Pete Harvey
@peterharveydigital.bsky.social
Literary Linguist, exploring narrative, memory and climate fiction.
Digital Producer, specialising in adult education and public engagement.
Worried human, trying to navigate the Climate Emergency.
Digital Producer, specialising in adult education and public engagement.
Worried human, trying to navigate the Climate Emergency.
Pinned
nQuire – Remembering literary descriptions
Do different readers remember literary texts in different ways?
nquire.org.uk
Do you have ten minutes to help my research?
I'm looking for volunteers to complete a survey about reading. You don't have to be a bookworm - and I explain more about my research questions at the end.
If you can take part or share it would be much appreciated.
nquire.org.uk/mission/reme...
I'm looking for volunteers to complete a survey about reading. You don't have to be a bookworm - and I explain more about my research questions at the end.
If you can take part or share it would be much appreciated.
nquire.org.uk/mission/reme...
Interesting framing:
"A blanket of carbon smothering the Earth has begun to jeopardise the stable conditions in which humanity has thrived"
As @dfenton.bsky.social has argued, "the pollution blanket" is a powerful metaphor for talking about climate change.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
"A blanket of carbon smothering the Earth has begun to jeopardise the stable conditions in which humanity has thrived"
As @dfenton.bsky.social has argued, "the pollution blanket" is a powerful metaphor for talking about climate change.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Met Office: 2026 will bring heat more than 1.4C above preindustrial levels
Forecast is slightly cooler than the record 1.55C reached in 2024, but 2026 set to be among four hottest years since 1850
www.theguardian.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Interesting framing:
"A blanket of carbon smothering the Earth has begun to jeopardise the stable conditions in which humanity has thrived"
As @dfenton.bsky.social has argued, "the pollution blanket" is a powerful metaphor for talking about climate change.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
"A blanket of carbon smothering the Earth has begun to jeopardise the stable conditions in which humanity has thrived"
As @dfenton.bsky.social has argued, "the pollution blanket" is a powerful metaphor for talking about climate change.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Peer review isn’t always painless - so I just wanted to note that I've had some incredible peer review feedback this year: constructive, detailed input that's led to better work.
Thank you, anonymous academics, for helping me raise my game in 2025.
Thank you, anonymous academics, for helping me raise my game in 2025.
December 15, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Peer review isn’t always painless - so I just wanted to note that I've had some incredible peer review feedback this year: constructive, detailed input that's led to better work.
Thank you, anonymous academics, for helping me raise my game in 2025.
Thank you, anonymous academics, for helping me raise my game in 2025.
"For centuries, nature has been the backdrop to human drama: a stage humanity dominates, exploits, or saves. But what if the planet isn’t just a setting, but a character in its own right."
Interesting piece on genre and climate fiction:
theconversation.com/why-we-need-...
Interesting piece on genre and climate fiction:
theconversation.com/why-we-need-...
Why we need weird stories for a warming world
New Weird fiction imagines worlds where humans are no longer in control.
theconversation.com
December 6, 2025 at 1:31 PM
"For centuries, nature has been the backdrop to human drama: a stage humanity dominates, exploits, or saves. But what if the planet isn’t just a setting, but a character in its own right."
Interesting piece on genre and climate fiction:
theconversation.com/why-we-need-...
Interesting piece on genre and climate fiction:
theconversation.com/why-we-need-...
Reposted by Pete Harvey
I am excited to announce "Language and Ecology in the Anthropoce: A Symposium on Ecolinguistics" on February 5-6, 2026. The event (3 keynotes & 20 presentations) is free and online. Register using the QR code below to receive updates on the schedule and links for attending.
December 1, 2025 at 4:15 PM
I am excited to announce "Language and Ecology in the Anthropoce: A Symposium on Ecolinguistics" on February 5-6, 2026. The event (3 keynotes & 20 presentations) is free and online. Register using the QR code below to receive updates on the schedule and links for attending.
"How climate change is narrated is fundamentally important for climate politics, as contained within each story of climate change are the causes of the problem and therefore implied solutions and implied futures."
Really interesting article:
Really interesting article:
Today is my first day in my new job at the Uni of Manchester, and I have a new article to share!
‘Operation Hurricane’: Narrating Climate Change as Imperial Mess.
This article is something a bit different, playing with format to explore why climate storytelling matters.
doi.org/10.1002/geo2...
‘Operation Hurricane’: Narrating Climate Change as Imperial Mess.
This article is something a bit different, playing with format to explore why climate storytelling matters.
doi.org/10.1002/geo2...
December 1, 2025 at 2:52 PM
"How climate change is narrated is fundamentally important for climate politics, as contained within each story of climate change are the causes of the problem and therefore implied solutions and implied futures."
