A potential titanium mine threatened the famous swamp — until activists and local journalists stepped in. Read the latest by @johnrplatt.bsky.social for @therevelator.org, our news and ideas initiative. ⬇️
Editor, The Revelator @therevelator.org. Covering the extinction crisis, wildlife, climate change and environmental justice. https://linktr.ee/johnrplatt
3,224 followers 2,199 following 587 posts
view profile on Bluesky
A potential titanium mine threatened the famous swamp — until activists and local journalists stepped in. Read the latest by @johnrplatt.bsky.social for @therevelator.org, our news and ideas initiative. ⬇️
Names matter. When we fear something, it becomes psychologically easier to withhold empathy for it or, worse, kill it. Nobody feels sorry for the devil. therevelator.org/speak-devils/
Since I just pulled this up for another project, please enjoy my 2020 @therevelator.org article about the surprising environmental impacts of recreational fisheries therevelator.org/recreational... 🦑🐟🧪🌎
Saving Okefenokee -- A potential titanium mine threatened the famous swamp — until activists and local journalists stepped in. @johnrplatt.bsky.social interviews journalist Drew Kann of @ajc.com https://therevelator.org/saving-okefenokee/
We got our flu shots after work. The pharmacy had just gotten their new covid boosters, too, but that will require a prescription -- which really pisses me off.
Freelance journalists -- @therevelator.org is *finally* open to pitches. We have a limited number of assignments available for the rest of this year, so check out our updated guidelines and pitch me! therevelator.org/about/
Sigh... Florida Says It Plans to End All Vaccine Mandates www.nytimes.com/2025/09/03/u...
The Trump admin wants to throw the amazing, popular, effective #RoadlessRule in the trash to allow the heavy machinery of logging, mining, & fracking in our wildest forests. We only have 3 weeks to comment. Here's our Wildlands & Wildlife Program Director Sarah McMillan's @therevelator.org op-ed:
🐢 Great article by Tracy Keeling on #livelihoods & the true costs of #WildlifeTrade. #turtles #conservation #reptiles #exoticleather #exoticpettrade #sustainability #biodiversity #CITES @naturschutzring.bsky.social @ifaweu.bsky.social @chrisrshepherd.bsky.social therevelator.org/wildlife-tra...
Our latest op-ed explores why the #RoadlessRule needs saving. We also offer instructions on how to submit a public comment about the proposed changes — but hurry, they’re due in about a week. https://therevelator.org/roadless-rule/
Wildlife Trade: Does the ‘Livelihoods Depend on It’ Defense Hold Up? @therevelator.org @wildjourno.bsky.social @chrisrshepherd.bsky.social therevelator.org/wildlife-tra...
Wildlife Trade: Does the ‘Livelihoods Depend on It’ Defense Hold Up? @therevelator.org @wildjourno.bsky.social @chrisrshepherd.bsky.social therevelator.org/wildlife-tra...
The Climate and Biodiversity Knowledge We Lose When Everything’s in English - @insideclimatenews.org @kileyprice.bsky.social insideclimatenews.org/news/0209202...
One of the most frequently uttered statements in support of the wildlife trade is that many people depend on it for their livelihoods. But just because this claim is common, doesn't make it true. Check out the latest from @therevelator.org , our news and ideas initiative. ⬇️
We're back! Here's a thought-provoking article to kick off September: Wildlife Trade: Does the ‘Livelihoods Depend on It’ Defense Hold Up? Tracy Keeling reports: https://therevelator.org/wildlife-trade-livelihoods/
Our end-of-summer publishing break is almost over! New articles and commentaries start tomorrow morning!
