@mikefreets.bsky.social
Reposted
1. The military raid on Venezuela and ouster of Maduro will create a financial windfall for a Trump-supporting billionaire, investor Paul Singer.
Follow this thread for details.
🧵
popular.info/p/venezuela-...
Follow this thread for details.
🧵
popular.info/p/venezuela-...
Venezuela raid enriches MAGA billionaire
The ouster of Maduro is a financial windfall for a prominent Trump-supporting billionaire, investor Paul Singer.
popular.info
January 5, 2026 at 1:38 PM
1. The military raid on Venezuela and ouster of Maduro will create a financial windfall for a Trump-supporting billionaire, investor Paul Singer.
Follow this thread for details.
🧵
popular.info/p/venezuela-...
Follow this thread for details.
🧵
popular.info/p/venezuela-...
Reposted
Reminder: The US has refused to join the International Criminal Court because it argues extraterritorial justice is incompatible with national sovereignty and citizen's rights.
Vance pushes back and says this was not illegal, arguing "Maduro has multiple indictments in the United States for narcoterrorism. You don't get to avoid justice for drug trafficking in the United States because you live in a palace in Caracas."
January 3, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Reminder: The US has refused to join the International Criminal Court because it argues extraterritorial justice is incompatible with national sovereignty and citizen's rights.
Reposted
2025 has been a historic year for clean energy in UK, with renewable project approvals reaching a record-high 45 GW — nearly double of 2024.
This surge was driven by an exceptional rise in battery storage capacity, which almost doubled to 28.6 GW, alongside strong growth in offshore wind & solar.
This surge was driven by an exceptional rise in battery storage capacity, which almost doubled to 28.6 GW, alongside strong growth in offshore wind & solar.
December 30, 2025 at 11:53 AM
2025 has been a historic year for clean energy in UK, with renewable project approvals reaching a record-high 45 GW — nearly double of 2024.
This surge was driven by an exceptional rise in battery storage capacity, which almost doubled to 28.6 GW, alongside strong growth in offshore wind & solar.
This surge was driven by an exceptional rise in battery storage capacity, which almost doubled to 28.6 GW, alongside strong growth in offshore wind & solar.
Reposted
As an illustration, one of the reasons why we're ten years behind on the heat pump rollout is because meeting the RED was more cheaply done by paying people to install biomass boilers rather than heat pumps, which we accordingly did over the 2010s. /3
December 23, 2025 at 7:26 AM
As an illustration, one of the reasons why we're ten years behind on the heat pump rollout is because meeting the RED was more cheaply done by paying people to install biomass boilers rather than heat pumps, which we accordingly did over the 2010s. /3
Reposted
Australia's government always pushes the 'our fossil fuels are cleaner than everyone else's' line but their own documents show that emissions intensity is the same as the global average, and worse than Qatar, PNG
May 9, 2024 at 6:25 AM
Australia's government always pushes the 'our fossil fuels are cleaner than everyone else's' line but their own documents show that emissions intensity is the same as the global average, and worse than Qatar, PNG
Reposted
Fossil-fuel extraction massively outweighs critical mineral mining needs (quite literally)
– We dig up tens of billions of tonnes of stuff every year to produce coal, oil & gas
– Raw-material extraction for critical minerals would be a fraction of that, even under net-zero
1/2
– We dig up tens of billions of tonnes of stuff every year to produce coal, oil & gas
– Raw-material extraction for critical minerals would be a fraction of that, even under net-zero
1/2
December 15, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Fossil-fuel extraction massively outweighs critical mineral mining needs (quite literally)
– We dig up tens of billions of tonnes of stuff every year to produce coal, oil & gas
– Raw-material extraction for critical minerals would be a fraction of that, even under net-zero
1/2
– We dig up tens of billions of tonnes of stuff every year to produce coal, oil & gas
– Raw-material extraction for critical minerals would be a fraction of that, even under net-zero
1/2
Reposted
The number of global deaths of children under-5 is projected to increase this year (from 4.6m to 4.8m) for the first time this century. (FT)
The price of aid cuts.
The price of aid cuts.
