Scott Dance
@byscottdance.com
Writing about the ways climate change is reshaping our lives for The New York Times. Send news tips and recipes to @ssdance.22 on Signal.
Reposted by Scott Dance
NEW: More than half the U.S. is in drought. But few places are dealing with the kind of crisis facing Corpus Christi, Tex., which could see water demand outstrip supply w/in a year.
One official told me: "This is actually the canary in the coal mine.
🎁: www.nytimes.com/2026/05/13/u...
One official told me: "This is actually the canary in the coal mine.
🎁: www.nytimes.com/2026/05/13/u...
A Texas City Bet Big on Industry. Now It’s Running Out of Water.
www.nytimes.com
May 13, 2026 at 2:14 PM
NEW: More than half the U.S. is in drought. But few places are dealing with the kind of crisis facing Corpus Christi, Tex., which could see water demand outstrip supply w/in a year.
One official told me: "This is actually the canary in the coal mine.
🎁: www.nytimes.com/2026/05/13/u...
One official told me: "This is actually the canary in the coal mine.
🎁: www.nytimes.com/2026/05/13/u...
Reposted by Scott Dance
In President Trump’s second term, the disaster declarations that unlock money are taking longer to get approved and getting denied more often, especially for blue states
🎁 www.nytimes.com/2026/05/01/c... from @byscottdance.com and Ashley Cai
🎁 www.nytimes.com/2026/05/01/c... from @byscottdance.com and Ashley Cai
May 1, 2026 at 5:46 PM
In President Trump’s second term, the disaster declarations that unlock money are taking longer to get approved and getting denied more often, especially for blue states
🎁 www.nytimes.com/2026/05/01/c... from @byscottdance.com and Ashley Cai
🎁 www.nytimes.com/2026/05/01/c... from @byscottdance.com and Ashley Cai
Thin mountain snowpack quickly vanished during a record-hot March across the West. Now the region is facing a summer of drought and fire. www.nytimes.com/2026/04/08/c...
Heat Wipes Out Western Snowpack, Raising Fears of Drought, Wildfire
www.nytimes.com
April 8, 2026 at 12:33 PM
Thin mountain snowpack quickly vanished during a record-hot March across the West. Now the region is facing a summer of drought and fire. www.nytimes.com/2026/04/08/c...
Reposted by Scott Dance
Reposted by Scott Dance
"The deal is an extraordinary transfer of taxpayer dollars to a foreign company for the purposes of boosting the production of fossil fuels, a main driver of climate change, while throttling offshore wind power."
Trump Administration to Pay $1 Billion to Energy Giant to Cancel Wind Farms
www.nytimes.com
March 23, 2026 at 5:38 PM
"The deal is an extraordinary transfer of taxpayer dollars to a foreign company for the purposes of boosting the production of fossil fuels, a main driver of climate change, while throttling offshore wind power."
Reposted by Scott Dance
Record heat is colliding with a snow drought across the Western United States, where snowpack accounts for much of the water supply
🎁 www.nytimes.com/interactive/... w/ @byscottdance.com & @sachimulkey.bsky.social
🎁 www.nytimes.com/interactive/... w/ @byscottdance.com & @sachimulkey.bsky.social
March 21, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Record heat is colliding with a snow drought across the Western United States, where snowpack accounts for much of the water supply
🎁 www.nytimes.com/interactive/... w/ @byscottdance.com & @sachimulkey.bsky.social
🎁 www.nytimes.com/interactive/... w/ @byscottdance.com & @sachimulkey.bsky.social
Reposted by Scott Dance
SCOOP: A council created by Trump has recommended that FEMA should not be eliminated.
Earlier this year, Trump said the agency should "go away." w/ @byscottdance.com www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/c...
Earlier this year, Trump said the agency should "go away." w/ @byscottdance.com www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/c...
Trump Wanted to Abolish FEMA. His Own Advisers Disagree.
www.nytimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:32 PM
SCOOP: A council created by Trump has recommended that FEMA should not be eliminated.
Earlier this year, Trump said the agency should "go away." w/ @byscottdance.com www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/c...
Earlier this year, Trump said the agency should "go away." w/ @byscottdance.com www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/c...
As the Trump administration reforms FEMA, acting administrator David Richardson is out and will be replaced by Karen Evans, a political appointee with a background in cybersecurity and IT who has helped lead FEMA cost-cutting. Federal law requires FEMA head to have emergency management background.
Acting FEMA Administrator Is Out, Injecting Uncertainty at Agency in Limbo
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:00 PM
As the Trump administration reforms FEMA, acting administrator David Richardson is out and will be replaced by Karen Evans, a political appointee with a background in cybersecurity and IT who has helped lead FEMA cost-cutting. Federal law requires FEMA head to have emergency management background.