Really interesting article:
Really interesting article:
If I was a news editor, this would have been my front page story:
Thanks to @sioldridge.bsky.social @nickoldridge.bsky.social & the team for their monumental efforts in pulling together yesterday’s National Emergency Briefing www.nebriefing.org on climate change. Thanks also go to those MPs, journalists & others who attended.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Scientists warn of severe climate-related risks to UK economy and security
Experts lay out scale of changes needed in ‘first-of-its-kind national emergency briefing’ in Westminster
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:04 AM
If I was a news editor, this would have been my front page story:
Interesting climate metaphor:
“It’s cold today—so much for global warming!”
Weather is like your mood, while climate is your personality. One cold day doesn’t disprove global trends. In fact, warming can even disrupt weather patterns and cause some of the wild swings we see today!
Weather is like your mood, while climate is your personality. One cold day doesn’t disprove global trends. In fact, warming can even disrupt weather patterns and cause some of the wild swings we see today!
Climate vs Weather | Global Weirding
YouTube video by Global Weirding with Katharine Hayhoe
www.youtube.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Interesting climate metaphor:
‘Climate change is often framed as a scientific or diplomatic issue, but before it becomes environmental or political, it is profoundly human. The way we communicate... during global summits and in everyday life needs to reflect this reality through stories.’
theconversation.com/how-stories-...
theconversation.com/how-stories-...
How stories of personal experience cut through climate fatigue in ways that global negotiations can’t
Human stories filled Cop30’s corridors but not its headlines. Climate fatigue, not apathy, drives disengagement. Storytelling can help people feel connected again.
theconversation.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:10 PM
‘Climate change is often framed as a scientific or diplomatic issue, but before it becomes environmental or political, it is profoundly human. The way we communicate... during global summits and in everyday life needs to reflect this reality through stories.’
theconversation.com/how-stories-...
theconversation.com/how-stories-...
“Let us be clear. The conference was a failure… capital assets built up around fossil fuels must be stranded – that is to say, abandoned and not used – if warming was to be limited to 2C. But the Cop30 decision text ignores all this. Indeed, it never even mentions fossil fuels.” 👇
My latest: #COP30, global climate politics, and what happens next — for @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
November 24, 2025 at 12:48 PM
“Let us be clear. The conference was a failure… capital assets built up around fossil fuels must be stranded – that is to say, abandoned and not used – if warming was to be limited to 2C. But the Cop30 decision text ignores all this. Indeed, it never even mentions fossil fuels.” 👇
November 19, 2025 at 6:39 PM
"Attention to the local and specific helps people process how social and environmental violence are intimately linked. Arts activism, working directly with people’s lived experiences of change, can offer ... alternatives to spectacular climate soundbites."
theconversation.com/apocalyptic-...
theconversation.com/apocalyptic-...
Apocalyptic images of melting glaciers and sinking islands won’t help anyone imagine a better future
How activists and artists across the world are challenging popular, generalised climate memes, such as those of melting and sinking.
theconversation.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:41 PM
"Attention to the local and specific helps people process how social and environmental violence are intimately linked. Arts activism, working directly with people’s lived experiences of change, can offer ... alternatives to spectacular climate soundbites."
theconversation.com/apocalyptic-...
theconversation.com/apocalyptic-...
How can narratives contextualise climate predictions?
‘climate storylines [...] should always come in packs: collections of narratives that together reflect the uncertainty of what could happen in a specific region or for a particular type of climatic event’
aeon.co/essays/today...
‘climate storylines [...] should always come in packs: collections of narratives that together reflect the uncertainty of what could happen in a specific region or for a particular type of climatic event’
aeon.co/essays/today...
Today’s complex climate models aren’t equivalent to reality | Aeon Essays
The immense complexity of the climate makes it impossible to model accurately. Instead we must use uncertainty to our advantage
aeon.co
November 12, 2025 at 2:22 PM
How can narratives contextualise climate predictions?
‘climate storylines [...] should always come in packs: collections of narratives that together reflect the uncertainty of what could happen in a specific region or for a particular type of climatic event’
aeon.co/essays/today...
‘climate storylines [...] should always come in packs: collections of narratives that together reflect the uncertainty of what could happen in a specific region or for a particular type of climatic event’
aeon.co/essays/today...
Really exciting - we need more undergraduate degrees like this:
Very excited to take up this role at @sussex.ac.uk & look forward to working with colleagues & students to help amplify the hugely important work the University is doing on climate, nature and environmental sustainability eg the very first undergraduate degree in climate justice starting in 2026 💚
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Caroline Lucas, former leader of the Green Party and MP for Brighton Pavilion, as the University's first Professor of Practice in Environmental Sustainability at the Sussex School for Progressive Futures (SSPF).
