Chris Hopkins
@chrishopkins.bsky.social
Interim Policy Director @GECoalition.bsky.social, @IIED.bsky.social 💚 Personal views & 🌭🐶 content only.
Econ, env. policy, geopolitics, football 🤓 stuff. He/Him. Occasionally ChrisHopkins99.
Econ, env. policy, geopolitics, football 🤓 stuff. He/Him. Occasionally ChrisHopkins99.
Pinned
Chris Hopkins
@chrishopkins.bsky.social
· Nov 14
Home
We know what policies and laws are needed to build a green, fair future. But which countries are leading the way - and which are lagging behind?
greeneconomytracker.org
Will get around to a proper pinned post, but here's one interesting thing I do - the Green Economy Tracker.
greeneconomytracker.org
41 countries, 21 policies, crowd sourced assessment of green transitions. Evolution in progress... 🧬
greeneconomytracker.org
41 countries, 21 policies, crowd sourced assessment of green transitions. Evolution in progress... 🧬
I genuinely, genuinely love that his exculpatory explanation for how he had 'nothing to do with' his name ending up on the building amounts to 'several of my directly appointed political lackeys - who I appoint for supine loyalty above all else - decided to do it to ingratiate themselves with me.
Trump: "This building was built for peace. Nobody knew what to name it, and then Marco named it after me. I had nothing to do with it. I swear. They said, 'There's a surprise coming.' I thought they were gonna give me a lot of money or something. Maybe cash. Can always use some extra cash."
February 19, 2026 at 3:13 PM
I genuinely, genuinely love that his exculpatory explanation for how he had 'nothing to do with' his name ending up on the building amounts to 'several of my directly appointed political lackeys - who I appoint for supine loyalty above all else - decided to do it to ingratiate themselves with me.
Reposted by Chris Hopkins
Okay, this is quite outstanding from Bedford Council.
February 19, 2026 at 8:26 AM
Okay, this is quite outstanding from Bedford Council.
Reposted by Chris Hopkins
Frustrated oligarch? Want to make all of your data center dreams come true? Well, how about using old jet engine turbines to create your electricity? Right?! That is why people say you are a genius(at least to your face)
The WSJ says, "Jet engines are a natural fit" for this role.
Really?!!
The WSJ says, "Jet engines are a natural fit" for this role.
Really?!!
How Jet Engines Are Powering Data Centers
Companies are converting aircraft engines to land-based natural gas turbines for power generation in the AI boom.
www.wsj.com
February 17, 2026 at 10:55 AM
Frustrated oligarch? Want to make all of your data center dreams come true? Well, how about using old jet engine turbines to create your electricity? Right?! That is why people say you are a genius(at least to your face)
The WSJ says, "Jet engines are a natural fit" for this role.
Really?!!
The WSJ says, "Jet engines are a natural fit" for this role.
Really?!!
I... had not noticed this, and it seems inarguable.
Algorithmic media and social media are completely different things.
Smashing the two together in different dilutions is leading us into weird places.
Algorithmic media and social media are completely different things.
Smashing the two together in different dilutions is leading us into weird places.
February 16, 2026 at 3:47 PM
I... had not noticed this, and it seems inarguable.
Algorithmic media and social media are completely different things.
Smashing the two together in different dilutions is leading us into weird places.
Algorithmic media and social media are completely different things.
Smashing the two together in different dilutions is leading us into weird places.
This 'common law theory of planning
failure' is partly right, but I think @dsquareddigest.bsky.social also rightly adds in a big dash of 'professional services arms race' logic - which is similar to @rosiecollington.bsky.social's argument in The Big Con.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/lsereviewofb...
failure' is partly right, but I think @dsquareddigest.bsky.social also rightly adds in a big dash of 'professional services arms race' logic - which is similar to @rosiecollington.bsky.social's argument in The Big Con.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/lsereviewofb...
February 16, 2026 at 12:53 PM
This 'common law theory of planning
failure' is partly right, but I think @dsquareddigest.bsky.social also rightly adds in a big dash of 'professional services arms race' logic - which is similar to @rosiecollington.bsky.social's argument in The Big Con.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/lsereviewofb...
failure' is partly right, but I think @dsquareddigest.bsky.social also rightly adds in a big dash of 'professional services arms race' logic - which is similar to @rosiecollington.bsky.social's argument in The Big Con.
blogs.lse.ac.uk/lsereviewofb...
