Béatrice Cointe
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beatricecointe.bsky.social
Béatrice Cointe
@beatricecointe.bsky.social
460 followers 530 following 250 posts
Solar-powered Science & Technology Studies researcher and IAM ethnographer at CSI - CNRS, Mines Paris-PSL.
"Well the world of research has gone berserk, too much paperwork" (Dylan 2006)
Soundtrack: t.ly/0V77d
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beatricecointe.bsky.social
40 years after the Villach Conference Statement, climate scientists gathered at an international conference issue their assessment of the situation.

cc @allouryesterdays.bsky.social
First paragraph of the Villach Conference Statement, 1985 - 1 - CONFERENCE STATEMENT A joint UNEP/WMO/ICSU Conference was convened in Villach (Austria) from 9 to 15 October 1985, with scientists from twenty nine developed and developing countries, to assess the role of increased carbon dioxide and other radiatively active constituents of the atmosphere (collectively known as greenhouse gases and aerosols) on climate changes and associated impacts. The other greenhouse gases reinforce and accelerate the impact due to CO2 alone. As a.result of the increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases, it is now believed that in the first half of the next century a rise of global mean temperature could occur which is greater than any in man's history. The Conference reached the following conclusions and recommendations: First paragraphs of the Búzios Scientific Statement, 2025 Búzios Scientific Statement – Evidence-Based Insights for COP30 Búzios, RJ, Brazil (updated version, 17 November 2025) More than 250 leading international scientists convened this week in Armação dos Búzios, RJ, Brazil, in parallel with the COP30 negotiations, at the Integrated Assessment Modelling Consortium’s (IAMC) annual conference to present and debate the latest scientific evidence on what it will take to halt global warming and pursue the goals of the Paris Agreement. The IAMC brings together leading climate researchers from all over the world focussing on mitigation and adaptation solutions. At the conference, these national and international experts discussed the most up-to-date science on climate change mitigation and adaptation pathways towards the Paris Agreement’s climate goals. Since the publication of IPCC AR6, 300 new pathways have been developed by the research community. During the conference, members of the IAM community got together to summarize several high-level policy-relevant insights for COP30:
November 17, 2025 at 4:15 PM
beatricecointe.bsky.social
Il y a deux ans j’ai fait un cauchemar, ici illustré par ma sœur Catherine, qui est possiblement ma meilleure analyse politique à ce jour.
Dessin signé Cath’ Cointe qui me représente, l’air effarée, coincée dans un ascenseur avec Macron. Macron, le regard halluciné et un sourire qui révèle ses dents pointues, me dit « Tu es bien d’accord que tous les autres à ma place, ils n’auraient pas fait aussi bien ! » L’ascenseur va à l’étage 49.3. Dessin intitulé « Cauchemar de Béatrice » et daté du 23 décembre 2023.
October 10, 2025 at 4:47 PM
beatricecointe.bsky.social
Film complètement dingue 🤯
Affiche du film Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat
October 5, 2025 at 8:20 PM
beatricecointe.bsky.social
New office decorations
- courtesy of Black Lodge Press
Two red and black prints on an office wall. One says "No great men, only the great many!" and the other "The future is a contested place!"
October 3, 2025 at 9:19 AM
beatricecointe.bsky.social
(😦)
Cover of the 2007 book « Evil Paradises. Dreamworlds of Neoliberalism » edited by Mike Davis and Daniel Bertrand Monk
September 29, 2025 at 9:16 PM
beatricecointe.bsky.social
People in IAMs are also having these discussions, meaning that you can have them to some extent within the extant framework (there are also discussions about eg post-growth but harder to implement in models so far because of their default economics…)

iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
Abstract The importance of the discount rate in cost-benefit analysis of long term problems, such as climate change, has been widely acknowledged. However, the choice of the discount rate is hardly discussed when translating policy targets- such as 1.5 °Cand 2 °C-into emission reduction strategies with the possibility of overshoot. Integrated assessment models (IAMs) have quantified the sensitivity of low carbon pathways to a series of factors, including economic and population growth, national and international climate policies, and the availability of low carbon technologies, including negative emissions. In this paper we show how and to what extent emission pathways are also influenced by the discount rate. Using both an analytical and a numerical IAM, we demonstrate how discounting affects key mitigation indicators, such as the time when net global emissions reach zero, the amount of carbon budget overshoot, and the carbon price profile. To ensure inter-generational equity and be coherent with cost-benefit analysis normative choices, we suggest that IAMs should use lower discount rates than the ones currently adopted. For a 1000 GtCO, carbon budget, reducing the discount rate from 5% to 2% would more than double today's carbon price (from 21 to 55 $/tCOz) and more than halve the carbon budget overshoot (from 46% to 16%), corresponding to a reduction of about 300 GtCO, of net negative emissions over the century.
September 15, 2025 at 7:23 AM
beatricecointe.bsky.social
The use of overshoot pathways with negative emissions was originally pushed by Malte Meinhausen, Bill Hare and other climate scientists, on the grounds that it was scientifically interesting to study and could push towards greater ambition.

