Alexa Varah
@alexavarah.bsky.social
Scientist at Natural History Museum, London. Previously science teacher. Biodiversity, food security, carbon, agro-ecology, agroforestry.
⚡Cool PhD project applying ecoacoustics 🎤 to study how tree species diversity 🌳🌲affects soil fauna 🪱🦠. Fieldwork in Finland! Deadline December 17th. N.B. to be considered, you need to contact the supervisors (@juliakoricheva.bsky.social) before the closing date.
www.trees-dla.ac.uk/projects/nov...
www.trees-dla.ac.uk/projects/nov...
Novel ecoacoustic approach to study the effects of tree species diversity on soil biodiversity | TREES DLA
Soil fauna plays a crucial role in the biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem services provided by forest ecosystems, with tree species composition regulating its diversity and functionality through alte...
www.trees-dla.ac.uk
November 6, 2025 at 12:27 PM
⚡Cool PhD project applying ecoacoustics 🎤 to study how tree species diversity 🌳🌲affects soil fauna 🪱🦠. Fieldwork in Finland! Deadline December 17th. N.B. to be considered, you need to contact the supervisors (@juliakoricheva.bsky.social) before the closing date.
www.trees-dla.ac.uk/projects/nov...
www.trees-dla.ac.uk/projects/nov...
Did you know the #NaturalHistoryMuseum has a climate action tool to help you find ways to be more sustainble 🌍 ? Have a look! www.nhm.ac.uk/take-part/fi...
Find Your Climate Action | Natural History Museum
Discover actions that are good for you and good for the planet.
www.nhm.ac.uk
November 4, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Did you know the #NaturalHistoryMuseum has a climate action tool to help you find ways to be more sustainble 🌍 ? Have a look! www.nhm.ac.uk/take-part/fi...
The #NaturalHistoryMuseum is running a ⚡FREE⚡ and awesome-looking course on “Integrative #Biodiversity Discovery". It's designed to introduce field collection, laboratory analysis and phylogenomics skills - run by Museum scientists. Places are limited so sign up soon! www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/...
Integrative biodiversity discovery | Natural History Museum
An introduction to field collection, laboratory analysis and phylogenomics.
www.nhm.ac.uk
November 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
The #NaturalHistoryMuseum is running a ⚡FREE⚡ and awesome-looking course on “Integrative #Biodiversity Discovery". It's designed to introduce field collection, laboratory analysis and phylogenomics skills - run by Museum scientists. Places are limited so sign up soon! www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/...
🪸Corals have reached a 'tipping point' and are now in a state of widespread die-off 😭. Other systems - Amazon, ocean currents - will follow suite if we don't act REALLY fast global-tipping-points.org
Global Tipping Points | understanding risks & their potential impact
Harmful tipping points in the natural world threaten humanity by disrupting life support systems and societal stability.
global-tipping-points.org
October 14, 2025 at 8:36 AM
🪸Corals have reached a 'tipping point' and are now in a state of widespread die-off 😭. Other systems - Amazon, ocean currents - will follow suite if we don't act REALLY fast global-tipping-points.org
In his new book The Great Holocene Transformation, Peter Turchin shows that inequality and class conflict dilute social cohesion and increase societies’ vulnerability to external threat. Doesn't sound great for the UK now, does it...
September 26, 2025 at 5:48 PM
In his new book The Great Holocene Transformation, Peter Turchin shows that inequality and class conflict dilute social cohesion and increase societies’ vulnerability to external threat. Doesn't sound great for the UK now, does it...
Reposted by Alexa Varah
The oceans are dying as humans warm the planet and plunder the ocean polluting and depleting the ocean of marine life
World’s oceans fail key health check as acidity crosses critical threshold for marine life
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
World’s oceans fail key health check as acidity crosses critical threshold for marine life
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
World’s oceans fail key health check as acidity crosses critical threshold for marine life
Scientists call for renewed global effort to curb fossil fuels as seven of nine planetary boundaries now transgressed
www.theguardian.com
September 25, 2025 at 9:33 PM
The oceans are dying as humans warm the planet and plunder the ocean polluting and depleting the ocean of marine life
World’s oceans fail key health check as acidity crosses critical threshold for marine life
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
World’s oceans fail key health check as acidity crosses critical threshold for marine life
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Alexa Varah
Global analysis indicates that phosphorus limitation on terrestrial primary productivity has become stronger and is increasing more rapidly than nitrogen limitation. 🧪
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Phosphorus constrains global photosynthesis more than nitrogen does - Nature Ecology & Evolution
Nitrogen and phosphorus limitations are both key to spatial patterns and temporal trends in primary production. This global analysis indicates that phosphorus limitation on terrestrial primary product...