Do you live near or advocate for a special place that faces imminent risks from development or other threats? Tell your story in our "Protect This Place" feature. Here's how: https://therevelator.org/protect-this-place-template/
Do you study, advocate for, or live near an at-risk species? Consider sharing their story in our "Save This Species" feature. Here's how: https://therevelator.org/save-this-species-template/
How Close Are Manatees to Extinction? Close enough that proposed changes to protections for endangered species could doom them. www.theatlantic.com/science/arch... @johnrplatt.bsky.social
Just a few more days until we come back from our summer publishing break. Don't miss the great stories we have coming up: Sign up for our weekly newsletter (which also contains material you won't get anywhere else): https://therevelator.org/subscribe-to-the-revelator/
Their name sounds like a cartoon character, + little balls of plastic seem harmless enough - but the ecological damage nurdles cause when they spill in the ocean can be immense - absorbing contaminants in the water, mistakenly eaten by fish, birds + animals. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
We know, it's been two weeks since we published anything new. Not much longer to wait, though... New articles coming September 2!
18 Things to Do for Yourself, Wildlife, and the Planet Before Summer’s End Number 3. Look ahead to your November election. https://therevelator.org/summer-recharge/
From just a few months ago: Trump Removes Protections From Marine Protected Areas — A Problem for Fish, Whales, Corals and Other Ocean Life https://therevelator.org/trump-marine-protection/
#Florida chef responds to homophobic FDOT's Pulse crosswalk removal with art-driven event: Parking Spaces for Pride www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/08/27/p... via @orlandosentinel.com
It won’t fit in screen shots but linking here the full letter of resignation posted by one of the departing CDC officials, Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, who ran the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases and led efforts to fight COVID, monkeypox, and bird flu x.com/dr_demetre/s...
The Guardian #Climate
therevelator.org/public-lands...
The National Park Service just celebrated its 109th birthday. How is Donald Trump marking the occasion? By taking an axe to it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS7IJaB5NDc
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists #Climate
Susan Monarez, who was only sworn in weeks ago, was reportedly resisting Kennedy’s efforts to upend vaccine policy. Here’s the latest.
One of our most-read articles so far this year. Would you like more "green tips" like this? How to Get AI Out of Your Google Search Results https://therevelator.org/how-to-get-ai-out-of-search-results/
Grateful to @therevelator.org for publishing my story! Always in awe of all of the important work activists like Emily Donovan are doing!
18 Things to Do for Yourself, Wildlife, and the Planet Before Summer’s End Number 15. Teach a kid or a neighbor to repair something. https://therevelator.org/summer-recharge/
ICYMI - Earth Versed: 10 New Poetry Books About Our Relationship with Nature The Revelator posted a lovely little review of Mahaila Smith's SEED BEETLE: "Easily one of my favorite books of the year. (I enjoyed the electronic review copy so much I bought it in hard copy.)" therevelator.org/env...
What are you doing to recharge this summer?
Pattie Gonia has become one of our favorite environmental activists. Read why: https://therevelator.org/pattie-gonia-warrior-queen/
From the archives: Mining Policy Must Be Reformed https://therevelator.org/mining-policy-must-be-reformed/
Who Heals the Earth’s Healers? Ways to Avert #Burnout for Environmental Advocates https://therevelator.org/burnout-environmental-advocates/
18 Things to Do for Yourself, Wildlife, and the Planet Before Summer’s End Number 12: Sign up for a library card. https://therevelator.org/summer-recharge/
Boom. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/21/u...
2. The Polluting Paper Mill That Helped Inspire the First Earth Day therevelator.org/camas-first-...
Our two most-read stories right now. Gratifying they continue to find readers: 1. Yes, Your Friends and Neighbors Want to Talk to You About Climate Change therevelator.org/talk-about-c...
Special guest on today's Boiling Point podcast! I chatted with Hannah Einbinder, star of "Hacks" and one of Hollywood's most outspoken climate advocates. We talked about the L.A. fires, climate comedy and a new campaign to get SAG-AFTRA to divest from fossil fuels: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Republish environmental news and commentaries from The Revelator -- for free! News sites, newsletter, blogs and other publications are welcome to reprint our stories under a Creative Commons license. Find out more: https://therevelator.org/reprints/
SCOOP: As the National Guard takes over the streets of DC, military officers are now going to be detailed to prosecute civilian criminal cases for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
“It’s going to start hurting the population,” the first seller told WIRED. “You can’t just take thousands of queens without causing issues.” Read more:
Republish buttons that generate copyable HTML for stories -- Love 'em? Hate 'em? Advice on how to implement them? Systems that work for you? We had a WordPress plugin on our site for a little while, but it didn't seem compatible with our system. I'd love to add this functionality again (but better).
