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Prof Richard Betts

@richardabetts.bsky.social

17K followers 760 following 160 posts

Climate scientist, University of Exeter and Met Office. Expert Adviser to the Adaptation Committee of the Climate Change Committee. Lead author IPCC AR4, AR5 & AR6. Live music lover, supporter of grassroots venues. Cycles a lot, rock climbs occasionally. .. more

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Richard Arthur Betts is Head of the Climate Impacts strategic area at the Met Office Hadley Centre in Exeter, United Kingdom. He is also chair in Climate Impacts at the University of Exeter and the Principal Investigator of the EU FP7 project HELIX. He was a lead author for Working Group I and a contributing author for Working Group II of the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report. He was a lead author for Working Group II of the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report. He is an editor for the International Journal of Global Warming, the Journal of Environmental Investing, and for Earth System Dynamics. He was appointed MBE in the 2019 Birthday Honours. .. more

Environmental science 58%

Geography 17%

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Prof Richard Betts @richardabetts.bsky.social · Sep 8

Looking forward to a 4th term an IPCC Lead Author! I've dotted around a bit over the years:

AR4 - WG1 Radiative Forcing (focussing on land use)
AR5 - WG2 Terrestrial Ecosystems
AR6 - WG2 Water
AR7 - WG1 Global Projections

Always fantastic to work with international colleagues and learn from them

University of Exeter News @uniofexeternews.bsky.social · Sep 8

Three University of Exeter scientists have been appointed as authors for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Seventh Assessment Report

Read more here 👇

Three Exeter experts appointed for new IPCC report

Three University of Exeter scientists have been appointed as authors for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Seventh Assessment Report. The IPCC is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate

news.exeter.ac.uk

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Reposted by Martin McKee, Sari Kovats, Richard Betts , and 10 more Martin McKee, Sari Kovats, Richard Betts, Scott L. Greer, Elizabeth Stokoe, Peter Campbell, Alison Phipps, Ben Worthy, Max Nathan, Margot C. Finn, Graham Dutfield, Pauline Stafford, Vaughan S. Roberts

Prof Christina Pagel @chrischirp.bsky.social · 15h

🧵🚨

The UK’s independent scientific bodies are highly vulnerable to politicisation - over the past 5 months I've been working with @martinmckee.bsky.social to map out their vulnerabilities and it's not good news.

Today our report is published!
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

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UK’s arm’s length public bodies are highly vulnerable to politicisation

Seven in ten Britons say it is important for top scientific institutions to be independent in exclusive new polling.

www.ucl.ac.uk

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Reposted by Richard Betts, Martina Angela Caretta

Carbon Brief @carbonbrief.org · 1d

NEW – Experts: The key ‘unknowns’ of overshooting the 1.5C global-warming limit | @ceciliakeating.carbonbrief.org and @rtmcswee.carbonbrief.org

Read here: buff.ly/yPWMH59

Experts: The key ‘unknowns’ of overshooting the 1.5C global-warming limit - Carbon Brief

On the sidelines of a conference, Carbon Brief asked a range of experts what they consider to be the key “unknowns” around overshoot.

buff.ly

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Prof Richard Betts @richardabetts.bsky.social · 1d

Great to visit the Kransberg ROOF experiment at the Technical University of Munich, studying the effects of drought on a mixed temperate forest 🌲🌳

Always fun to fly above the treetops in a canopy crane 🙂

www.plant-ecology.info/kroof-kranzb...

Photo of Richard Betts wearing a red helmet and standing in the basket of a crane above the treetops of a spruce and beech forest, with cloudy skies

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Reposted by Hans Henrik Bruun, Ben Bond‐Lamberty, Richard Betts

Olivier Honnay @olivierhonnay.bsky.social · 6d

📢 Vacancy: I am urgently recruiting a PhD candidate to join a project on selection processes in pedunculate oak.
📅 Start date: no later than December 1st.

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Reposted by Richard Betts

Peter Stott @stottpeter.bsky.social · 7d

Trust me to be giving a talk at the Moray Climate Action Network Climate Conference on the day a severe storm arrives in the area. I'll be talking about the influence of climate change on storms in this part of Scotland as well as my experiences with climate change denial. www.moraycan.org.uk

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Reposted by Du Toit, Richard Betts

Nix Rust @nixrust.bsky.social · 8d

Kemi Badenoch has vowed to repeal the UK’s Climate Change Act, a move so reckless it demands more scrutiny than polite debate. This matters not just for polar bears or coral reefs, but for our people, our economy, our very future.

#ClimateChange #ClimateEmergency
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Kemi Badenoch vows to repeal Climate Change Act

Tory leader says she would replace it with ‘cheap energy’ strategy, ending decades-long consensus on climate

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Richard Betts

20's Plenty for Us @20splenty.bsky.social · 10d

If 2 years ago UKGov had set a 20mph urban/village default at the same time as Wales then since then there would have been 30,000 fewer injuries and fatalities on English roads and drivers/business would have saved £4bn in insurance premiums. bit.ly/4gIBPlJ

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Reposted by Valerie M. Delmotte, Richard Betts, Kevin J. Anchukaitis , and 5 more Valerie M. Delmotte, Richard Betts, Kevin J. Anchukaitis, Julie L. Lockwood, Elena Litchman, Karen R. Lips, Mary Jane Curry, Carlos Carroll

Meade Krosby @meadekrosby.bsky.social · 11d

Despite broad political support, one third of the nation's Climate Adaptation Science Centers will wind down in coming days due to lack of funds.

The Northeast, South Central, and Pacific Islands will be left without actionable science on drought, floods, wildfire, sea level rise and other hazards.

Trump officials shut off funding for climate adaptation centers

A third of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Climate Adaptation Science Centers are expected to drastically wind down and possibly close after Sept. 30.

www.washingtonpost.com

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Reposted by Richard Betts

Dr. Jonathan Foley @globalecoguy.bsky.social · 11d

Yes! If we want people to listen to science, then don’t put it all behind a bloody paywall.

Saloni @scientificdiscovery.dev · 11d

In general I think it's hard to combat scientific misinformation when some of the best research is locked behind an academic paywall, while lots of nonsense gets published free for everyone to read in predatory journals.

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Reposted by Michael E. Mann, Richard Betts

Madhu Pai, MD, PhD @madhupai.bsky.social · 12d

“What Trump is really doing is advancing a plan laid down years ago by plutocrats and polluters. And making a mockery of our country as he does so” @michaelemann.bsky.social

www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/open...

I’m a climate scientist. Trump’s U.N. address is a fire hose of misinformation

OPINION: “What Trump is really doing is advancing a plan laid down years ago by plutocrats and polluters. And making a mockery of our country as he does so,” Michael E. Mann writes.

www.sfchronicle.com

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Reposted by Simon L. Lewis, Richard Betts

Ian Fraser @ianfraser.bsky.social · 13d

🚨 This is serious. Ex Reform UK leader in Wales, Nathan Gill, 52, pleads guilty to accepting bribes in exchange for making pro-Russia statements in the European Parliament when serving as a UKIP MEP.

Ex-Reform leader pleads guilty to Pro-Russia bribery charges

The former leader of Reform UK in Wales has pleaded guilty to numerous bribery charges relating to pro-Russian statements.

caerphilly.observer

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Reposted by Richard Betts

road.cc @roadcc.bsky.social · 13d

More than a quarter of Londoners say they are now more likely to cycle following the recent Tube strike disruption

In the aftermath of tube strike chaos, 28% of Londoners say they are now more likely to cycle in future

Bike hire firms admit spike in cycle traffic "exceeded expectations", as campaigners urge politicians to deliver on cycling's "huge untapped potential as a safe, healthy transport mode"

road.cc

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Reposted by Richard Betts

Viktoria Spaiser @viktoriaspaiser.bsky.social · 19d

If you’re in Leeds on the 15th of October, come to my inaugural lecture on “Facing Accelerating Climate Change Threat - Exploring Future Trajectories, Surveying the Past and the Present” www.tickettailor.com/events/fssev...

Select tickets – "Facing Accelerating Climate Change Threat": A Faculty Inaugural Lecture by Professor Viktoria Spaiser – Liberty Building (Moot Court) LT (1.28), University of Leeds

"Facing Accelerating Climate Change Threat": A Faculty Inaugural Lecture by Professor Viktoria Spaiser – Liberty Building (Moot Court) LT (1.28), University of Leeds, Wed 15 Oct 2025 - We are delighte...

www.tickettailor.com

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Reposted by Paul R. Bierman, Richard Betts, Patrick A. Jansen , and 11 more Paul R. Bierman, Richard Betts, Patrick A. Jansen, Sabine Pahl, Trevon D. Logan, Kathleen J. Mullen, Laurent Pech, Robert C. Richards, Alan Richardson, David R. Miller, Caroline Fohlin, Albin Wagener, Colin Woodard, Southern Africa

Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 21d

This is the playbook, folks.

If you're not paying attention now and doing something about it, then you're going to have to sit down the rest of your life because democracy is being taken away.

Do not be quiet in this moment.

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Reposted by Richard Betts

Shobha Maharaj @shobha-maharaj.bsky.social · 22d

Silence sustains the status quo. We chose courage.
Our essay, Adverse Climate, uses IPCC AR6 as a case study to expose exclusion of GS & POC in global science — and propose change.
Republished today on EarthArXiv.
📄 Read here: doi.org/10.31223/X5W...

#ClimateJustice #IPCC #DEI

Adverse Climate: Addressing Inclusion and Diversity Issues in the IPCC's Sixth Assessment and beyond

doi.org

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Reposted by James M. Bullock, Richard Betts

Zoe Gardner @zoejardiniere.bsky.social · 23d

you gotta love @fossilfreeldn.bsky.social @ledbydonkeys.org & @everyonehateselon.bsky.social!

JOIN IN TODAY IN LONDON #r4today

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Reposted by Stefan Rahmstorf, Richard Betts, James Connelly

Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 24d

Europe’s summer of extreme weather caused €43bn loss.

Damage from heat, drought, flooding, crop failures will accelerate.

Climate change is global. No country can escape.

Trump/Farage deny the obvious and dance to the tunes of fossil fuel companies.

Europe’s summer of extreme weather caused €43bn of short-term losses, analysis finds

Greatest damage from heat, drought and flooding done in Cyprus, Greece, Malta and Bulgaria

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Richard Betts

Michael Mazengarb @michaelmazengarb.bsky.social · 25d

News Corp machine in overdrive, trying to diminish the National Climate Risk Assessment

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Reposted by Richard Betts, Kevin J. Anchukaitis, Martina Angela Caretta

Shobha Maharaj @shobha-maharaj.bsky.social · 25d

Our new paper, “Adverse Climate,” reveals how systemic barriers limit Global South, POC, & women’s voices in #IPCC AR6. As a Global South woman of color & AR7 CLA, I’m proud to lead this call for #ClimateEquity. Read it: doi.org/10.31223/X59...

FAQs in comment 👇🏽

#DEIinScience #ClimateJustice

Adverse Climate: Addressing Inclusion and Diversity Issues in the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment and beyond

doi.org

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Reposted by Richard Betts, Alison Phipps, Tom Griffin , and 3 more Richard Betts, Alison Phipps, Tom Griffin, Margot C. Finn, Stuart White, Christina Pagel

Dawn Butler MP @dawnbutlerbrent.bsky.social · 25d

As Chair, here is our cross-party joint statement from the Parliamentary Black Caucus, regarding the rising threat of racism and violence from the far-right.👇🏾

The Parliamentary Black Caucus condemns in the strongest terms the recent rise in racism, abuse and anti-migrant hatred that we have witnessed in many parts of our beloved country.

Whilst all people have the right to peaceful protest, we are clear that racism, intimidation and violence have no place in our society and must be met with a clear and robust response from the police authorities.

From people being assaulted and abused in public because of their ethnicity, religion or dress, to racist graffiti sprayed on buildings, to intimidatory and violent protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers, this is an alarming time for many people, especially those from minoritised communities.

We stand in solidarity with all those who are fearful, targeted or at risk.

The Government must show leadership. It must take urgent steps to reduce tensions, call out and challenge racist rhetoric and behaviour wherever it occurs, and take far more seriously the threat posed by the far right — which police have identified as the UK’s fastest-growing threat.

We also call on the public to reject the divisive agenda of the far right, who are seeking to exploit recent tensions to spread anti-migrant hatred as well as mis and disinformation. This country is stronger when we stand together.

We absolutely should have space in our country for informed discussions around migration, immigration and integration. This should be based on facts, compassion and most importantly, humanity.

The Parliamentary Black Caucus believes in a patriotism that is inclusive, welcoming and proudly anti-racist — because only unity and solidarity will defeat the far right.

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Reposted by Richard Betts

Dawn Butler MP @dawnbutlerbrent.bsky.social · 25d

Free speech is not hate speech.

We cannot allow hate-mongers to define who we are as a nation.

Now more than ever, we must stand united against intimidation, violence, division, and fear.

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Reposted by Richard Betts, Brooke Harrington

Leta McCollough Seletzky @letaseletzky.com · 26d

The type of speech most punished in this society is that which consists of telling the truth about how the powerful have harmed you

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Reposted by Richard Betts, Rosemary A. Joyce, François Heisbourg , and 1 more Richard Betts, Rosemary A. Joyce, François Heisbourg, Greg Linden

Mike Masnick @mmasnick.bsky.social · 26d

Someone just sent me a bunch of examples of these. Apparently the site is flooded with them.

There's gotta be a story behind all of these.

