaten over an ounce today, but still fussy and more interested in soothing….Well a nice snug swaddle and a few songs from Sparrow Sleeps and...
Net‑Zero Policies Not Responsible for Cuba’s Energy Crisis
Net-Zero policies didn’t cause the energy crisis in Cuba. @thefreepress is sh*t journalism truly the trademark you are looking to achieve?
Net Zero Overlooks Mining Impacts of Renewable Batteries
“But net zero ignores the mining required for batteries and metals for renewables” Let me introduce you to a Life Cycle Analysis.
Know Fracking Basics to Counter Corporate Misinformation
The basics of fracking. Something so many don’t understand, but are always told about the problems associated with it. But to best oppose new oil and gas leases across the board, it’s important you understand the underlying process and how that...
Taiwan's Final Oil Shipment Sparks China Economic Gambit
Taiwan will be receiving its last shipment of Oil from the Strait of Hormuz in the next couple of days. Over under odds China will try to take advantage of their lack of fuel supply and Trump concentrating military power...
Ivory‑billed Woodpecker: Decades of Misidentifications Confirm Extinction
Is this bird extinct? The Ivory-billed Woodpecker hasn’t been seen since 1944, despite numerous claims over the decades. All claims can only be deduced to people mistakenly identifying its close cousin, the Pileated Woodpecker. Every year, thousands of eager birders flock...
Cuba's Renewable Push Stymied by U.S. Sanctions
I don’t think people understand how much work Cuba is actually putting towards transitioning their grid to run on renewables. They don’t want to rely on their old thermoelectric system. But US sanctions force it upon them.
Limit Cars in Parks, Invest in Sustainable Alternatives
So let me triple down on this post. I stand by what I said, but to the point of many, I should have provided better context as it makes it seem like I’m not being inclusive of those with disabilities...
Defending Extraction Undermines Pollution Reduction Claims
You cannot seriously argue for reducing pollution while defending the very extraction systems that continuously introduce it. Fossil fuels are more than just their emissions. The process includes land conversions, frack pads, compressor stations, wastewater, pipeline corridors, and the fragmentation...
Just 6k to 100k—Help Me Hit Goal This Week
I am 6k away from hitting 100k across three platforms. Can we make it happen before the end of this week? Maybe….
Underpaid Environmental Scientists Driven Toward Oil & Gas
Here is a recent job posting I came across for an Environmental Scientist position. The pay rate? $24/hr. But wanting 3-10 years experience, a BSc, 3-7 years experience in wetland delineation, permitting experience, USACE cert…. This pay rate shouldn’t be anything south...
Stop Glorifying Low Pay in Conservation Jobs
Please stop romanticizing low pay in the conservation field with “well I make nothing but least I’m happy” It’s how you get less people wanting to work in conservation when you’ve normalized a generation of making $15-18/hr only ever doing seasonal...
Global Fossil Fuel Markets Fuel Domestic Energy Insecurity
Energy insecurity starts here. Fossil fuels are traded through systems where price is influenced not only by supply and demand, but by conflict, sanctions, and speculation. That means households and utilities can face higher costs even when local production remains...
Pennsylvania Faces Soft Fracking Ban—Public Must Speak Up
I don’t think Pennsylvanians understand how big of a deal this is for the health of our state. This would ultimately be a soft ban on fracking in the state. When comment periods open later this year, we have to...
Backfilled Cellar Boxes Protect Soil, Prevent Larger Blowouts
But some of ya’ll think solar ruins farmland forever? Fortunately what you don’t see is the cellar box that is backfilled to help prevent soil impaction. But imagine the amount contamination that occurs during pre-drill/drill/completion/frac/mid-stream etc. Now you might be inclined...
Wind and Solar Beat Gas, Coal on 2030 Costs
According to EIA’s 2025 Annual Energy Outlook (LCOE for plants entering service in 2030, without tax credits): Onshore wind: ~$40–$60 per MWh Utility-scale solar PV: ~$35–$50 per MWh Natural gas: ~$75–$100 per MWh Coal (new build): ~$60–$90 per MWh Cents per kilowatt-hour: Wind and solar: roughly...
Clean Coal Term Originated in 1980s Reagan Program
They keep calling it “clean beautiful coal”, so show me the “clean” part. The phrase “clean coal” did not begin in 2016. It traces back to the 1980s, particularly the Reagan-era Clean Coal Technology Program launched in 1985, which promoted pollution-control...
Passive Systems Tackle Appalachia’s Legacy Mine Pollution
This is what legacy pollution looks like. Acid mine drainage discharging from an abandoned mine. Before this treatment system was established, this would just get discharged into the adjacent stream that feeds into the Monongahela River…which eventually feeds into the...