Vhairi Tollan
@vtollan.bsky.social
Climate policy at Scottish Greens 🌍🌱| History at the OU 🎓| views my own 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Reposted by Vhairi Tollan
🧵 1/6
I am delighted that my colleagues across the Parliament supported my amendment to ensure that no government can run roughshod over our nature protections. This is a win for nature.
This bill
www.thenational.scot/news/2565367...
I am delighted that my colleagues across the Parliament supported my amendment to ensure that no government can run roughshod over our nature protections. This is a win for nature.
This bill
www.thenational.scot/news/2565367...
Blow to SNP as MSPs vote to remove entire section from flagship nature bill
THE SNP Government has been dealt a major blow after MSPs voted to remove an entire section from its flagship nature bill ...
www.thenational.scot
November 28, 2025 at 8:39 AM
🧵 1/6
I am delighted that my colleagues across the Parliament supported my amendment to ensure that no government can run roughshod over our nature protections. This is a win for nature.
This bill
www.thenational.scot/news/2565367...
I am delighted that my colleagues across the Parliament supported my amendment to ensure that no government can run roughshod over our nature protections. This is a win for nature.
This bill
www.thenational.scot/news/2565367...
Reposted by Vhairi Tollan
NEW: Global fossil fuel use will peak before 2030 – unless 'stated policies' are abandoned
Contra some terrible news coverage, IEA World Energy Outlook shows coal near peak, oil peaking by 2030 & gas by 2035 (see chart)
What's going on? 🧵 + cool charts
www.carbonbrief.org/iea-fossil-f...
Contra some terrible news coverage, IEA World Energy Outlook shows coal near peak, oil peaking by 2030 & gas by 2035 (see chart)
What's going on? 🧵 + cool charts
www.carbonbrief.org/iea-fossil-f...
November 12, 2025 at 9:02 AM
NEW: Global fossil fuel use will peak before 2030 – unless 'stated policies' are abandoned
Contra some terrible news coverage, IEA World Energy Outlook shows coal near peak, oil peaking by 2030 & gas by 2035 (see chart)
What's going on? 🧵 + cool charts
www.carbonbrief.org/iea-fossil-f...
Contra some terrible news coverage, IEA World Energy Outlook shows coal near peak, oil peaking by 2030 & gas by 2035 (see chart)
What's going on? 🧵 + cool charts
www.carbonbrief.org/iea-fossil-f...
Reposted by Vhairi Tollan
Hannah is a formidable campaigner who will win her fight to give swifts a home 💚
I’ve been delighted to work with her and @RSPBScotland and have now lodged an amendment to the Natural Environment Bill to require swift bricks in new homes in Scotland! 🏴🪶
I’ve been delighted to work with her and @RSPBScotland and have now lodged an amendment to the Natural Environment Bill to require swift bricks in new homes in Scotland! 🏴🪶
As I spend the day in Parliament, please lobby politicians from your computers! Email your MP even if you’ve done it before. Without swift bricks there is no secure nesting habitat for cavity nesting birds. They can’t stabilise their crashing population’s without breeding. Obvs.
November 10, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Hannah is a formidable campaigner who will win her fight to give swifts a home 💚
I’ve been delighted to work with her and @RSPBScotland and have now lodged an amendment to the Natural Environment Bill to require swift bricks in new homes in Scotland! 🏴🪶
I’ve been delighted to work with her and @RSPBScotland and have now lodged an amendment to the Natural Environment Bill to require swift bricks in new homes in Scotland! 🏴🪶
Reposted by Vhairi Tollan
🚨NATURE IS UNDER ATTACK!
The government wants to scrap vital nature protections and allow companies like theme park operators to destroy natural habitats!
👉 greens.scot/DefendScotla...
The government wants to scrap vital nature protections and allow companies like theme park operators to destroy natural habitats!
👉 greens.scot/DefendScotla...
October 30, 2025 at 10:52 AM
🚨NATURE IS UNDER ATTACK!
