J L Laynesmith

A map of the world showing how levels of worry in most countries are greater than 70%. Source: Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, International Public Opinion on Climate Change, 2023.

Two of the most common climate misconceptions I see, even among knowledgeable folks, are that (1) most people aren't worried about climate change, and (2) if they were, they'd act.

Not true! Data show (1) most people are worried, but (2) they won’t act if they don’t know what to do-and most don’t.

MPs and public underestimate urgency of climate action, new UEA study reveals Fewer than 15% of UK MPs knew emissions must peak by 2025, raising questions about climate communication

How can MPs act with urgency on climate if they don’t even know the deadline has already arrived?

New UEA study finds public and politicians dangerously misinformed.

A glorious October day in my favourite city.

There's still time to register for our 7 Oct webinar (12.30pm) on greening our finances. We'll be joined by Eco Church & JustMoney Movement as we explore practical steps churches can take, such as choosing a greener bank account, investing in climate solutions & more. us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

And before that Toby Capwell and Dominic Smee shared stories of the making of the documentary on the likely impact of Richard III's scoliosis on his use of armour and ability to fight on horseback.

Caroline Wilkinson gave a fascinating talk on digital immortality (faces here include John Whetamstede and St Nicholas)

Lovely to learn this connection between a woman I have long admired (loyal Katherine) and one of my favourite houses.

Please help combat BBC news blackout of Green Party!
@zackpolanski.bsky.social was the only party leader not interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg during their party conference.
So please RT his cracking conference speech..

Natasha Hodgson @nrhodgson-hist.bsky.social also talked more about the findings of the @endsexisminschools.bsky.social report in the following Tes article.

Some good news.

London is meeting legal limits for toxic NO2 pollution for the first time – almost 200 years earlier than predicted – following the Mayor’s "world leading air pollution policies," City Hall announces.

The Ultra Low Emissions Zone - and similar policies - really do work.

Tories pledge to scrap landmark climate legislation Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch says her party would axe legally binding targets to cut emissions.

Climate change is already damaging the nature, beauty and heritage we care for. Without deep and sustained cuts to emissions, nature faces an even more perilous future and the places people love will continue to suffer.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

RIP the wonderful Primatologist Jane Goodall.

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

A beautiful person.

Happy Petrov Day to those who celebrate. On September 26, 1983, Stanislav Petrov made the correct decision to not trust a computer.

I've attached a short clip from a reenactment of the situation in the documentary The Man Who Saved the World.

1/11

An interesting post to read in conjunction with the article on medicinal plants in late medieval gardens that appeared in The Ricardian (just arriving with @richardiiisociety.bsky.social members).

Late Medieval Seminar

The @ihr.bsky.social Late Medieval Seminar series for autumn 2025 is now published. Themes from ladies in waiting to the custom house, and a roundtable on editing sources. All seminars are hybrid (or fully online), also, I'm now one of the convenors! www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...

Two very important graphs.
Net migration reached record levels in 2023 - and has since halved.
The vast majority of arrivals comprises students and workers.
Arrivals in small boats and asylum seekers - less than 5%.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Just under a week left to submit a proposal for our sessions at @imc-leeds.bsky.social next year and to apply for a bursary! #Skystorians #MedievalSky

The Matlaske reliquary pendant. This is the sort of ‘device’ Margaret Paston may have worn and it was found around 3km from her first marital home in Gresham. Now on display in the Gallery of Medieval Life in the Norwich Cathedral Museum. I saw it properly for the first time yesterday.

There's a great article about this project in the 2024 issue of The Ricardian (currently still on sale at the Richard III Society's website www.richardiii.net).

The Ricardian 2022, 2023 & 2024 - Special Offer - Richard III Society Bundle of 3 issues of the Society's annual journal - The Ricardian The Ricardian 2022 A Forgotten Candidate for the Hand of Margaret of York: Pedro the Constable, King of Aragon. Scenes from the life ...

We have a special sale on right now! You can purchase the last three issues of the Ricardian for only £30.00. (Members get them even cheaper!) There are detailed descriptions of the articles & book reviews on the sale page.

richardiii.net/shop/books/t...

"Net zero is not just feasible but also economically sensible" and people want it - please @labouruk.bsky.social

House of Lords move to make bird-safe glass mandatory in new buildings All new buildings in England could be required to use bird-safe glass and other wildlife-friendly features, under amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill proposed in the House of Lords. The cross-party push follows criticism of the government's plans by its own Animal Sentience Committee, which warned of risks to millions of birds, hedgehogs, rabbits and other wild animals. Campaigners say the measures are low-cost, practical and could save countless lives.

All new buildings in England could soon be required to incorporate bird-safe glass and other wildlife-friendly features, after peers in the House of Lords tabled a series of amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill:

Solar panels permitted on Woodstock Church Chancellor rules that they would be barely visible from Blenheim

Solar panels are to be installed on the roof of St Mary Magdalene’s, Woodstock, a Grade II* listed church, after a faculty was granted by the Consistory Court of the diocese of Oxford.

Logo of the Yorkist History Trust - a book with the words 'quam meritorium sit libros novos scribere et veteres renovare' across the pages in front of a white rose.

Call for Papers on The Long Fifteenth Century at Leeds IMC, 6-9 July 2026
Sponsored by the Yorkist History Trust

£300 bursaries for scholars without institutional funding (at any stage of their career). Application deadline 18 September 2025. For more details, email
j.l.laynesmith@reading.ac.uk

Yesterday in Parliament, I raised the case of my former @financialtimes.com colleague who is stuck in Gaza and is starving. Too many journalists have been killed in targeted attacks by the Israeli military. (1/2)

My question 👇

Carla Denyer MP has pledged to make Thames Water public. "I pledge that if and when Thames Water comes into Special Administration, I will back permanent public ownership. I will say no to re-privatisation". Thames Water and We Own It logos.

🙄Rachel Reeves wants a 'market-based solution' for Thames Water. How's that worked out for us so far?!
The ONLY solution is for govt to take it into PERMANENT public ownership. Its great to have @carladenyer.bsky.social‬ on side!
Get your MP to take the pledge. Email them today👇
vist.ly/45ce6

Proposals are sought for 20-minute papers on new research on the period 1399-1525. Topics within the IMC 2026 theme of ‘Temporalities’ are encouraged, but any subject within the relevant time frame is welcome. Bursaries of £300 are available for scholars without institutional funding (at any stage of their career). Please note the IMC’s proposal criteria at www.imc.leeds.ac.uk/proposals/criteria. Please send a 150-200 word abstract and short biography to Dr Joanna Laynesmith at j.l.laynesmith@reading.ac.uk by 18th September 2025 stating whether you wish to apply for a bursary or just to propose a paper.

We're seeking proposals for papers on the long fifteenth century for Trust-sponsored panels at next year's @imc-leeds.bsky.social, as well as offering bursaries of £300 for speakers! Please see here for more info: yorkisthistorytrust.org/2025/09/02/y... @jllaynesmith.bsky.social #MedievalSky

Logo of the Yorkist History Trust - a book with the words 'quam meritorium sit libros novos scribere et veteres renovare' across the pages in front of a white rose.

Call for Papers on The Long Fifteenth Century at Leeds IMC, 6-9 July 2026
Sponsored by the Yorkist History Trust

£300 bursaries for scholars without institutional funding (at any stage of their career). Application deadline 18 September 2025. For more details, email
j.l.laynesmith@reading.ac.uk

An open letter to Nigel Farage - Bishop Steven's Blog Bishop Steven writes an open letter in response to Nigel Farage MP's immigration policy which was launched in Oxford this week.

blogs.oxford.anglican.org/an-open-lett... Excellent letter from Bishop Stephen, including a reminder that anyone who wants to reduce migration needs to be cutting the fossil fuel use that's driving climate change since extreme weather is forcing so many to leave their homes.

The entire gardening industry is looking at Labour wondering when they will act - the legislation is agreed and waiting to be signed off! Over a year of inaction. Democracy shouldn’t be this hard.