shiraRES.bsky.social
@shirares.bsky.social
Program Lead - Local Energy Solutions @beyondfossilfuels.bsky.social. Views are my own. (re)Posts mainly on RES-related things, but also on how awful SUVs are.
Reposted by shiraRES.bsky.social
If you want more democracy, you need fewer cars.
The transit riders vs drivers election.
November 5, 2025 at 4:40 PM
If you want more democracy, you need fewer cars.
Reposted by shiraRES.bsky.social
💥 BOOM DE L'IA – Un sondage montre que la population suisse s'inquiète de la consommation de ressources des centres de données! Le progrès et la protection du climat ne doivent pas se faire obstacle, mais aller de pair. Résultats et conclusions ⤵️
algorithmwatch.ch/fr/consommat...
algorithmwatch.ch/fr/consommat...
Boom de l’IA: la population suisse préoccupée par la consommation d’électricité et d’eau des centres de données - AlgorithmWatch CH
L’emballement pour l’intelligence artificielle fait grimper la consommation d’électricité et d’eau des centres de données. La population suisse s’en inquiète de plus en plus. C’est ce que révèle un so...
algorithmwatch.ch
October 27, 2025 at 3:44 PM
💥 BOOM DE L'IA – Un sondage montre que la population suisse s'inquiète de la consommation de ressources des centres de données! Le progrès et la protection du climat ne doivent pas se faire obstacle, mais aller de pair. Résultats et conclusions ⤵️
algorithmwatch.ch/fr/consommat...
algorithmwatch.ch/fr/consommat...
Reposted by shiraRES.bsky.social
🚨New polling across 🇮🇪, 🇬🇧, 🇪🇸, 🇨🇭, 🇩🇪 finds:
👉 76% of people believe new data centres should be powered with renewable energy.
👉73% want governments to set clear criteria for energy distribution.
Renewables, transparency, & fairness are key for data centres.
More: beyondfossilfuels.org/2025/10/27/e...
👉 76% of people believe new data centres should be powered with renewable energy.
👉73% want governments to set clear criteria for energy distribution.
Renewables, transparency, & fairness are key for data centres.
More: beyondfossilfuels.org/2025/10/27/e...
October 27, 2025 at 9:13 AM
🚨New polling across 🇮🇪, 🇬🇧, 🇪🇸, 🇨🇭, 🇩🇪 finds:
👉 76% of people believe new data centres should be powered with renewable energy.
👉73% want governments to set clear criteria for energy distribution.
Renewables, transparency, & fairness are key for data centres.
More: beyondfossilfuels.org/2025/10/27/e...
👉 76% of people believe new data centres should be powered with renewable energy.
👉73% want governments to set clear criteria for energy distribution.
Renewables, transparency, & fairness are key for data centres.
More: beyondfossilfuels.org/2025/10/27/e...
Amazingly, the author's solution is to have more cameras, rather than suggesting something as crazy as buying smaller cars! Even as they acknowledge that SUVs are a (literally) huge part of why drivers are running over children.
CAR-CRAZY FACT OF THE DAY.
Every 24 hours, US drivers run over 15 children in parking lots and driveways.
jalopnik.com/u-s-drivers-...
Every 24 hours, US drivers run over 15 children in parking lots and driveways.
jalopnik.com/u-s-drivers-...
U.S. Drivers Run Over 15 Children Every Day In Parking Lots And Driveways
Tall vehicles and long hoods contribute to increasing number of "frontover" incidents.
jalopnik.com
October 14, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Amazingly, the author's solution is to have more cameras, rather than suggesting something as crazy as buying smaller cars! Even as they acknowledge that SUVs are a (literally) huge part of why drivers are running over children.
Reposted by shiraRES.bsky.social
EVs will not solve our mobility problems. And again, SUVs are awful - reason gajillion here:
Every year, billions of vehicles worldwide shed an estimated 6 million tonnes of tire fragments. These tiny flakes of plastic, generated by normal driving, account for 28% of microplastics entering the environment globally.
Heavy vehicles eg SUVs/EVs especially.
Via @us.theconversation.com
Heavy vehicles eg SUVs/EVs especially.
Via @us.theconversation.com
Car tyres shed a quarter of all microplastics in the environment – urgent action is needed
Tiny flakes of plastic, generated by the wear and tear of normal driving, eventually accumulate in the soil, in rivers and lakes, and even in our food.
theconversation.com
September 18, 2025 at 2:54 PM
EVs will not solve our mobility problems. And again, SUVs are awful - reason gajillion here:
Reposted by shiraRES.bsky.social
Taxing SUVs in line with European countries could raise £2bn a year for the Treasury, says thinktank Transport & Environment, which wants the chancellor to impose a levy on the largest “Chelsea tractors” to reflect the damage they cause to the environment and infrastructure.
UK could raise nearly £2bn by taxing SUVs in line with European countries, study shows
Thinktank says an ‘SUV loophole’ means UK buyers pay up to 20 times less tax on biggest models than in neighbouring nations
www.theguardian.com
September 16, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Taxing SUVs in line with European countries could raise £2bn a year for the Treasury, says thinktank Transport & Environment, which wants the chancellor to impose a levy on the largest “Chelsea tractors” to reflect the damage they cause to the environment and infrastructure.
Reposted by shiraRES.bsky.social
There are many versions of this kind of image out there. The best ones illustrate why “better cars” will never be more than part of the answer, and actually help “lock in” the #CarDependency that’s the real problem. They also show why status-quo interests usually want to focus on the vehicles.
September 9, 2025 at 7:01 AM
There are many versions of this kind of image out there. The best ones illustrate why “better cars” will never be more than part of the answer, and actually help “lock in” the #CarDependency that’s the real problem. They also show why status-quo interests usually want to focus on the vehicles.
Reposted by shiraRES.bsky.social
Innovation makes useful things smaller and smaller. Overconsumption makes things bigger and bigger (and more dangerous with bigger costs & consequences). Bigger vehicles and larger homes for fewer people is not progress. HT @fietsprofessor for graphic
September 2, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Innovation makes useful things smaller and smaller. Overconsumption makes things bigger and bigger (and more dangerous with bigger costs & consequences). Bigger vehicles and larger homes for fewer people is not progress. HT @fietsprofessor for graphic
Reposted by shiraRES.bsky.social
Trump is trying to force the EU to legalize US car bloat, and European safety leaders are furious:
"Europe now risks being flooded with oversized, under-regulated U.S. pick-up trucks and SUVs – vehicles that are...completely out of step with Europe’s vision for safer, more sustainable mobility."
"Europe now risks being flooded with oversized, under-regulated U.S. pick-up trucks and SUVs – vehicles that are...completely out of step with Europe’s vision for safer, more sustainable mobility."
ETSC: Mutual Recognition Deal with U.S. Will Cost Lives on Europe’s Roads
By signing up to mutual recognition of vehicle standards with the United States, the European Union has waved the white flag on road safety. This is not a technical detail – it is a political choice…
etsc.eu
August 26, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Trump is trying to force the EU to legalize US car bloat, and European safety leaders are furious:
"Europe now risks being flooded with oversized, under-regulated U.S. pick-up trucks and SUVs – vehicles that are...completely out of step with Europe’s vision for safer, more sustainable mobility."
"Europe now risks being flooded with oversized, under-regulated U.S. pick-up trucks and SUVs – vehicles that are...completely out of step with Europe’s vision for safer, more sustainable mobility."
The 1st author explains how SUVs are deadly to those not in them. The 2nd thinks those outside of SUVs think the SUV drivers are smug bc they've got more space. No! We're terrified they will kill us. PS - EV SUVs are just as dangerous to those people outside of them as SUVs burning fossil fuels.
Opinion: Supersized SUVs are more dangerous to pedestrians. Is it time for an extra levy on new ones?