November 7, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Really exciting - we need more undergraduate degrees like this:
Another great Zooniverse project:
You can help catalogue historical weather data from across Africa as a vital step towards making it available for climate research here 👇
www.zooniverse.org/projects/hea...
www.zooniverse.org/projects/hea...
Weather Archive Africa | Zooniverse - People-powered research
Help catalogue vital meteorological data from across Africa as a vital step towards making it available for climate research.
www.zooniverse.org
October 22, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Another great Zooniverse project:
This is a great project on language and sustainable materials. Do sign up to take part if you can!
I’m seeking volunteers to take part in some online focus groups about biobased and biodegradable materials. Please complete this form if you can spare an hour of your time for the BB-REG-NET project. tinyurl.com/vmdxru4a
Biobased and Biodegradable Regulatory Network (BB-REG-NET) Focus Groups
The Biobased and Biodegradable Regulatory Network (BB-REG-NET) is a one-year project, funded by Innovate UK. The network unites experts from academia, industry, policy, regulatory bodies, and NGOs. To...
tinyurl.com
October 3, 2025 at 11:49 AM
This is a great project on language and sustainable materials. Do sign up to take part if you can!
It was a privilege today to present my work on how Annie Proulx’s Barkskins might help us understand the climate crisis, and what online reviews can tell us about conceptualising environmental destruction. Thanks to all the panellists for inspiring papers.
humaniora.ucu.edu.ua/en/events/in...
humaniora.ucu.edu.ua/en/events/in...
October 2, 2025 at 4:16 PM
It was a privilege today to present my work on how Annie Proulx’s Barkskins might help us understand the climate crisis, and what online reviews can tell us about conceptualising environmental destruction. Thanks to all the panellists for inspiring papers.
humaniora.ucu.edu.ua/en/events/in...
humaniora.ucu.edu.ua/en/events/in...
Reposted by Pete Harvey
“We are facing a planetary emergency. The breach of the Ocean Acidification boundary is a stark scientific warning and a moral call to action. Without healthy oceans, peace, prosperity & stability are at risk everywhere. We must act now...to safeguard this life-support system for future generations"
Seven of nine planetary boundaries now breached – ocean acidification joins the danger zone
24.09.2025 - A new report from the Planetary Boundaries Science Lab at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) reveals that 7 of the 9 critical Earth system boundaries have now been b...
www.pik-potsdam.de
September 25, 2025 at 6:16 AM
“We are facing a planetary emergency. The breach of the Ocean Acidification boundary is a stark scientific warning and a moral call to action. Without healthy oceans, peace, prosperity & stability are at risk everywhere. We must act now...to safeguard this life-support system for future generations"
Note to politicians: Physics doesn't care whether or not extra CO2 emissions break manifesto promises: www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Ed Miliband looking into more North Sea drilling despite Labour pledge
Exclusive: Energy secretary examining ways to allow oil and gas exploration without breaking manifesto promise
www.theguardian.com
September 25, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Note to politicians: Physics doesn't care whether or not extra CO2 emissions break manifesto promises: www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Pete Harvey
“To be a good scientist, I have to take emotions out of work. Still, I would say looking at this data, when I allow myself to connect to it emotionally, then I am afraid. This really scares me”
- Dr. Levke Caesar, co-lead of Planetary Boundaries Science Lab
- Dr. Levke Caesar, co-lead of Planetary Boundaries Science Lab
World’s oceans fail key health check as acidity crosses critical threshold for marine life
Scientists call for renewed global effort to curb fossil fuels as seven of nine planetary boundaries now transgressed
www.theguardian.com
September 25, 2025 at 4:26 AM
“To be a good scientist, I have to take emotions out of work. Still, I would say looking at this data, when I allow myself to connect to it emotionally, then I am afraid. This really scares me”
- Dr. Levke Caesar, co-lead of Planetary Boundaries Science Lab
- Dr. Levke Caesar, co-lead of Planetary Boundaries Science Lab
Reposted by Pete Harvey
Another great post from @bnerlich.bsky.social on the metaphors of geoengineering.
