Dr Charlie Gardner
@charliejgardner.bsky.social
Conservationist, activist, writer and researcher, rebelling against extinction
Pinned
1/ There's a lot of talk these days about scientific neutrality and the role of academics in our planetary emergency
So I'd love to introduce myself by sharing some of my work on academic activism and talking a bit about my own shift from 'the lab' to the streets
So I'd love to introduce myself by sharing some of my work on academic activism and talking a bit about my own shift from 'the lab' to the streets
Activists & social movement scholars are always discussing how different tactics may affect public responses
But I don't think it's the tactics themselves that really matter - it's how they're covered by media
And that depends on whether or not they counter the interests of economic elites
But I don't think it's the tactics themselves that really matter - it's how they're covered by media
And that depends on whether or not they counter the interests of economic elites
If there's one thing the mainstream news media love to overlook, it's the impact of the mainstream news media. The petite Tea Party in all its elite-backed astroturfiness was hailed like a sacred comet; the historically huge No Kings was played down by the NY Times, among other publications.
November 24, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Activists & social movement scholars are always discussing how different tactics may affect public responses
But I don't think it's the tactics themselves that really matter - it's how they're covered by media
And that depends on whether or not they counter the interests of economic elites
But I don't think it's the tactics themselves that really matter - it's how they're covered by media
And that depends on whether or not they counter the interests of economic elites
The assumption is wrong because leaders aren't in the job of doing the right thing
But they do respond to pressure, and can be made to do the right thing
But they do respond to pressure, and can be made to do the right thing
I've long assumed that as global warming become more obvious and severe, leaders would come to their senses and ramp up climate action and preparation
But the opposite is happening - and I'm starting to fear that my assumption was naive and wildly wrong
www.newscientist.com/article/2505...
But the opposite is happening - and I'm starting to fear that my assumption was naive and wildly wrong
www.newscientist.com/article/2505...
Why is climate action stalling, not ramping up as Earth gets hotter?
As the impact of global warming becomes more obvious, you might expect countries to step up climate action and preparation, but we’re seeing the opposite happen
www.newscientist.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:51 PM
The assumption is wrong because leaders aren't in the job of doing the right thing
But they do respond to pressure, and can be made to do the right thing
But they do respond to pressure, and can be made to do the right thing
Reposted by Dr Charlie Gardner
Researchers are seeing a disturbing rise in the trade of African hornbills, both in local voodoo markets and online on Instagram, Etsy, and eBay.
The birds have scant legal protection, despite playing a key role in the seeding of African forests.
The birds have scant legal protection, despite playing a key role in the seeding of African forests.
A Troubling Rise in the Grisly Trade of a Spectacular African Bird
Researchers are finding a disturbing uptick in the trade of African hornbills and their body parts in West African voodoo markets and globally on the internet. Conservationists want international prot...
e360.yale.edu
November 24, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Researchers are seeing a disturbing rise in the trade of African hornbills, both in local voodoo markets and online on Instagram, Etsy, and eBay.
The birds have scant legal protection, despite playing a key role in the seeding of African forests.
The birds have scant legal protection, despite playing a key role in the seeding of African forests.
Reposted by Dr Charlie Gardner
"As scientists, we are duty-bound to speak plainly about the dangers that lie ahead.
We urge all our elected representatives to take responsibility for being fully informed and to join this critical @nebriefing.bsky.social on 27 November"
Please contact your MP via:
www.nebriefing.org
We urge all our elected representatives to take responsibility for being fully informed and to join this critical @nebriefing.bsky.social on 27 November"
Please contact your MP via:
www.nebriefing.org
Over 1,000 scientists urge MPs to attend landmark climate briefing https://geographical.co.uk/climate-change/1000-scientists-urge-mps-to-attend-national-emergency-briefing
Over 1,000 scientists urge MPs to attend landmark climate briefing
UK experts issue urgent call to MPs ahead of next week’s National Emergency Briefing on the climate crisis
geographical.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 4:27 PM
"As scientists, we are duty-bound to speak plainly about the dangers that lie ahead.
