Gary Paterson
@gary-paterson.com
Knowledge and Engagement Specialist at the United Nations Environment Programme 🇺🇳 in Paris (@oneplanetnetwork.bsky.social)
Pinned
Gary Paterson
@gary-paterson.com
· Jan 13
Honoured to be working again at the UN, serving as a Consultant at the Environment Programme in Paris.
Over the coming months, I will be working to improve knowledge exchange and help communicate ideas and action towards SDG 12.
Looking forward to these months ahead in this new posting!
Over the coming months, I will be working to improve knowledge exchange and help communicate ideas and action towards SDG 12.
Looking forward to these months ahead in this new posting!
A theme park on Loch Lomond?!... I never thought this would ever be approved.
🔴 Breaking: Government overrules Loch Lomond national park to approve Flamingo Land development
www.scotsman.com/hays-way/app...
www.scotsman.com/hays-way/app...
Government overrules Loch Lomond national park to approve controversial Flamingo Land development
The Scottish Government’s approval of a theme park in Loch Lomond has been slammed as an “anti-democratic outrage” by campaigners
www.scotsman.com
May 16, 2025 at 1:05 PM
A theme park on Loch Lomond?!... I never thought this would ever be approved.
Reposted by Gary Paterson
This election continues to be wild times.
Seeing reports that Liberals have flipped the seat in Terrbonne, Quebec by ONE vote. 😮🗳️
May 11, 2025 at 11:21 AM
This election continues to be wild times.
The only thing dumber than using chatbots to write essays is using them to grade them.
Research shows that supposed "AI" has a 33% success rate on this.
I find it deeply unprofessional to use a chatbot to determine a student's development and future.
futurism.com/teachers-ai-...
Research shows that supposed "AI" has a 33% success rate on this.
I find it deeply unprofessional to use a chatbot to determine a student's development and future.
futurism.com/teachers-ai-...
Teachers Using AI to Grade Their Students' Work Sends a Clear Message: They Don't Matter, and Will Soon Be Obsolete
A new study is revealing just how horrible AI is at grading student homework, and the results are worse than you think.
futurism.com
May 11, 2025 at 12:08 PM
The only thing dumber than using chatbots to write essays is using them to grade them.
Research shows that supposed "AI" has a 33% success rate on this.
I find it deeply unprofessional to use a chatbot to determine a student's development and future.
futurism.com/teachers-ai-...
Research shows that supposed "AI" has a 33% success rate on this.
I find it deeply unprofessional to use a chatbot to determine a student's development and future.
futurism.com/teachers-ai-...
What Zuckerberg Doesn’t Want You to See
YouTube video by More Perfect Union
youtube.com
May 7, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Thinking tonight of those in the Iberian peninsula caught up in the power outage which looks set to continue over night, especially those working to bring the state of emergency to an end and those helping the vulnerable. Hoping for a safe and speedy recovery.
April 28, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Thinking tonight of those in the Iberian peninsula caught up in the power outage which looks set to continue over night, especially those working to bring the state of emergency to an end and those helping the vulnerable. Hoping for a safe and speedy recovery.
Starting to see too much of this AI slop replacing photography in news media.
What a ridiculous and irrelevant image for a news story on university rankings.
What a ridiculous and irrelevant image for a news story on university rankings.
April 28, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Starting to see too much of this AI slop replacing photography in news media.
What a ridiculous and irrelevant image for a news story on university rankings.
What a ridiculous and irrelevant image for a news story on university rankings.
Expectations on what AI can do in the workplace are often overblown.
Increasingly so too are expectations on time required for good quality manual work because you should "just run it through ChatGPT"... even when it literally cannot do the task.
futurism.com/professors-c...
Increasingly so too are expectations on time required for good quality manual work because you should "just run it through ChatGPT"... even when it literally cannot do the task.
futurism.com/professors-c...
An Entire Company Was Staffed With AI Agents and You'll Never Guess What Happened
An experiment by researchers at Carnegie Melon University staffed a fake software company with AI Agents, and the results were dismal.
futurism.com
April 27, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Expectations on what AI can do in the workplace are often overblown.
Increasingly so too are expectations on time required for good quality manual work because you should "just run it through ChatGPT"... even when it literally cannot do the task.
futurism.com/professors-c...
Increasingly so too are expectations on time required for good quality manual work because you should "just run it through ChatGPT"... even when it literally cannot do the task.
futurism.com/professors-c...
Reposted by Gary Paterson
Tesla’s revenue and profits have tanked amid political chaos. Tesla profits are down 71% year over year, and revenue is down $2 billion www.theverge.com/news/653645/...
