Rowan Hooper
@rowhoop.bsky.social
Journalist and podcast host @newscientist.com. Former Tokyoite. Books: SUPERHUMAN (2018) and HOW TO SPEND A TRILLION DOLLARS (2021). Next book: TOGETHERNESS (2026). すごい!
The Booker goes to FLESH by David Szalay. Super-taut novel about a man’s life over 50-odd years. Compulsively readable - wolfed down in 2 sittings.
50 grand prize, woo-eee.
50 grand prize, woo-eee.
November 10, 2025 at 10:33 PM
The Booker goes to FLESH by David Szalay. Super-taut novel about a man’s life over 50-odd years. Compulsively readable - wolfed down in 2 sittings.
50 grand prize, woo-eee.
50 grand prize, woo-eee.
The extent of the deadly algal bloom in South Australia made clear by this satellite image. Yellow is the bloom, which is one of the biggest ever seen www.newscientist.com/article/2503...
November 10, 2025 at 11:06 AM
The extent of the deadly algal bloom in South Australia made clear by this satellite image. Yellow is the bloom, which is one of the biggest ever seen www.newscientist.com/article/2503...
Reposted by Rowan Hooper
Starting at Cop26 in 2021, 159 countries signed the global methane pledge, requiring a cut of 30% by 2030
Yet collectively, emissions from 6 of the biggest signatories – US, Australia, Kuwait, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan & Iraq – are now 8.5% *above* 2020 level
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Yet collectively, emissions from 6 of the biggest signatories – US, Australia, Kuwait, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan & Iraq – are now 8.5% *above* 2020 level
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
November 10, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Starting at Cop26 in 2021, 159 countries signed the global methane pledge, requiring a cut of 30% by 2030
Yet collectively, emissions from 6 of the biggest signatories – US, Australia, Kuwait, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan & Iraq – are now 8.5% *above* 2020 level
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Yet collectively, emissions from 6 of the biggest signatories – US, Australia, Kuwait, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan & Iraq – are now 8.5% *above* 2020 level
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Rowan Hooper
It sounds conspiracy theorist to say the COP process was *designed* to fail, but we know that (e.g. through Don Pearlman) fossil fuel interests changed and weakened the UNFCCC... perhaps better to say the COP process was hijacked from the start
Yup. Here’s my argument: medium.com/@GreenRupert...
This is the dark truth that no-one likes to speak…
This is the dark truth that no-one likes to speak…
CoP will fail us: again
The climate-negotiations system wasn’t designed to succeed
medium.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:05 PM
It sounds conspiracy theorist to say the COP process was *designed* to fail, but we know that (e.g. through Don Pearlman) fossil fuel interests changed and weakened the UNFCCC... perhaps better to say the COP process was hijacked from the start
#COP30 starts TODAY. Here's New Scientist's preview of the meeting, with @pennysarchet.bsky.social, @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org and
@rupertread.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m_Q...
@rupertread.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m_Q...
The World's Climate Future Hinges On This Meeting
YouTube video by New Scientist
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:40 AM
#COP30 starts TODAY. Here's New Scientist's preview of the meeting, with @pennysarchet.bsky.social, @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org and
@rupertread.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m_Q...
@rupertread.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m_Q...
Reposted by Rowan Hooper
If you believe either that Franklin discovered the double helix, and / or Watson and Crick stole her data, ask yourself how you know this. Then take a read of this article.
If I see one more stupid Rosalind Franklin take I'm going to lose my mind. Thank god for @matthewcobb.bsky.social and @nccomfort.bsky.social. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
What Rosalind Franklin truly contributed to the discovery of DNA’s structure
Franklin was no victim in how the DNA double helix was solved. An overlooked letter and an unpublished news article, both written in 1953, reveal that she was an equal player.
www.nature.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:32 AM
If you believe either that Franklin discovered the double helix, and / or Watson and Crick stole her data, ask yourself how you know this. Then take a read of this article.