wires.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
interview, this scenario was developed precisely to remedy the lack of modeling studies on the conditions needed to meet the 2°C target advocated by the EU, following a discussion between this modeler and Bert Metz, then the head of 1PCC Working Group III. Studies considering response strategies had until then focused on stabilization at 550 ppm, which was increasingly seen as insufficient to meet a 2°C target (interview, Modeler 2, 2015). The scenario required drastic and rapid emissions reductions in all sectors, as well as BECCS to enable so-called "negative emissions" later in the century. Despite the exploratory character of this scenario, participants in the Noordwijkerhout meeting, including researchers, government officials, international organizations and NGOs, favored it as the low-end option. Ahead of the meeting, a position paper prepared by Malte Meinshausen and Bill Hare made the case for the RCP2.6 scenario based on two main arguments: its consistency with the long-term objectives considered in political discussions, and the scientific interest of using its "peak-and-decline" shape to study the climatic response to declining greenhouse gas concentrations (Moss et al., 2008, Appendix 4).The meeting's final report reflects this position and uses the same arguments (Moss et al., 2008, p. xix).
September 15, 2025 at 7:23 AM
beatricecointe.bsky.social
‘It is easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism’, exhibit #64
“Of course, it would be rational to take into account the possibility that the world will end at some future date. That is a different matter and we shall explore these issues subsequently. See also Heal (1973, Ch. 11).”
August 27, 2025 at 3:49 PM
beatricecointe.bsky.social
Dagupta & Heal (1979), “Economic theory and exhaustible resources”.
“The problem of the common was brought to the attention of non-economists in a widely cited article by Hardin (1968). The article is vigorously written and is characterized as much by loose analyses as by incorrect conclusions.”
August 27, 2025 at 11:58 AM
beatricecointe.bsky.social
Babiker has been in the IPCC forever, and his academic background is actually very similar to that of many IPCC WGIII authors... if anything this is a testimony to the historical interweaving of the energy sector, resource economics and mitigation research.
Mustafa BABIKER (M) Nationality: Sudan Country: Saudi Arabia Reports AR4-WG3 3 Issues related to mitigation in the long-term context Review Editor AR5-WG3 6 Assessing Transformation Pathways Lead Author AR6-WG3 12 Cross sectoral perspectives Coordinating Lead Author AR7-WG3 6 Policies and governance and international cooperation Coordinating Lead Author SR15 4 Strengthening and implementing the global response to the threat of climate change Lead Author
August 20, 2025 at 3:19 PM
beatricecointe.bsky.social
Bruno Latour used to underline the shared etymology of “information” and “fromage”: making information, like cheese, is giving shape, or rather form, to stuff. So it is the process and tools involved in producing a statement that make it “information”, not the mere utterance of the statement.
Two glove hands pouring curd milk in a form to make cheese
August 17, 2025 at 2:19 PM
beatricecointe.bsky.social
Obviously you’ll have a more direct and accurate answer, I couldn’t resist checking on street view and, well…
(30 min walk from one to the other) (also the Museum is a red building)
Google street view of via Enrico Pessina in Napoli, looking towards the red building of the Archeological museum Google Street view of via Enrico Cosenz in Napoli
July 22, 2025 at 2:46 PM
beatricecointe.bsky.social
La galerie des personnages (TW virus, donc)
Six vignettes représentant des virus dans des exosquelette, dans un style entre comic de science fiction et BD d'humour: Coronavirus (vert, avec une seringue géante), VIH (rouge, avec une massue recouverte d'un préservatif), Ebola (rouge, air démoniaque, avec un fouet et une grenade), H1N1 (sous forme de cochon, avec un diffuseur qui fait fuir les cochons et leur éleveur), Nipah (bleu, entouré de chauve souris), H5N1 (jaune, tête et exosquelette d'oiseau, volant et semant la panique parmi les poules) Quatre virus dessinés, cette fois enfermé dans des tubes à essais et autres éprouvettes: VIH? Lassa, Ebola, Covid19
July 2, 2025 at 12:51 PM
beatricecointe.bsky.social
Ma sœur Catherine auto-édite une BD humoristico-scientifique qui suit un groupe de virus qui infiltrent l'OMS pour trouver comment déjouer les vaccins.