The Debate: Is a proposed weight tax on heavier cars per kilogramme really about safety – or more about punishing the smug?
www.irishtimes.com
August 26, 2025 at 11:52 AM
The 1st author explains how SUVs are deadly to those not in them. The 2nd thinks those outside of SUVs think the SUV drivers are smug bc they've got more space. No! We're terrified they will kill us. PS - EV SUVs are just as dangerous to those people outside of them as SUVs burning fossil fuels.
Erst ganz am Ende des Artikels, wird das eigentlich Wichtigste behandelt: "Die Folgen dieser immer grösseren Dimensionen: Unfälle mit Kindern und Fussgängern enden häufiger tödlich." www.tagesanzeiger.ch/autos-im-zei...
VW, Fiat, Skoda: So viel grösser sind die Lieblingsautos der Schweizer heute
Die Personenwagen in der Schweiz werden länger, breiter und schwerer. Wir zeigen das Wachstum bei sieben beliebten Modellen.
www.tagesanzeiger.ch
August 26, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Erst ganz am Ende des Artikels, wird das eigentlich Wichtigste behandelt: "Die Folgen dieser immer grösseren Dimensionen: Unfälle mit Kindern und Fussgängern enden häufiger tödlich." www.tagesanzeiger.ch/autos-im-zei...
Reposted by shiraRES.bsky.social
Dr. Tarek Loubani, who is in Gaza right now, was invited to give a talk to emergency workers about the attacks on health care facilities in Gaza.
But he was instructed - get this - not to say who was doing the attacking. Take a look at how this hero of a human responded: vimeo.com/1112115018/c...
But he was instructed - get this - not to say who was doing the attacking. Take a look at how this hero of a human responded: vimeo.com/1112115018/c...
Stethoscope Story #8
This is "Stethoscope Story #8" by Albino Squirrel Channel on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.
vimeo.com
August 25, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Dr. Tarek Loubani, who is in Gaza right now, was invited to give a talk to emergency workers about the attacks on health care facilities in Gaza.
But he was instructed - get this - not to say who was doing the attacking. Take a look at how this hero of a human responded: vimeo.com/1112115018/c...
But he was instructed - get this - not to say who was doing the attacking. Take a look at how this hero of a human responded: vimeo.com/1112115018/c...
Reposted by shiraRES.bsky.social
Why do we need a lot more protected bike-lanes in cities? Because biking in protected #bikelanes poses just 1/10th the risk of biking on major streets with parking. Via @momentummag.bsky.social. Plus they mean a LOT more people choosing biking, which has all sorts of health and cost saving benefits.
August 25, 2025 at 4:43 AM
Why do we need a lot more protected bike-lanes in cities? Because biking in protected #bikelanes poses just 1/10th the risk of biking on major streets with parking. Via @momentummag.bsky.social. Plus they mean a LOT more people choosing biking, which has all sorts of health and cost saving benefits.
Reposted by shiraRES.bsky.social
Also, I kindly ask that any journalist writing about the US road safety crisis separate deaths among car occupants (which are relatively flat ) from those of people biking and walking (which have skyrocketed).
The two trendlines are completely different. They should be treated as such.
The two trendlines are completely different. They should be treated as such.
August 19, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Also, I kindly ask that any journalist writing about the US road safety crisis separate deaths among car occupants (which are relatively flat ) from those of people biking and walking (which have skyrocketed).
The two trendlines are completely different. They should be treated as such.
The two trendlines are completely different. They should be treated as such.
Free trade agreements have never really been about trade - they have always been about weakening regulations meant to protect us. What corporate lobbies can't do via democratic processes, they push through in free trade agreements.
The US to the world: "Want to trade? First, you'll need to ignore pedestrian safety."
nooooooooooooooo www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
July 23, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Free trade agreements have never really been about trade - they have always been about weakening regulations meant to protect us. What corporate lobbies can't do via democratic processes, they push through in free trade agreements.
