Cameron Roberts
@bikeademic.bsky.social
Sustainability transitions researcher in Canada.
Pinned
Well, thanks to a kind colleague I seem to have a tiny little platform on here.
If I could use it to send just one message, it would be this:
100 of companies are NOT responsible for 71% of emissions. This is a myth. Unfortunately, it has also become something of a meme. A fairly destructive one.
If I could use it to send just one message, it would be this:
100 of companies are NOT responsible for 71% of emissions. This is a myth. Unfortunately, it has also become something of a meme. A fairly destructive one.
I hope they're treated as pariahs by everyone else there.
November 14, 2025 at 1:26 PM
I hope they're treated as pariahs by everyone else there.
Reposted by Cameron Roberts
Oates represents something Musk fundamentally cannot buy: the authority of cultural memory. this is a concept i call "ontological entitlement"—the hyper-rich, having gained endless material resources, begin to assume an inherent right to emotional, intellectual, and spiritual ones as well.
“whatever club he’s invited to join has been devalued by the invitation”
November 11, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Oates represents something Musk fundamentally cannot buy: the authority of cultural memory. this is a concept i call "ontological entitlement"—the hyper-rich, having gained endless material resources, begin to assume an inherent right to emotional, intellectual, and spiritual ones as well.
Yesterday I was at a seminar at work where the presenter talked about achieving energy security through reducing demand.
I would have thought this would be uncontroversial. Not so. She's had struggles against people who perceive the idea as a form of #degrowth and thus reject it out of hand.
I would have thought this would be uncontroversial. Not so. She's had struggles against people who perceive the idea as a form of #degrowth and thus reject it out of hand.
November 11, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Yesterday I was at a seminar at work where the presenter talked about achieving energy security through reducing demand.
I would have thought this would be uncontroversial. Not so. She's had struggles against people who perceive the idea as a form of #degrowth and thus reject it out of hand.
I would have thought this would be uncontroversial. Not so. She's had struggles against people who perceive the idea as a form of #degrowth and thus reject it out of hand.
Bumping this for my Ottawa follows as we get an unexpected 14 cm(!) of snow.
I'm going to respond to the whiners with relentless positivity. My baby daughter is going to discover winter today, which is amazing, and I'm not having it undercut by someone complaining about traffic or whatever.
I'm going to respond to the whiners with relentless positivity. My baby daughter is going to discover winter today, which is amazing, and I'm not having it undercut by someone complaining about traffic or whatever.
The winter whiners in my life have started up again. Once again I'm resolving to push back in these conversations.
Winter is great! And every time someone suggests otherwise I'm going to contradict them and tell them how excited and happy I am for the snow.
Winter is great! And every time someone suggests otherwise I'm going to contradict them and tell them how excited and happy I am for the snow.
November 9, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Bumping this for my Ottawa follows as we get an unexpected 14 cm(!) of snow.
I'm going to respond to the whiners with relentless positivity. My baby daughter is going to discover winter today, which is amazing, and I'm not having it undercut by someone complaining about traffic or whatever.
I'm going to respond to the whiners with relentless positivity. My baby daughter is going to discover winter today, which is amazing, and I'm not having it undercut by someone complaining about traffic or whatever.
Lansdowne is actually a pretty good visual metaphor for the city of Ottawa as a whole. A weird, insolvent little suburban outpost downtown that we have to put up with. Nobody particularly likes it-not even the people it's supposed to benefit.
November 8, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Lansdowne is actually a pretty good visual metaphor for the city of Ottawa as a whole. A weird, insolvent little suburban outpost downtown that we have to put up with. Nobody particularly likes it-not even the people it's supposed to benefit.
This is actually a great idea. There's plenty of open space you could build on. We just gave our progressive urbanist mayor and her party a new majority. We're (hopefully) going to build a tram soon. Gatineau needs more life doentown. And it'd be fantastic way to spite OSEG and Sutcliffe.
Time to start pitching an arena that could hold the @pwhlcharge.bsky.social to Gatineau.
November 8, 2025 at 6:48 PM
This is actually a great idea. There's plenty of open space you could build on. We just gave our progressive urbanist mayor and her party a new majority. We're (hopefully) going to build a tram soon. Gatineau needs more life doentown. And it'd be fantastic way to spite OSEG and Sutcliffe.
Reposted by Cameron Roberts
Time to start pitching an arena that could hold the @pwhlcharge.bsky.social to Gatineau.
