Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Lorna Mitchell

Michael Spicer @michaelspicer.bsky.social · 4h

stop thinking right now

Reposted by Lorna Mitchell

The British Academy @britishacademy.bsky.social · 21h

Bringing together stories of environment and Empire, genocide and ecocide, war and peace – Sunil Amrith's The Burning Earth is a razor-sharp study of accountability for the climate crisis.

The Burning Earth is shortlisted for the British Academy Book Prize. Learn more here https://bit.ly/3WsTunW

5 10

Reposted by Lorna Mitchell

The Linnean Society of London @linneansociety.bsky.social · 21h

Step inside the world of green careers: from hidden paths you’ve never considered, to hands-on roles shaping the future of our planet. Talk to the people already out there and hear how they got their start. Build practical skills that help you move forward and look great on your CV.

buff.ly/jnpm93w

2 4

Reposted by Lorna Mitchell

Curlew Action @curlewaction.bsky.social · 21h

Today (date), the Slender-billed Curlew was declared extinct. The first bird extinction on mainland Europe in 500 years — on our watch. Extinction is final. No going back. Think about that.

4 44 58

Reposted by Lorna Mitchell

Biodiversity Heritage Library @biodivlibrary.bsky.social · 1d

Devastating news: the Slender-billed Curlew has just been declared extinct. This Slender-billed Curlew is from "A history of the birds of Europe, not observed in the British Isles" (1863). #SciArt by Benjamin Fawcett #ExtinctionIsForever www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/42530095

2 22 43

Reposted by Lorna Mitchell

Good Law Project @goodlawproject.bsky.social · 1d

Rather than investing in our recycling industry – which could create 5,000 jobs, as well as having an environmental benefit – the UK is dumping more and more plastic waste on other countries.

It’s shortsighted, it’s irresponsible, and it’s immoral.
https://bit.ly/437k75H

Britain missing out on potential £2bn recycling industry by exporting plastic waste

Exclusive: Government failure to close loophole allows 600,000 tonnes to be shipped elsewhere each year

www.theguardian.com

5 38 110

Reposted by Lorna Mitchell

Trees for Life @treesforlife.bsky.social · 23h

Spending time in nature isn’t just good for our bodies - it’s great for our minds too. 💚 On #WorldMentalHealthDay, take a moment to step outside: listen to the birds, wander through your local woods, or simply pause and breathe.

When we notice & care for nature, we all benefit. 🌱
#NatureConnection

10 43

Reposted by Lorna Mitchell

SW20ed #Edinburgh @sw20.info · 1d

When telling motorists they can’t pass is so important, you block the only pavement for anyone else who wants to get past too!

#motornormativity in action @ianwalker.bsky.social!

“Road ahead closed” sign blocking the only pavement on a street.

6 25

Reposted by Lorna Mitchell

Mark Nesbitt @marknesbitt.bsky.social · 1d

Interesting, free online meeting on Sustainability in Archives, Heritage and Research Organisations, 22nd October 2025. Book by 17/10: url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/bI7iCLvRZH...

‘Places, Plants and People’ an event from PPPAN and ARA ESG

Discussions exploring how archives, heritage, and research organisations are addressing sustainability and environmental engagement.

url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com

3 5

Reposted by Lorna Mitchell

WeDigBio @wedigbio.bsky.social · 1d

Plants to Pixels is an initiative to preserve herbariums around the world! With the help of volunteers like you, we can provide essential data to conservationists. Head to wedigbio.org for more

#conservation #botany #wedigbio #notesfromnature

1 2

Reposted by Lorna Mitchell

Edinburgh Journal of Botany @ejbotany.bsky.social · 3d

Marking 125 years of #EJBotany #OpenAccess and its forerunner, Notes from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, we are delighted to announce that ALL content is now freely available at journals.rbge.org.uk/notes and journals.rbge.org.uk/ejb

2 10 15

Reposted by Lorna Mitchell

Caroline Lucas @carolinelucas.bsky.social · 1d

Just extraordinary to witness this nature-hating government sabotaging Labour’s own legacy. And for absolutely no reason: nature protection isn’t blocking development - it’s a necessary prerequisite for it (& for everything else, come to that…)

Plans to weaken protections for national parks will have ‘disastrous consequences’ say green groups

Exclusive: Letter from 170-plus organisations calls on government to drop proposed changes to planning law

www.theguardian.com

13 120 360

Reposted by Lorna Mitchell

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh @thebotanics.bsky.social · 1d

Huge news from the Edinburgh Journal of Botany - its entire archive is now freely available online! 🥳

This moment has been years in the making. Explore more than a century's worth of scientific research 👇

Edinburgh Journal of Botany @ejbotany.bsky.social · 3d

Marking 125 years of #EJBotany #OpenAccess and its forerunner, Notes from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, we are delighted to announce that ALL content is now freely available at journals.rbge.org.uk/notes and journals.rbge.org.uk/ejb

5 10

Reposted by Lorna Mitchell

Full Fact @fullfact.org · 1d

Videos shared online are making false claims about the government launching “one of the harshest crackdowns UK drivers have ever seen” this month.

The government hasn’t announced the changes described in the videos, and they appear to use fake audio of the Prime Minister.

The government hasn’t announced ‘one of the harshest crackdowns’ UK drivers have ever seen – Full Fact

A government spokesperson confirmed claims circulating on social media about driving rules are “untrue” and that no new “crackdown” has been announced.

fullfact.org

3 19 39

Reposted by Lorna Mitchell

Carla Denyer @carladenyer.bsky.social · 1d

Govt promised to help Palestinians get to UK to study- but I'm in touch with 7 young Palestinians with scholarships at
@bristoluni.bsky.social
who are trapped in Gaza because the Home Office isn't doing what was promised
Shocking neglect putting lives at risk
www.aljazeera.com/opinions/202...

Accepted but trapped: Why won’t the UK evacuate its students from Gaza?

Palestinian students in Gaza who earned places at top UK universities are being stranded by political indifference.

www.aljazeera.com

1 52 110

Reposted by Lorna Mitchell

BirdGuides @birdguides.bsky.social · 3d

Birders across the UK are being encouraged to take part in the BTO's new Winter Bird Survey, designed to provide a clearer picture of how the nation's birds are faring outside the breeding season:

Volunteers needed to help map Britain's winter birds

The BTO has launched a UK-wide Winter Bird Survey to improve understanding of wintering bird populations in habitats such as farmland and woodland. Building on earlier work, the project aims to assess population changes and the impact of agri-environment schemes, reports BirdGuides. Birders across the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man are invited to take part in this important citizen-science initiative.

bit.ly

8 20

Reposted by Lorna Mitchell

Jonathan Portes @jdportes.bsky.social · 4d

David is slightly unfair. There is a clear difference here.

Conservatives and Reform plan to forcibly expel large numbers of people who are legal, permanent residents of migrant origin. The BNP proposal is voluntary.

David Herdson @davidherdson.bsky.social · 4d

This below is from the 2005 BNP manifesto.

Spot the difference with current Tory and Reform policy.

(p14 news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp... )

8 170 390

Reposted by Lorna Mitchell

Natalie Bennett @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social · 4d

#FastFashion and #microplastics. They go together like indoor #AirPollution and lung disease.

A few profit and the rest of us pay, particularly the most vulnerable
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

Fast-fashion recycling: how ‘the castoff capital of the world’ is making Indian factory workers sick

Reports of lung disease, skin conditions and even cancer are rising in Panipat, which recycles 1 million tonnes of textile waste a year

www.theguardian.com

1 36 94

Reposted by Lorna Mitchell

Biodiversity Heritage Library @biodivlibrary.bsky.social · 4d

Did you know that BHL has #FullTextSearch? You can search for scientific names, places, etc, but you can also find all the things that "Alfred Russell Wallace" found "delicious" in his travels (search for "delicious" and then narrow search results by author). #ILoveBHL www.biodiversitylibrary.org 🧪

12 25

Reposted by Lorna Mitchell

Henry Morris @mrhenrymorris.substack.com · 4d

'If you want to live here, you need to be able to speak the language'

Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 4d

People would have signed this off.

Others will have been shown the product.

Further individuals will have put them in the goodie bags.

How on Earth did nobody spot it?

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Tories set a low bar after misspelling Britain on conference chocolate

Misprinted wrappers pulled from Manchester goodie bags after derision on social media

www.theguardian.com

9 38 150

Reposted by Lorna Mitchell

Mark Faulkner @markfaulkner24.bsky.social · 5d

Recommended viewing: Storyville: The Librarians, BBC4, Tuesday, 7 October. Explores how librarians across the US are risking their safety to defend free speech as book bans and censorship threaten democracy from within. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

BBC Four - Storyville, The Librarians

Documentary about the US librarians who are risking their safety to defend free speech.

www.bbc.co.uk

4 33 48

Reposted by Lorna Mitchell

Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 4d

I love it that everyone loves a #supermoon. Tonight is the night so #DoLookUp!

Fine print: this astronomical event comes with a expectation-management disclaimer:
*The Supermoon is only 15% brighter than a normal full moon and I personally can not tell the difference 🤔
*Every moon is SUPER🔭🥳

Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · Nov 16

If you've got clear skies, go outside and wave at our neighbour who is looking particularly stunning tonight. And if you have them, root out the binoculars to get a closer look at the grey maria: ~3.5 billion years ago these were seas of molten lava 🤓 #supermoon 🔭🧪

A moonlit beach with ripples in the sand. The water is reflecting the moon light with tiny fluffy clouds in the sky. In the foreground is the wooden breaker and a red metal marker with the number 2 on the top of it.

6 25 120

Reposted by Lorna Mitchell

Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels @scotsquirrels.bsky.social · 4d

The #GreatScottishSquirrelSurvey gives us a really important snapshot of red and grey squirrel distribution across the country. Last year over 1,800 people took part, recording more than 2,500 squirrels in just one week! Can we beat that this year?

3 2

Reposted by Lorna Mitchell

Eleanor Buffam @eleanorbuffam.bsky.social · 5d

Siberian Purslane Flowers
Cyanotype on Arches Aquarelle

#cyanotype #siberianpurslane

2 13

Reposted by Lorna Mitchell

The Linnean Society of London @linneansociety.bsky.social · 4d

Open now! Come check out or brand new #Exhibition all about #Wonder. Inspired by Wunderkammer and cabinets of curiosity, this exhibition is packed with hidden gems of the Linnean collections.

6 10