Paddy Hillyard

@paddyzemia.bsky.social

630 followers 440 following 79 posts

Emeritus Professor of Sociology. Human Rights and climate activist, former chair of Independent Water Review Panel, Zemiologist. Latest book: Decades of Deceit: The Stalker Affair and its Legacy. https://www.beyondthepalebooks.com/ .. more

Videos

Political science 40%

Sociology 21%

Posts Replies Media Videos

Paddy Hillyard @paddyzemia.bsky.social · 14h

Modern houses in Hobart Hall, near Comber, but no heat pumps unlike in the Republic where they are standard in all new build. When will Northern Ireland get serious about climate change?

Paddy Hillyard @paddyzemia.bsky.social · 2d

What a farce of a rugby match! As an ex Bath player, sad to see the game being ruined by weight power and constant rucking on the try line. Small nations will never be able to complete with those that have enough heavies to bring on at 60 mins. Reduce sides to 13 and introduce weight limits!

Nicholas Allen @dedalusdenaries.bsky.social · 3d

He really lost control of the game, desperate

Reposted by Paddy Hillyard

Nicholas Allen @dedalusdenaries.bsky.social · 3d

He really lost control of the game, desperate

Reposted by Alessandro Tagliabue, David Johnson, Paddy Hillyard

Zack Labe @zacklabe.com · 4d

Was there any coverage of the recent record warmth in both the Arctic and Antarctic? Multiple global datasets now confirm these records, and I think it's really quite striking.

Here's some very quick plots showing NOAAGlobalTempv6 data from October too. And see my earlier posts.

A line graph shows the time series of Arctic mean surface temperature anomalies for each October from 1850 through 2025. There is a long-term increasing trend and large year-to-year variability. The mean surface temperature anomaly in October 2025 was 3.78°C for this region. Anomalies are computed relative to a 1910-2000 climate baseline. All data is from NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI NOAAGlobalTemp v6.0.0 on this graphic.

A line graph shows the time series of Antarctic mean surface temperature anomalies for each October from 1850 through 2025. There is a long-term increasing trend and large year-to-year variability. The mean surface temperature anomaly in October 2025 was 1.43°C for this region. Anomalies are computed relative to a 1910-2000 climate baseline. All data is from NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI NOAAGlobalTemp v6.0.0 on this graphic.

Reposted by Paddy Hillyard

Colin Murray @colinmurray.bsky.social · 6d

The Telegraph churns out these stories almost daily, but this one about the reduced range of tumble dryers is v funny. Reduced range simply means that people in NI can't buy inefficient models which can't be sold in EU. And no, Robin Swann, by definition that means folk can't buy them from Ireland:

Reposted by John Barry, Paddy Hillyard

Eoghan Daltun 🌍 @irishrainforest.bsky.social · 6d

The Irish State is dumping €450 million of wind energy a year, despite 29% of households suffering fuel poverty, because 'there's no market'.

If you're struggling to get your head around that, it's called capitalism.
share.google/k9gHug8xaazA...

Up to €2.7m worth of energy ‘wasted’ every day by State, committee told

Wind farms wound down or shut down at night while households are in fuel poverty, says energy charity chief

share.google

Reposted by Stacy D. VanDeveer, Paddy Hillyard

Prof. Stefan Rahmstorf @rahmstorf.bsky.social · 7d

Iceland Climate Minister Johannsson: "It is a direct threat to our national resilience and security. (This) is the first time a specific climate-related phenomenon has been formally brought before the National Security Council as a potential existential threat."
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...

Iceland deems possible Atlantic current collapse a security risk

Iceland has designated the potential collapse of a major Atlantic Ocean current system a national security concern and an existential threat, enabling its government to strategize for worst-case scenarios, the country's climate minister told Reuters.

www.reuters.com

Reposted by Axel Bruns, Steve Peers, Andrew Scott , and 3 more Axel Bruns, Steve Peers, Andrew Scott, Rebecca Williams, Molly Scott Cato, Paddy Hillyard

Lewis Goodall @lewisgoodall.com · 10d

Interesting to see so many great British patriots right now begging an American president to bankrupt one of Britain’s last remaining truly national institutions.

Reposted by Peter M. Cox, Paddy Hillyard

PIK_climate @pik-potsdam.bsky.social · 14d

"As a scientist, I've never had reason to be so concerned as I am today for the future we are facing," states PIK Director Johan Rockström as #COP30 kicks off in Belém, Brazil. The first ever Planetary Science Pavilion, under the mandate from COP30 Brazil, and together with Carlos A. Nobre,... 1/2

Raising the Voice of Science: COP30’s New Planetary Science Pavilion in Belém

YouTube video by Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research PIK

www.youtube.com

Reposted by Diane Ravitch, Gerald Friedman, Molly Scott Cato , and 3 more Diane Ravitch, Gerald Friedman, Molly Scott Cato, Nancy M. Wingfield, Paddy Hillyard, David Darmofal

Governor Gavin Newsom @governor.ca.gov · 15d

Two-thirds of California's power comes from clean energy.

