Michael Bluett
@sanerefrain.bsky.social
Faster action on climate change. Angered by 233,000 UK COVID-19 dead (http://tiny.cc/em7uwz) and large numbers with long COVID. Am also https://x.com/sanerefrain
Reposted by Michael Bluett
New Home Office impact assessment finds that cutting skilled and social care visas will cost the UK up to £10 billion with a central estimate of -£5.4 billion.
It would be good if this got even a fraction of the coverage devoted to the endless debate about boats, flags and Turkish barber shops
It would be good if this got even a fraction of the coverage devoted to the endless debate about boats, flags and Turkish barber shops
December 9, 2025 at 2:36 PM
New Home Office impact assessment finds that cutting skilled and social care visas will cost the UK up to £10 billion with a central estimate of -£5.4 billion.
It would be good if this got even a fraction of the coverage devoted to the endless debate about boats, flags and Turkish barber shops
It would be good if this got even a fraction of the coverage devoted to the endless debate about boats, flags and Turkish barber shops
Reposted by Michael Bluett
Wow -- Russia reportedly plotted last year to plant bombs on US-bound flights (gift link) giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
December 9, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Wow -- Russia reportedly plotted last year to plant bombs on US-bound flights (gift link) giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Reposted by Michael Bluett
This would be the right decision, as there are better ways to cut energy bills that do not incentivise burning more gas. But after briefing a VAT cut on energy bills for so long, you have to ask what the hell is going on in there? www.ft.com/content/82f0...
Rachel Reeves decides against cutting VAT on energy bills in Budget
Chancellor expected to continue with support package for households, including easing of electricity costs
www.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:01 PM
This would be the right decision, as there are better ways to cut energy bills that do not incentivise burning more gas. But after briefing a VAT cut on energy bills for so long, you have to ask what the hell is going on in there? www.ft.com/content/82f0...
Reposted by Michael Bluett
New blog post.
Real World UK Winter Heat Pump COP Performance
Highlighting that heat pump performance is not linear against the outside temperature with real data from my 5kW @vaillantuk.bsky.social Arotherm.
Hope this one is useful.
energy-stats.uk/uk-winter-he...
Real World UK Winter Heat Pump COP Performance
Highlighting that heat pump performance is not linear against the outside temperature with real data from my 5kW @vaillantuk.bsky.social Arotherm.
Hope this one is useful.
energy-stats.uk/uk-winter-he...
Real World UK Winter Heat Pump COP Performance
A practical guide to UK winter heat pump COP with real data from my system. Learn how temperature affects performance and what to expect in your own home.
energy-stats.uk
November 25, 2025 at 7:08 PM
New blog post.
Real World UK Winter Heat Pump COP Performance
Highlighting that heat pump performance is not linear against the outside temperature with real data from my 5kW @vaillantuk.bsky.social Arotherm.
Hope this one is useful.
energy-stats.uk/uk-winter-he...
Real World UK Winter Heat Pump COP Performance
Highlighting that heat pump performance is not linear against the outside temperature with real data from my 5kW @vaillantuk.bsky.social Arotherm.
Hope this one is useful.
energy-stats.uk/uk-winter-he...
Reposted by Michael Bluett
Given that the BBC endlessly gives platforms to lobbyists from the dark money junktanks without revealing their interests, shouldn't we be seeing such apologies every day?
Better still, how about not doing it? If they want to appear, we should know on whose behalf they are speaking.
Better still, how about not doing it? If they want to appear, we should know on whose behalf they are speaking.
Exclusive: The BBC has issued an apology after one of its presenters failed to challenge a climate-sceptic lobbyist who runs a group that has received funding from fossil-fuel interests
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/b...
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/b...
BBC Apologises for Failing to Challenge 'Dark Money' Climate-Denial Lobbyist
EXCLUSIVE: BBC faces fresh allegations of bias after corporation admits interview with ‘Net Zero Watch’ lobbying chief Andrew Montford 'fell below usual standards'
bylinetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Given that the BBC endlessly gives platforms to lobbyists from the dark money junktanks without revealing their interests, shouldn't we be seeing such apologies every day?
