Paul Cowling
@picowlo.bsky.social
Far from the madding crowds... Politics, society, culture and stuff. Views from the shores of the Baltic
Pinned
Paul Cowling
@picowlo.bsky.social
· Nov 12
What this site needs is more posts on wooden boatbuilding...... 😉 #clinkerboat #Boat #boatbuilding #sailing
It's one thing to own a vacant property - it's another to get permitting for change of use....
February 5, 2026 at 5:41 AM
It's one thing to own a vacant property - it's another to get permitting for change of use....
Reposted by Paul Cowling
One by one, Europeans mentioned in the Epstein files who still hold political office are beginning to resign or are being forced out of office.
Meanwhile, ruled by an administration almost entirely made up of Epstein associates, the US carries on as if nothing really happened.
Meanwhile, ruled by an administration almost entirely made up of Epstein associates, the US carries on as if nothing really happened.
February 3, 2026 at 2:39 PM
One by one, Europeans mentioned in the Epstein files who still hold political office are beginning to resign or are being forced out of office.
Meanwhile, ruled by an administration almost entirely made up of Epstein associates, the US carries on as if nothing really happened.
Meanwhile, ruled by an administration almost entirely made up of Epstein associates, the US carries on as if nothing really happened.
Reposted by Paul Cowling
"I dag fungerar de snarare som en synonym för ”svenska värderingar”: Ett identitetspolitiskt tillhygge som används för att markera en svensk säridentitet, men sällan fylls med konkret innehåll.
Man vill använda de kristna stororden, men inte ta ansvar för deras betydelse."
Man vill använda de kristna stororden, men inte ta ansvar för deras betydelse."
JOEL HALLDORF: Nej, Ebba Busch förstår inte Bibeln
KD tycks överraskade över att de nu får kyrklig kritik för sin migrationspolitik. Joel Halldorf tycker att Ebba Busch reducerar kristendomen till politisk rekvisita.
www.expressen.se
February 3, 2026 at 6:32 PM
"I dag fungerar de snarare som en synonym för ”svenska värderingar”: Ett identitetspolitiskt tillhygge som används för att markera en svensk säridentitet, men sällan fylls med konkret innehåll.
Man vill använda de kristna stororden, men inte ta ansvar för deras betydelse."
Man vill använda de kristna stororden, men inte ta ansvar för deras betydelse."
Reposted by Paul Cowling
Our research was picked up by the top Swedish newspaper! @dagensnyheter.bsky.social interviewed @josephinecouet.bsky.social on elevational shifts of birds in the Swedish (and other European) mountains.Utmärkt!
www.dn.se/varlden/klim...
@hkilabornithology.bsky.social @helsinki.fi @nathist.bsky.social
www.dn.se/varlden/klim...
@hkilabornithology.bsky.social @helsinki.fi @nathist.bsky.social
Klimatförändringar driver fåglarna högre upp i de svenska fjällen
I genomsnitt har många fåglar flyttat knappt tio meter högre upp sedan millennieskiftet. Förändringen sker snabbast i den svenska fjällvärlden.
www.dn.se
February 3, 2026 at 6:51 PM
Our research was picked up by the top Swedish newspaper! @dagensnyheter.bsky.social interviewed @josephinecouet.bsky.social on elevational shifts of birds in the Swedish (and other European) mountains.Utmärkt!
www.dn.se/varlden/klim...
@hkilabornithology.bsky.social @helsinki.fi @nathist.bsky.social
www.dn.se/varlden/klim...
@hkilabornithology.bsky.social @helsinki.fi @nathist.bsky.social
Reposted by Paul Cowling
“The laws wouldn’t allow him to do that.”
“But that would be impossible under the constitution.”
“There’s no mechanism that makes that possible.”
Keep seeing these phrases and variations, and I don’t think some have fully understood what it means for a regime to not care about the rule of law.
“But that would be impossible under the constitution.”
“There’s no mechanism that makes that possible.”
Keep seeing these phrases and variations, and I don’t think some have fully understood what it means for a regime to not care about the rule of law.
February 3, 2026 at 10:42 PM
“The laws wouldn’t allow him to do that.”
“But that would be impossible under the constitution.”
“There’s no mechanism that makes that possible.”
Keep seeing these phrases and variations, and I don’t think some have fully understood what it means for a regime to not care about the rule of law.
“But that would be impossible under the constitution.”
“There’s no mechanism that makes that possible.”
Keep seeing these phrases and variations, and I don’t think some have fully understood what it means for a regime to not care about the rule of law.
Reposted by Paul Cowling
Twenty years ago, any one of these revelations would have ended careers, destroyed reputations, and ruined lives. Now, it’s just a Tuesday.
I refuse to accept this as the new normal. I do not comply.
I refuse to accept this as the new normal. I do not comply.
February 4, 2026 at 2:13 AM
Twenty years ago, any one of these revelations would have ended careers, destroyed reputations, and ruined lives. Now, it’s just a Tuesday.
I refuse to accept this as the new normal. I do not comply.
I refuse to accept this as the new normal. I do not comply.
Reposted by Paul Cowling
Kudos to Mayor Mamdani.
This is what economic justice looks like.
And it's a reminder of how we can fight corporate greed at the state and local level. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/01/mamdani-ice-delivery-workers-settlement-backpay-uber-gig-workers-million/
This is what economic justice looks like.
And it's a reminder of how we can fight corporate greed at the state and local level. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/01/mamdani-ice-delivery-workers-settlement-backpay-uber-gig-workers-million/
February 2, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Kudos to Mayor Mamdani.
This is what economic justice looks like.
And it's a reminder of how we can fight corporate greed at the state and local level. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/01/mamdani-ice-delivery-workers-settlement-backpay-uber-gig-workers-million/
This is what economic justice looks like.
And it's a reminder of how we can fight corporate greed at the state and local level. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/01/mamdani-ice-delivery-workers-settlement-backpay-uber-gig-workers-million/
Reposted by Paul Cowling
Methane pollution from US oil and gas infrastructure causes more climate change than the entire economies of all but seven nations on earth.
(This is with methane's climate impacts conservatively evaluated over a 100-year time frame. Evaluated over shorter time frames, methane's impacts are worse.)
(This is with methane's climate impacts conservatively evaluated over a 100-year time frame. Evaluated over shorter time frames, methane's impacts are worse.)
Accounting for methane from natural gas infrastructure in United States greenhouse gas emission estimates
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that United States net greenhouse gas emissions have declined over the last two decades and are no…
www.sciencedirect.com
February 1, 2026 at 11:50 PM
Methane pollution from US oil and gas infrastructure causes more climate change than the entire economies of all but seven nations on earth.
(This is with methane's climate impacts conservatively evaluated over a 100-year time frame. Evaluated over shorter time frames, methane's impacts are worse.)
(This is with methane's climate impacts conservatively evaluated over a 100-year time frame. Evaluated over shorter time frames, methane's impacts are worse.)
Reposted by Paul Cowling
We often hear about the "hard-to-abate" emissions — especially from cement, steel, aviation...
Sometimes these are used to justify crazy carbon removal schemes.
But as Sarah Gleeson at Project Drawdown points out, "hard-to-abate" doesn't mean "impossible-to-abate"...
drawdown.org/insights/wha...
Sometimes these are used to justify crazy carbon removal schemes.
But as Sarah Gleeson at Project Drawdown points out, "hard-to-abate" doesn't mean "impossible-to-abate"...
drawdown.org/insights/wha...
What are “hard-to-abate” emissions – and why do they matter?
Hard-to-abate emissions aren't impossible-to-abate. Here's where we can start to reduce these stubborn emissions.
https://drawdown.org/insights/what-are-“hard-to-abate”-emissions-–-and-why-do-they-matter
February 2, 2026 at 4:33 PM
We often hear about the "hard-to-abate" emissions — especially from cement, steel, aviation...
Sometimes these are used to justify crazy carbon removal schemes.
But as Sarah Gleeson at Project Drawdown points out, "hard-to-abate" doesn't mean "impossible-to-abate"...
drawdown.org/insights/wha...
Sometimes these are used to justify crazy carbon removal schemes.
But as Sarah Gleeson at Project Drawdown points out, "hard-to-abate" doesn't mean "impossible-to-abate"...
drawdown.org/insights/wha...
Reposted by Paul Cowling
Specs and drugs and sausage rolls
February 2, 2026 at 9:25 AM
Specs and drugs and sausage rolls
Reposted by Paul Cowling
This is a long video, but its really, really worth watching in full.
For me, a non-expert, an entirely definitive argument on renewables. Single-use energy is expensive and wasteful, and ultimately a choke on human progress.
For me, a non-expert, an entirely definitive argument on renewables. Single-use energy is expensive and wasteful, and ultimately a choke on human progress.
if you follow me, you have probably already watched this video but in case you haven't, please do
it fills me with so much anger that the guy who normally just shares his joyous fascination with old tech was forced to make it
but he was because for some things the magic of buying two doesn't work
it fills me with so much anger that the guy who normally just shares his joyous fascination with old tech was forced to make it
but he was because for some things the magic of buying two doesn't work
February 1, 2026 at 11:53 AM
This is a long video, but its really, really worth watching in full.