Pour en savoir plus, pré-commander et contribuer à la collecte, c'est par ici :
fr.ulule.com/le-variant-u...
bannière illustrée présentant la BD: à gauche, deux virus (rouge et violet) anthropomorphes dans des exo-squelette poursuivent une chauve souris A droite, couverture de la BD "Le Variant Ultime" Texte: "Une BD dont les virus sont les héros !" Album BD de 80 pages couleurs, format 21x29,7 cartonné - Éditions Toutain Caramel. VIH, Ebola, Corona, Polio, les virus cherchent une parade aux vaccins qui les menacent. Une seule solution : faire un casse à l’OMS pour trouver la formule de l’éternité dans ses laboratoires. Avec leurs comparses, plus ou moins efficaces, ils fouillent, cherchent, remontent dans le passé, font des rencontres inattendues, retrouvent de vieux fantômes... une exploration de tous les dangers pour les virus et pour les hommes ! Qui sortira vainqueur de cette course effrénée pour la vie ?
July 2, 2025 at 12:51 PM
beatricecointe.bsky.social
Anyway,
“L’arte è morta Venezia è la sua tomba” tag on a brick-red wall
June 25, 2025 at 6:00 PM
beatricecointe.bsky.social
Also lots of billionaires talks, turns out there is quite the diversity of philanthropy flavours, from Bloomberg to Berggruen to, obv, Bezos.
Stickers street art, feat “bezos basime el cueo” and “no space for Bezos” “No space for Bezos” poster Anti-mega cruise ships poster next to a poster for the “just price” (of oil) campaign and yet another “no space for Bezos” sticker
June 25, 2025 at 6:00 PM
beatricecointe.bsky.social
The workshop could almost have had a “shadow biennale” label.
I talked about BECCS so imaginaries of closed-loop, circular biotechnopias were on my radar, and they were easy to find at the Biennale.
Your own domestic fast-breeder reactor: diagram of a kitchen that runs on its own waste, from an installation showcasing a circular, autonomous home. “The Elephant Chapel”: another perfect loop, with (presumably AI-generated) illustrations, including a pooping elephant. The concept: elephant eats food; elephant poops; elephant turds are dried to make bricks; bricks are sold; profit from sale is used to protect the forest; elephant has more and better food; back to square 1. Chalk drawn diagram of an “integrated marine polyculture”. Legend reads “Is it possible to create and equilibrium between business and ecosystem?”
June 25, 2025 at 6:00 PM
beatricecointe.bsky.social
On my way back from Venice where I had a great time at the Historical Epistemolgies of Planetary Modelling organised by Tom Turnbull & @adamwickberg.bsky.social, with an altogether great crew. Unfortunately, missed the wedding.
Slide projected on the wall below a painted ceiling. The slide shows a dark circle with the text « Historical Epistemologies of Planetary Modelling, Ca’ Foscari, NICHE, Venice », with a red banner reading « Toward a radical Earth system science », an pink banner reading « WEDDING EDITION!! » and two flying seagulls (because, in Venice, the seagulls are well-fed and .assertive.)
June 25, 2025 at 6:00 PM
beatricecointe.bsky.social
Oh the irony

