Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Prof Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE @lwhitmarsh.bsky.social · 18h

Why some people turn off the lights, and others don’t
theconversation.com/why-some-peo...
@cast-centre.bsky.social @samhampton.bsky.social

Why some people turn off the lights, and others don’t

Knowing about the environmental cost of using energy does not drive people to use less, according to a new study.

theconversation.com

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Prof Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE @lwhitmarsh.bsky.social · 18d

Though for people living in food deserts fresh fruit and veg isn’t always readily available. And some people don’t feel they have confidence to cook veggie meals. So while not insurmountable there are some barriers to healthy planetary diets

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Prof Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE @lwhitmarsh.bsky.social · 18d

@cast-centre.bsky.social @tyndallcentre.bsky.social @bath-iscc.bsky.social

Prof Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE @lwhitmarsh.bsky.social · 18d

Key message from our new report: cutting methane is "the *fastest & most cost-effective lever* to slow warming within our lifetimes".
And behavioural change is central to this - making plant-based food more accessible and cheaper; and changing choice environments to cut food waste.

Climate Crisis Advisory Group @climatecrisisag.bsky.social · 18d

NEW: Methane emissions could lock in 0.3°C of extra warming – pushing societies towards collapse.

Our new report outlines proven, low-cost solutions across energy, agriculture, and waste that could cut emissions by 45% – protecting health, food and livelihoods.

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Climate Crisis Advisory Group @climatecrisisag.bsky.social · 18d

NEW: Methane emissions could lock in 0.3°C of extra warming – pushing societies towards collapse.

Our new report outlines proven, low-cost solutions across energy, agriculture, and waste that could cut emissions by 45% – protecting health, food and livelihoods.

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Prof Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE @lwhitmarsh.bsky.social · 24d

@cast-centre.bsky.social @uniofbath.bsky.social @uniofbathnews.bsky.social @tyndallcentre.bsky.social

Prof Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE @lwhitmarsh.bsky.social · 24d

😊 Delighted to announce I'll be a Lead Author for ch.8 of @ipcc.bsky.social's Seventh Assessment Report, alongside 663 experts from 111 countries, as part of Working Group III.

Analysis by @carbonbrief.org shows increasing diversity of IPCC authorship: tinyurl.com/462pvby9

#IPCC #ClimateReport

IPCC concludes selection of authors for its Seventh Assessment Report — IPCC

www.ipcc.ch

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Environmental Politics @environmentalpol.bsky.social · Sep 10

New article!

From climate crisis to energy crisis: foster public support for renewable energy transition through framing by Catherine Y. Chen, @vreben.bsky.social, @lwhitmarsh.bsky.social & Cäzilia Loibl

doi.org/10.1080/0964...

ABSTRACT
Under the long-standing backdrop of the climate crisis, would communication about acute energy crises encourage the public’s support for policies facilitating the adoption of renewable energy technologies? Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we conducted a survey experiment in the United Kingdom (N = 2,760) in early 2024 to test the effects of three messages (energy affordability, energy independence, climate change vs. control) aimed to encourage support for renewable adoption policies. We find that across all respondents, the climate-change and energy-affordability messages increase policy support, while the effect of the energy-independence message is nonsignificant. The energy independence message increased policy support among the political center-right but not among the political left; it also increased policy support among those not concerned about climate change, but not among the climate-concerned. Contrary to expectations, the energy affordability message increased policy support among moderate-to-high-income respondents but not low-income respondents.

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The University of Bath @uniofbath.bsky.social · Sep 8

📺 Bath psychologist Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE gave evidence to Parliament as part of an inquiry into building public support for a #CleanEnergy transition.

https://www.bath.ac.uk/announcements/professor-lorraine-whitmarsh-mbe-gives-evidence-to-parliaments-energy-security-net-zero-committee/

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Verena Benoit @vreben.bsky.social · Sep 8

📢 Very happy to share our newest article! Thanks to all my co-authors for the amazing work 😍: Catherine Chen (cathchen.com), @lwhitmarsh.bsky.social, Caezilia Loibl (u.osu.edu/loibl.3/) www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

From climate crisis to energy crisis: foster public support for renewable energy transition through framing

Under the long-standing backdrop of the climate crisis, would communication about acute energy crises encourage the public’s support for policies facilitating the adoption of renewable energy techn...

www.tandfonline.com

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The Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST) @cast-centre.bsky.social · Sep 1

What does 'social transformation' really mean, and what does it look like in practice?

Our CAST Director, Prof Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE (@lwhitmarsh.bsky.social), explains in The Conversation UK's (@uk.theconversation.com) latest addition to its #ClimateDictionary series.

Watch the 3-minute video 👇

Climate Dictionary | Social Transformation

Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh, from the University of Bath explains the role of social transformation in responding to the challenge of climate change.

youtu.be

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Bath Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change (ISCC) @bath-iscc.bsky.social · Sep 1

#InTheNews: The British Psychological Society ( @bpsofficial.bsky.social ) has launched its first fully #OpenAccess journal — Environmental Psychology Research — in partnership with Wiley!

#EnvironmentalPsychology #ClimateAction #PsychScience #greensky @lwhitmarsh.bsky.social

New BPS environmental psychology journal is now open for submissions | BPS

The BPS, in partnership with Wiley, is expanding its portfolio of journals in 2026 with the launch of Environmental Psychology Research (EPR).

bps.org.uk

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The Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST) @cast-centre.bsky.social · Oct 15

We are hiring 📢

We are seeking a talented Research Associate, based at our centre hub in the University of Bath, to help us make an impact on social and behavioural change to help tackle the climate crisis.

Deadline: 11 Nov 2024

Apply now: bath.ac.uk/jobs/Vacancy...

A banner advertising that we are hiring a new CAST Research Associate, based at the University of Bath.

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MorganHPhillips @morganhphillips.bsky.social · Feb 27

Open letter to Bridget Phillipson with a stellar list of signatories:

www.tes.com/magazine/new....

You can sign it too, follow the link to the letter from the article to find the form.

Ministers urged to ensure climate change is taught across curriculum

Experts say teachers want more professional development support to teach climate change and sustainability

www.tes.com

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Sarah B.M. @sarahbmarks.bsky.social · May 19

Like talking about holidays? Interested in sustainability?⛱️

I’m looking for participants for the first study of my PhD exploring how people make sense of holidays and holiday travel. 🤔

Here is the link to the expression of interest form - uniofbath.questionpro.eu/t/AB3u56UZB3...

Thank you! 🙏🏼

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Prof Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE @lwhitmarsh.bsky.social · Jul 23

🤔 How do we drive large-scale systems change? Join @nam.edu & global leaders to explore the structural levers—from capital & governance to narrative & culture—that can move us from climate-health ambition to action.
Learn more & register at nam.edu/event/the-ho....
@cast-centre.bsky.social

The “How” of Systems Transformation: Strategies and Levers for Health-Centered Climate Action (Part 1) - NAM

A Virtual Multi-Part Workshop Series

nam.edu

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Prof Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE @lwhitmarsh.bsky.social · Jul 9

Mass mobilisation to give voice to the ‘silent majority’ who want climate action: www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Thousands meet their MPs to show huge demand for climate action

Mass lobby in Westminster kicked off with giant image on white cliffs of Dover stating ‘89% of people want climate action’

www.theguardian.com

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The Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST) @cast-centre.bsky.social · Jun 25

Today, the CCC published its "Progress in reducing emissions – 2025 report to Parliament", revealing that the UK is making progress on #ClimateAction, but the scale and pace of change are still lagging behind what is required. ❌🌍

Read our blog post: cast.ac.uk/blog/what-do...

