Billy Fleming

Billy Fleming

@joobilly.bsky.social

Land, Carbon, and Capitalism. Professor @ Temple. Founding Strategic co-director @cplusc.bsky.social. Pre-order my new book, "Building Postcarbon Futures: Land, Justice, and Energy Transitions" here: https://linktr.ee/billyfleming

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Billy Fleming
@joobilly.bsky.social

I'm in Ann Arbor today for this book launch w/Shalanda Baker, Kathy Velikov, and Jen Maigret at the Taubman College taubmancollege.umich.edu/event/buildi...

taubmancollege.umich.eduBilly Fleming | Building Postcarbon Futures: Land, Justice, and Energy Transitions Book Launch & Panel DiscussionBilly Fleming is a leading voice on the role of design in responding to the climate crisis in our cities, communities, and landscapes. His book, Building Postcarbon Futures: Land, Justice…

Billy Fleming reposted

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
@landpolicy.bsky.social

Replying to @landpolicy.bsky.social

The event will include a panel discussion with editor @joobilly.bsky.social, Shalanda Baker, and Jen Maigret, moderated by Kathy Velikov. Learn more: taubmancollege.umich.edu/event/buildi...

taubmancollege.umich.eduBilly Fleming | Building Postcarbon Futures: Land, Justice, and Energy Transitions Book Launch & Panel DiscussionBilly Fleming is a leading voice on the role of design in responding to the climate crisis in our cities, communities, and landscapes. His book, Building Postcarbon Futures: Land, Justice…
Billy Fleming
@joobilly.bsky.social

There’s something much larger at play here that I’m not sure BAAJA can make better or worse, but will continue to shape every new climate/energy policy that’s proposed:

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Billy Fleming
@joobilly.bsky.social

Anyway, I still haven’t read enough on BAAJA. But I do think that if you can’t defend you program on the policy merits or the politics, then I think it’s best to step aside and see if someone else can.

Billy Fleming
@joobilly.bsky.social

And finally: BAAJA can’t resolve any of these tensions or the fracturing of the climate movement (much of which began with the IRA). But it also has to exist in this context and I guess I’m just saying it’s ok to give ppl some grace and not assume their evil/stupid rn.

Billy Fleming
@joobilly.bsky.social

There’s something much larger at play here that I’m not sure BAAJA can make better or worse, but will continue to shape every new climate/energy policy that’s proposed:

View full thread
Billy Fleming
@joobilly.bsky.social

And I do think it’s fair for everyone—advocates and everyday people—to ask why we are once again being asked to enact a relatively abstract reform that won’t touch their lives in a meaningful way first, while we are forced to wait for things that actually make ppl’s lives better.

Billy Fleming
@joobilly.bsky.social

Calling ppl unserious or anti-climate bc they want to focus on whatever they think will make ppl’s lives better before they worry about supply chain onshoring and grid interconnections is making a lot of you look insane on here tbh. This all sucks for everyone.

Billy Fleming
@joobilly.bsky.social

There’s something much larger at play here that I’m not sure BAAJA can make better or worse, but will continue to shape every new climate/energy policy that’s proposed:

View full thread
Billy Fleming
@joobilly.bsky.social

So I’m also frustrated with the choices we have to work with rn. But I don’t expect BAAJA (or onshoring the clean energy supply chain via mining and reindustrialization) to be popular and I don’t begrudge anyone for coming down on one side or the other of it.

Billy Fleming
@joobilly.bsky.social

But we can at least acknowledge that, whatever shape permitting reform ultimately takes, it’s not the thing that will help us build new coalitions that are strong enough to enact a broader, more ambitious climate program that necessarily reshapes the built environment.

Billy Fleming
@joobilly.bsky.social

There’s something much larger at play here that I’m not sure BAAJA can make better or worse, but will continue to shape every new climate/energy policy that’s proposed:

View full thread
Billy Fleming
@joobilly.bsky.social

But unfortunately these things don’t animate politics in our country and telling people that this thing they either hate or don’t know exists (the IRA reindustrialization program says hi) is actually good for them can’t win anyone over.

