Andy Russell
@andyrussell.bsky.social
Climate impacts and policy at Queen Mary University of London, and Climate and Environment Thematic Research Lead at UK Parliament (ex of CCC, BEIS, Defra). Floods and coastal erosion. Adaptation policy. Maybe some HE thoughts and reflections on running.
Reposted by Andy Russell
#COP30 AGENDA FIGHT: Battle looms over which issues to discuss at COP30 (an "agenda fight")
Proposed late additions to agenda:
* trade
* finance
* deforestation
* ambition
* reporting
Hence, now on 4th version of agenda (!)
This must be resolved before negotiations begin 🧵
1/
Proposed late additions to agenda:
* trade
* finance
* deforestation
* ambition
* reporting
Hence, now on 4th version of agenda (!)
This must be resolved before negotiations begin 🧵
1/
November 9, 2025 at 8:29 PM
#COP30 AGENDA FIGHT: Battle looms over which issues to discuss at COP30 (an "agenda fight")
Proposed late additions to agenda:
* trade
* finance
* deforestation
* ambition
* reporting
Hence, now on 4th version of agenda (!)
This must be resolved before negotiations begin 🧵
1/
Proposed late additions to agenda:
* trade
* finance
* deforestation
* ambition
* reporting
Hence, now on 4th version of agenda (!)
This must be resolved before negotiations begin 🧵
1/
Reposted by Andy Russell
From London to the Amazon!
Queen Mary is sending five researchers to #COP30 in Belém, Brazil, to collaborate with international partners and showcase how the University is taking action to combat climate change through research www.qmul.ac.uk/media/news/2...
Queen Mary is sending five researchers to #COP30 in Belém, Brazil, to collaborate with international partners and showcase how the University is taking action to combat climate change through research www.qmul.ac.uk/media/news/2...
Queen Mary experts head to COP30 in Brazil
Queen Mary University of London is sending a delegation of five researchers to Belém, Brazil, to participate in COP30, the 30th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference. Set in the Amazon from ...
www.qmul.ac.uk
November 6, 2025 at 4:10 PM
From London to the Amazon!
Queen Mary is sending five researchers to #COP30 in Belém, Brazil, to collaborate with international partners and showcase how the University is taking action to combat climate change through research www.qmul.ac.uk/media/news/2...
Queen Mary is sending five researchers to #COP30 in Belém, Brazil, to collaborate with international partners and showcase how the University is taking action to combat climate change through research www.qmul.ac.uk/media/news/2...
Work on the Geo #SciencePolicy interface? Heading to #EGU26 ? Why not submit (your second, EOS!) abstract to "Strengthening Policy Through Science: Insights from the interface"?! meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU26/sessio...
Session EOS4.6
meetingorganizer.copernicus.org
November 4, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Work on the Geo #SciencePolicy interface? Heading to #EGU26 ? Why not submit (your second, EOS!) abstract to "Strengthening Policy Through Science: Insights from the interface"?! meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU26/sessio...
Being careful with my wording, I suspect that there could be a possibility that focusing on short term, narrow targets (eg. house building) could, possibly exacerbate future risks (eg. flooding, overheating) www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Ministers tell Environment Agency to wave planning applications through
Exclusive: Officials say they have been told to do as little as legally possible to prevent approvals for housebuilding
www.theguardian.com
September 19, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Being careful with my wording, I suspect that there could be a possibility that focusing on short term, narrow targets (eg. house building) could, possibly exacerbate future risks (eg. flooding, overheating) www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Andy Russell
We've launched our Environment in Focus inquiry, asking you for your ideas on what the committee should look in to.
Find out more: committees.parliament.uk/work/9336/th...
Find out more: committees.parliament.uk/work/9336/th...
September 8, 2025 at 8:19 AM
We've launched our Environment in Focus inquiry, asking you for your ideas on what the committee should look in to.
Find out more: committees.parliament.uk/work/9336/th...
Find out more: committees.parliament.uk/work/9336/th...
