NEW RESEARCH: UK heat pumps can perform far better than many think. Our analysis of HeatPumpMonitor.org data shows well-designed systems achieve ~40% higher efficiency than past trials (SCoP 3.86 vs 2.81), cutting bills (~£224/yr) and emissions. Open access: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

As #woodburning starts up again and the nights draw in, it's worth sharing this again. A lot can be done between no regulation on the one hand and total bans on the other 🔥 🔥 🔥 #airquality #airpollution #particulatematter #emissions #autumn #winter #publichealth airqualitynews.com/health/whats...

If you think mis- and disinformation is no big deal , read this: www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Finally! 🤩 Our position piece: Against the Uncritical Adoption of 'AI' Technologies in Academia: doi.org/10.5281/zeno... We unpick the tech industry’s marketing, hype, & harm; and we argue for safeguarding higher education, critical thinking, expertise, academic freedom, & scientific integrity. 1/n

Burning ban on deep peat comes into force at the end of the month. Piece by Helena Horton. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Yep. "…clear that fossil-fuel companies, and their adjacent organizations, are the primary lobbyists for CCUS subsidies and that these subsidies benefit fossil-fuel companies at the expense of both taxpayers and the future health of our planet" www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

How did the ‘Island of Strangers’ speech impact Labour support? Negatively, especially among 2024 Labour voters.

"UK government trial of M365 Copilot finds no clear productivity boost" www.theregister.com/2025/09/04/m...

Important information for anyone attending the European Society of Criminology in Athens and for members of ESC. Petition outlines serious concerns. Consider what you can do to support 👇👇 👇#eurocrim

The population directly exposed to wildland fires increased by 40% globally from 2002 to 2021, according to a new study in Science. https://scim.ag/4oUL1Y1

Top story: #Beddington Incinerator broke #AirPollution limits 916 times www.bbc.com/news/article...

Perceptions have real effects www.kcl.ac.uk/policy-insti...

Many measurements of AI's carbon footprint just focus on data centers. But this narrow approach obscures other emissions that AI facilitates. If Shell is using AI to support fossil fuel extraction and burning, then why not include that in AI's carbon footprint? www.shell.com/what-we-do/d...

New piece on Carbon Colonialism, net-zero nonsense, and how the UK Government's climate advisors (and many experts) shy away from speaking truth to power. We need a fundamental reboot of climate policy; - physics doesn't care about political sensibilities. theconversation.com/the-uks-year...

Let's be clear: all the AI in edtech stuff (Canvas, Blackboard, Grammarly, Duolingo, OpenAI, the rest) is all about the "lock-in" - locking in students as subscribers or institutions via long-term license agreements for value generation. Is there good pedagogic evidence for it? No.

“More pollutants are being released ... from rockets and satellites than ever before. We’re in uncharted territory, as humans have never added this much pollution to the upper layers of the atmosphere." - Prof Eloise Marais @ucl.ac.uk Piece by me www.theguardian.com/environment/...

"The Paradox of Saving Fish by Eating Them: Food Crime at the Intersection of Green Criminology and Political Ecology" is out! I’m thrilled I got to work with the lovely @guillemrubio.bsky.social—I genuinely enjoyed and had fun working on the manuscript together 🧡 link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Really important article examining #harms from @monicapons.bsky.social & @guillemrubio.bsky.social comparing #AtlanticSalmon & #EuropeanEel in #Aquaculture. The narrative of ecological sustainability & reduced pressure on ‘wild’ fish needs a fundamental rethink #PoliticalEcology #GreenCriminology ⬇️

Geneva offers free public transport to address ozone levels airqualitynews.com/local-govern...

Big news for dashcam/helmetcam users: Judge Affirms Legality Of Public-Submitted Road Crime Footage In Landmark Ruling www.forbes.com/sites/carlto...

Good news alert In 2024, renewables supplied more than half of the UK's electricity for the first time over a year, reaching a record share of 50.4% Renewables and nuclear combined hit a new high of 64.7% assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6889ec...

Britain has saddled itself - or more accurately, UK govt has saddled Britain's consumers - with paying for the most expensive nuclear plant ever And I'm bored of saying it, but that means other more cost-effective & faster action on climate change will not happen www.ft.com/content/e1e1...

A reminder that electifying isn't enough: individual vehicles aren't sustainable, in the literal sense of the word. No one should feel compelled to give up driving but sustainability means more people need to live in places where the best choice is public transport. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Research consistent with findings from five years ago. Headline could be "Air quality scientists repeat similar studies forever in continuing and desperate hope that somebody will listen". #airquality #airpollution #particulatematter #domesticburning doi.org/10.3390/atmo...

Just Published - Parole Futures. Rationalities, Institutions and Practices. Exploring the future of parole.With fabulous contributions from a world-leading panel of experts who draw upon insights from law, sociology, criminology and political science. www.bloomsbury.com/uk/parole-fu...