We urge all our elected representatives to take responsibility for being fully informed and to join this critical @nebriefing.bsky.social on 27 November"
Please contact your MP via:
www.nebriefing.org
We urge all our elected representatives to take responsibility for being fully informed and to join this critical @nebriefing.bsky.social on 27 November"
Please contact your MP via:
www.nebriefing.org
Reposted by Dr Charlie Gardner
Between citizen initiatives, artistic engagement, and public policies, Guadeloupe is reinventing itself to turn waste into a resource. From sewing workshops to sustainable festivals, the entire archipelago is mobilising for a more sustainable future.
In Guadeloupe, creativity in the service of zero waste
From citizen initiatives and artistic engagement to public policies, Guadeloupe is reinventing itself, turning waste into a resource — but there is still an urgent need to improve waste recovery channels.
globalvoices.org
November 21, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Between citizen initiatives, artistic engagement, and public policies, Guadeloupe is reinventing itself to turn waste into a resource. From sewing workshops to sustainable festivals, the entire archipelago is mobilising for a more sustainable future.
Reposted by Dr Charlie Gardner
1/ 🚨It’s down to the wire at #COP30. The latest draft text is shamefully weak. No mention of fossil fuels. No real finance commitments. Just vague adaptation promises.
“This is outrageous.” –
@bronwentucker.bsky.social bit.ly/3K2Ot36
🧵👇
“This is outrageous.” –
@bronwentucker.bsky.social bit.ly/3K2Ot36
🧵👇
COP30 Presidency presents new draft text that fails on equity - Oil Change International
This is outrageous. The Presidency has presented a shamefully weak text that fails to mention fossil fuels, fails to deliver accountability towards rich countries’ finance obligations, and only makes ...
bit.ly
November 21, 2025 at 6:22 PM
1/ 🚨It’s down to the wire at #COP30. The latest draft text is shamefully weak. No mention of fossil fuels. No real finance commitments. Just vague adaptation promises.
“This is outrageous.” –
@bronwentucker.bsky.social bit.ly/3K2Ot36
🧵👇
“This is outrageous.” –
@bronwentucker.bsky.social bit.ly/3K2Ot36
🧵👇
Reposted by Dr Charlie Gardner
You ever just sit down and realize that the rise of 21st century fascism is capital's answer to climate change?
November 21, 2025 at 9:25 AM
You ever just sit down and realize that the rise of 21st century fascism is capital's answer to climate change?
Reposted by Dr Charlie Gardner
'Iran’s capital must be moved because the country “no longer has a choice,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday in remarks carried by state media, warning that severe ecological strain has made Tehran impossible to sustain'
#Iran 🇮🇷
#Iran 🇮🇷
Iran president says capital move now a necessity as water crisis deepens
Iran’s capital must be moved because the country “no longer has a choice,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday in remarks carried by state media, warning that severe ecological strain has mad...
www.iranintl.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:52 AM
'Iran’s capital must be moved because the country “no longer has a choice,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday in remarks carried by state media, warning that severe ecological strain has made Tehran impossible to sustain'
#Iran 🇮🇷
#Iran 🇮🇷
Reposted by Dr Charlie Gardner
It’s very hard to see what the opposition is to a roadmap beyond ‘we just want to burn lots more fossil fuels’. It’s just a promise to discuss a roadmap and it’s for a ‘transition away’ from fossil fuels, not a full phase out.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Cop30: dozens of countries threaten to block resolution unless it contains roadmap to fossil fuel phase-out
Exclusive: The Guardian understands Brazil had been planning to drop a roadmap to a transition away from fossil fuels amid opposition from petro states
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:28 AM
It’s very hard to see what the opposition is to a roadmap beyond ‘we just want to burn lots more fossil fuels’. It’s just a promise to discuss a roadmap and it’s for a ‘transition away’ from fossil fuels, not a full phase out.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Dr Charlie Gardner
The plant, would make ethylene for plastics manufacture - likely to cause ammonia, ozone, nitrogen oxide + PM2.5 pollution - linked to increased cases of heart + breathing conditions - and carcinogenic VOCs - risking people's health says @clientearth.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Pollution from Ineos’s Antwerp plastic plant ‘could cause more deaths than jobs created’
Lawyers challenge €4bn Project One development, saying emissions and health impacts vastly underestimated
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:12 PM
The plant, would make ethylene for plastics manufacture - likely to cause ammonia, ozone, nitrogen oxide + PM2.5 pollution - linked to increased cases of heart + breathing conditions - and carcinogenic VOCs - risking people's health says @clientearth.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Dr Charlie Gardner
📢📢Really important - Ed Miliband is trying to stop fossil fuels at #COP30 (🙏 Ed) whilst his Govt back home is pouring money into ... fossil fuels
Please sign: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/te...