Private equity is planning to take over northern Minnesota utility Minnesota Power. What does this mean for ratepayers? @zeitlin.bsky.social dives into the controversial acquisition feat. @karleeweinmann.bsky.social, @jennayeakle.bsky.social, and @kevinpranis.bsky.social.
A beautiful note from Jane about protecting and restoring the living world around us. 🐦⬛
Household electric bills are up 10% nationally since Trump took office. Meanwhile, household gas prices rose by 56%. Energy costs are set to go up more as the Trump-Republican budget bill guts clean energy projects. Remember how the entire election was about lowering prices?
Kudos to @earthsight.bsky.social and @mightyearth.org for the research behind this NYT exposé showing how global demand—like for RVs—is fuelling deforestation in Borneo. It's a stark reminder of all that is at stake if we don't demand better supply-chain rules and transparency
"This is how hedgehogs coexist with us in the urban environment. Their time is when most of us are sleeping; their place is in the gaps and disregarded spaces of our busy city lives." https://therevelator.org/in-search-of-hedgehogs/
This Tshirt with my art came out pretty well! www.zazzle.com/feline_emoti...
Have the first eight months of this year left you feeling slightly … tapped? You’re not alone! Check out the latest from @therevelator.org with 18 things you can do for yourself, wildlife and the planet before summer wraps up. ⬇️
Wild news: IUCN Red List now IDs giraffes as four genetically distinct species -- meaning they're much more at risk than previously understood. This @laurelneme.bsky.social @therevelator.org article from earlier this year is a timely read! Giraffes for Peace therevelator.org/giraffes-for...
Was just talking about this the other day. Being a firefighter isn't easy, and the sacrifice we will be asking our young and fit to make is enormous.
Republish environmental news and commentaries from @therevelator.org -- for free! We publish under a #CreativeCommons license, so other sites, newsletters, blogs and more can reprint our work. Find out more: therevelator.org/reprints/
Wildfire Fighters, Unmasked in Toxic Smoke, Are Getting Sick and Dying The U.S. Forest Service has fought decades of efforts to better protect its crews — sending them into smoke without masks or warnings about the risks. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/17/u...
Federal agents violently detained a food delivery driver as he emerged from a D.C. coffee shop Saturday morning. The incident captured on video showed the officers throwing him to the ground and beating him before sweeping him away in an unmarked vehicle. wapo.st/45Egtkc
The Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows food prices have spiked, and wholesale prices on fresh and dry vegetables increased by nearly 40 percent last month — the biggest increase in the last three years. Why? Donald Trump‘s tariffs. Story: www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
Hear hear.
Russia’s Ukraine Invasion Causes a Deadly Oil Spill on the Black Sea therevelator.org/black-sea-oi...
War Threatens Ukraine’s Unique Red Seaweed Fields. Here’s How Scientists Monitor Them From Afar therevelator.org/ukraine-seaw...
In Ukraine, Saving Wildlife Harmed by War therevelator.org/ecocide-ukra...
Ukraine’s Nuclear Power Plants Caught in the Crossfire of War With Russia therevelator.org/ukraine-war-...
20 Endangered Species at Risk in Ukraine therevelator.org/endangered-s...
Terms like “human-wildlife conflict,” “crop-raiding” & “pest” are detrimental to the understanding of animals & their conservation I just published this interesting new @mongabay.com op-ed by @mckinneymonkey.bsky.social, a primatologist w/ some updates to #conservation language to suggest:
Don't miss any of these great @tbtoro.bsky.social cartoons -- subscribe to our newsletter! therevelator.org/subscribe-to...
The first rule of bat real estate 🦇🏠 In this week’s @therevelator.org
@whysharksmatter.bsky.social takes us behind the scenes of "The global status of sharks, rays, and chimaeras," a report by the @iucnshark.bsky.social. More here: therevelator.org/global-conse...
