Andrew Urquhart
@andrewurquhart.bsky.social
Working in low carbon energy and volunteering in nature conservation
In 'Lie of the Land' @guyshrubsole.bsky.social
highlights that 2% of our wheat is for pheasant rearing, about 32,000 ha
That's 50% more than 21,200 ha in 2024 for ground-mounted solar, not all on arable land
Questions over priorities when the value of electricity is traded against food security
highlights that 2% of our wheat is for pheasant rearing, about 32,000 ha
That's 50% more than 21,200 ha in 2024 for ground-mounted solar, not all on arable land
Questions over priorities when the value of electricity is traded against food security
November 24, 2025 at 1:47 PM
In 'Lie of the Land' @guyshrubsole.bsky.social
highlights that 2% of our wheat is for pheasant rearing, about 32,000 ha
That's 50% more than 21,200 ha in 2024 for ground-mounted solar, not all on arable land
Questions over priorities when the value of electricity is traded against food security
highlights that 2% of our wheat is for pheasant rearing, about 32,000 ha
That's 50% more than 21,200 ha in 2024 for ground-mounted solar, not all on arable land
Questions over priorities when the value of electricity is traded against food security
If this bans only stems the decline, that's already hugely important
If there's even a hint of recovery, that's even better
If there's even a hint of recovery, that's even better
#GoodNews
With #biodiversity in freefall on this #PoisonedPlanet, with #pesticides a big chunk of the problem, a ban on neonics is a step.in the right direction
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
With #biodiversity in freefall on this #PoisonedPlanet, with #pesticides a big chunk of the problem, a ban on neonics is a step.in the right direction
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
With neonicotinoid pesticide ban, France’s birds make a tentative recovery - study
Analysis shows small hike in populations of insect-eating species after 2018 ruling, but full recovery may take decades
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:06 PM
If this bans only stems the decline, that's already hugely important
If there's even a hint of recovery, that's even better
If there's even a hint of recovery, that's even better
The whole point about chalk streams is that they need a constant flow driven by the water levels in the aquifers.
Getting all the rain in one weekend is no use at all
Getting all the rain in one weekend is no use at all
One of the springs which should be feeding a chalk stream in our region after one of the driest spring and summer periods on record.
It's going to be a wet weekend - but is it enough?
Blog from Water for Wildlife officer Ruth Hawksley. www.wildlifebcn.org/blog/ruth-ha...
It's going to be a wet weekend - but is it enough?
Blog from Water for Wildlife officer Ruth Hawksley. www.wildlifebcn.org/blog/ruth-ha...
A wet weekend is not enough for our rivers | Wildlife Trust for Beds Cambs & Northants
We may have had showers in the past few days, and it looks like being a wet weekend, but our rivers are still suffering from a very dry year.
www.wildlifebcn.org
November 14, 2025 at 4:39 PM
The whole point about chalk streams is that they need a constant flow driven by the water levels in the aquifers.
Getting all the rain in one weekend is no use at all
Getting all the rain in one weekend is no use at all
Rachel Reeves considering scrapping the windfall tax on oil and gas
What possible reason could there be for giving up a substantial tax income when we are supposedly so short of money for public spending?
Maybe it's those 'discussions' with the oil and gas companies
act.gp/4qQttNC
What possible reason could there be for giving up a substantial tax income when we are supposedly so short of money for public spending?
Maybe it's those 'discussions' with the oil and gas companies
act.gp/4qQttNC
Don’t scrap the Windfall Tax
act.gp
November 12, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Rachel Reeves considering scrapping the windfall tax on oil and gas
What possible reason could there be for giving up a substantial tax income when we are supposedly so short of money for public spending?
Maybe it's those 'discussions' with the oil and gas companies
act.gp/4qQttNC
What possible reason could there be for giving up a substantial tax income when we are supposedly so short of money for public spending?
Maybe it's those 'discussions' with the oil and gas companies
act.gp/4qQttNC
Milliband is right. If we want to regain the tiny percentage of agricultural land used for solar, we could convert golf courses back to farming.
We could also end the inefficient use of agricultural land to grow biofuels, and achieve far greater emissions reduction by converting this to solar
We could also end the inefficient use of agricultural land to grow biofuels, and achieve far greater emissions reduction by converting this to solar
Where do you start with this? The Shadow Energy Secretary is promoting claims that even a nanosecond of thought would identify as laughably unserious.
October 29, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Milliband is right. If we want to regain the tiny percentage of agricultural land used for solar, we could convert golf courses back to farming.
We could also end the inefficient use of agricultural land to grow biofuels, and achieve far greater emissions reduction by converting this to solar
We could also end the inefficient use of agricultural land to grow biofuels, and achieve far greater emissions reduction by converting this to solar
The cheapest generation mix now uses wind and solar, with gas only for backup. That's essentially what Clean Power 2030 is aiming for.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Wind power has cut £104bn from UK energy costs since 2010, study finds
Reduction comes from energy generated from windfarms and lower cost of gas owing to lower demand
www.theguardian.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:16 AM
The cheapest generation mix now uses wind and solar, with gas only for backup. That's essentially what Clean Power 2030 is aiming for.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Andrew Urquhart
Reposted by Andrew Urquhart
The extinction of the Slender-Billed Curlew should be a wake-up call.
The world is upside down: billionaires jaunt to the moon while wildlife vanishes.
Endless wealth for greed, scant care for what enriches all our lives.
Nature belongs to all of us—we must defend it.
The world is upside down: billionaires jaunt to the moon while wildlife vanishes.
Endless wealth for greed, scant care for what enriches all our lives.
Nature belongs to all of us—we must defend it.
The Slender-Billed Curlew is extinct—the first mainland bird lost from Europe, North Africa, or West Asia.
It will never be seen again.
A stark reminder of the global extinction crisis.
We must act now to save its cousin, the Eurasian Curlew, before it disappears from the UK.
It will never be seen again.
A stark reminder of the global extinction crisis.
We must act now to save its cousin, the Eurasian Curlew, before it disappears from the UK.
October 20, 2025 at 1:03 PM
The extinction of the Slender-Billed Curlew should be a wake-up call.
The world is upside down: billionaires jaunt to the moon while wildlife vanishes.
Endless wealth for greed, scant care for what enriches all our lives.
Nature belongs to all of us—we must defend it.
The world is upside down: billionaires jaunt to the moon while wildlife vanishes.
Endless wealth for greed, scant care for what enriches all our lives.
Nature belongs to all of us—we must defend it.
Reposted by Andrew Urquhart
Reposted by Andrew Urquhart
In our second monthly talk, Chris Dunham will discuss the environmental impact of food, covering links between diet, climate change and biodiversity, and looking at the options for the future
Wednesday 7th May 7:30pm
events.teams.microsoft.com/event/16c160...
Wednesday 7th May 7:30pm
events.teams.microsoft.com/event/16c160...
May 7, 2025 at 8:28 AM
In our second monthly talk, Chris Dunham will discuss the environmental impact of food, covering links between diet, climate change and biodiversity, and looking at the options for the future
Wednesday 7th May 7:30pm
events.teams.microsoft.com/event/16c160...
Wednesday 7th May 7:30pm
events.teams.microsoft.com/event/16c160...
Reposted by Andrew Urquhart
It's hard to get your head around the scale of the environmental vandalism the Labour government is hoping to unleash. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill is up there with Trump's executive orders. And the reason is the same: corporate power.
This week's column.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This week's column.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Labour’s great nature sellout is the worst attack on England’s ecosystems I’ve seen in my lifetime | George Monbiot
The horrifying planning bill, which rips up environmental protections, was drafted with CEOs in mind. We know because Keir Starmer told us, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
April 24, 2025 at 6:34 AM
It's hard to get your head around the scale of the environmental vandalism the Labour government is hoping to unleash. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill is up there with Trump's executive orders. And the reason is the same: corporate power.
This week's column.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This week's column.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Andrew Urquhart
British Broadcasting Corporatn stops presenter doing podcast about heat pumps over fears of political bias
“As an impartial broadcaster, BBC shouldn’t be pandering to attempts by the right to turn the world’s most efficient home heating into a culture war issue”
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/a...?
“As an impartial broadcaster, BBC shouldn’t be pandering to attempts by the right to turn the world’s most efficient home heating into a culture war issue”
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/a...?
‘They dictate the rules’: BBC tells PM’s Evan Davis to stop hosting heat pump podcast
Presenter believes decision was taken due to the technology’s link with net zero after he was told he risked accusations of political bias
www.theguardian.com
April 22, 2025 at 8:32 PM
British Broadcasting Corporatn stops presenter doing podcast about heat pumps over fears of political bias
“As an impartial broadcaster, BBC shouldn’t be pandering to attempts by the right to turn the world’s most efficient home heating into a culture war issue”
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/a...?
