Paula Read
@paularead.bsky.social
Perpetual newbie.
PhD Creative Writing / Honorary Research Associate, University of Bristol
@bristol_writing
@the-independent.com @undark.org @LitroMagazine @huffpost.com @panoramajournal.bsky.social
paulareadwrites.com
PhD Creative Writing / Honorary Research Associate, University of Bristol
@bristol_writing
@the-independent.com @undark.org @LitroMagazine @huffpost.com @panoramajournal.bsky.social
paulareadwrites.com
Reposted by Paula Read
David Drake’s works "often carried inscriptions, even though it was illegal at the time for enslaved people to learn how to read or write.
On one jar, Drake reflected on his systemic separation from his family members... “I wonder where is all my relation / Friendship to all—and every nation.”"
On one jar, Drake reflected on his systemic separation from his family members... “I wonder where is all my relation / Friendship to all—and every nation.”"
November 14, 2025 at 3:00 PM
David Drake’s works "often carried inscriptions, even though it was illegal at the time for enslaved people to learn how to read or write.
On one jar, Drake reflected on his systemic separation from his family members... “I wonder where is all my relation / Friendship to all—and every nation.”"
On one jar, Drake reflected on his systemic separation from his family members... “I wonder where is all my relation / Friendship to all—and every nation.”"
Reposted by Paula Read
Working on a text for an artistic collaboration with sculptor Mark Butler about the hen harrier.
How's this for a stat? English habitats currently support only 10% of the hen harriers that they could carry if there were no illegal persecution.
Want to enjoy a life of crime? Own a grouse moor.
How's this for a stat? English habitats currently support only 10% of the hen harriers that they could carry if there were no illegal persecution.
Want to enjoy a life of crime? Own a grouse moor.
November 13, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Working on a text for an artistic collaboration with sculptor Mark Butler about the hen harrier.
How's this for a stat? English habitats currently support only 10% of the hen harriers that they could carry if there were no illegal persecution.
Want to enjoy a life of crime? Own a grouse moor.
How's this for a stat? English habitats currently support only 10% of the hen harriers that they could carry if there were no illegal persecution.
Want to enjoy a life of crime? Own a grouse moor.
Reposted by Paula Read
🚨BREAKING | 1,600+ fossil fuel lobbyists given access to #COP30 in Brazil
EU governments alone brought 84 fossil fuel lobbyists, including representatives from TotalEnergies and Engie
Climate policies can't be effective if they are shaped by the industry that is most responsible for climate change
EU governments alone brought 84 fossil fuel lobbyists, including representatives from TotalEnergies and Engie
Climate policies can't be effective if they are shaped by the industry that is most responsible for climate change
November 14, 2025 at 9:17 AM
🚨BREAKING | 1,600+ fossil fuel lobbyists given access to #COP30 in Brazil
EU governments alone brought 84 fossil fuel lobbyists, including representatives from TotalEnergies and Engie
Climate policies can't be effective if they are shaped by the industry that is most responsible for climate change
EU governments alone brought 84 fossil fuel lobbyists, including representatives from TotalEnergies and Engie
Climate policies can't be effective if they are shaped by the industry that is most responsible for climate change
Reposted by Paula Read
Climate breakdown is driven by a storm of lies. This lying is systemic, funded and coordinated, and operates across almost all media, old and new.
This week's column argues that we cannot fight the climate crisis without also fighting the epistemic crisis.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This week's column argues that we cannot fight the climate crisis without also fighting the epistemic crisis.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Dark forces are preventing us fighting the climate crisis – by taking knowledge hostage | George Monbiot
The fundamental problem is this: that most of the means of communication are owned or influenced by the very rich, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Climate breakdown is driven by a storm of lies. This lying is systemic, funded and coordinated, and operates across almost all media, old and new.
This week's column argues that we cannot fight the climate crisis without also fighting the epistemic crisis.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This week's column argues that we cannot fight the climate crisis without also fighting the epistemic crisis.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Paula Read
Eel smuggling is a major problem today. But it's not new!
In 1463, London city officials arrested 9 Zeeland merchants who tried to slip 97 barrels of salted eels past customs at Billingsgate. They wanted to avoid import fees, but wound up facing a £40 fine.
🗃️🧪
In 1463, London city officials arrested 9 Zeeland merchants who tried to slip 97 barrels of salted eels past customs at Billingsgate. They wanted to avoid import fees, but wound up facing a £40 fine.
🗃️🧪
November 13, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Eel smuggling is a major problem today. But it's not new!
In 1463, London city officials arrested 9 Zeeland merchants who tried to slip 97 barrels of salted eels past customs at Billingsgate. They wanted to avoid import fees, but wound up facing a £40 fine.
🗃️🧪
In 1463, London city officials arrested 9 Zeeland merchants who tried to slip 97 barrels of salted eels past customs at Billingsgate. They wanted to avoid import fees, but wound up facing a £40 fine.
