Tom Vasseur
@tomvasseur.bsky.social
Director at the Cool Heating Coalition (@coolheatingco.bsky.social) working on ♨️ and ❄️ decarbonisation
Also cares about democracy ✊ and Europe 🇪🇺
All views expressed are my own
Sometimes writes at: http://tomvasseur.wordpress.com
Also cares about democracy ✊ and Europe 🇪🇺
All views expressed are my own
Sometimes writes at: http://tomvasseur.wordpress.com
Reposted by Tom Vasseur
If the 2C threshold is breached, the number of people experiencing extreme heat will increase from 23% of the world population in 2010 to 41% of the projected world population in 2050.
“No part of the world will be able to shy away from extreme heat. There is a lack of preparedness across nations.”
“No part of the world will be able to shy away from extreme heat. There is a lack of preparedness across nations.”
Number of people living in extreme heat to double by 2050 if 2C rise occurs, study finds
Scientists expect 41% of the projected global population to face the extremes, with ‘no part of the world’ immune
www.theguardian.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:39 AM
If the 2C threshold is breached, the number of people experiencing extreme heat will increase from 23% of the world population in 2010 to 41% of the projected world population in 2050.
“No part of the world will be able to shy away from extreme heat. There is a lack of preparedness across nations.”
“No part of the world will be able to shy away from extreme heat. There is a lack of preparedness across nations.”
Reposted by Tom Vasseur
And the Italian government has ultimately forgotten about it, and started to do business with the Al-sisi regime as if nothing had happened
Ten years ago, Giulio Regeni, an Italian PhD researcher at the University of Cambridge, was brutally murdered in Egypt while conducting fieldwork.
Italian prosecutors have charged four security officials, but Egypt has refused to cooperate: no one has been held accountable for this crime.
Italian prosecutors have charged four security officials, but Egypt has refused to cooperate: no one has been held accountable for this crime.
January 25, 2026 at 9:30 AM
And the Italian government has ultimately forgotten about it, and started to do business with the Al-sisi regime as if nothing had happened
Teken & deel dit Europees burgerinitiatief voor opschorting EU-verdrag met 🇮🇱
Nog geen twee weken oud en nu al 350.000 steunbetuigingen, maar er zijn nog wat Nederlandse handtekeningen nodig
Nog geen twee weken oud en nu al 350.000 steunbetuigingen, maar er zijn nog wat Nederlandse handtekeningen nodig
🍉 Justice for Palestine: a new European Citizens’ Initiative
The Good Lobby supports the #JusticeForPalestine ECI, calling on the EU to suspend the EU–Israel Association Agreement in response to serious human rights violations.
👉 Learn more and sign: lnkd.in/eYwEzi2H
@leftallianceeu.bsky.social
The Good Lobby supports the #JusticeForPalestine ECI, calling on the EU to suspend the EU–Israel Association Agreement in response to serious human rights violations.
👉 Learn more and sign: lnkd.in/eYwEzi2H
@leftallianceeu.bsky.social
January 24, 2026 at 8:37 AM
Teken & deel dit Europees burgerinitiatief voor opschorting EU-verdrag met 🇮🇱
Nog geen twee weken oud en nu al 350.000 steunbetuigingen, maar er zijn nog wat Nederlandse handtekeningen nodig
Nog geen twee weken oud en nu al 350.000 steunbetuigingen, maar er zijn nog wat Nederlandse handtekeningen nodig
Daar is splinter nr. 1 van zittingsperiode!
Opstand in de PVV tegen Wilders' aanpak: deel fractie vertrekt
Opstand in de PVV tegen Wilders' aanpak: deel fractie vertrekt
Zij hebben zich in een fractievergadering uitgesproken tegen de koers en het beleid van de partijleider.
nos.nl
January 20, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Daar is splinter nr. 1 van zittingsperiode!
The pro-European centre-right holds power in 20/27 EU countries, covering +80% of the population (69% if you take out Italy).
Then why the lack of strategy & 'a united EU response'? The ideological differences are too small to justify it.
Then why the lack of strategy & 'a united EU response'? The ideological differences are too small to justify it.
🇪🇺Parliament speaker Roberta Metsola has just announced to MEPs that the title of this week's Greenland security debate has been changed to "The need for a united EU response to US blackmail attempts".
Pedants will point out that this is extortion, not blackmail.