There are no Trump officials at this year's global climate conference. Instead, it was 2028 contender California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaking for the U.S. on Tuesday. And he stressed a desire to recast climate change as a “cost of living issue,” @sominisengupta.bsky.social writes from Brazil:
Newsom in the Spotlight at the Climate Conference That Trump Decided to Skip
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:14 PM
There are no Trump officials at this year's global climate conference. Instead, it was 2028 contender California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaking for the U.S. on Tuesday. And he stressed a desire to recast climate change as a “cost of living issue,” @sominisengupta.bsky.social writes from Brazil:
The Colorado River states missed a deadline to agree on permanent and voluntary water use cuts Tuesday. Negotiations will continue as the stakes get higher and river forecasts increasingly dire.
States That Rely on the Colorado River Miss Deadline to Agree on Cuts
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:02 PM
The Colorado River states missed a deadline to agree on permanent and voluntary water use cuts Tuesday. Negotiations will continue as the stakes get higher and river forecasts increasingly dire.
A @washingtonpost.com analysis of changing global precipitation patterns explains what people in Appalachia already know: The region has become a dangerous hot spot of intensifying rainfall.
Where the sky keeps bursting
A Washington Post investigation shows why one region of the United States is increasingly vulnerable to extreme rainfall and floods.
wapo.st
November 12, 2025 at 1:55 PM
A @washingtonpost.com analysis of changing global precipitation patterns explains what people in Appalachia already know: The region has become a dangerous hot spot of intensifying rainfall.
“Climate change has fallen into the ‘friend zone’ of voting.” @shannonosaka.bsky.social @kcrowebasspro.bsky.social report that Democrats are hardly talking about climate change anymore, focused on energy affordability instead:
Climate change is out. Energy affordability is in.
A Washington Post analysis of Democratic lawmakers’ appearances and social media posts show they are going quiet on climate.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
“Climate change has fallen into the ‘friend zone’ of voting.” @shannonosaka.bsky.social @kcrowebasspro.bsky.social report that Democrats are hardly talking about climate change anymore, focused on energy affordability instead:
Climate change "doesn’t automatically mean all hurricanes will become powerful,” @bmcnoldy.bsky.social said. But it makes it more likely that an average storm will encounter factors that help it intensify.
How climate change made Hurricane Melissa stronger:
How climate change made Hurricane Melissa stronger:
Global Warming Made Hurricane Melissa More Damaging, Researchers Say
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Climate change "doesn’t automatically mean all hurricanes will become powerful,” @bmcnoldy.bsky.social said. But it makes it more likely that an average storm will encounter factors that help it intensify.
How climate change made Hurricane Melissa stronger:
How climate change made Hurricane Melissa stronger:
Deadly rivers in the sky: How global warming is amplifying atmospheric moisture and helping to trigger catastrophic floods. Proud of my @washingtonpost.com colleagues for this one:
Deadly rivers in the sky
A new Washington Post investigation reveals where climate change has supercharged the movement of moisture through the skies.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Deadly rivers in the sky: How global warming is amplifying atmospheric moisture and helping to trigger catastrophic floods. Proud of my @washingtonpost.com colleagues for this one:
U.S. Forest Service staff cuts have translated to a 40% reduction in regular efforts to thin the vegetation that could fuel massive wildfires. Via @washingtonpost.com:
How Trump cuts may have hindered a key way of preventing future wildfires
U.S. Forest Service work to reduce wildfire fuel was down nearly 40 percent from where it’s been on average over the last four years, a new report shows.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:41 PM
U.S. Forest Service staff cuts have translated to a 40% reduction in regular efforts to thin the vegetation that could fuel massive wildfires. Via @washingtonpost.com:
Does it taste like something is missing from your favorite chocolate bar this Halloween? It may be the chocolate.
What’s Missing From Your Favorite Chocolate Bar? It May Be Chocolate.
www.nytimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Does it taste like something is missing from your favorite chocolate bar this Halloween? It may be the chocolate.
Reposted by Scott Dance
Since the start of the summer, “Gulf of America” has been losing what little popularity it had as the "Gulf of Mexico" is still in use almost everywhere. www.niemanlab.org/2025/10/nine... via @niemanlab.org
Nine months later, that body of water down south is still the “Gulf of Mexico” to news outlets
Since the start of summer, "Gulf of America" has been losing what little popularity it had in newsrooms.
www.niemanlab.org
October 28, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Since the start of the summer, “Gulf of America” has been losing what little popularity it had as the "Gulf of Mexico" is still in use almost everywhere. www.niemanlab.org/2025/10/nine... via @niemanlab.org
“It is not hyperbole to say that western Jamaica experienced something near to the worst tropical cyclone impacts our planet can produce.”
