Simon Lewis
@simonlewis.bsky.social
They say I’m outspoken. Professor of Global Change Science at UCL and University of Leeds. Author, The Human Planet. Trying to understand the world and change it too.
Reposted by Simon Lewis
If I'm doing the math correctly, Musk's big pay packet yesterday could have made each of these now-dead people millionaires instead.
He is among the sickest men the world has ever produced.
He is among the sickest men the world has ever produced.
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 2:52 PM
If I'm doing the math correctly, Musk's big pay packet yesterday could have made each of these now-dead people millionaires instead.
He is among the sickest men the world has ever produced.
He is among the sickest men the world has ever produced.
Reposted by Simon Lewis
This is deeply disappointing from Starmer.
The UK *helped design* this 'TFFF' fund, designed to stop deforestation, and supposedly 'continues to back the fund' (in theory). But now isn't putting any money into it 🤯
How embarrassing for the UK.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
The UK *helped design* this 'TFFF' fund, designed to stop deforestation, and supposedly 'continues to back the fund' (in theory). But now isn't putting any money into it 🤯
How embarrassing for the UK.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
November 5, 2025 at 7:40 PM
This is deeply disappointing from Starmer.
The UK *helped design* this 'TFFF' fund, designed to stop deforestation, and supposedly 'continues to back the fund' (in theory). But now isn't putting any money into it 🤯
How embarrassing for the UK.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
The UK *helped design* this 'TFFF' fund, designed to stop deforestation, and supposedly 'continues to back the fund' (in theory). But now isn't putting any money into it 🤯
How embarrassing for the UK.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
This is such poor politics. The contribution is a loan at slightly below market rates, with a very modest risk attached (into a Facility managed by the World Bank). So it’s really modest. And could be a game-changer for forest protection. V. odd that the UK is burning its political capital on this.
This is absolutely appalling.
"The UK will not contribute to a flagship fund for the world’s remaining tropical forests, in a bitter blow to the Brazilian hosts on the eve of the Cop30 climate summit."
Absolutely pathetic.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
"The UK will not contribute to a flagship fund for the world’s remaining tropical forests, in a bitter blow to the Brazilian hosts on the eve of the Cop30 climate summit."
Absolutely pathetic.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
UK opts out of flagship fund to protect Amazon and other threatened tropical forests
Decision is bitter blow to Brazil ahead of fund’s launch at Cop30 – and an embarrassment to Prince William
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:23 PM
This is such poor politics. The contribution is a loan at slightly below market rates, with a very modest risk attached (into a Facility managed by the World Bank). So it’s really modest. And could be a game-changer for forest protection. V. odd that the UK is burning its political capital on this.
Reposted by Simon Lewis
PhD applications are now open @treesdla.bsky.social for 2026 intake. Have a look at a project on effects of forest diversity on floral reward production for pollinators that we advertise with @philstevenson.bsky.social. Do apply/get in touch if you are interested! www.trees-dla.ac.uk/projects/eff...
October 21, 2025 at 11:17 AM
PhD applications are now open @treesdla.bsky.social for 2026 intake. Have a look at a project on effects of forest diversity on floral reward production for pollinators that we advertise with @philstevenson.bsky.social. Do apply/get in touch if you are interested! www.trees-dla.ac.uk/projects/eff...
Reposted by Simon Lewis
Please pass along, I’m recruiting PhD students to join our Macroecology Lab @uofa-eeb.bsky.social We study phys ecology, macroecology, biodiversity - spanning scaling, trait-based ecology, theory, comparative biology & ecoinformatics. Several avenues for funding. Please reach out if interested🧪🌐🌾
October 21, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Please pass along, I’m recruiting PhD students to join our Macroecology Lab @uofa-eeb.bsky.social We study phys ecology, macroecology, biodiversity - spanning scaling, trait-based ecology, theory, comparative biology & ecoinformatics. Several avenues for funding. Please reach out if interested🧪🌐🌾
Wild, airlines are basically unregulated banks that fly planes…
"Bankification today accounts for the highest profit margins in the US economy, crippling productive capacity and setting the stage for the next crash."
Some real decadent-late-capitalism shit here.
Some real decadent-late-capitalism shit here.
Everything Is Becoming a Bank
Most major corporations — from airlines to social media platforms — now aspire to become unregulated banks. Bankification today accounts for the highest profit margins in the US economy, crippling pro...
jacobin.com
October 10, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Wild, airlines are basically unregulated banks that fly planes…
Reposted by Simon Lewis
In Beni, DRC where war has ravaged the country, #XRGraben joined the #DrawTheLine campaign with more than 50 young Climate Defenders taking to the streets to say no to the exploitation of 52 oil blocks, to protect the Congo Basin and the indigenous communities bordering Virunga National Park.
