Barry McMullin
@autofac.bsky.social
Stranger in a strange land - aren't we all? Engineering academic #Decarbonisation #ComplexSystems. #CarbonAbolitionist #AndACyclist he/his
Why "autofac" you say? Well ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autofac
And: http://www.eeng.dcu.ie/~mcmullin/
Why "autofac" you say? Well ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autofac
And: http://www.eeng.dcu.ie/~mcmullin/
Pinned
Barry McMullin
@autofac.bsky.social
· Nov 16
postcarbonireland.org: GE2024
www.postcarbonireland.org
Update on petition for a dedicated #IE
#GE2024 Leaders' Debate on the Climate & Biodiversity emergency:
www.postcarbonireland.org/GE2024/
#GE2024 Leaders' Debate on the Climate & Biodiversity emergency:
www.postcarbonireland.org/GE2024/
Reposted by Barry McMullin
To give you an idea of how deranged the UK has become about gender stuff, here's Enid Blyton - the absolute avatar of classic English conservatism and a huge fan of racist "gollywogs" - casually describing a gender non-conforming kid in the 1940s and having their friends be totally cool with it.
February 14, 2026 at 11:33 AM
To give you an idea of how deranged the UK has become about gender stuff, here's Enid Blyton - the absolute avatar of classic English conservatism and a huge fan of racist "gollywogs" - casually describing a gender non-conforming kid in the 1940s and having their friends be totally cool with it.
Reposted by Barry McMullin
Any news outlet that is still publishing stuff like this is declaring that it should no longer be taken seriously as a source of information.
February 14, 2026 at 10:31 AM
Any news outlet that is still publishing stuff like this is declaring that it should no longer be taken seriously as a source of information.
Reposted by Barry McMullin
Three and a half days after the ICE flight through Shannon Airport. Multiple phone calls and emails to the Gardai, and we've heard nothing from them on what action they took to investigate. I've been told by one officer that there is nothing on the PULSE record except my initial report.
ICE flight refuels in Ireland again before landing in Egypt; Irish activist pressed police to investigate. gillianbrockell.ghost.io/ice-flight-r...
UPDATED: ICE flight refuels in Ireland again before landing in Egypt; Irish activist pressed police to investigate
MAGA billionaire’s jet also did another ICE flight, to Sierra Leone.
gillianbrockell.ghost.io
February 14, 2026 at 11:44 AM
Three and a half days after the ICE flight through Shannon Airport. Multiple phone calls and emails to the Gardai, and we've heard nothing from them on what action they took to investigate. I've been told by one officer that there is nothing on the PULSE record except my initial report.
Reposted by Barry McMullin
Why do the fascists want to keep you hooked on fossil fuels? Because it keeps them in power. If you don't need their fossil fuels, they lose a lot of that power. True for Putin, Trump and the Princes.
The smartest national security move now is to switch to renewables and electric transportation.
The smartest national security move now is to switch to renewables and electric transportation.
Cubans turn to electric vehicles as US tightens oil blockade
HAVANA, Feb 13 () - The rumble of 1959 Chevrolets, once the rhythmic heartbeat of Havana, is fading to the near silence of electric vehicles as the island faces its worst fuel shortage in years. For...
finance.yahoo.com
February 14, 2026 at 10:50 AM
Why do the fascists want to keep you hooked on fossil fuels? Because it keeps them in power. If you don't need their fossil fuels, they lose a lot of that power. True for Putin, Trump and the Princes.
The smartest national security move now is to switch to renewables and electric transportation.
The smartest national security move now is to switch to renewables and electric transportation.
Reposted by Barry McMullin
'Nonsense': Miliband attacks Blair as former PM backs North Sea oil drilling.
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
'Nonsense': Miliband attacks Blair as former PM backs North Sea oil drilling
The Tony Blair Institute says the North Sea basin should be treated as a 'home-grown strategic national asset'
inews.co.uk
February 14, 2026 at 9:50 AM
'Nonsense': Miliband attacks Blair as former PM backs North Sea oil drilling.
