Malcolm Fairbrother
@mfair.bsky.social
Prof. of environmental and political sociology. Sweden-based (Uppsala Uni + Institute for Futures Studies), formerly Canada, U.S., Mexico, UK. Decoupling, public opinion, learning from successes, modeling emissions. And political trust. www.fairbrother.org
Reposted by Malcolm Fairbrother
Instead of banning the use of the name “veggie burger”, the world would be a better place if meat burgers were banned. 🙃
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 7:27 AM
Instead of banning the use of the name “veggie burger”, the world would be a better place if meat burgers were banned. 🙃
Reposted by Malcolm Fairbrother
I really hate it when scientists keep saying that “we need to rebuild trust in science,” because it implies that scientists are to blame for the mistrust rather than the millions of dollars of dark money that have funded political attacks on science in order to advance a far right agenda.
November 19, 2025 at 9:48 PM
I really hate it when scientists keep saying that “we need to rebuild trust in science,” because it implies that scientists are to blame for the mistrust rather than the millions of dollars of dark money that have funded political attacks on science in order to advance a far right agenda.
New publication!
Marcus Aronsson and I build on an earlier theoretical argument by Rachael Shwom. How can we reconcile claims that capitalism is unavoidably unsustainable ("Treadmill of Production") with evidence of some environmental successes ("Ecological Modernization")?
(1/3)
Marcus Aronsson and I build on an earlier theoretical argument by Rachael Shwom. How can we reconcile claims that capitalism is unavoidably unsustainable ("Treadmill of Production") with evidence of some environmental successes ("Ecological Modernization")?
(1/3)
Conditions for environmental success: dioxin pollution, the swedish pulp and paper industry, and a middle-range theory
Humanities and Social Sciences Communications - Conditions for environmental success: dioxin pollution, the swedish pulp and paper industry, and a middle-range theory
rdcu.be
November 19, 2025 at 12:59 PM
New publication!
Marcus Aronsson and I build on an earlier theoretical argument by Rachael Shwom. How can we reconcile claims that capitalism is unavoidably unsustainable ("Treadmill of Production") with evidence of some environmental successes ("Ecological Modernization")?
(1/3)
Marcus Aronsson and I build on an earlier theoretical argument by Rachael Shwom. How can we reconcile claims that capitalism is unavoidably unsustainable ("Treadmill of Production") with evidence of some environmental successes ("Ecological Modernization")?
(1/3)
Alarming news/perspective for many social scientists here.
AI presents a fundamental threat to our ability to use polls to assess public opinion. Bad actors who are able to infiltrate panels can flip close election polls for less than the cost of a Starbucks coffee. Models will also infer and confirm hypotheses in experiments. Current quality checks fail
November 19, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Alarming news/perspective for many social scientists here.
In Canada, Carney's gov passed its budget, and avoided a parliamentary vote of no-confidence, by just a couple votes.
One thing that helped: Promising the one Green MP to meet Canada's Paris commitment to reduce emissions 40% by 2030.
But Canada is way off track for that.
So what's Carney's plan?
One thing that helped: Promising the one Green MP to meet Canada's Paris commitment to reduce emissions 40% by 2030.
But Canada is way off track for that.
So what's Carney's plan?
November 18, 2025 at 7:28 AM
In Canada, Carney's gov passed its budget, and avoided a parliamentary vote of no-confidence, by just a couple votes.
One thing that helped: Promising the one Green MP to meet Canada's Paris commitment to reduce emissions 40% by 2030.
But Canada is way off track for that.
So what's Carney's plan?
One thing that helped: Promising the one Green MP to meet Canada's Paris commitment to reduce emissions 40% by 2030.
But Canada is way off track for that.
So what's Carney's plan?
Academics: How do you relate to MDPI journals? I know they (at least some) publish real research. People I know have papers in them.
But given the aggressive e-mails they regularly send me, pressuring me to edit special issues, I consider them semi-predatory.
So I act like they don't exist.
Fair?
But given the aggressive e-mails they regularly send me, pressuring me to edit special issues, I consider them semi-predatory.
So I act like they don't exist.
Fair?
November 12, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Academics: How do you relate to MDPI journals? I know they (at least some) publish real research. People I know have papers in them.
But given the aggressive e-mails they regularly send me, pressuring me to edit special issues, I consider them semi-predatory.
