Alexandra Burkitt
@a-burkitt.bsky.social
PhD student studying photosynthetic microbes in peatlands at the University of York. Interested in nature and the stories we tell about it.
(Soil) ecology, plants, climate and tea 🦠🌱 she/her
(Soil) ecology, plants, climate and tea 🦠🌱 she/her
Reposted by Alexandra Burkitt
Fun/inspiring @motherjones.com interview with journalism hero @elizkolbert.bsky.social
How to make people want to read about climate change www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
How to make people want to read about climate change www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
How to make people want to read about climate change
Pulitzer winner Elizabeth Kolbert's new book is a master class in writing about the natural world.
www.motherjones.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Fun/inspiring @motherjones.com interview with journalism hero @elizkolbert.bsky.social
How to make people want to read about climate change www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
How to make people want to read about climate change www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
I was chatting to some friends last night about things to definitely make sure you can ID before attempting any foraging- this definitely belongs on that list!
The Wild Garlic leaves are up but look out for the Lords and Ladies leaves mixed in with them! Those are definitely not edible!! @bsbibotany.bsky.social @wildflowerhour.bsky.social
March 17, 2025 at 11:53 AM
I was chatting to some friends last night about things to definitely make sure you can ID before attempting any foraging- this definitely belongs on that list!
A tansy beetle! Every year these little living jewels astonish me all over again. This one had woken up from hibernation and emerged into the warm weather of last weekend- not shockingly early, but definitely the earliest I’ve ever seen one.
#naturewriting #ukwildlife #beetles #365dayswild
#naturewriting #ukwildlife #beetles #365dayswild
March 14, 2025 at 5:13 PM
A tansy beetle! Every year these little living jewels astonish me all over again. This one had woken up from hibernation and emerged into the warm weather of last weekend- not shockingly early, but definitely the earliest I’ve ever seen one.
#naturewriting #ukwildlife #beetles #365dayswild
#naturewriting #ukwildlife #beetles #365dayswild
I had a surprising discovery while doing some repotting at the weekend- an Aspidistra eliator flower! It was below the soil surface, which a quick search suggests is an evolutionary adaptation for pollination by either slugs and snails or fungus gnats. Some very cool botany!
February 11, 2025 at 5:03 PM
I had a surprising discovery while doing some repotting at the weekend- an Aspidistra eliator flower! It was below the soil surface, which a quick search suggests is an evolutionary adaptation for pollination by either slugs and snails or fungus gnats. Some very cool botany!
Reposted by Alexandra Burkitt
If you enjoyed the Morrell, perhaps you'd also enjoy Central Hall also by Paul Shields?
This is objectively brilliant #photography. Central Hall looks like a spaceship taking off in a 60s scifi film. For a little treat, click on the image to expand it and look at those crisp lines. Cor.
This is objectively brilliant #photography. Central Hall looks like a spaceship taking off in a 60s scifi film. For a little treat, click on the image to expand it and look at those crisp lines. Cor.
February 11, 2025 at 9:12 AM
If you enjoyed the Morrell, perhaps you'd also enjoy Central Hall also by Paul Shields?
This is objectively brilliant #photography. Central Hall looks like a spaceship taking off in a 60s scifi film. For a little treat, click on the image to expand it and look at those crisp lines. Cor.
This is objectively brilliant #photography. Central Hall looks like a spaceship taking off in a 60s scifi film. For a little treat, click on the image to expand it and look at those crisp lines. Cor.
Reposted by Alexandra Burkitt
*DOOMSCROLLING CHECKPOINT*
Stop. Breathe. Take your mind off the collapse of US Democracy.
Here's some baby giant springtails, aren't they cute?
They don't understand human politics, they just eat fungi and logs and go to sleep. That must be nice for them.
Okay, off you go.
#Invertebrate 🧪
Stop. Breathe. Take your mind off the collapse of US Democracy.
Here's some baby giant springtails, aren't they cute?
They don't understand human politics, they just eat fungi and logs and go to sleep. That must be nice for them.
Okay, off you go.
#Invertebrate 🧪
February 5, 2025 at 9:47 AM
*DOOMSCROLLING CHECKPOINT*
Stop. Breathe. Take your mind off the collapse of US Democracy.
Here's some baby giant springtails, aren't they cute?
They don't understand human politics, they just eat fungi and logs and go to sleep. That must be nice for them.
Okay, off you go.
#Invertebrate 🧪
Stop. Breathe. Take your mind off the collapse of US Democracy.
