Michael Warhurst
@mwarhurst.bsky.social
My work focusses on EU environmental policy, heading up environment/health NGO CHEM Trust, but this is a personal account. Also interested in democracy, regulation, sustainability, science-policy etc
Reposted by Michael Warhurst
🤑It’s #BlackFriday soon, and we’ve put together advice on avoiding #HarmfulChemicals when shopping the sales.
🔍Many types of products may contain harmful chemicals, from cosmetics to cooking equipment, but there are easy steps you can take to avoid them!
More in our news story 👉 buff.ly/eOZp2cN
🔍Many types of products may contain harmful chemicals, from cosmetics to cooking equipment, but there are easy steps you can take to avoid them!
More in our news story 👉 buff.ly/eOZp2cN
November 19, 2025 at 10:44 AM
🤑It’s #BlackFriday soon, and we’ve put together advice on avoiding #HarmfulChemicals when shopping the sales.
🔍Many types of products may contain harmful chemicals, from cosmetics to cooking equipment, but there are easy steps you can take to avoid them!
More in our news story 👉 buff.ly/eOZp2cN
🔍Many types of products may contain harmful chemicals, from cosmetics to cooking equipment, but there are easy steps you can take to avoid them!
More in our news story 👉 buff.ly/eOZp2cN
‘Generally, the social-housing occupants expressed delight at the quality of the properties compared with their previous dwellings. “They were really, really happy to be in those homes,” said Mateo-Garcia. “They said: ‘Oh, we haven’t seen any damp and mould.’”’
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Heat-pump homes put less strain on grid than expected, study shows
Analysis of new-builds in Birmingham suggests all-electric homes not only use less energy but vary in peak usage
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:05 AM
‘Generally, the social-housing occupants expressed delight at the quality of the properties compared with their previous dwellings. “They were really, really happy to be in those homes,” said Mateo-Garcia. “They said: ‘Oh, we haven’t seen any damp and mould.’”’
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘The main barrier to protecting health is “corporate political activities, coordinated transnationally through a global network of front groups, multi-stakeholder initiatives, and research partners, to counter opposition and block regulation”.’
#UPF
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
#UPF
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Ultra-processed food linked to harm in every major human organ, study finds
World’s largest scientific review warns consumption of UPFs poses seismic threat to global health and wellbeing
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:01 AM
‘The main barrier to protecting health is “corporate political activities, coordinated transnationally through a global network of front groups, multi-stakeholder initiatives, and research partners, to counter opposition and block regulation”.’
#UPF
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
#UPF
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Michael Warhurst
Is it a threat to free speech when the President of the United States threatens to yank the broadcast license of a channel whose reporters are asking him challenging questions?
I ask because I feel like there used to be tons of pundits worried about free speech. Where'd they go?
I ask because I feel like there used to be tons of pundits worried about free speech. Where'd they go?
Trump in response to an Epstein question: "ABC, your company, your crappy company is one of the perpetrators. I think the license should be taken away from ABC because your news is so fake and so wrong. And we have a great commissioner, a chairman, who should take a look at that."
November 18, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Is it a threat to free speech when the President of the United States threatens to yank the broadcast license of a channel whose reporters are asking him challenging questions?
I ask because I feel like there used to be tons of pundits worried about free speech. Where'd they go?
I ask because I feel like there used to be tons of pundits worried about free speech. Where'd they go?
Reposted by Michael Warhurst
Being dismembered with a bone saw because you dared to criticize an authoritarian regime is - and hear me out - considerably worse than being embarrassed because another reporter dared to ask you about it.
Trump suggests Khashoggi had it coming: "You're mentioning someone that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about. Whether you like him or didn't like him, things happen. But he knew nothing about it. You don't have to embarrass our guest."
November 18, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Being dismembered with a bone saw because you dared to criticize an authoritarian regime is - and hear me out - considerably worse than being embarrassed because another reporter dared to ask you about it.
Reposted by Michael Warhurst
1/2🧵
🌎 Who really holds the power at COP30?
🚨 More than 1,600 lobbyists from the fossil fuel industry attended #COP30 in Belém, outnumbering almost all national delegations.
👉 Read more: bit.ly/4rdvP9x
🌎 Who really holds the power at COP30?