🗃️🧪
Reposted by Paula Read
🚨🚨Breaking and bad #EU news: Lawmakers in @europarl.europa.eu agreed today to exempt more companies from green reporting rules after the center-right, right-wing and far-right groups allied to pass the EU’s first omnibus simplification package. #omnibus 🧵
www.politico.eu/article/epp-...
www.politico.eu/article/epp-...
EU conservatives vote with far right to approve cuts to green rules
The outcome highlights the EPP’s willingness to abandon its traditional centrist coalition allies.
www.politico.eu
November 13, 2025 at 4:01 PM
🚨🚨Breaking and bad #EU news: Lawmakers in @europarl.europa.eu agreed today to exempt more companies from green reporting rules after the center-right, right-wing and far-right groups allied to pass the EU’s first omnibus simplification package. #omnibus 🧵
www.politico.eu/article/epp-...
www.politico.eu/article/epp-...
Reposted by Paula Read
“I want you to understand what it is like to live in Chicago during this time.”
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
November 9, 2025 at 5:26 PM
“I want you to understand what it is like to live in Chicago during this time.”
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
Meanwhile...
New study finds “brutal drought and extreme heat wave that began in September 2023 transformed the lake into a steaming cauldron. The lake's waters reached 41C (106F).” 😱
Hundreds of dolphins found dead in Amazon lake were in water hotter than a jacuzzi, study finds
"You couldn't put your finger in the water," said the lead author of the study, which spotlights the impacts of planetary warming on aquatic ecosystems.
www.cbsnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Meanwhile...
Reposted by Paula Read
The #ClimateEmergency is happening now.
New study finds “brutal drought and extreme heat wave that began in September 2023 transformed the lake into a steaming cauldron. The lake's waters reached 41C (106F).” 😱
Hundreds of dolphins found dead in Amazon lake were in water hotter than a jacuzzi, study finds
"You couldn't put your finger in the water," said the lead author of the study, which spotlights the impacts of planetary warming on aquatic ecosystems.
www.cbsnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:16 PM
The #ClimateEmergency is happening now.
This list alone would make me shop elsewhere.
Don't smile at me with your employer mandated eye contact, it's scary and it makes me feel awful for making you do it.
Don't smile at me with your employer mandated eye contact, it's scary and it makes me feel awful for making you do it.
"Store employees are now required to smile if they are within 10 feet of a shopper.
They also must make eye contact with and wave to or greet the customer.
If they’re within four feet, the employee should ask how the customer’s day is going or if they need help."
🙄 Won't stop the boycott, y'all.
They also must make eye contact with and wave to or greet the customer.
If they’re within four feet, the employee should ask how the customer’s day is going or if they need help."
🙄 Won't stop the boycott, y'all.
Target is now requiring its employees to smile more
As the holiday season fast approaches, Target is urging its employees to add a little more “jolly” to their work routine.
www.wilx.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:08 PM
This list alone would make me shop elsewhere.
Don't smile at me with your employer mandated eye contact, it's scary and it makes me feel awful for making you do it.
Don't smile at me with your employer mandated eye contact, it's scary and it makes me feel awful for making you do it.
Reposted by Paula Read
I had dinner with a colleague from @inaturalist.bsky.social yesterday and Jeanne shared that their users are discovering an average of one brand-new-previously-unknown-to-science species EACH MONTH!
Citizen Scientists Are Accelerating Ecology Research, Study Suggests
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:23 PM
I had dinner with a colleague from @inaturalist.bsky.social yesterday and Jeanne shared that their users are discovering an average of one brand-new-previously-unknown-to-science species EACH MONTH!
Reposted by Paula Read
Happy birthday to @bodleian.ox.ac.uk, which first opened its doors #otd in 1602. 423 years young today!
November 8, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Happy birthday to @bodleian.ox.ac.uk, which first opened its doors #otd in 1602. 423 years young today!
Reposted by Paula Read
Lower the maximum wage.
November 8, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Lower the maximum wage.
I - I can't tell the difference between parody and real posts any more.
One shopper in her 50s says she always gets complimented when she wears her Marfa Stance coat. “I can’t tell you how many 20-something young men have stopped me.”
The $1,395 Coat That’s a Status Symbol in the Hamptons and Aspen
The brand’s jackets and parkas are the luxury version of quilted military coat liners.
on.wsj.com
November 8, 2025 at 10:03 AM
I - I can't tell the difference between parody and real posts any more.
Reposted by Paula Read
🦇 Bats need a helping hand! Whether you adopt a bat for yourself, or as a unique gift for a friend or family member, you will be making a real difference to bats in the wild. It makes for a wonderful Christmas gift too: www.bats.org.uk/support-bats...