Key takeaways thread🧵

What does the 2025 CCC Progress Report say about CAST’s ‘sticky issues’? - CAST

CAST responds to the Climate Change Committee's 2025 Progress Report, drawing on CAST’s research on ‘sticky issues’, we discuss where the UK is heading, what’s missing, and why meaningful public engag...

cast.ac.uk

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Climate Crisis Advisory Group @climatecrisisag.bsky.social · Jun 25

❗The world must break its $7 trillion fossil fuel subsidy habit if we are to achieve net zero❗

Our latest report helps policymakers ensure their sustainability targets contribute to national interests and support inclusive economic growth while moving away from fossil fuel reliance.

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Prof Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE @lwhitmarsh.bsky.social · Jun 15

Eggcellent to finally be in Vilnius for #ICEP2025! I must say the 3 days by train and bus weren’t bad at all: got to see interesting places and meet nice people, and get lots of work done. And only marginally more expensive than flying. Excited for some good env psych chat for the next few days 🤓

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Prof Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE @lwhitmarsh.bsky.social · Jun 15

Day 3 - somewhere in Poland on an 8 hour bus journey - final leg of epic #nofly trip to #ICEP2025 from Bristol to Vilnius. So happy the bus just stopped so we could get coffee! Also, not alone now - a few other ICEP-ers with me ☺️

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Prof Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE @lwhitmarsh.bsky.social · Jun 14

Half way there! I can tell I’m in Germany because of the wind turbines and train delays. But laptop’s plugged in so at least I’m getting lots done :) #nofly #ICEP2025

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Prof Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE @lwhitmarsh.bsky.social · Jun 13

Made it to Brussels! That’s the easy bit done…

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Prof Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE @lwhitmarsh.bsky.social · Jun 13

Cheerio Bristol! Start of a 3-day no-fly trip to Vilnius, Lithuania for #ICEP2025!! Fingers crossed the rail gods smile on me :) @cast-centre.bsky.social

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Prof Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE @lwhitmarsh.bsky.social · May 19

Interested in earning £30 to chat about holidays? Of course you are! More details here....

Sarah B.M. @sarahbmarks.bsky.social · May 19

Like talking about holidays? Interested in sustainability?⛱️

I’m looking for participants for the first study of my PhD exploring how people make sense of holidays and holiday travel. 🤔

Here is the link to the expression of interest form - uniofbath.questionpro.eu/t/AB3u56UZB3...

Thank you! 🙏🏼

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Prof Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE @lwhitmarsh.bsky.social · May 8

In case you can spare a few mins (and aren't veggie/vegan), please consider taking part in my student's study on food choices with cash prize draw. Thank you!! uniofbath.questionpro.eu/t/AB3u4PaZB3...

Grantham Institute - Climate Change and the Environment @granthamicl.bsky.social · May 1

Explore our research on UK public attitudes to climate action by @neiljennings.bsky.social, @paulinepaterson.bsky.social, @clairbarnes.bsky.social, @lwhitmarsh.bsky.social & @drchowarth.bsky.social

Extreme heat (Jan 2025): buff.ly/Nb8NTMq ...

Publications

This web page does not support a search function. However, you can search our publications by key words. Press Control + F on your keyboard to bring...

buff.ly

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Prof Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE @lwhitmarsh.bsky.social · Apr 30

The Guardian view on Labour and net zero politics: lean in and ignore bad advice

Prof Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE @lwhitmarsh.bsky.social · Apr 22

Exciting to read about #The89Percent project... this is what we need to accelerate climate action! www.theguardian.com/environment/...

‘Spiral of silence’: climate action is very popular, so why don’t people realise it?

Researchers find 89% of people around the world want more to be done, but mistakenly assume their peers do not

www.theguardian.com

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The Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST) @cast-centre.bsky.social · Apr 16

Join our CAST Director @lwhitmarsh.bsky.social & Bella Zanin for a free workshop at the @nhm-london.bsky.social on "Catalysts of Change: Turning Individual Action into Systemic Transformation" as part of #GenerationHope.

When: Wednesday 30 April, 11.00–12.30 📆

Register:

Catalysts of Change: Turning Individual Action into Systemic Transformation | Natural History Museum

Catalysts of Change: Turning Individual Action into Systemic Transformation

www.nhm.ac.uk

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