The government wants to scrap vital nature protections and allow companies like theme park operators to destroy natural habitats!
👉 greens.scot/DefendScotla...
The government wants to scrap vital nature protections and allow companies like theme park operators to destroy natural habitats!
👉 greens.scot/DefendScotla...
Reposted by Vhairi Tollan
Great news for nature🌳 Yesterday MSPs voted to create a law obliging the owners of large landholdings to publish plans on how they will increase biodiversity and adapt to climate breakdown, as part of the new Land Reform Bill.
Read the full story 👉 bit.ly/4hyl3Gl
📷James Shooter/Rewilding Britain
Read the full story 👉 bit.ly/4hyl3Gl
📷James Shooter/Rewilding Britain
New law says large landowners need to set out biodiversity plans, in ‘big step towards a Rewilding Nation’ - Trees for Life
Find a Grove Login
treesforlife.org.uk
October 29, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Great news for nature🌳 Yesterday MSPs voted to create a law obliging the owners of large landholdings to publish plans on how they will increase biodiversity and adapt to climate breakdown, as part of the new Land Reform Bill.
Read the full story 👉 bit.ly/4hyl3Gl
📷James Shooter/Rewilding Britain
Read the full story 👉 bit.ly/4hyl3Gl
📷James Shooter/Rewilding Britain
Reposted by Vhairi Tollan
Despite their temporary support for climate targets, the Conservatives have never backed the action that's needed to tackle the climate emergency.
Now they're dropping all support for meaningful climate policy, to serve the financial interests of their wealthy donors.
Utterly shameful.
Now they're dropping all support for meaningful climate policy, to serve the financial interests of their wealthy donors.
Utterly shameful.
In other news, Kemi Badenoch's party has taken at least £7 million in donations from funders and directors of climate change denial lobby groups bylinetimes.com/2025/03/18/k...
October 2, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Despite their temporary support for climate targets, the Conservatives have never backed the action that's needed to tackle the climate emergency.
Now they're dropping all support for meaningful climate policy, to serve the financial interests of their wealthy donors.
Utterly shameful.
Now they're dropping all support for meaningful climate policy, to serve the financial interests of their wealthy donors.
Utterly shameful.
Reposted by Vhairi Tollan
The Housing Bill, introduced by Scottish Greens, has passed!
✅ Rent controls
✅ The right for renters to keep pets
✅ The right for renters to decorate
✅ Increased council tax on second homes
✅ Support for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
👇 And more
✅ Rent controls
✅ The right for renters to keep pets
✅ The right for renters to decorate
✅ Increased council tax on second homes
✅ Support for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
👇 And more
October 1, 2025 at 9:33 AM
The Housing Bill, introduced by Scottish Greens, has passed!
✅ Rent controls
✅ The right for renters to keep pets
✅ The right for renters to decorate
✅ Increased council tax on second homes
✅ Support for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
👇 And more
✅ Rent controls
✅ The right for renters to keep pets
✅ The right for renters to decorate
✅ Increased council tax on second homes
✅ Support for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
👇 And more
Reposted by Vhairi Tollan
Nigel Farage is the biggest charlatan in British political history.
And here's what his constitutents in Clacton really think:
And here's what his constitutents in Clacton really think:
September 7, 2025 at 5:37 AM
Nigel Farage is the biggest charlatan in British political history.
And here's what his constitutents in Clacton really think:
And here's what his constitutents in Clacton really think:
Reposted by Vhairi Tollan
Motherfucking wind farms…
July 30, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Motherfucking wind farms…
Reposted by Vhairi Tollan
Climate change is already making our day to day lives more difficult and more expensive. Public transport, crop yields, our health - it's all suffering.
We have the solutions. But things will only get worse until governments start listening to the science and stop making excuses.
We have the solutions. But things will only get worse until governments start listening to the science and stop making excuses.
Heatwave is wake-up call for action on climate emergency
On Saturday I sat at Glasgow Queen Street station listening to an interesting announcement over the tannoy system – trains will be running late as they are being “speed-restricted” due to overheated t...
www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com
July 22, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Climate change is already making our day to day lives more difficult and more expensive. Public transport, crop yields, our health - it's all suffering.