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Barry McMullin
“A responsible foreign policy that complies with international law would have to protect a UN Special Rapporteur – against unlawful sanctions by the US as well as against smear campaigns by NGOs using false videos and quotes. @aussenminister.diplo.de”
Eine verantwortungsvolle und völkerrechtskonforme Außenpolitik müsste eine UN-Sonderberichterstatterin in Schutz nehmen - gegen rechtswidrigen Sanktionen durch die USA ebenso wie gegen Verleumdungskampagnen durch NGOs mit falschen Videos und Zitaten. @aussenminister.diplo.de
Amnesty: European states must retract outrageous attacks on UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese
www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...
www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...
February 14, 2026 at 11:58 AM
“A responsible foreign policy that complies with international law would have to protect a UN Special Rapporteur – against unlawful sanctions by the US as well as against smear campaigns by NGOs using false videos and quotes. @aussenminister.diplo.de”
“I long for the days when a midlife crisis for men meant getting a motorbike and a leather jacket, not [seeking] election ... to indulge their alt right fantasies about ensuring women were pregnant as soon as they were fertile and then didn’t go to university.” www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
‘Handmaid’s Tale future’: Reform’s Matt Goodwin sparks outcry with fertility comments
Byelection candidate accused of indulging ‘alt right fantasy’ by suggesting women need ‘biological reality’ check
www.theguardian.com
February 14, 2026 at 11:07 AM
“I long for the days when a midlife crisis for men meant getting a motorbike and a leather jacket, not [seeking] election ... to indulge their alt right fantasies about ensuring women were pregnant as soon as they were fertile and then didn’t go to university.” www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Barry McMullin
Rubio’s speech at Munich was a massive free dose of fentanyl to an addict desperate not to get clean. And it worked. Europe is full of suckers.
February 14, 2026 at 9:53 AM
Rubio’s speech at Munich was a massive free dose of fentanyl to an addict desperate not to get clean. And it worked. Europe is full of suckers.
Reposted by Barry McMullin
Week #373 (It's hard to keep track - we've been protesting for climate justice for so long, I think we can be excused for displaying the wrong number occasionally). #KeepThePassengerCap #KeepIrelandLNGFree @fiannafailparty.bsky.social @darraghobrientd.bsky.social Fine Gael
February 14, 2026 at 10:44 AM
Week #373 (It's hard to keep track - we've been protesting for climate justice for so long, I think we can be excused for displaying the wrong number occasionally). #KeepThePassengerCap #KeepIrelandLNGFree @fiannafailparty.bsky.social @darraghobrientd.bsky.social Fine Gael
Reposted by Barry McMullin
The only people sent to Limerick prison over Irish State complicity in lawbreaking at Shannon Airport have been those highlighting it.
February 14, 2026 at 10:43 AM
The only people sent to Limerick prison over Irish State complicity in lawbreaking at Shannon Airport have been those highlighting it.
Reposted by Barry McMullin
If you really want growth that benefits the public limit the size and power of corporations and limit foreign ownership because that extracts profits and wealth from your country and they dodge taxes, too.
The mistake "pro-business" centrists make is deregulation and tax cuts don't create good "growth." They might grow the giant corporations & increase GDP but the beneficiaries don't pay taxes, wipe out smaller businesses, force wages down & otherwise boost public resentment.
This ushers in fascism.
This ushers in fascism.
February 14, 2026 at 10:49 AM
If you really want growth that benefits the public limit the size and power of corporations and limit foreign ownership because that extracts profits and wealth from your country and they dodge taxes, too.
Reposted by Barry McMullin
This comes two weeks after the Council of Europe banned conversion therapy.
The right wing and activist press like the nyt have worked hard to promote the false narrative that transphobic policies are sweeping Europe. They were pushing a lie. Europe speaks for itself
The right wing and activist press like the nyt have worked hard to promote the false narrative that transphobic policies are sweeping Europe. They were pushing a lie. Europe speaks for itself
In incredible news, the European Parliament has voted overwhelmingly for "The Full Recognition Of Trans Women As Women."
