Alistair Ford
@alistaircford.bsky.social
Geospatial lecturer, climate/sustainability researcher, rail enthusiast, music lover, Green activist, beekeeper, lower league footy fan, grower of tiny vegetables, bike rider. Views my own etc.
Reposted by Alistair Ford
🧵/ How far does the public support net zero?
Support: 60%
Oppose: 25%
Net support by party
Green: +81
Lib Dem: +67
Lab: +64
Con: +11
Reform: -44
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
Support: 60%
Oppose: 25%
Net support by party
Green: +81
Lib Dem: +67
Lab: +64
Con: +11
Reform: -44
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
November 11, 2025 at 10:43 AM
🧵/ How far does the public support net zero?
Support: 60%
Oppose: 25%
Net support by party
Green: +81
Lib Dem: +67
Lab: +64
Con: +11
Reform: -44
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
Support: 60%
Oppose: 25%
Net support by party
Green: +81
Lib Dem: +67
Lab: +64
Con: +11
Reform: -44
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
Reposted by Alistair Ford
Excited to share that my first journal paper (w/ Dr Craig Robson & @alistaircford.bsky.social) has been published in the Journal of Cycling and Micromobility Research! Read more (open access) here: doi.org/10.1016/j.jc...
Thanks to @geospatialcdt.bsky.social and Craig and Ali for enabling this!
Thanks to @geospatialcdt.bsky.social and Craig and Ali for enabling this!
October 28, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Excited to share that my first journal paper (w/ Dr Craig Robson & @alistaircford.bsky.social) has been published in the Journal of Cycling and Micromobility Research! Read more (open access) here: doi.org/10.1016/j.jc...
Thanks to @geospatialcdt.bsky.social and Craig and Ali for enabling this!
Thanks to @geospatialcdt.bsky.social and Craig and Ali for enabling this!
Huge congrats to @chris-larkin.bsky.social for his first journal publication documenting his open data approach to identifying plausible LTNs. It's a really neat bit of work that should help LTN researchers and policymakers to identify where existing low-traffic neighbourhoods are. Well done, Chris!
Excited to share that my first journal paper (w/ Dr Craig Robson & @alistaircford.bsky.social) has been published in the Journal of Cycling and Micromobility Research! Read more (open access) here: doi.org/10.1016/j.jc...
Thanks to @geospatialcdt.bsky.social and Craig and Ali for enabling this!
Thanks to @geospatialcdt.bsky.social and Craig and Ali for enabling this!
October 28, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Huge congrats to @chris-larkin.bsky.social for his first journal publication documenting his open data approach to identifying plausible LTNs. It's a really neat bit of work that should help LTN researchers and policymakers to identify where existing low-traffic neighbourhoods are. Well done, Chris!
Reposted by Alistair Ford
Had a chat to Kate from Ubrix (ubrix.co.uk), about the research we've been doing on data-driven land-use planning in the UK, developing simple 'what if?' tools to demonstrate the outcomes of different planning decisions, and identify sustainable locations for new housing.
youtu.be/nCPz4Sz6a7s
youtu.be/nCPz4Sz6a7s
Ubrix Sessions: From Data to Decisions – Mapping the Future of Housing
YouTube video by Ubrix
youtu.be
October 15, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Had a chat to Kate from Ubrix (ubrix.co.uk), about the research we've been doing on data-driven land-use planning in the UK, developing simple 'what if?' tools to demonstrate the outcomes of different planning decisions, and identify sustainable locations for new housing.
youtu.be/nCPz4Sz6a7s
youtu.be/nCPz4Sz6a7s
Reposted by Alistair Ford
Kemi Badenoch has vowed to repeal the UK’s Climate Change Act, a move so reckless it demands more scrutiny than polite debate. This matters not just for polar bears or coral reefs, but for our people, our economy, our very future.
#ClimateChange #ClimateEmergency
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
#ClimateChange #ClimateEmergency
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Kemi Badenoch vows to repeal Climate Change Act
Tory leader says she would replace it with ‘cheap energy’ strategy, ending decades-long consensus on climate
www.theguardian.com
October 2, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Kemi Badenoch has vowed to repeal the UK’s Climate Change Act, a move so reckless it demands more scrutiny than polite debate. This matters not just for polar bears or coral reefs, but for our people, our economy, our very future.
#ClimateChange #ClimateEmergency
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
#ClimateChange #ClimateEmergency
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
The last of a long line of surveying and mapping graduates are on the final day of their geospatial field course. Over the years we've taken students to Alnmouth and Alston, Gilsland and Glaramara and, for the last 16 years, Kielder. Tonight they'll submit the last ever field course reports & maps!