Reposted by Andy Russell
This is fine -dot- gif
Climate crisis will increase frequency of lightning-sparked wildfires, study finds
These wildfires tend to burn in more remote areas and grow larger faster, posing a higher risk to public safety and health
www.theguardian.com
September 6, 2025 at 12:07 PM
This is fine -dot- gif
Department “Away Day” today a full 1 floor “Away” from my office. It looks like being very much a full “Day” though, so that bit is accurate.
September 4, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Department “Away Day” today a full 1 floor “Away” from my office. It looks like being very much a full “Day” though, so that bit is accurate.
Excellent news this week that I’ve been promoted to Reader (from SL). Very happy but always amazed at how slow the academic promotion cycle is; my application went in almost 9 months ago!
September 3, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Excellent news this week that I’ve been promoted to Reader (from SL). Very happy but always amazed at how slow the academic promotion cycle is; my application went in almost 9 months ago!
Reposted by Andy Russell
New analysis from @metoffice.gov.uk showing that the record-breaking hot UK summer of 2025 has been made much more likely by human-induced climate change and such a hot summer would be expected about once every 5 years in current climate. www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/new...
Summer 2025 is the warmest on record for the UK
Provisional Met Office statistics confirm that summer 2025 is officially the warmest summer on record for the UK.
www.metoffice.gov.uk
September 1, 2025 at 4:48 PM
New analysis from @metoffice.gov.uk showing that the record-breaking hot UK summer of 2025 has been made much more likely by human-induced climate change and such a hot summer would be expected about once every 5 years in current climate. www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/new...
Some super interesting reflections from a UK (and EU) climate diplomat of the Paris Agreement period. Will definitely get hold of the book when it’s out #climatechange #climatepolicy www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Counting down to zero: the final warning from a climate diplomat
The long read: Before Peter Betts died in 2023, he wanted to pass on what he had learned over many years of negotiating at Cops – including how Paris 2015 was saved at the last bell
www.theguardian.com
August 26, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Some super interesting reflections from a UK (and EU) climate diplomat of the Paris Agreement period. Will definitely get hold of the book when it’s out #climatechange #climatepolicy www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Defra fellowships for 2026/27 are open applications up to 16th September: defrajobs.co.uk/roles/resear...
Research and Development Fellowship Programme 2026/27 - Defra Jobs - UK Government
We’re delighted to launch our 2026 R&D Fellowship Programme for Defra. Join us in using science and analysis to tackle some of today’s biggest policy challenges. For a third year, we’re offering the b...
defrajobs.co.uk
August 19, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Defra fellowships for 2026/27 are open applications up to 16th September: defrajobs.co.uk/roles/resear...
Storm Floris looks like it could cause a lot of disruption. Stay safe and think about how to adapt plans. news.sky.com/story/storm-...
Storm Floris latest: 'Do not travel' and 'danger to life' warnings as storm hits UK
Storm Floris is hitting the UK, bringing winds of up to 90mph. A yellow weather warning is in force for millions in the north of the country, with an amber alert fast approaching. Follow the latest be...
news.sky.com
August 4, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Storm Floris looks like it could cause a lot of disruption. Stay safe and think about how to adapt plans. news.sky.com/story/storm-...
Reposted by Andy Russell
"A weather station in the Norwegian part of the Arctic Circle recorded temperatures above 30C (86F) on 13 days in July." www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Nordic countries hit by ‘truly unprecedented’ heatwave | Climate crisis | The Guardian
Scientists record longest streak of temperatures higher than 30C in region in records going back to 1961
www.theguardian.com
August 2, 2025 at 12:27 PM
"A weather station in the Norwegian part of the Arctic Circle recorded temperatures above 30C (86F) on 13 days in July." www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Andy Russell
Would you know how to form a #community #flood group? What are the first steps when getting started? Any important things to consider?
Download our ‘Guide to Forming a Flood Action Group’ booklet for an in-depth manual 🔨🤝 thefloodhub.co.uk/wp-content/u...
Download our ‘Guide to Forming a Flood Action Group’ booklet for an in-depth manual 🔨🤝 thefloodhub.co.uk/wp-content/u...
July 8, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Would you know how to form a #community #flood group? What are the first steps when getting started? Any important things to consider?
Download our ‘Guide to Forming a Flood Action Group’ booklet for an in-depth manual 🔨🤝 thefloodhub.co.uk/wp-content/u...