@chrisgpackham.bsky.social
@rupertread.bsky.social
@charliejgardner.bsky.social
Please sign: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/te...
@chrisgpackham.bsky.social
@rupertread.bsky.social
@charliejgardner.bsky.social
Tell chancellor Rachel Reeves to stop funding carbon capture and storage
Dear Rachel Reeves,
In your statement to the House of Commons in July last year, you announced a £22billion black hole in public finances. Three months later, the government pledged £22billion of pub...
you.38degrees.org.uk
November 20, 2025 at 4:41 PM
📢📢Really important - Ed Miliband is trying to stop fossil fuels at #COP30 (🙏 Ed) whilst his Govt back home is pouring money into ... fossil fuels
Please sign: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/te...
@chrisgpackham.bsky.social
@rupertread.bsky.social
@charliejgardner.bsky.social
Please sign: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/te...
@chrisgpackham.bsky.social
@rupertread.bsky.social
@charliejgardner.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Charlie Gardner
🔴Drowning in Denial: One in Five Homes in Reform UK Heartlands Could Be Under Water Within 25 Years
As Nigel Farage’s party scraps climate schemes around the country, new data shows flood risk surging across the ten councils it leads, reports @nafeez.bsky.social
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/20/d...
As Nigel Farage’s party scraps climate schemes around the country, new data shows flood risk surging across the ten councils it leads, reports @nafeez.bsky.social
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/20/d...
Drowning in Denial: One in Five Homes in Reform UK Heartlands Could Be Under Water Within 25 Years
As Nigel Farage's party scraps climate schemes around the country, new data shows flood risk surging across the ten councils it leads
bylinetimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:03 AM
🔴Drowning in Denial: One in Five Homes in Reform UK Heartlands Could Be Under Water Within 25 Years
As Nigel Farage’s party scraps climate schemes around the country, new data shows flood risk surging across the ten councils it leads, reports @nafeez.bsky.social
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/20/d...
As Nigel Farage’s party scraps climate schemes around the country, new data shows flood risk surging across the ten councils it leads, reports @nafeez.bsky.social
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/20/d...
Reposted by Dr Charlie Gardner
Today we helped deliver over 700K signatures to Rachel Reeves at the Treasury, calling for higher taxes on the super-rich in her upcoming #UKBudget.
We joined forces with partners to send a clear message: TAX THE SUPER-RICH 💰
Time for Rachel Reeves to pick a side: billionaires or ordinary people?
We joined forces with partners to send a clear message: TAX THE SUPER-RICH 💰
Time for Rachel Reeves to pick a side: billionaires or ordinary people?
November 19, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Today we helped deliver over 700K signatures to Rachel Reeves at the Treasury, calling for higher taxes on the super-rich in her upcoming #UKBudget.
We joined forces with partners to send a clear message: TAX THE SUPER-RICH 💰
Time for Rachel Reeves to pick a side: billionaires or ordinary people?
We joined forces with partners to send a clear message: TAX THE SUPER-RICH 💰
Time for Rachel Reeves to pick a side: billionaires or ordinary people?
Reposted by Dr Charlie Gardner
One of the world’s rarest birds has rebounded from near extinction after Indigenous communities in Bali committed to protect it under traditional laws, Mongabay contributor Heather Physioc reported.
In 2001, just six Bali starlings were known to live in the wild. By 2021, there were roughly 520.
In 2001, just six Bali starlings were known to live in the wild. By 2021, there were roughly 520.
How Indonesian communities rescued the Bali starling from the brink of extinction
One of the world’s rarest birds has rebounded from near extinction after Indigenous communities on the Indonesian island of Bali committed to protect it under traditional laws, Mongabay contributor…
news.mongabay.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:17 PM
One of the world’s rarest birds has rebounded from near extinction after Indigenous communities in Bali committed to protect it under traditional laws, Mongabay contributor Heather Physioc reported.
In 2001, just six Bali starlings were known to live in the wild. By 2021, there were roughly 520.
In 2001, just six Bali starlings were known to live in the wild. By 2021, there were roughly 520.
It's long past time to refocus economies around what actually matters - wellbeing and sustainability - rather than maximising financial transactions
Important new call to move beyond GDP in Nature
Important new call to move beyond GDP in Nature
Beyond growth — why we need to agree on an alternative to GDP now
The world needs to move towards an approach to measure well-being rather than economic growth. Here’s how that can happen.
www.nature.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:30 AM
It's long past time to refocus economies around what actually matters - wellbeing and sustainability - rather than maximising financial transactions
Important new call to move beyond GDP in Nature
Important new call to move beyond GDP in Nature
Reposted by Dr Charlie Gardner
Scientists are becoming more visible in public climate debates, but the effects of this engagement are far from straightforward. We often hear strong claims about credibility and trust, yet what does the evidence say? Our new preprint explores this osf.io/preprints/ps...
Thread 1/n
Thread 1/n
November 19, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Scientists are becoming more visible in public climate debates, but the effects of this engagement are far from straightforward. We often hear strong claims about credibility and trust, yet what does the evidence say? Our new preprint explores this osf.io/preprints/ps...
Thread 1/n
Thread 1/n
Reposted by Dr Charlie Gardner
"There’s no genuine, citizen-driven demand to ban veggie burgers or sausages – just a meat industry push to protect its profit margins from a rising tide of dietary change” - Joel Scott-Halkes, @weplanetint.bsky.social
Ban on veggie ‘burgers’: plant-based products may lose meaty names in UK under EU law
Exclusive: Trade agreement means UK is subject to some food labelling rules, with vote on vegetarian food terms this week
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:13 AM
"There’s no genuine, citizen-driven demand to ban veggie burgers or sausages – just a meat industry push to protect its profit margins from a rising tide of dietary change” - Joel Scott-Halkes, @weplanetint.bsky.social
Ultra-processed food bad, natural food good, right?
No, ultra-processed plant-based foods are less unhealthy than equivalent unprocessed animal-based products
No, ultra-processed plant-based foods are less unhealthy than equivalent unprocessed animal-based products
Ultra-processed Plant Foods: Are They Worse than their Unprocessed Animal-Based Counterparts? - Current Nutrition Reports
Purpose of the Review This review aims to compare the impact of unprocessed animal foods with ultra-processed plant-based alternatives, particularly plant-based milks, plant-based meat analogs, and ma...
link.springer.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Ultra-processed food bad, natural food good, right?
No, ultra-processed plant-based foods are less unhealthy than equivalent unprocessed animal-based products
No, ultra-processed plant-based foods are less unhealthy than equivalent unprocessed animal-based products
"while mitigating further global warming can reduce heat mortality, mass mortality events [in Europe] remain plausible at near-future temperatures despite current adaptations to heat"
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
November 19, 2025 at 1:10 PM
"while mitigating further global warming can reduce heat mortality, mass mortality events [in Europe] remain plausible at near-future temperatures despite current adaptations to heat"
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
>1600 fossil fuel lobbyists
>300 big agriculture lobbyists
551 carbon capture and storage lobbyists
Are COPs where governments gather to discuss addressing climate change, or where capitalists gather to stop them?
>300 big agriculture lobbyists
551 carbon capture and storage lobbyists
Are COPs where governments gather to discuss addressing climate change, or where capitalists gather to stop them?
November 19, 2025 at 10:44 AM
>1600 fossil fuel lobbyists
>300 big agriculture lobbyists
551 carbon capture and storage lobbyists
Are COPs where governments gather to discuss addressing climate change, or where capitalists gather to stop them?
>300 big agriculture lobbyists
551 carbon capture and storage lobbyists
Are COPs where governments gather to discuss addressing climate change, or where capitalists gather to stop them?
Reposted by Dr Charlie Gardner
This is a depressing roundup
Does this answer a few of those niggling questions that have been cropping up in your head too …?
@wanderinggaia.bsky.social
theconversation.com/how-the-rich...
@wanderinggaia.bsky.social
theconversation.com/how-the-rich...
How the rich world is fortifying itself against climate migration
Climate change is already linked to mass deportation – and the worst is still to come.
theconversation.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:37 AM
This is a depressing roundup
Reposted by Dr Charlie Gardner
"academic publishing is dominated by profit-oriented, multinational companies for whom scientific knowledge is a commodity to be sold back to the academic community who created it... The dominant four collectively generated... $12 billion in profits between 2019 and 2024."
November 18, 2025 at 6:48 AM
"academic publishing is dominated by profit-oriented, multinational companies for whom scientific knowledge is a commodity to be sold back to the academic community who created it... The dominant four collectively generated... $12 billion in profits between 2019 and 2024."
Reposted by Dr Charlie Gardner
Also at COP30 - 62 faith-led institutions announced their financial divestment from fossil fuels - "Fossil fuel divestment is a moral imperative in response to the growing climate crisis"
@greenfaith.bsky.social @lsrioxford.bsky.social
laudatosimovement.org/news/62-fait...
@greenfaith.bsky.social @lsrioxford.bsky.social
laudatosimovement.org/news/62-fait...
November 18, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Also at COP30 - 62 faith-led institutions announced their financial divestment from fossil fuels - "Fossil fuel divestment is a moral imperative in response to the growing climate crisis"
@greenfaith.bsky.social @lsrioxford.bsky.social
laudatosimovement.org/news/62-fait...
@greenfaith.bsky.social @lsrioxford.bsky.social
laudatosimovement.org/news/62-fait...
Reposted by Dr Charlie Gardner
📢 "Our land and our forest are not commodities. Respect nature and the peoples who live in the forest."
People are gathering in their thousands in Belém during #COP30 - demanding protection of their land, protesting against deforestation, fossil fuel and mineral mining and corporate greed.
People are gathering in their thousands in Belém during #COP30 - demanding protection of their land, protesting against deforestation, fossil fuel and mineral mining and corporate greed.
November 18, 2025 at 9:07 AM
📢 "Our land and our forest are not commodities. Respect nature and the peoples who live in the forest."
People are gathering in their thousands in Belém during #COP30 - demanding protection of their land, protesting against deforestation, fossil fuel and mineral mining and corporate greed.
People are gathering in their thousands in Belém during #COP30 - demanding protection of their land, protesting against deforestation, fossil fuel and mineral mining and corporate greed.
Reposted by Dr Charlie Gardner
Iceland did something after the 2008–09 crash that the US, UK and EU pretend is impossible as Trump and his vile ilk ride rough shod over our democracies.
It confronted and punished its corrupt bankers and failed politicians.
And rebuilt a fairer society from the rubble. 🧵
It confronted and punished its corrupt bankers and failed politicians.
And rebuilt a fairer society from the rubble. 🧵
November 16, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Iceland did something after the 2008–09 crash that the US, UK and EU pretend is impossible as Trump and his vile ilk ride rough shod over our democracies.
It confronted and punished its corrupt bankers and failed politicians.
And rebuilt a fairer society from the rubble. 🧵
It confronted and punished its corrupt bankers and failed politicians.
And rebuilt a fairer society from the rubble. 🧵