Reposted by Chris Hopkins
What America did through ideology, the UK does in order to get a budget projection that we don't even really care about
Cuts to overseas aid by the UK are set to go further and faster than those made by the Trump administration in the US, as Sir Keir Starmer’s government wrestles with funding pressures
www.ft.com/content/ad52...
www.ft.com/content/ad52...
UK overseas aid cuts to outstrip those of Trump administration
Spending will drop 27% this year from 2024 levels to help fund higher defence budget
www.ft.com
February 16, 2026 at 9:50 AM
What America did through ideology, the UK does in order to get a budget projection that we don't even really care about
Pretty hard to see this as something other than pathology and addiction.
There could be a better world at the end of this specific tech acceleration, but by god it does not look like these captains-of-digital-industry can pilot us there - if anyone can pilot any of this accumulative logic.
There could be a better world at the end of this specific tech acceleration, but by god it does not look like these captains-of-digital-industry can pilot us there - if anyone can pilot any of this accumulative logic.
February 15, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Pretty hard to see this as something other than pathology and addiction.
There could be a better world at the end of this specific tech acceleration, but by god it does not look like these captains-of-digital-industry can pilot us there - if anyone can pilot any of this accumulative logic.
There could be a better world at the end of this specific tech acceleration, but by god it does not look like these captains-of-digital-industry can pilot us there - if anyone can pilot any of this accumulative logic.
Reposted by Chris Hopkins
An utter tragedy. Science solved this problem, but a bunch of charlatans fucked everything up and brought it back
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Health officials are racing to contain a growing measles outbreak in London, which has struck down dozens of young children and affected 7 schools and a nursery.
UKHSA has warned an outbreak across London could see 40,000 - 160,000 cases:
www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...
UKHSA has warned an outbreak across London could see 40,000 - 160,000 cases:
www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...
London measles outbreak: more than 60 children infected
Cases are spreading between children in Enfield as the virus exploits low MMR vaccination rates, medical experts say
www.thetimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 6:57 PM
An utter tragedy. Science solved this problem, but a bunch of charlatans fucked everything up and brought it back
Illegal, immoral, but also the definition of anti-social behaviour.
Just corrosive to any high trust society to have government agents acting like this. 🤬
Just corrosive to any high trust society to have government agents acting like this. 🤬
CCTV footage appears to show DHS agents posing as people having car trouble in order to lure a target out of his house before arresting them. The target comes out and starts helping them before 3 vehicles surround the scene. The car "experiencing" trouble then drives off with them.
February 15, 2026 at 9:43 AM
Illegal, immoral, but also the definition of anti-social behaviour.
Just corrosive to any high trust society to have government agents acting like this. 🤬
Just corrosive to any high trust society to have government agents acting like this. 🤬
Ah no, I seem to have a tear in my eye 🥲
They knew what they were doing posting this one. Beautiful story, beautifully written.
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
They knew what they were doing posting this one. Beautiful story, beautifully written.
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
The moment I knew: as soon as we parted I realised Hitomi was the one. I waited years to see her again
There was a language barrier, a mother who burned their letters and a record label manager who disapproved. But Kerry Cox was madly in love
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 7:53 AM
Ah no, I seem to have a tear in my eye 🥲
They knew what they were doing posting this one. Beautiful story, beautifully written.
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
They knew what they were doing posting this one. Beautiful story, beautifully written.
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Batteries! 🔋🪫
This is such a great overview of the emergence of sodium-ion batteries as an alternative to ubiquitous lithium-ion.
From a scaling perspective, the most important consideration in here (aside from 'they work', and 'sodium abundance') is that they can be made on Li production lines.
This is such a great overview of the emergence of sodium-ion batteries as an alternative to ubiquitous lithium-ion.
From a scaling perspective, the most important consideration in here (aside from 'they work', and 'sodium abundance') is that they can be made on Li production lines.
I’ve written about sodium-ion batteries and how they are likely to be positioned in today’s battery ecosystem.
Are sodium-ion batteries ready for prime time?
Where Na-ion stands in today's battery ecosystem
www.lithiumhorizons.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Batteries! 🔋🪫
This is such a great overview of the emergence of sodium-ion batteries as an alternative to ubiquitous lithium-ion.
From a scaling perspective, the most important consideration in here (aside from 'they work', and 'sodium abundance') is that they can be made on Li production lines.
This is such a great overview of the emergence of sodium-ion batteries as an alternative to ubiquitous lithium-ion.
From a scaling perspective, the most important consideration in here (aside from 'they work', and 'sodium abundance') is that they can be made on Li production lines.