🧵 (7/8) In @therevelator.org, @timweedwriter.bsky.social (author of The Afterlife Project), writes about how planting a tree can affirm one's faith in the future. Read it here: page1m.co/40SK482
18 Things to Do for Yourself, Wildlife, and the Planet Before Summer’s End ...and yes, number 5 is a metaphor. therevelator.org/summer-recha...
Check out this @therevelator.org story from our archives: Frogs love elephant feet, well, their footprints to be exact. Research found that frogs are laying their eggs in the rain-filled footprints of Asian elephants, which then provide a safe home for growing tadpoles. Learn more about it. 🐸🐘 ⬇️
18 Things to Do for Yourself, Wildlife, and the Planet Before Summer’s End • by me today for @therevelator.org therevelator.org/summer-recha...
Freedom of Voice: The Newcomer’s Guide to Organizing A Peaceful and Effective Protest • our series continues at @therevelator.org therevelator.org/organizing-p...
Sierra Club board fires leader Ben Jealous subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
Meet the Activist Fighting #PFAS Pollution — and Winning • @nwilliams110.bsky.social reports for @therevelator.org therevelator.org/activist-fig...
Meet the Activist Fighting PFAS Pollution — and Winning Emily Donovan wants to “make the polluters pay” for what they’ve done to her North Carolina community, and others around the country. Read the latest from @therevelator.org, our news and ideas initiative. ⬇️
Amazing!
Meet the Activist Fighting #PFAS Pollution — and Winning • @nwilliams110.bsky.social reports for @therevelator.org therevelator.org/activist-fig...
The deliberate killing of five Al Jazeera staff has brought the total number of journalists killed by Israel since the start of the war to 237, according to Gaza's Government Media Office. 🔴 LIVE updates:
Contribute to our "Save This Species" feature. Do you work with, advocate for, or live near an endangered species? We want to hear from you! therevelator.org/save-this-sp...
Do you live in or advocate for a threatened space? Tell your story in our "Protect This Place" feature: therevelator.org/protect-this...
Got something to say about environmental issues? Consider @therevelator.org for your commentaries, op-eds, and essays. We have everything we need for August, but we're looking for material to run in September. Pitch me: therevelator.org/about/
We Don’t Have to Anthropomorphize Animals to Care About Them • an op-ed by Miriam Bahagijo today on @therevelator.org therevelator.org/anthropomorp...
I haven't had one of these in forever, but they were always a favorite.
Just in time, it seems!
www.alaskasnewssource.com/2025/08/10/p...
🦁 Happy #WorldLionDay! The first scientific description of the Lion – Felis (Panthera) leo – was published in 1758 in Carl Linnaeus' Systema naturae (ed. 10), digitised for BHL by @mobotgarden.bsky.social: www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/726936 #ILoveBHL
Educate yourself about transgender issues. Challenge harmful stereotypes & misinformation. Trans rights are human rights. Trans people deserve safety & to live their lives authentically, without government discrimination and prejudice. Be a proud ally.
Ordered!
Record-setting rains in Wisconsin led to life-threatening flash flooding in Milwaukee and the surrounding area overnight Saturday to Sunday, prompting widespread flood alerts and the early closure of the Wisconsin State Fair. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/10/u...
A Colorado prison was evacuated as one of the largest wildfires in state history continued to grow, with officials warning residents of remote areas to be ready to leave as gusty winds and low humidity feed the flames.
BBC News - Nigeria seizes 1,600 birds in 'largest' wildlife-trafficking bust www.bbc.com/news/article...
There's some great sounding books in here: therevelator.org/environmenta... #poetryreviews #poetrybooks #ecopoems
Commentaries are unpaid. Freelance rates are $300-$500. We reopen to freelance pitches next month.
Commentaries are unpaid. We reopen to freelance pitches next month.
We Don’t Have to Anthropomorphize Animals to Care About Them • an op-ed by Miriam Bahagijo today on @therevelator.org therevelator.org/anthropomorp...