Kate de Selincourt
@katedes.bsky.social
Writer - sustainable building and the environment
"Heating systems alone do not deliver warm, healthy or affordable homes."
As I keep hearing, we need to be very careful that installing low carbon heating doesn't end up making people's living conditions worse. @passivhaustrust.bsky.social
passivhaustrust.org.uk/news/detail/...
As I keep hearing, we need to be very careful that installing low carbon heating doesn't end up making people's living conditions worse. @passivhaustrust.bsky.social
passivhaustrust.org.uk/news/detail/...
Passivhaus News
Passivhaus News
passivhaustrust.org.uk
January 29, 2026 at 5:25 PM
"Heating systems alone do not deliver warm, healthy or affordable homes."
As I keep hearing, we need to be very careful that installing low carbon heating doesn't end up making people's living conditions worse. @passivhaustrust.bsky.social
passivhaustrust.org.uk/news/detail/...
As I keep hearing, we need to be very careful that installing low carbon heating doesn't end up making people's living conditions worse. @passivhaustrust.bsky.social
passivhaustrust.org.uk/news/detail/...
Actually what? (second time govt has caused me to exclaim that today 🥴) Did a *really poor* AI write this? County of Bedford, Virginia?
And I know we all give our data away on a daily basis, but still....
And I know we all give our data away on a daily basis, but still....
So I signed up to the government‘s Ai Skills Hub Training and to have a look at the courses I had to say that it was ok for my data to be processed by PwC (for it is they who are running it) and some company called Invision who are very concerned that everything is governed by the laws of Virginia
January 29, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Actually what? (second time govt has caused me to exclaim that today 🥴) Did a *really poor* AI write this? County of Bedford, Virginia?
And I know we all give our data away on a daily basis, but still....
And I know we all give our data away on a daily basis, but still....
Actually what, MHCLG?
The Guardian has covered the story that there's no mention of women's safety in new planning guidance, despite it being recommended in two major government reports in the last month. But this is what the Dept of Housing, Communities and Local Gov had to say.
Where's my pitchfork...
Where's my pitchfork...
January 29, 2026 at 8:22 AM
Actually what, MHCLG?
Reposted by Kate de Selincourt
This thread is worth reading right to the end.
I think I might take one of these "under 20 minutes" AI skills courses the UK Govt. seems very keen on everyone doing and live-post it here... Maybe we can all learn something together! The press release sends me to aiskillshub.org.uk/aiskillsboost/ - let's go and see!
AI Skills Boost - AI Skills Hub
aiskillshub.org.uk
January 28, 2026 at 9:29 PM
This thread is worth reading right to the end.
Reposted by Kate de Selincourt
How? How do you double-check the accuracy, if you're not already an expert? Ask a different GenAI? Or do you, you know... Have to go and do the research you would have done anyway, pre-AI? Because I'm buggered if I can think of how you do that in a way where the GenAI saved you time.
January 28, 2026 at 1:12 PM
How? How do you double-check the accuracy, if you're not already an expert? Ask a different GenAI? Or do you, you know... Have to go and do the research you would have done anyway, pre-AI? Because I'm buggered if I can think of how you do that in a way where the GenAI saved you time.
Reposted by Kate de Selincourt
The fact that flying is still quite rare even in wealthy countries might come as a surprise to many people who fly more than 5 times a year.
Governments subsidise the industry with direct aid, not taxing the fuels or their emissions, and recently provided 30+ billion in COVID-19 aid in the EU.
Governments subsidise the industry with direct aid, not taxing the fuels or their emissions, and recently provided 30+ billion in COVID-19 aid in the EU.
“That 1 per cent of the population accounts for at least 50 per cent of travel emissions demands we fundamentally rethink solutions for low-carbon mobility that are far more equitable and take into account the responsibility of elites”, Sovacool adds.
An average family doesn’t fly annually.
An average family doesn’t fly annually.
1% of people cause half of global aviation emissions. Most people in fact never fly.
The notion that ‘most people fly’ is contradicted by new research, which also argues that a global elite of 1 percent generates half of the global carbon emissions from aviation.
partner.sciencenorway.no
January 28, 2026 at 6:49 PM
The fact that flying is still quite rare even in wealthy countries might come as a surprise to many people who fly more than 5 times a year.
Governments subsidise the industry with direct aid, not taxing the fuels or their emissions, and recently provided 30+ billion in COVID-19 aid in the EU.
Governments subsidise the industry with direct aid, not taxing the fuels or their emissions, and recently provided 30+ billion in COVID-19 aid in the EU.
Reposted by Kate de Selincourt
I tried the government's new 'AI Skills Hub'. Let's just say I was underwhelmed.
tommorris.org/posts/2026/t...
tommorris.org/posts/2026/t...
Turn it off and run - upskilling for the AI age
The government have made a website where you can learn how you were prompting it wrong.
tommorris.org
January 28, 2026 at 5:40 PM
I tried the government's new 'AI Skills Hub'. Let's just say I was underwhelmed.
tommorris.org/posts/2026/t...
tommorris.org/posts/2026/t...
Reposted by Kate de Selincourt
January 28, 2026 at 2:46 PM
I think I have very good reasons not to feel confident using AI at work, thank you.
I would say this findings shows women are more AI literate than men, because the majority of non-magical beings have no innate ability to "judge truthfulness"
January 28, 2026 at 7:41 AM
I think I have very good reasons not to feel confident using AI at work, thank you.
Definitely agree with this - he's barely a journalist at all
This. I'm not a BBC-basher but IMO Mason is a poor political journalist. It's not that he's 'biased' per se, it's that he reports politics as a kind of giggly spectator sport and as such is preoccupied with spectacle, talking up 'exciting' events rather than analysing them. 1/2
~ Chris Mason, the BBC's Farage fanboy - The New World ~
https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/rats-in-a-sack-chris-mason-the-bbcs-farage-fanboy/
https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/rats-in-a-sack-chris-mason-the-bbcs-farage-fanboy/
January 27, 2026 at 10:34 PM
Definitely agree with this - he's barely a journalist at all
Love this
The Science of the Art of Stoßlüften
This deceptively simple practice of opening windows wide for short periods, rather than leaving them cracked open continuously, represents a masterclass in applied building physics.
ggbec.co.uk/the-scie...
First appeared in Passive House Plus
This deceptively simple practice of opening windows wide for short periods, rather than leaving them cracked open continuously, represents a masterclass in applied building physics.
ggbec.co.uk/the-scie...
First appeared in Passive House Plus
The Science of the Art of Stoßlüften - Greengauge
Greengauge Director Toby Cambray explores the science behind a European approach to managing moisture levels in homes While the German language gifts us wonderfully complex compound words, few are as practically valuable in buildings as Stoßlüften – literally "shock ventilation". This deceptively simple practice of opening windows wide for short periods, rather than leaving them cracked open continuously, represents a masterclass in applied building physics.
ggbec.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Love this
Reposted by Kate de Selincourt
It's difficult to convey the face I'm making in words but essentially it's eyes of horror with a strong grimace and an angry frown and a general air of weary despair.
NEW: The Transportation Department, which oversees the safety of airplanes, cars and pipelines, plans to use Google Gemini to draft new regulations.
“We don’t need the perfect rule,” said DOT’s top lawyer. “We want good enough.”
By @jessecoburn.bsky.social
“We don’t need the perfect rule,” said DOT’s top lawyer. “We want good enough.”
By @jessecoburn.bsky.social
Government by AI? Trump Administration Plans to Write Regulations Using Artificial Intelligence
The Transportation Department, which oversees the safety of airplanes, cars and pipelines, plans to use Google Gemini to draft new regulations. “We don’t need the perfect rule,” said DOT’s top lawyer....
www.propublica.org
January 26, 2026 at 2:36 PM
It's difficult to convey the face I'm making in words but essentially it's eyes of horror with a strong grimace and an angry frown and a general air of weary despair.
Exactly what I was shouting at the BBC today
A reminder to the news media: “conflicting accounts” is what you say BEFORE the incontrovertible video evidence appears. After that, your job is to ask why one side is lying, not to repeat the lie and pretend no one knows the truth.
January 25, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Exactly what I was shouting at the BBC today
Seems a bit of an oversight @rspb.bsky.social !
@rspb.bsky.social Why isn’t London an area in the Big Garden Birdwatch?? I would like to compare my London sightings to everyone else’s, even if the wildlife might be a bit different #BigGardenBirdwatch
January 25, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Seems a bit of an oversight @rspb.bsky.social !
I mean call me Cassandra but I was worrying about this 20 years ago (though I didn't expect the facism to kick off quite so early in the process, tbf)
Full UK govt report on ecosystem crisis says degradation of rainforest in Congo and drying up of rivers from Himalayas could drive people to flee to Europe, leading to “more polarised and populist politics in the UK”
Also, Britain would struggle to feed itself
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Also, Britain would struggle to feed itself
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Suppressed climate report warned of mass migration and nuclear war
Unabridged document said disappearing forests and rivers drying up could drive people to Europe and lead to conflict in Asia
www.thetimes.com
January 23, 2026 at 9:39 AM
I mean call me Cassandra but I was worrying about this 20 years ago (though I didn't expect the facism to kick off quite so early in the process, tbf)
Jesus. This poor family. Yet PIV manufacturers go on pushing it - and ofc blaming installers when people are harmed.
Unfortunately Awaab's Law as it stands drives dangerous quick fixes like PIV and chemical washes/mists over actually tackling the causes. Which, as here, can just make things worse.
Unfortunately Awaab's Law as it stands drives dangerous quick fixes like PIV and chemical washes/mists over actually tackling the causes. Which, as here, can just make things worse.
January 23, 2026 at 9:24 AM
Jesus. This poor family. Yet PIV manufacturers go on pushing it - and ofc blaming installers when people are harmed.
Unfortunately Awaab's Law as it stands drives dangerous quick fixes like PIV and chemical washes/mists over actually tackling the causes. Which, as here, can just make things worse.
Unfortunately Awaab's Law as it stands drives dangerous quick fixes like PIV and chemical washes/mists over actually tackling the causes. Which, as here, can just make things worse.
Reposted by Kate de Selincourt
Isn't this a telling aspiration? To want robots to look after your kids, so you can do stuff, rather than robots to do stuff, so you can spend time with your kids?
The darkness inside these shrivelled men must be like a gaping unfillable void.
The darkness inside these shrivelled men must be like a gaping unfillable void.
January 22, 2026 at 5:39 PM
Isn't this a telling aspiration? To want robots to look after your kids, so you can do stuff, rather than robots to do stuff, so you can spend time with your kids?
The darkness inside these shrivelled men must be like a gaping unfillable void.
The darkness inside these shrivelled men must be like a gaping unfillable void.
Reposted by Kate de Selincourt
I need at least 3 more folk to sign up for my Edinburgh Adult Education Programme archaeology classes at Craigentinny, or the course will be cancelled. If you know anyone who might be interested, please let them know. Thank you!
adulteducationedinburgh.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spyd...
adulteducationedinburgh.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spyd...
January 21, 2026 at 2:12 PM
I need at least 3 more folk to sign up for my Edinburgh Adult Education Programme archaeology classes at Craigentinny, or the course will be cancelled. If you know anyone who might be interested, please let them know. Thank you!
adulteducationedinburgh.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spyd...
adulteducationedinburgh.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spyd...
My new laptop has offered to turn itself on every time I am near. Like a lovesick Karen Carpenter. Tech is so weird nowadays.
January 19, 2026 at 9:47 PM
My new laptop has offered to turn itself on every time I am near. Like a lovesick Karen Carpenter. Tech is so weird nowadays.
Reposted by Kate de Selincourt
Córy Doctorow with another verbal bullseye: pluralistic.net/2026/01/13/n...
January 18, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Córy Doctorow with another verbal bullseye: pluralistic.net/2026/01/13/n...
Reposted by Kate de Selincourt
Updated for 2026
January 18, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Updated for 2026
Reposted by Kate de Selincourt
Keir Starmer failed to answer my question at PMQs, so today I’ve written to his minister to demand action.
She should strip South East Water of their licence immediately.
Thousands of people are still without water. The Government has no time to lose.
She should strip South East Water of their licence immediately.
Thousands of people are still without water. The Government has no time to lose.
January 16, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Keir Starmer failed to answer my question at PMQs, so today I’ve written to his minister to demand action.
She should strip South East Water of their licence immediately.
Thousands of people are still without water. The Government has no time to lose.
She should strip South East Water of their licence immediately.
Thousands of people are still without water. The Government has no time to lose.
Reposted by Kate de Selincourt
How many years of your life could you stand to lose because of where you are born?
Across the UK, that number can be as high as 16.
We asked rapper and campaigner Darren McGarvey what he thought was driving this - to him the answers are obvious.
This is what he had to say. 👇
Across the UK, that number can be as high as 16.
We asked rapper and campaigner Darren McGarvey what he thought was driving this - to him the answers are obvious.
This is what he had to say. 👇
January 16, 2026 at 7:01 AM
How many years of your life could you stand to lose because of where you are born?
Across the UK, that number can be as high as 16.
We asked rapper and campaigner Darren McGarvey what he thought was driving this - to him the answers are obvious.
This is what he had to say. 👇
Across the UK, that number can be as high as 16.
We asked rapper and campaigner Darren McGarvey what he thought was driving this - to him the answers are obvious.
This is what he had to say. 👇
👌
Heard a lad earlier talking about ‘Belgian whistles’
“A basic website costs 10k or 25k upwards if you want all the Belgian whistles”
BELGIAN WHISTLES
“A basic website costs 10k or 25k upwards if you want all the Belgian whistles”
BELGIAN WHISTLES
January 15, 2026 at 7:57 PM
👌
Reposted by Kate de Selincourt
The Reform pitch is increasingly “the last government was terrible, so we’ve hired everyone who was in it”.
January 15, 2026 at 4:50 PM
The Reform pitch is increasingly “the last government was terrible, so we’ve hired everyone who was in it”.