November 2, 2025 at 4:52 PM
🦇 Bats need a helping hand! Whether you adopt a bat for yourself, or as a unique gift for a friend or family member, you will be making a real difference to bats in the wild. It makes for a wonderful Christmas gift too: www.bats.org.uk/support-bats...
Anyone up for some Asimov? Anyone?
November 8, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Anyone up for some Asimov? Anyone?
Best. Ballot. Ever.
The CA ballots are usually so long and take forever to navigate. This one was such a doh yes to the one thing on the ballot.
Such a treat.
The CA ballots are usually so long and take forever to navigate. This one was such a doh yes to the one thing on the ballot.
Such a treat.
this would mean half of registered california voters voted in an odd year special election with a single arcane proposition on the ballot
November 7, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Best. Ballot. Ever.
The CA ballots are usually so long and take forever to navigate. This one was such a doh yes to the one thing on the ballot.
Such a treat.
The CA ballots are usually so long and take forever to navigate. This one was such a doh yes to the one thing on the ballot.
Such a treat.
Reposted by Paula Read
If you have a Tesla you should get rid of it immediately.
The world’s first trillionaire initiated a move that has left more than half a million people dead, most of whom are children.
November 7, 2025 at 2:25 PM
If you have a Tesla you should get rid of it immediately.
Reposted by Paula Read
A conservation alliance in the U.K. has raised nearly one-third of the 30 million pounds ($39 million) it needs to buy land in northeastern England to turn into a refuge for wildlife and local communities.
Wildlife charities a third of the way to buying key UK nature refuge
A conservation alliance in the U.K. has raised nearly one-third of the 30 million pounds ($39 million) it needs to buy land in northeastern England to turn into a refuge for wildlife and local…
news.mongabay.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:40 PM
A conservation alliance in the U.K. has raised nearly one-third of the 30 million pounds ($39 million) it needs to buy land in northeastern England to turn into a refuge for wildlife and local communities.
Reposted by Paula Read
The world’s first trillionaire initiated a move that has left more than half a million people dead, most of whom are children.
November 7, 2025 at 7:39 AM
The world’s first trillionaire initiated a move that has left more than half a million people dead, most of whom are children.
Reposted by Paula Read
Catastrophic nature loss is at least as serious a problem as climate breakdown, but only gets a fraction of the (woefully inadequate) attention.
THE most critical tasks of our time are:
• Protect what remains of wild ecosystems
• Mass rewilding where damaged or lost
www.earth.com/news/africas...
THE most critical tasks of our time are:
• Protect what remains of wild ecosystems
• Mass rewilding where damaged or lost
www.earth.com/news/africas...
Africa's natural wildlife 'power' has nearly collapsed
Scientists warn that losing Africa’s large animals is draining ecosystem energy and reshaping the continent’s biodiversity.
www.earth.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Catastrophic nature loss is at least as serious a problem as climate breakdown, but only gets a fraction of the (woefully inadequate) attention.
THE most critical tasks of our time are:
• Protect what remains of wild ecosystems
• Mass rewilding where damaged or lost
www.earth.com/news/africas...
THE most critical tasks of our time are:
• Protect what remains of wild ecosystems
• Mass rewilding where damaged or lost
www.earth.com/news/africas...
Meanwhile...the 2024 budget of USAID was $34 billion before the program was cut in 2025 as an unnecessary expenditure.
(Oh, also, huge congrats to the former head of DOGE who just got his $1 trillion paycheck approved)
(Oh, also, huge congrats to the former head of DOGE who just got his $1 trillion paycheck approved)
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 7, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Meanwhile...the 2024 budget of USAID was $34 billion before the program was cut in 2025 as an unnecessary expenditure.
(Oh, also, huge congrats to the former head of DOGE who just got his $1 trillion paycheck approved)
(Oh, also, huge congrats to the former head of DOGE who just got his $1 trillion paycheck approved)
Reposted by Paula Read
Dropped everything to publish this new op-ed to @mongabay.com by former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson
She calls Bill Gates' new essay on #climatechange dangerous & false
“The great challenge of our time is to build a future where every person can thrive on a healthy planet,” Robinson argues:
She calls Bill Gates' new essay on #climatechange dangerous & false
“The great challenge of our time is to build a future where every person can thrive on a healthy planet,” Robinson argues:
No, Bill Gates, we don’t have to choose between people & planet (commentary)
Bill Gates has long been a leading voice in the global response to human health and climate change. His climate investments and advocacy have helped drive innovation, expand access to clean energy, an...
news.mongabay.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Dropped everything to publish this new op-ed to @mongabay.com by former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson
She calls Bill Gates' new essay on #climatechange dangerous & false
“The great challenge of our time is to build a future where every person can thrive on a healthy planet,” Robinson argues:
She calls Bill Gates' new essay on #climatechange dangerous & false
“The great challenge of our time is to build a future where every person can thrive on a healthy planet,” Robinson argues: