Dr Verner Viisainen
@vernerviisas.bsky.social
Impact Research @sciencebasedtargets.org
ex-@carbonbrief.org
ex-Green Alliance
PhD in Engineering
he/him
Personal account. Views expressed are my own and not those of my employer
ex-@carbonbrief.org
ex-Green Alliance
PhD in Engineering
he/him
Personal account. Views expressed are my own and not those of my employer
Reposted by Dr Verner Viisainen
Great work here from @carbonbrief.org , debunking common myths about solar power.
The reason that solar power makes so much sense is fundamental physics - it takes energy in its most useful form, as soon as it arrives on Earth, before it's "taxed" in entropy. Making use of it is a slam-dunk win.
The reason that solar power makes so much sense is fundamental physics - it takes energy in its most useful form, as soon as it arrives on Earth, before it's "taxed" in entropy. Making use of it is a slam-dunk win.
Factcheck: 16 misleading myths about solar
Carbon Brief factchecks 16 of the most common myths about solar power
interactive.carbonbrief.org
August 29, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Great work here from @carbonbrief.org , debunking common myths about solar power.
The reason that solar power makes so much sense is fundamental physics - it takes energy in its most useful form, as soon as it arrives on Earth, before it's "taxed" in entropy. Making use of it is a slam-dunk win.
The reason that solar power makes so much sense is fundamental physics - it takes energy in its most useful form, as soon as it arrives on Earth, before it's "taxed" in entropy. Making use of it is a slam-dunk win.
Very glad to have this piece with @joshgabbatiss.bsky.social published - even several months after me leaving Carbon Brief!
This article was more than a year in the making, and very timely now given the ongoing heatwaves.
Read more below ⬇️
This article was more than a year in the making, and very timely now given the ongoing heatwaves.
Read more below ⬇️
NEW ANALYSIS - English neighbourhoods that are home to the most minority-ethnic people are 15 times more likely to face extreme heat than the least diverse areas.
Heatwaves are getting more severe – but the effects of rising temperatures are not being felt equally...
➡️ buff.ly/boWI6M1
Heatwaves are getting more severe – but the effects of rising temperatures are not being felt equally...
➡️ buff.ly/boWI6M1
August 13, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Very glad to have this piece with @joshgabbatiss.bsky.social published - even several months after me leaving Carbon Brief!
This article was more than a year in the making, and very timely now given the ongoing heatwaves.
Read more below ⬇️
This article was more than a year in the making, and very timely now given the ongoing heatwaves.
Read more below ⬇️
Reposted by Dr Verner Viisainen
"climate realism" reading a lot like "sacrificing the global south and just shooting for 3 C"
www.cfr.org/article/our-...
www.cfr.org/article/our-...
Our Approach to Climate Policy Has Failed. It’s Time for Climate Realism
U.S. policymakers need a new strategy to confront the risks of climate change, compete in the global energy transition, and stay the course regardless of which political party is in power. A doctrine…
www.cfr.org
April 7, 2025 at 4:37 PM
"climate realism" reading a lot like "sacrificing the global south and just shooting for 3 C"
www.cfr.org/article/our-...
www.cfr.org/article/our-...
🚨Personal News:
As of today, I have started as the Impact Research and Evidence Manager at SBTi.
I will be working at the intersection of research, comms and strategy, evaluating SBTi’s impact on reducing emissions.
Thanks to everyone at @carbonbrief.org for making my time there so memorable!
As of today, I have started as the Impact Research and Evidence Manager at SBTi.
I will be working at the intersection of research, comms and strategy, evaluating SBTi’s impact on reducing emissions.
Thanks to everyone at @carbonbrief.org for making my time there so memorable!
April 1, 2025 at 4:40 PM
🚨Personal News:
As of today, I have started as the Impact Research and Evidence Manager at SBTi.
I will be working at the intersection of research, comms and strategy, evaluating SBTi’s impact on reducing emissions.
Thanks to everyone at @carbonbrief.org for making my time there so memorable!
As of today, I have started as the Impact Research and Evidence Manager at SBTi.
I will be working at the intersection of research, comms and strategy, evaluating SBTi’s impact on reducing emissions.
Thanks to everyone at @carbonbrief.org for making my time there so memorable!
Another year, another (territorial) emissions drop for the UK
See our analysis below ⬇️
See our analysis below ⬇️
📢ANALYSIS: UK emissions fell 3.6% in 2024 to lowest since 1872
🏭Coal lowest since 1666, when Great Fire ravaged London
🚗EVs pushed oil down despite more traffic, saving £1.7bn
🌇Gas down on "cleanest ever" power
📈📉Since 1990, CO2 -54% / GDP +84%
www.carbonbrief.org/...
1/9
🏭Coal lowest since 1666, when Great Fire ravaged London
🚗EVs pushed oil down despite more traffic, saving £1.7bn
🌇Gas down on "cleanest ever" power
📈📉Since 1990, CO2 -54% / GDP +84%
www.carbonbrief.org/...
1/9
March 12, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Another year, another (territorial) emissions drop for the UK
See our analysis below ⬇️
See our analysis below ⬇️
Reposted by Dr Verner Viisainen
Trump's aid cuts are bad news for international climate finance.
I looked through the available data to work out how bad...
Around 8% of the climate finance pledged to developing countries by rich countries last year came from the US.
Those funds are now under threat.
➡️ buff.ly/BuxwfSL
I looked through the available data to work out how bad...
Around 8% of the climate finance pledged to developing countries by rich countries last year came from the US.
Those funds are now under threat.
➡️ buff.ly/BuxwfSL
March 10, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Trump's aid cuts are bad news for international climate finance.
I looked through the available data to work out how bad...
Around 8% of the climate finance pledged to developing countries by rich countries last year came from the US.
Those funds are now under threat.
➡️ buff.ly/BuxwfSL
I looked through the available data to work out how bad...
Around 8% of the climate finance pledged to developing countries by rich countries last year came from the US.
Those funds are now under threat.
➡️ buff.ly/BuxwfSL
I enjoyed writing this week's #DeBriefed newsletter for @carbonbrief.org!
As part of this, I wrote a piece that takes you behind the scenes of how @joshgabbatiss.bsky.social and I went about doing our recent analysis on UK airport expansion.
Find the full newsletter below. ⬇️
As part of this, I wrote a piece that takes you behind the scenes of how @joshgabbatiss.bsky.social and I went about doing our recent analysis on UK airport expansion.
Find the full newsletter below. ⬇️
What’s happened this week in climate change
DeBriefed | Nearly 95% of countries miss UN climate deadline; 1.5C on horizon; Behind-the-scenes of CB analysis
✍️ Written by @vernerviisas.carbonbrief.org
📝 Edited by @daisydunne.carbonbrief.org
Read here ➡️ buff.ly/4hCvOXc
DeBriefed | Nearly 95% of countries miss UN climate deadline; 1.5C on horizon; Behind-the-scenes of CB analysis
✍️ Written by @vernerviisas.carbonbrief.org
📝 Edited by @daisydunne.carbonbrief.org
Read here ➡️ buff.ly/4hCvOXc
February 14, 2025 at 2:36 PM
I enjoyed writing this week's #DeBriefed newsletter for @carbonbrief.org!
As part of this, I wrote a piece that takes you behind the scenes of how @joshgabbatiss.bsky.social and I went about doing our recent analysis on UK airport expansion.
Find the full newsletter below. ⬇️
As part of this, I wrote a piece that takes you behind the scenes of how @joshgabbatiss.bsky.social and I went about doing our recent analysis on UK airport expansion.
Find the full newsletter below. ⬇️
Reposted by Dr Verner Viisainen
In the past two years, floods ruined soybeans growing in Brazil, a hurricane destroyed millions of $$ worth of crops in Jamaica and drought hit Sri Lankan rice
This new interactive map gives a snapshot of how extreme weather is damaging crops, feat. 100 news stories from 2023-24
buff.ly/42Rqf2D
This new interactive map gives a snapshot of how extreme weather is damaging crops, feat. 100 news stories from 2023-24
buff.ly/42Rqf2D
February 14, 2025 at 9:27 AM
In the past two years, floods ruined soybeans growing in Brazil, a hurricane destroyed millions of $$ worth of crops in Jamaica and drought hit Sri Lankan rice
This new interactive map gives a snapshot of how extreme weather is damaging crops, feat. 100 news stories from 2023-24
buff.ly/42Rqf2D
This new interactive map gives a snapshot of how extreme weather is damaging crops, feat. 100 news stories from 2023-24
buff.ly/42Rqf2D
Reposted by Dr Verner Viisainen
NEW: Just 10/195 countries signed up to the Paris Agreement met the UN’s 10 Feb deadline to submit their 2035 climate pledges
UN climate chief Simon Stiell said latecomers must submit by September
UN climate chief Simon Stiell said latecomers must submit by September
NEW – Analysis: 95% of countries miss UN deadline to submit 2035 climate pledges | @daisydunne.carbonbrief.org
Read here: https://buff.ly/4gz4NCG
Read here: https://buff.ly/4gz4NCG
February 10, 2025 at 8:48 AM
NEW: Just 10/195 countries signed up to the Paris Agreement met the UN’s 10 Feb deadline to submit their 2035 climate pledges
UN climate chief Simon Stiell said latecomers must submit by September
UN climate chief Simon Stiell said latecomers must submit by September
Reposted by Dr Verner Viisainen
In light of the Guardian's front page today, just reupping my story from August reporting that Labour could approve up to *13* new oil and gas projects like Rosebank
These are projects that have a license but still need to obtain development consent from gov
www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-uk-...
These are projects that have a license but still need to obtain development consent from gov
www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-uk-...
Analysis: UK could approve 13 new oil and gas projects despite North Sea pledge - Carbon Brief
The UK government could approve 13 new oil and gas projects in the North Sea, with the fuel produced emitting 350m tonnes of CO2 equivalent (MtCO2e)
www.carbonbrief.org
February 4, 2025 at 9:50 AM
In light of the Guardian's front page today, just reupping my story from August reporting that Labour could approve up to *13* new oil and gas projects like Rosebank
These are projects that have a license but still need to obtain development consent from gov
www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-uk-...
These are projects that have a license but still need to obtain development consent from gov
www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-uk-...
Reposted by Dr Verner Viisainen
New runways at London airports would result in cumulative emissions of around 92m tonnes of extra CO2e by 2050, if the number of flights increases in line with their operating company targets.
Carbon Brief’s analysis covered by Anushka Asthana on @itvpeston.bsky.social
➡️ buff.ly/3WJ9Ut1
Carbon Brief’s analysis covered by Anushka Asthana on @itvpeston.bsky.social
➡️ buff.ly/3WJ9Ut1
January 30, 2025 at 5:10 PM
New runways at London airports would result in cumulative emissions of around 92m tonnes of extra CO2e by 2050, if the number of flights increases in line with their operating company targets.
Carbon Brief’s analysis covered by Anushka Asthana on @itvpeston.bsky.social
➡️ buff.ly/3WJ9Ut1
Carbon Brief’s analysis covered by Anushka Asthana on @itvpeston.bsky.social
➡️ buff.ly/3WJ9Ut1
Reposted by Dr Verner Viisainen
Overtaking what looks like a Formula 1 car is really making the point
January 28, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Overtaking what looks like a Formula 1 car is really making the point
Our new analysis on UK airport expansion!
Note: the comparison to forests is very much a hypothetical comparison that is meant to highlight the scale of these expansions.
We cannot just tree plant our way out of any potential expansion of fossil fuel use (although more trees is always nice!).
Note: the comparison to forests is very much a hypothetical comparison that is meant to highlight the scale of these expansions.
We cannot just tree plant our way out of any potential expansion of fossil fuel use (although more trees is always nice!).
NEW – Analysis: UK would need forest ‘twice size of London’ to offset new airport expansion | @joshgabbatiss.bsky.social @vernerviisas.carbonbrief.org
Read here ➡️ https://buff.ly/4hsYYrt
Read here ➡️ https://buff.ly/4hsYYrt
buff.ly
January 28, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Our new analysis on UK airport expansion!