So I act like they don't exist.
Fair?
But given the aggressive e-mails they regularly send me, pressuring me to edit special issues, I consider them semi-predatory.
So I act like they don't exist.
Fair?
Take:
One part chronic Canadian mismanagement of the global treasure that is its old growth forests.
One part bizarro British incentives (weirdly justified as "green") to make electricity out of wood.
Mix and expect... what exactly?
One part chronic Canadian mismanagement of the global treasure that is its old growth forests.
One part bizarro British incentives (weirdly justified as "green") to make electricity out of wood.
Mix and expect... what exactly?
Drax still burning 250-year-old trees sourced from forests in Canada, experts say
Exclusive: report by Stand.earth says subsidiary of power plant received truckloads of whole logs at biomass pellet sites
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Take:
One part chronic Canadian mismanagement of the global treasure that is its old growth forests.
One part bizarro British incentives (weirdly justified as "green") to make electricity out of wood.
Mix and expect... what exactly?
One part chronic Canadian mismanagement of the global treasure that is its old growth forests.
One part bizarro British incentives (weirdly justified as "green") to make electricity out of wood.
Mix and expect... what exactly?
Reposted by Malcolm Fairbrother
Happy to share the call for Abstracts for the 17th Nordic Environmental Social Science Conference (NESS2026)
🗓 9–11 June 2026, Uppsala, Sweden
🔗 Abstract submission open until 8 December 2025
Read workshop descriptions and submit via the online system:
www.ness2026.se
🗓 9–11 June 2026, Uppsala, Sweden
🔗 Abstract submission open until 8 December 2025
Read workshop descriptions and submit via the online system:
www.ness2026.se
www.ness2026.se
November 7, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Happy to share the call for Abstracts for the 17th Nordic Environmental Social Science Conference (NESS2026)
🗓 9–11 June 2026, Uppsala, Sweden
🔗 Abstract submission open until 8 December 2025
Read workshop descriptions and submit via the online system:
www.ness2026.se
🗓 9–11 June 2026, Uppsala, Sweden
🔗 Abstract submission open until 8 December 2025
Read workshop descriptions and submit via the online system:
www.ness2026.se
Vile.
The thing for all the countries supporting this (which is most) to do is: Go ahead and impose the fees. And charge non-signatories’ vessels a higher fee, if they want access to signatories’ ports.
The thing for all the countries supporting this (which is most) to do is: Go ahead and impose the fees. And charge non-signatories’ vessels a higher fee, if they want access to signatories’ ports.
Trump Officials Accused of Bullying Tactics to Kill a Climate Measure
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Vile.
The thing for all the countries supporting this (which is most) to do is: Go ahead and impose the fees. And charge non-signatories’ vessels a higher fee, if they want access to signatories’ ports.
The thing for all the countries supporting this (which is most) to do is: Go ahead and impose the fees. And charge non-signatories’ vessels a higher fee, if they want access to signatories’ ports.
Reposted by Malcolm Fairbrother
I would install each and all of them #AcademicChatter
November 7, 2025 at 7:50 AM
I would install each and all of them #AcademicChatter
The cynicism and immorality of the fossil fuel industry's (above all Exxon's) efforts to prevent the world from addressing climate change can still take my breath away.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Exxon funded thinktanks to spread climate denial in Latin America, documents reveal
Texas-based fossil fuel company financed Atlas Network in attempt to derail UN-led climate treaty process
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:58 AM
The cynicism and immorality of the fossil fuel industry's (above all Exxon's) efforts to prevent the world from addressing climate change can still take my breath away.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Malcolm Fairbrother
Reposted by Malcolm Fairbrother
OTD - October 21, 1985 - A rogue US scientist illegally obtains a quantity of plutonium through a Libyan-backed terrorist organization on the promise of assisting in manufacturing a nuclear device. Dr. Emmett Brown however intended to use the plutonium as part of a scientific experiment involving
October 21, 2025 at 11:20 AM
OTD - October 21, 1985 - A rogue US scientist illegally obtains a quantity of plutonium through a Libyan-backed terrorist organization on the promise of assisting in manufacturing a nuclear device. Dr. Emmett Brown however intended to use the plutonium as part of a scientific experiment involving
Reposted by Malcolm Fairbrother
Although not yet available to read (January 2026!), very happy to see our book on political trust online. Co-edited with @mfair.bsky.social and available open access, we think it'll be a useful addition to the field.
www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/a-r...
www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/a-r...
October 20, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Although not yet available to read (January 2026!), very happy to see our book on political trust online. Co-edited with @mfair.bsky.social and available open access, we think it'll be a useful addition to the field.
www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/a-r...
www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/a-r...
Extraordinary evidence of what doctoral study does to people.
"Psychiatric medication use ... increases substantially ... and by the fifth year medication use has increased by 40 percent."
I'm grateful I entered this world. But few find it easy.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
"Psychiatric medication use ... increases substantially ... and by the fifth year medication use has increased by 40 percent."
I'm grateful I entered this world. But few find it easy.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
The impact of PhD studies on mental health—a longitudinal population study
Recent self-reported and cross-sectional survey evidence documents high levels of mental health problems among PhD students. We study the relationship…
www.sciencedirect.com
October 17, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Extraordinary evidence of what doctoral study does to people.
"Psychiatric medication use ... increases substantially ... and by the fifth year medication use has increased by 40 percent."
I'm grateful I entered this world. But few find it easy.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
"Psychiatric medication use ... increases substantially ... and by the fifth year medication use has increased by 40 percent."
I'm grateful I entered this world. But few find it easy.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
October 15, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Not only is the Trump Admin paying to increase emissions from the US.
They’re bullying other countries for efforts to reduce emissions.
Let’s hope votes can still be found at the IMO for the very sensible policy of making ship operators pay for their pollution.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
They’re bullying other countries for efforts to reduce emissions.
Let’s hope votes can still be found at the IMO for the very sensible policy of making ship operators pay for their pollution.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Trump threatens vulnerable countries before key shipping emissions vote
American officials have threatened supporters of measure to reduce emissions with tariffs and other retaliatory action
www.theguardian.com
October 15, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Not only is the Trump Admin paying to increase emissions from the US.
They’re bullying other countries for efforts to reduce emissions.
Let’s hope votes can still be found at the IMO for the very sensible policy of making ship operators pay for their pollution.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
They’re bullying other countries for efforts to reduce emissions.
Let’s hope votes can still be found at the IMO for the very sensible policy of making ship operators pay for their pollution.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Malcolm Fairbrother
Editorial Manager account created
In honour of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand.
rm -rf ~/
rm -rf ~/
"The chancellor approved it"
October 12, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Editorial Manager account created
Reposted by Malcolm Fairbrother
The numbers of electric vehicles sold in Europe in 2024 are in:
⚡ 1.45 million new battery-only EVs registered
📈 +32% growth in the total electric fleet
🔋 13.6% of all new car registrations are electric
Europe is going full throttle to a clean future.
link.europa.eu/cNKjkh
⚡ 1.45 million new battery-only EVs registered
📈 +32% growth in the total electric fleet
🔋 13.6% of all new car registrations are electric
Europe is going full throttle to a clean future.
link.europa.eu/cNKjkh
October 11, 2025 at 7:15 AM
The numbers of electric vehicles sold in Europe in 2024 are in:
⚡ 1.45 million new battery-only EVs registered
📈 +32% growth in the total electric fleet
🔋 13.6% of all new car registrations are electric
Europe is going full throttle to a clean future.
link.europa.eu/cNKjkh
⚡ 1.45 million new battery-only EVs registered
📈 +32% growth in the total electric fleet
🔋 13.6% of all new car registrations are electric
Europe is going full throttle to a clean future.
link.europa.eu/cNKjkh
Apparently ten years isn't enough time to stop wrecking the planet.
German carmakers want to keep selling fossil fuel cars after 2035. And the German government (in this case just a committee for managing the affairs of the bourgeoisie?) supports them.
www.cleanenergywire.org/news/merz-vo...
German carmakers want to keep selling fossil fuel cars after 2035. And the German government (in this case just a committee for managing the affairs of the bourgeoisie?) supports them.
www.cleanenergywire.org/news/merz-vo...
Merz vows to “do everything” to weaken EU’s 2035 combustion car phaseout
www.cleanenergywire.org
October 10, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Apparently ten years isn't enough time to stop wrecking the planet.
German carmakers want to keep selling fossil fuel cars after 2035. And the German government (in this case just a committee for managing the affairs of the bourgeoisie?) supports them.
www.cleanenergywire.org/news/merz-vo...
German carmakers want to keep selling fossil fuel cars after 2035. And the German government (in this case just a committee for managing the affairs of the bourgeoisie?) supports them.
www.cleanenergywire.org/news/merz-vo...
The EU has been considering legislation enabling monitoring of all messaging on all platforms. Really.
(The issue is encryption.)
After this week, it looks less likely to proceed. But there are still advocates (admittedly with some good intentions).
www.computerweekly.com/news/3666326...
(The issue is encryption.)
After this week, it looks less likely to proceed. But there are still advocates (admittedly with some good intentions).
www.computerweekly.com/news/3666326...
Chat Control encryption plans delayed after EU states fail to agree | Computer Weekly
Europe-wide plans to require technology companies to monitor the contents of encrypted messages and emails have been delayed after diplomats were unable to agree on the proposals last night. A planned...
www.computerweekly.com
October 10, 2025 at 7:31 AM
The EU has been considering legislation enabling monitoring of all messaging on all platforms. Really.
(The issue is encryption.)
After this week, it looks less likely to proceed. But there are still advocates (admittedly with some good intentions).
www.computerweekly.com/news/3666326...
(The issue is encryption.)
After this week, it looks less likely to proceed. But there are still advocates (admittedly with some good intentions).
www.computerweekly.com/news/3666326...
I put 500 SEK on Houellebecq. I get 7500 SEK if I'm right.
October 9, 2025 at 9:24 AM
I put 500 SEK on Houellebecq. I get 7500 SEK if I'm right.
Russia? Climate change? AI?
No. It seems the real threat and thus priority issue, for many in the European Parliament, is... the veggie burger.
www.euractiv.com/news/parliam...
Like, seriously?
No. It seems the real threat and thus priority issue, for many in the European Parliament, is... the veggie burger.
www.euractiv.com/news/parliam...
Like, seriously?
Parliament pushes for ‘veggie burger’ ban | Euractiv
Lawmakers back stricter labelling for meat alternatives
www.euractiv.com
October 8, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Russia? Climate change? AI?
No. It seems the real threat and thus priority issue, for many in the European Parliament, is... the veggie burger.
www.euractiv.com/news/parliam...
Like, seriously?
No. It seems the real threat and thus priority issue, for many in the European Parliament, is... the veggie burger.
www.euractiv.com/news/parliam...
Like, seriously?
Dear world, I am a pedant.
@universitypress.cambridge.org published an article of mine, and changed all the em dashes ("—”) into en dashes (”–”).
They also added a space after the minus symbol for all negative numbers (though no space after the plus for positives).
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I am unsettled.
@universitypress.cambridge.org published an article of mine, and changed all the em dashes ("—”) into en dashes (”–”).
They also added a space after the minus symbol for all negative numbers (though no space after the plus for positives).
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I am unsettled.
October 6, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Dear world, I am a pedant.
@universitypress.cambridge.org published an article of mine, and changed all the em dashes ("—”) into en dashes (”–”).
They also added a space after the minus symbol for all negative numbers (though no space after the plus for positives).
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I am unsettled.
@universitypress.cambridge.org published an article of mine, and changed all the em dashes ("—”) into en dashes (”–”).
They also added a space after the minus symbol for all negative numbers (though no space after the plus for positives).
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I am unsettled.
New publication!
Aleš Kudrnáč and I have a new paper in npj Climate Action about public support for climate policymaking. Prior studies have emphasized the importance of people's perceptions of policies' costs. But we find perceptions of benefits matter even more!
rdcu.be/eJkGb
Aleš Kudrnáč and I have a new paper in npj Climate Action about public support for climate policymaking. Prior studies have emphasized the importance of people's perceptions of policies' costs. But we find perceptions of benefits matter even more!
rdcu.be/eJkGb
October 4, 2025 at 10:40 AM
New publication!
Aleš Kudrnáč and I have a new paper in npj Climate Action about public support for climate policymaking. Prior studies have emphasized the importance of people's perceptions of policies' costs. But we find perceptions of benefits matter even more!
rdcu.be/eJkGb
Aleš Kudrnáč and I have a new paper in npj Climate Action about public support for climate policymaking. Prior studies have emphasized the importance of people's perceptions of policies' costs. But we find perceptions of benefits matter even more!
rdcu.be/eJkGb