For 9 in 10 days so far this year, we were 100% powered for some part of the day by clean energy.

The Golden State has become the world's fourth-largest economy because of our climate leadership, not in spite of it.

Reposted by Paddy Hillyard

John Hanger @jrfhanger.bsky.social · 15d

Wood Mackenzie confirms new natural gas generation is expensive!

$126/MWh in 2030!

New solar plus batteries are less than half the cost of new gas!

New nuclear ($139/MWh) also is getting close to being cheaper than new gas!

Gas too is dirty, biggest CO2 electricity polluter. #energysky

Reposted by Paddy Hillyard

Daniel Swain @weatherwest.bsky.social · 26d

3C of global warming means many feet of sea level rise, fundamentally altering coastlines and swamping megacities home to 100s of millions. It means heatwaves that in humid regions could become, literally, unsurvivable for those outdoors without access to active cooling. [11/n]

Reposted by Paddy Hillyard

Jeff Berardelli @weatherprof.bsky.social · 29d

#Melissa is now one of the strongest storms ever in the Atlantic!
In my career I can’t say I’ve seen a more text book structure.
Winds 175 mph, Gusts 200 mph
Pressure: 906 mb, Cat 5.
On its way to #jamaica tonight and tomorrow.
Prayers for all to stay safe!

Reposted by Juan Cole, Paddy Hillyard

Katharine Hayhoe @katharinehayhoe.com · Oct 26

Hurricane Melissa could be one of the most worst hurricanes on record for Jamaica...and it's a textbook example of how climate change is making hurricanes more dangerous: explosive intensification, slow movement, and massive rainfall.

If you know any there, please make sure they’re prepared 🙏

Did Climate Change Cause This Hurricane?

YouTube video by The YEARS Project

www.youtube.com

Reposted by Martin McKee, Stephan Lewandowsky, Steve Peers , and 2 more Martin McKee, Stephan Lewandowsky, Steve Peers, Anand Menon, Paddy Hillyard

Prof Christina Pagel @chrischirp.bsky.social · Oct 26

The Trump Action Tracker has an update!

Main change is to break down the five authoritarian domains into ten - this allows for easier understanding of why actions have been logged and more tools for searching / filtering the now 1621 actions.

www.trumpactiontracker.info?

1/2

Reposted by Paddy Hillyard

pmchoan.bsky.social @pmchoan.bsky.social · Oct 25

#SpéirGhorm #IrishBookWeek #Day8 📚💙

An Irish Book I discovered at a bookshop event.

I picked up #TheGhostLimb by @clairemitchell.bsky.social at the #DromoreBookFestival - organised by the legendary @bridgebooksdromore.bsky.social. Claire was joined onstage by @lindaervine.bsky.social that night.

Reposted by Henry Farrell, Paddy Hillyard

Fintan O'Toole @fotoole.bsky.social · Oct 25

Excellent review of For & Against a United Ireland by the ever-illuminating Katy Hayward
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...

For and Against a United Ireland by Fintan O’Toole and Sam McBride: Arguing to end apathy of ‘undecideds’

Fintan O’Toole and Sam McBride demonstrate the importance of free and reasoned deliberation

www.irishtimes.com

Paddy Hillyard @paddyzemia.bsky.social · Oct 23

‘The verdict in Belfast is not the end of the Bloody Sunday story. It is merely the latest chapter in a decades-long struggle between truth and concealment, between families seeking accountability and a state that denied it.’
John Finucane, M.P.
Tribunemag.co.uk

Tribune

Tribune is Britain’s oldest democratic socialist publication, offering leftwing perspectives on politics, economics, and culture.

Tribunemag.co.uk

Reposted by Paddy Hillyard

Robin Percival @robinpercival.bsky.social · Oct 23

There are more questions which now need addressing. What action will be taken against those who committed perjury during the Saville inquiry? What action will be taken against the MoD who destroyed tge weapons used by tge murderers even after they were told not too by Saville

Reposted by Paddy Hillyard

Robin Percival @robinpercival.bsky.social · Oct 23

The acquittal of soldier F came about according to Justice Lynch because F would not give evidence & refused to answer police questions. Also the statements of other soldiers who had been with soldier f had committed perjury and altered their statements under pressure of the MP.

Reposted by Paddy Hillyard

Robin Percival @robinpercival.bsky.social · Oct 23

The Bloody Sunday massacre was the biggest mass murder of British citizens since Peterloo, Manchester in 1819. Let that sink in. Not only was no one convicted of the murders but the colonel in charge of the Paras was given an honour.

Paddy Hillyard @paddyzemia.bsky.social · Oct 23

Soldier F found not guilty in Bloody Sunday murder trial.

So no convictions for the murder of 13 people during an anti-internment March in Derry in 1972. So much for the rule of law in the UK?

‘And in the dirt lay justice like an acorn in winter.’
The Road to Derry, Séamus Heaney, 1972.