@wxmanms1.bsky.social on Melissa and the warning it brings:
@wxmanms1.bsky.social on Melissa and the warning it brings:
Opinion | In 40 Years of Forecasting, I’ve Never Seen a Hurricane Like Melissa
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:18 PM
“It is not hyperbole to say that western Jamaica experienced something near to the worst tropical cyclone impacts our planet can produce.”
@wxmanms1.bsky.social on Melissa and the warning it brings:
@wxmanms1.bsky.social on Melissa and the warning it brings:
After staff cuts earlier this year, some veteran NOAA hurricane researchers are working on a volunteer basis to help collect data from Melissa and other storms. “With the losses, we have a very young remaining staff and not a lot of experience flying in hurricanes."
Volunteers Step In to Help Understaffed NOAA Track Hurricane Melissa
www.nytimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:29 PM
After staff cuts earlier this year, some veteran NOAA hurricane researchers are working on a volunteer basis to help collect data from Melissa and other storms. “With the losses, we have a very young remaining staff and not a lot of experience flying in hurricanes."
MacKenzie Scott is giving $60 million to a nonprofit focused on disaster recovery in marginalized and overlooked communities. It follows recent investments she made in HBCUs and preservation of Black history, and counters the Trump administration's pullback from DEI and changes to disaster aid.
MacKenzie Scott Backs Disaster Recovery in Marginalized Communities
www.nytimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:03 PM
MacKenzie Scott is giving $60 million to a nonprofit focused on disaster recovery in marginalized and overlooked communities. It follows recent investments she made in HBCUs and preservation of Black history, and counters the Trump administration's pullback from DEI and changes to disaster aid.
NOAA isn't tracking billion-dollar disasters anymore. But the cost of such catastrophes continues to escalate, according to a revived disaster database from @climatecentral.org:
NOAA Isn’t Tracking Disaster Damages Anymore. These Scientists Are.
www.nytimes.com
October 22, 2025 at 2:09 PM
NOAA isn't tracking billion-dollar disasters anymore. But the cost of such catastrophes continues to escalate, according to a revived disaster database from @climatecentral.org:
North Carolina counties that spent millions on Hurricane Helene recovery are still waiting for FEMA disaster aid that they thought would have been paid out by now. Via @washingtonpost.com:
N.C. counties that busted budgets after Helene still waiting for FEMA to pay them back
A year after Hurricane Helene, FEMA hasn’t reimbursed millions of dollars spent on cleanup and recovery, upending local budgets and hindering reconstruction.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:42 PM
North Carolina counties that spent millions on Hurricane Helene recovery are still waiting for FEMA disaster aid that they thought would have been paid out by now. Via @washingtonpost.com:
Reposted by Scott Dance
Early retirement withdrawals for hardship have tripled since 2020, as disasters strike and insurance fails — leaving workers on their own in old age.
Climate Disasters Are Destroying Black Retirements and the American Dream
Early retirement withdrawals for hardship have tripled since 2020, as disasters strike and insurance fails — leaving workers on their own in old age.
capitalbnews.org
October 20, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Early retirement withdrawals for hardship have tripled since 2020, as disasters strike and insurance fails — leaving workers on their own in old age.
Millions of taxpayer dollars go toward restoring Chesapeake Bay beaches to their natural marshy state and cleaning the water. Signs on those shorelines also read: "RESIDENTS ONLY." Important story by @alexmann.bsky.social @leeosanderlin.bsky.social @adampwillis.bsky.social @thebaltimorebanner.com:
The hidden cost of saving the Chesapeake Bay: millions for private waterfronts
Virtually all of the Chesapeake Bay’s shoreline is privately owned, which means taxpayer-funded waterfront improvements go to properties with limited public access.
www.thebanner.com
October 20, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Millions of taxpayer dollars go toward restoring Chesapeake Bay beaches to their natural marshy state and cleaning the water. Signs on those shorelines also read: "RESIDENTS ONLY." Important story by @alexmann.bsky.social @leeosanderlin.bsky.social @adampwillis.bsky.social @thebaltimorebanner.com:
Under President Biden, the Federal Reserve and FDIC began pushing big banks to account for climate risks. The rules have now been eliminated. Reported w/ @stacycowley.bsky.social:
Fed Rescinds Mandate That Banks Plan for Climate Risks
www.nytimes.com
October 20, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Under President Biden, the Federal Reserve and FDIC began pushing big banks to account for climate risks. The rules have now been eliminated. Reported w/ @stacycowley.bsky.social: