Nick Taylor
@ntaylor.bsky.social
Lecturer at Queen Mary Uni of London | History of welfare, unemployment; history of economics; finance & climate change 🚲🌳
Reposted by Nick Taylor
'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 Nick Taylor
Worth remembering as this unfolds that it was disabled people and people from ethnic minority backgrounds who disproportionately died. Tens of thousands needlessly lost their lives, many who died alone or with just an iPad. Thousands more were left with life changing Long Covid. A true scandal.
BREAKING: The UK’s response to Covid was “too little, too late”, a damning official report on the handling of the pandemic has concluded, saying the introduction of a lockdown even a week earlier than happened could have saved more than 20,000 lives.
November 20, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Worth remembering as this unfolds that it was disabled people and people from ethnic minority backgrounds who disproportionately died. Tens of thousands needlessly lost their lives, many who died alone or with just an iPad. Thousands more were left with life changing Long Covid. A true scandal.
Reposted by Nick Taylor
As @glenpeters.bsky.social says, we're way off target for any 1.5°C scenario.
To see how far off, each of the red/green bars represents the decrease in CO₂ emissions during COVID. Even if we achieved that from now until the end of 2030, we would still miss our 1.5°C target by a significant margin.
To see how far off, each of the red/green bars represents the decrease in CO₂ emissions during COVID. Even if we achieved that from now until the end of 2030, we would still miss our 1.5°C target by a significant margin.
November 18, 2025 at 10:39 AM
As @glenpeters.bsky.social says, we're way off target for any 1.5°C scenario.
To see how far off, each of the red/green bars represents the decrease in CO₂ emissions during COVID. Even if we achieved that from now until the end of 2030, we would still miss our 1.5°C target by a significant margin.
To see how far off, each of the red/green bars represents the decrease in CO₂ emissions during COVID. Even if we achieved that from now until the end of 2030, we would still miss our 1.5°C target by a significant margin.
Check out the brilliant @cibled.bsky.social in @econsocjournal.bsky.social on the extremes of Becker's human capital theory & its normalisation of inequality.
doi.org/10.1080/0308...
doi.org/10.1080/0308...
‘Most (if not all!) deaths are to some extent suicides’: Human capital and endogenous mortality in Gary Becker’s work
Chicago School economist and Nobel Memorial Prize winner Gary Becker writes that ‘most (if not all!) deaths are to some extent “suicides” in the sense that they could have been postponed if more re...
doi.org
November 17, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Check out the brilliant @cibled.bsky.social in @econsocjournal.bsky.social on the extremes of Becker's human capital theory & its normalisation of inequality.
doi.org/10.1080/0308...
doi.org/10.1080/0308...
Reposted by Nick Taylor
🚨You always wondered about how to make sense of the many accounts on Green Finance? We got you covered:
@nataschavanderzwan.bsky.social @danmertens.bsky.social ky.social Julius Kob and I critically review existing accounts and argue for an integrated analytical approach👇
doi.org/10.1017/fas....
@nataschavanderzwan.bsky.social @danmertens.bsky.social ky.social Julius Kob and I critically review existing accounts and argue for an integrated analytical approach👇
doi.org/10.1017/fas....
Constructions, cleavages, and complementarities: Macro- and micro-approaches in the study of green finance | Finance and Society | Cambridge Core
Constructions, cleavages, and complementarities: Macro- and micro-approaches in the study of green finance
doi.org
November 13, 2025 at 1:04 PM
🚨You always wondered about how to make sense of the many accounts on Green Finance? We got you covered:
@nataschavanderzwan.bsky.social @danmertens.bsky.social ky.social Julius Kob and I critically review existing accounts and argue for an integrated analytical approach👇
doi.org/10.1017/fas....
@nataschavanderzwan.bsky.social @danmertens.bsky.social ky.social Julius Kob and I critically review existing accounts and argue for an integrated analytical approach👇
doi.org/10.1017/fas....
"the Fed's primary concern is the systemic threat that [firm or sector risk] poses – even if stabilising measures benefit the too-big-to-fail constituency first & foremost. The administration ... is more interested in a discretionary, patronage-based approach."
newleftreview.org/sidecar/post...
newleftreview.org/sidecar/post...
Martijn Konings, Fiscal Dominance? — Sidecar
Trump and the Federal Reserve.
newleftreview.org
November 13, 2025 at 10:39 AM
"the Fed's primary concern is the systemic threat that [firm or sector risk] poses – even if stabilising measures benefit the too-big-to-fail constituency first & foremost. The administration ... is more interested in a discretionary, patronage-based approach."
newleftreview.org/sidecar/post...
newleftreview.org/sidecar/post...
Reposted by Nick Taylor
turns out if you want people to live car-free you need to emphasize the safety and accessibility of modes that aren't cars
Remember all the hype about how Uber and Lyft would allow people to live car-free?
Well, it turns out ridehail has no discernible impact on car ownership at all.
Analysis from Glenn Mercer's excellent newsletter:
glennmercer.substack.com/p/the-impact...
Well, it turns out ridehail has no discernible impact on car ownership at all.
Analysis from Glenn Mercer's excellent newsletter:
glennmercer.substack.com/p/the-impact...
November 12, 2025 at 8:00 PM
turns out if you want people to live car-free you need to emphasize the safety and accessibility of modes that aren't cars
Reposted by Nick Taylor
Today is the official UK publication day for Silicon Empires! I'm excited to have it out and hear what people think.
There's an enormous amount happening every day in AI, and it's difficult to gain a stable perspective. I wrote the book to try and get some secure hold on that constant flux. 🧵
There's an enormous amount happening every day in AI, and it's difficult to gain a stable perspective. I wrote the book to try and get some secure hold on that constant flux. 🧵
October 31, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Today is the official UK publication day for Silicon Empires! I'm excited to have it out and hear what people think.
There's an enormous amount happening every day in AI, and it's difficult to gain a stable perspective. I wrote the book to try and get some secure hold on that constant flux. 🧵
There's an enormous amount happening every day in AI, and it's difficult to gain a stable perspective. I wrote the book to try and get some secure hold on that constant flux. 🧵
And here was me walking around warning people of the 8-9% success rate 😮💨
After submitting a FOIA request UKRI, I obtained success rates by three grant call scheme and I can only say that I am disheartened by the results:
- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
October 23, 2025 at 11:28 AM
And here was me walking around warning people of the 8-9% success rate 😮💨
Chief Economist at Nesta, the 'innovation agency', seems to have run out of innovative ideas...
Let’s fall in love with cars again on.ft.com/47nn6IG
Let’s fall in love with cars again
Investing more into roads will only mean higher economic returns for the UK
on.ft.com
October 23, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Chief Economist at Nesta, the 'innovation agency', seems to have run out of innovative ideas...
I feel like this one is talked about, tho it could always be more so. The question is rather why not enough change is happening despite the fact that we know how bad things are. In many ways the answers got more obvious recently.
Here's something that's not talked about enough
The air pollution from burning fossil fuels kills an estimated 10 million people a year
1 in 6 deaths is caused by fossil fuels
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
The air pollution from burning fossil fuels kills an estimated 10 million people a year
1 in 6 deaths is caused by fossil fuels
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
October 21, 2025 at 4:17 PM
I feel like this one is talked about, tho it could always be more so. The question is rather why not enough change is happening despite the fact that we know how bad things are. In many ways the answers got more obvious recently.
Reposted by Nick Taylor
“[Last year] CO2 in the global surface atmosphere increased by 3.5 ppm, the largest one-year increase since modern measurements began... This increase was driven by continued fossil CO2 emissions, enhanced fire emissions and reduced terrestrial/ocean sinks… which could signal a climate feedback.”
October 15, 2025 at 6:30 PM
“[Last year] CO2 in the global surface atmosphere increased by 3.5 ppm, the largest one-year increase since modern measurements began... This increase was driven by continued fossil CO2 emissions, enhanced fire emissions and reduced terrestrial/ocean sinks… which could signal a climate feedback.”
Reposted by Nick Taylor
🎉 Just launched!
We’ve collaborated with @cplusc.bsky.social to launch @transitionsec.bsky.social — a new research centre that will develop alternative approaches to security and investigate the US & UK military industrial complexes as economic, climate and geopolitical threats.
Find out more. 👇
We’ve collaborated with @cplusc.bsky.social to launch @transitionsec.bsky.social — a new research centre that will develop alternative approaches to security and investigate the US & UK military industrial complexes as economic, climate and geopolitical threats.
