Alan Stenhouse
@basketmonkey.bsky.social
Researcher with interests in environment, ecology, conservation, climate change, AI, software dev, society, systems, etc. Currently researching/developing human-AI collaborative intelligence.
Pinned
A vision of human–AI collaboration for enhanced biological collection curation and research
Abstract. Natural history collections play a crucial role in our understanding of biodiversity, informing research, management, and policy in areas such as
academic.oup.com
Our new paper explores how AI-based “digital curators” (or agents) might revolutionize natural history collections by assisting human experts with routine tasks while preserving crucial human oversight.
academic.oup.com/bioscience/a...
academic.oup.com/bioscience/a...
Reposted by Alan Stenhouse
with alt text, because everyone needs to be able to read this 😭
February 15, 2026 at 6:24 PM
with alt text, because everyone needs to be able to read this 😭
Reposted by Alan Stenhouse
I miss when you could post Brave Norman Rockwell Townsperson and the caption could be, like, “R.E.M was wrong to leave ‘Fretless’ off of Out of Time” instead of “The secret police should stop murdering people.”
February 15, 2026 at 8:56 PM
I miss when you could post Brave Norman Rockwell Townsperson and the caption could be, like, “R.E.M was wrong to leave ‘Fretless’ off of Out of Time” instead of “The secret police should stop murdering people.”
Reposted by Alan Stenhouse
The New York Times reports that the Department of Homeland Security has sent Google, Meta, and other media corporations subpoenas for the names on accounts that criticize ICE enforcement. The department wants to identify Americans who oppose what it’s doing. I’ll save them time.
A short note to Kristi Noem
To a current Cabinet secretary from a former one
robertreich.substack.com
February 15, 2026 at 5:01 PM
The New York Times reports that the Department of Homeland Security has sent Google, Meta, and other media corporations subpoenas for the names on accounts that criticize ICE enforcement. The department wants to identify Americans who oppose what it’s doing. I’ll save them time.
Reposted by Alan Stenhouse
PBS News Hour: U.S. citizens detained by immigration agents describe how they were treated.
Watch the segment here www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMgC...
I'm clipping transcripts of the citizens speaking in this thread 1/3
Watch the segment here www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMgC...
I'm clipping transcripts of the citizens speaking in this thread 1/3
February 15, 2026 at 8:24 PM
PBS News Hour: U.S. citizens detained by immigration agents describe how they were treated.
Watch the segment here www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMgC...
I'm clipping transcripts of the citizens speaking in this thread 1/3
Watch the segment here www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMgC...
I'm clipping transcripts of the citizens speaking in this thread 1/3
Reposted by Alan Stenhouse
Reposted by Alan Stenhouse
So far we can summarise META's testimony as - 'they are going to sweet FA about climate BS' #auspol
The Senate Inquiry into Climate Disinformation is on again today (& tomorrow) - starting at 9am with META.
Disinformation is at the heart of many of the issues we face so this inquiry is worth catching. Watch here - & full schedule below #auspol > www.youtube.com/live/Vwuqxfy...
Disinformation is at the heart of many of the issues we face so this inquiry is worth catching. Watch here - & full schedule below #auspol > www.youtube.com/live/Vwuqxfy...
February 15, 2026 at 10:16 PM
So far we can summarise META's testimony as - 'they are going to sweet FA about climate BS' #auspol
Reposted by Alan Stenhouse
Hi Auckland friends, I'll be in town and giving a couple of seminars this coming Thursday. Details below.
February 15, 2026 at 10:46 PM
Hi Auckland friends, I'll be in town and giving a couple of seminars this coming Thursday. Details below.
"The reality is, ..., chaos and collapse is not something they fear but rather aim to create. The Brexit debate, Trump, the Voice referendum, climate change, Israel’s genocide, and many other events involve one side which actively desires collapse – and is ready to profit from it."
AM doing a monthly column for @deepcutnews.bsky.social. Here's my first: "The Epstein saga shows us the impotence of polite 'centrist' media: Journalism that panders to fascists and mass murderers is fuelling our societal collapse"
www.deepcutnews.com/p/epstein-an...
www.deepcutnews.com/p/epstein-an...