We have the solutions. But things will only get worse until governments start listening to the science and stop making excuses.
We have the solutions. But things will only get worse until governments start listening to the science and stop making excuses.
Reposted by Vhairi Tollan
New Zealand used to make headlines for its bold climate commitments. The gutting of those commitments is equally bold, but not getting much attention outside NZ. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, read @roycerk2.bsky.social for @drilledmedia.bsky.social drilled.media/news/new-zea...
“Ideological Sludge”: How New Zealand Is Quiet Quitting Climate Action
New Zealand once stood out as a world leader on climate change. In June it became the first country in the world to abandon a commitment to phase out oil, gas and coal.
drilled.media
July 17, 2025 at 3:35 PM
New Zealand used to make headlines for its bold climate commitments. The gutting of those commitments is equally bold, but not getting much attention outside NZ. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, read @roycerk2.bsky.social for @drilledmedia.bsky.social drilled.media/news/new-zea...
Reposted by Vhairi Tollan
you've heard about the college kids who can't do anything without ChatGPT's help—but what about the students who oppose generative A.I. for myriad reasons and refuse to rely on it as a shortcut? well, I found and spoke with a few of them here: slate.com/life/2025/07...
What It’s Like to Be a Student Who Hates ChatGPT
“Everyone is using it”—almost everyone.
slate.com
July 15, 2025 at 4:06 PM
you've heard about the college kids who can't do anything without ChatGPT's help—but what about the students who oppose generative A.I. for myriad reasons and refuse to rely on it as a shortcut? well, I found and spoke with a few of them here: slate.com/life/2025/07...
Reposted by Vhairi Tollan
I've been talking about this for years but the fossil fuel industry has five key narratives, they haven't changed much in decades, and they just shift between them/combine them depending on what is happening in the world. Made a quick and dirty flow chart to illustrate it:
July 1, 2025 at 4:19 PM
I've been talking about this for years but the fossil fuel industry has five key narratives, they haven't changed much in decades, and they just shift between them/combine them depending on what is happening in the world. Made a quick and dirty flow chart to illustrate it:
Reposted by Vhairi Tollan
2. The renewables-based electrified world is reliant on products, not commodities, because sun and wind are free. While resources like oil are controlled by those key states endowed with them, just about anyone can contribute to and benefit from the supply chain to build solar and wind equipment.
April 26, 2025 at 7:12 AM
2. The renewables-based electrified world is reliant on products, not commodities, because sun and wind are free. While resources like oil are controlled by those key states endowed with them, just about anyone can contribute to and benefit from the supply chain to build solar and wind equipment.
Reposted by Vhairi Tollan
Greyhound racing is a cruel sport that is dangerous for dogs.
Latest data from across the UK shows:
🚨109 dogs died trackside in 2023
🚨4,238 injuries were caused to greyhounds
Today, Scottish Greens introduced a bill to end greyhound racing in Scotland for good.
Latest data from across the UK shows:
🚨109 dogs died trackside in 2023
🚨4,238 injuries were caused to greyhounds
Today, Scottish Greens introduced a bill to end greyhound racing in Scotland for good.
April 23, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Greyhound racing is a cruel sport that is dangerous for dogs.
Latest data from across the UK shows:
🚨109 dogs died trackside in 2023
🚨4,238 injuries were caused to greyhounds
Today, Scottish Greens introduced a bill to end greyhound racing in Scotland for good.
Latest data from across the UK shows:
🚨109 dogs died trackside in 2023
🚨4,238 injuries were caused to greyhounds
Today, Scottish Greens introduced a bill to end greyhound racing in Scotland for good.
Reposted by Vhairi Tollan
Sad news about the Happy Heat Pump Podcast.
Sorry to say, that after about 20 episodes, we’re drawing it to a close at the request of the BBC which worries it may be seen as steering into areas of public controversy.