Billy Fleming
@joobilly.bsky.social

And we obviously don’t have the choice rn between BAAJA or a more materialist agenda that drives investments in climate into things ppl can touch/feel (their homes, schools, transport, parks, etc.). But one of those programs can win converts. The other cannot.

Billy Fleming
@joobilly.bsky.social

There’s something much larger at play here that I’m not sure BAAJA can make better or worse, but will continue to shape every new climate/energy policy that’s proposed:

Billy Fleming
@joobilly.bsky.social

The growing backlash to data center development is, at least in part, because it offers no tangible benefit to most people. Whether you live near one or not, no one’s life is materially better because of it (and many feel like it is worse).

Billy Fleming
@joobilly.bsky.social

It’s part of a larger disconnect between the kind of technocratic rationalism driving BAAJA (e.g. we need grid interconnection, data center developers have to pay their fair share) which is, on some level, objectively true. We do need those things.

Billy Fleming reposted

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
@landpolicy.bsky.social

Last week we introduced "An Atlas for Postcarbon Futures": a collection of 29 exemplary projects at the heart of our new book "Building Postcarbon Futures." Like climate justice itself, the initiatives are all multi-dimensional. 9, however, center on urbanism. Some examples:

Billy Fleming reposted

Doug Henwood
@doughenwood.bsky.social

It’s a good book! And a beautiful artifact.

Billy Fleming@joobilly.bsky.social

My book is finally back in stock (though we’re down to the last 100 or so copies in this print run) and it’s marked down on all sellers. If you’ve been eyeing it, this is probably the last chance to get it until it’s restocked in early 2027. linktr.ee/billyfleming

linktr.eePreorder My New Book Official: Instagram | LinktreeWhat would a postcarbon future look like? What would it take to build this world? These questions lie at the heart of this new book.
Billy Fleming
@joobilly.bsky.social

My book is finally back in stock (though we’re down to the last 100 or so copies in this print run) and it’s marked down on all sellers. If you’ve been eyeing it, this is probably the last chance to get it until it’s restocked in early 2027. linktr.ee/billyfleming

linktr.eePreorder My New Book Official: Instagram | LinktreeWhat would a postcarbon future look like? What would it take to build this world? These questions lie at the heart of this new book.
Billy Fleming@joobilly.bsky.social

My brilliant book designer, Cristian Ordonez, just did a photoshoot for my beautiful child. I'm going to share one a day on here and remind you all to Preorder it soon! CUP: cup.columbia.edu/book/buildin... Indie Bookshops: bookshop.org/beta-search?... Ama*on: a.co/d/0hnib2jU

Billy Fleming
@joobilly.bsky.social

Philly folks: On Tuesday, October 6th, I'll be at American Grammar in Kensington to talk about my new book, Building Postcarbon Futures with @pasenatorsaval.com (including how it fits into the permitting reform discourse that BAAJA super-charged this week). Join us at 6PM!

Billy Fleming@joobilly.bsky.social

My brilliant book designer, Cristian Ordonez, just did a photoshoot for my beautiful child. I'm going to share one a day on here and remind you all to Preorder it soon! CUP: cup.columbia.edu/book/buildin... Indie Bookshops: bookshop.org/beta-search?... Ama*on: a.co/d/0hnib2jU

Billy Fleming
@joobilly.bsky.social

Had a great time w/ @llassabe.bsky.social talking about how private equity, real estate, and other industries have captured our boards of trustees + how that shapes the teaching and resarch in schools of design + climate/energy policy centers americancampuspodcast.buzzsprout.com/2396665/epis...

americancampuspodcast.buzzsprout.comReal estate, private equity, and Abundance with Billy Fleming - American Campus PodcastReferences and suggested readings:Billy Fleming, Building Postcarbon Futures: Land, Justice, and Energy Transitions (Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, 2026).Marshall Terrill, “ASU ranks No. 1 national...