🧵1/2
🧵1/2
October 10, 2025 at 7:57 PM
In Beni, DRC where war has ravaged the country, #XRGraben joined the #DrawTheLine campaign with more than 50 young Climate Defenders taking to the streets to say no to the exploitation of 52 oil blocks, to protect the Congo Basin and the indigenous communities bordering Virunga National Park.
🧵1/2
🧵1/2
Reposted by Simon Lewis
🧵🚨
The UK’s independent scientific bodies are highly vulnerable to politicisation - over the past 5 months I've been working with @martinmckee.bsky.social to map out their vulnerabilities and it's not good news.
Today our report is published!
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
1/11
The UK’s independent scientific bodies are highly vulnerable to politicisation - over the past 5 months I've been working with @martinmckee.bsky.social to map out their vulnerabilities and it's not good news.
Today our report is published!
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
1/11
UK’s arm’s length public bodies are highly vulnerable to politicisation
Seven in ten Britons say it is important for top scientific institutions to be independent in exclusive new polling.
www.ucl.ac.uk
October 9, 2025 at 3:47 PM
🧵🚨
The UK’s independent scientific bodies are highly vulnerable to politicisation - over the past 5 months I've been working with @martinmckee.bsky.social to map out their vulnerabilities and it's not good news.
Today our report is published!
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
1/11
The UK’s independent scientific bodies are highly vulnerable to politicisation - over the past 5 months I've been working with @martinmckee.bsky.social to map out their vulnerabilities and it's not good news.
Today our report is published!
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...
1/11
Reposted by Simon Lewis
Wish I could say I was shocked, but here's the Labour government constraining the right to peaceful protest again...
'You can protest but only according to our rules. The rules are: you're not allowed to use any of the tactics that make protest effective.'
'You can protest but only according to our rules. The rules are: you're not allowed to use any of the tactics that make protest effective.'
NEW: Home Office announces planned new anti-protest powers, mainly aimed at pro-Gaza protests like those for Palestine Action. Police will be able to consider the "cumulative impact" of repeated protests and potentially order that they be relocated.
October 5, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Wish I could say I was shocked, but here's the Labour government constraining the right to peaceful protest again...
'You can protest but only according to our rules. The rules are: you're not allowed to use any of the tactics that make protest effective.'
'You can protest but only according to our rules. The rules are: you're not allowed to use any of the tactics that make protest effective.'
Reposted by Simon Lewis
NEW: Extraordinary scenes in Amsterdam this afternoon (Sunday, Oct 5).
An estimated 250,000 bring the city to a standstill; people all wearing red to show solidarity with Palestine 🇵🇸
(🎥 Ahmed Zantac)
An estimated 250,000 bring the city to a standstill; people all wearing red to show solidarity with Palestine 🇵🇸
(🎥 Ahmed Zantac)
October 5, 2025 at 3:07 PM
NEW: Extraordinary scenes in Amsterdam this afternoon (Sunday, Oct 5).
An estimated 250,000 bring the city to a standstill; people all wearing red to show solidarity with Palestine 🇵🇸
(🎥 Ahmed Zantac)
An estimated 250,000 bring the city to a standstill; people all wearing red to show solidarity with Palestine 🇵🇸
(🎥 Ahmed Zantac)
Protest only works because it is cumulative. It takes time and energy to engage people and change the conversation. If this went ahead, protest would not work. This Labour government under Starmer is terrifyingly authoritarian.
On reports the Home Secretary plans to grant police more powers to prevent ‘repeated protests’, Greenpeace UK:
“Protest works because it is repetitive. If police had told the Suffragettes or civil rights activists ‘you’ve made your point,’ they would never have won the victories we all enjoy today"
“Protest works because it is repetitive. If police had told the Suffragettes or civil rights activists ‘you’ve made your point,’ they would never have won the victories we all enjoy today"
October 5, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Protest only works because it is cumulative. It takes time and energy to engage people and change the conversation. If this went ahead, protest would not work. This Labour government under Starmer is terrifyingly authoritarian.
Reposted by Simon Lewis
‘Planetary health diet’ could save 40,000 deaths a day, landmark report finds
- Diet allows modest meat consumption and would also slash food-related climate emissions by half, says report by 70 leading experts from 35 countries
Story by me
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
- Diet allows modest meat consumption and would also slash food-related climate emissions by half, says report by 70 leading experts from 35 countries
Story by me
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Planetary health diet’ could save 40,000 deaths a day, landmark report finds
Diet allows modest meat consumption and would also slash food-related climate emissions by half, says report by 70 leading experts from 35 countries
www.theguardian.com
October 3, 2025 at 7:04 AM
‘Planetary health diet’ could save 40,000 deaths a day, landmark report finds
- Diet allows modest meat consumption and would also slash food-related climate emissions by half, says report by 70 leading experts from 35 countries
Story by me
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
- Diet allows modest meat consumption and would also slash food-related climate emissions by half, says report by 70 leading experts from 35 countries
Story by me
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Simon Lewis
NEW: Something remarkable happened recently and hardly anyone noticed – GB electricity demand was 100% covered by clean power
We took a look at the data and this has happened for a record 87 hours in 2025 to date, twice as often as ever before
🧵
www.carbonbrief.org/...