www.nature.com
September 16, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Global analysis indicates that phosphorus limitation on terrestrial primary productivity has become stronger and is increasing more rapidly than nitrogen limitation. 🧪
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Alexa Varah
I'll be speaking at the Stop Trump demo in Parliament Square today. A fascist autocratic clearly itching to declare martial law is not welcome here.
share.google/sWEe8YGl3euj...
share.google/sWEe8YGl3euj...
Trump Not Welcome | 17 September 2025
Stop Trump Coalition
share.google
September 17, 2025 at 8:06 AM
I'll be speaking at the Stop Trump demo in Parliament Square today. A fascist autocratic clearly itching to declare martial law is not welcome here.
share.google/sWEe8YGl3euj...
share.google/sWEe8YGl3euj...
Bck at work after a month off and catching up on the world: this was an interesting read - by Dolors Armenteras - about the continued lack of equity between global north and south in science www.nature.com/articles/d41... #science #equity #globalsouth @
Equity in science is a beautiful lie — and I’m done pretending
Science isn’t really moving towards equity; institutions are just perfecting the appearance of equity. We need to build an alternative system.
www.nature.com
September 17, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Bck at work after a month off and catching up on the world: this was an interesting read - by Dolors Armenteras - about the continued lack of equity between global north and south in science www.nature.com/articles/d41... #science #equity #globalsouth @
Reposted by Alexa Varah
Human-made global heating caused two in every three heat deaths in Europe during this year’s scorching summer, an early analysis of mortality in 854 big cities has found
I think the UK is higher up this chart than most people would expect
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
I think the UK is higher up this chart than most people would expect
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
September 17, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Human-made global heating caused two in every three heat deaths in Europe during this year’s scorching summer, an early analysis of mortality in 854 big cities has found
I think the UK is higher up this chart than most people would expect
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
I think the UK is higher up this chart than most people would expect
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
One of the best examples of a mature, temperate forest garden is under threat - please sign the Agroforestry Research Trust's petition to try and save it.
The Dartington Forest Garden is threatened with destruction by landlords the Dartington Trust. It took >30 years to grow, and is a wonderful example of a radically different approach to food & fibre production. Please sign the petition, and share.
www.agroforestry.co.uk/save-darting...
www.agroforestry.co.uk/save-darting...
Save the Dartington Forest Garden - The Agroforestry Research Trust
www.agroforestry.co.uk
March 17, 2025 at 9:55 AM
One of the best examples of a mature, temperate forest garden is under threat - please sign the Agroforestry Research Trust's petition to try and save it.
Fascinating article about deep sea prospecting.
. @rebekahwhite.bsky.social with the deep-sea worm butt facts you didn't know you needed, along with a really fascinating story about how multinational companies are making big profits off publicly-funded research expeditions
www.biographic.com/the-three-wa...
www.biographic.com/the-three-wa...
The Three-Way Race to Exploit Deep-Sea Life - bioGraphic
The genetic bounty of the deep sea is being patented by a handful of multinationals.
www.biographic.com
February 12, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Fascinating article about deep sea prospecting.
Reposted by Alexa Varah
Noteworthy speech by von der Leyen at the #EU Ambassadors conference 2025 ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
"The #phase-out of Russian #fossilfuels must continue."
#climate #energy
"The #phase-out of Russian #fossilfuels must continue."
#climate #energy
Speech by President von der Leyen at the EU Ambassadors Conference 2025
Dear HR/VP, my dearest Kaja,
Secretary-General,
Ambassadors,
Allow me to start with a very warm welcome and thanks to each and every one of you for your service to Europe. Many of you have supported a
ec.europa.eu
February 5, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Noteworthy speech by von der Leyen at the #EU Ambassadors conference 2025 ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
"The #phase-out of Russian #fossilfuels must continue."
#climate #energy
"The #phase-out of Russian #fossilfuels must continue."
#climate #energy
It must be like living in an alternative reality for #scientists in the #US right now….