1/2
youtu.be/RJPKgngqoX0?...
Sorry to say, that after about 20 episodes, we’re drawing it to a close at the request of the BBC which worries it may be seen as steering into areas of public controversy.
1/2
youtu.be/RJPKgngqoX0?...
https://youtu.be/RJPKgngqoX0?si=92B9xN4zy6BiWXqK
t.co
April 22, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Sad news about the Happy Heat Pump Podcast.
Sorry to say, that after about 20 episodes, we’re drawing it to a close at the request of the BBC which worries it may be seen as steering into areas of public controversy.
1/2
youtu.be/RJPKgngqoX0?...
Sorry to say, that after about 20 episodes, we’re drawing it to a close at the request of the BBC which worries it may be seen as steering into areas of public controversy.
1/2
youtu.be/RJPKgngqoX0?...
Reposted by Vhairi Tollan
The crisis for UK steel is exposing another – perhaps even bigger – crisis for the UK
Our news media seems incapable of even the most basic factchecking
YES energy for UK steelmakers is costly
NO it's not due to net-zero
YES it is due to GAS
Here's what UK media isn't telling you🧵
Our news media seems incapable of even the most basic factchecking
YES energy for UK steelmakers is costly
NO it's not due to net-zero
YES it is due to GAS
Here's what UK media isn't telling you🧵
April 14, 2025 at 3:27 PM
The crisis for UK steel is exposing another – perhaps even bigger – crisis for the UK
Our news media seems incapable of even the most basic factchecking
YES energy for UK steelmakers is costly
NO it's not due to net-zero
YES it is due to GAS
Here's what UK media isn't telling you🧵
Our news media seems incapable of even the most basic factchecking
YES energy for UK steelmakers is costly
NO it's not due to net-zero
YES it is due to GAS
Here's what UK media isn't telling you🧵
Reposted by Vhairi Tollan
✊🔥🌍If you ever wondered why to engage into climate activism : review of evidence
👉 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
"There is strong evidence that climate activism shifts public opinion and media coverage in a pro-climate direction, but this varies by context and the tactics employed."
🧪
👉 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
"There is strong evidence that climate activism shifts public opinion and media coverage in a pro-climate direction, but this varies by context and the tactics employed."
🧪
The impacts of climate activism
We review 50 studies on the impacts of climate activism. We present the existing evidence in a map of what we know about climate activism and its impa…
www.sciencedirect.com
March 29, 2025 at 5:31 PM
✊🔥🌍If you ever wondered why to engage into climate activism : review of evidence
👉 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
"There is strong evidence that climate activism shifts public opinion and media coverage in a pro-climate direction, but this varies by context and the tactics employed."
🧪
👉 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
"There is strong evidence that climate activism shifts public opinion and media coverage in a pro-climate direction, but this varies by context and the tactics employed."
🧪
Reposted by Vhairi Tollan
beaver's return
![Comic by Stephen Collins for the Guardian. Script as follows:
Scene is a British WOODLAND by a RIVER. A NATURALIST is stood next to a cage, and TV NEWS REPORTERS are filming him and the cage.
1
NATURALIST:
And now It is my great honour
2
NATURALIST:
to reintroduce the first wild beaver
back into Britain
3
[Cut to the BEAVER’S CAGE. Its door is open and the Beaver is leaned nonchalantly up against the opening, smoking a cigarette.]
4
BEAVER:
Well, well, well.
5
BEAVER:
Look who's come crawling back.
6
BEAVER:
Got a rubbish ecosystem have ya?
7
BEAVER:
Not happy with the *critical anti-flood infrastructure* engineered by the flippin *badgers*?
8
BEAVER:
I almost didn't recognise you without one of my ancestors on your head…
9
BEAVER:
First you wipe us out… now you ask us to come back and build dams for free…
You actually expect me to be *pleased* don’t ya?
NATURALIST:
I'm so sorry I…I…
10
BEAVER:
“Ooh la la, the Brits have come crawling back…”
Do I look like *Michel flippin’ Barnier*?