1/7
We took a look at the data and this has happened for a record 87 hours in 2025 to date, twice as often as ever before
🧵
www.carbonbrief.org/...
1/7
September 30, 2025 at 8:47 AM
NEW: Something remarkable happened recently and hardly anyone noticed – GB electricity demand was 100% covered by clean power
We took a look at the data and this has happened for a record 87 hours in 2025 to date, twice as often as ever before
🧵
www.carbonbrief.org/...
1/7
We took a look at the data and this has happened for a record 87 hours in 2025 to date, twice as often as ever before
🧵
www.carbonbrief.org/...
1/7
Reposted by Simon Lewis
When Reform's Nathan Gill is sentenced for bribery, he will be the third of Nigel Farage's former MEPs to be jailed for being corrupt, after Tom Wise (expenses fraud) and Ashley Mote (falsely claiming benefits). What is it about Farage that attracts crooks?
September 27, 2025 at 7:33 AM
When Reform's Nathan Gill is sentenced for bribery, he will be the third of Nigel Farage's former MEPs to be jailed for being corrupt, after Tom Wise (expenses fraud) and Ashley Mote (falsely claiming benefits). What is it about Farage that attracts crooks?
Reposted by Simon Lewis
“Our investigation uncovered that an elected MEP was taking payments to peddle narratives beneficial to Russian interests... This case goes to the heart of our democratic values.”
— head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, Commander Dominic Murphy
— head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, Commander Dominic Murphy
🚨 This is serious. Ex Reform UK leader in Wales, Nathan Gill, 52, pleads guilty to accepting bribes in exchange for making pro-Russia statements in the European Parliament when serving as a UKIP MEP.
Ex-Reform leader pleads guilty to Pro-Russia bribery charges
The former leader of Reform UK in Wales has pleaded guilty to numerous bribery charges relating to pro-Russian statements.
caerphilly.observer
September 27, 2025 at 9:58 AM
“Our investigation uncovered that an elected MEP was taking payments to peddle narratives beneficial to Russian interests... This case goes to the heart of our democratic values.”
— head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, Commander Dominic Murphy
— head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, Commander Dominic Murphy
No.3. How is Starmer and his team so idiotic at every turn.
In reality, the UK is so broken due to the never-ending housing crisis. Fix that and most people have more disposable income and other problems become manageable.
In reality, the UK is so broken due to the never-ending housing crisis. Fix that and most people have more disposable income and other problems become manageable.
Ok. They’ve pissed me off.
I’m back to tell you 3 things about ID cards:
1. Migrants ALREADY HAVE biometric ID cards & govts have been trying to digitise them for years w repeated fuckups & failures causing complete chaos - they don’t work, you do not want that system for you.
I’m back to tell you 3 things about ID cards:
1. Migrants ALREADY HAVE biometric ID cards & govts have been trying to digitise them for years w repeated fuckups & failures causing complete chaos - they don’t work, you do not want that system for you.
September 26, 2025 at 9:46 PM
No.3. How is Starmer and his team so idiotic at every turn.
In reality, the UK is so broken due to the never-ending housing crisis. Fix that and most people have more disposable income and other problems become manageable.
In reality, the UK is so broken due to the never-ending housing crisis. Fix that and most people have more disposable income and other problems become manageable.
Reposted by Simon Lewis
Ok. They’ve pissed me off.
I’m back to tell you 3 things about ID cards:
1. Migrants ALREADY HAVE biometric ID cards & govts have been trying to digitise them for years w repeated fuckups & failures causing complete chaos - they don’t work, you do not want that system for you.
I’m back to tell you 3 things about ID cards:
1. Migrants ALREADY HAVE biometric ID cards & govts have been trying to digitise them for years w repeated fuckups & failures causing complete chaos - they don’t work, you do not want that system for you.
September 26, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Ok. They’ve pissed me off.
I’m back to tell you 3 things about ID cards:
1. Migrants ALREADY HAVE biometric ID cards & govts have been trying to digitise them for years w repeated fuckups & failures causing complete chaos - they don’t work, you do not want that system for you.
I’m back to tell you 3 things about ID cards:
1. Migrants ALREADY HAVE biometric ID cards & govts have been trying to digitise them for years w repeated fuckups & failures causing complete chaos - they don’t work, you do not want that system for you.
Reposted by Simon Lewis
Please pass along - postdoc position! with our working group on #FunctionalTraits and rarity. This is part of the FREE (Functional Rarity in Ecology and Evolution) working group led by Cyrille Violle in Montpellier France 🧪🌐🌾 emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/U...