November 7, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Time to start pitching an arena that could hold the @pwhlcharge.bsky.social to Gatineau.
The further a councillor lives from Lansdowne, the more they support ruining it.
@mayormarksutcliffe.bsky.social and his suburban lackeys have saddled us with generations of debt for something much worse than we have today 🤡
OSEG must be pleased they held their expensive fundraisers for Sutcliffe, they paid off. I'm sure they'll reward him in the next election cycle as well
OSEG must be pleased they held their expensive fundraisers for Sutcliffe, they paid off. I'm sure they'll reward him in the next election cycle as well
November 7, 2025 at 9:55 PM
The further a councillor lives from Lansdowne, the more they support ruining it.
Ottawa needs to deamalgamate. The suburbs are an albatross around our neck and this stuff will keep happening until we remove their power to determine what happens downtown.
(And yes, I am aware that the path to doing that runs through Queen's Park)
(And yes, I am aware that the path to doing that runs through Queen's Park)
Rural/suburban councillors override local representation so their constituents can visit once year while the people that live there have to deal with the impacts every single day.
This is in addition to socializing the costs and privatizing the profits of Lansdowne 2.0.
This is in addition to socializing the costs and privatizing the profits of Lansdowne 2.0.
November 7, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Ottawa needs to deamalgamate. The suburbs are an albatross around our neck and this stuff will keep happening until we remove their power to determine what happens downtown.
(And yes, I am aware that the path to doing that runs through Queen's Park)
(And yes, I am aware that the path to doing that runs through Queen's Park)
The winter whiners in my life have started up again. Once again I'm resolving to push back in these conversations.
Winter is great! And every time someone suggests otherwise I'm going to contradict them and tell them how excited and happy I am for the snow.
Winter is great! And every time someone suggests otherwise I'm going to contradict them and tell them how excited and happy I am for the snow.
November 7, 2025 at 7:48 PM
The winter whiners in my life have started up again. Once again I'm resolving to push back in these conversations.
Winter is great! And every time someone suggests otherwise I'm going to contradict them and tell them how excited and happy I am for the snow.
Winter is great! And every time someone suggests otherwise I'm going to contradict them and tell them how excited and happy I am for the snow.
I disagree. Campaigning on bike lanes and free buses IS campaigning on climate.
Real climate politics is about practical measures that change infrastructure, technologies, industries and practices. Not about paper targets or interminable pointless debates with denialists.
Real climate politics is about practical measures that change infrastructure, technologies, industries and practices. Not about paper targets or interminable pointless debates with denialists.
Zohran Mamdani barely campaigned on climate.
So what is his climate agenda, and can he demonstrate a way to drive down emissions and costs at the same time?
nysfocus.com/2025/11/05/z...
So what is his climate agenda, and can he demonstrate a way to drive down emissions and costs at the same time?
nysfocus.com/2025/11/05/z...
What Zohran Mamdani’s Win Means for New York's Climate Politics
The mayor-elect’s approach reflects a view that is going mainstream: To succeed, climate policies may need to lose the label.
nysfocus.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:15 PM
I disagree. Campaigning on bike lanes and free buses IS campaigning on climate.
Real climate politics is about practical measures that change infrastructure, technologies, industries and practices. Not about paper targets or interminable pointless debates with denialists.
Real climate politics is about practical measures that change infrastructure, technologies, industries and practices. Not about paper targets or interminable pointless debates with denialists.
There's a lot of discussion re: Mamdani about how much of his success can be attributed to style vs substance. Is it his talent at communication or his policies.
I think that for many recent insurgent leftist politicians in multiple countries, these two things synergize in a really interesting way.
I think that for many recent insurgent leftist politicians in multiple countries, these two things synergize in a really interesting way.
November 5, 2025 at 4:59 PM
There's a lot of discussion re: Mamdani about how much of his success can be attributed to style vs substance. Is it his talent at communication or his policies.
I think that for many recent insurgent leftist politicians in multiple countries, these two things synergize in a really interesting way.
I think that for many recent insurgent leftist politicians in multiple countries, these two things synergize in a really interesting way.
I can't decide whether I want this video team to come to Ottawa and help defeat Sutcliffe; to back Polanski in the UK; or to go help some other insurgent American candidates (LA maybe?)
Can we clone them?
Can we clone them?
