Florian Busch
@florianabusch.bsky.social
Plant physiologist interested in all things photosynthesis. Born at 329 ppm | Associate Professor at the University of Birmingham School of Biosciences and BIFoR (he/him)
Reposted by Florian Busch
‘If this were just a climate crisis, we would fix it. The technology, money and strategies have all been at hand for years. What stifles effective action is an …An epistemic crisis ie a crisis in the production and delivery of knowledge’ #ClimateEmergency www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Dark forces are preventing us fighting the climate crisis – by taking knowledge hostage | George Monbiot
The fundamental problem is this: that most of the means of communication are owned or influenced by the very rich, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 1:53 AM
‘If this were just a climate crisis, we would fix it. The technology, money and strategies have all been at hand for years. What stifles effective action is an …An epistemic crisis ie a crisis in the production and delivery of knowledge’ #ClimateEmergency www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Florian Busch
🚸 Better Streets for Birmingham are calling on all those preparing to stand for election in Birmingham next year to back practical steps to address the road safety emergency.
Ask #1: Keep rolling out 20mph limits
👉Read the ten asks in full and co-sign them: betterstreetsforbirmingham....
Ask #1: Keep rolling out 20mph limits
👉Read the ten asks in full and co-sign them: betterstreetsforbirmingham....
November 15, 2025 at 8:15 AM
🚸 Better Streets for Birmingham are calling on all those preparing to stand for election in Birmingham next year to back practical steps to address the road safety emergency.
Ask #1: Keep rolling out 20mph limits
👉Read the ten asks in full and co-sign them: betterstreetsforbirmingham....
Ask #1: Keep rolling out 20mph limits
👉Read the ten asks in full and co-sign them: betterstreetsforbirmingham....
Reposted by Florian Busch
There are thousands of things like this in tech. Why is search bad in Gmail. Why does Bluetooth suck. Why are most streaming apps bad. Why is file transfer still annoying. Every day it feels like I've got random issues with tech stuff while these companies sink billions into AI
if microsoft just made outlook search not suck they'd see triple the productivity gains of any AI integration
November 14, 2025 at 8:24 AM
There are thousands of things like this in tech. Why is search bad in Gmail. Why does Bluetooth suck. Why are most streaming apps bad. Why is file transfer still annoying. Every day it feels like I've got random issues with tech stuff while these companies sink billions into AI
Reposted by Florian Busch
We've joined with 15 local and national organisations, setting out 10 practical steps to address the city's road safety emergency and prevent needless deaths on our city's roads.
Will you join us by co-signing the asks in 2 minutes?: betterstreetsforbirmingham....
Will you join us by co-signing the asks in 2 minutes?: betterstreetsforbirmingham....
November 10, 2025 at 7:15 AM
We've joined with 15 local and national organisations, setting out 10 practical steps to address the city's road safety emergency and prevent needless deaths on our city's roads.
Will you join us by co-signing the asks in 2 minutes?: betterstreetsforbirmingham....
Will you join us by co-signing the asks in 2 minutes?: betterstreetsforbirmingham....
Reposted by Florian Busch
Official data from government of British Columbia, along with satellite monitoring, backs claims that a Canadian subsidiary owned by Drax sourced 250-year-old trees to manufacture biomass pellets as recently as this year
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
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 10:15 AM
Official data from government of British Columbia, along with satellite monitoring, backs claims that a Canadian subsidiary owned by Drax sourced 250-year-old trees to manufacture biomass pellets as recently as this year
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Florian Busch
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
www.newyorker.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:31 PM
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
Reposted by Florian Busch
Meanwhile, CEOs make 280 times the typical worker today.
The system is rigged.
The system is rigged.
November 8, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Meanwhile, CEOs make 280 times the typical worker today.
The system is rigged.
The system is rigged.
Reposted by Florian Busch
To put this in scale, Elon Musk's salary from Tesla alone could fund the SNAP program for the entire country into 2034.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk scored a resounding victory on Thursday as shareholders approved a pay package of as much as $878 billion over the next decade, endorsing his vision of morphing the EV maker into an AI and robotics juggernaut.
Tesla shareholders approve $878 billion pay plan for Elon Musk
Tesla CEO Elon Musk scored a resounding victory on Thursday as shareholders approved a pay package of as much as $878 billion over the next decade, endorsing his vision of morphing the EV maker into an AI and robotics juggernaut.
reut.rs
November 6, 2025 at 10:19 PM
To put this in scale, Elon Musk's salary from Tesla alone could fund the SNAP program for the entire country into 2034.
Reposted by Florian Busch
This @oilchange.bsky.social report into how Aus, Norway, the US and Canada are going hell-for-leather on oil and gas is pretty incredible.
This graphic stood out to me:
oilchange.org/publications...
This graphic stood out to me:
oilchange.org/publications...
November 2, 2025 at 11:25 AM
This @oilchange.bsky.social report into how Aus, Norway, the US and Canada are going hell-for-leather on oil and gas is pretty incredible.
This graphic stood out to me:
oilchange.org/publications...
This graphic stood out to me:
oilchange.org/publications...
Reposted by Florian Busch
Brand new video by Simon Clark about the last month of terrible climate news:
The worst month of climate news in my entire career
YouTube video by Simon Clark
youtu.be
October 31, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Brand new video by Simon Clark about the last month of terrible climate news:
Reposted by Florian Busch
Viele denken, sie schützen den Wald, wenn sie #Windkraft verhindern – doch das Gegenteil stimmt. Ohne Windräder keine #Energiewende, ohne Energiewende kein Wald mehr, wie wir ihn kennen. Wer den Wald wirklich liebt, baut dort Windräder – für seine Zukunft. 💚
November 1, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Viele denken, sie schützen den Wald, wenn sie #Windkraft verhindern – doch das Gegenteil stimmt. Ohne Windräder keine #Energiewende, ohne Energiewende kein Wald mehr, wie wir ihn kennen. Wer den Wald wirklich liebt, baut dort Windräder – für seine Zukunft. 💚
Reposted by Florian Busch
Medicare for All would save $450B a year.
Every dollar spent on food stamps generates $1.50-$1.80 in economic activity.
Each dollar going to low-wage workers adds $1.20 to the economy overall.
It’s not about what this country can or can’t afford.
It’s about priorities.
Every dollar spent on food stamps generates $1.50-$1.80 in economic activity.
Each dollar going to low-wage workers adds $1.20 to the economy overall.
It’s not about what this country can or can’t afford.
It’s about priorities.
October 31, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Medicare for All would save $450B a year.
Every dollar spent on food stamps generates $1.50-$1.80 in economic activity.
Each dollar going to low-wage workers adds $1.20 to the economy overall.
It’s not about what this country can or can’t afford.
It’s about priorities.
Every dollar spent on food stamps generates $1.50-$1.80 in economic activity.
Each dollar going to low-wage workers adds $1.20 to the economy overall.
It’s not about what this country can or can’t afford.
It’s about priorities.
Reposted by Florian Busch
"Again looks like some will be discriminated against."
Having to share even a tiny bit of public space is, for some car owners, discrimination.
Having to share even a tiny bit of public space is, for some car owners, discrimination.
Birmingham Hagley Road upgrade plans attract mixed views
A public consultation on the major plans ends on Sunday and has attracted more than 500 comments.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 7:25 AM
"Again looks like some will be discriminated against."
Having to share even a tiny bit of public space is, for some car owners, discrimination.
Having to share even a tiny bit of public space is, for some car owners, discrimination.
Reposted by Florian Busch
Plant scientists Professor Graham Farquhar and Professor Susanne von Caemmerer transformed the world's understanding of photosynthesis, and now they have been jointly awarded the Royal Medal (Biological) from The Royal Society, at a ceremony in London.
science.anu.edu.au/news-events/...
science.anu.edu.au/news-events/...
October 27, 2025 at 4:45 AM
Plant scientists Professor Graham Farquhar and Professor Susanne von Caemmerer transformed the world's understanding of photosynthesis, and now they have been jointly awarded the Royal Medal (Biological) from The Royal Society, at a ceremony in London.
science.anu.edu.au/news-events/...
science.anu.edu.au/news-events/...
Reposted by Florian Busch
The Trump administration on Thursday announced a plan to allow oil and gas drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, one of the largest remaining tracts of pristine wilderness in the United States.
More by @maxinejoselow.bsky.social here:
More by @maxinejoselow.bsky.social here:
Trump Opens Pristine Alaska Wilderness to Drilling in Long-Running Feud
www.nytimes.com
October 23, 2025 at 9:11 PM
The Trump administration on Thursday announced a plan to allow oil and gas drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, one of the largest remaining tracts of pristine wilderness in the United States.
More by @maxinejoselow.bsky.social here:
More by @maxinejoselow.bsky.social here:
Reposted by Florian Busch
Among the great essays of the twentieth century.
I reread this every so often and I'm struck every time by how great it is unevenearth.org/2018/08/the-...
The social ideology of the motorcar - Uneven Earth
by André Gorz The worst thing about cars is that they are like castles or villas by the sea: luxury goods invented for the exclusive pleasure of a very rich minority, and which in conception and natur...
unevenearth.org
October 21, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Among the great essays of the twentieth century.
Reposted by Florian Busch
It's a goal of mine to help make this the most famous, well-known and UNDERSTOOD quote about cities in history. Please share it as much as you can.
October 20, 2025 at 5:30 AM
It's a goal of mine to help make this the most famous, well-known and UNDERSTOOD quote about cities in history. Please share it as much as you can.
Reposted by Florian Busch
@djgibbs.bsky.social and I are advertising a MIBTP PhD project investigating the influence of low oxygen and ethylene signalling on plant-symbiont interactions. Please get in touch via email if you are interested and I can provide further details!
www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profil...
www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profil...
October 17, 2025 at 8:30 AM
@djgibbs.bsky.social and I are advertising a MIBTP PhD project investigating the influence of low oxygen and ethylene signalling on plant-symbiont interactions. Please get in touch via email if you are interested and I can provide further details!
www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profil...
www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profil...
Reposted by Florian Busch
job alert: UC Davis is looking to hire a 9 month tenure-track Assistant Professor of Mycology in the Department of Plant Pathology. More details below, for full consideration submit by 1 December 2025
recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07339
recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07339
Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology
University of California, Davis is hiring. Apply now!
recruit.ucdavis.edu
October 16, 2025 at 7:59 PM
job alert: UC Davis is looking to hire a 9 month tenure-track Assistant Professor of Mycology in the Department of Plant Pathology. More details below, for full consideration submit by 1 December 2025
recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07339
recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07339
Reposted by Florian Busch
I stand with Salman Mirza.
Birmingham man takes down flags because he says 'people feel unwelcome'
Salman Mirza says he wants to
www.bbc.co.uk
October 13, 2025 at 6:53 AM
I stand with Salman Mirza.
Reposted by Florian Busch
Over 40% of corn grown in Indiana is used to make ethanol that cars burn. One acre of corn yields about 16,500 vehicle-miles per year of ethanol, which sounds high until you realize that one acre of solar yields about 2,700,000 vehicle-miles per year: 16,000% more driving for a given plot of land.
October 9, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Over 40% of corn grown in Indiana is used to make ethanol that cars burn. One acre of corn yields about 16,500 vehicle-miles per year of ethanol, which sounds high until you realize that one acre of solar yields about 2,700,000 vehicle-miles per year: 16,000% more driving for a given plot of land.
Reposted by Florian Busch
Hagley Road's current design is an announcement that if you don't own a car in Birmimgham, you deserve neither safety nor dignity as you move around your city.
But some changes are planned that acknowledge that car owners aren't the only ones who might use this corridor.
Have your say here:
But some changes are planned that acknowledge that car owners aren't the only ones who might use this corridor.
Have your say here:
Hagley Road
Have your say around improving transport on Hagley Road.
hagleyroad.commonplace.is
October 9, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Hagley Road's current design is an announcement that if you don't own a car in Birmimgham, you deserve neither safety nor dignity as you move around your city.
But some changes are planned that acknowledge that car owners aren't the only ones who might use this corridor.
Have your say here:
But some changes are planned that acknowledge that car owners aren't the only ones who might use this corridor.
Have your say here:
Reposted by Florian Busch
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”
― George Orwell, 1984
― George Orwell, 1984
Mike Johnson: "Let me look right into the camera and tell you very clearly: Republicans are the ones concerned about healthcare. Republicans are the party working around the clock everyday to fix healthcare. This is not talking points for us: we've done it."
October 6, 2025 at 5:56 PM
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”
― George Orwell, 1984
― George Orwell, 1984
Reposted by Florian Busch
The Primary Energy Fallacy is the idea that all primary energy from fossil fuels must be replaced with equivalent amount of clean energy.
BUT: Not necessary because >2/3 of all primary energy is lost as waste heat.
Electrification+renewables are far more efficient.
medium.com/@jan.rosenow...
BUT: Not necessary because >2/3 of all primary energy is lost as waste heat.
Electrification+renewables are far more efficient.
medium.com/@jan.rosenow...
October 4, 2025 at 9:04 AM
The Primary Energy Fallacy is the idea that all primary energy from fossil fuels must be replaced with equivalent amount of clean energy.
BUT: Not necessary because >2/3 of all primary energy is lost as waste heat.
Electrification+renewables are far more efficient.
medium.com/@jan.rosenow...
BUT: Not necessary because >2/3 of all primary energy is lost as waste heat.
Electrification+renewables are far more efficient.
medium.com/@jan.rosenow...
Reposted by Florian Busch
Keeping people in poverty is an expensive luxury.
My column on the false economies of austerity, which costs us all a fortune. Despite the government's claims, austerity continues under Labour. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
My column on the false economies of austerity, which costs us all a fortune. Despite the government's claims, austerity continues under Labour. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
It hurt when I crashed my bike into a pothole – and it taught me the true price of austerity | George Monbiot
Fixing that hole could have cost under £100; the cost of not doing so is limitless. My prang highlights the neoliberal folly of false economies, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
October 4, 2025 at 6:24 AM
Keeping people in poverty is an expensive luxury.
My column on the false economies of austerity, which costs us all a fortune. Despite the government's claims, austerity continues under Labour. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
My column on the false economies of austerity, which costs us all a fortune. Despite the government's claims, austerity continues under Labour. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...