Many U.S. science agencies abruptly abandoned normal operations last week to focus on a slew of executive orders from President Donald Trump.
The torrent of activity left many researchers bewildered—and fearful of what might come next. scim.ag/4jMPYiY
The torrent of activity left many researchers bewildered—and fearful of what might come next. scim.ag/4jMPYiY
Trump orders cause chaos at science agencies
Wild week of canceled meetings, program changes, and data purges creates high anxiety
scim.ag
February 5, 2025 at 7:46 PM
It must be like living in an alternative reality for #scientists in the #US right now….
Reposted by Alexa Varah
National Wildlife Federation urges senators to ensure nominees will respect the rule of law and focus on securing a bipartisan funding agreement.
Read our press release for more 📲: ow.ly/WynI50USLvS
Read our press release for more 📲: ow.ly/WynI50USLvS
February 4, 2025 at 4:36 PM
National Wildlife Federation urges senators to ensure nominees will respect the rule of law and focus on securing a bipartisan funding agreement.
Read our press release for more 📲: ow.ly/WynI50USLvS
Read our press release for more 📲: ow.ly/WynI50USLvS
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
THIS is what fighting back looks like! 👏
Democrats are planning to hold the Senate floor all night tonight to try and stop the confirmation of Project 2025 architect and OMB nominee Russell Vought.
REPOST if you support their efforts!
Democrats are planning to hold the Senate floor all night tonight to try and stop the confirmation of Project 2025 architect and OMB nominee Russell Vought.
REPOST if you support their efforts!
Democrats To Hold Senate Floor All Night To Oppose Trump’s OMB Nominee
www.huffpost.com
February 5, 2025 at 7:37 PM
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Reposted by Alexa Varah
Various animals have achieved fame as 'endlings’ - the last individuals of their species.
Can their tragic stories help to protect other threatened species?
To unpack this, we talk to @alexanderlees.bsky.social & @joannalilley.bsky.social on #NatureInsight.
bit.ly/3Ow0Wef
Can their tragic stories help to protect other threatened species?
To unpack this, we talk to @alexanderlees.bsky.social & @joannalilley.bsky.social on #NatureInsight.
bit.ly/3Ow0Wef
January 30, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Various animals have achieved fame as 'endlings’ - the last individuals of their species.
Can their tragic stories help to protect other threatened species?
To unpack this, we talk to @alexanderlees.bsky.social & @joannalilley.bsky.social on #NatureInsight.
bit.ly/3Ow0Wef
Can their tragic stories help to protect other threatened species?
To unpack this, we talk to @alexanderlees.bsky.social & @joannalilley.bsky.social on #NatureInsight.
bit.ly/3Ow0Wef
Interesting-looking talk tomorrow on links between nature and human health.
In Friday's talk Ben Wheeler will explore how green & blue spaces can benefit public health, discussing how evidence can guide policies that benefit human health & the environment. In-person & on line. See you there! @ecioxford.bsky.social @oxfordgeography.bsky.social bookwhen.com/oxfordbiodiv...
January 30, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Interesting-looking talk tomorrow on links between nature and human health.
🌳🌱🦋 If global politics is depressing you right now, here's some positive news to read instead! #EducationNaturePark
Have you heard of the #EducationNaturePark? 🌳
Last week, MP Stephen Morgan from EducationGovUK visited us to meet participating schools!
They shared ideas on how we can empower young people in making a positive impact on people and the planet🌍👇
www.educationnaturepark.org.uk/final-school...
Last week, MP Stephen Morgan from EducationGovUK visited us to meet participating schools!
They shared ideas on how we can empower young people in making a positive impact on people and the planet🌍👇
www.educationnaturepark.org.uk/final-school...
Staff and students share their ideas for the Nature Park at the final Schools Forum session | Education Nature Park
This month saw the final gathering of the Nature Park Schools Forum, the result of several sessions where staff and students from across England have been giving their thoughts on how we can continue ...
www.educationnaturepark.org.uk
January 21, 2025 at 2:57 PM
🌳🌱🦋 If global politics is depressing you right now, here's some positive news to read instead! #EducationNaturePark
😮
Finland's forests are now a net source of CO2 emissions, due to a large part to intensive logging, including for #biomass energy.
