Tom Lancaster
@tommlancaster.bsky.social
Land, food & farming lead @eciu.bsky.social working across climate, farming and land use issues. Previously did agriculture and land use policy at RSPB. Views all mine.
Reposted by Tom Lancaster
There are some TRULY idiotic "I hate net-zero" takes on yday's OBR report, which set out long-term risks to govt finances
It's right there in the report, but to repeat, OBR makes it crystal clear that climate action will be far less costly than inaction
www.carbonbrief.org/...
It's right there in the report, but to repeat, OBR makes it crystal clear that climate action will be far less costly than inaction
www.carbonbrief.org/...
OBR: Net-zero is much cheaper than thought for UK – and unchecked global warming far more costly - Carbon Brief
Reaching net-zero will be much cheaper for the UK government than previously expected – and the economic damages of climate change far more severe.
www.carbonbrief.org
July 9, 2025 at 8:15 AM
There are some TRULY idiotic "I hate net-zero" takes on yday's OBR report, which set out long-term risks to govt finances
It's right there in the report, but to repeat, OBR makes it crystal clear that climate action will be far less costly than inaction
www.carbonbrief.org/...
It's right there in the report, but to repeat, OBR makes it crystal clear that climate action will be far less costly than inaction
www.carbonbrief.org/...
Reposted by Tom Lancaster
☀️It’s been an exceptionally sunny & dry spring – what role is climate change playing?
Dr Clair Barnes, an Imperial College climate scientist, explains the shifts in spring weather.
And Colin Chappell, a farmer, lays out how these changes are impacting UK agriculture.
Dr Clair Barnes, an Imperial College climate scientist, explains the shifts in spring weather.
And Colin Chappell, a farmer, lays out how these changes are impacting UK agriculture.
May 21, 2025 at 9:30 AM
☀️It’s been an exceptionally sunny & dry spring – what role is climate change playing?
Dr Clair Barnes, an Imperial College climate scientist, explains the shifts in spring weather.
And Colin Chappell, a farmer, lays out how these changes are impacting UK agriculture.
Dr Clair Barnes, an Imperial College climate scientist, explains the shifts in spring weather.
And Colin Chappell, a farmer, lays out how these changes are impacting UK agriculture.
Reposted by Tom Lancaster
Yesterday, Ross Clark claimed in the @thespectator1828.bsky.social
"The likely fall in the energy price cap will be purely a reaction to lower wholesale prices on international markets... it is simply markets at work"
Is this the same Ross Clark who blames "net zero" every time bills go up? 🧵😂
"The likely fall in the energy price cap will be purely a reaction to lower wholesale prices on international markets... it is simply markets at work"
Is this the same Ross Clark who blames "net zero" every time bills go up? 🧵😂
May 21, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Yesterday, Ross Clark claimed in the @thespectator1828.bsky.social
"The likely fall in the energy price cap will be purely a reaction to lower wholesale prices on international markets... it is simply markets at work"
Is this the same Ross Clark who blames "net zero" every time bills go up? 🧵😂
"The likely fall in the energy price cap will be purely a reaction to lower wholesale prices on international markets... it is simply markets at work"
Is this the same Ross Clark who blames "net zero" every time bills go up? 🧵😂
Interesting @theipaper.com story highlighting claims by the Food & Drink Federation that higher NI contributions and new food packaging levies are increasing prices.
But here's something they don't mention... what about climate change? 🧵 inews.co.uk/news/politic...
But here's something they don't mention... what about climate change? 🧵 inews.co.uk/news/politic...
May 15, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Interesting @theipaper.com story highlighting claims by the Food & Drink Federation that higher NI contributions and new food packaging levies are increasing prices.
But here's something they don't mention... what about climate change? 🧵 inews.co.uk/news/politic...
But here's something they don't mention... what about climate change? 🧵 inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Tom Lancaster
The deal apparently includes 13,000 tonnes in tariff free beef access to the US for UK farmers, and 13,000 tonnes in tariff free beef access to the UK for US farmers.
No one's standards change.
By way of context the tariff free quota Australian beef gets into the US is 448,214 tonnes per annum.
No one's standards change.
By way of context the tariff free quota Australian beef gets into the US is 448,214 tonnes per annum.
