Rebecca John
@rebeccajohn.bsky.social
Investigative climate reporter and award-winning documentary film maker. Long lost secrets and contemporary scoops. Research fellow Climate Investigations Center. Words in DeSmog and Air Mail.
Pinned
Rebecca John
@rebeccajohn.bsky.social
· Nov 15
Revealed: Big Oil Told 70 Years Ago That Fossil Fuel Emissions Could Impact ‘Civilization’
New documents show how a deceptive PR strategy pioneered in 1950s California first exposed the risk of climate change and then helped the industry deny it.
www.desmog.com
Once Upon A Time In LA ... Big Oil Told 70 Years Ago That Fossil Fuel Emissions Could Impact 'Civilization'
NEW story of early front group that went 'rogue' before being pressured back into line by California's oilmen
Latest investigation and story by me ⬇️
www.desmog.com/2024/11/12/r...
NEW story of early front group that went 'rogue' before being pressured back into line by California's oilmen
Latest investigation and story by me ⬇️
www.desmog.com/2024/11/12/r...
Reposted by Rebecca John
“The climate scientists we surveyed were unambiguous: current economic models can’t capture what matters most – the cascading failures and compounding shocks that define climate risk in a warmer world – and could undermine the very foundations of economic growth.”
This should be THE story everyday.
This should be THE story everyday.
Flawed economic models mean climate crisis could crash global economy, experts warn
States and financial bodies using modelling that ignores shocks from extreme weather and climate tipping points
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:14 PM
“The climate scientists we surveyed were unambiguous: current economic models can’t capture what matters most – the cascading failures and compounding shocks that define climate risk in a warmer world – and could undermine the very foundations of economic growth.”
This should be THE story everyday.
This should be THE story everyday.
Reposted by Rebecca John
and yes, the BBC has enormous problems *but*
*gestures at everything*
*gestures at everything*
February 6, 2026 at 9:19 AM
and yes, the BBC has enormous problems *but*
*gestures at everything*
*gestures at everything*
Reposted by Rebecca John
Bezos burning the Washington post to the ground is as firm a reason for the continued bbc licence as ever there was. Eventually everything that can be owned by a billionaire will be owned by a billionaire and at that point its future will be determined by the whims of a man making 166k per minute.
February 6, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Bezos burning the Washington post to the ground is as firm a reason for the continued bbc licence as ever there was. Eventually everything that can be owned by a billionaire will be owned by a billionaire and at that point its future will be determined by the whims of a man making 166k per minute.
Reposted by Rebecca John
THIS
Bezos burning the Washington post to the ground is as firm a reason for the continued bbc licence as ever there was. Eventually everything that can be owned by a billionaire will be owned by a billionaire and at that point its future will be determined by the whims of a man making 166k per minute.
February 6, 2026 at 9:18 AM
THIS
Reposted by Rebecca John
No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition.
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Gladys Mae West obituary: mathematician who pioneered GPS technology
She made key contributions to US cold-war science despite facing huge barriers as a Black woman.
www.nature.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:09 AM
No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition.
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Rebecca John
Democracy dies of heatstroke.
What a tool Bezos is--imagining having that kind of money and still being afraid of Dear Leader.
www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/washington...
What a tool Bezos is--imagining having that kind of money and still being afraid of Dear Leader.
www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/washington...
Breaking: Washington Post gutting its climate team
Clean energy dies in darkness. Courtesy of Jeff Bezos.
www.climatecoloredgoggles.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:35 PM
Democracy dies of heatstroke.
What a tool Bezos is--imagining having that kind of money and still being afraid of Dear Leader.
www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/washington...
What a tool Bezos is--imagining having that kind of money and still being afraid of Dear Leader.
www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/washington...
Reposted by Rebecca John
It's a small part of the broader bloodbath, but the guy who made his fortune selling *books* online closing the *books* section of the newspaper he owns deserves some kind of special medal for hypocrisy.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/b...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/b...
Washington Post Begins Sweeping Layoffs
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:35 PM
It's a small part of the broader bloodbath, but the guy who made his fortune selling *books* online closing the *books* section of the newspaper he owns deserves some kind of special medal for hypocrisy.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/b...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/b...
Reposted by Rebecca John
Please spread this far and wide, as stories don't get much bigger than this. When the government blocks even the intelligence services from telling us we're heading for environmental catastrophe, you know we have a problem. A very big problem.
Thank you.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Thank you.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The UK government didn't want you to see this report on ecosystem collapse. I'm not surprised | George Monbiot
It took an FOI request to bring this national security assessment to light. For ‘doomsayers’ like us, it is the ultimate vindication, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:18 AM
Please spread this far and wide, as stories don't get much bigger than this. When the government blocks even the intelligence services from telling us we're heading for environmental catastrophe, you know we have a problem. A very big problem.
Thank you.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Thank you.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Rebecca John
Iran protest doctor: ‘In one street, I saw blood pooled in a gutter with a trail stretching several metres’ | Anonymous
Iran protest doctor: ‘In one street, I saw blood pooled in a gutter with a trail stretching several metres’ | Anonymous
I’ve worked as a surgeon in disaster zones. Nothing compares to the nightmare I saw in Iran’s hospitals when the state started shooting protesters
www.theguardian.com
January 25, 2026 at 10:39 AM
Iran protest doctor: ‘In one street, I saw blood pooled in a gutter with a trail stretching several metres’ | Anonymous
Reposted by Rebecca John
Bafta has caught the zeitgeist with One Battle After Another, but let’s hear it for The Ballad of Wallis Island
Bafta has caught the zeitgeist with One Battle After Another, but let’s hear it for The Ballad of Wallis Island
Paul Thomas Anderson’s antifa parable is queasily relevant to the times, but here’s hoping Tim Key and co can get some reward for their brilliant British film
www.theguardian.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Bafta has caught the zeitgeist with One Battle After Another, but let’s hear it for The Ballad of Wallis Island
Reposted by Rebecca John
Swift bricks to be installed in all new buildings in Scotland after Holyrood backs ruling
Swift bricks to be installed in all new buildings in Scotland after Holyrood backs ruling
Rest of UK has so far resisted calls to make it mandatory for developers to install bricks that provide nesting for swifts and other endangered birds
Swift bricks will be installed in all new buildings in Scotland after the Scottish parliament voted in favour of a law to help endangered cavity-nesting birds.
The Scottish government and MSPs across the parties backed an amendment by Scottish Green Mark Ruskell to make swift bricks mandatory for all new dwellings “where reasonably practical and appropriate”. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 28, 2026 at 11:34 AM
Swift bricks to be installed in all new buildings in Scotland after Holyrood backs ruling
Reposted by Rebecca John
As the Taliban step up their war on women and girls, it is clear that appeasement has failed | Gordon Brown
As the Taliban step up their war on women and girls, it is clear that appeasement has failed | Gordon Brown
Major powers have renewed diplomatic links while others seek deals to deport migrants. And all the while gender repression is getting worse, warns UN special envoy and former UK prime minister Gordon Brown
www.theguardian.com
January 29, 2026 at 1:12 PM
As the Taliban step up their war on women and girls, it is clear that appeasement has failed | Gordon Brown
Reposted by Rebecca John
“A.i.” is for creeps and weasels.
"The UK creative industries — which contributed £125 billion to the economy in 2024 and supported 2.4 million jobs — are being destroyed by an AI sector that, whatever its long-term potential, contributed just £11 billion in the same year and supported only 85,000 jobs."
archive.is/hvRv2
archive.is/hvRv2
January 30, 2026 at 9:08 AM
“A.i.” is for creeps and weasels.
Reposted by Rebecca John
PSA: Here's how the anti-net zero sausage gets made:
1. Oil companies fund climate denial groups
2. which incubate fake experts
3. who write policy papers for 'think tanks'
4. which get blurbed by politicians
5. & reported uncritically by right-wing media.
Voila!
www.desmog.com/2026/01/28/c...
1. Oil companies fund climate denial groups
2. which incubate fake experts
3. who write policy papers for 'think tanks'
4. which get blurbed by politicians
5. & reported uncritically by right-wing media.
Voila!
www.desmog.com/2026/01/28/c...
January 29, 2026 at 9:35 PM
PSA: Here's how the anti-net zero sausage gets made:
1. Oil companies fund climate denial groups
2. which incubate fake experts
3. who write policy papers for 'think tanks'
4. which get blurbed by politicians
5. & reported uncritically by right-wing media.
Voila!
www.desmog.com/2026/01/28/c...
1. Oil companies fund climate denial groups
2. which incubate fake experts
3. who write policy papers for 'think tanks'
4. which get blurbed by politicians
5. & reported uncritically by right-wing media.
Voila!
www.desmog.com/2026/01/28/c...
Reposted by Rebecca John
66% of recent increases in UK energy bills has come from wholesale gas prices, say @ukerc.bsky.social - 17% from grid charges, 13% from extra policy costs
Despite gas accounting for 1/3 of generation, its price drives cost of electricity up to 90% of the time
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Despite gas accounting for 1/3 of generation, its price drives cost of electricity up to 90% of the time
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Wholesale gas costs blamed for rises in household energy bills
Energy prices have eased since the height of the energy crisis in 2022-23 but pressure is still on the Government to tackle high bills
www.independent.co.uk
January 28, 2026 at 9:04 AM
66% of recent increases in UK energy bills has come from wholesale gas prices, say @ukerc.bsky.social - 17% from grid charges, 13% from extra policy costs
Despite gas accounting for 1/3 of generation, its price drives cost of electricity up to 90% of the time
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Despite gas accounting for 1/3 of generation, its price drives cost of electricity up to 90% of the time
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Reposted by Rebecca John
NEW: Expensive gas still biggest driver of high UK electricity bills, says UKERC
"Volatile, gas-linked market prices – not green policies, as some misleading claims have suggested – dominate the real-terms increase in bills since 2021."
www.carbonbrief.org/expensive-ga...
"Volatile, gas-linked market prices – not green policies, as some misleading claims have suggested – dominate the real-terms increase in bills since 2021."
www.carbonbrief.org/expensive-ga...
January 28, 2026 at 9:03 AM
NEW: Expensive gas still biggest driver of high UK electricity bills, says UKERC
"Volatile, gas-linked market prices – not green policies, as some misleading claims have suggested – dominate the real-terms increase in bills since 2021."
www.carbonbrief.org/expensive-ga...
"Volatile, gas-linked market prices – not green policies, as some misleading claims have suggested – dominate the real-terms increase in bills since 2021."
www.carbonbrief.org/expensive-ga...
Reposted by Rebecca John
Reminder that in the UK an incoming radical, populist government would have immediate access to immense, unchecked executive power.
And the current government is doing nothing to protect us from that.
And the current government is doing nothing to protect us from that.
NEW
The UK constitution is even more vulnerable than the US constitution
In the face of an illiberal radical assault, what has happened politically in America could easily happen in the UK
By me, at @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
The UK constitution is even more vulnerable than the US constitution
In the face of an illiberal radical assault, what has happened politically in America could easily happen in the UK
By me, at @prospectmagazine.co.uk
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
January 15, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Reminder that in the UK an incoming radical, populist government would have immediate access to immense, unchecked executive power.
And the current government is doing nothing to protect us from that.
And the current government is doing nothing to protect us from that.
Reposted by Rebecca John
For such a softly spoken guy, Ben doesn't hold back on the Trump administration:
"Insane. That’s the only word for it. Removing our ability to measure and monitor how the world around us is changing, makes no sense whatsoever."
"Insane. That’s the only word for it. Removing our ability to measure and monitor how the world around us is changing, makes no sense whatsoever."
NEW – Prof Ben Santer: Trump administration is ‘embracing ignorance’ on climate science | @rtmcswee.carbonbrief.org
Read here:
Read here:
Prof Ben Santer: Trump administration is ‘embracing ignorance’ on climate science - Carbon Brief
In an interview with Carbon Brief, Santer says the Trump administration is “engaged in a systematic attempt to dismantle climate science”
buff.ly
January 15, 2026 at 4:44 PM
For such a softly spoken guy, Ben doesn't hold back on the Trump administration:
"Insane. That’s the only word for it. Removing our ability to measure and monitor how the world around us is changing, makes no sense whatsoever."
"Insane. That’s the only word for it. Removing our ability to measure and monitor how the world around us is changing, makes no sense whatsoever."
Reposted by Rebecca John
Coal power generation falls in both China and India for first time since 1970s
- ‘Historic’ moment in biggest coal-consuming countries could bring decline in global emissions, analysis says
#climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
- ‘Historic’ moment in biggest coal-consuming countries could bring decline in global emissions, analysis says
#climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Coal power generation falls in China and India for first time since 1970s
‘Historic’ moment in biggest coal-consuming countries could bring decline in global emissions, analysis says
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2026 at 10:12 AM
Coal power generation falls in both China and India for first time since 1970s
- ‘Historic’ moment in biggest coal-consuming countries could bring decline in global emissions, analysis says
#climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
- ‘Historic’ moment in biggest coal-consuming countries could bring decline in global emissions, analysis says
#climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
“No one wants to go in there when a random fucking tweet can change the entire foreign policy of the country.”
US oil groups warn they will need guarantees to invest in Venezuela
US oil groups warn they will need guarantees to invest in Venezuela
US oil groups warn they will need guarantees to invest in Venezuela
Donald Trump to hold more talks with industry bosses as president flexes power over energy markets
giftarticle.ft.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:27 PM
“No one wants to go in there when a random fucking tweet can change the entire foreign policy of the country.”
US oil groups warn they will need guarantees to invest in Venezuela
US oil groups warn they will need guarantees to invest in Venezuela
Reposted by Rebecca John
A warning I constantly make: as climate activists, we must denounce how frames of national sovereignty/interest are used not only to advance fossil fuel operations, but also to persecute and slander climate justice points and advocates.
The silencing of activists continues. India govt is in effect saying opposing fossil fuels going against Indian interests. www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/m...
More climate activists under ED radar after searches at Harjeet Singh’s properties
More climate activists are on the radar of the Enforcement Directorate, which searched properties linked to climate activist Harjeet Singh in a funding probe| India News
www.hindustantimes.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:28 AM
A warning I constantly make: as climate activists, we must denounce how frames of national sovereignty/interest are used not only to advance fossil fuel operations, but also to persecute and slander climate justice points and advocates.
Reposted by Rebecca John
Something I see a lot of folks missing in discussions about what's happening Venezuela, particularly around oil, is the role U.S. oil majors' interest in Guyana—and the threat Venezuela posed to it—has in all of it. Explainer here: drilled.media/news/guyana-...
The U.S.-Venezuela-Guyana Oil Triangle
The U.S. interest in Venezuela isn’t just about the oil there, but also about the oil next door in Guyana, and the U.S. oil companies that have staked their future on it.
drilled.media
January 5, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Something I see a lot of folks missing in discussions about what's happening Venezuela, particularly around oil, is the role U.S. oil majors' interest in Guyana—and the threat Venezuela posed to it—has in all of it. Explainer here: drilled.media/news/guyana-...
Reposted by Rebecca John
A good time to watch
The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money and Power
Particularly Episodes 5 and 6 - ‘Crude Diplomacy’
and ‘Power to the Producers’
@pbs.org
The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money and Power
Particularly Episodes 5 and 6 - ‘Crude Diplomacy’
and ‘Power to the Producers’
@pbs.org
The Prize- The Epic Quest for Oil, Money & Power - YouTube
m.youtube.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:23 PM
A good time to watch
The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money and Power
Particularly Episodes 5 and 6 - ‘Crude Diplomacy’
and ‘Power to the Producers’
@pbs.org
The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money and Power
Particularly Episodes 5 and 6 - ‘Crude Diplomacy’
and ‘Power to the Producers’
@pbs.org
Reposted by Rebecca John
Severe Weather Emergency Protocol activated in London ❄️
The temperature is due to drop below freezing tonight, and emergency accommodation is open across the capital for those sleeping rough.
If you are sleeping rough or know someone who is, connect to support via StreetLink
thestreetlink.org.uk
The temperature is due to drop below freezing tonight, and emergency accommodation is open across the capital for those sleeping rough.
If you are sleeping rough or know someone who is, connect to support via StreetLink
thestreetlink.org.uk
StreetLink - Connecting people sleeping rough to local services
Welcome to StreetLink. Make an alert if you've seen someone sleeping rough, or if you're sleeping rough and want to find out about local support services.
thestreetlink.org.uk
January 2, 2026 at 11:37 AM
Severe Weather Emergency Protocol activated in London ❄️
The temperature is due to drop below freezing tonight, and emergency accommodation is open across the capital for those sleeping rough.
If you are sleeping rough or know someone who is, connect to support via StreetLink
thestreetlink.org.uk
The temperature is due to drop below freezing tonight, and emergency accommodation is open across the capital for those sleeping rough.
If you are sleeping rough or know someone who is, connect to support via StreetLink
thestreetlink.org.uk