Gary Cook VPRI SGFA Arborealist
@cookthepainter.bsky.social
Painter, Sketcher, Tree-hugger.
Ex Sunday Times. Vice President of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours
cookthepainter.com
Ex Sunday Times. Vice President of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours
cookthepainter.com
Reposted by Gary Cook VPRI SGFA Arborealist
Point of no return: a hellish ‘hothouse Earth’ getting closer, scientists say
Point of no return: a hellish ‘hothouse Earth’ getting closer, scientists say
Continued global heating could set irreversible course by triggering climate tipping points, but most people unaware
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Point of no return: a hellish ‘hothouse Earth’ getting closer, scientists say
Painting ‘Selham Bridge shadows’
February 9, 2026 at 2:54 PM
Painting ‘Selham Bridge shadows’
I’ve been a spa expert for 25 years. Here’s what works (and what doesn’t)
www.thetimes.com/article/6de7...
www.thetimes.com/article/6de7...
I’ve been a spa expert for 25 years. Here’s what works (and what doesn’t)
The wellness industry is booming. In her first column of a new series, Susan d’Arcy runs the rule over the health advances to embrace — and the fads to avoid
www.thetimes.com
January 24, 2026 at 9:51 AM
I’ve been a spa expert for 25 years. Here’s what works (and what doesn’t)
www.thetimes.com/article/6de7...
www.thetimes.com/article/6de7...
Plein air painting interrupted by a Barn Owl……
January 23, 2026 at 11:42 AM
Plein air painting interrupted by a Barn Owl……
Reposted by Gary Cook VPRI SGFA Arborealist
Reform with a majority of MPs on less than 30% of the vote! You may hope that tactical voting etc will stop it happening but are we really prepared to take the risk? Wouldn’t you prefer seats to match votes? It’s time for electoral reform #PR
General Election Nowcast - 18/01/26:
RFM: 337 (+332), 29.1% (24 Maj.)
LAB: 86 (-325), 18.7%
LDM: 77 (+5), 12.8%
CON: 50 (-71), 19.4%
SNP: 44 (+35), 2.7%
GRN: 22 (+18), 12.9%
PLC: 8 (+4), 1.3%
Oth: 7 (+2), 3.2%
electionmaps.uk/nowcast
RFM: 337 (+332), 29.1% (24 Maj.)
LAB: 86 (-325), 18.7%
LDM: 77 (+5), 12.8%
CON: 50 (-71), 19.4%
SNP: 44 (+35), 2.7%
GRN: 22 (+18), 12.9%
PLC: 8 (+4), 1.3%
Oth: 7 (+2), 3.2%
electionmaps.uk/nowcast
January 19, 2026 at 6:30 AM
Reform with a majority of MPs on less than 30% of the vote! You may hope that tactical voting etc will stop it happening but are we really prepared to take the risk? Wouldn’t you prefer seats to match votes? It’s time for electoral reform #PR
Some frosty plein air painting. The watercolour froze on the paper……. Still a perfect painting day though
January 17, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Some frosty plein air painting. The watercolour froze on the paper……. Still a perfect painting day though
Reposted by Gary Cook VPRI SGFA Arborealist
‘Over the bridge’ ink, watercolour and charcoal
The peel-reveal
The peel-reveal
January 2, 2026 at 10:59 AM
‘Over the bridge’ ink, watercolour and charcoal
The peel-reveal
The peel-reveal
December 17, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Reposted by Gary Cook VPRI SGFA Arborealist
THREE satellite-tagged White-tailed Eagles disappear in suspicious circumstances in England, Wales & Scotland - two tags had been cut off.
Press release from Isle of Wight WTE Project Team & additional commentary from me ⬇️⬇️
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/17/t...
Press release from Isle of Wight WTE Project Team & additional commentary from me ⬇️⬇️
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/17/t...
Three satellite-tagged White-tailed Eagles disappear in suspicious circumstances in England, Wales & Scotland – two tags had been cut off
Press release from Forestry England (17 December 2025) THREE WHITE-TAILED EAGLES DISAPPEAR IN SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES The public are being asked to help the police investigate the suspicious disap…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
December 17, 2025 at 9:23 AM
THREE satellite-tagged White-tailed Eagles disappear in suspicious circumstances in England, Wales & Scotland - two tags had been cut off.
Press release from Isle of Wight WTE Project Team & additional commentary from me ⬇️⬇️
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/17/t...
Press release from Isle of Wight WTE Project Team & additional commentary from me ⬇️⬇️
#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime
raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/17/t...
Reposted by Gary Cook VPRI SGFA Arborealist
"This is national security issue. Without a living, healthy biosphere, there is no stable economy, no food..."
Prof Nathalie Seddon of @ox.ac.uk on why we're facing a national emergency.