Reposted by shiraRES.bsky.social
I'm not exaggerating. The US forced Japan to accept more pedestrian danger.
Japanese official: “Unlike U.N. standards, which are used by Japan and European countries, pedestrian safety is not a factor in U.S. vehicle standards."
Japanese official: “Unlike U.N. standards, which are used by Japan and European countries, pedestrian safety is not a factor in U.S. vehicle standards."
Concerns raised over Japan’s potential concessions on auto safety standards; experts point out risk of increased fatalities
Many of Japan’s automobile safety standards were formulated based on lessons learned from past accidents and have been incorporated into global standards set by the United Nations.
asianews.network
July 23, 2025 at 1:45 PM
I'm not exaggerating. The US forced Japan to accept more pedestrian danger.
Japanese official: “Unlike U.N. standards, which are used by Japan and European countries, pedestrian safety is not a factor in U.S. vehicle standards."
Japanese official: “Unlike U.N. standards, which are used by Japan and European countries, pedestrian safety is not a factor in U.S. vehicle standards."
Reposted by shiraRES.bsky.social
I only found out about this recently. Pedestrian safety is not a factor in U.S. vehicle standards. Absolutely unhinged.
I'm not exaggerating. The US forced Japan to accept more pedestrian danger.
Japanese official: “Unlike U.N. standards, which are used by Japan and European countries, pedestrian safety is not a factor in U.S. vehicle standards."
Japanese official: “Unlike U.N. standards, which are used by Japan and European countries, pedestrian safety is not a factor in U.S. vehicle standards."
Concerns raised over Japan’s potential concessions on auto safety standards; experts point out risk of increased fatalities
Many of Japan’s automobile safety standards were formulated based on lessons learned from past accidents and have been incorporated into global standards set by the United Nations.
asianews.network
July 23, 2025 at 1:47 PM
I only found out about this recently. Pedestrian safety is not a factor in U.S. vehicle standards. Absolutely unhinged.
Reposted by shiraRES.bsky.social
A new study of vehicular crashes in the UK shows that—after accounting for driver characteristics, road conditions, & more—adult pedestrians & cyclists had a 14% higher fatality rate when hit by an SUV rather than a regular car.
Children had a shocking 77% higher fatality rate when hit by SUVs.
Children had a shocking 77% higher fatality rate when hit by SUVs.
Do Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) Cause More Severe Injuries to Pedestrians and Cyclists than Passenger Cars, in the Case of a Crash? Findings from Great Britain, 2004-2023 | Published in Findings
By Anna Goodman, Phil Edwards & 1 more. In Great Britain, road crashes involving SUVs cause more severe injuries to pedestrians and cyclists than crashes involving passenger cars. The effect is strong...
findingspress.org
July 9, 2025 at 11:23 PM
A new study of vehicular crashes in the UK shows that—after accounting for driver characteristics, road conditions, & more—adult pedestrians & cyclists had a 14% higher fatality rate when hit by an SUV rather than a regular car.
Children had a shocking 77% higher fatality rate when hit by SUVs.
Children had a shocking 77% higher fatality rate when hit by SUVs.
Reposted by shiraRES.bsky.social
Rollover deaths are now rare. But that’s likely due to Electronic Stability Control that prevents cars from flipping -- not stronger A-pillars.
Meanwhile, thicker posts are expanding driver blind spots and concealing pedestrians.
Meanwhile, thicker posts are expanding driver blind spots and concealing pedestrians.
SUVs, other large vehicles often hit pedestrians while turning
SUVs, pickups, vans and minivans are more likely than cars to hit pedestrians while making turns. The finding suggests possible visibility problems for larger vehicles.
www.iihs.org
July 10, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Rollover deaths are now rare. But that’s likely due to Electronic Stability Control that prevents cars from flipping -- not stronger A-pillars.
Meanwhile, thicker posts are expanding driver blind spots and concealing pedestrians.
Meanwhile, thicker posts are expanding driver blind spots and concealing pedestrians.