The Epstein saga shows us the impotence of polite 'centrist' media – Greg Jericho
Journalism that panders to fascists and mass murderers is fuelling our societal collapse
www.deepcutnews.com
February 16, 2026 at 1:39 AM
"The reality is, ..., chaos and collapse is not something they fear but rather aim to create. The Brexit debate, Trump, the Voice referendum, climate change, Israel’s genocide, and many other events involve one side which actively desires collapse – and is ready to profit from it."
Reposted by Alan Stenhouse
In 1949, WHOI researchers recorded what ended up being the earliest-preserved whale song—without realizing what they'd captured! 🐳🎶
Nearly 80 years later, that sound has resurfaced!
🎉Celebrate World Whale Day with the full story: go.whoi.edu/whoi-1949
Nearly 80 years later, that sound has resurfaced!
🎉Celebrate World Whale Day with the full story: go.whoi.edu/whoi-1949
February 15, 2026 at 11:01 PM
In 1949, WHOI researchers recorded what ended up being the earliest-preserved whale song—without realizing what they'd captured! 🐳🎶
Nearly 80 years later, that sound has resurfaced!
🎉Celebrate World Whale Day with the full story: go.whoi.edu/whoi-1949
Nearly 80 years later, that sound has resurfaced!
🎉Celebrate World Whale Day with the full story: go.whoi.edu/whoi-1949
Reposted by Alan Stenhouse
Reposted by Alan Stenhouse
thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
Kirsty is an excellent factual journalist on ecological matters and I recommend you read this
Kirsty is an excellent factual journalist on ecological matters and I recommend you read this
February 12, 2026 at 1:16 AM
thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
Kirsty is an excellent factual journalist on ecological matters and I recommend you read this
Kirsty is an excellent factual journalist on ecological matters and I recommend you read this
Federal and State Labour govts in Australia seem to have forgotten how they got their strength (or perhaps it's just that they're constantly shifting further to the right).
Reducing your right to protest is a slippery slope that they seem to be happily sliding down.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
Reducing your right to protest is a slippery slope that they seem to be happily sliding down.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
WA to introduce new protests laws in bid to protect 'social cohesion'
The WA premier flags new legislation on hate speech and protests in a bid to protect "social cohesion" in the wake of "multiple threats across Australia" over the summer.
www.abc.net.au
February 15, 2026 at 11:30 PM
Federal and State Labour govts in Australia seem to have forgotten how they got their strength (or perhaps it's just that they're constantly shifting further to the right).
Reducing your right to protest is a slippery slope that they seem to be happily sliding down.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
Reducing your right to protest is a slippery slope that they seem to be happily sliding down.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...
Reposted by Alan Stenhouse
This is well worth a read.
"every bit of warming matters, every year matters, and every choice matters."
hannahdaly.ie/2026-01-02-i...
"every bit of warming matters, every year matters, and every choice matters."
hannahdaly.ie/2026-01-02-i...
Why we keep ignoring the physics of climate change
At a Time of Climate Crisis – Carbon budgets are a physical reality, not political slogans
hannahdaly.ie
February 15, 2026 at 6:54 AM
This is well worth a read.
"every bit of warming matters, every year matters, and every choice matters."
hannahdaly.ie/2026-01-02-i...
"every bit of warming matters, every year matters, and every choice matters."
hannahdaly.ie/2026-01-02-i...
Reposted by Alan Stenhouse
I’d add two more.
We need government that will end fossil fuels, NOT invest in more, and will shift NZ away from intensive dairy to plant-based organic food production.
Four lessons NZ should take from another summer of climate-charged weather disasters www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
We need government that will end fossil fuels, NOT invest in more, and will shift NZ away from intensive dairy to plant-based organic food production.
Four lessons NZ should take from another summer of climate-charged weather disasters www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Four lessons NZ should take from another summer of weather disasters
Another summer of extreme weather has destroyed and damaged homes, cut off communities and, in the most tragic cases, left families mourning their loved ones.
www.rnz.co.nz
February 13, 2026 at 6:32 AM
I’d add two more.