Better still, how about not doing it? If they want to appear, we should know on whose behalf they are speaking.
Better still, how about not doing it? If they want to appear, we should know on whose behalf they are speaking.
Reposted by Michael Bluett
UK politics since 2016 has had a feeling of 'we had a plan for a six year TV show that ends with BAM! They've left the EU by mistake' and it just keeps getting renewed and every year they are chasing the high of that finale with increasingly contrived plots.
November 14, 2025 at 11:29 AM
UK politics since 2016 has had a feeling of 'we had a plan for a six year TV show that ends with BAM! They've left the EU by mistake' and it just keeps getting renewed and every year they are chasing the high of that finale with increasingly contrived plots.
Reposted by Michael Bluett
Very easy for Treasury to characterise heat pump grants as being kickbacks for middle class families, but they are primarily a mechanism for catalysing a market that will then benefit everyone. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Hundreds of thousands to lose heat pump subsidies in Reeves’s budget plan
Exclusive: Supporters say grants largely going to middle-class households, but experts warn move will slow transition from gas boilers
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Very easy for Treasury to characterise heat pump grants as being kickbacks for middle class families, but they are primarily a mechanism for catalysing a market that will then benefit everyone. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Michael Bluett
Reposted by Michael Bluett
In the global electrification race China is marching ahead.
The US and Europe risk falling behind clinging on to yesterday's technologies.
The US and Europe risk falling behind clinging on to yesterday's technologies.
November 14, 2025 at 1:51 PM
In the global electrification race China is marching ahead.
The US and Europe risk falling behind clinging on to yesterday's technologies.
The US and Europe risk falling behind clinging on to yesterday's technologies.
Reposted by Michael Bluett
Read 'em and weep. (www.nber.org/system/files...)
November 14, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Read 'em and weep. (www.nber.org/system/files...)
Reposted by Michael Bluett
![4-panel vertical comic. (1) 100 Years Ago [two people standing next to bicycle with small car nearby] PERSON 1: It’s too dangerous riding a bike with these cars around. I should get a car, too. (2) 50 Years Ago [two people between smaller car and bigger car] PERSON 2 with short hair: Small cars are less safe in collisions with larger vehicles, so I should get a bigger one. (3) Today [two people between big car and even bigger car] PERSON 1: Everyone has huge SUVs now. If I don’t get the biggest one, I’m putting my family at risk. (4) Soon [two people next to large armored car with spiked clubs attached] PERSON 2: If I don’t install more whirling spike clubs, I’ll be destroyed by all the other drivers who...](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreiby6can6k76yzfmv2czxs4pu2l7zie7bqbrpswi7h3ifmiadkuqvu@jpeg)
Reposted by Michael Bluett
China's formal submission of its new climate targets leaves out the commitment made in 2021 to gradually reduce coal consumption in 2026-30. It does reiterate the commitment to reduce carbon intensity, which is currently badly off track, but doesn't provide any progress update.
November 9, 2025 at 1:01 PM
China's formal submission of its new climate targets leaves out the commitment made in 2021 to gradually reduce coal consumption in 2026-30. It does reiterate the commitment to reduce carbon intensity, which is currently badly off track, but doesn't provide any progress update.
Reposted by Michael Bluett
Getting solar in retirement
YouTube video by Tim & Kat's Green Walk
youtu.be
November 8, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Reposted by Michael Bluett
A historic turning point for clean heating in Europe: For the first time, in the first half of 2025 sales of heat pumps in Germany have surpassed those of gas boilers.
This is a big milestone, demonstrating that the transition away from fossil fuels in our buildings is not just a future ambition.
This is a big milestone, demonstrating that the transition away from fossil fuels in our buildings is not just a future ambition.
November 9, 2025 at 2:36 PM
A historic turning point for clean heating in Europe: For the first time, in the first half of 2025 sales of heat pumps in Germany have surpassed those of gas boilers.
This is a big milestone, demonstrating that the transition away from fossil fuels in our buildings is not just a future ambition.