An in-depth look at the video team that helped so many people get into the Zohran Mamdani campaign: defector.com/selling-zohran
Selling Zohran | Defector
On a cool Sunday in November, a few days after Donald Trump’s re-election, Zohran Mamdani stood on a street corner in Jamaica, Queens, holding up a hastily drawn cardboard sign that read “DID YOU…
defector.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:31 PM
I can't decide whether I want this video team to come to Ottawa and help defeat Sutcliffe; to back Polanski in the UK; or to go help some other insurgent American candidates (LA maybe?)
Can we clone them?
Can we clone them?
@edzitron.com You done anything on public sector AI hype yet? Your listeners in Canada would certainly appreciate it.
UK listeners too, from what I've heard about the situation there.
UK listeners too, from what I've heard about the situation there.
"Understanding the broader effects of AI is also essential, helping to guide our efforts to maximise its benefits."
By which Carney seems to mean: Tell me how awesome AI is, bro.
By which Carney seems to mean: Tell me how awesome AI is, bro.
November 5, 2025 at 2:17 PM
@edzitron.com You done anything on public sector AI hype yet? Your listeners in Canada would certainly appreciate it.
UK listeners too, from what I've heard about the situation there.
UK listeners too, from what I've heard about the situation there.
Reposted by Cameron Roberts
"Understanding the broader effects of AI is also essential, helping to guide our efforts to maximise its benefits."
By which Carney seems to mean: Tell me how awesome AI is, bro.
By which Carney seems to mean: Tell me how awesome AI is, bro.
November 5, 2025 at 12:41 AM
"Understanding the broader effects of AI is also essential, helping to guide our efforts to maximise its benefits."
By which Carney seems to mean: Tell me how awesome AI is, bro.
By which Carney seems to mean: Tell me how awesome AI is, bro.
Just saw that I'm on a blocklist targeted at AI supporters.
I don't particularly care. I don't know the person who made the blocklist. But I am a bit puzzled as to how anyone mistook me for an AI supporter.
I don't particularly care. I don't know the person who made the blocklist. But I am a bit puzzled as to how anyone mistook me for an AI supporter.
November 1, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Just saw that I'm on a blocklist targeted at AI supporters.
I don't particularly care. I don't know the person who made the blocklist. But I am a bit puzzled as to how anyone mistook me for an AI supporter.
I don't particularly care. I don't know the person who made the blocklist. But I am a bit puzzled as to how anyone mistook me for an AI supporter.
I've long held that this kind of thing gives tacit permission for motorists to drive recklessly around cyclists.
It validates the post-hoc "I didn't see them" excuse.
Free lights might be fine. We do need those at night. But the hi-vis stuff is just safety theatre.
It validates the post-hoc "I didn't see them" excuse.
Free lights might be fine. We do need those at night. But the hi-vis stuff is just safety theatre.
Cyclists, light up your ride! 🚴
The Ottawa Police Service, Safer Roads Ottawa, Ottawa Paramedic Services, Ottawa Fire Services, and the National Capital Commission have teamed up to make cycling safer. Join us at the Lights on Bikes event to get free bike lights
www.ottawapolice.ca/en/news/2025...
The Ottawa Police Service, Safer Roads Ottawa, Ottawa Paramedic Services, Ottawa Fire Services, and the National Capital Commission have teamed up to make cycling safer. Join us at the Lights on Bikes event to get free bike lights
www.ottawapolice.ca/en/news/2025...
November 1, 2025 at 1:59 PM
I've long held that this kind of thing gives tacit permission for motorists to drive recklessly around cyclists.
It validates the post-hoc "I didn't see them" excuse.
Free lights might be fine. We do need those at night. But the hi-vis stuff is just safety theatre.
It validates the post-hoc "I didn't see them" excuse.
Free lights might be fine. We do need those at night. But the hi-vis stuff is just safety theatre.
Always very convenient when anti-degrowters admit right up front that they don't know what degrowth is.
Degrowth is not about making people poorer. Most wealthy countries have seen plenty of growth over the last few decades, but lives have gotten worse.
Degrowth is not about making people poorer. Most wealthy countries have seen plenty of growth over the last few decades, but lives have gotten worse.
Degrowth says we need to be poorer to save the planet. We say: that’s nonsense. Dr. @adamdorr.bsky.social's brand new book argues for a brighter, technology-driven future. Get your copy today.
www.rethinkx.com/publications...
www.rethinkx.com/publications...
October 16, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Always very convenient when anti-degrowters admit right up front that they don't know what degrowth is.
Degrowth is not about making people poorer. Most wealthy countries have seen plenty of growth over the last few decades, but lives have gotten worse.
