Charlotte Underwood

Instead of trying to green cars so much why don't we just invest in trains. city trains. under ground trains. above ground trains. trains between cities. trains between countries. TRAINS

THE PEOPLE CRAVE TRAINS

Two large trees on either side of a walking path.

Bright orange, ruffled fungus about the size of a hand.

Found the sequoias in the New Forest, along with this bizarre but beautiful fungus!

I became a member of the Green Party a few days ago because they're the ONLY party talking about how wealth inequality is what's ruining the UK, instead of scapegoating immigrants. Tax wealth, not work.

I was one of those!

Everyone goes on about Friday the 13th. Well I'm here for Monday the 13th. The scariest number paired with the scariest day. Get spooked!

Block of text reading: "Spiders and the electric light: Some disadvantage or evil appears to be attendant upon every invention, and the electric light is not an exception in this respect. In this city they have been placed in positions with a view of illuminating the buildings, notably the treasury, and a fine and striking effect is produced. At the same time, a species of spider has discovered that game is plentiful in their vicinity, and that he can ply his craft both day and night. In consequence, their webs are so thick and numerous that portions of the architectural ornamentation are no longer visible, and when torn down by the wind, or when they fall from decay, the refuse gives a dingy and dirty appearance to every thing it comes in contact with. Not only this, but these adventurers take possession of the portion of the ceiling of any room which receives the illumination. It would be of interest to know whether this spider is confined to a certain latitude, and at what seasons of the year our temperature we can indulge in our illumination."

One of the earliest articles on the impacts of anthropogenic light on animal behaviour from Science in 1887. I wish I could write my articles with such whimsy.

NEW: GLOBAL RENEWABLES OVERTAKES COAL

How the heck did that happen so quickly?!...🧵

Indian Railways to achieve net zero targets in 2025 itself - 5 years ahead of 2030 goal - Times of India India Business News: Indian Railways is set to achieve net-zero targets by year-end, surpassing its 2030 goal through extensive electrification. Aiming for 95% electric tr

Not nearly enough is made of the incredibly impressive feat Indian Railways has made to electrify almost 100% of its 135,000km of track, while also growing renewable sourcing. Huge:

timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/ind...

one of the most important technological revolutions in modern history and you're likely not hearing anything about it because it's making the oligarchs who control our information environment poorer instead of richer

On one hand, reducing car use reduces urban pollution.
But on the other, everyone likes it and cities become more livable

Constantly amazed at how hard it is to find a decent podcast app*

*that doesn't also bombard me with unskippable ads

My least popular (and most correct) view is that cars should be automatically limited to the local speed limit. Put the pedal to the floor and you still can't go over 25mph in a residential area.

(15 in Manhattan btw)

Behavioural rhythms of two amphipod species Marinogammarus marinus and Gammarus pulex under increasing levels of light at night Artificial light at night (ALAN) is proliferating at an alarming rate across the globe, particularly around aquatic habitats. Natural and predictable light cycles dictate much of an individual organis...

The first paper from my PhD is finally out in PLOS! We examined how the circadian rhythms and activity levels of two different species of amphipods responded to varying levels of light pollution. Check it out here: dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...

There are many real inequities that keep kids, especially girls, out of sports, and yet strangely we never hear the Save Women's Sports crowd talking about those. They're not running youth clinics, or gathering equipment donations, or doing anything to address really obvious barriers. Weird, huh?

Partial spine of an unidentified cetacean with some seaweed on it.

Large crab claw in a hand

Today's beach finds!

Separated Bike Lanes Means Safer Streets, Study Says — Streetsblog USA Cities that build protected lanes for cyclists end up with safer roads for people on bikes and people in cars and on foot, a new study of 12 large metropolises revealed Wednesday.

Never forget, a 13-year study found that protected bike-lanes led to a drastic decline in fatalities for all road users.

ALL ROAD USERS.

And painted bike-lanes? No safety improvement at all.

For sharrows, it’s actually safer to NOT have them.

Via @usa.streetsblog.org @nyc.streetsblog.org

Two fish as seen through a circular aquarium window.

Ended #ITRS25 with two fish watching me eat so I'd say it was quite a success.

Woman standing next to a large poster

Presented some of the work we've been doing @plymuni.bsky.social for the @aquaplan.bsky.social project at #ITRS25!

Map of Europe showing combination of light and noise pollution along the coasts

Maps of Europe at night showing light pollution in the coast and graph showing depth reached by different wavelengths including blue and green.

Figures showing difference in fish assemblages at marinas with and without artificial structures.

Three images showing different types of tiles/structures that increase biodiversity on seawalls.

First official day of #ITRS25. Heard some great talks on light pollution and eco-engineering, including some from my colleagues at @aquaplan.bsky.social!

An index finger above a cluster of small, yellow globules on the underside of a rock. A dogwhelk is on the opposite side of the image.

Found my first dogwhelk eggs today! And perhaps the egg-layer herself?

Largest Trans Survey Ever: Top Reason Trans People Stop Transitioning Is Transphobia “In almost every single case, the reason was anti-trans discrimination in the form of pressure to ‘detransition’ from one’s family, friends, or community.”

1. The US Transgender Survey has finally been released, and the results are stunning.

- <1% of people are less satisfied after HRT.
- The most common reason for detransition, pausing transition, or stopping transition is transphobia.

The latest from S. Baum.

Subscribe to support our journalism.

My greatest mental struggle when riding British rail is wanting to arrive at my destination on time but also wanting my journey to be delayed so I can reclaim some of the exorbitant fare I paid.

NEW from me: China's CO2 emissions fell ~1.6% in the first quarter and have now been flat or down for more than a year. This is the first time on record that emissions are falling due to clean energy growth, not slow power demand.

If you've ever been curious how scientific publishing became the profit driven mess it is today, you can blame this guy!

For my birthday this year I would appreciate it so much if people would donate to The Good Law Project's fundraiser to challenge the recent decision by the UK Supreme Court not to not include trans women in the 'definition of women' in the Equality Act.
-
goodlawproject.org/crowdfunder/...

World surpasses 40% clean power as renewables see record rise | Ember The world reached a new milestone as low-carbon sources – renewables and nuclear – provided 40.9% of the world’s electricity generation in 2024, passing the 40% mark for the first time since the 1940s...

Source: ember-energy.org/latest-updat...

When someone looks at your orb and you side eye them like a skeevy little medieval dude

This has been studied extensively: Regret rates for gender affirming care, including for children, are extremely low.

A core tactic of conspiracy theorists is to ignore existing bodies of research and demand further study until they get the result they want.

Global solar power is doubling every three years! Wow!

"Solar power surged by a record 474 TWh in 2024, the largest annual growth ever recorded in
absolute terms and the fastest increase in six years (+29%)."

See p.13 of Ember's new study.
#energysky #greensky
ember-energy.org/app/uploads/...

Bust of a life-like spinosaurus head

If you're in Southampton, be sure to check out the Hidden in Stone exhibit at Gods House Tower. You can meet this handsome devil and it's free!
godshousetower.org.uk/eventer/exhi...