(def. going to use this in lecture slides)
Poster for Paris Science & Industry Museum, text reads "Climate Emergency: a permanent exhibition". picture shows melting butter on a buttery yellow background. -- Affiche pour la Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie: "Sous le haut patronage de Monsieur Emmanuel Macron, Président de la Répunblique Urgence Climatique: exposition permanente" l'illustration est une plaque de beurre qui fond, sur fond jaune pâle.
June 19, 2025 at 2:48 PM
beatricecointe.bsky.social
🤖🎈🌈🎊
Feuille A4 affichée sur un miroir et indiquant : “The Flaming Lips will utilize Smoke & haze effects Strobe lighting Lasers Latex balloons Please be advised” Photo des Flaming Lips en concert: Wayne Coyne en costume noir au milieu de la scène, quelqu’un déguisé en soleil gonflable derrière lui, le reste du groupe devant un écran. Wayne Coyne entouré de deux yeux et d’une bouche gonflables, sur une scène, éclairage bleu.
May 31, 2025 at 10:34 PM
beatricecointe.bsky.social
Driving 1,600 times to the Sun and back 🫠
Data centers in the US used somewhere around 200 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2024, roughly what it takes to power Thailand for a year. By 2028, the researchers estimate, the power going to AI-specific purposes will rise to between 165 and 326 terawatt-hours per year. That’s more than all electricity currently used by US data centers for all purposes; it’s enough to power 22% of US households each year. That could generate the same emissions as driving over 300 billion miles—over 1,600 round trips to the sun from Earth. That could generate the same emissions as driving over 300 billion miles—over 1,600 round trips to the sun from Earth.
May 20, 2025 at 9:51 PM
beatricecointe.bsky.social
Séance de clôture du Séminaire Expertises Economiques et Actions Environnementales ce vendredi 16 mai, avec @sebdutreuil.bsky.social et Jérôme Gaillardet pour parler de la Zone Critique.

11h-13h, Mines Paris et Zoom.

Détails: t.ly/qWgoV
Inscriptions toujours ouvertes: t.ly/yMwd4
Logo du séminaire Expertises économiques et actions environnementales, avec en fond bleu cyan et un arbre en filigrane Le séminaire « Expertises économiques et actions environnementales » accueillera Sébastien Dutreuil et Jérôme Gaillardet Zone critique A partir de la notion de zone critique, venant des sciences de l’environnement et reprise par Bruno Latour dans ses derniers travaux, cette séance interrogera les transformations des relations entre sciences, sociétés et politiques, ainsi que du rôle de la critique et des STS, que portent l’essor et la structuration des sciences de l’habitabilité et de leurs infrastructures. Elle est organisée en lien avec le projet FORET soutenu par la MITI du CNRS.
May 15, 2025 at 8:56 AM
beatricecointe.bsky.social
"[Models] are like different toools in toolbox - some best for pounding nails, some sawing wood ...

Unfortunately, these tools take years to learn to use well, and each comes together with a pair of glasses that influences how the user sees the world."
4. Methods should be selected to fit problems (or systems); problems (or systems) should not be distorted to fit methods. Each modelling technique was evolved originally to answer a particular type of question or study a particular kind of system. Each is admirably suited for some purposes and not others. They are like different tools in toolbox - some best for pounding in nails, some for sawing wood. It would be nice if each modeller were skilled in the use of all tools and as capable as a carpenter of picking up the right tool for each purpose. Unfortunately, these tools take years to learn to use well, and each comes together with a pair of glasses that influences how the user sees the world. As Maslow says, 'If your only tool is a hammer, you treat everything as if it were a nail.' The match between purposes and methods in global modelling has not been very exact so far. Many of us have been pounding in nails with saws. Problem definition should precede method selection, and we should all have the integrity to turn down opportunities for modelling that do not match our favourite methods. Or, to put it another way, if you drop your key in a room where there is a light, switch on the light. Don't go outside to look just because you like streetlights.
May 5, 2025 at 4:50 PM
beatricecointe.bsky.social
E. g. on opinions regarding the validation of models
10. How should a model be tested? By statistical fitting to historical data By rigorous mathematical sensitivity analysis By looking at the general dynamic patterns By comparison with other formal models By trying out the policy recommendations to see if they work By the good or bad feeling in the pit of your stomach By running it backwards By running the model under extreme conditions By popular acceptance By the reasonableness of its individual assumptions
May 5, 2025 at 4:41 PM
beatricecointe.bsky.social
Gerhart Bruckmann
GB - is white, male, academic, and very Viennese - majored in seven different fields, ranging from engineering to economics, at five universities, but now makes a living by teaching statistics - has never made a global model himself, but has presided at the public presentation of most of them - loves rationality for its irrational beauty - lives in a stylishly furnished apartment in Vienna -values adaptation and change and at the same time appreciates form and tradition - knows that if there is no Truth, this statement can also not be true -sees life as a game that is tremendous fun to play. and believes that to help improve the future of mankind is part of the game
May 2, 2025 at 1:55 PM