In Russian, a few elements take a female gender: antimony (pictured), platinum, mercury, sulphur, copper. Why these? Gold, silver, tin and iron are neuter. All the rest are male. What about other languages?
November 8, 2025 at 8:22 AM
In Russian, a few elements take a female gender: antimony (pictured), platinum, mercury, sulphur, copper. Why these? Gold, silver, tin and iron are neuter. All the rest are male. What about other languages?
Wow: “When you’re 20 years old, your personality is probably determined pretty much by your genes” - Watson in an interview with @peteraldhous.com www.newscientist.com/article/mg19...
Interview: Licence to annoy
James Watson , the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA, talks about why brilliant people tend to annoy others and why he isn't afraid to say what he thinks. You will always be best known for the dis...
www.newscientist.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Wow: “When you’re 20 years old, your personality is probably determined pretty much by your genes” - Watson in an interview with @peteraldhous.com www.newscientist.com/article/mg19...
Miliband at #COP30:
“I’m not giving up on 1.5C. I think actually we’re seeing some positive tipping points [that will trigger a rapid move to a low-carbon economy]. You’re seeing an absolute transformation in different parts of the world around solar power.”
“I’m not giving up on 1.5C. I think actually we’re seeing some positive tipping points [that will trigger a rapid move to a low-carbon economy]. You’re seeing an absolute transformation in different parts of the world around solar power.”
November 7, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Miliband at #COP30:
“I’m not giving up on 1.5C. I think actually we’re seeing some positive tipping points [that will trigger a rapid move to a low-carbon economy]. You’re seeing an absolute transformation in different parts of the world around solar power.”
“I’m not giving up on 1.5C. I think actually we’re seeing some positive tipping points [that will trigger a rapid move to a low-carbon economy]. You’re seeing an absolute transformation in different parts of the world around solar power.”
Horrific. Another real-life story that feels like something foreseen by Kim Stanley Robinson
"The lake's waters reached 41ºC, or 105.8ºF — hotter than most spa baths."
"You couldn't put your finger in the water."
Just terrible. There's no other way to describe this.
News: www.cbsnews.com/news/dolphin...
Peer reviewed: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
🌎 🧪
"You couldn't put your finger in the water."
Just terrible. There's no other way to describe this.
News: www.cbsnews.com/news/dolphin...
Peer reviewed: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
🌎 🧪
Hundreds of dolphins found dead in Amazon lake were in water hotter than a jacuzzi, study finds
"You couldn't put your finger in the water," said the lead author of the study, which spotlights the impacts of planetary warming on aquatic ecosystems.
www.cbsnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Horrific. Another real-life story that feels like something foreseen by Kim Stanley Robinson
On THE WORLD, THE UNIVERSE AND US this week, we preview #COP30.
With @pennysarchet.bsky.social, @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org and @rupertread.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m_Q...
With @pennysarchet.bsky.social, @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org and @rupertread.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m_Q...
The World's Climate Future Hinges On This Meeting
YouTube video by New Scientist
www.youtube.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:21 PM
On THE WORLD, THE UNIVERSE AND US this week, we preview #COP30.
With @pennysarchet.bsky.social, @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org and @rupertread.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m_Q...
With @pennysarchet.bsky.social, @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org and @rupertread.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m_Q...
It sounds conspiracy theorist to say the COP process was *designed* to fail, but we know that (e.g. through Don Pearlman) fossil fuel interests changed and weakened the UNFCCC... perhaps better to say the COP process was hijacked from the start
Yup. Here’s my argument: medium.com/@GreenRupert...