December 8, 2025 at 9:29 AM
The number of global deaths of children under-5 is projected to increase this year (from 4.6m to 4.8m) for the first time this century. (FT)
The price of aid cuts.
The price of aid cuts.
Reposted
TIL about a memorial ceremony in Iceland in 2019 to mark the end of a glacier, changing the place name from Okjökull to Ok (jökull = glacier). Uncompromising wording on the bronze plaque:
"This is to acknowledge that we know what is happening and what needs to be done. Only you know if we did it".
"This is to acknowledge that we know what is happening and what needs to be done. Only you know if we did it".
December 7, 2025 at 5:17 PM
TIL about a memorial ceremony in Iceland in 2019 to mark the end of a glacier, changing the place name from Okjökull to Ok (jökull = glacier). Uncompromising wording on the bronze plaque:
"This is to acknowledge that we know what is happening and what needs to be done. Only you know if we did it".
"This is to acknowledge that we know what is happening and what needs to be done. Only you know if we did it".
Reposted
hence the completely underplayed driver of rising PIP claims - pure and simple cost of living inflation
December 1, 2025 at 11:31 PM
hence the completely underplayed driver of rising PIP claims - pure and simple cost of living inflation
Reposted
By all means cover the attack lines and rebuttals in the report that follows. But the actual headline here should be not be shaped by either side's partisan briefings.
November 27, 2025 at 1:11 PM
By all means cover the attack lines and rebuttals in the report that follows. But the actual headline here should be not be shaped by either side's partisan briefings.
Reposted
Today's migration stats illustrate the migration doom loop in action...
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
November 27, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Today's migration stats illustrate the migration doom loop in action...
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
(from my presentation at the IMF last week)
Reposted
We've got some Nesta reaction to the Budget up, underpinned by some brilliant speedy analysis by my colleague Dan Lewis.
📉 What does the budget mean for energy bills?
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/what-do...
@nestauk.bsky.social
📉 What does the budget mean for energy bills?
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/what-do...
@nestauk.bsky.social
What does the Budget mean for energy bills?
Major changes to energy bills in the Budget will affect households across the country
www.nesta.org.uk
November 26, 2025 at 4:43 PM
We've got some Nesta reaction to the Budget up, underpinned by some brilliant speedy analysis by my colleague Dan Lewis.
📉 What does the budget mean for energy bills?
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/what-do...
@nestauk.bsky.social
📉 What does the budget mean for energy bills?
www.nesta.org.uk/blog/what-do...
@nestauk.bsky.social
Reposted
If the OBR document is correct, this seems to be the energy bills package:
Government taking 75% of the Renewables Obligation levy off electricity bills, at a cost of £2.3bn per year. This is good!
The ECO levy (£1.7bn per year to upgrade fuel poor homes) will *end in April 2026*.
Government taking 75% of the Renewables Obligation levy off electricity bills, at a cost of £2.3bn per year. This is good!
The ECO levy (£1.7bn per year to upgrade fuel poor homes) will *end in April 2026*.
November 26, 2025 at 12:23 PM
If the OBR document is correct, this seems to be the energy bills package:
Government taking 75% of the Renewables Obligation levy off electricity bills, at a cost of £2.3bn per year. This is good!
The ECO levy (£1.7bn per year to upgrade fuel poor homes) will *end in April 2026*.
Government taking 75% of the Renewables Obligation levy off electricity bills, at a cost of £2.3bn per year. This is good!
The ECO levy (£1.7bn per year to upgrade fuel poor homes) will *end in April 2026*.
Reposted
The pre-Budget messaging on climate policy has been so confusing.
Extra money for EV subsidies, but a pay-per-mile charge that doesn’t hit fossil fuel cars? Limiting cycle-to-work schemes?
Maybe slash fuel poverty funding, maybe cut heat pump subsidies?
It has made the industry very nervous.
Extra money for EV subsidies, but a pay-per-mile charge that doesn’t hit fossil fuel cars? Limiting cycle-to-work schemes?
Maybe slash fuel poverty funding, maybe cut heat pump subsidies?
It has made the industry very nervous.