Find out more. 👇
While the US & Europe ramp up military spending, millions live in poverty.
Today, we launch Transition Security Project, investigating how militarisation makes us poorer and less safe amid climate crisis — and what genuine security could look like. 🧵
transitionsecurity.org
Today, we launch Transition Security Project, investigating how militarisation makes us poorer and less safe amid climate crisis — and what genuine security could look like. 🧵
transitionsecurity.org
Transition Security Project
transitionsecurity.org
October 16, 2025 at 1:22 PM
🎉 Just launched!
We’ve collaborated with @cplusc.bsky.social to launch @transitionsec.bsky.social — a new research centre that will develop alternative approaches to security and investigate the US & UK military industrial complexes as economic, climate and geopolitical threats.
Find out more. 👇
We’ve collaborated with @cplusc.bsky.social to launch @transitionsec.bsky.social — a new research centre that will develop alternative approaches to security and investigate the US & UK military industrial complexes as economic, climate and geopolitical threats.
Find out more. 👇
Reposted by Nick Taylor
It's finally here! 100+ scholars, global scope, practical insights. “Climate Obstruction: A Global Assessment” shows how organized interests stall policy—and how governance can respond.
Open access available now! Or order for paperback and hardcover. cssn.org/wp-content/u...
Open access available now! Or order for paperback and hardcover. cssn.org/wp-content/u...
October 14, 2025 at 3:22 PM
It's finally here! 100+ scholars, global scope, practical insights. “Climate Obstruction: A Global Assessment” shows how organized interests stall policy—and how governance can respond.
Open access available now! Or order for paperback and hardcover. cssn.org/wp-content/u...
Open access available now! Or order for paperback and hardcover. cssn.org/wp-content/u...
techpolicy.press/generative-a...
Lots of good stuff in this article on AI and productivity, including the concept of 'workslop':
“AI generated work content that masquerades as good work, but lacks the substance to meaningfully advance a given task.”
Lots of good stuff in this article on AI and productivity, including the concept of 'workslop':
“AI generated work content that masquerades as good work, but lacks the substance to meaningfully advance a given task.”
Generative AI’s Productivity Myth | TechPolicy.Press
People may be using artificial intelligence, but that doesn’t mean it’s useful, writes Eryk Salvaggio.
techpolicy.press
October 14, 2025 at 4:47 PM
techpolicy.press/generative-a...
Lots of good stuff in this article on AI and productivity, including the concept of 'workslop':
“AI generated work content that masquerades as good work, but lacks the substance to meaningfully advance a given task.”
Lots of good stuff in this article on AI and productivity, including the concept of 'workslop':
“AI generated work content that masquerades as good work, but lacks the substance to meaningfully advance a given task.”
Reposted by Nick Taylor
Every day is a good day to point out that 92% of Reform's donations were found to come from figures and groups linked to the fossil fuel industry. @desmog.com
Nigel Farage’s Reform Party Has Accepted £2.3 Million from Fossil Fuel Interests, Climate Deniers, and Polluters Since 2019 Election
Reform UK has received more than £2.3 million from oil and gas interests, highly polluting industries, and climate science deniers since December 2019, amounting to 92 percent of the party’s donations...
www.desmog.com
October 12, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Every day is a good day to point out that 92% of Reform's donations were found to come from figures and groups linked to the fossil fuel industry. @desmog.com
Reposted by Nick Taylor
Insurance industry maps millions of UK homes at increased risk of flooding as climate change impacts ratchet up
Obviously, the insurance industry needs to make money and can't afford claims likely to result from higher flood risks
So... no insurance for some?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Obviously, the insurance industry needs to make money and can't afford claims likely to result from higher flood risks
So... no insurance for some?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Millions more homes in Great Britain at risk of flooding, investigation finds
Every constituency projected to be at greater risk, with many areas likely to be uninsurable
www.theguardian.com
October 14, 2025 at 6:25 AM
Insurance industry maps millions of UK homes at increased risk of flooding as climate change impacts ratchet up
Obviously, the insurance industry needs to make money and can't afford claims likely to result from higher flood risks
So... no insurance for some?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Obviously, the insurance industry needs to make money and can't afford claims likely to result from higher flood risks
So... no insurance for some?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
An important reminder in the context of:
1. The UK gov's pledge to invest £22bn in CCS;
2. the surge in fossil fuel lobbying in advance of that pledge.
1. The UK gov's pledge to invest £22bn in CCS;
2. the surge in fossil fuel lobbying in advance of that pledge.
A reminder.
October 13, 2025 at 9:44 AM
An important reminder in the context of:
1. The UK gov's pledge to invest £22bn in CCS;
2. the surge in fossil fuel lobbying in advance of that pledge.
1. The UK gov's pledge to invest £22bn in CCS;
2. the surge in fossil fuel lobbying in advance of that pledge.
Reposted by Nick Taylor
Very important paper by @gregorsemieniuk.bsky.social that shows, as I have argued, that tax policy is climate policy. We cannot phaseout #fossilfuels without attacking their wealth.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
October 9, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Very important paper by @gregorsemieniuk.bsky.social that shows, as I have argued, that tax policy is climate policy. We cannot phaseout #fossilfuels without attacking their wealth.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Nick Taylor
Interesting-looking article on how technological developments are used as a "technofix" is used to delay real action to reduce emissions in the aviation sector doi.org/10.1080/2158...
October 9, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Interesting-looking article on how technological developments are used as a "technofix" is used to delay real action to reduce emissions in the aviation sector doi.org/10.1080/2158...
Interesting that AI firms are looking to set up captive insurance arms. Also used by big oil & gas firms, they are typically located in offshore jurisdictions & allow companies to boost profits, reduce tax liabilities & mask how financial liabilities are managed.
on.ft.com/46Voxh5
on.ft.com/46Voxh5
Insurers balk at multibillion-dollar claims faced by OpenAI and Anthropic
Companies struggle to assess scale of financial risks emerging from artificial intelligence
on.ft.com
October 9, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Interesting that AI firms are looking to set up captive insurance arms. Also used by big oil & gas firms, they are typically located in offshore jurisdictions & allow companies to boost profits, reduce tax liabilities & mask how financial liabilities are managed.
on.ft.com/46Voxh5
on.ft.com/46Voxh5
Reposted by Nick Taylor
Interested about financialisation and why states foster policies that lead to the dominance of financial capital? Come to CLaSP's seminar:
Event: Financial Capital, the State, and Politics
When: 30th October, 2025; 4-530 PM
Where: Graduate Centre, QMUL Mile End Campus
Speaker: Dr. Nicholas Bernards
Event: Financial Capital, the State, and Politics
When: 30th October, 2025; 4-530 PM
Where: Graduate Centre, QMUL Mile End Campus
Speaker: Dr. Nicholas Bernards
October 8, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Interested about financialisation and why states foster policies that lead to the dominance of financial capital? Come to CLaSP's seminar:
Event: Financial Capital, the State, and Politics
When: 30th October, 2025; 4-530 PM
Where: Graduate Centre, QMUL Mile End Campus
Speaker: Dr. Nicholas Bernards
Event: Financial Capital, the State, and Politics
When: 30th October, 2025; 4-530 PM
Where: Graduate Centre, QMUL Mile End Campus
Speaker: Dr. Nicholas Bernards
Stranded assets.
🫣 Profits are for wimps. Revenues are for losers. Ideas sell, not fundamentals
Over half the Nasdaq market is loss making. About 1-in-8 companies have no revenues
There are a lot more in these camps than in the past
Over half the Nasdaq market is loss making. About 1-in-8 companies have no revenues
There are a lot more in these camps than in the past
October 8, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Stranded assets.
Reposted by Nick Taylor
A great article that also highlights how profitable insurance remains for investors, and makes a nice contrast to insurance as solidarity/interdependence. The moral economy of climate change, risk and responsibility, as Rebecca Elliott et al. have written about so well.
The New Republic chimes in on climate danger to insurance markets, mortgage availability, and property values.
How McKinsey and Climate Change Wrecked Insurance
A secret report shows that Florida underwriters were banking massive profits while stiffing customers. Welcome to insurance in the era of climate collapse.
newrepublic.com
October 7, 2025 at 7:41 PM
A great article that also highlights how profitable insurance remains for investors, and makes a nice contrast to insurance as solidarity/interdependence. The moral economy of climate change, risk and responsibility, as Rebecca Elliott et al. have written about so well.