May 8, 2025 at 3:40 PM
The deal apparently includes 13,000 tonnes in tariff free beef access to the US for UK farmers, and 13,000 tonnes in tariff free beef access to the UK for US farmers.
No one's standards change.
By way of context the tariff free quota Australian beef gets into the US is 448,214 tonnes per annum.
No one's standards change.
By way of context the tariff free quota Australian beef gets into the US is 448,214 tonnes per annum.
Reposted by Tom Lancaster
A sound long gone from British villages & gardens - a singing Wryneck. There’s Pied Flycatchers, Redstarts, Hawfinches, Tree Sparrows and Swallows around this garden too. It’s like going back in time, challenging the shifting baseline and reminding how much birds have declined in Britain.
May 2, 2025 at 2:24 PM
A sound long gone from British villages & gardens - a singing Wryneck. There’s Pied Flycatchers, Redstarts, Hawfinches, Tree Sparrows and Swallows around this garden too. It’s like going back in time, challenging the shifting baseline and reminding how much birds have declined in Britain.
This is what farming with climate change looks like
After the second worst harvest on record in 2024, farmers in England have had record breaking rain in September, followed very little rain and record breaking sun & heat in March & April
Good for berries I guess, less good for lots of others!
After the second worst harvest on record in 2024, farmers in England have had record breaking rain in September, followed very little rain and record breaking sun & heat in March & April
Good for berries I guess, less good for lots of others!
May 1, 2025 at 3:38 PM
This is what farming with climate change looks like
After the second worst harvest on record in 2024, farmers in England have had record breaking rain in September, followed very little rain and record breaking sun & heat in March & April
Good for berries I guess, less good for lots of others!
After the second worst harvest on record in 2024, farmers in England have had record breaking rain in September, followed very little rain and record breaking sun & heat in March & April
Good for berries I guess, less good for lots of others!
Reposted by Tom Lancaster
FACTCHECK: Almost all the headlines on Tony Blair / net-zero are *wildly* inaccurate
REALITY:
1️⃣Net-zero is *only way* to stop warming
2️⃣Blair calls for tech to "turbocharge our path to net-zero"
3️⃣He categorically *does not* say "net-zero is doomed to fail"
🧵
1/6
REALITY:
1️⃣Net-zero is *only way* to stop warming
2️⃣Blair calls for tech to "turbocharge our path to net-zero"
3️⃣He categorically *does not* say "net-zero is doomed to fail"
🧵
1/6
April 30, 2025 at 12:11 PM
FACTCHECK: Almost all the headlines on Tony Blair / net-zero are *wildly* inaccurate
REALITY:
1️⃣Net-zero is *only way* to stop warming
2️⃣Blair calls for tech to "turbocharge our path to net-zero"
3️⃣He categorically *does not* say "net-zero is doomed to fail"
🧵
1/6
REALITY:
1️⃣Net-zero is *only way* to stop warming
2️⃣Blair calls for tech to "turbocharge our path to net-zero"
3️⃣He categorically *does not* say "net-zero is doomed to fail"
🧵
1/6
Reposted by Tom Lancaster
Thousands more people could die from overheating each year if Britain does not adapt to a warming world to avert
“tomorrow’s disasters”, the UK government’s climate advisers have warned.
@thecccuk.bsky.social says no sign Labour are taking climate adaptation more seriously than Tories
“tomorrow’s disasters”, the UK government’s climate advisers have warned.
@thecccuk.bsky.social says no sign Labour are taking climate adaptation more seriously than Tories
April 30, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Thousands more people could die from overheating each year if Britain does not adapt to a warming world to avert
“tomorrow’s disasters”, the UK government’s climate advisers have warned.
@thecccuk.bsky.social says no sign Labour are taking climate adaptation more seriously than Tories
“tomorrow’s disasters”, the UK government’s climate advisers have warned.
@thecccuk.bsky.social says no sign Labour are taking climate adaptation more seriously than Tories
Reposted by Tom Lancaster
NEW: Who are the voters Labour risks losing to Reform?
How might Lab unite them with the rest of its election winning coalition? How might Reform win them over?
Some big new research out today with @persuasionuk.bsky.social as featured by @greenmirandahere.bsky.social in today's FT 🧵👇
How might Lab unite them with the rest of its election winning coalition? How might Reform win them over?
Some big new research out today with @persuasionuk.bsky.social as featured by @greenmirandahere.bsky.social in today's FT 🧵👇
Getting to know 'Reform curious Labour voters'
exploring the attitudes, demography and values of Reform curious Labour voters and the coalitional dilemmas they lose
persuasionuk.org
April 28, 2025 at 7:22 AM
NEW: Who are the voters Labour risks losing to Reform?
How might Lab unite them with the rest of its election winning coalition? How might Reform win them over?
Some big new research out today with @persuasionuk.bsky.social as featured by @greenmirandahere.bsky.social in today's FT 🧵👇
How might Lab unite them with the rest of its election winning coalition? How might Reform win them over?
Some big new research out today with @persuasionuk.bsky.social as featured by @greenmirandahere.bsky.social in today's FT 🧵👇
Reposted by Tom Lancaster
A considerable amount of the Northern hemisphere's landmass has already warmed more than 2C since the industrial era. The cold blob in the North Atlantic is a telltale sign of a weakening AMOC current.
Visual by @edhawkins.org
Visual by @edhawkins.org
April 18, 2025 at 10:33 PM
A considerable amount of the Northern hemisphere's landmass has already warmed more than 2C since the industrial era. The cold blob in the North Atlantic is a telltale sign of a weakening AMOC current.
Visual by @edhawkins.org
Visual by @edhawkins.org
Great thread this
If I was Prime Minister for the day and wanted people to feel a material improvement to their day-to-day, I’d throw what money I had at local government
And not just at pot holes, but at stuff like the services that get drinkers and addicts off the streets
If I was Prime Minister for the day and wanted people to feel a material improvement to their day-to-day, I’d throw what money I had at local government
And not just at pot holes, but at stuff like the services that get drinkers and addicts off the streets
Agree people don’t know what councils do etc. But I also think the public is reasonable enough to question why the local area looks dirty/declining etc while council tax bills have gone up and up and up and up and up. Politically it’s therefore currently ripe for undeliverable promises
April 17, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Great thread this
If I was Prime Minister for the day and wanted people to feel a material improvement to their day-to-day, I’d throw what money I had at local government
And not just at pot holes, but at stuff like the services that get drinkers and addicts off the streets
If I was Prime Minister for the day and wanted people to feel a material improvement to their day-to-day, I’d throw what money I had at local government
And not just at pot holes, but at stuff like the services that get drinkers and addicts off the streets
Reposted by Tom Lancaster
ICYM
Solar panel push still won’t cover as much land as golf courses, even if the UK government's 2030 solar power goals are met
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Solar panel push still won’t cover as much land as golf courses, even if the UK government's 2030 solar power goals are met
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Solar panel push still won’t cover as much land as golf courses
A study shows that Ed Miliband’s 2030 green energy targets are set to require up to 0.4 per cent of the UK, compared with 0.06 per cent today
www.thetimes.com
April 15, 2025 at 9:17 AM
ICYM
Solar panel push still won’t cover as much land as golf courses, even if the UK government's 2030 solar power goals are met
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Solar panel push still won’t cover as much land as golf courses, even if the UK government's 2030 solar power goals are met
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Reposted by Tom Lancaster
This is an, ahem, interesting piece from Jawad Iqbal in today's Times: "Miliband has in the past boasted about the previous Labour government’s decision to phase out coal power… Miliband claimed other countries would follow “our example”. Really? It seems highly unlikely."
Here’s why he's wrong 🧵
Here’s why he's wrong 🧵
April 14, 2025 at 4:40 PM
This is an, ahem, interesting piece from Jawad Iqbal in today's Times: "Miliband has in the past boasted about the previous Labour government’s decision to phase out coal power… Miliband claimed other countries would follow “our example”. Really? It seems highly unlikely."
Here’s why he's wrong 🧵
Here’s why he's wrong 🧵
Reposted by Tom Lancaster
Very important point. It's not green energy that is making UK electricity expensive: it's mostly gas
3) "What you call green energy [is] driving those prices up, and making it unsustainable to produce steel"
This is a statement from Nick, and it is wrong.
UK Steel: "The main driver of the price disparity is...driven by the UK’s reliance on natural gas power"
www.uksteel.org/electricity-...
This is a statement from Nick, and it is wrong.
UK Steel: "The main driver of the price disparity is...driven by the UK’s reliance on natural gas power"
www.uksteel.org/electricity-...