For me, a non-expert, an entirely definitive argument on renewables. Single-use energy is expensive and wasteful, and ultimately a choke on human progress.
For me, a non-expert, an entirely definitive argument on renewables. Single-use energy is expensive and wasteful, and ultimately a choke on human progress.
Reposted by Paul Cowling
Malmö det goda exemplet.
Varför är det så få som lyfter att Malmö kommit tillrätta med skjutningar (minskat med 70% sen 2018) utan alla verktyg på rättsområdet som regeringen tar fram nu.
Snarare har polisiära- och avhopparåtgärder hjälpt.
@moabrglf.bsky.social
www.sydsvenskan.se/opinion/moa-...
Varför är det så få som lyfter att Malmö kommit tillrätta med skjutningar (minskat med 70% sen 2018) utan alla verktyg på rättsområdet som regeringen tar fram nu.
Snarare har polisiära- och avhopparåtgärder hjälpt.
@moabrglf.bsky.social
www.sydsvenskan.se/opinion/moa-...
LEDARE: Sossarna i södern har ett ansvar för att ta ton.
Sydsvenskan.se är den ledande nyhetstidningen i Skåne och Öresundsregionen
www.sydsvenskan.se
February 1, 2026 at 8:32 AM
Malmö det goda exemplet.
Varför är det så få som lyfter att Malmö kommit tillrätta med skjutningar (minskat med 70% sen 2018) utan alla verktyg på rättsområdet som regeringen tar fram nu.
Snarare har polisiära- och avhopparåtgärder hjälpt.
@moabrglf.bsky.social
www.sydsvenskan.se/opinion/moa-...
Varför är det så få som lyfter att Malmö kommit tillrätta med skjutningar (minskat med 70% sen 2018) utan alla verktyg på rättsområdet som regeringen tar fram nu.
Snarare har polisiära- och avhopparåtgärder hjälpt.
@moabrglf.bsky.social
www.sydsvenskan.se/opinion/moa-...
Swedish radio on how most people in Sweden with Muslim background are non believers -despite what people think.
(In Swedish 🙂)
(In Swedish 🙂)
February 1, 2026 at 8:32 AM
Swedish radio on how most people in Sweden with Muslim background are non believers -despite what people think.
(In Swedish 🙂)
(In Swedish 🙂)
Reposted by Paul Cowling
"We are on the brink of an irreversible climate disaster. This is a global emergency beyond any doubt. Much of the very fabric of life on Earth is imperiled."
That's from a group of more than a dozen prominent climate scientists. Probably nothing.
That's from a group of more than a dozen prominent climate scientists. Probably nothing.
The 2024 state of the climate report: Perilous times on planet Earth
We are on the brink of an irreversible climate disaster. This is a global emergency beyond any doubt. Much of the very fabric of life on Earth is imperiled
academic.oup.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:51 PM
"We are on the brink of an irreversible climate disaster. This is a global emergency beyond any doubt. Much of the very fabric of life on Earth is imperiled."
That's from a group of more than a dozen prominent climate scientists. Probably nothing.
That's from a group of more than a dozen prominent climate scientists. Probably nothing.
Reposted by Paul Cowling
When the Met police raided Westminster Meeting House, the Quakers there were powerless to do anything, so they hit the coppers hard, where it hurts...
They made tea and didn't offer the coppers any.
They made tea and didn't offer the coppers any.
a teddy bear wearing a red hat and a blue coat
Alt: Paddington delivering a Hard Stare.
media.tenor.com
January 30, 2026 at 11:35 AM
When the Met police raided Westminster Meeting House, the Quakers there were powerless to do anything, so they hit the coppers hard, where it hurts...
They made tea and didn't offer the coppers any.
They made tea and didn't offer the coppers any.
Reposted by Paul Cowling
🌿 Did you know? Agricultural expansion drives nearly 90% of global deforestation, according to the FAO. We're clearing forests at an alarming rate for crops and livestock, but this "progress" is destroying our planet's lungs. #Deforestation #Sustainability
January 29, 2026 at 5:42 AM
🌿 Did you know? Agricultural expansion drives nearly 90% of global deforestation, according to the FAO. We're clearing forests at an alarming rate for crops and livestock, but this "progress" is destroying our planet's lungs. #Deforestation #Sustainability
Reposted by Paul Cowling
Please spread this far and wide, as stories don't get much bigger than this. When the government blocks even the intelligence services from telling us we're heading for environmental catastrophe, you know we have a problem. A very big problem.