Billy Fleming reposted

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
@landpolicy.bsky.social

Last month, @joobilly.bsky.social joined KPFA Radio's program Behind the News to discuss how his new book "Building Postcarbon Futures" can serve as an antidote to the feeling of resignation that many experience in response to the climate crisis. Listen to the episode: kpfa.org/episode/behi...

kpfa.orgThe political economy of slavery • building postcarbon futures | KPFADavid McNally, author of Slavery and Capitalism, on the political economy of the institution • Billy Fleming, author of Building Postcarbon Futures, on how to get from here to there
Billy Fleming
@joobilly.bsky.social

For all the Colorado folks on here: I'm kicking off my "Building Postcarbon Futures" book tour in Boulder next week. I'll be on campus w/environmental design on 9/9: calendar.colorado.edu/event/buildi... And at Trident Bookstore w/Phaedra Pezullo on 9/10: tridentcafe.com/events/2026/...

Billy Fleming@joobilly.bsky.social

I'm going to keep a running thread of book launch events for this fall (and now stretching into spring 2027). So far, I'll be in Boulder/Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Philly, Boston, Ann Arbor, Miami, Berkeley and San Francisco, New Orleans, and DC. www.lincolninst.edu/publications...

lincolninst.eduMeet the Author: Building Postcarbon Futures - Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

Billy Fleming reposted

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
@landpolicy.bsky.social

Replying to @landpolicy.bsky.social

Check out the piece to learn about the flaws behind "sustainable" design projects and what makes the projects covered in his book different: commonedge.org/when-authent... Learn more about the book: go.lincolninst.edu/l/153411/202...

commonedge.orgWhen Authentic Public Engagement, Political Will, and Good Design Come TogetherLandscape architect and activist Billy Fleming discusses his new book, Building Postcarbon Futures: Land, Justice, and Energy Transitions.

Billy Fleming reposted

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
@landpolicy.bsky.social

Replying to @landpolicy.bsky.social

Cristian’s work brings these ideas to life, transforming a wealth of text, imagery, and maps into a book whose form matches its function. Learn more about the book: go.lincolninst.edu/l/153411/202...

go.lincolninst.eduBuilding Postcarbon Futures - Lincoln Institute of Land PolicyWhat would a postcarbon future look like? How would a more just, decarbonized world require us to change the way we live? What would it take to build this world? These questions lie at the heart of...

Billy Fleming reposted

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
@landpolicy.bsky.social

Replying to @landpolicy.bsky.social

Billy Fleming (@joobilly.bsky.social), editor of our latest book "Building Postcarbon Futures," explains how federal cost-benefit requirements can lead to projects that fall short of what communities ultimately need—while exhausting the political capacity needed to improve them later.

curbed.comThe Anti-Flood City Is Finally Taking ShapeFrom concrete walls to hilly landscapes, New York is beginning to see its new defenses against future catastrophe.

Billy Fleming reposted

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
@landpolicy.bsky.social

🎙️ Billy Fleming (@joobilly.bsky.social) joined Cultures of Energy earlier this month to discuss his latest book "Building Postcarbon Futures: Land, Justice and Energy Transitions" (Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, 2026). Listen to the episode: open.spotify.com/show/3RN7fu3...

open.spotify.comCultures of EnergyPodcast · Dominic Boyer and Cymene Howe · Cultures of Energy brings writers, artists and scholars together to talk, think and feel their way into the Anthropocene. We cover serious issues like climate...

Billy Fleming reposted

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
@landpolicy.bsky.social

"...If nothing else, this book is trying to get our professions to stop looking in all of the wrong places for exemplars of what it looks like to build more just, low-carbon projects and to expand our case study library to include those in this atlas (and the many more outside of it)."