Pedants will point out that this is extortion, not blackmail.
January 20, 2026 at 8:14 AM
The pro-European centre-right holds power in 20/27 EU countries, covering +80% of the population (69% if you take out Italy).
Then why the lack of strategy & 'a united EU response'? The ideological differences are too small to justify it.
Then why the lack of strategy & 'a united EU response'? The ideological differences are too small to justify it.
Reposted by Tom Vasseur
EU risks new energy dependence as US could supply 80% of its #LNG imports by 2030 ieefa.org/resources/eu...
Time to act @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu @marossefcovic.bsky.social @wopkehoekstra.ec.europa.eu @eucopresident.consilium.europa.eu @president.europarl.europa.eu!
@tadziomueller.bsky.social
Time to act @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu @marossefcovic.bsky.social @wopkehoekstra.ec.europa.eu @eucopresident.consilium.europa.eu @president.europarl.europa.eu!
@tadziomueller.bsky.social
EU risks new energy dependence as US could supply 80% of its LNG imports by 2030
The EU’s rising reliance on US LNG has created a potentially high-risk geopolitical dependency and could cause it to miss its gas demand reduction commitments.
ieefa.org
January 19, 2026 at 11:49 AM
EU risks new energy dependence as US could supply 80% of its #LNG imports by 2030 ieefa.org/resources/eu...
Time to act @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu @marossefcovic.bsky.social @wopkehoekstra.ec.europa.eu @eucopresident.consilium.europa.eu @president.europarl.europa.eu!
@tadziomueller.bsky.social
Time to act @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu @marossefcovic.bsky.social @wopkehoekstra.ec.europa.eu @eucopresident.consilium.europa.eu @president.europarl.europa.eu!
@tadziomueller.bsky.social
Reposted by Tom Vasseur
Trump will likely try to make Denmark choose between NATO and Greenland, and wider Europe between Greenland and Ukraine.
But luckily Trump has also demonstrated that under his leadership, any US security guarantee won’t be worth much. So the choice should be simple.
But luckily Trump has also demonstrated that under his leadership, any US security guarantee won’t be worth much. So the choice should be simple.
What European leaders have been most nervous about is the US pulling back on NATO or Ukraine… but how can Europe trust the US will come to its defense if its trying to seize territory from a NATO country. They can’t. So why cave to keep a security commitment that is not real. 6/
January 18, 2026 at 11:18 AM
Trump will likely try to make Denmark choose between NATO and Greenland, and wider Europe between Greenland and Ukraine.
But luckily Trump has also demonstrated that under his leadership, any US security guarantee won’t be worth much. So the choice should be simple.
But luckily Trump has also demonstrated that under his leadership, any US security guarantee won’t be worth much. So the choice should be simple.
Reposted by Tom Vasseur
Trump tariffing countries over Greenland is a test. If Europe just swallows it and tries to move on, it increases the odds of the WH thinking it can seize Greenland without consequences. Europe therefore has to respond.
Euro publics have had enough and want their leaders to push back 2/
Euro publics have had enough and want their leaders to push back 2/
January 18, 2026 at 3:04 AM
Trump tariffing countries over Greenland is a test. If Europe just swallows it and tries to move on, it increases the odds of the WH thinking it can seize Greenland without consequences. Europe therefore has to respond.
Euro publics have had enough and want their leaders to push back 2/
Euro publics have had enough and want their leaders to push back 2/
Reposted by Tom Vasseur
If the figures we're getting out of Iran are in the right league, this weekend was, I think, one of the bloodiest state crackdowns of all time. People are talking 12,000-20,000 dead; for comparison Hungary in 1956 was about 2,500, Tiananmen - across country, in multiple cities - probably 1000+
January 13, 2026 at 7:41 PM
If the figures we're getting out of Iran are in the right league, this weekend was, I think, one of the bloodiest state crackdowns of all time. People are talking 12,000-20,000 dead; for comparison Hungary in 1956 was about 2,500, Tiananmen - across country, in multiple cities - probably 1000+
With the global authoritarian turn, I'm finding Fela Kuti's music resonate with me on a completely different level than before.
E.g. a song like Mr. Follow Follow really strikes another chord now that the complicity it derides is something I can see happening in my own society.
E.g. a song like Mr. Follow Follow really strikes another chord now that the complicity it derides is something I can see happening in my own society.
January 13, 2026 at 4:31 PM
With the global authoritarian turn, I'm finding Fela Kuti's music resonate with me on a completely different level than before.
E.g. a song like Mr. Follow Follow really strikes another chord now that the complicity it derides is something I can see happening in my own society.
E.g. a song like Mr. Follow Follow really strikes another chord now that the complicity it derides is something I can see happening in my own society.
Reposted by Tom Vasseur
Wij zijn solidair met de dappere demonstranten in Iran die ondanks alle gevaren massaal de straat opgaan.
De onderdrukking en het brute geweld van het regime tegen onschuldige mensen is gruwelijk.
De onderdrukking en het brute geweld van het regime tegen onschuldige mensen is gruwelijk.
January 12, 2026 at 11:21 AM
Wij zijn solidair met de dappere demonstranten in Iran die ondanks alle gevaren massaal de straat opgaan.
De onderdrukking en het brute geweld van het regime tegen onschuldige mensen is gruwelijk.
De onderdrukking en het brute geweld van het regime tegen onschuldige mensen is gruwelijk.
Ik mag hopen dat mijn alma mater @vuamsterdam.bsky.social besluit dat iemand die mishandeling en antidemocratische activiteiten begaat op de campus geen plaats heeft op een universiteit en die persoon buiten gooien.
Studentenborrel op VU-campus escaleert na nazilied, student (20) zwaar mishandeld
Studentenborrel op VU-campus escaleert na nazilied, student (20) zwaar mishandeld
www.parool.nl
January 10, 2026 at 11:06 AM
Ik mag hopen dat mijn alma mater @vuamsterdam.bsky.social besluit dat iemand die mishandeling en antidemocratische activiteiten begaat op de campus geen plaats heeft op een universiteit en die persoon buiten gooien.
On Greenland too: "the fundamental lesson of experience, that one must not tolerate violence in silence in the hope that it will simply run its course, retains its validity."
Václav Havel, 1985
A passage I keep returning to.
Václav Havel, 1985
A passage I keep returning to.
January 10, 2026 at 9:16 AM
On Greenland too: "the fundamental lesson of experience, that one must not tolerate violence in silence in the hope that it will simply run its course, retains its validity."
Václav Havel, 1985
A passage I keep returning to.
Václav Havel, 1985
A passage I keep returning to.
Reposted by Tom Vasseur
We will either end fossil fuel dependency and the predatory extractivist basis of global production, or they will end us through wars and ecological collapse - all at the same time.
January 3, 2026 at 3:34 PM
We will either end fossil fuel dependency and the predatory extractivist basis of global production, or they will end us through wars and ecological collapse - all at the same time.
Reposted by Tom Vasseur
Venezuela: We condemn the US military intervention, in breach of the UN Charter and international law.
We call for the immediate protection of civilians and all those detained, with full guarantees of due process and transparency.
The EU must act to uphold international law.
We call for the immediate protection of civilians and all those detained, with full guarantees of due process and transparency.
The EU must act to uphold international law.
US military aggression against Venezuela: EU must act to uphold international law
The ETUC expresses its deep concerns about the US military operations in Venezuela and condemns such US military intervention in breach of the UN Charter and international law.
www.etuc.org
January 3, 2026 at 8:32 PM
Venezuela: We condemn the US military intervention, in breach of the UN Charter and international law.
We call for the immediate protection of civilians and all those detained, with full guarantees of due process and transparency.
The EU must act to uphold international law.
We call for the immediate protection of civilians and all those detained, with full guarantees of due process and transparency.
The EU must act to uphold international law.
Reposted by Tom Vasseur
From the wife of the White House Deputy Chief of Staff.
Europe, don't say you weren't warned.
Europe, don't say you weren't warned.
January 3, 2026 at 10:53 PM
From the wife of the White House Deputy Chief of Staff.
Europe, don't say you weren't warned.
Europe, don't say you weren't warned.
Reposted by Tom Vasseur
You don’t have to caveat your condemnation of blatant disregard for international law with your negative opinion about Maduro. Indeed, it’s better if you don’t.
January 3, 2026 at 11:03 AM
You don’t have to caveat your condemnation of blatant disregard for international law with your negative opinion about Maduro. Indeed, it’s better if you don’t.