September 23, 2025 at 2:17 PM
The last of a long line of surveying and mapping graduates are on the final day of their geospatial field course. Over the years we've taken students to Alnmouth and Alston, Gilsland and Glaramara and, for the last 16 years, Kielder. Tonight they'll submit the last ever field course reports & maps!
I might have missed out on the #WorldCarFreeDay activities in Newcastle today but I've enjoyed my own car-free afternoon visiting students on our last ever @nclengineering.bsky.social Geospatial fieldcourse in the North Tyne valley by bike. I'll miss this beautiful part of the world and its people.
September 22, 2025 at 5:01 PM
I might have missed out on the #WorldCarFreeDay activities in Newcastle today but I've enjoyed my own car-free afternoon visiting students on our last ever @nclengineering.bsky.social Geospatial fieldcourse in the North Tyne valley by bike. I'll miss this beautiful part of the world and its people.
Finished watching this last night and have been mulling on it all day. I can't remember a better piece of television that I've seen, and certainly nothing as powerful. Love, loss, grief, horror, injustice, guilt. It is incredibly well acted and painfully moving.
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
The Narrow Road to the Deep North
From the passion of forbidden love to the pain of life as a prisoner of war - the unforgettable story of one man’s reckoning with the echoes of guilt. Starring Jacob Elordi.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 12, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Finished watching this last night and have been mulling on it all day. I can't remember a better piece of television that I've seen, and certainly nothing as powerful. Love, loss, grief, horror, injustice, guilt. It is incredibly well acted and painfully moving.
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Reposted by Alistair Ford
How do we measure #transport #resilience?
Dr Wei Bei is working to address a gap in both academia and industry, developing a set performance metrics to assess the impacts of extreme #weather events.
Find out more 👀 www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uhS...
Dr Wei Bei is working to address a gap in both academia and industry, developing a set performance metrics to assess the impacts of extreme #weather events.
Find out more 👀 www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uhS...
Explainer: Developing Metrics for Assessing Resilience
www.youtube.com
September 12, 2025 at 11:03 AM
How do we measure #transport #resilience?
Dr Wei Bei is working to address a gap in both academia and industry, developing a set performance metrics to assess the impacts of extreme #weather events.
Find out more 👀 www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uhS...
Dr Wei Bei is working to address a gap in both academia and industry, developing a set performance metrics to assess the impacts of extreme #weather events.
Find out more 👀 www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uhS...
Reposted by Alistair Ford
"Discretionary emissions – especially from the middle and upper classes – are ignored. Even now, questioning these lifestyles remains taboo, despite their hugely disproportionate impact and capacity for rapid change."
Here is my talk from Day 1 of the Tyndall Centre "Critical decade" conference (8 Sept 2025): climateuncensored.com/talk-at-the-...
#CriticalDecade #Tyndall25UEA
#CriticalDecade #Tyndall25UEA
Talk at the Tyndall Centre Conference: Our Critical Decade for Climate Action - Climate Uncensored
Venue: UEA. 8th September 2025
climateuncensored.com
September 12, 2025 at 11:28 AM
"Discretionary emissions – especially from the middle and upper classes – are ignored. Even now, questioning these lifestyles remains taboo, despite their hugely disproportionate impact and capacity for rapid change."
Final session of #Tyndall25UEA with reflections from former @tyndallcentre.bsky.social directors including @kevinclimate.bsky.social, and @cast-centre.bsky.social's @lwhitmarsh.bsky.social. Realism, the need for action, climate in a messy world, voices from the Global South, value of social science.
September 10, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Final session of #Tyndall25UEA with reflections from former @tyndallcentre.bsky.social directors including @kevinclimate.bsky.social, and @cast-centre.bsky.social's @lwhitmarsh.bsky.social. Realism, the need for action, climate in a messy world, voices from the Global South, value of social science.
Reposted by Alistair Ford
ICYMI: "Aviation now contributes a greater share of total UK emissions than the entire electricity supply sector. Continued emissions growth in this sector could put future targets at risk."
...said the Climate Change Committee (CCC) in their 2025 progress report
www.theccc.org.uk/publication/...
...said the Climate Change Committee (CCC) in their 2025 progress report
www.theccc.org.uk/publication/...
Progress in reducing emissions - 2025 report to Parliament - Climate Change Committee
Presented to Parliament pursuant to Section 36 (1) of the Climate Change Act 2008. This report was laid…
www.theccc.org.uk
July 23, 2025 at 1:37 PM
ICYMI: "Aviation now contributes a greater share of total UK emissions than the entire electricity supply sector. Continued emissions growth in this sector could put future targets at risk."
...said the Climate Change Committee (CCC) in their 2025 progress report
www.theccc.org.uk/publication/...