Note: the comparison to forests is very much a hypothetical comparison that is meant to highlight the scale of these expansions.
We cannot just tree plant our way out of any potential expansion of fossil fuel use (although more trees is always nice!).
Note: the comparison to forests is very much a hypothetical comparison that is meant to highlight the scale of these expansions.
We cannot just tree plant our way out of any potential expansion of fossil fuel use (although more trees is always nice!).
Reposted by Dr Verner Viisainen
NEW ANALYSIS - With the UK government poised to back the expansion of Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton, we crunched the numbers on the climate impact of these plans.
The UK would need to plant a new forest 2X the size of London to offset the emissions from all the extra flights 🌳✈️
➡️ buff.ly/4hsYYrt
The UK would need to plant a new forest 2X the size of London to offset the emissions from all the extra flights 🌳✈️
➡️ buff.ly/4hsYYrt
January 27, 2025 at 7:00 PM
NEW ANALYSIS - With the UK government poised to back the expansion of Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton, we crunched the numbers on the climate impact of these plans.
The UK would need to plant a new forest 2X the size of London to offset the emissions from all the extra flights 🌳✈️
➡️ buff.ly/4hsYYrt
The UK would need to plant a new forest 2X the size of London to offset the emissions from all the extra flights 🌳✈️
➡️ buff.ly/4hsYYrt
Reposted by Dr Verner Viisainen
This one sounds like a cool job!
New #vacancy 🚨
➡️ Do you know how to find, process and analyse data?
➡️ Can you spot opportunities to use data to inform topical talking points?
➡️ Do you want to contribute to accurate reporting of climate change and energy?
Apply for the data analyst position here ⬇️
➡️ Do you know how to find, process and analyse data?
➡️ Can you spot opportunities to use data to inform topical talking points?
➡️ Do you want to contribute to accurate reporting of climate change and energy?
Apply for the data analyst position here ⬇️
Vacancy: Data analyst - Carbon Brief
Carbon Brief is seeking a skilled data analyst to support our award-winning journalism. You’ll help...
buff.ly
January 21, 2025 at 9:39 PM
This one sounds like a cool job!
Reposted by Dr Verner Viisainen
Solar and wind growth in the EU has pushed fossil fuel power to a 40-year low in 2024, with solar alone overtaking coal generation for the first time, according to our analysis of new figures from energy analysts @ember-energy.org
NEW – EU’s solar and wind growth pushes fossil-fuel power to lowest level in 40 years | @mollylempriere.carbonbrief.org
Read here: https://buff.ly/4hfcKhk
Read here: https://buff.ly/4hfcKhk
January 23, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Solar and wind growth in the EU has pushed fossil fuel power to a 40-year low in 2024, with solar alone overtaking coal generation for the first time, according to our analysis of new figures from energy analysts @ember-energy.org
Reposted by Dr Verner Viisainen
Now you see why @carbonbrief.org estimated that a Trump presidency would add an extra four billion tonnes of CO₂ₑ to the atmosphere by 2030.
January 21, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Now you see why @carbonbrief.org estimated that a Trump presidency would add an extra four billion tonnes of CO₂ₑ to the atmosphere by 2030.
Reposted by Dr Verner Viisainen
I assume most people know this, but seems important to point out basic truths at this moment in time. There is no energy emergency in the U.S. The U.S. is the world's top producer of oil and gas at the moment, and the top exporter of gas, and U.S. oil and gas producers are making record profits.
January 21, 2025 at 2:22 AM
I assume most people know this, but seems important to point out basic truths at this moment in time. There is no energy emergency in the U.S. The U.S. is the world's top producer of oil and gas at the moment, and the top exporter of gas, and U.S. oil and gas producers are making record profits.
Apply apply apply!
Feel free to reach out if you have any related questions!
Feel free to reach out if you have any related questions!
New #vacancy 🚨
➡️ Do you know how to find, process and analyse data?
➡️ Can you spot opportunities to use data to inform topical talking points?
➡️ Do you want to contribute to accurate reporting of climate change and energy?
Apply for the data analyst position here ⬇️
➡️ Do you know how to find, process and analyse data?
➡️ Can you spot opportunities to use data to inform topical talking points?
➡️ Do you want to contribute to accurate reporting of climate change and energy?
Apply for the data analyst position here ⬇️
Vacancy: Data analyst - Carbon Brief
Carbon Brief is seeking a skilled data analyst to support our award-winning journalism. You’ll help...
buff.ly
January 16, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Apply apply apply!
Feel free to reach out if you have any related questions!
Feel free to reach out if you have any related questions!
Brilliant documentary - would also recommend everyone to watch this.
It's only 25 minutes long and will likely leave a much longer impression on you.
Fardowsa is such an inspiration!
It's only 25 minutes long and will likely leave a much longer impression on you.
Fardowsa is such an inspiration!
Really recommend watching this brilliant, moving documentary made with @ejfoundation.bsky.social Everyone should see it to understand the impact of climate migration today. Then imagine the world in 20 years… #NomadCentury
vimeo.com/840897591/14...
vimeo.com/840897591/14...
Radio Dadaab
This is "Radio Dadaab" by Environmental Justice Foundation on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.
vimeo.com
January 16, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Brilliant documentary - would also recommend everyone to watch this.
It's only 25 minutes long and will likely leave a much longer impression on you.
Fardowsa is such an inspiration!
It's only 25 minutes long and will likely leave a much longer impression on you.
Fardowsa is such an inspiration!
Reposted by Dr Verner Viisainen
A few years ago, my friend, outspoken climate scientist Peter Kalmus @climatehuman.bsky.social, moved his family out of LA because he could extrapolate from the data. This week the house where he raised his kids burned down.
His words for us all (gift link):
🧪
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/10/o...
His words for us all (gift link):
🧪
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/10/o...
Opinion | As a Climate Scientist, I Knew It Was Time to Leave Los Angeles (Gift Article)
After the Bobcat Fire, L.A. no longer felt safe.
www.nytimes.com
January 10, 2025 at 3:08 PM
A few years ago, my friend, outspoken climate scientist Peter Kalmus @climatehuman.bsky.social, moved his family out of LA because he could extrapolate from the data. This week the house where he raised his kids burned down.
His words for us all (gift link):
🧪
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/10/o...
His words for us all (gift link):
🧪
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/10/o...
Reposted by Dr Verner Viisainen
Britain’s electricity supplies were the cleanest in history last year as fossil-fuel power generation sank to its lowest since 1955, the year Rock Around the Clock topped the charts
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
January 2, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Britain’s electricity supplies were the cleanest in history last year as fossil-fuel power generation sank to its lowest since 1955, the year Rock Around the Clock topped the charts
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Reposted by Dr Verner Viisainen
+++NEW ANALYSIS+++
UK electricity was the cleanest ever in 2024, with emissions per unit falling by more than two-thirds in a decade
Highlights:
🏭end of coal power after 142yrs
🔥fossil fuels at record-low 29% share
🌄renewables at record-high 45%
www.carbonbrief.org/...
1/9
UK electricity was the cleanest ever in 2024, with emissions per unit falling by more than two-thirds in a decade
Highlights:
🏭end of coal power after 142yrs
🔥fossil fuels at record-low 29% share
🌄renewables at record-high 45%
www.carbonbrief.org/...
1/9
January 2, 2025 at 9:00 AM
+++NEW ANALYSIS+++
UK electricity was the cleanest ever in 2024, with emissions per unit falling by more than two-thirds in a decade
Highlights:
🏭end of coal power after 142yrs
🔥fossil fuels at record-low 29% share
🌄renewables at record-high 45%
www.carbonbrief.org/...
1/9
UK electricity was the cleanest ever in 2024, with emissions per unit falling by more than two-thirds in a decade
Highlights:
🏭end of coal power after 142yrs
🔥fossil fuels at record-low 29% share
🌄renewables at record-high 45%
www.carbonbrief.org/...
1/9