“As an impartial broadcaster, BBC shouldn’t be pandering to attempts by the right to turn the world’s most efficient home heating into a culture war issue”
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/a...?
Reposted by Andrew Urquhart
Support Sian Berry’s #GoPesticideFree bill, scheduled for debate 25th April, which would ban local councils in England from using pesticides in public spaces. No more poison in our streets and parks! Contact your MP using the link below:
pan-uk.eaction.org.uk/edm-urban-pe... @sianberry.bsky.social
pan-uk.eaction.org.uk/edm-urban-pe... @sianberry.bsky.social
April 11, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Support Sian Berry’s #GoPesticideFree bill, scheduled for debate 25th April, which would ban local councils in England from using pesticides in public spaces. No more poison in our streets and parks! Contact your MP using the link below:
pan-uk.eaction.org.uk/edm-urban-pe... @sianberry.bsky.social
pan-uk.eaction.org.uk/edm-urban-pe... @sianberry.bsky.social
A fascinating database of lies
Introducing Hot Air, a publicly-available interactive database and visualisation tool highlighting the volume of online misinformation surrounding climate change.
Developed in partnership with C3DS University of Exeter and supported by Octopus Energy.
👇
torto.se/4j0NNY4
Developed in partnership with C3DS University of Exeter and supported by Octopus Energy.
👇
torto.se/4j0NNY4
April 8, 2025 at 3:08 PM
A fascinating database of lies
Reposted by Andrew Urquhart
Did you cycle to the shops or to meet a friend as a kid? 🚲
Today’s children roam 97% less than their parents did. Let’s bring back freedom, joy and independence.
Join us in #StandingUpForCyclists.
Donate today for the future of tomorrow at www.cyclinguk.org/make-a-diffe...
Today’s children roam 97% less than their parents did. Let’s bring back freedom, joy and independence.
Join us in #StandingUpForCyclists.
Donate today for the future of tomorrow at www.cyclinguk.org/make-a-diffe...
March 28, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Did you cycle to the shops or to meet a friend as a kid? 🚲
Today’s children roam 97% less than their parents did. Let’s bring back freedom, joy and independence.
Join us in #StandingUpForCyclists.
Donate today for the future of tomorrow at www.cyclinguk.org/make-a-diffe...
Today’s children roam 97% less than their parents did. Let’s bring back freedom, joy and independence.
Join us in #StandingUpForCyclists.
Donate today for the future of tomorrow at www.cyclinguk.org/make-a-diffe...
Reposted by Andrew Urquhart
Hang on, didn't the Government say we're broke & having to slash support to the poorest people? Where did they find £9 billion to blow on a heavily polluting new road 🤔
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Lower Thames Crossing plan for Essex and Kent approved by government
Heidi Alexander gives green light to controversial £9bn tunnel, Britain’s biggest single planned road building project
www.theguardian.com
March 25, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Hang on, didn't the Government say we're broke & having to slash support to the poorest people? Where did they find £9 billion to blow on a heavily polluting new road 🤔
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Does everyone else already know about Gary Stevenson and Gary's Economics? Fascinating stuff, and worth a listen for any green-minded people who want to understand why it's so hard to create a fairer green economy when all the wealth is being sucked out of it.
www.youtube.com/garyseconomics
www.youtube.com/garyseconomics
Garys Economics
@garyseconomics is focused on teaching people about real world economics.
Inequality Economist. Former Trader. Other Economists make predictions, but my ones are actually right.
www.youtube.com
March 25, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Does everyone else already know about Gary Stevenson and Gary's Economics? Fascinating stuff, and worth a listen for any green-minded people who want to understand why it's so hard to create a fairer green economy when all the wealth is being sucked out of it.
www.youtube.com/garyseconomics
www.youtube.com/garyseconomics
Very worrying...
Today, my @fightingdirty.bsky.social co-director, George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social writes about how flawed regulation & water company greed puts industrial waste on our plates. Please help us change the law by supporting our work 🙏🌍❤️ fightingdirty.org
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
What’s in the millions of tonnes of sludge spread on to UK farmland? Toxic waste – and ministers don’t care | George Monbiot
Water companies let waste disposers, for cash, dump their loads into sewage farms. When it is recklessly used as fertiliser, we are all at risk, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
March 24, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Very worrying...