🚨 More than 1,600 lobbyists from the fossil fuel industry attended #COP30 in Belém, outnumbering almost all national delegations.
👉 Read more: bit.ly/4rdvP9x
November 18, 2025 at 10:57 AM
1/2🧵
🌎 Who really holds the power at COP30?
🚨 More than 1,600 lobbyists from the fossil fuel industry attended #COP30 in Belém, outnumbering almost all national delegations.
👉 Read more: bit.ly/4rdvP9x
🌎 Who really holds the power at COP30?
🚨 More than 1,600 lobbyists from the fossil fuel industry attended #COP30 in Belém, outnumbering almost all national delegations.
👉 Read more: bit.ly/4rdvP9x
Reposted by Michael Warhurst
📝 A recent letter to the UK government highlights the risks posed to children by #ToxicChemicals in toys.
⚠️ Children are at higher risk from the health impacts of endocrine disrupting chemicals (#EDCs) because their organs and nervous system are still developing.
Read more 👉 buff.ly/f8PEtct
⚠️ Children are at higher risk from the health impacts of endocrine disrupting chemicals (#EDCs) because their organs and nervous system are still developing.
Read more 👉 buff.ly/f8PEtct
November 18, 2025 at 10:58 AM
📝 A recent letter to the UK government highlights the risks posed to children by #ToxicChemicals in toys.
⚠️ Children are at higher risk from the health impacts of endocrine disrupting chemicals (#EDCs) because their organs and nervous system are still developing.
Read more 👉 buff.ly/f8PEtct
⚠️ Children are at higher risk from the health impacts of endocrine disrupting chemicals (#EDCs) because their organs and nervous system are still developing.
Read more 👉 buff.ly/f8PEtct
Reposted by Michael Warhurst
Putting aside the moral issues with the arguement... it's notable the govt isn't really arguing for the policy in a evidence or policy based way.
It's purely about politics and political impacts. Both electorally and 'Reform would do worse'
It's purely about politics and political impacts. Both electorally and 'Reform would do worse'
Labour’s “we have to do it, or racism will get worse” argument is striking. Any other public policy failures British ethnic minorities should be on the hook for? Can we be blamed en bloc for Rachel Reeves’ budget next week too? www.ft.com/content/37b0...
Defence of Labour asylum policy reveals backsliding on racism
Home secretary’s framing of failures is partly low politics, but also a result of ministers’ poor approach to race relations
www.ft.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Putting aside the moral issues with the arguement... it's notable the govt isn't really arguing for the policy in a evidence or policy based way.
It's purely about politics and political impacts. Both electorally and 'Reform would do worse'
It's purely about politics and political impacts. Both electorally and 'Reform would do worse'
Reposted by Michael Warhurst
BBC News: "the government believe refugees are deliberately bringing their children to avoid deportation"
As opposed to doing what with their children??
As opposed to doing what with their children??
November 17, 2025 at 10:11 PM
BBC News: "the government believe refugees are deliberately bringing their children to avoid deportation"
As opposed to doing what with their children??
As opposed to doing what with their children??
Reposted by Michael Warhurst
China, the US and even Russia playing the same game to subvert Europe that European powers used to play in African and Asian colonies: divide and rule. From @edwardluce.bsky.social on.ft.com/4oDf4Tk
The scramble for Europe is just beginning
As the EU struggles to defend its interests, outside powers play divide and rule
on.ft.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:55 PM
China, the US and even Russia playing the same game to subvert Europe that European powers used to play in African and Asian colonies: divide and rule. From @edwardluce.bsky.social on.ft.com/4oDf4Tk
Sunlit uplands update:
From the great new NBER paper by Bloom et al on the cost of Brexit.
It ain't pretty - they estimate UK GDP is down between 6-8%. Consistent with the doppelgang model of @johnspringford.bsky.social for CER.
A lot of 'free' GDP available availabe for Labour if it had the courage to reset properly.
It ain't pretty - they estimate UK GDP is down between 6-8%. Consistent with the doppelgang model of @johnspringford.bsky.social for CER.
A lot of 'free' GDP available availabe for Labour if it had the courage to reset properly.
November 17, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Sunlit uplands update:
Reposted by Michael Warhurst
The Home Secretary says "we have become the destination of choice in Europe, clearly visible to every people smuggler and would-be illegal migrant across the world"
That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
November 17, 2025 at 3:51 PM
The Home Secretary says "we have become the destination of choice in Europe, clearly visible to every people smuggler and would-be illegal migrant across the world"
That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
That is a factually untrue claim: the Home Office shows that the UK is fifth, getting 1/10 claims, while Germany gets 1/5 claims
Reposted by Michael Warhurst
Chemical producers dodging responsibility for their products, while lobbying to prevent more effective controls…..
Chemical industry pollution - fishers/taxpayers paying the price www.swissinfo.ch/eng/various/...
Swiss authorities impose ban on sale of PFAS-tainted fish
Pike and perch from Lake Zug in central Switzerland are too contaminated by PFAS, so-called "forever chemicals". Their sale or distribution as food is forbidden with immediate effect.
www.swissinfo.ch
November 15, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Chemical producers dodging responsibility for their products, while lobbying to prevent more effective controls…..
Reposted by Michael Warhurst
Only 2 years since the ban on neonics, France's population of insect-eating birds has risen 2-3% - from banning a single type of insecticide. Demonstrating just how much harm we cause birds when pesticides kill off the insects they need for food.
@paneurope.bsky.social
@paneurope.bsky.social
Good news: Study shows France’s birds making tentative recovery after neonicotinoid pesticide ban
UK has only just closed loophole in neonics ban (‘derogations’) so may be too soon to see recovery here?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
UK has only just closed loophole in neonics ban (‘derogations’) so may be too soon to see recovery here?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
With neonicotinoid pesticide ban, France’s birds make a tentative recovery - study
Analysis shows small hike in populations of insect-eating species after 2018 ruling, but full recovery may take decades
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Only 2 years since the ban on neonics, France's population of insect-eating birds has risen 2-3% - from banning a single type of insecticide. Demonstrating just how much harm we cause birds when pesticides kill off the insects they need for food.
@paneurope.bsky.social
@paneurope.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael Warhurst
The Prime Minister said in September that we are at a fork in the road. These asylum proposals suggest we have taken the wrong turning.
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Asylum system in UK ‘out of control’ and dividing country, home secretary says
Shabana Mahmood to unveil new proposals modelled on Denmark’s controversial system
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 5:45 PM
The Prime Minister said in September that we are at a fork in the road. These asylum proposals suggest we have taken the wrong turning.
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
The idea that recognised refugees need to be deported is wrong.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Michael Warhurst
It bemoans lack of integration whilst making integration far less likely.
It wants ASs to contribute, whilst forbidding most of them from doing so
It asserts that 'the rules' are too lenient whilst claiming that the problem is that people aren't 'playing by the rules'. 2/3
It wants ASs to contribute, whilst forbidding most of them from doing so
It asserts that 'the rules' are too lenient whilst claiming that the problem is that people aren't 'playing by the rules'. 2/3
November 16, 2025 at 6:49 PM
It bemoans lack of integration whilst making integration far less likely.
It wants ASs to contribute, whilst forbidding most of them from doing so
It asserts that 'the rules' are too lenient whilst claiming that the problem is that people aren't 'playing by the rules'. 2/3
It wants ASs to contribute, whilst forbidding most of them from doing so
It asserts that 'the rules' are too lenient whilst claiming that the problem is that people aren't 'playing by the rules'. 2/3
Reposted by Michael Warhurst
Now that the Sept and Oct data are (belatedly) in, it looks like 2025 will be the second warmest year in the record (~80% probability). The last three years are in a class of their own.
November 15, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Now that the Sept and Oct data are (belatedly) in, it looks like 2025 will be the second warmest year in the record (~80% probability). The last three years are in a class of their own.
Given how many aspects of the modern UK have been created by refugees, this is pretty shocking
This is an element of the migration/asylum plans I suspect quite a few Labour MPs will find hardest to sign up to: if you come to the UK as a refugee you can never make your life here, but only ever exist in a state of limbo.
Question on Monday
Is it now your principle that every Ukranian refugee in Britain should leave, must leave once it is safe + that they will all be made to leave?
Is it now your principle that every Ukranian refugee in Britain should leave, must leave once it is safe + that they will all be made to leave?
November 15, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Given how many aspects of the modern UK have been created by refugees, this is pretty shocking
Reposted by Michael Warhurst
Indeed. The BBC is in my view one of Britain‘s most important institutions. It is imperfect.
Everything is.
You destroy it at your peril.
If ever there was a time to rally around something very British, it is now.
Just an outsider‘s opinion.
Everything is.
You destroy it at your peril.
If ever there was a time to rally around something very British, it is now.
Just an outsider‘s opinion.
So many social media patriots! Delighting in the hope that the president of a foreign nation might destroy a British institution that is envied around the world! 🇬🇧
November 15, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Indeed. The BBC is in my view one of Britain‘s most important institutions. It is imperfect.
Everything is.
You destroy it at your peril.
If ever there was a time to rally around something very British, it is now.
Just an outsider‘s opinion.
Everything is.
You destroy it at your peril.
If ever there was a time to rally around something very British, it is now.
Just an outsider‘s opinion.
Chemical producers dodging responsibility for their products, while lobbying to prevent more effective controls…..
Chemical industry pollution - fishers/taxpayers paying the price www.swissinfo.ch/eng/various/...
Swiss authorities impose ban on sale of PFAS-tainted fish
Pike and perch from Lake Zug in central Switzerland are too contaminated by PFAS, so-called "forever chemicals". Their sale or distribution as food is forbidden with immediate effect.
www.swissinfo.ch
November 15, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Chemical producers dodging responsibility for their products, while lobbying to prevent more effective controls…..
Reposted by Michael Warhurst
Great that personal bribery has become the default way to get deals with the world's richest and most powerful country. Really positive development.
“Apple set the tone” when Tim Cook gave Trump an engraved, glass disc. This week, the Swiss delegation gave him a “special Rolex desktop clock” and a $130,000 gold bar.
“.. It was tough to beat Apple, but the Swiss did it," an administration official told @axios.com
www.axios.com/2025/11/14/t...
“.. It was tough to beat Apple, but the Swiss did it," an administration official told @axios.com
www.axios.com/2025/11/14/t...
November 15, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Great that personal bribery has become the default way to get deals with the world's richest and most powerful country. Really positive development.
Reposted by Michael Warhurst
Thinking about my own father, who arrived in 1946 with the Free Polish Army - when would Labour have sent him back to communist Poland? How could he have done anything to build a life and have children in the UK if he had had to beg to stay every two years? Disgusting. www.bbc.com/news/article...
UK set to limit refugees to temporary stays
Shabana Mahmood is expected to say the era of permanent protection for refugees is over, in major changes to the UK's asylum and immigration system.
www.bbc.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Thinking about my own father, who arrived in 1946 with the Free Polish Army - when would Labour have sent him back to communist Poland? How could he have done anything to build a life and have children in the UK if he had had to beg to stay every two years? Disgusting. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Michael Warhurst
Labour's fear of Reform, 'the election is tomorrow' attitude means that they are completely incapable of going 'okay, but what are *actually* the consequences of refugee and asylum policy that people don't like?'
This is as bad as anything proposed by Reform.
Leaving refugees in permanent limbo and unable to build a new life in the UK would be a complete abdication of our humanitarian responsibilities
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Leaving refugees in permanent limbo and unable to build a new life in the UK would be a complete abdication of our humanitarian responsibilities
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK set to limit refugees to temporary stays
Shabana Mahmood is expected to say the era of permanent protection for refugees is over, in major changes to the UK's asylum and immigration system.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Labour's fear of Reform, 'the election is tomorrow' attitude means that they are completely incapable of going 'okay, but what are *actually* the consequences of refugee and asylum policy that people don't like?'
‘“You are basically talking about culling [doctors] who will eventually become our registrars and consultants,” Shin said. “This sort of move would eliminate the foot soldiers of the NHS.”’
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
‘Death by a thousand cuts’: the people who could face deportation under Reform
As party’s rise fuels fears over future visa rules, people share how the lives they have built are in jeopardy
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:31 PM
‘“You are basically talking about culling [doctors] who will eventually become our registrars and consultants,” Shin said. “This sort of move would eliminate the foot soldiers of the NHS.”’
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...