We need government that will end fossil fuels, NOT invest in more, and will shift NZ away from intensive dairy to plant-based organic food production.
Four lessons NZ should take from another summer of climate-charged weather disasters www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
We need government that will end fossil fuels, NOT invest in more, and will shift NZ away from intensive dairy to plant-based organic food production.
Four lessons NZ should take from another summer of climate-charged weather disasters www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Reposted by Alan Stenhouse
In terms of what cures are being lost:
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
February 13, 2026 at 5:44 AM
In terms of what cures are being lost:
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
Reposted by Alan Stenhouse
The utter sham of offsets, yet again...
“Destroying the equivalent of 40 MCGs worth of greater glider habitat and then attempting to relocate all hollows and claim this somehow offsets the harm to greater gliders is genuinely deluded, and contemptuous.” - me
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
“Destroying the equivalent of 40 MCGs worth of greater glider habitat and then attempting to relocate all hollows and claim this somehow offsets the harm to greater gliders is genuinely deluded, and contemptuous.” - me
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Qld coalmine expansion approved by Albanese government will clear habitat and fuel climate crisis, scientists say
Conservationists estimate coal exported from expanded mine to release CO2 equivalent of about half Australia’s annual carbon footprint
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:03 AM
The utter sham of offsets, yet again...
“Destroying the equivalent of 40 MCGs worth of greater glider habitat and then attempting to relocate all hollows and claim this somehow offsets the harm to greater gliders is genuinely deluded, and contemptuous.” - me
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
“Destroying the equivalent of 40 MCGs worth of greater glider habitat and then attempting to relocate all hollows and claim this somehow offsets the harm to greater gliders is genuinely deluded, and contemptuous.” - me
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Alan Stenhouse
The newly Albo govt-approved Middlemount Coal Mine is jointly owned by Peabody & Yancoal
Not to be confused with Glencore's Hail Creek Coal Mine which is also applying for an extension, & that will also kill koalas (probably more, 👀 next post)
There're 42 Coal mines in the pipeline
Not to be confused with Glencore's Hail Creek Coal Mine which is also applying for an extension, & that will also kill koalas (probably more, 👀 next post)
There're 42 Coal mines in the pipeline
The utter sham of offsets, yet again...
“Destroying the equivalent of 40 MCGs worth of greater glider habitat and then attempting to relocate all hollows and claim this somehow offsets the harm to greater gliders is genuinely deluded, and contemptuous.” - me
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
“Destroying the equivalent of 40 MCGs worth of greater glider habitat and then attempting to relocate all hollows and claim this somehow offsets the harm to greater gliders is genuinely deluded, and contemptuous.” - me
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Qld coalmine expansion approved by Albanese government will clear habitat and fuel climate crisis, scientists say
Conservationists estimate coal exported from expanded mine to release CO2 equivalent of about half Australia’s annual carbon footprint
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:18 AM
The newly Albo govt-approved Middlemount Coal Mine is jointly owned by Peabody & Yancoal
Not to be confused with Glencore's Hail Creek Coal Mine which is also applying for an extension, & that will also kill koalas (probably more, 👀 next post)
There're 42 Coal mines in the pipeline
Not to be confused with Glencore's Hail Creek Coal Mine which is also applying for an extension, & that will also kill koalas (probably more, 👀 next post)
There're 42 Coal mines in the pipeline
Reposted by Alan Stenhouse
Fri 13 Feb:
@albomp.bsky.social's Labor govt talks up renewable energy in Australia while approving new/extensions of Coal & Gas projects for climate-destroying exports
Today they approved an extension of Middlemount Coal mine (to 2044) that'll also kill greater gliders & koalas
@albomp.bsky.social's Labor govt talks up renewable energy in Australia while approving new/extensions of Coal & Gas projects for climate-destroying exports
Today they approved an extension of Middlemount Coal mine (to 2044) that'll also kill greater gliders & koalas
February 13, 2026 at 10:03 AM
Fri 13 Feb:
@albomp.bsky.social's Labor govt talks up renewable energy in Australia while approving new/extensions of Coal & Gas projects for climate-destroying exports
Today they approved an extension of Middlemount Coal mine (to 2044) that'll also kill greater gliders & koalas
@albomp.bsky.social's Labor govt talks up renewable energy in Australia while approving new/extensions of Coal & Gas projects for climate-destroying exports
Today they approved an extension of Middlemount Coal mine (to 2044) that'll also kill greater gliders & koalas
Reposted by Alan Stenhouse
Capitalism cares about our species’ prospects as much as a wolf cares about a lamb’s. But democratise our economy and a better world is within our grasp | Jason Hickel and Yanis Varoufakis www.theguardian.com/environment/...