Reposted by Andrew Urquhart
Brilliant news on a Friday afternoon: gov will launch new natural history GCSE. It's taken Mary Colwell, @carolinelucas.bsky.social & others years of campaigning. (I'm praying it'll be introduced quickly enough for my children!)
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Department for Education confirms launch of natural history GCSE
Campaigners have been calling for the qualification for years but plan stalled despite a curriculum being drawn up
www.theguardian.com
March 21, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Brilliant news on a Friday afternoon: gov will launch new natural history GCSE. It's taken Mary Colwell, @carolinelucas.bsky.social & others years of campaigning. (I'm praying it'll be introduced quickly enough for my children!)
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Andrew Urquhart
It wasn’t net zero — it was fossil gas that drove up UK electricity prices.
Spot on, @pilitaclark.bsky.social! Gas sets the price most of the time.
As @dharavyas.bsky.social Energy UK, says: "It’s the volatile cost of fossil fuels and our dependence on them that have driven up energy bills."
Spot on, @pilitaclark.bsky.social! Gas sets the price most of the time.
As @dharavyas.bsky.social Energy UK, says: "It’s the volatile cost of fossil fuels and our dependence on them that have driven up energy bills."
March 19, 2025 at 10:11 AM
It wasn’t net zero — it was fossil gas that drove up UK electricity prices.
Spot on, @pilitaclark.bsky.social! Gas sets the price most of the time.
As @dharavyas.bsky.social Energy UK, says: "It’s the volatile cost of fossil fuels and our dependence on them that have driven up energy bills."
Spot on, @pilitaclark.bsky.social! Gas sets the price most of the time.
As @dharavyas.bsky.social Energy UK, says: "It’s the volatile cost of fossil fuels and our dependence on them that have driven up energy bills."
Better headline:
"Badenoch declares Tories not capable of managing energy transition"
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
"Badenoch declares Tories not capable of managing energy transition"
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Net Zero by 2050 'impossible' for UK, says Kemi Badenoch
The Tory leader says the target is impossible
www.bbc.co.uk
March 18, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Better headline:
"Badenoch declares Tories not capable of managing energy transition"
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
"Badenoch declares Tories not capable of managing energy transition"
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Andrew Urquhart
The UK is alarmingly off track to meet its national climate targets and we’re seeing daily reminders that the climate crisis is here. That’s why we’re calling on the government to deliver a #BigClimatePlan that ensures a brighter future. Sign our petition: foe.uk/nnbkv
March 13, 2025 at 10:01 AM
The UK is alarmingly off track to meet its national climate targets and we’re seeing daily reminders that the climate crisis is here. That’s why we’re calling on the government to deliver a #BigClimatePlan that ensures a brighter future. Sign our petition: foe.uk/nnbkv
Yes, why not. And if compulsory purchase can be used to build roads, can it also be used to create cycle paths when vested interests prevent an obvious route?
Governments often compulsorily purchase land to build roads, railways & infrastructure - and often to the detriment of nature
So why shouldn’t a govt nature body be able to do the same to *protect and restore* nature?
(Natural England have actually had CPO powers since 1949 but rarely used them!)
So why shouldn’t a govt nature body be able to do the same to *protect and restore* nature?
(Natural England have actually had CPO powers since 1949 but rarely used them!)
March 12, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Yes, why not. And if compulsory purchase can be used to build roads, can it also be used to create cycle paths when vested interests prevent an obvious route?
A message for Ed Miliband. I hope @joshdeanmp.bsky.social you have seen this too.
🌍 Ed Miliband—after the Climate and Nature Bill debate on 24 January, you promised to work towards real change for climate and nature.
📅 Will you commit to a meeting with Zero Hour and take forward the spirit of the #CANBill via future legislation?
⏳ We’re counting on you.
👉 zerohour.uk
📅 Will you commit to a meeting with Zero Hour and take forward the spirit of the #CANBill via future legislation?
⏳ We’re counting on you.
👉 zerohour.uk
🌍 Ed Miliband—will you meet with Zero Hour to discuss urgent, joined-up climate and nature action?
YouTube video by Zero Hour: Climate and Nature Bill
www.youtube.com
March 6, 2025 at 8:16 AM
A message for Ed Miliband. I hope @joshdeanmp.bsky.social you have seen this too.