'Mr President, sir. Climate change is no longer the single biggest threat to global prosperity over the next 10 years.
'Oh, that's great news.
'Well actually, when you think about it...
'Oh yes, I see. Could they be wrong though?
'That the new threat is worse than climate? Yes... Which is bad.
'Oh, that's great news.
'Well actually, when you think about it...
'Oh yes, I see. Could they be wrong though?
'That the new threat is worse than climate? Yes... Which is bad.
Breathing a huge sigh of relief: because media, politicians and institutions stopped talking about climate, the laws of physics governing Earth's heating accordingly changed, and now climate change is no longer a security threat.
It was close there for a moment folks but we're in the clear 😅
It was close there for a moment folks but we're in the clear 😅
February 12, 2026 at 4:32 PM
'Mr President, sir. Climate change is no longer the single biggest threat to global prosperity over the next 10 years.
'Oh, that's great news.
'Well actually, when you think about it...
'Oh yes, I see. Could they be wrong though?
'That the new threat is worse than climate? Yes... Which is bad.
'Oh, that's great news.
'Well actually, when you think about it...
'Oh yes, I see. Could they be wrong though?
'That the new threat is worse than climate? Yes... Which is bad.
RCP8.5. Don't take it literally, but do take it(s temperatures and damage function) regionally, locally, and seriously.
for 1 its not really that controversial for modeling localized impacts (if your scenario choice is dominating your uncertainty bars for local impacts in the not super distant future you are doing something wrong) but more importantly the OG dont use RCP 8.5 ppl are now like oops its really hot
February 12, 2026 at 2:03 PM
RCP8.5. Don't take it literally, but do take it(s temperatures and damage function) regionally, locally, and seriously.
Great interview - and it's incredibly telling from @doynefarmer.bsky.social that he focuses in on a technical problem (climate) and a political one (polarisation) as the big beasts.
Because you can build the best model in the world, advice to save trillions... But a decision maker still has to act.
Because you can build the best model in the world, advice to save trillions... But a decision maker still has to act.
Economics has failed the climate crisis: this complexity scientist has a mind-blowing plan
- @doynefarmer.bsky.social says a super-simulator of the global economy would accelerate the transition to a green, clean world
#climatecrisis
Interview by me
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
- @doynefarmer.bsky.social says a super-simulator of the global economy would accelerate the transition to a green, clean world
#climatecrisis
Interview by me
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Economics has failed on the climate crisis. This complexity scientist has a plan to fix that
Doyne Farmer says a super-simulator of the global economy would accelerate the transition to a green, clean world
www.theguardian.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:24 AM
Great interview - and it's incredibly telling from @doynefarmer.bsky.social that he focuses in on a technical problem (climate) and a political one (polarisation) as the big beasts.
Because you can build the best model in the world, advice to save trillions... But a decision maker still has to act.
Because you can build the best model in the world, advice to save trillions... But a decision maker still has to act.
Reposted by Chris Hopkins
Power sector is biggest emitter and would have seen a rise but for clean energy growth
Both this and real estate are A key factor (neither is THE key IMO)
Both this and real estate are A key factor (neither is THE key IMO)
February 12, 2026 at 9:21 AM
Power sector is biggest emitter and would have seen a rise but for clean energy growth
Both this and real estate are A key factor (neither is THE key IMO)
Both this and real estate are A key factor (neither is THE key IMO)
Reposted by Chris Hopkins
NEW ANALYSIS: China's CO2 has now been 'flat or falling' for 21 months
* Down in 2025
* Still below Mar 2024
* Clean energy wave a key factor
If this is China's peak (TBC) it's the climate story of the century so far…
www.carbonbrief.org/...
* Down in 2025
* Still below Mar 2024
* Clean energy wave a key factor
If this is China's peak (TBC) it's the climate story of the century so far…
www.carbonbrief.org/...
February 12, 2026 at 7:38 AM
NEW ANALYSIS: China's CO2 has now been 'flat or falling' for 21 months
* Down in 2025
* Still below Mar 2024
* Clean energy wave a key factor
If this is China's peak (TBC) it's the climate story of the century so far…
www.carbonbrief.org/...
* Down in 2025
* Still below Mar 2024
* Clean energy wave a key factor
If this is China's peak (TBC) it's the climate story of the century so far…
www.carbonbrief.org/...
