Sophie Gilbert
@sophielgilbert.bsky.social
Scientist working to better value and incorporate nature into our decisions. Climate, Biodiversity, Equity, let's do this! Biodiversity lead at Vibrant Planet, Affiliate faculty at U. Idaho.
So there is an AI-powered NIMBY app called Objector in the UK that looks for reasons to delay a project and then auto-generates objections. But couldn't this just get turned on its head by YIMBYs to objection-proof a project?
www.objector.ai
www.objector.ai
AI-Powered Planning Objections | Check Grounds for Free & Access Toolkit – Objector.ai
Object to planning applications in the UK with Objector.ai. Check objection grounds for free & create powerful, policy-based objection letters, lobbying videos, and committee speeches in minutes.
www.objector.ai
November 11, 2025 at 10:02 PM
So there is an AI-powered NIMBY app called Objector in the UK that looks for reasons to delay a project and then auto-generates objections. But couldn't this just get turned on its head by YIMBYs to objection-proof a project?
www.objector.ai
www.objector.ai
Wow my heart is filled with loathing
If you're ever upset about the state of US land use policy, just spend 30 seconds reading anything about the UK. Automated NIMBYism!
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
AI-powered nimbyism could grind UK planning system to a halt, experts warn
Tools that help people scan applications and find grounds for objection have potential to hit government’s housebuilding plans
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Wow my heart is filled with loathing
Reposted by Sophie Gilbert
"More extreme wildfires are headed for New Mexico, tree stress shows." 🔥 wildfiretoday.com/more-extreme...
More extreme wildfires are headed for New Mexico, tree stress shows – Wildfire Today
wildfiretoday.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:05 PM
"More extreme wildfires are headed for New Mexico, tree stress shows." 🔥 wildfiretoday.com/more-extreme...
Great op-ed response to Califorina lethally removing 4 wolves from a pack that killed 87 (!!) cows in just 6 months. We need to learn how to manage conservation success, including abundance of carnivores recovering.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/o...
Opinion | The Reality of Living With Wolves, Bears and Mountain Lions
www.nytimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Great op-ed response to Califorina lethally removing 4 wolves from a pack that killed 87 (!!) cows in just 6 months. We need to learn how to manage conservation success, including abundance of carnivores recovering.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/o...
Great thread on what role climate change played in #HurricaneMelissa, and the importance of getting the nuance in this story right.
So, I hate to be this guy, but as the director of Yale’s new program on attribution science (!?), uh, most of the commentary on Bluesky about Hurricane Melissa and climate change has been… not quite right
October 31, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Great thread on what role climate change played in #HurricaneMelissa, and the importance of getting the nuance in this story right.
I've been hearing about Rainmaker a bit recently, great article here on what's actually possible re: cloud seeding
As part of @technologyreview.com's big new package on conspiracy theories, I went long on weather modification — what's possible, what's not, what's happening and where, and why people will probably always find ways to blame weather disasters on shady forces:
Why it’s so hard to bust the weather control conspiracy theory
From effective rain-enhancing technology to a long, secretive history of trying to weaponize storms, there’s fertile ground for misinformation.
www.technologyreview.com
October 30, 2025 at 10:31 PM
I've been hearing about Rainmaker a bit recently, great article here on what's actually possible re: cloud seeding
"You can put solar panels on anything that stands still long enough"- my favorite quote from this amazing solar thread!!!
48. Floating solar, agrivoltaics, balcony solar: yes you can put solar panels on anything that stands still long enough. With lightweight encapsulant, you can also put them on something that moves.
The decision comes down to: will the solar panels get in the way, or get broken by normal activities?
The decision comes down to: will the solar panels get in the way, or get broken by normal activities?
October 20, 2025 at 10:25 PM
"You can put solar panels on anything that stands still long enough"- my favorite quote from this amazing solar thread!!!
My organization is hiring a new position, State Policy Manager (multi-state, not just Montana, to be clear!).
www.perc.org/careers/stat...
www.perc.org/careers/stat...
Career opportunity: State Policy Manager
PERC is hiring a State Policy Manager to shape conservation policy in favor of innovative, market-oriented solution.
www.perc.org
October 14, 2025 at 10:05 PM
My organization is hiring a new position, State Policy Manager (multi-state, not just Montana, to be clear!).
www.perc.org/careers/stat...
www.perc.org/careers/stat...
Perfect summary
New World!
~50% of global auto sales will be EV by 2030
~52% of global electricity will be renewables (43%) & nuclear (9%)
Petrostate politicos freakout, as Age of Fossil Fuels is ending.