Sign the open letter calling for a televised emergency briefing. www.nebriefing.org/open-letter-...
#NEB2025
Prof Nathalie Seddon of @ox.ac.uk on why we're facing a national emergency.
Sign the open letter calling for a televised emergency briefing. www.nebriefing.org/open-letter-...
#NEB2025
December 10, 2025 at 8:15 AM
"This is national security issue. Without a living, healthy biosphere, there is no stable economy, no food..."
Prof Nathalie Seddon of @ox.ac.uk on why we're facing a national emergency.
Sign the open letter calling for a televised emergency briefing. www.nebriefing.org/open-letter-...
#NEB2025
Prof Nathalie Seddon of @ox.ac.uk on why we're facing a national emergency.
Sign the open letter calling for a televised emergency briefing. www.nebriefing.org/open-letter-...
#NEB2025
Reposted by Gary Cook VPRI SGFA Arborealist
"EPA erases references to human-caused climate change from websites"
"The agency modified sections of its website by deleting information about human-created greenhouse gases and the role they play in warming the planet. It also removed links to scientific data and information."
"The agency modified sections of its website by deleting information about human-created greenhouse gases and the role they play in warming the planet. It also removed links to scientific data and information."
EPA erases references to human-caused climate change from websites
The agency revamped its webpages to feature natural causes of rising temperatures such as the Earth’s orbit.
www.eenews.net
December 9, 2025 at 2:52 PM
"EPA erases references to human-caused climate change from websites"
"The agency modified sections of its website by deleting information about human-created greenhouse gases and the role they play in warming the planet. It also removed links to scientific data and information."
"The agency modified sections of its website by deleting information about human-created greenhouse gases and the role they play in warming the planet. It also removed links to scientific data and information."
The final watercolour sploshes on ‘The drove’ #watecolour #painting
December 1, 2025 at 3:03 PM
The final watercolour sploshes on ‘The drove’ #watecolour #painting
New work in progress
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#WIP
#watercolourartist #watercolorpaintings #landscapeartist #watercolour #watercolourpaintings
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#WIP
#watercolourartist #watercolorpaintings #landscapeartist #watercolour #watercolourpaintings
November 28, 2025 at 5:16 PM
New work in progress
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#WIP
#watercolourartist #watercolorpaintings #landscapeartist #watercolour #watercolourpaintings
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#WIP
#watercolourartist #watercolorpaintings #landscapeartist #watercolour #watercolourpaintings
‘Train trees. Passing Wimbledon’ watercolour and charcoal
Sunset from the 1620 Waterloo to Tisbury.
I love the hypnotic blur of trees while looking out the window of a speeding train.
#landscapeartist
Sunset from the 1620 Waterloo to Tisbury.
I love the hypnotic blur of trees while looking out the window of a speeding train.
#landscapeartist
November 26, 2025 at 5:24 PM
‘Train trees. Passing Wimbledon’ watercolour and charcoal
Sunset from the 1620 Waterloo to Tisbury.
I love the hypnotic blur of trees while looking out the window of a speeding train.
#landscapeartist
Sunset from the 1620 Waterloo to Tisbury.
I love the hypnotic blur of trees while looking out the window of a speeding train.
#landscapeartist
Reposted by Gary Cook VPRI SGFA Arborealist
FACTCHECK: Why expensive gas – not net-zero – is keeping UK electricity prices so high
Many seem determined to obfuscate the very obvious reason why UK power is still so pricey. Molly Lempriere and I set out the facts + options to cut bills.
www.carbonbrief.org/...
1/10
Many seem determined to obfuscate the very obvious reason why UK power is still so pricey. Molly Lempriere and I set out the facts + options to cut bills.
www.carbonbrief.org/...
1/10
May 20, 2025 at 10:41 AM
FACTCHECK: Why expensive gas – not net-zero – is keeping UK electricity prices so high
Many seem determined to obfuscate the very obvious reason why UK power is still so pricey. Molly Lempriere and I set out the facts + options to cut bills.
www.carbonbrief.org/...
1/10
Many seem determined to obfuscate the very obvious reason why UK power is still so pricey. Molly Lempriere and I set out the facts + options to cut bills.
www.carbonbrief.org/...
1/10
Reposted by Gary Cook VPRI SGFA Arborealist
In 3 months, bluefin tuna will be migrating back into our waters, where they'll be met with a fleet of commercial and recreational* fishers. It's a horrible way to welcome these magnificent, charismatic creatures. Let's try to get this to 250,000 before they arrive.
www.change.org/p/protect-bl...
www.change.org/p/protect-bl...
Sign the Petition
Protect bluefin tuna in UK waters
www.change.org
May 20, 2025 at 2:30 PM
In 3 months, bluefin tuna will be migrating back into our waters, where they'll be met with a fleet of commercial and recreational* fishers. It's a horrible way to welcome these magnificent, charismatic creatures. Let's try to get this to 250,000 before they arrive.
www.change.org/p/protect-bl...
www.change.org/p/protect-bl...
Late again……One from a while ago for #worldbeeday
May 21, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Late again……One from a while ago for #worldbeeday
A bit of Shaftesbury sketching featuring, on walking stick, Dapper Dan. I don’t know him but he’s a well dressed dude I spotted on Shaftesbury High Street one day. Thought he deserved including in a scribble.
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#urbansketches #dorsetlife #sketchbookartist #sketchingpeople
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#urbansketches #dorsetlife #sketchbookartist #sketchingpeople
April 16, 2025 at 12:42 PM
A bit of Shaftesbury sketching featuring, on walking stick, Dapper Dan. I don’t know him but he’s a well dressed dude I spotted on Shaftesbury High Street one day. Thought he deserved including in a scribble.
.
#urbansketches #dorsetlife #sketchbookartist #sketchingpeople
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#urbansketches #dorsetlife #sketchbookartist #sketchingpeople
Trees, trees, trees……great to be part of @the_arborealists 40th exhibition @sculpturebythelakes The show is open until 19 April. All the work can be seen online at sculpturebythelakes.co.uk
April 8, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Trees, trees, trees……great to be part of @the_arborealists 40th exhibition @sculpturebythelakes The show is open until 19 April. All the work can be seen online at sculpturebythelakes.co.uk
Reposted by Gary Cook VPRI SGFA Arborealist
Good move for nature - UK govt says all England's deep peat (over 30cm deep) will be protected from burning
Used to encourage game birds through new plant growth, burning of peatland can turn carbon sink into carbon source, and is damaging for other wildlife
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Used to encourage game birds through new plant growth, burning of peatland can turn carbon sink into carbon source, and is damaging for other wildlife
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Peatland burning ban aims to protect wildlife and England’s carbon stores
Labour’s measures to ban deep-peat burning aim to safeguard habitats, tackle carbon emissions, and protect wildlife, so why are hunters up in arms?
www.theguardian.com
March 31, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Good move for nature - UK govt says all England's deep peat (over 30cm deep) will be protected from burning
Used to encourage game birds through new plant growth, burning of peatland can turn carbon sink into carbon source, and is damaging for other wildlife
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Used to encourage game birds through new plant growth, burning of peatland can turn carbon sink into carbon source, and is damaging for other wildlife
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Gary Cook VPRI SGFA Arborealist
We took over the giant screen at Farage’s big rally in Birmingham
March 28, 2025 at 9:50 PM
We took over the giant screen at Farage’s big rally in Birmingham
Reposted by Gary Cook VPRI SGFA Arborealist
I took this photo less than 10 years after the deer fence behind was erected. Before it went up, the land behind was just grass, exactly like the foreground where he sheep are.
*Nothing* was planted here.
"It's not rocket science" is an understatement.
🌍
*Nothing* was planted here.
"It's not rocket science" is an understatement.
🌍
March 29, 2025 at 6:47 AM
I took this photo less than 10 years after the deer fence behind was erected. Before it went up, the land behind was just grass, exactly like the foreground where he sheep are.
*Nothing* was planted here.
"It's not rocket science" is an understatement.
🌍
*Nothing* was planted here.
"It's not rocket science" is an understatement.
🌍
Trees, trees, trees……Really looking forward to being part of @the_arborealists 40th exhibition @sculpturebythelakes The show opens on 22 March. All the work on show is available online at sculpturebythelakes.co.uk
March 20, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Trees, trees, trees……Really looking forward to being part of @the_arborealists 40th exhibition @sculpturebythelakes The show opens on 22 March. All the work on show is available online at sculpturebythelakes.co.uk
Reposted by Gary Cook VPRI SGFA Arborealist
Delighted to reveal the hard-hitting paperback cover for my book, THE LIE OF THE LAND - an exposé of what the 'custodians of the countryside' have done to nature in Britain.
The paperback's out 8th May - order yours here: lnkfi.re/JhxHno
More upcoming talks here & details below: lnkfi.re/PkfOhd 🧵
The paperback's out 8th May - order yours here: lnkfi.re/JhxHno
More upcoming talks here & details below: lnkfi.re/PkfOhd 🧵
March 17, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Delighted to reveal the hard-hitting paperback cover for my book, THE LIE OF THE LAND - an exposé of what the 'custodians of the countryside' have done to nature in Britain.
The paperback's out 8th May - order yours here: lnkfi.re/JhxHno
More upcoming talks here & details below: lnkfi.re/PkfOhd 🧵
The paperback's out 8th May - order yours here: lnkfi.re/JhxHno
More upcoming talks here & details below: lnkfi.re/PkfOhd 🧵