Reposted by Chris Hopkins
"Economics is too important to be left to economists." @rethinkecon.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Rethinking Economics, the movement changing how the subject is taught
Born of student disquiet after the 2008 crash, the group says it is reshaping economists’ education
www.theguardian.com
February 10, 2026 at 1:17 PM
"Economics is too important to be left to economists." @rethinkecon.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
It's completely understandable that industry would get addicted to dense, transportable energy sources that we can dig out the ground
Less understandable is why dense transportable energy sources that we can't dig up, have to process ourselves at great expense, would be a substitute for that? 🏭
Less understandable is why dense transportable energy sources that we can't dig up, have to process ourselves at great expense, would be a substitute for that? 🏭
Jan is too modest. It's been 5 years since the hydrogen ladder came out. And at least 3 years since his conclusive meta-study of hydrogen studies. We were clear that hydrogen as a fuel was a terrible idea.
Hydrogen promoters owe us billions in wasted money & years we can never recover.
Hydrogen promoters owe us billions in wasted money & years we can never recover.
Using hydrogen as a fuel to replace natural gas has been strongly promoted by vested interest groups.
Many including myself raised serious concerns about scalability, cost and efficiency.
The more time passes, the more it looks like those concerns were well-founded.
Many including myself raised serious concerns about scalability, cost and efficiency.
The more time passes, the more it looks like those concerns were well-founded.
February 10, 2026 at 10:07 AM
It's completely understandable that industry would get addicted to dense, transportable energy sources that we can dig out the ground
Less understandable is why dense transportable energy sources that we can't dig up, have to process ourselves at great expense, would be a substitute for that? 🏭
Less understandable is why dense transportable energy sources that we can't dig up, have to process ourselves at great expense, would be a substitute for that? 🏭
Reposted by Chris Hopkins
Jan is too modest. It's been 5 years since the hydrogen ladder came out. And at least 3 years since his conclusive meta-study of hydrogen studies. We were clear that hydrogen as a fuel was a terrible idea.
Hydrogen promoters owe us billions in wasted money & years we can never recover.
Hydrogen promoters owe us billions in wasted money & years we can never recover.
Using hydrogen as a fuel to replace natural gas has been strongly promoted by vested interest groups.
Many including myself raised serious concerns about scalability, cost and efficiency.
The more time passes, the more it looks like those concerns were well-founded.
Many including myself raised serious concerns about scalability, cost and efficiency.
The more time passes, the more it looks like those concerns were well-founded.
February 10, 2026 at 9:04 AM
Jan is too modest. It's been 5 years since the hydrogen ladder came out. And at least 3 years since his conclusive meta-study of hydrogen studies. We were clear that hydrogen as a fuel was a terrible idea.
Hydrogen promoters owe us billions in wasted money & years we can never recover.
Hydrogen promoters owe us billions in wasted money & years we can never recover.
Am I a joke to you, BlueSky galaxy mapper? 🦊📉🗳️
February 9, 2026 at 8:52 AM
Am I a joke to you, BlueSky galaxy mapper? 🦊📉🗳️
Reposted by Chris Hopkins
UK elected officials:
'I solemnly swear that I would rather burn to death in a metaphor for my own ruin, than have to work in a parliamentary building that *did not* have a gold plated underground education centre for the little uns, and instead left a few bn £ for *spits on the ground*... trams 🤬'
'I solemnly swear that I would rather burn to death in a metaphor for my own ruin, than have to work in a parliamentary building that *did not* have a gold plated underground education centre for the little uns, and instead left a few bn £ for *spits on the ground*... trams 🤬'
Do think people need to appreciate that it’s not merely a “do some expensive repairs to stop it falling down” job, but a “spending tens of billions to build a new improved giant temple” job
I'm sorry but it's ridiculous that the taxpayer is being asked to fund up to £40 billion pounds for urgent works to 'save Parliament burning down', which also yknow features Essential Improvements such as a brand new underground visitors centre
February 6, 2026 at 8:58 AM
UK elected officials:
'I solemnly swear that I would rather burn to death in a metaphor for my own ruin, than have to work in a parliamentary building that *did not* have a gold plated underground education centre for the little uns, and instead left a few bn £ for *spits on the ground*... trams 🤬'
'I solemnly swear that I would rather burn to death in a metaphor for my own ruin, than have to work in a parliamentary building that *did not* have a gold plated underground education centre for the little uns, and instead left a few bn £ for *spits on the ground*... trams 🤬'
Reposted by Chris Hopkins
Ian McKellen performs “The Strangers’ Case” speech from “Sir Thomas More” on Colbert.
February 5, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Ian McKellen performs “The Strangers’ Case” speech from “Sir Thomas More” on Colbert.