Here's some baby giant springtails, aren't they cute?
They don't understand human politics, they just eat fungi and logs and go to sleep. That must be nice for them.
Okay, off you go.
#Invertebrate 🧪
Reposted by Alexandra Burkitt
Happy World Wetlands Day! And what a better way to celebrate, than to announce that #PeatNeeds is back! Applications are now open for $100 CAD microgrants. #PeatECR (within 7 years of terminal degree) are eligible for funding. For more information or to apply see docs.google.com/forms/d/1O6J...
February 2, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Happy World Wetlands Day! And what a better way to celebrate, than to announce that #PeatNeeds is back! Applications are now open for $100 CAD microgrants. #PeatECR (within 7 years of terminal degree) are eligible for funding. For more information or to apply see docs.google.com/forms/d/1O6J...
It is very hard to turn despair into meaningful action. It is very hard to persist through burnout. You are allowed to hope and breathe and sometimes turn the news off if you need to. There are things that we can do.
“Every fraction of a degree is worth fighting for.”
“Every fraction of a degree is worth fighting for.”
Some folks seem to want to blackpill all over the replies, especially given what happens on Monday, so let me add: Every fraction of a degree is worth fighting for. There will never be a point at which the work stops mattering. Take care of your mental health so you don't actively obstruct the work.
January 16, 2025 at 10:44 AM
It is very hard to turn despair into meaningful action. It is very hard to persist through burnout. You are allowed to hope and breathe and sometimes turn the news off if you need to. There are things that we can do.
“Every fraction of a degree is worth fighting for.”
“Every fraction of a degree is worth fighting for.”
Reposted by Alexandra Burkitt
I was a grad student when the 2007 IPCC report came out, the two highest emissions pathways predicted warming of 3.4 or 4 degrees. "A bit less than 3C" is still too high, but thanks to activists, scientists, and policymakers we have brought the number down. Our climate future is still being written.
New post on The Climate Brink from Zeke @hausfath.bsky.social about our climate future. With current policies, we’re on track for a bit less than 3C, with 2030 NDCs we’re on track for about 2.5C, and with net zero pledges we’re on track for a bit less than 2C.
www.theclimatebrink.com/p/moving-awa...
www.theclimatebrink.com/p/moving-awa...
Moving away from high-end emissions scenarios
I have a new commentary in Dialogues on Climate Change exploring climate outcomes in current policy scenarios
www.theclimatebrink.com
January 15, 2025 at 7:37 PM
I was a grad student when the 2007 IPCC report came out, the two highest emissions pathways predicted warming of 3.4 or 4 degrees. "A bit less than 3C" is still too high, but thanks to activists, scientists, and policymakers we have brought the number down. Our climate future is still being written.
Reposted by Alexandra Burkitt
I do! They're pied wagtails, and I wrote about them a while ago. One of my favourite, favourite winter things! www.newstatesman.com/culture/natu...
December 17, 2024 at 4:47 PM
I do! They're pied wagtails, and I wrote about them a while ago. One of my favourite, favourite winter things! www.newstatesman.com/culture/natu...
Reposted by Alexandra Burkitt
Help restore my faith in the world. Who loves a good bog? Make yourselves known! For bogs are - time keepers, death defiers, artifact protectors, carbon trappers, water purifiers, food providers, beautiful mysterious places
December 17, 2024 at 9:37 PM
Help restore my faith in the world. Who loves a good bog? Make yourselves known! For bogs are - time keepers, death defiers, artifact protectors, carbon trappers, water purifiers, food providers, beautiful mysterious places
Walking at dusk on the winter solstice. A buzzard flies out of the hedge just in front of me and drifts across the road into the trees on the other side. The white patches under its wings glow as the streetlights flick on, and it flies towards the last light in the sky.
#naturewriting #wildlife
#naturewriting #wildlife
December 22, 2024 at 7:35 PM
Walking at dusk on the winter solstice. A buzzard flies out of the hedge just in front of me and drifts across the road into the trees on the other side. The white patches under its wings glow as the streetlights flick on, and it flies towards the last light in the sky.
#naturewriting #wildlife
#naturewriting #wildlife
Reposted by Alexandra Burkitt
Great general scicomm tips here full stop
Every year around now, I start to see grad students on social media bemoan that they’re going home for the holidays to a family that doesn’t understand their research, or what they do in general, and it breaks my heart. 🧵 🧪 #SciComm
December 8, 2024 at 10:16 PM
Great general scicomm tips here full stop