Thank you.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Thank you.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The UK government didn't want you to see this report on ecosystem collapse. I'm not surprised | George Monbiot
It took an FOI request to bring this national security assessment to light. For ‘doomsayers’ like us, it is the ultimate vindication, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:18 AM
Please spread this far and wide, as stories don't get much bigger than this. When the government blocks even the intelligence services from telling us we're heading for environmental catastrophe, you know we have a problem. A very big problem.
Thank you.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Thank you.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Any Americans not familiar with Jonathan Pie really should watch this, his take on ICE
January 28, 2026 at 6:46 AM
Any Americans not familiar with Jonathan Pie really should watch this, his take on ICE
Reposted by Paul Cowling
Big moment for Europe: in December, fully electric cars outsold petrol-only cars in the EU for the first time.
This shows that clear, consistent policy works. Which is exactly why backtracking now would be a mistake. Rolling back targets or creating uncertainty would slow investment and innovation.
This shows that clear, consistent policy works. Which is exactly why backtracking now would be a mistake. Rolling back targets or creating uncertainty would slow investment and innovation.
January 27, 2026 at 9:42 AM
Big moment for Europe: in December, fully electric cars outsold petrol-only cars in the EU for the first time.
This shows that clear, consistent policy works. Which is exactly why backtracking now would be a mistake. Rolling back targets or creating uncertainty would slow investment and innovation.
This shows that clear, consistent policy works. Which is exactly why backtracking now would be a mistake. Rolling back targets or creating uncertainty would slow investment and innovation.
More attendees than a rock concert. Americans are learning how to defend their democracy.👍
January 28, 2026 at 5:12 AM
More attendees than a rock concert. Americans are learning how to defend their democracy.👍
Reposted by Paul Cowling
Fossil fuels + biofuels use high levels of water in extraction, production + in energy generation, says IEA. If governments pursue the most ambitious net zero targets, water use in the energy sector could reduce by 20 billion cubic metres by 2030.
share.google/c83aimcM6FOP...
share.google/c83aimcM6FOP...
January 26, 2026 at 12:52 PM
Fossil fuels + biofuels use high levels of water in extraction, production + in energy generation, says IEA. If governments pursue the most ambitious net zero targets, water use in the energy sector could reduce by 20 billion cubic metres by 2030.
share.google/c83aimcM6FOP...
share.google/c83aimcM6FOP...
Reposted by Paul Cowling
Mural of Alex Pretti in Seattle, Washington. Artwork by Topsy.
January 26, 2026 at 10:17 PM
Mural of Alex Pretti in Seattle, Washington. Artwork by Topsy.
American blowhards...
"Allied exercises show the United States relies on European forces for Arctic operations, including ice-breaking, ground maneuver, and maritime surveillance."
Oh...
"Allied exercises show the United States relies on European forces for Arctic operations, including ice-breaking, ground maneuver, and maritime surveillance."
Oh...
January 27, 2026 at 2:32 PM
American blowhards...
"Allied exercises show the United States relies on European forces for Arctic operations, including ice-breaking, ground maneuver, and maritime surveillance."
Oh...
"Allied exercises show the United States relies on European forces for Arctic operations, including ice-breaking, ground maneuver, and maritime surveillance."
Oh...
The Swedish government is planning to send 13 year olds to prison - despite widespread criticism from a range of expert bodies.
#lifewitharightwinggovernment
#lifewitharightwinggovernment
Fängelse för 13-åringar, 126 remissinstanser, över 100 kritiska
Advokatsamfundet: ”oacceptabelt experiment med barn”
Åklagarmyndigheten: "konsekvenserna inte genomtänkta”
Kriminalvården: "negativa konsekvenserna blir stora"
Tidöregeringen: vi skiter i allt och kör ändå
omni.se/over-100-myn...
Advokatsamfundet: ”oacceptabelt experiment med barn”
Åklagarmyndigheten: "konsekvenserna inte genomtänkta”
Kriminalvården: "negativa konsekvenserna blir stora"
Tidöregeringen: vi skiter i allt och kör ändå
omni.se/over-100-myn...
January 27, 2026 at 9:24 AM
The Swedish government is planning to send 13 year olds to prison - despite widespread criticism from a range of expert bodies.
#lifewitharightwinggovernment
#lifewitharightwinggovernment
After all those months of Microsoft pushing me to upgrade to Windows 11 because ...
Windows PCs ‘Suddenly’ Fail After Microsoft’s New Update
Windows PCs ‘Suddenly’ Fail After Microsoft’s New Update
Windows PCs may fail to start after update — Microsoft says this is the only workaround.
www.forbes.com
January 27, 2026 at 8:57 AM
After all those months of Microsoft pushing me to upgrade to Windows 11 because ...