Industrial Electricity Prices – Barrier to growth and competitiveness
New UK Steel report on industrial electricity prices demonstrates that a sizable gap remains between what UK steelmakers and their European competitors pay. The report sets out three recommendations t...
www.uksteel.org
April 14, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Very important point. It's not green energy that is making UK electricity expensive: it's mostly gas
Reposted by Tom Lancaster
I've just caught up with Nick Robinson's interview with James Murray MP on #r4today. 1) Green energy isn't driving energy prices up. As Murray said, our high energy costs are down to reliance on foreign gas. We need *more* home grown renewables! Robinson seems keen to reopen UK coalmines... 1/
April 14, 2025 at 9:58 AM
I've just caught up with Nick Robinson's interview with James Murray MP on #r4today. 1) Green energy isn't driving energy prices up. As Murray said, our high energy costs are down to reliance on foreign gas. We need *more* home grown renewables! Robinson seems keen to reopen UK coalmines... 1/
Reposted by Tom Lancaster
🚨Some major errors & misleading claims from experienced presenter Nick Robinson on BBC Radio 4 Today, when discussing British Steel with Treasury Minister James Murray
I hope these are corrected on tomorrow's programme, and Robinson sticks to the facts in future.
Here's what he got wrong... 🧵
I hope these are corrected on tomorrow's programme, and Robinson sticks to the facts in future.
Here's what he got wrong... 🧵
April 14, 2025 at 10:38 AM
🚨Some major errors & misleading claims from experienced presenter Nick Robinson on BBC Radio 4 Today, when discussing British Steel with Treasury Minister James Murray
I hope these are corrected on tomorrow's programme, and Robinson sticks to the facts in future.
Here's what he got wrong... 🧵
I hope these are corrected on tomorrow's programme, and Robinson sticks to the facts in future.
Here's what he got wrong... 🧵
Reposted by Tom Lancaster
This is really important for everyone to be aware when out & about in the British countryside. 15 years ago I rarely had ticks on me during fieldwork. Nowadays I have several every time I'm in the same woods. Ticks can & do cause life-changing health problems.
NEWS: Scientists have mapped parts of Britain at risk of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), which has become a growing health problem in Europe.
Cases are rare here but climate and land use changes could increase risk.
Read more: www.ceh.ac.uk/news-and-med...
1/ 🧪
Cases are rare here but climate and land use changes could increase risk.
Read more: www.ceh.ac.uk/news-and-med...
1/ 🧪
April 7, 2025 at 12:55 PM
This is really important for everyone to be aware when out & about in the British countryside. 15 years ago I rarely had ticks on me during fieldwork. Nowadays I have several every time I'm in the same woods. Ticks can & do cause life-changing health problems.
Reposted by Tom Lancaster
Would be sad if these went. Only been to Romania once but these haystacks across the landscape were one of the things that made the place special & different
As this story points out, they're also important habitats for fauna and flora
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
As this story points out, they're also important habitats for fauna and flora
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Big, biodiverse and beautiful: can Romania’s centuries-old giant haystacks survive modern farming?
Traditional methods benefit hundreds of species but as new agricultural techniques take over, the distinctive haystacks mark a vanishing way of life
www.theguardian.com
April 3, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Would be sad if these went. Only been to Romania once but these haystacks across the landscape were one of the things that made the place special & different
As this story points out, they're also important habitats for fauna and flora
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
As this story points out, they're also important habitats for fauna and flora
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Tom Lancaster
29 years of natural colonisation, woodland expansion. Oaks, hawthorns, blackthorns. This 2 ha of new woodland, all self-sown creates new habitat and future ancient woodland, but also buffers the existing woodland next door from drying winds and agri-spray drift. Win, win, win.
April 2, 2025 at 11:09 AM
29 years of natural colonisation, woodland expansion. Oaks, hawthorns, blackthorns. This 2 ha of new woodland, all self-sown creates new habitat and future ancient woodland, but also buffers the existing woodland next door from drying winds and agri-spray drift. Win, win, win.
Reposted by Tom Lancaster
The foods in danger of disappearing from UK supermarket shelves within 10 years
A weekly shop without coffee, chocolate or a joint of meat may seem unthinkable but consumer experts predict our changing climate could remove key products from supermarkets within a decade.
A weekly shop without coffee, chocolate or a joint of meat may seem unthinkable but consumer experts predict our changing climate could remove key products from supermarkets within a decade.