This is a big milestone, demonstrating that the transition away from fossil fuels in our buildings is not just a future ambition.
Reposted by Michael Bluett
ICE vehicles waste a whopping 80% of the energy in their fuel. Electric vehicles are propelled by entirely different mechanisms. Energy enters the vehicle as electricity, which directly powers the drivetrain: EVs need not convert one form of energy to another resulting in much higher efficiency.
November 9, 2025 at 9:22 AM
ICE vehicles waste a whopping 80% of the energy in their fuel. Electric vehicles are propelled by entirely different mechanisms. Energy enters the vehicle as electricity, which directly powers the drivetrain: EVs need not convert one form of energy to another resulting in much higher efficiency.
Reposted by Michael Bluett
Sigh. I apologize on our behalf.
Meet gen X: middle-aged, enraged and radicalised by internet bile | Gaby Hinsliff
Who is driving the populist insurgency? It’s not grumpy pensioners or vulnerable teenagers – it’s my generation, says Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Sigh. I apologize on our behalf.
Reposted by Michael Bluett
Solar and wind OUTPACED global electricity demand growth in the first half of 2025, leading to a slight fall in fossil fuels compared to this time last year ☀️🌪️
Record solar and steady wind growth is reshaping global power as renewables OVERTAKE coal for the first time.
https://loom.ly/c-MNZSk
Record solar and steady wind growth is reshaping global power as renewables OVERTAKE coal for the first time.
https://loom.ly/c-MNZSk
November 7, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Solar and wind OUTPACED global electricity demand growth in the first half of 2025, leading to a slight fall in fossil fuels compared to this time last year ☀️🌪️
Record solar and steady wind growth is reshaping global power as renewables OVERTAKE coal for the first time.
https://loom.ly/c-MNZSk
Record solar and steady wind growth is reshaping global power as renewables OVERTAKE coal for the first time.
https://loom.ly/c-MNZSk
Reposted by Michael Bluett
UK rail electrification in three graphs, for folks who prefer their information in graph format
November 8, 2025 at 9:46 AM
UK rail electrification in three graphs, for folks who prefer their information in graph format
Reposted by Michael Bluett
The average hydrogen share price fell 90% between January 2022 and April this year. It is now down only 89%. According to Erik Rakhou, this tiny dead cat bounce is evidence of the dawn of the Hydrogen Economy. What do you think? Listen to the debate: youtu.be/FSWDgNWeVjk?...
Why There'll Never Be A Hydrogen Economy | Ep232: Erik Rakhou
YouTube video by Cleaning Up Podcast
youtu.be
November 5, 2025 at 10:59 PM
The average hydrogen share price fell 90% between January 2022 and April this year. It is now down only 89%. According to Erik Rakhou, this tiny dead cat bounce is evidence of the dawn of the Hydrogen Economy. What do you think? Listen to the debate: youtu.be/FSWDgNWeVjk?...
Reposted by Michael Bluett
Cleaning Up | Why There'll Never Be A Hydrogen Economy (*although Erik Rakhou disagrees)
cleaning-up-leadership-in-the-age-of-climate-change.simplecast.com/episodes/why...
Is green hydrogen a ‘miracle fuel’ or an expensive illusion? Can we decarbonize without it?
cleaning-up-leadership-in-the-age-of-climate-change.simplecast.com/episodes/why...
Is green hydrogen a ‘miracle fuel’ or an expensive illusion? Can we decarbonize without it?
November 7, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Cleaning Up | Why There'll Never Be A Hydrogen Economy (*although Erik Rakhou disagrees)
cleaning-up-leadership-in-the-age-of-climate-change.simplecast.com/episodes/why...
Is green hydrogen a ‘miracle fuel’ or an expensive illusion? Can we decarbonize without it?
cleaning-up-leadership-in-the-age-of-climate-change.simplecast.com/episodes/why...
Is green hydrogen a ‘miracle fuel’ or an expensive illusion? Can we decarbonize without it?