#linguistics #ecolinguistics @granthamcsf.bsky.social
#linguistics #ecolinguistics @granthamcsf.bsky.social
Geoengineering and metaphors, 2009 to 2025: Continuity and change
Since around 2006, I have been interested in speculations about geoengineering, that is, attempts to deal with climate change by directly intervening in the planet's atmosphere, oceans, or land. Such interventions include pulling…
Since around 2006, I have been interested in speculations about geoengineering, that is, attempts to deal with climate change by directly intervening in the planet's atmosphere, oceans, or land. Such interventions include pulling…
Geoengineering and metaphors, 2009 to 2025: Continuity and change
Since around 2006, I have been interested in speculations about geoengineering, that is, attempts to deal with climate change by directly intervening in the planet's atmosphere, oceans, or land. Such interventions include pulling carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or dampening solar radiation. In the UK there have been three inflection points in reflections about such speculations and experimentations: the 2009 Royal Society…
makingsciencepublic.com
September 13, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Another great post from @bnerlich.bsky.social on the metaphors of geoengineering.
#linguistics #ecolinguistics @granthamcsf.bsky.social
#linguistics #ecolinguistics @granthamcsf.bsky.social
Reposted by Pete Harvey
Check out my column on why stories have a crucial role to play in helping us face up to the eco-crisis and showing us ways through what is coming.
www.edp24.co.uk/news/2539857...
www.edp24.co.uk/news/2539857...
Ragnarök and Our Need to Be Inspired by Stories in Our Modern Eco-Crisis
Ragnarök and Our Need to Be Inspired by Stories in Our Modern Eco-Crisis
www.edp24.co.uk
September 7, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Check out my column on why stories have a crucial role to play in helping us face up to the eco-crisis and showing us ways through what is coming.
www.edp24.co.uk/news/2539857...
www.edp24.co.uk/news/2539857...
“In its 2007 edition, the Oxford Junior Dictionary, widely used in classrooms in the United Kingdom, removed dozens of entries related to the natural world, including “acorn,” “bluebell,” and “magpie,””
"Since 1800, there’s been a sharp decline in nature-related words in English language books. It closely matches a simulation of nature–human interactions." A new piece in @grist.org by Kate Yoder, with some #ecolinguistics input from @repoole.bsky.social grist.org/language/nat...
The words we use to talk about nature are disappearing. Here’s why that matters.
We’ll need to do more than ‘touch grass’ to revive them.
grist.org
September 7, 2025 at 8:00 AM
“In its 2007 edition, the Oxford Junior Dictionary, widely used in classrooms in the United Kingdom, removed dozens of entries related to the natural world, including “acorn,” “bluebell,” and “magpie,””
Solastalgia: "the distress that is produced by environmental change impacting on people while they are directly connected to their home environment”
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This was the hottest summer on record. If it happens again next year, Britain’s ecosystems won’t cope | Lucy Jones
A future of extreme heatwaves, drought and collapsing habitats awaits if we continue to ignore the danger signs, says author Lucy Jones
www.theguardian.com
September 3, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Solastalgia: "the distress that is produced by environmental change impacting on people while they are directly connected to their home environment”
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
"[Contrast] this really rich life that you find in literature and in academia, and the platitudes of politics. In literature there is an experimentation with genres and with cultures and with languages, and so you get this sense of complexity.”
Lea Ypi, via
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...
Lea Ypi, via
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...
‘Literature can be a form of resistance’: Lea Ypi talks to Elif Shafak about writing in the age of demagogues
The Albanian author of Free and the Turkish novelist discuss the rise of populism, censorship – and how today’s conflicts all come from the unresolved trauma of the past
www.theguardian.com
September 3, 2025 at 9:37 AM
"[Contrast] this really rich life that you find in literature and in academia, and the platitudes of politics. In literature there is an experimentation with genres and with cultures and with languages, and so you get this sense of complexity.”
Lea Ypi, via
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...
Lea Ypi, via
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...
Reposted by Pete Harvey
This October, I’m curating a strand of the Off the Shelf festival called Human/Nature. I’m very excited to be talking to @tonyjuniper.bsky.social on 18th about his book ‘Just Earth: How a Fairer World will Save the Planet’. Details👇
offtheshelf.org.uk/events/just-...
@sheffielduni.bsky.social
offtheshelf.org.uk/events/just-...
@sheffielduni.bsky.social
Tony Juniper CBE is Chair of the British Government’s official conservation agency Natural England and a Fellow with the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. His books include the award-winning What Has Nature Ever Done For Us?
offtheshelf.org.uk
August 17, 2025 at 10:44 AM
This October, I’m curating a strand of the Off the Shelf festival called Human/Nature. I’m very excited to be talking to @tonyjuniper.bsky.social on 18th about his book ‘Just Earth: How a Fairer World will Save the Planet’. Details👇
offtheshelf.org.uk/events/just-...
@sheffielduni.bsky.social
offtheshelf.org.uk/events/just-...
@sheffielduni.bsky.social