But not fast enough to prevent major temperature rise & growing climate risks. #energysky
~50% of global auto sales will be EV by 2030
~52% of global electricity will be renewables (43%) & nuclear (9%)
Petrostate politicos freakout, as Age of Fossil Fuels is ending.
But not fast enough to prevent major temperature rise & growing climate risks. #energysky
October 14, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Perfect summary
Reposted by Sophie Gilbert
The global whaling industry experienced a boom c. 1840-1950 as technology allowed whalers to hunt the Southern Ocean around Antarctica.
Under standard models, we would have expected krill populations to have *exploded*.
Instead, they DROPPED exponentially.
Let's talk about the KRILL PARADOX.
Under standard models, we would have expected krill populations to have *exploded*.
Instead, they DROPPED exponentially.
Let's talk about the KRILL PARADOX.
October 9, 2025 at 1:03 PM
The global whaling industry experienced a boom c. 1840-1950 as technology allowed whalers to hunt the Southern Ocean around Antarctica.
Under standard models, we would have expected krill populations to have *exploded*.
Instead, they DROPPED exponentially.
Let's talk about the KRILL PARADOX.
Under standard models, we would have expected krill populations to have *exploded*.
Instead, they DROPPED exponentially.
Let's talk about the KRILL PARADOX.
It feels like the "asset theory of everything (climate)" really explains this pattern well...Europe and US have way more powerful climate-forcing asset owners flexing their power www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
October 8, 2025 at 10:17 PM
It feels like the "asset theory of everything (climate)" really explains this pattern well...Europe and US have way more powerful climate-forcing asset owners flexing their power www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
NIMBY / YIMBY / Abundance Bro
Applied ecologist / Field ecologist / Ecological modeler
October 8, 2025 at 10:12 PM
NIMBY / YIMBY / Abundance Bro
If you care about affordability, you should care about climate... and vice versa. #PoliciesOfPlenty #GreenSky #EnergySky
"The average American born in 2024 will likely face up to $500K in additional lifetime costs from climate crisis"
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
"The average American born in 2024 will likely face up to $500K in additional lifetime costs from climate crisis"
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘Hidden costs’ of climate emergency are worsening California’s affordability crisis – report
University of California, Berkeley, study found that those who experience severe effects will see upto a $1m in costs
www.theguardian.com
September 26, 2025 at 6:29 PM
If you care about affordability, you should care about climate... and vice versa. #PoliciesOfPlenty #GreenSky #EnergySky
"The average American born in 2024 will likely face up to $500K in additional lifetime costs from climate crisis"
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
"The average American born in 2024 will likely face up to $500K in additional lifetime costs from climate crisis"
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Very cool science 🧪 leadership role at @schmidtsciences.bsky.social for somebody working on carbon cycle stuff. Based in NYC. #GreenSky
jobs.lever.co/schmidt-enti...
jobs.lever.co/schmidt-enti...
jobs - Program Scientist
Schmidt Sciences is a nonprofit organization founded in 2024 by Eric and Wendy Schmidt that works to accelerate scientific knowledge and breakthroughs with the most promising, advanced tools to suppor...
jobs.lever.co
September 26, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Very cool science 🧪 leadership role at @schmidtsciences.bsky.social for somebody working on carbon cycle stuff. Based in NYC. #GreenSky
jobs.lever.co/schmidt-enti...
jobs.lever.co/schmidt-enti...
Back when there were just 10 dudes writing each other science letters and that was "the literature"
I love the way science used to be written. Is it necessary to know that the author was pushing his baby in a pram while making observations of insects? Perhaps not, but it provides delightful context, while assuming the reader is familiar with his previously published baby-wheeling-related work.
September 26, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Back when there were just 10 dudes writing each other science letters and that was "the literature"
😱😍😱😱😍😱😍😱😍😱😍😱😍😱😍😱😍😱😍😱😍😱😍😱😍
The Predator-Prey interaction we've all dreamed about!!!
The Predator-Prey interaction we've all dreamed about!!!
I get that the news cycle is packed right now, but I just heard from a colleague at the Smithsonian that this is fully a GIANT SQUID BEING EATEN BY A SPERM WHALE and it’s possibly the first ever confirmed video according to a friend at NOAA
10 YEAR OLD ME IS LOSING HER MIND (a thread 🧵)
10 YEAR OLD ME IS LOSING HER MIND (a thread 🧵)
September 24, 2025 at 11:43 PM
😱😍😱😱😍😱😍😱😍😱😍😱😍😱😍😱😍😱😍😱😍😱😍😱😍
The Predator-Prey interaction we've all dreamed about!!!
The Predator-Prey interaction we've all dreamed about!!!