Download our ‘Guide to Forming a Flood Action Group’ booklet for an in-depth manual 🔨🤝 thefloodhub.co.uk/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Andy Russell
New PhD - full funding for UK/Irish applicant - start Jan 26 - Design and evaluation of multi-functional Blue Green Infrastructure under climate change tinyurl.com/42s8rade: Clare Walsh, Vassilis Glenis & myself, Newcastle Uni. Part of Co-Centre for Climate + Biodiversity + Water lnkd.in/e5g6nz6V
Co-Centre for Climate + Biodiversity + Water | LinkedIn
Co-Centre for Climate + Biodiversity + Water | 2,488 followers on LinkedIn. Solutions focused research into climate, biodiversity & water issues on the islands of Ireland & Great Britain | The...
lnkd.in
July 7, 2025 at 7:28 PM
New PhD - full funding for UK/Irish applicant - start Jan 26 - Design and evaluation of multi-functional Blue Green Infrastructure under climate change tinyurl.com/42s8rade: Clare Walsh, Vassilis Glenis & myself, Newcastle Uni. Part of Co-Centre for Climate + Biodiversity + Water lnkd.in/e5g6nz6V
For the 2nd time in 5 years my kids' school sports day has been cancelled because of hot weather (not Covid, that was a 3rd cancellation). I'm glad they've made the call - its too hot to make sure 100s of kids are ok - but maybe need to think about the timing in the future! #heatwave
July 1, 2025 at 11:53 AM
For the 2nd time in 5 years my kids' school sports day has been cancelled because of hot weather (not Covid, that was a 3rd cancellation). I'm glad they've made the call - its too hot to make sure 100s of kids are ok - but maybe need to think about the timing in the future! #heatwave
Reposted by Andy Russell
Big step to #BeatPollution!
Countries have just agreed to establish a new global science-policy panel to support the management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution.
The panel will equip countries with the science needed #ForPeopleForPlanet: bit.ly/45z01DE
Countries have just agreed to establish a new global science-policy panel to support the management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution.
The panel will equip countries with the science needed #ForPeopleForPlanet: bit.ly/45z01DE
June 20, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Big step to #BeatPollution!
Countries have just agreed to establish a new global science-policy panel to support the management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution.
The panel will equip countries with the science needed #ForPeopleForPlanet: bit.ly/45z01DE
Countries have just agreed to establish a new global science-policy panel to support the management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution.
The panel will equip countries with the science needed #ForPeopleForPlanet: bit.ly/45z01DE
Reposted by Andy Russell
Chatbots — LLMs — do not know facts and are not designed to be able to accurately answer factual questions. They are designed to find and mimic patterns of words, probabilistically. When they’re “right” it’s because correct things are often written down, so those patterns are frequent. That’s all.
June 19, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Chatbots — LLMs — do not know facts and are not designed to be able to accurately answer factual questions. They are designed to find and mimic patterns of words, probabilistically. When they’re “right” it’s because correct things are often written down, so those patterns are frequent. That’s all.
Reposted by Andy Russell
Hooray that the big UN ocean summit this week made some progress. The two biggest ocean scandals (of many) still continue: the horribly destructive practice of bottom trawling still happens, and many Marine Protected Areas still allow fishing. More work needed!
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Is the ocean ‘having a moment’? This was the UN summit where the world woke up to the decline of the seas
A slew of global leaders met in the south of France to discuss the future of the oceans. There was ‘momentum’ and ‘enthusiasm’, but there were critical voices too
www.theguardian.com
June 14, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Hooray that the big UN ocean summit this week made some progress. The two biggest ocean scandals (of many) still continue: the horribly destructive practice of bottom trawling still happens, and many Marine Protected Areas still allow fishing. More work needed!
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
PDRA job: latest Resilience of Anthropocene Coasts and Communities postdoc job looking at evidence and policy impact. We’re open to a range of approaches. 2 years, start ASAP, lots of collaboration opportunities. #academicjobs #researchjobs #postdoc #policyjobs
qmul-jobs.tal.net/vx/candidate...
qmul-jobs.tal.net/vx/candidate...