Reeves to announce £1.5bn boost in EV subsidies amid pay-per-mile concerns
Reeves to announce £1.5bn boost in EV subsidies amid pay-per-mile concerns
Industry experts welcome extra incentives but fear a consultation on a mileage tax sends mixed messages
Drivers will be able to claim government subsidies to cut the cost of buying a new electric car until 2030 under plans to be announced by Rachel Reeves at next week’s budget.
The chancellor will unveil an extra £1.3bn for subsidies for new electric vehicles (EVs) and a further £200m for charging points, as she attempts to prevent the market for clean cars drying up amid concerns about a new pay-per-mile tax. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:55 AM
The pre-Budget messaging on climate policy has been so confusing.
Extra money for EV subsidies, but a pay-per-mile charge that doesn’t hit fossil fuel cars? Limiting cycle-to-work schemes?
Maybe slash fuel poverty funding, maybe cut heat pump subsidies?
It has made the industry very nervous.
Extra money for EV subsidies, but a pay-per-mile charge that doesn’t hit fossil fuel cars? Limiting cycle-to-work schemes?
Maybe slash fuel poverty funding, maybe cut heat pump subsidies?
It has made the industry very nervous.
Reposted
There’s some very bad news hidden in the Ofgem price cap for January announced yesterday: the electricity to gas price ratio has jumped to 4.67, its highest level since before the energy crisis.
This is a big barrier to households adopting heat pumps in Britain, and threatens our climate goals
This is a big barrier to households adopting heat pumps in Britain, and threatens our climate goals
November 22, 2025 at 7:51 AM
There’s some very bad news hidden in the Ofgem price cap for January announced yesterday: the electricity to gas price ratio has jumped to 4.67, its highest level since before the energy crisis.
This is a big barrier to households adopting heat pumps in Britain, and threatens our climate goals
This is a big barrier to households adopting heat pumps in Britain, and threatens our climate goals
Reposted
TRUMP [after spending 5 minutes with Zohran]: surplus value, it’s a very wonderful thing, very wonderful, and they’re stealing it. Can you believe that?
We’re going to be looking very strongly at the bourgeoisie, what they’re up to
We’re going to be looking very strongly at the bourgeoisie, what they’re up to
November 21, 2025 at 9:25 PM
TRUMP [after spending 5 minutes with Zohran]: surplus value, it’s a very wonderful thing, very wonderful, and they’re stealing it. Can you believe that?
We’re going to be looking very strongly at the bourgeoisie, what they’re up to
We’re going to be looking very strongly at the bourgeoisie, what they’re up to
Reposted
In case you're not across the Budget next Wednesday, it looks like it's going to be really bad for helping Britain reduce its carbon emissions. I'll explain... 🧵
November 19, 2025 at 2:14 PM
In case you're not across the Budget next Wednesday, it looks like it's going to be really bad for helping Britain reduce its carbon emissions. I'll explain... 🧵
Reposted
Critics of renewables often point to land use as a reason not to do wind & solar. Land use IS a real issue for all energy assets incl renewables unless onsite.
But what critics conveniently forget is huge land impact of fossil fuels. Aerial view of fracking sites in Texas. 👇
But what critics conveniently forget is huge land impact of fossil fuels. Aerial view of fracking sites in Texas. 👇
November 5, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Critics of renewables often point to land use as a reason not to do wind & solar. Land use IS a real issue for all energy assets incl renewables unless onsite.
But what critics conveniently forget is huge land impact of fossil fuels. Aerial view of fracking sites in Texas. 👇
But what critics conveniently forget is huge land impact of fossil fuels. Aerial view of fracking sites in Texas. 👇
Reposted
Yeah, this looks like an absolute panicked mess of a plan. There are ways to cut energy bills without undermining energy efficiency and clean tech investment. But cutting VAT and efficiency programmes is a short term saving for long term pain.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reeves considers cut to green levies in effort to reduce cost of energy bills
Exclusive: Chancellor hopes to save up to £170 from average bill but industry insiders say move would be ‘disastrous’
www.theguardian.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Yeah, this looks like an absolute panicked mess of a plan. There are ways to cut energy bills without undermining energy efficiency and clean tech investment. But cutting VAT and efficiency programmes is a short term saving for long term pain.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted
There is increasing talk about overshoot of 1.5°C, particularly that *now* we can only achieve 1.5°C by first overshooting 1.5°C.