Reposted by Michael Bluett
‘Politicians actually taking action’: six world mayors defying climate-sceptic populist leaders
- From Sierra Leone to Milan, cities are introducing their own rules and innovations in the face of rising temperatures
#C40 #COP30 #climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
- From Sierra Leone to Milan, cities are introducing their own rules and innovations in the face of rising temperatures
#C40 #COP30 #climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
‘Politicians actually taking action’: six world mayors defying climate-sceptic populist leaders
From Sierra Leone to Milan, cities are crafting their own rules and innovations in the face of rising temperatures
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:44 PM
‘Politicians actually taking action’: six world mayors defying climate-sceptic populist leaders
- From Sierra Leone to Milan, cities are introducing their own rules and innovations in the face of rising temperatures
#C40 #COP30 #climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
- From Sierra Leone to Milan, cities are introducing their own rules and innovations in the face of rising temperatures
#C40 #COP30 #climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Reposted by Michael Bluett
“Bill Gates Gave $3.5M to Think Tank Run by Climate Crisis Denier Bjorn Lomborg" by @rtakver.bsky.social for @desmog.com:
www.desmog.com/2025/11/05/b...
www.desmog.com/2025/11/05/b...
Bill Gates Gave $3.5M to Think Tank Run by Climate Crisis Denier Bjorn Lomborg
Tax records reveal that the billionaire’s foundation has donated for years to Lomborg’s Copenhagen Consensus Center.
www.desmog.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:03 PM
“Bill Gates Gave $3.5M to Think Tank Run by Climate Crisis Denier Bjorn Lomborg" by @rtakver.bsky.social for @desmog.com:
www.desmog.com/2025/11/05/b...
www.desmog.com/2025/11/05/b...
Reposted by Michael Bluett
only in the small print of this article do they make clear that the pensioners paying an extra £2,500 of tax would have to have
“earnings over £125,140”
I know many pensioners are asset rich but how many have income at that level?
“earnings over £125,140”
I know many pensioners are asset rich but how many have income at that level?
November 7, 2025 at 5:28 PM
only in the small print of this article do they make clear that the pensioners paying an extra £2,500 of tax would have to have
“earnings over £125,140”
I know many pensioners are asset rich but how many have income at that level?
“earnings over £125,140”
I know many pensioners are asset rich but how many have income at that level?
Reposted by Michael Bluett
New analysis finds widespread misinformation around electric cars in UK newspapers
Via @eciu.net
#EVs
eciu.net/media/press-...
Via @eciu.net
#EVs
eciu.net/media/press-...
New analysis finds widespread misinformation around EVs in UK…
Quarter of all the articles on electric vehicles (EVs) analysed contained at least one misleading statement about electric cars.
eciu.net
August 29, 2025 at 9:57 AM
New analysis finds widespread misinformation around electric cars in UK newspapers
Via @eciu.net
#EVs
eciu.net/media/press-...
Via @eciu.net
#EVs
eciu.net/media/press-...
Reposted by Michael Bluett
Are you or your loved ones worried about solar farms?
Have you heard scary things about solar panels turning the countryside into an industrial hellscape?
Fear not! We at Carbon Brief have just published the definitive article debunking solar myths ⬇️
interactive.carbonbrief.org/factcheck/so...
Have you heard scary things about solar panels turning the countryside into an industrial hellscape?
Fear not! We at Carbon Brief have just published the definitive article debunking solar myths ⬇️
interactive.carbonbrief.org/factcheck/so...
Factcheck: 16 misleading myths about solar
Carbon Brief factchecks 16 of the most common myths about solar power
interactive.carbonbrief.org
August 28, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Are you or your loved ones worried about solar farms?
Have you heard scary things about solar panels turning the countryside into an industrial hellscape?
Fear not! We at Carbon Brief have just published the definitive article debunking solar myths ⬇️
interactive.carbonbrief.org/factcheck/so...
Have you heard scary things about solar panels turning the countryside into an industrial hellscape?
Fear not! We at Carbon Brief have just published the definitive article debunking solar myths ⬇️
interactive.carbonbrief.org/factcheck/so...