Paul van Brakel
@paulvanbrakel.bsky.social
Retired enviro eng
1st cab off the rank will probably be AMOC
Net Zero = BAU Marketing Strategy
Embrace Biodiversity
No profile = no follow
Smile while you work
Aotearoa New Zealand
1st cab off the rank will probably be AMOC
Net Zero = BAU Marketing Strategy
Embrace Biodiversity
No profile = no follow
Smile while you work
Aotearoa New Zealand
Pinned
One species of New Zealand's endemic bees in Maramaratotara Bay.
One hovering and the other on a flax flower.
One hovering and the other on a flax flower.
Reposted by Paul van Brakel
Once victims of the South Korean dog meat trade, these pups are now safe, loved and well on their way to the lives they deserve.
January 29, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Once victims of the South Korean dog meat trade, these pups are now safe, loved and well on their way to the lives they deserve.
Reposted by Paul van Brakel
⛰️ A call to strengthen protection for seamounts and vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems.
🔗 Learn more and add your support:
👉 stateoftheocean.org/seamountspro...
🔗 Learn more and add your support:
👉 stateoftheocean.org/seamountspro...
Scientists Call for Urgent Protection of Deep-Sea Ecosystems
Join scientists in calling for immediate action for full implementation of existing commitments to protect deep-sea biodiversity.
stateoftheocean.org
January 29, 2026 at 4:16 PM
⛰️ A call to strengthen protection for seamounts and vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems.
🔗 Learn more and add your support:
👉 stateoftheocean.org/seamountspro...
🔗 Learn more and add your support:
👉 stateoftheocean.org/seamountspro...
"creates the low-oxygen, high-nutrient conditions that are ideal for the production of potent greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide – both of which warm the atmosphere considerably more than CO₂."
#ClimateCrisis
#ClimateCrisis
How to cut harmful emissions from ditches and canals - new research
->The Conversation | More on "Managing ditches to reduce emissions" at BigEarthData.ai | #emission #climate change
->The Conversation | More on "Managing ditches to reduce emissions" at BigEarthData.ai | #emission #climate change
How to cut harmful emissions from ditches and canals - new research
Ditches and canals are the underdog of the freshwater world. These human-made waterways are often forgotten, devalued and perceived negatively – think “dull as ditchwater”. But these unsung heroes have a hidden potential for climate change mitigation, if they’re managed...
theconversation.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:27 PM
"creates the low-oxygen, high-nutrient conditions that are ideal for the production of potent greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide – both of which warm the atmosphere considerably more than CO₂."
#ClimateCrisis
#ClimateCrisis
Reposted by Paul van Brakel
What we know we don’t know: impacts of deep-sea mining on whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles, and other migratory species www.southernfriedscience.com/what-we-know...
What we know we don’t know: impacts of deep-sea mining on whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles, and other migratory species.
Migratory species depend on a vast, interconnected ocean. Disturbance in the deep-sea isn’t localized, it ripples across a globally-connected ocean and impacts made today may persist long aft…
www.southernfriedscience.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:57 PM
What we know we don’t know: impacts of deep-sea mining on whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles, and other migratory species www.southernfriedscience.com/what-we-know...
Reposted by Paul van Brakel
More footage that would be at home in a disaster movie
[India] Night of terror in Sonamarg: Avalanche roars down amid relentless snowfall > www.msn.com/en-gb/video/... #FossilFuels #SevereWeather #Storm #Avalanche #Sonamarg #India
January 28, 2026 at 6:31 PM
More footage that would be at home in a disaster movie
Reposted by Paul van Brakel
Reposted by Paul van Brakel
Remember #AoNZ how here the healthy homes standard bill got blocked by National but passed by Labour when they came to power in 2017 as National seeks re-election later this year. Note how PM Luxon has tried taking the spotlight off him by selling his houses last year #nzpol #landlords
Decent homes standard for UK private renters delayed by government until 2035 | Renting property
https://www.europesays.com/2737598/
The government’s promise to make private rented homes fit for habitation will not be enforced for almost a…
https://www.europesays.com/2737598/
The government’s promise to make private rented homes fit for habitation will not be enforced for almost a…
Decent homes standard for UK private renters delayed by government until 2035 | Renting property - EUROPE SAYS
The government’s promise to make private rented homes fit for habitation will not be enforced for almost a decade, a decision campaigners describe as “absurd”.
www.europesays.com
January 28, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Remember #AoNZ how here the healthy homes standard bill got blocked by National but passed by Labour when they came to power in 2017 as National seeks re-election later this year. Note how PM Luxon has tried taking the spotlight off him by selling his houses last year #nzpol #landlords
How will you control the narrative of this inconvenient truth as you run up to the election Mr Luxon?
#ClimateCrisis #nzpol #methane
#flooding#landslides
Insurer temporarily halts new policies in Westport due to flood risk www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
#ClimateCrisis #nzpol #methane
#flooding#landslides
Insurer temporarily halts new policies in Westport due to flood risk www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Insurer temporarily halts new policies in Westport due to flood risk
AA Insurance's decision will be the first of many as the full force of climate change arrives in New Zealand, one researcher says.
www.rnz.co.nz
January 28, 2026 at 5:10 PM
How will you control the narrative of this inconvenient truth as you run up to the election Mr Luxon?
#ClimateCrisis #nzpol #methane
#flooding#landslides
Insurer temporarily halts new policies in Westport due to flood risk www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
#ClimateCrisis #nzpol #methane
#flooding#landslides
Insurer temporarily halts new policies in Westport due to flood risk www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
"Animal-washing: celebrating animals in imagery while sidelining them in policy." Those 60,000 penguins yep we (all of us) killed em. Life is precious and we are not alone.
#ClimateCrisis #biodiversity
#ClimateCrisis #biodiversity
Animals Are Climate Allies. So Why Are We Leaving Them Out of Climate Policy?
->The Revelator | More on "Animals helping fight climate change" at BigEarthData.ai | #climate policy
->The Revelator | More on "Animals helping fight climate change" at BigEarthData.ai | #climate policy
Animals Are Climate Allies. So Why Are We Leaving Them Out of Climate Policy?
Climate change threatens species around the world. At the same time, many animals can help us in the fight against climate change — if we let them. “Who the f*ck wants to kill penguins?” asks MI5 supervisor Jackson Lamb in...
therevelator.org
January 28, 2026 at 4:20 PM
"Animal-washing: celebrating animals in imagery while sidelining them in policy." Those 60,000 penguins yep we (all of us) killed em. Life is precious and we are not alone.
#ClimateCrisis #biodiversity
#ClimateCrisis #biodiversity
2nd time we've seen a Puriri moth at our place 'scuse the quality it was moving and wouldn't say cheese
Oh and I was rescuing it so not deliberately handling it
#biodiversity
Oh and I was rescuing it so not deliberately handling it
#biodiversity
January 28, 2026 at 2:16 AM
2nd time we've seen a Puriri moth at our place 'scuse the quality it was moving and wouldn't say cheese
Oh and I was rescuing it so not deliberately handling it
#biodiversity
Oh and I was rescuing it so not deliberately handling it
#biodiversity
Reposted by Paul van Brakel
Who could have guessed that the easiest way to get gun control was to have liberals get guns?
January 28, 2026 at 1:39 AM
Who could have guessed that the easiest way to get gun control was to have liberals get guns?
Reposted by Paul van Brakel
Update on AUSTRALIA HEAT WAVE
Brutal 49.7C at Pooncarie ,New South Wales
And the heat will just get worse and last all week.
Every day hovering 50C..
There have never been anything like this in all
Southern Hemisphere climatic history
This trashes any other heat wave ever occurred.
Brutal 49.7C at Pooncarie ,New South Wales
And the heat will just get worse and last all week.
Every day hovering 50C..
There have never been anything like this in all
Southern Hemisphere climatic history
This trashes any other heat wave ever occurred.
🌡️MOST EXTREME HEAT WAVE IN SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE HISTORY
48.9 Hopetun and Walpeup
VICTORIA HOTTEST DAY EVER
49.6 Renmark ,SOUTH AUSTRALIA
49.1 Fowler Gap NEW SOUTH WALES
Dozens of records pulverized (list tomorrow) Widespread >48C.
and WILL GET WORSE: All week near 50C !
48.9 Hopetun and Walpeup
VICTORIA HOTTEST DAY EVER
49.6 Renmark ,SOUTH AUSTRALIA
49.1 Fowler Gap NEW SOUTH WALES
Dozens of records pulverized (list tomorrow) Widespread >48C.
and WILL GET WORSE: All week near 50C !
January 28, 2026 at 1:46 AM
Update on AUSTRALIA HEAT WAVE
Brutal 49.7C at Pooncarie ,New South Wales
And the heat will just get worse and last all week.
Every day hovering 50C..
There have never been anything like this in all
Southern Hemisphere climatic history
This trashes any other heat wave ever occurred.
Brutal 49.7C at Pooncarie ,New South Wales
And the heat will just get worse and last all week.
Every day hovering 50C..
There have never been anything like this in all
Southern Hemisphere climatic history
This trashes any other heat wave ever occurred.
Reposted by Paul van Brakel
"We will continue. These fucking assholes will not get away with this" is a bar
Minneapolis, MN -
US Rep. Ilhan Omar was just sprayed by an unknown substance during a town hall meeting in North Minneapolis. Despite some telling her she needed to change, she continued to speak to the crowd.
(From a Reuters feed)
US Rep. Ilhan Omar was just sprayed by an unknown substance during a town hall meeting in North Minneapolis. Despite some telling her she needed to change, she continued to speak to the crowd.
(From a Reuters feed)
January 28, 2026 at 1:40 AM
"We will continue. These fucking assholes will not get away with this" is a bar
A gang of meatheads.
Pie's term for ICE officers can by extension be applied to the US administration.
Pie's term for ICE officers can by extension be applied to the US administration.
January 27, 2026 at 11:40 PM
A gang of meatheads.
Pie's term for ICE officers can by extension be applied to the US administration.
Pie's term for ICE officers can by extension be applied to the US administration.
When asked (just now on RNZ) about climate change resilience planning for landslides Simeon Brown said they have put money into roads WTAF
#nzpol
#nzpol
January 27, 2026 at 7:17 PM
When asked (just now on RNZ) about climate change resilience planning for landslides Simeon Brown said they have put money into roads WTAF
#nzpol
#nzpol
Reposted by Paul van Brakel
2. Brazil – Pablo Vergara
Butterflies fly around the old chief, guardian of the forest of the Kayapó people who inhabit the Middle Xingu region – a biodiversity hotspot – in Pará state, northern Brazil
Butterflies fly around the old chief, guardian of the forest of the Kayapó people who inhabit the Middle Xingu region – a biodiversity hotspot – in Pará state, northern Brazil
January 27, 2026 at 6:01 PM
2. Brazil – Pablo Vergara
Butterflies fly around the old chief, guardian of the forest of the Kayapó people who inhabit the Middle Xingu region – a biodiversity hotspot – in Pará state, northern Brazil
Butterflies fly around the old chief, guardian of the forest of the Kayapó people who inhabit the Middle Xingu region – a biodiversity hotspot – in Pará state, northern Brazil
Reposted by Paul van Brakel
Full post vid for Hawaii bsky.app/profile/lore...
This is the Hawaiian parent. Believe it or not she’s a grandmother. But the Arizona parents said they were given to third graders.
January 27, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Full post vid for Hawaii bsky.app/profile/lore...
Reposted by Paul van Brakel
What I’ve learned since I did this post over a year ago has led me to conclude that microplastics ARE unquestionably a greater threat to complex life on Earth than climate change.
Roughly 2/3 of all microplastics are generated from clothes and tires. Microplastics may be an even greater threat to complex life on Earth than climate change. 🙁
theconversation.com/car-tyres-sh...
theconversation.com/car-tyres-sh...
Car tyres shed a quarter of all microplastics in the environment – urgent action is needed
Tiny flakes of plastic, generated by the wear and tear of normal driving, eventually accumulate in the soil, in rivers and lakes, and even in our food.
theconversation.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:07 PM
What I’ve learned since I did this post over a year ago has led me to conclude that microplastics ARE unquestionably a greater threat to complex life on Earth than climate change.
Reposted by Paul van Brakel
Reposted by Paul van Brakel
"The global attack on nature is threatening the UK’s national security, government intelligence chiefs have warned, as the increasingly likely collapse of vitally important natural systems would bring mass migration, food shortages and price rises, and global disorder."
Biodiversity collapse threatens UK security, intelligence chiefs warn
Ecosystem destruction will increase food shortages, disorder and mass migration, with effects already being felt
www.theguardian.com
January 27, 2026 at 12:13 PM
"The global attack on nature is threatening the UK’s national security, government intelligence chiefs have warned, as the increasingly likely collapse of vitally important natural systems would bring mass migration, food shortages and price rises, and global disorder."
With the catch cry of a clean green Aotearoa New Zealand what would our #tourism board say to this?
With Upston at the helm, who'd never embrace something that hasn't growth written all over it...
#biodiversity
With Upston at the helm, who'd never embrace something that hasn't growth written all over it...
#biodiversity
#SustainableTourism is presented as a model capable of protecting the #environment while ensuring #income for local #communities. But after many years, the question remains: Does it work? Here is an example sabahdai.ly/_2jvi #conservation #community #SDG11 #SDG15 #SDG8 #SDG14 #Turkiye #communities
Is sustainable tourism a utopia? Here is an example that works | Opinion
Sustainable tourism offers a better alternative to five-star hotels by protecting nature and supporting local communities
sabahdai.ly
January 27, 2026 at 5:07 PM
With the catch cry of a clean green Aotearoa New Zealand what would our #tourism board say to this?
With Upston at the helm, who'd never embrace something that hasn't growth written all over it...
#biodiversity
With Upston at the helm, who'd never embrace something that hasn't growth written all over it...
#biodiversity
Reposted by Paul van Brakel
Why do I document birds and wildlife for conservation? To keep a record. I’ve got over ten years of photo files and videos of areas of urban Vancouver & it’s incredible wildlife and birds.
This is not about me.
It’s about people who rewrite history and change the narrative.
This is not about me.
It’s about people who rewrite history and change the narrative.
January 27, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Why do I document birds and wildlife for conservation? To keep a record. I’ve got over ten years of photo files and videos of areas of urban Vancouver & it’s incredible wildlife and birds.
This is not about me.
It’s about people who rewrite history and change the narrative.
This is not about me.
It’s about people who rewrite history and change the narrative.
The argument that a very wealthy minority has destroyed this planet is getting old. All of us take up natural habitat... buy plastic...use water stolen from nature, emit CO2.. vote for the rich to govern us... The 1% need the 99%, and the 99% need the 1%. We all dug this hole together.
"Capitalism is a death sentence; it follows the impossible math of growth: it only understands doing, building & achieving. It is incapable of stopping. As long as this religion remains unchallenged, the destiny of humanity is collapse & extinction."
georgetsakraklides.substack.com/p/the-growth...
georgetsakraklides.substack.com/p/the-growth...
The Growth Dogma: How Humans Resigned Themselves to Acceleration
Thousands of years ago humans supercharged their journey towards collapse by unconditionally embracing the most disruptive, extractive, and self-annihilating technologies. Although the agricultural, i...
georgetsakraklides.substack.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:35 PM
The argument that a very wealthy minority has destroyed this planet is getting old. All of us take up natural habitat... buy plastic...use water stolen from nature, emit CO2.. vote for the rich to govern us... The 1% need the 99%, and the 99% need the 1%. We all dug this hole together.
So using deductive logic
if more currents slow with increased CO2 and warning then ocean CO2 uptake will decrease as mixing decreases
#ClimateCrisis
if more currents slow with increased CO2 and warning then ocean CO2 uptake will decrease as mixing decreases
#ClimateCrisis
New research published in Nature Climate Change shows that narrow fronts - covering just 36% of the global ocean - are responsible for 72% of the sea's carbon dioxide uptake, absorbing around 1.8 billion tonnes of carbon each year.
For more on this work: www.21centuryweather.org.au/ocean-fronts...
For more on this work: www.21centuryweather.org.au/ocean-fronts...
Ocean fronts play key role in absorbing carbon
New research reveals ocean fronts account for 72% of the ocean's total carbon dioxide uptake, reshaping how scientists understand climate regulation.
www.21centuryweather.org.au
January 27, 2026 at 1:55 AM
So using deductive logic
if more currents slow with increased CO2 and warning then ocean CO2 uptake will decrease as mixing decreases
#ClimateCrisis
if more currents slow with increased CO2 and warning then ocean CO2 uptake will decrease as mixing decreases
#ClimateCrisis