The foods in danger of disappearing from UK supermarket shelves within 10 years
EXCLUSIVE: A weekly shop without coffee, chocolate or a joint of meat may seem unthinkable but consumer experts predict our changing climate could remove key products from supermarkets within a…
buff.ly
March 26, 2025 at 2:15 PM
The foods in danger of disappearing from UK supermarket shelves within 10 years
A weekly shop without coffee, chocolate or a joint of meat may seem unthinkable but consumer experts predict our changing climate could remove key products from supermarkets within a decade.
A weekly shop without coffee, chocolate or a joint of meat may seem unthinkable but consumer experts predict our changing climate could remove key products from supermarkets within a decade.
Reposted by Tom Lancaster
What's remarkable about Nick Robinson's discussion with Rishi Sunak about net zero is not just Sunak's lack of knowledge but that Robinson doesn't ask at all about climate change: do you know anything about it? What would you do about it?
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Political Thinking with Nick Robinson - Bonus: The Rishi Sunak Lessons from Downing Street One - Part 2 - BBC Sounds
Part 2 of an exclusive interview with the former PM, reflecting on life in Downing Street
www.bbc.co.uk
March 5, 2025 at 10:04 AM
What's remarkable about Nick Robinson's discussion with Rishi Sunak about net zero is not just Sunak's lack of knowledge but that Robinson doesn't ask at all about climate change: do you know anything about it? What would you do about it?
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Tom Lancaster
But I thought nobody wants heat pumps? And they dOn'T wOrK iN tHe CoLd?
Looks like misinfo isn't slowing growth in UK heat pumps
Good, bc we can't have energy security with the status quo (gas boilers)
& we can't have national security without energy security
Heat pumps = national security
Looks like misinfo isn't slowing growth in UK heat pumps
Good, bc we can't have energy security with the status quo (gas boilers)
& we can't have national security without energy security
Heat pumps = national security
THE FASTEST GROWING HEAT PUMP MARKET IN THE WORLD:
The UK heat pump market grew by 63% in 2024.
As far as I know it is currently the fastest growing heat pump market in the world.
The UK heat pump market grew by 63% in 2024.
As far as I know it is currently the fastest growing heat pump market in the world.
March 4, 2025 at 11:08 AM
But I thought nobody wants heat pumps? And they dOn'T wOrK iN tHe CoLd?
Looks like misinfo isn't slowing growth in UK heat pumps
Good, bc we can't have energy security with the status quo (gas boilers)
& we can't have national security without energy security
Heat pumps = national security
Looks like misinfo isn't slowing growth in UK heat pumps
Good, bc we can't have energy security with the status quo (gas boilers)
& we can't have national security without energy security
Heat pumps = national security
Reposted by Tom Lancaster
I briefly interrupt your feed of constant US-based doom and/or gloom to remind you that in other countries, there's some pretty cool stuff happening on the food / agriculture / nature / climate policy front at the national level, and that Denmark recently took a step that could inspire others.
Denmark’s Groundbreaking Agriculture Climate Policy Sets Strong Example for the World
Denmark’s Green Tripartite Agreement imposes taxes on livestock, restores forests and peatlands, and pays farmers to reduce pollution.
www.wri.org
March 4, 2025 at 12:37 AM
I briefly interrupt your feed of constant US-based doom and/or gloom to remind you that in other countries, there's some pretty cool stuff happening on the food / agriculture / nature / climate policy front at the national level, and that Denmark recently took a step that could inspire others.
Reposted by Tom Lancaster
Denmark is one of the world's largest meat producers, but they are also innovative leaders in decarbonizing food and farming.
Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl of the Vegetarian Society of Denmark tells @alexisconran.bsky.social how their approach is ‘more carrot, less stick’.
Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl of the Vegetarian Society of Denmark tells @alexisconran.bsky.social how their approach is ‘more carrot, less stick’.
March 3, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Denmark is one of the world's largest meat producers, but they are also innovative leaders in decarbonizing food and farming.
Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl of the Vegetarian Society of Denmark tells @alexisconran.bsky.social how their approach is ‘more carrot, less stick’.
Rune-Christoffer Dragsdahl of the Vegetarian Society of Denmark tells @alexisconran.bsky.social how their approach is ‘more carrot, less stick’.