Reposted by Tom Vasseur
Non-Western countries will laugh, rightfully so, at the EU for its double speech: when it is Russian imperialism, the EU fights back, when it is US imperialism, the EU calls for “restraint” and “monitors the situation”
The EU is burning a massive opportunity to act as the leader of the free world
The EU is burning a massive opportunity to act as the leader of the free world
January 3, 2026 at 12:29 PM
Non-Western countries will laugh, rightfully so, at the EU for its double speech: when it is Russian imperialism, the EU fights back, when it is US imperialism, the EU calls for “restraint” and “monitors the situation”
The EU is burning a massive opportunity to act as the leader of the free world
The EU is burning a massive opportunity to act as the leader of the free world
Reposted by Tom Vasseur
"international law must be followed" is european for "thoughts and prayers"
January 3, 2026 at 2:08 PM
"international law must be followed" is european for "thoughts and prayers"
Reposted by Tom Vasseur
Last year, I was wondering if anyone in positions of power in Europe was thinking about the possibility that a time may come when European countries would need to put sanctions on the US, either for domestic civil rights violations or some kind of a war Trump will start.
Now would be the time. Alas
Now would be the time. Alas
January 3, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Last year, I was wondering if anyone in positions of power in Europe was thinking about the possibility that a time may come when European countries would need to put sanctions on the US, either for domestic civil rights violations or some kind of a war Trump will start.
Now would be the time. Alas
Now would be the time. Alas
The responses by European politicians to the US aggression against Venezuela are weak and disconnected from our own interests.
Europeans need leaders who realize we are living in a different world now. I'm not seeing any.
Europeans need leaders who realize we are living in a different world now. I'm not seeing any.
January 3, 2026 at 2:53 PM
The responses by European politicians to the US aggression against Venezuela are weak and disconnected from our own interests.
Europeans need leaders who realize we are living in a different world now. I'm not seeing any.
Europeans need leaders who realize we are living in a different world now. I'm not seeing any.
Reposted by Tom Vasseur
Is there going to be a mention of the perpetrators of this attack? Is there going to be an EU wide call to suspend intelligence agreements? Are the P3 capable of committing to enforcement of those principles - including the UNC, mentioned in the previous tweet - as a matter of urgency, not interest?
The European Union will continue to support a peaceful, democratic, and inclusive solution in Venezuela.
We support the efforts of the HRVP kajakallas.bsky.social, in coordination with the Member States, to ensure the safety of European citizens in the country.
We support the efforts of the HRVP kajakallas.bsky.social, in coordination with the Member States, to ensure the safety of European citizens in the country.
Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas.bsky.social)
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Vice-President of the European Commission
kajakallas.bsky.social
January 3, 2026 at 12:42 PM
Is there going to be a mention of the perpetrators of this attack? Is there going to be an EU wide call to suspend intelligence agreements? Are the P3 capable of committing to enforcement of those principles - including the UNC, mentioned in the previous tweet - as a matter of urgency, not interest?
And this counts for every organization operating in the EU: businesses, civil society organisations, all layers of government.
Reducing reliance on US financial, digital etc. infrastructure has to be a priority.
Reducing reliance on US financial, digital etc. infrastructure has to be a priority.
After this, the EU should absolutely proceed on the assumption that Trump meant what he said about Greenland. Nothing is off the table anymore.
January 3, 2026 at 12:32 PM
And this counts for every organization operating in the EU: businesses, civil society organisations, all layers of government.
Reducing reliance on US financial, digital etc. infrastructure has to be a priority.
Reducing reliance on US financial, digital etc. infrastructure has to be a priority.
Reposted by Tom Vasseur
After this, the EU should absolutely proceed on the assumption that Trump meant what he said about Greenland. Nothing is off the table anymore.
January 3, 2026 at 10:41 AM
After this, the EU should absolutely proceed on the assumption that Trump meant what he said about Greenland. Nothing is off the table anymore.
Well this was awfully prescient.
Plausible worst case scenario with Venezuela in four steps:
1. Rubio and Venezuelan exiles sell the idea of decapitation strikes against Maduro to Trump as the one big thing that solves Venezuela, cartels and Cuba for the US.
1. Rubio and Venezuelan exiles sell the idea of decapitation strikes against Maduro to Trump as the one big thing that solves Venezuela, cartels and Cuba for the US.
January 3, 2026 at 12:20 PM
Well this was awfully prescient.