Could the carbon sink of the northern forests save us from climate change? I'm sorry, not the Finnish forests at least. We logged the sink. According to Natural Resources Institute Finland the sink of forests has turned into an emission. (link in Swedish and Finnish) www.luke.fi/sv/nyheterna...
January 16, 2025 at 2:37 PM
😮
Reposted by Alexa Varah
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 6:43 PM
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...
Interesting and frustrating insight into doing science!
Science takes time - a lot of time. Time that is more and more difficult to make available because of increased workloads. Time that exceeds the temporary contracts of postdocs and PhDs.
I'll illustrate this using our paper published in Nature yesterday. 🧵 (1/x)
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
I'll illustrate this using our paper published in Nature yesterday. 🧵 (1/x)
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Soil microbiomes show consistent and predictable responses to extreme events - Nature
Soils from 30 grasslands across Europe were subjected to 4 contrasting extreme climatic events under drought, flood, freezing and heat conditions, with the results suggesting that soil microbiomes fro...
www.nature.com
January 16, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Interesting and frustrating insight into doing science!
Reposted by Alexa Varah
Just finished reading this fab new paper by @andypurvisnhm.bsky.social
Bending the curve of #biodiversity loss requires a 'satnav' for nature
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10....
The satnav analogy helps to focus on forward-looking course corrections to our conservation policy + actions
Bending the curve of #biodiversity loss requires a 'satnav' for nature
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10....
The satnav analogy helps to focus on forward-looking course corrections to our conservation policy + actions
Bending the curve of biodiversity loss requires a ‘satnav’ for nature | Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Georgina Mace proposed bending the curve of biodiversity loss as a fitting ambition
for the Convention on Biological Diversity. The new Global Biodiversity Monitoring
Framework (GBMF) may increase the...
royalsocietypublishing.org
January 16, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Just finished reading this fab new paper by @andypurvisnhm.bsky.social
Bending the curve of #biodiversity loss requires a 'satnav' for nature
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10....
The satnav analogy helps to focus on forward-looking course corrections to our conservation policy + actions
Bending the curve of #biodiversity loss requires a 'satnav' for nature
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10....
The satnav analogy helps to focus on forward-looking course corrections to our conservation policy + actions
Reposted by Alexa Varah
Fully funded PhD scholarships available for Black British Students
Opportunities available within:
🧪 Data Science
⛰️ Earth and Environmental Science
🦤 Ecology and Conservation
🛠️ Engineering
🌍 Geography
🤝 Business School
Apply: www.exeter.ac.uk/study/fundin...
📆 Deadline: 28th Feb
#ExeterGSES
Opportunities available within:
🧪 Data Science
⛰️ Earth and Environmental Science
🦤 Ecology and Conservation
🛠️ Engineering
🌍 Geography
🤝 Business School
Apply: www.exeter.ac.uk/study/fundin...
📆 Deadline: 28th Feb
#ExeterGSES
December 11, 2024 at 12:08 PM
Fully funded PhD scholarships available for Black British Students
Opportunities available within:
🧪 Data Science
⛰️ Earth and Environmental Science
🦤 Ecology and Conservation
🛠️ Engineering
🌍 Geography
🤝 Business School
Apply: www.exeter.ac.uk/study/fundin...
📆 Deadline: 28th Feb
#ExeterGSES
Opportunities available within:
🧪 Data Science
⛰️ Earth and Environmental Science
🦤 Ecology and Conservation
🛠️ Engineering
🌍 Geography
🤝 Business School
Apply: www.exeter.ac.uk/study/fundin...
📆 Deadline: 28th Feb
#ExeterGSES
Women are more likely to drop out of science than men.
From my experience, the postdoc system works against those who can't be flexible about working hours or job location, and who need predictable finances.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
(Thank you #NatureBriefing for flagging this article!)
From my experience, the postdoc system works against those who can't be flexible about working hours or job location, and who need predictable finances.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
(Thank you #NatureBriefing for flagging this article!)
| bioRxiv
bioRxiv - the preprint server for biology, operated by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a research and educational institution
www.biorxiv.org
January 13, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Women are more likely to drop out of science than men.
From my experience, the postdoc system works against those who can't be flexible about working hours or job location, and who need predictable finances.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
(Thank you #NatureBriefing for flagging this article!)
From my experience, the postdoc system works against those who can't be flexible about working hours or job location, and who need predictable finances.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
(Thank you #NatureBriefing for flagging this article!)