Degrowth is not about making people poorer. Most wealthy countries have seen plenty of growth over the last few decades, but lives have gotten worse.
Nobody is going to follow this route. Not one person, ever.
The Gladstone/Percy cycling study originally proposed contra-flow bike lanes on Percy and bike lanes on Gladstone.
Now, instead of a simple left turn onto Gladstone, the proposal would have a north-westbound biker go from Percy to Flora, Bay, Gilmore, Bronson, Christie, Arthur, THEN Gladstone.
Now, instead of a simple left turn onto Gladstone, the proposal would have a north-westbound biker go from Percy to Flora, Bay, Gilmore, Bronson, Christie, Arthur, THEN Gladstone.
September 9, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Nobody is going to follow this route. Not one person, ever.
A lot of elite opinion appears to have decided that the health of society is measured by how many gimmicky boondoggles from the Bay Area they've invested in.
Will the absence of robotaxis in Europe mark the moment its citizens notice how far their continent has fallen behind?
Robotaxis will be the Sputnik Moment for a declining Europe
A slow-motion car crash on Europe’s roads
econ.st
September 5, 2025 at 12:48 PM
A lot of elite opinion appears to have decided that the health of society is measured by how many gimmicky boondoggles from the Bay Area they've invested in.
Reposted by Cameron Roberts
Much like "crab", industrial music is constantly re-evolving from first principles basically anywhere where there's a bunch of metal and plastic laying about
September 1, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Much like "crab", industrial music is constantly re-evolving from first principles basically anywhere where there's a bunch of metal and plastic laying about
I woke up and checked my Degrowth feed to find this nonsense.
We're all well aware by now of the ideological attacks on academic freedom by right wing regimes (notably the one in the USA).
Turns out centrists are apt to do the same thing, for only slightly different reasons.
🧵
We're all well aware by now of the ideological attacks on academic freedom by right wing regimes (notably the one in the USA).
Turns out centrists are apt to do the same thing, for only slightly different reasons.
🧵
ESRC ‘bar against’ degrowth research branded ‘anti-scientific’.
Research council leader signals shift against funding projects that question benefits of economic growth.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Research council leader signals shift against funding projects that question benefits of economic growth.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
ESRC ‘bar against’ degrowth research branded ‘anti-scientific’ - Research Professional News
Research council leader signals shift against funding projects that question benefits of economic growth
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
August 28, 2025 at 1:53 PM
I woke up and checked my Degrowth feed to find this nonsense.
We're all well aware by now of the ideological attacks on academic freedom by right wing regimes (notably the one in the USA).
Turns out centrists are apt to do the same thing, for only slightly different reasons.
🧵
We're all well aware by now of the ideological attacks on academic freedom by right wing regimes (notably the one in the USA).
Turns out centrists are apt to do the same thing, for only slightly different reasons.
🧵
Reposted by Cameron Roberts
Rideau Locks in infrared
#ottawa #ontario #canada #rideaulocks #infrared #infraredphotography #pink #kolari #sonyalpha #blueskyartshow #travel #river #lock
#ottawa #ontario #canada #rideaulocks #infrared #infraredphotography #pink #kolari #sonyalpha #blueskyartshow #travel #river #lock
August 27, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Rideau Locks in infrared
#ottawa #ontario #canada #rideaulocks #infrared #infraredphotography #pink #kolari #sonyalpha #blueskyartshow #travel #river #lock
#ottawa #ontario #canada #rideaulocks #infrared #infraredphotography #pink #kolari #sonyalpha #blueskyartshow #travel #river #lock
It's a very weird feature of our current media environment that to listen to ~40 minutes of decent podcast content you also have to listen to ~20 minutes of repetitive ads for podcasts about unspeakable violent True Crimes.
August 26, 2025 at 9:26 PM
It's a very weird feature of our current media environment that to listen to ~40 minutes of decent podcast content you also have to listen to ~20 minutes of repetitive ads for podcasts about unspeakable violent True Crimes.
My thoughts on the strategic or symbolic implications of flag burning are not unique or interesting, so I won't share them.
But equating waving a foreign flag with flag burning is just breathtakingly jingoistic.
But equating waving a foreign flag with flag burning is just breathtakingly jingoistic.
August 26, 2025 at 12:42 PM
My thoughts on the strategic or symbolic implications of flag burning are not unique or interesting, so I won't share them.
But equating waving a foreign flag with flag burning is just breathtakingly jingoistic.
But equating waving a foreign flag with flag burning is just breathtakingly jingoistic.