This is the dark truth that no-one likes to speak…
This is the dark truth that no-one likes to speak…
CoP will fail us: again
The climate-negotiations system wasn’t designed to succeed
medium.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:05 PM
It sounds conspiracy theorist to say the COP process was *designed* to fail, but we know that (e.g. through Don Pearlman) fossil fuel interests changed and weakened the UNFCCC... perhaps better to say the COP process was hijacked from the start
Thoughts:
(a) lions missing a limb are common enough that there is a name for them: TRIPOD LIONS
(b) the hunting method is cool but not sure it is COMPLETELY unexpected...
www.newscientist.com/article/2503...
(a) lions missing a limb are common enough that there is a name for them: TRIPOD LIONS
(b) the hunting method is cool but not sure it is COMPLETELY unexpected...
www.newscientist.com/article/2503...
A three-legged lion has learned to hunt in a completely unexpected way
Jacob, an 11-year-old lion, has defied expectations by surviving for years after losing a leg – now we know his success is down to an innovative hunting strategy
www.newscientist.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Thoughts:
(a) lions missing a limb are common enough that there is a name for them: TRIPOD LIONS
(b) the hunting method is cool but not sure it is COMPLETELY unexpected...
www.newscientist.com/article/2503...
(a) lions missing a limb are common enough that there is a name for them: TRIPOD LIONS
(b) the hunting method is cool but not sure it is COMPLETELY unexpected...
www.newscientist.com/article/2503...
Have we failed? Are the COPs going to save us? We preview #COP30 with @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org and @rupertread.bsky.social. Co-host @pennysarchet.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/6CEi...
open.spotify.com/episode/6CEi...
COP30: The world's climate future hinges on this meeting
Spotify video
open.spotify.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Have we failed? Are the COPs going to save us? We preview #COP30 with @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org and @rupertread.bsky.social. Co-host @pennysarchet.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/6CEi...
open.spotify.com/episode/6CEi...
On the podcast today we have @rupertread.bsky.social saying not only that the COPs are not fit for purpose (because of these lobbyists) but were *designed* to fail.
open.spotify.com/episode/6CEi...
open.spotify.com/episode/6CEi...
November 7, 2025 at 2:35 PM
On the podcast today we have @rupertread.bsky.social saying not only that the COPs are not fit for purpose (because of these lobbyists) but were *designed* to fail.
open.spotify.com/episode/6CEi...
open.spotify.com/episode/6CEi...
Kingfisher was just perching here, had a good time with it (with my binoculars too, happy days)
November 7, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Kingfisher was just perching here, had a good time with it (with my binoculars too, happy days)
Reposted by Rowan Hooper
The US is the world's largest oil and gas producer. Yet, "China is now making more money from exporting green technology than America makes from exporting fossil fuels."
China’s clean-energy revolution will reshape markets and politics
The world’s biggest manufacturer now has an interest in the world decarbonising
www.economist.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:05 AM
The US is the world's largest oil and gas producer. Yet, "China is now making more money from exporting green technology than America makes from exporting fossil fuels."
Reposted by Rowan Hooper
"For too long, climate adaptation - how we live with impacts and redesign systems for resilience - was sidelined and misunderstood."
That's changing. Have you read our new report? 'Why We Need to Talk About Adaptation'. Download your free copy now.
climatemajorityproject.com/safer-2/
That's changing. Have you read our new report? 'Why We Need to Talk About Adaptation'. Download your free copy now.
climatemajorityproject.com/safer-2/
SAFER - Strategic Adaptation for Emergency Resilience by Climate Majority Project
We need a serious plan to respond to local needs – protecting our homes, communities, businesses and vital public services against damage and disruption. SAFER is a campaign for climate adaptation....
climatemajorityproject.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:43 AM
"For too long, climate adaptation - how we live with impacts and redesign systems for resilience - was sidelined and misunderstood."
That's changing. Have you read our new report? 'Why We Need to Talk About Adaptation'. Download your free copy now.
climatemajorityproject.com/safer-2/
That's changing. Have you read our new report? 'Why We Need to Talk About Adaptation'. Download your free copy now.
climatemajorityproject.com/safer-2/
Reposted by Rowan Hooper
This is really dumb and lazy, even for Bjorn.