Well, sorry to tell you, 1.5°C have always been overshoot scenarios. Here from the original 'SSP' 1.5°C scenarios published in 2018.
[Overshoot is a scenario design]
Well, sorry to tell you, 1.5°C have always been overshoot scenarios. Here from the original 'SSP' 1.5°C scenarios published in 2018.
[Overshoot is a scenario design]
November 4, 2025 at 8:00 AM
There is increasing talk about overshoot of 1.5°C, particularly that *now* we can only achieve 1.5°C by first overshooting 1.5°C.
Well, sorry to tell you, 1.5°C have always been overshoot scenarios. Here from the original 'SSP' 1.5°C scenarios published in 2018.
[Overshoot is a scenario design]
Well, sorry to tell you, 1.5°C have always been overshoot scenarios. Here from the original 'SSP' 1.5°C scenarios published in 2018.
[Overshoot is a scenario design]
Reposted
Lots of anti-net zero noise, but a major new report from SBTI shows the number of companies with net zero targets has surged and those with goals in place are reporting multiple financial, operational, and reputational benefits. www.businessgreen.com/news/4521250...
SBTi: Number of firms with net zero goals triples in 18 months
Poll of leading corporates finds vast majority are enjoying reputational and financial benefits from having a validated emissions target in place
www.businessgreen.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Lots of anti-net zero noise, but a major new report from SBTI shows the number of companies with net zero targets has surged and those with goals in place are reporting multiple financial, operational, and reputational benefits. www.businessgreen.com/news/4521250...
Reposted
If the government has the money to remove VAT from energy bills or move levies into taxation it should be no contest. Both cut bills, but shifting levies results in multiple wider benefits.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Rachel Reeves’s 5% VAT cut on electricity bills will backfire, experts say
Critics believe cut would mostly benefit better-off people with larger homes and increase carbon emissions
www.theguardian.com
November 2, 2025 at 10:00 PM
If the government has the money to remove VAT from energy bills or move levies into taxation it should be no contest. Both cut bills, but shifting levies results in multiple wider benefits.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted
It is widely agreed that robust LNG exports from the US will have the effect of globalizing the price of NG, which will in turn have the effect of *raising the price of domestic NG*.
So why aren't all the "focus on affordability" people fighting LNG exports?
So why aren't all the "focus on affordability" people fighting LNG exports?
October 30, 2025 at 6:48 PM
It is widely agreed that robust LNG exports from the US will have the effect of globalizing the price of NG, which will in turn have the effect of *raising the price of domestic NG*.
So why aren't all the "focus on affordability" people fighting LNG exports?
So why aren't all the "focus on affordability" people fighting LNG exports?
Reposted
Interesting study from researchers at UCL on how wind power has held down energy costs in the long term.
The key argument is that it has lowered gas prices in Europe by reducing demand for gas. And actually most of the savings are on gas, not electricity bills
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
The key argument is that it has lowered gas prices in Europe by reducing demand for gas. And actually most of the savings are on gas, not electricity bills
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Wind power has cut £104bn from UK energy costs since 2010, study finds
Reduction comes from energy generated from windfarms and lower cost of gas owing to lower demand
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Interesting study from researchers at UCL on how wind power has held down energy costs in the long term.
The key argument is that it has lowered gas prices in Europe by reducing demand for gas. And actually most of the savings are on gas, not electricity bills
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
The key argument is that it has lowered gas prices in Europe by reducing demand for gas. And actually most of the savings are on gas, not electricity bills
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted
He knew this question was coming and had plenty of room to devise an answer that avoided criticizing Trump but signaled the UK's approach under a Farage government would be saner, more legal and in line with basic human decency.
It's telling he did none of that.
It's telling he did none of that.
Farage on Trump and immigration: 'what he has done is amazing'. He dismisses ICE-style raids as 'your media narrative'.
October 25, 2025 at 10:18 AM
He knew this question was coming and had plenty of room to devise an answer that avoided criticizing Trump but signaled the UK's approach under a Farage government would be saner, more legal and in line with basic human decency.
It's telling he did none of that.
It's telling he did none of that.