...said the Climate Change Committee (CCC) in their 2025 progress report
www.theccc.org.uk/publication/...
A pleasure to present at the @rtpiplanners.bsky.social North East event last week, demonstrating a data-driven approach to land-use planning and how we might balance competing sustainability objectives as we pursue challenging national housebuilding targets. Thanks for the invitation!
@alistaircford.bsky.social and Dr Jingyan Yu from @newcastleuni.bsky.social joined the RTPI event on #infrastructure in North East England.
Dr Ford shared insights from the #DAReNationalHub, highlighting the need for cross-sector collaboration in building climate-resilient, future-proof communities.
Dr Ford shared insights from the #DAReNationalHub, highlighting the need for cross-sector collaboration in building climate-resilient, future-proof communities.
September 9, 2025 at 3:23 PM
A pleasure to present at the @rtpiplanners.bsky.social North East event last week, demonstrating a data-driven approach to land-use planning and how we might balance competing sustainability objectives as we pursue challenging national housebuilding targets. Thanks for the invitation!
Reposted by Alistair Ford
The exact reason why working across disciplines to share knowledge, build trust and tackle global climate problems is at the core of what we do.
Working together, in an interdisciplinary nature, enables research to be put into action, creating the impact needed for change.
#Tyndall25UEA
Working together, in an interdisciplinary nature, enables research to be put into action, creating the impact needed for change.
#Tyndall25UEA
Thought provoking discussions happening at the Critical Decade for Climate Action Conference with delegates and partners across the Tyndall Centres.
The research presented provides a stark reminder that to see change & impact through climate action and policy, we must work together.
#Tyndall25UEA
The research presented provides a stark reminder that to see change & impact through climate action and policy, we must work together.
#Tyndall25UEA
September 9, 2025 at 1:14 PM
The exact reason why working across disciplines to share knowledge, build trust and tackle global climate problems is at the core of what we do.
Working together, in an interdisciplinary nature, enables research to be put into action, creating the impact needed for change.
#Tyndall25UEA
Working together, in an interdisciplinary nature, enables research to be put into action, creating the impact needed for change.
#Tyndall25UEA
Reposted by Alistair Ford
AFAIK, UK govt expenditure on HE has always been comparatively low, and what is remarkable is how amazingly strong and effective our HE sector is. Imagine the turbo-charging of R&D if we got up to OECD average levels. And yet, even with a national Mission of economic growth...
Andreas Schleicher, OECD Director for Education and Skills, showing that the UK is bottom when it comes to the share of expenditure on HE coming from government sources.
September 9, 2025 at 9:16 AM
AFAIK, UK govt expenditure on HE has always been comparatively low, and what is remarkable is how amazingly strong and effective our HE sector is. Imagine the turbo-charging of R&D if we got up to OECD average levels. And yet, even with a national Mission of economic growth...
I really need to update my Tyndall Centre profile photo... Looking forward to presenting @darehub.bsky.social work on the resilience challenge for decarbonised transport infrastructure later today and hearing another day of inspiring and challenging presentations.
Day 2 of our Critical Decade for Climate Action Conf:
🔑 Keynotes: Daniela Jacob @gerics.bsky.social & Jason Lowe @metoffice.gov.uk
📘Plenary on resilient #NetZero w/ Rob Wilby, @alistaircford.bsky.social & Jaise Kuriakose
Full agenda ➡️ buff.ly/OU12qBa #Tyndall25UEA
🔑 Keynotes: Daniela Jacob @gerics.bsky.social & Jason Lowe @metoffice.gov.uk
📘Plenary on resilient #NetZero w/ Rob Wilby, @alistaircford.bsky.social & Jaise Kuriakose
Full agenda ➡️ buff.ly/OU12qBa #Tyndall25UEA
September 9, 2025 at 8:11 AM
I really need to update my Tyndall Centre profile photo... Looking forward to presenting @darehub.bsky.social work on the resilience challenge for decarbonised transport infrastructure later today and hearing another day of inspiring and challenging presentations.
Reposted by Alistair Ford
@catherinemitchell.bsky.social at #Tyndall25UEA makes the v.important observation that, in the UK, the ‘first past the post’ political system reinforces short-termism. Without changes in this it’s difficult to see how the scale of change to deliver on our climate commitments can be achieved.
September 8, 2025 at 4:11 PM
@catherinemitchell.bsky.social at #Tyndall25UEA makes the v.important observation that, in the UK, the ‘first past the post’ political system reinforces short-termism. Without changes in this it’s difficult to see how the scale of change to deliver on our climate commitments can be achieved.