Even the center-right European People's Party voted for the declaration.
It will form a foundation for their position at the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
Our latest.
Even the center-right European People's Party voted for the declaration.
It will form a foundation for their position at the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
Our latest.
European Parliament Votes Overwhelmingly For "The Full Recognition Of Trans Women As Women"
The resolution, though nonbinding, is a significant shot at those who seek to erode transgender rights on the continent.
www.erininthemorning.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:41 PM
This comes two weeks after the Council of Europe banned conversion therapy.
The right wing and activist press like the nyt have worked hard to promote the false narrative that transphobic policies are sweeping Europe. They were pushing a lie. Europe speaks for itself
The right wing and activist press like the nyt have worked hard to promote the false narrative that transphobic policies are sweeping Europe. They were pushing a lie. Europe speaks for itself
Reposted by Barry McMullin
MISLEADING: A new academic paper by @qmul.bsky.social has attracted significant media attention by claiming that EVs & heat pumps deliver no proven carbon savings in UK ahead of 2030 clean power target - and should therefore be postponed.
Here is why this paper should never have been published.🧵
Here is why this paper should never have been published.🧵
February 12, 2026 at 3:10 PM
MISLEADING: A new academic paper by @qmul.bsky.social has attracted significant media attention by claiming that EVs & heat pumps deliver no proven carbon savings in UK ahead of 2030 clean power target - and should therefore be postponed.
Here is why this paper should never have been published.🧵
Here is why this paper should never have been published.🧵
Reposted by Barry McMullin
Reposted by Barry McMullin
Trump trying to make RCP8.5 happen.
Trump repeals U.S. government’s power to regulate climate
The Environmental Protection Agency finishes the repeal of the “endangerment finding,” a landmark legal opinion underpinning policies regulating climate change.
wapo.st
February 13, 2026 at 7:57 AM
Trump trying to make RCP8.5 happen.
“In 40 years, not once has a customer told us they bought a [Quorn] product believing it to be meat..."
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
Food firms urge Europe not to ban calling non-meat products ‘sausages’
Exclusive: Manufacturers tell European Commission proposed ban would cause unnecessary confusion
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:44 AM
“In 40 years, not once has a customer told us they bought a [Quorn] product believing it to be meat..."
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
Reposted by Barry McMullin
Today is David Graeber's birthday. He'd have been 65 years old today.
His ideas are still here and his message is more important than ever before which must remind us that a better world is possible.
His ideas are still here and his message is more important than ever before which must remind us that a better world is possible.
February 12, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Today is David Graeber's birthday. He'd have been 65 years old today.
His ideas are still here and his message is more important than ever before which must remind us that a better world is possible.
His ideas are still here and his message is more important than ever before which must remind us that a better world is possible.
Reposted by Barry McMullin
I admit, I don't think its possible
Trump on drug prices: "They're coming down by 500, 600, 700 percent ... numbers nobody ever thought possible"
February 12, 2026 at 7:14 PM
I admit, I don't think its possible
Reposted by Barry McMullin
En route to studio for this week’s Last Word on the environment with Matt Cooper on Today FM.
Today marks the 5th anniversary of the weekly slot, that kicked off in early February 2021. Time flies!
Today marks the 5th anniversary of the weekly slot, that kicked off in early February 2021. Time flies!
February 12, 2026 at 5:06 PM
En route to studio for this week’s Last Word on the environment with Matt Cooper on Today FM.
Today marks the 5th anniversary of the weekly slot, that kicked off in early February 2021. Time flies!
Today marks the 5th anniversary of the weekly slot, that kicked off in early February 2021. Time flies!
Reposted by Barry McMullin
A former US law enforcement officer's letter on the ethics of Ireland supplying fuelling facilities to US ICE deportation flights at Shannon. #ethics
February 12, 2026 at 11:24 AM
A former US law enforcement officer's letter on the ethics of Ireland supplying fuelling facilities to US ICE deportation flights at Shannon. #ethics
Reposted by Barry McMullin
China emissions 'flat or falling'
China’s carbon dioxide emissions have now been flat or falling for nearly two years according to new analysis. Emissions fell one per cent year-on-year in the final quarter of 2025 and are likely to have declined by 0.3 per cent over the year.