Reposted by shiraRES.bsky.social
You know that post btw a car’s windshield and side window? It’s called an A-pillar – and it’s becoming a problem.
A-pillars are expanding, enlarging driver blind zones and concealing pedestrians at crosswalks.
Blame car bloat, as well as ill-conceived federal rules.
Me, in Bloomberg 🧵
A-pillars are expanding, enlarging driver blind zones and concealing pedestrians at crosswalks.
Blame car bloat, as well as ill-conceived federal rules.
Me, in Bloomberg 🧵
Why Did Cars Get So Hard to See Out Of?
If it seems like forward visibility has gotten worse, you’re right: Since the 1990s, cars and trucks have grown bigger A-pillars that can create dangerous blind spots.
www.bloomberg.com
July 10, 2025 at 11:36 AM
You know that post btw a car’s windshield and side window? It’s called an A-pillar – and it’s becoming a problem.
A-pillars are expanding, enlarging driver blind zones and concealing pedestrians at crosswalks.
Blame car bloat, as well as ill-conceived federal rules.
Me, in Bloomberg 🧵
A-pillars are expanding, enlarging driver blind zones and concealing pedestrians at crosswalks.
Blame car bloat, as well as ill-conceived federal rules.
Me, in Bloomberg 🧵
Reposted by shiraRES.bsky.social
I use this @theonion.com headline when I give presentations about car bloat.
The tradeoff is real. Using a truly enormous SUV instead of a merely big one is a tiny bit safer for occupants, but *way* more deadly for everyone else on the road.
Info: www.economist.com/interactive/...
The tradeoff is real. Using a truly enormous SUV instead of a merely big one is a tiny bit safer for occupants, but *way* more deadly for everyone else on the road.
Info: www.economist.com/interactive/...
Conscientious SUV Shopper Just Wants Something That Will Kill Family In Other Car In Case Of Accident theonion.com/conscie...
July 9, 2025 at 12:28 PM
I use this @theonion.com headline when I give presentations about car bloat.
The tradeoff is real. Using a truly enormous SUV instead of a merely big one is a tiny bit safer for occupants, but *way* more deadly for everyone else on the road.
Info: www.economist.com/interactive/...
The tradeoff is real. Using a truly enormous SUV instead of a merely big one is a tiny bit safer for occupants, but *way* more deadly for everyone else on the road.
Info: www.economist.com/interactive/...
Reposted by shiraRES.bsky.social
Reposted by shiraRES.bsky.social
Ireland 🇮🇪 is kicking off a summer of European #coal plant closures and has officially eliminated coal from its electricity mix with the closure of its Moneypoint plant!
Wind energy now powers more than a third of its electricity and is central to Ireland’s coal phase-out.
Wind energy now powers more than a third of its electricity and is central to Ireland’s coal phase-out.
June 20, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Ireland 🇮🇪 is kicking off a summer of European #coal plant closures and has officially eliminated coal from its electricity mix with the closure of its Moneypoint plant!
Wind energy now powers more than a third of its electricity and is central to Ireland’s coal phase-out.
Wind energy now powers more than a third of its electricity and is central to Ireland’s coal phase-out.
Reposted by shiraRES.bsky.social
EU gas demand is set to FALL 7% by 2030 according to national plans, making new gas investments risky 📉
New gas infrastructure could become stranded assets as countries move towards a more electrified energy system.
https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/eu-national-targets-show-gas-in-decline
New gas infrastructure could become stranded assets as countries move towards a more electrified energy system.
https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/eu-national-targets-show-gas-in-decline
June 17, 2025 at 7:01 AM
EU gas demand is set to FALL 7% by 2030 according to national plans, making new gas investments risky 📉
New gas infrastructure could become stranded assets as countries move towards a more electrified energy system.
https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/eu-national-targets-show-gas-in-decline
New gas infrastructure could become stranded assets as countries move towards a more electrified energy system.
https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/eu-national-targets-show-gas-in-decline