In the transport sector, sufficiency would surely lead to a drastic reduction in aviation demand, banning SUVs and large private cars, and a big decrease in leisure travel? Q: how do we ensure sufficiency without carbon rationing and individual budgets? Equity demands it, surely?
Good to see @goneri76.bsky.social refer to “sufficiency”. I see this as the key framework for rapidly curtailing emissions, while low carbon tech substitute for oil/gas norms. But sufficiency needs to focus on discretionary emissions &fairness to be effective (&help avoid opposition).
#Tyndall25UEA
#Tyndall25UEA
September 8, 2025 at 2:40 PM
In the transport sector, sufficiency would surely lead to a drastic reduction in aviation demand, banning SUVs and large private cars, and a big decrease in leisure travel? Q: how do we ensure sufficiency without carbon rationing and individual budgets? Equity demands it, surely?
Reposted by Alistair Ford
@goneri76.bsky.social points to current global low point in political engagement on climate change. In my view all the more reason for climate academics to stand up to make their evidence heard - we need to go well beyond just academic papers & conferences.
#Tyndall25UEA #CriticalDecade
#Tyndall25UEA #CriticalDecade
September 8, 2025 at 1:29 PM
@goneri76.bsky.social points to current global low point in political engagement on climate change. In my view all the more reason for climate academics to stand up to make their evidence heard - we need to go well beyond just academic papers & conferences.
#Tyndall25UEA #CriticalDecade
#Tyndall25UEA #CriticalDecade
Yippee! The @tyndallcentre.bsky.social 25th birthday conference is finally here! Looking forward to catching up with old friends, learning lots, and taking stock of where we are in our critical decade for climate action. Looking back over 25 years to look forward to the coming research challenges.
September 8, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Yippee! The @tyndallcentre.bsky.social 25th birthday conference is finally here! Looking forward to catching up with old friends, learning lots, and taking stock of where we are in our critical decade for climate action. Looking back over 25 years to look forward to the coming research challenges.
Reposted by Alistair Ford
I often think about this letter to the New Statesman.
It's from a 1960s Tory, and neatly summarises how British politics has shifted massively to the right, and taken Starmer's Labour party with it.
#PoliticsLive
It's from a 1960s Tory, and neatly summarises how British politics has shifted massively to the right, and taken Starmer's Labour party with it.
#PoliticsLive
September 3, 2025 at 8:32 AM
I often think about this letter to the New Statesman.
It's from a 1960s Tory, and neatly summarises how British politics has shifted massively to the right, and taken Starmer's Labour party with it.
#PoliticsLive
It's from a 1960s Tory, and neatly summarises how British politics has shifted massively to the right, and taken Starmer's Labour party with it.
#PoliticsLive
I've never seen so many hoverflies, bees, and wasps in the garden as I have this year. The combination of a little pond and loads of perennial pollinator-friendly flowers seems to be attracting all kinds of species I've never seen before!
August 23, 2025 at 12:37 PM
I've never seen so many hoverflies, bees, and wasps in the garden as I have this year. The combination of a little pond and loads of perennial pollinator-friendly flowers seems to be attracting all kinds of species I've never seen before!
Reposted by Alistair Ford
A slightly geeky video about Dr Jim Hansen's latest work. Basically he describes why the IPCC models have been too conservative and why climate change is advancing quicker than they predicted. So urgent action to stop fossil fuel use is even more important.
Dr Hansen’s Climate Warning
It’s worse than we thought. Seeing the forest for the trees.
It’s worse than we thought. Seeing the forest for the trees.
Dr. Hansen's Climate Warning: It's Worse Than We Thought
YouTube video by Climate Emergency Forum
youtu.be
August 22, 2025 at 7:15 PM
A slightly geeky video about Dr Jim Hansen's latest work. Basically he describes why the IPCC models have been too conservative and why climate change is advancing quicker than they predicted. So urgent action to stop fossil fuel use is even more important.
Hard-hitting critique of the UK Climate Change Committee's carbon budget approach (and what it means for global climate action) from @kevinclimate.bsky.social and @tyndallcentre.bsky.social colleagues here. Lots of food for thought for transport planners!
theconversation.com/the-uks-year...
theconversation.com/the-uks-year...
The UK’s year of climate U-turns exposes a deeper failure
Breaking free of the dangerous pretence that current efforts suffice demands a fundamental rethink of the UK’s climate policy consensus.
theconversation.com
August 22, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Hard-hitting critique of the UK Climate Change Committee's carbon budget approach (and what it means for global climate action) from @kevinclimate.bsky.social and @tyndallcentre.bsky.social colleagues here. Lots of food for thought for transport planners!
theconversation.com/the-uks-year...
theconversation.com/the-uks-year...