China’s carbon dioxide emissions have now been flat or falling for nearly two years according to new analysis. Emissions fell one per cent year-on-year in the final quarter of 2025 and are likely to have declined by 0.3 per cent over the year.
China’s emissions have stopped rising for two years. Is this the start of a decline?
Whether the current plateau becomes a sustained decline will depend largely on decisions in the next five-year plan, due in March
buff.ly
February 12, 2026 at 10:15 AM
China emissions 'flat or falling'
China’s carbon dioxide emissions have now been flat or falling for nearly two years according to new analysis. Emissions fell one per cent year-on-year in the final quarter of 2025 and are likely to have declined by 0.3 per cent over the year.
China’s carbon dioxide emissions have now been flat or falling for nearly two years according to new analysis. Emissions fell one per cent year-on-year in the final quarter of 2025 and are likely to have declined by 0.3 per cent over the year.
Reposted by Barry McMullin
BREAKING: UK heat pump sales hit a record in 2025: 125,037 units sold (+27% vs 2024).
Growth across all segments:
• Air-to-water +26%
• Ground/water source +32%
• DHW +36%
• UK-made units +38%
Growth across all segments:
• Air-to-water +26%
• Ground/water source +32%
• DHW +36%
• UK-made units +38%
February 12, 2026 at 10:15 AM
BREAKING: UK heat pump sales hit a record in 2025: 125,037 units sold (+27% vs 2024).
Growth across all segments:
• Air-to-water +26%
• Ground/water source +32%
• DHW +36%
• UK-made units +38%
Growth across all segments:
• Air-to-water +26%
• Ground/water source +32%
• DHW +36%
• UK-made units +38%
"... the US would not fight for the Baltics if the Russians attacked and the US under Trump would never use nuclear weapons to defend Europe in any scenario. So saying you are helpless without the USA does make it more likely that the US will defend Europe—if anything it makes it less likely."
Just sent out this free piece. For two weeks now we have heard senior European policy makers speak lies. Europe cannot defend itself without the USA, the USA under Trump it committed to NATO, Europe is too weak. It is a generation of failure justifying its mistakes. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
The Worst Argument Possible
Of course Europe can defend itself, indeed it should.
open.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:18 AM
"... the US would not fight for the Baltics if the Russians attacked and the US under Trump would never use nuclear weapons to defend Europe in any scenario. So saying you are helpless without the USA does make it more likely that the US will defend Europe—if anything it makes it less likely."
Reposted by Barry McMullin
"there is no basis in science, and no discernible basis in law, for the [Minister's] assertion that delays in finalising [the carbon budgets] provide a justification for a delay in publication of the statutory 2026 update to the Climate Action Plan (CAP26)."
www.postcarbonireland.org/etc/2026/Let...
www.postcarbonireland.org/etc/2026/Let...
www.postcarbonireland.org
February 12, 2026 at 8:40 AM
"there is no basis in science, and no discernible basis in law, for the [Minister's] assertion that delays in finalising [the carbon budgets] provide a justification for a delay in publication of the statutory 2026 update to the Climate Action Plan (CAP26)."
www.postcarbonireland.org/etc/2026/Let...
www.postcarbonireland.org/etc/2026/Let...
Reposted by Barry McMullin
If China's emissions had kept growing at previous levels emissions would like, what, maybe a full GIGATONNE higher....the area of avoided emissions here is like deleting the emissions of entire countries. This is happening at a scale that will very clearly have an effect in lessening disasters
February 12, 2026 at 8:18 AM
If China's emissions had kept growing at previous levels emissions would like, what, maybe a full GIGATONNE higher....the area of avoided emissions here is like deleting the emissions of entire countries. This is happening at a scale that will very clearly have an effect in lessening disasters