Postdoctoral Research Associate in Critical Environmental Policy Studies - QMUL Jobs
Description
qmul-jobs.tal.net
May 27, 2025 at 1:02 PM
PDRA job: latest Resilience of Anthropocene Coasts and Communities postdoc job looking at evidence and policy impact. We’re open to a range of approaches. 2 years, start ASAP, lots of collaboration opportunities. #academicjobs #researchjobs #postdoc #policyjobs
qmul-jobs.tal.net/vx/candidate...
qmul-jobs.tal.net/vx/candidate...
I had a chat with a New Scientist writing after a presentation at EGU and, from reading it back, I was being quite frank about the issues 😬
Waste from old landfill sites is spilling onto beaches as rising seas erode coastlines - and some of it is toxic
Toxic waste is spilling onto beaches as rising seas erode landfills
Waste from old landfill sites is spilling onto beaches as rising seas erode coastlines - and some of it is toxic
www.newscientist.com
May 21, 2025 at 6:47 AM
I had a chat with a New Scientist writing after a presentation at EGU and, from reading it back, I was being quite frank about the issues 😬
Reposted by Andy Russell
The inter-linked risks of climate change and our waste legacy will be felt along our eroding coastlines. Nice interview of @andyrussell.bsky.social at @egu.eu.
www.newscientist.com/article/2480...
@newscientist.com. Details of our @qmul.ac.uk @ukri.org project at www.ukcoastalandfillresilience.org
www.newscientist.com/article/2480...
@newscientist.com. Details of our @qmul.ac.uk @ukri.org project at www.ukcoastalandfillresilience.org
Toxic waste is spilling onto beaches as rising seas erode landfills
Waste from old landfill sites is spilling onto beaches as rising seas erode coastlines - and some of it is toxic
www.newscientist.com
May 20, 2025 at 9:17 AM
The inter-linked risks of climate change and our waste legacy will be felt along our eroding coastlines. Nice interview of @andyrussell.bsky.social at @egu.eu.
www.newscientist.com/article/2480...
@newscientist.com. Details of our @qmul.ac.uk @ukri.org project at www.ukcoastalandfillresilience.org
www.newscientist.com/article/2480...
@newscientist.com. Details of our @qmul.ac.uk @ukri.org project at www.ukcoastalandfillresilience.org
Had a brilliant day in the Scottish Parliament yesterday (with 2 of my TRL colleagues @louisereardon.bsky.social and Ruth) meeting lots of the climate and environment experts. Lots of ideas for new collaborations!
May 8, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Had a brilliant day in the Scottish Parliament yesterday (with 2 of my TRL colleagues @louisereardon.bsky.social and Ruth) meeting lots of the climate and environment experts. Lots of ideas for new collaborations!
The Climate Change Committee has published its 2025 Progress Report on adaptation!
This is the first full assessment of the 3rd National Adaptation Programme (NAP)
www.theccc.org.uk/publication/...
I used to work at the CCC and write big chunks of these reports.
It’s not good news…
This is the first full assessment of the 3rd National Adaptation Programme (NAP)
www.theccc.org.uk/publication/...
I used to work at the CCC and write big chunks of these reports.
It’s not good news…
www.theccc.org.uk
April 30, 2025 at 5:53 AM
The Climate Change Committee has published its 2025 Progress Report on adaptation!
This is the first full assessment of the 3rd National Adaptation Programme (NAP)
www.theccc.org.uk/publication/...
I used to work at the CCC and write big chunks of these reports.
It’s not good news…
This is the first full assessment of the 3rd National Adaptation Programme (NAP)
www.theccc.org.uk/publication/...
I used to work at the CCC and write big chunks of these reports.
It’s not good news…
My colleague Prof Spencer has been working on legacy landfill for some years now and we’re hoping to develop new ways forward with our current project www.theguardian.com/environment/...
More than 100 landfills in England may be leaching ‘highly hazardous’ waste
Inadequate record keeping means councils do not know whether former waste sites contain toxic substances
www.theguardian.com
April 26, 2025 at 7:39 AM
My colleague Prof Spencer has been working on legacy landfill for some years now and we’re hoping to develop new ways forward with our current project www.theguardian.com/environment/...