Portail Emploi CNRS - Offre d'emploi - Offre de post-doctorat en écologie (H/F)
emploi.cnrs.fr
June 17, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Please pass along - postdoc position! with our working group on #FunctionalTraits and rarity. This is part of the FREE (Functional Rarity in Ecology and Evolution) working group led by Cyrille Violle in Montpellier France 🧪🌐🌾 emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/U...
The media has a great sway over people’s minds.
"If you had to guess what percentage of American adults are transgender..."
Survey Guess: 21%
Actual Share of the US Population: Less than 1%
- YouGov -
Survey Guess: 21%
Actual Share of the US Population: Less than 1%
- YouGov -
September 19, 2025 at 1:39 PM
The media has a great sway over people’s minds.
The Congo Basin Science Initiative (CBSI) is advertising for a Director of Science. Based in Kinshasa, 4 yrs position. Work with me, amazing students and great scientists to transform our understanding of the world’s second largest area of tropical forests. www.nature.com/naturecareer...
CBSI Director of Science - Kinshasa, Congo (Democratic Rep.) (CD) job with University of Kinshasa | 12843735
The Congo Basin Science Initiative (CBSI) is looking for a Director of Science to provide scientific leadership and coordination.
www.nature.com
September 19, 2025 at 9:34 AM
The Congo Basin Science Initiative (CBSI) is advertising for a Director of Science. Based in Kinshasa, 4 yrs position. Work with me, amazing students and great scientists to transform our understanding of the world’s second largest area of tropical forests. www.nature.com/naturecareer...
Reposted by Simon Lewis
Don't be complacent, we saw the numbers at yesterday's event and we know the consequences if we let the Far Right gain more and more power and control of our lives. Watch and share this video and do what you can to support Wednesday's protest against Trump and everything he has become a symbol for
Yesterday, the largest far-right protest in UK history marched through London, led by racist Tommy Robinson.
Today, we say: They don’t speak for us — and they won’t have the last word.
This Wednesday we come together against Trump and for a better future. Do everything to be there.
Today, we say: They don’t speak for us — and they won’t have the last word.
This Wednesday we come together against Trump and for a better future. Do everything to be there.
September 14, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Don't be complacent, we saw the numbers at yesterday's event and we know the consequences if we let the Far Right gain more and more power and control of our lives. Watch and share this video and do what you can to support Wednesday's protest against Trump and everything he has become a symbol for
Reposted by Simon Lewis
BREAKING🚨: People across the UK are showing up to demand the UK Government #StopRosebank.
Rosebank is the UK’s biggest undeveloped oil field, & it’s a bad deal for all of us.
Scenes from London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Aberdeen
Take digital action now👉 www.stopcambo.org.uk/doa-digital
Rosebank is the UK’s biggest undeveloped oil field, & it’s a bad deal for all of us.
Scenes from London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Aberdeen
Take digital action now👉 www.stopcambo.org.uk/doa-digital
September 6, 2025 at 1:44 PM
BREAKING🚨: People across the UK are showing up to demand the UK Government #StopRosebank.
Rosebank is the UK’s biggest undeveloped oil field, & it’s a bad deal for all of us.
Scenes from London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Aberdeen
Take digital action now👉 www.stopcambo.org.uk/doa-digital
Rosebank is the UK’s biggest undeveloped oil field, & it’s a bad deal for all of us.
Scenes from London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Aberdeen
Take digital action now👉 www.stopcambo.org.uk/doa-digital
Reposted by Simon Lewis
Are you interested in biosphere-atmosphere interactions, global modeling, and living in Zurich? If so, this postdoc position might be for you! Please share with any interested colleagues: jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/JOP...
Postdoctoral Researcher in Atmospheric Chemistry
jobs.ethz.ch
August 25, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Are you interested in biosphere-atmosphere interactions, global modeling, and living in Zurich? If so, this postdoc position might be for you! Please share with any interested colleagues: jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/JOP...
Reposted by Simon Lewis
The two deadliest wars in history claimed about 70 journalists between them.
The ongoing war in Gaza has killed 192 Palestinian journalists in less than two years.
History will remember this not as a conflict, but as the mass execution of witnesses.
The ongoing war in Gaza has killed 192 Palestinian journalists in less than two years.
History will remember this not as a conflict, but as the mass execution of witnesses.
August 25, 2025 at 5:22 PM
The two deadliest wars in history claimed about 70 journalists between them.
The ongoing war in Gaza has killed 192 Palestinian journalists in less than two years.
History will remember this not as a conflict, but as the mass execution of witnesses.
The ongoing war in Gaza has killed 192 Palestinian journalists in less than two years.
History will remember this not as a conflict, but as the mass execution of witnesses.