2000 years ago: the Romans would let an aqueduct destroy the Gardon Valley. We need clean water, but at what cost?

The solution to the problems of neoliberalism is more neoliberalism, apparently.

Some types of engines, turbines and chimneys are allowed to emit more pollution than others. This will have significant implications for our #netzero future. New research by @york.ac.uk. Piece by me. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Finally! This is an historic win for all those who have spent decades trying to get the govt to act. Non-compliance is expected to be high so effective monitoring & robust enforcement must follow. Defra press release + commentary from me ⬇️ raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/07/10/p...

Twelve of England’s regional mayors back plan to create ‘national active travel network’ www.theguardian.com/politics/202... #activetravel

Air quality isn’t just bad in cities – here’s why and how we’re tracking pollution from upland fires theconversation.com/air-quality-... #airquality #airpollution #moorlandburning #peat #climatechange

This powerful report really helps refocus on the big picture www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Fantastic to see that @ipbes.net is coming to Manchester next #IPBES12 ⬇️

"Even if you replant every tree Drax destroys, it takes up to a century for new growth to reabsorb the carbon released. We’re supposed to reach net zero by 2050, not 2125." @dalevince.com on the carbon balance of burning wood for energy. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

UK #airpollution killing more than 500 people a week, doctors say - Royal College of Physicians also says poor air quality costs country more than £500m a week www.theguardian.com/environment/...

"Using only dry, untreated wood at a high temperature will also help reduce emissions from wood burners." Strange thing to say in an article about indoor air quality, where no evidence exists for this purported reduction in the home #airquality #airpollution www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

🚹 Report: #PaternityLeave policies vary in Europe but the UK's offer is "one of the worst in the developed world". 🇬🇧 2 weeks at £187.18 a week 🇪🇸 6 weeks with full pay 🇩🇰 24 weeks at full pay 🇸🇪 10 months: First 390 days up to SEK47,750 (£3,590) a month. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Today, the Government launches plans to fast-track driverless vehicle trials in the UK. One of the companies involved says London presents a big challenge: “It has seven times more jaywalkers than San Francisco.” Except… it doesn't. 🧵

New UCL report: The Climate Implications of New Oil and Gas Fields in the UK – An overview of the evidence Report finds that aligning with the Paris goals requires granting no further licenses or development consents for new oil and gas. www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2025/ju... @uclpolicylab.bsky.social

Ever-rising height of car bonnets a ‘clear threat’ to children, report by @transenv.bsky.social says - High-fronted SUVs are more likely to kill and are on the rise in Europe, with the UK an extreme example Story by me www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

A study of six years of longitudinal data across 14,011 blocks in 28 U.S. cities shows - again! - if you build protected bike infrastructure people will ride bikes.

Global study of walking and cycling rates finds if every city matched Copenhagen’s infrastructure it could cut carbon emissions by 6% and generate $435 billion in health benefits a year Effective ways to boost active travel: 1. Increase density 2. Redesign streets to be safer and more comfortable

Study on London 20 mph limits shows: - collisions ⬇️ 35% - casualties ⬇️ 36% - fatal/serious injuries ⬇️ 34% - child casualties ⬇️ 46% - child deaths ⬇️ 75% - walkers, cyclists, motorcyclists killed/seriously injured ⬇️ 28% etsc.eu/20mph-limits...

I've interviewed Tony Juniper, Natural England chair. He was necessarily diplomatic about the planning bill. I only hope central govt listens to his expert advice! www.theguardian.com/environment/...

UK MPs call for ban on bottom trawling in protected marine areas Story by @fionaharvey.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Offshore drilling threatens coastal communities, marine life, and the climate. A federal court, following an Earthjustice lawsuit, ruled a Gulf of Mexico oil sale illegal. This World Oceans Week, the victory highlights environmental laws' power to protect our planet. ​

Rebalancing so-called green levies is one of the most important policy levers to drive electrification. UK government is considering options—including exempting those who switch from fossil fuels to electricity from levies or taxes. Good idea? Read this 🧵

Excellent PQ by @alexsobel.co.uk revealing DEFRA is developing a Cross-Government Nature Strategy, including mapping 'natural assets' across all govt-owned land - & that it may publish this on MAGIC Map in future. Public land is vital to meet 30x30 questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...

“I've been thinking more and more about how much time I am almost certainly spending grading and writing feedback for papers that were not even written by the student,” one teacher said. “That sure feels like bullshit.”

Protected bike lanes have a near-magical ability to produce cyclists. This new study of 28 US cities finds that census block groups w/protected bike lanes expanded bike commuting almost 2x faster than those w/standard bike lanes & >4x faster than those w/o new lanes. www.nature.com/articles/s44...