Hey, B, what's the biggest cause of both air pollution and climate change? (burning stuff, mainly fossil fuels)
And what's causing forest fires to increase, dramatically raising air pollution? (climate change)
Hey, B, what's the biggest cause of both air pollution and climate change? (burning stuff, mainly fossil fuels)
And what's causing forest fires to increase, dramatically raising air pollution? (climate change)
November 6, 2025 at 11:13 PM
This is really dumb and lazy, even for Bjorn.
Hey, B, what's the biggest cause of both air pollution and climate change? (burning stuff, mainly fossil fuels)
And what's causing forest fires to increase, dramatically raising air pollution? (climate change)
Hey, B, what's the biggest cause of both air pollution and climate change? (burning stuff, mainly fossil fuels)
And what's causing forest fires to increase, dramatically raising air pollution? (climate change)
Mike Joyce on R4 Today, with clips of The Queen is Dead. I bet there was discussion about what parts they could play (“Charles, don't you ever crave/To appear on the front of the Daily Mail/Dressed in your Mother's bridal veil?”)
November 7, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Mike Joyce on R4 Today, with clips of The Queen is Dead. I bet there was discussion about what parts they could play (“Charles, don't you ever crave/To appear on the front of the Daily Mail/Dressed in your Mother's bridal veil?”)
“I have nothing against vegans or British people,” said Jennings. “But I don’t want to abandon my culinary mission.”
😂
😂
Chef Quits Over Vegan Menu At Prince William’s #EarthshotPrize Ceremony
- says asking him to prepare a meat-free menu was like "asking Iron Maiden to play jazz”
plantbasednews.org/news/chef-qu...
- says asking him to prepare a meat-free menu was like "asking Iron Maiden to play jazz”
plantbasednews.org/news/chef-qu...
Chef Quits Over Vegan Menu At Prince William's Earthshot Prize Ceremony
A Brazilian chef has left his role curating the Earthshot Prize banquet in Rio de Janeiro after being asked to prepare an entirely vegan menu
plantbasednews.org
November 6, 2025 at 11:18 AM
“I have nothing against vegans or British people,” said Jennings. “But I don’t want to abandon my culinary mission.”
😂
😂
Reposted by Rowan Hooper
If we do not seriously move away from burning fossil fuels, hurricanes like Melissa will only become worse. Already today Melissa tested the limits of what preparedness and adaptation can do. These limits are very real for everyone in the Caribbean. www.worldweatherattribution.org/climate-chan...
November 6, 2025 at 9:40 AM
If we do not seriously move away from burning fossil fuels, hurricanes like Melissa will only become worse. Already today Melissa tested the limits of what preparedness and adaptation can do. These limits are very real for everyone in the Caribbean. www.worldweatherattribution.org/climate-chan...
At Theatre Picasso at Tate Modern they have a film made of him painting on silk but filmed from the back, so it appears like a digital composition
November 6, 2025 at 9:29 AM
At Theatre Picasso at Tate Modern they have a film made of him painting on silk but filmed from the back, so it appears like a digital composition
Got to love a bit of dry science-talk.
On the blood-curdlingly grim drive-hunt method of killing cetaceans: "it is unlikely that it can be undertaken humanely"
On the blood-curdlingly grim drive-hunt method of killing cetaceans: "it is unlikely that it can be undertaken humanely"
Our article on the welfare of the capture and killing of whales snd dolphins. @oceancare.bsky.social @laetitiace.bsky.social #whales #dolphins #mammals #AnimalWelfare @royalsocietypublishing.org
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
November 5, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Got to love a bit of dry science-talk.
On the blood-curdlingly grim drive-hunt method of killing cetaceans: "it is unlikely that it can be undertaken humanely"
On the blood-curdlingly grim drive-hunt method of killing cetaceans: "it is unlikely that it can be undertaken humanely"