11
NATURALIST:
I-if there’s some kind of… *remuneration* we could offer I-I’m sure…
12
BEAVER [throwing cigarette to the ground]:
Unlimited pond weed, two tickets to Abba Voyage.
NATURALIST:
Done.
[ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreihs2p5lw7psgwmqpzruuvd42k54oippf6wwx5glghmewzjj4w7tne@jpeg)
March 16, 2025 at 11:03 AM
beaver's return
Reposted by Vhairi Tollan
To no one's surprise, UK newspapers are full of truly dreadful - and, at times, outright bizarre - "reporting" of the Climate Change Committee's new carbon-budget advice.
For a sane and nuanced summary – with lots of charts - here's our detailed coverage...
www.carbonbrief.org/ccc-reducing...
For a sane and nuanced summary – with lots of charts - here's our detailed coverage...
www.carbonbrief.org/ccc-reducing...
CCC: Reducing emissions 87% by 2040 would help ‘cut household costs by £1,400’ - Carbon Brief
The UK should cut its emissions to 87% below 1990 levels by 2040 under its...
www.carbonbrief.org
February 26, 2025 at 9:06 AM
To no one's surprise, UK newspapers are full of truly dreadful - and, at times, outright bizarre - "reporting" of the Climate Change Committee's new carbon-budget advice.
For a sane and nuanced summary – with lots of charts - here's our detailed coverage...
www.carbonbrief.org/ccc-reducing...
For a sane and nuanced summary – with lots of charts - here's our detailed coverage...
www.carbonbrief.org/ccc-reducing...
Reposted by Vhairi Tollan
A serious programme of climate action is both necessary and possible - and as the UKCCC have shown today it will bring big benefits for household budgets, and it can be done at lower cost than previously thought; equal to a small fraction of the military spending that Starmer announced yesterday.
This will require initial investment, but we expect to start seeing savings in the Seventh Carbon Budget period. We think it’ll cost about 0.2% of GDP from now to 2050. This is less than we thought when we last gave advice in 2020.
February 26, 2025 at 12:04 PM
A serious programme of climate action is both necessary and possible - and as the UKCCC have shown today it will bring big benefits for household budgets, and it can be done at lower cost than previously thought; equal to a small fraction of the military spending that Starmer announced yesterday.
Reposted by Vhairi Tollan
Net zero now makes up nearly 5% of the Scottish economy, providing over 100,000 full-time jobs.
While the UK economy sits stagnant, net zero has grown by over 20% in Scotland since 2022.
It's not just environmentally necessary, it represents a huge economic opportunity.
While the UK economy sits stagnant, net zero has grown by over 20% in Scotland since 2022.
It's not just environmentally necessary, it represents a huge economic opportunity.
February 25, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Net zero now makes up nearly 5% of the Scottish economy, providing over 100,000 full-time jobs.
While the UK economy sits stagnant, net zero has grown by over 20% in Scotland since 2022.
It's not just environmentally necessary, it represents a huge economic opportunity.
While the UK economy sits stagnant, net zero has grown by over 20% in Scotland since 2022.
It's not just environmentally necessary, it represents a huge economic opportunity.
Reposted by Vhairi Tollan
BREAKING 🚨: WE WON OUR CASE AGAINST ROSEBANK.
The court has ruled the oil field UNLAWFUL and Rosebank’s approval has been overturned.
This is a monumental victory in the fight for a liveable future for all.
The court has ruled the oil field UNLAWFUL and Rosebank’s approval has been overturned.
This is a monumental victory in the fight for a liveable future for all.
January 30, 2025 at 10:01 AM
BREAKING 🚨: WE WON OUR CASE AGAINST ROSEBANK.
The court has ruled the oil field UNLAWFUL and Rosebank’s approval has been overturned.
This is a monumental victory in the fight for a liveable future for all.
The court has ruled the oil field UNLAWFUL and Rosebank’s approval has been overturned.
This is a monumental victory in the fight for a liveable future for all.