Let's Gooooooo! The more balcony, rooftop, and brownfield, solar we do, the less land footprint we need for other solar! #LandSparing #CheapGreenEnergy
Love how this article by Sarah Shemkus clearly lays out what states are legislating around plug-in solar — and what the industry needs to do for its systems to be certified safe. www.canarymedia.com/articles/sol...
Plug-in solar bills are in the works in New Hampshire and Vermont
DIY "balcony" solar kits, which can save residents money and give them more independence, are piquing interest from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
www.canarymedia.com
September 24, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Let's Gooooooo! The more balcony, rooftop, and brownfield, solar we do, the less land footprint we need for other solar! #LandSparing #CheapGreenEnergy
This is such a critical issue, for people AND nature AND climate!
A sleeper political issue of the next few years is the rising costs of electricity. AI & data centers are driving up demand & the Trump Administration is making it harder to add clean energy supply. I joined @chrislhayes.bsky.social on #WITHpod to talk about it: open.spotify.com/episode/32ps...
The Electricity Crisis with Costa Samaras
open.spotify.com
September 24, 2025 at 6:29 PM
This is such a critical issue, for people AND nature AND climate!
🐻🐟😋 #FatBearWeek is why the internet was invented. These chonky ursids can have my attention and welcome to it. Sept 23-30th, vote for your favorites... @fatbearweek.bsky.social
The 2025 Bracket Reveal starts in 4 hours (September 22nd at 4pm Pacific):
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN3k...
The 2025 Bracket Reveal starts in 4 hours (September 22nd at 4pm Pacific):
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN3k...
Fat Bear Week 2025 Bracket Reveal | Brooks Live Chat
YouTube video by Explore Bears & Bison
www.youtube.com
September 22, 2025 at 6:06 PM
🐻🐟😋 #FatBearWeek is why the internet was invented. These chonky ursids can have my attention and welcome to it. Sept 23-30th, vote for your favorites... @fatbearweek.bsky.social
The 2025 Bracket Reveal starts in 4 hours (September 22nd at 4pm Pacific):
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN3k...
The 2025 Bracket Reveal starts in 4 hours (September 22nd at 4pm Pacific):
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN3k...
Reposted by Sophie Gilbert
GUESS WHAT WEEK IT IS
September 22, 2025 at 11:12 AM
GUESS WHAT WEEK IT IS
Time for enviro NGOs to forge a new strategy that meets the real needs of people while also improving outcomes for nature and climate. "Policies of Plenty" for humans and nature are possible, especially when compared to the no-action scenario (business as usual is a longterm lose-lose) #greensky
Trump's election and rapid-fire dismantling of environmental rules stunned the climate movement into inaction.
Green groups are now re-emerging with contrasting visions for activism that will look different than the Resistance era.
My latest here:
www.politico.com/news/2025/09...
Green groups are now re-emerging with contrasting visions for activism that will look different than the Resistance era.
My latest here:
www.politico.com/news/2025/09...
Shell-shocked green movement searches for how to counter Trump
Environmental groups that have watched President Donald Trump shred their climate victories are beset by internal divides, slumping fund-raising and a debate on how to fight back.
www.politico.com
September 22, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Time for enviro NGOs to forge a new strategy that meets the real needs of people while also improving outcomes for nature and climate. "Policies of Plenty" for humans and nature are possible, especially when compared to the no-action scenario (business as usual is a longterm lose-lose) #greensky
The new "climate tech atlas" is pretty cool! climatetechatlas.com #greensky
Climate Tech Atlas
Explore breakthrough technologies and innovation opportunities to accelerate climate solutions.
climatetechatlas.com
September 18, 2025 at 6:02 PM
The new "climate tech atlas" is pretty cool! climatetechatlas.com #greensky
NATURE IS SO WEIRD AND I LOVE IT
September 3, 2025 at 5:43 PM
NATURE IS SO WEIRD AND I LOVE IT
Reposted by Sophie Gilbert
🧪 A University of Michigan "cradle-to-grave" analysis concludes that any EV, regardless of size, is cleaner than any purely gas-powered car. Even a large electric truck emits less lifetime CO2 than a small internal combustion sedan.
New Study Proves EVs Are Always Cleaner Than Gas Cars
An electric truck with a 300-mile range emits 37% less CO2 than an ICE-only small car over the course of its life, according to researchers.
www.thedrive.com
September 3, 2025 at 5:39 PM
🧪 A University of Michigan "cradle-to-grave" analysis concludes that any EV, regardless of size, is cleaner than any purely gas-powered car. Even a large electric truck emits less lifetime CO2 than a small internal combustion sedan.