Nonsense Facebook post from TopSpin Central:

UNPRECEDENTED MOMENT IN HISTORY TENNIS
HISTORY: Tennis player Alexandra Eala shocked the tennis world when she called on the TENNIS community to observe a moment of silence in memory of Charlie Kirk. In a tearful speech, Alexandra Eala said: "It is heartbreaking to see America lose such an important voice. My deepest condolences to their families and loved ones. This is not only their loss, but also a reminder that we must come together, respect each other, and defend the values that this country holds dear." Her statement created a lasting patriotic movement in the American community because of its nature!

Bogus Facebook post from "Pulse of Music"

Pulse of Music
. Follow
X
23h
Last night in Nashville, James Hetfield delivered a moment so powerful it left an entire stadium breathless. In the middle of his set-just as the music thundered and the lights blazed-he suddenly stopped. Holding the microphone close, his voice rang out across the crowd, asking everyone to join him in a one-minute moment of silence for Charlie Kirk and the innocent lives lost on 9/11.
And then, silence. More than 25,000 people stood still -no cheers, no music, only reverence. A single minute passed, heavy with sorrow, yet radiant with unity.
When the silence ended, James Hetfield lifted his voice. Soft at first, then rising strong, he began to sing "God Bless America." The crowd erupted-tens of thousands of voices soaring together, filling the night sky with a chorus of hope and pride. American flags waved high. Tears streamed down faces. What had been silence became a tidal wave of song, spirit, and unbreakable togetherness.
James Hetfield didn't just pause a concert-he transformed it into a sacred tribute, a reminder of loss, resilience, and the grace of a nation standing as one.

Bogus Facebook post from "Yankees Nation"

MOMENT UNPRECEDENTED IN MLB HISTORY:
Yankees Legend CC Sabathia shocked the MLB after calling for a moment of silence in memory of Charlie Kirk. In a tearful speech, CC Sabathia said: "It is heartbreaking to see America lose such an important voice. My deepest condolences to their families and loved ones. This is not only their loss, but also a reminder that we must come together, respect each other and stand up for the values that this country holds dear." Charlie Kirka husband and father of two - passed away at the age of 31. CC Sabathia emotionally shared: "I am a father myself and I understand that emptiness." And then, he unexpectedly made a special decision for Charlie's two children

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Prof Richard Betts @richardabetts.bsky.social · 27d

Just you mate 🤣

Reposted by Richard Betts

Greens Organise @greensorganise.bsky.social · 28d

“In modern warfare between 43% and 63% of casualties are innocent people. In Palestine it’s 83% - 89%”

This is obviously a genocide. Those supporting it know this very well.

It must be stopped.
@declassifieduk.org

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Reposted by Brigitte Nerlich, Richard Betts, Flavio Lehner

Ed Maibach @maibached.bsky.social · 29d

Every avoidable death is a tragedy. Smoke from Canada’s wildfires killed nine-year-old Carter Vigh – and 82,000 others around the world. #EndFossilFuels.

@gchalliance.bsky.social
@docsforclimate.bsky.social
@fossilfueltreaty.bsky.social

Smoke from Canada’s wildfires killed nine-year-old Carter Vigh – and 82,000 others around the world

Toxic particles spewed by 2023’s wildfires were even responsible for 22,000 early deaths in Europe, researchers say

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Peter Thorne

Prof Richard Betts @richardabetts.bsky.social · 29d

The recent US Department of Energy climate "report" is described here as "controversial"

@andrewdessler.com described it as "an indefensible steaming pile of crap"

PM2.5 Kills ~9 Million People Worldwide Annually @tkovach.bsky.social · 29d

subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

POLITICO Pro: DOE says it dissolved research group that wrote its controversial climate report

The department said the end of the Climate Working Group means environmental groups' complaint over alleged Federal Advisory Committee Act violations is no longer valid.

subscriber.politicopro.com

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Reposted by Sonia I. Seneviratne, Richard Betts, Rosie A. Fisher

PM2.5 Kills ~9 Million People Worldwide Annually @tkovach.bsky.social · 29d

subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...

POLITICO Pro: DOE says it dissolved research group that wrote its controversial climate report

The department said the end of the Climate Working Group means environmental groups' complaint over alleged Federal Advisory Committee Act violations is no longer valid.

subscriber.politicopro.com

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Reposted by Richard Betts

University of Exeter News @uniofexeternews.bsky.social · Sep 8

Three University of Exeter scientists have been appointed as authors for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Seventh Assessment Report

Read more here 👇

Three Exeter experts appointed for new IPCC report

news.exeter.ac.uk

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