We can move beyond the capitalist model and save the climate – here are the first three steps | Jason Hickel and Yanis Varoufakis
Capitalism cares about our species’ prospects as much as a wolf cares about a lamb’s. But democratise our economy and a better world is within our grasp, say Jason Hickel and Yanis Varoufakis
www.theguardian.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Capitalism cares about our species’ prospects as much as a wolf cares about a lamb’s. But democratise our economy and a better world is within our grasp | Jason Hickel and Yanis Varoufakis www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Alan Stenhouse
Does the Australian government raise more money from beer than it does from the tax on our gas exports?
YES
And the look on their faces is priceless.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZln...
YES
And the look on their faces is priceless.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZln...
Does Australia Get More Tax From Beer Than Gas?
YouTube video by 10 News
www.youtube.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:05 AM
Does the Australian government raise more money from beer than it does from the tax on our gas exports?
YES
And the look on their faces is priceless.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZln...
YES
And the look on their faces is priceless.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZln...
Reposted by Alan Stenhouse
A digital twin for real-time biodiversity forecasting with citizen science data 🌎🌐🧪 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A digital twin for real-time biodiversity forecasting with citizen science data - Nature Ecology & Evolution
Citizen science data are increasingly used in biodiversity monitoring. This study applies a digital twin approach to biodiversity monitoring using a large citizen science dataset on birds from Finland...
www.nature.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:18 PM
A digital twin for real-time biodiversity forecasting with citizen science data 🌎🌐🧪 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Alan Stenhouse
Whilst much of Australia floods, rainfall in parts of southern SA and Vic is still 'lowest on record' over the last 2 years. And haven't had a drop of rain since November at the arboretum.
reg.bom.gov.au/climate/maps...
reg.bom.gov.au/climate/maps...
February 11, 2026 at 11:41 PM
Whilst much of Australia floods, rainfall in parts of southern SA and Vic is still 'lowest on record' over the last 2 years. And haven't had a drop of rain since November at the arboretum.
reg.bom.gov.au/climate/maps...
reg.bom.gov.au/climate/maps...
Reposted by Alan Stenhouse
In the Netherlands, cycling and public transport aren’t competitors—they’re teammates. Invest in one, and the other gets stronger.
Nowhere is this clearer than at railway stations, where every design decision sharpens the bike infrastructure network and makes the door-to-door journey even smoother.
Nowhere is this clearer than at railway stations, where every design decision sharpens the bike infrastructure network and makes the door-to-door journey even smoother.
February 11, 2026 at 9:19 AM
In the Netherlands, cycling and public transport aren’t competitors—they’re teammates. Invest in one, and the other gets stronger.
Nowhere is this clearer than at railway stations, where every design decision sharpens the bike infrastructure network and makes the door-to-door journey even smoother.
Nowhere is this clearer than at railway stations, where every design decision sharpens the bike infrastructure network and makes the door-to-door journey even smoother.
Reposted by Alan Stenhouse
The Govt claims to be pro-market yet: $200m subsidy for oil exploration; Uncapped subsidies to decommission old oil fields; $1billion subsidy for LNG imports; Fonterra faces zero price for emissions under ETS. There is a pattern here. They are using the state to support and subsidise pollution.
February 9, 2026 at 11:38 PM
The Govt claims to be pro-market yet: $200m subsidy for oil exploration; Uncapped subsidies to decommission old oil fields; $1billion subsidy for LNG imports; Fonterra faces zero price for emissions under ETS. There is a pattern here. They are using the state to support and subsidise pollution.