Bloody Sunday: Soldier F found not guilty of all charges in Bloody Sunday murder trial

Soldier F - who cannot be named - was accused of murdering two people in Londonderry in 1972, plus five counts of attempted murder.

www.bbc.co.uk

Reposted by Anthony Burke, Paddy Hillyard

Ketan Joshi @ketanjoshi.co · Oct 22

Plug-in hybrid cars are essentially a massive fossil fuel demand protection scam enacted on well-meaning consumers trying to do the right thing

The gap between reported and real emissions is just utterly bonkers - new @transenvuk.bsky.social study here

www.transportenvironment.org/articles/smo...

Polluting and costly: growing gap between PHEV claims and reality
The gap between real world and official PHEV emissions is widening
WLTP emissions
Real-world emissions
PHEV models emissions
gCO2/km
2021
50
35
0
38
3.5 times
134
2022
33
4 times
137
2023
28
5 times
100
120
139
140
In the real world, PHEVs have similar emissions than conventional hybrids and combustion vehicles
WLTP emissions
Real-world emissions
150
139
135
166
100
PHEV
ICE and HEV
PHEV
ICE and HEV
+500€
0
20
40
60
80
PHEVs operating cost are 500€ larger than what carmakers data suggest
Source: T&E analysis of 2021-22-23 OBFCM data collected by the European Environment Agency, EEA car registrations 2021-23, EAFO, Weekly Oil Bulletin
T&E

Reposted by Paddy Hillyard

Paul Price @swimsure.bsky.social · Oct 20

John FitzGerald's @irishtimes.com article today grossly misrepresents scientists, science & economics
–No, scientists do not say "eliminate all cattle from our fields" [our?]
–Sci critiqued CCAC "climate neutrality" test
–CCAC's key scenarios also show deep methane cuts
– 🇮🇪 dairy is NOT "efficient"

Fintan Kelly @fintankelly.bsky.social · Oct 20

"Because the agricultural sector makes almost nothing from beef, while milk is very profitable, such a change would not greatly affect farm incomes."

The argument used by Economists to advocate for an unjust & unsustainable approach to Ag emissions ⬇️
www.irishtimes.com/business/eco...

Cutting the entire cattle herd to reduce emissions makes no economic sense

Limiting methane emissions is a good thing but agriculture is producing other, more damaging, greenhouse gases

www.irishtimes.com

Reposted by Joe R. Feagin, Paddy Hillyard

David Tomkins @davidctomkins.bsky.social · Oct 20

Real time data coming out of the world’s climate measurement systems should be stopping us in our tracks. The latest estimate shows that, this week, the Earth is 1.9°C warmer than before we began burning fossil fuels.
#climatecrisis #ClimateEmergency #auspol www.lyrebirddreaming.com/post/we-re-t...

We’re Touching 1.9°C - And It’s Only 2025

Real time data coming out of the world’s climate measurement systems should be stopping us in our tracks. The latest estimate by climate scientist Dr Karsten Haustein shows that, this week, the Earth ...

www.lyrebirddreaming.com

Reposted by Paddy Hillyard

Covering Climate Now @coveringclimatenow.org · Oct 18

The second annual Global Tipping Points Report, with contributions from 160 scientists in 23 countries, finds that Earth has already crossed its first catastrophic tipping point: coral reef die-off. By @readfearn.bsky.social for The Guardian…

Planet’s first catastrophic climate tipping point reached, report says, with coral reefs facing ‘widespread dieback’

Unless global heating is reduced to 1.2C ‘as fast as possible’, warm water coral reefs will not remain ‘at any meaningful scale’, a report by 160 scientists from 23 countries warns

buff.ly

Reposted by Paddy Hillyard

Mia Farrow @miafarrow.bsky.social · Oct 13

Our planet’s first catastrophic climate tipping point reached, report by 160 scientists from 23 countries warns, with coral reefs facing ‘widespread dieback
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Planet’s first catastrophic climate tipping point reached, report says, with coral reefs facing ‘widespread dieback’

Unless global heating is reduced to 1.2C ‘as fast as possible’, warm water coral reefs will not remain ‘at any meaningful scale’, a report by 160 scientists from 23 countries warns

www.theguardian.com

Paddy Hillyard @paddyzemia.bsky.social · Oct 12

All welcome. Please register with Eventbrite.

Paddy Hillyard @paddyzemia.bsky.social · Oct 3

Outrageous. So much for the rule of law in the US and internationally. Frightening times.

Chanda Prescod-Weinstein 🌌 @chanda.blacksky.app · Oct 3

🚨🚨 My dear friend and fellow academic, the Palestinian American sociologist @emanabdelhadi.bsky.social has been taken by the Cook County Sheriff near Chicago. They have not mirandized her. Please signal boost. All eyes on Broadview for Eman and the community she was defending 🚨🚨

Reposted by Anna O. Law, Pamela Samuelson, Juan Cole , and 9 more Anna O. Law, Pamela Samuelson, Juan Cole, Alan Richardson, Suzanne de Cheveigné, Rebecca M. Bratspies, Dana R. Fisher, Erin O’Donnell, Toni Haastrup, Nathan P. Kalmoe, Paddy Hillyard, Dunlap

Chanda Prescod-Weinstein 🌌 @chanda.blacksky.app · Oct 3

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