Tesla’s revenue and profits tank amid political chaos
Tesla’s crisis deepens.
www.theverge.com
April 22, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Tesla’s revenue and profits have tanked amid political chaos. Tesla profits are down 71% year over year, and revenue is down $2 billion www.theverge.com/news/653645/...
Process three words has cost OpenAI tens of millions of dollars in electricity costs according to Sam Altman.
Makes you wonder how much energy is being consumed given that polite terms are a tiny fraction of user input, nevermind the AI output!
www.techradar.com/computing/ar...
Makes you wonder how much energy is being consumed given that polite terms are a tiny fraction of user input, nevermind the AI output!
www.techradar.com/computing/ar...
ChatGPT spends 'tens of millions of dollars' on people saying 'please' and 'thank you', but Sam Altman says it's worth it
You never know...
www.techradar.com
April 18, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Process three words has cost OpenAI tens of millions of dollars in electricity costs according to Sam Altman.
Makes you wonder how much energy is being consumed given that polite terms are a tiny fraction of user input, nevermind the AI output!
www.techradar.com/computing/ar...
Makes you wonder how much energy is being consumed given that polite terms are a tiny fraction of user input, nevermind the AI output!
www.techradar.com/computing/ar...
Chemical signs that can only be life-based on earth discovered in abundance on K2-18b, and could be confirmed in as little as two years.
"This is a very important moment in science, but also very important to us as a species."
www.bbc.com/news/article...
"This is a very important moment in science, but also very important to us as a species."
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Scientists find promising hints of life on distant planet K2-18b
Scientists find new but tentative evidence that a faraway world orbiting another star may be home to life.
www.bbc.com
April 17, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Chemical signs that can only be life-based on earth discovered in abundance on K2-18b, and could be confirmed in as little as two years.
"This is a very important moment in science, but also very important to us as a species."
www.bbc.com/news/article...
"This is a very important moment in science, but also very important to us as a species."
www.bbc.com/news/article...
If AI is booming, why does the EU need to mobilise public money to "stimulate private investors"?
A lot of private money has already been thrown at AI and is slowing down; not convinced that public investment should step in when investors are questioning it.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
A lot of private money has already been thrown at AI and is slowing down; not convinced that public investment should step in when investors are questioning it.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
EU to build AI gigafactories in €20bn push to catch up with US and China
Up to five sites with power-hungry supercomputers and datacentres planned to drive AI ‘moonshots’
www.theguardian.com
April 10, 2025 at 1:34 PM
If AI is booming, why does the EU need to mobilise public money to "stimulate private investors"?
A lot of private money has already been thrown at AI and is slowing down; not convinced that public investment should step in when investors are questioning it.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
A lot of private money has already been thrown at AI and is slowing down; not convinced that public investment should step in when investors are questioning it.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Gary Paterson
This is what you call two different readouts of the same meeting.
Go Denmark, Go Greenland!
Go Denmark, Go Greenland!
April 4, 2025 at 2:51 PM
This is what you call two different readouts of the same meeting.
Go Denmark, Go Greenland!
Go Denmark, Go Greenland!
Reposted by Gary Paterson
Excellent piece.
A favorite small, but revealing bit:
"Starmer’s press release suggested AI-powered cameras spotting potholes in need of repair. But what blocks pothole repair is not finding them, but that local council funding is down 40 percent since 2010."
A favorite small, but revealing bit:
"Starmer’s press release suggested AI-powered cameras spotting potholes in need of repair. But what blocks pothole repair is not finding them, but that local council funding is down 40 percent since 2010."
Impressed with @foreignpolicy.com for this informed piece on AI by @davidgerard.co.uk
AI has its uses and is transformative to a point but its utility has been grossly overstated. Too few promoting "AI governance" and other such buzzwords understand how it works.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/03/10/a...
AI has its uses and is transformative to a point but its utility has been grossly overstated. Too few promoting "AI governance" and other such buzzwords understand how it works.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/03/10/a...
The U.K. Pivot to AI Is Doomed From the Start
Technology can’t provide the economic miracle Starmer wants.
foreignpolicy.com
March 16, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Excellent piece.
A favorite small, but revealing bit:
"Starmer’s press release suggested AI-powered cameras spotting potholes in need of repair. But what blocks pothole repair is not finding them, but that local council funding is down 40 percent since 2010."
A favorite small, but revealing bit:
"Starmer’s press release suggested AI-powered cameras spotting potholes in need of repair. But what blocks pothole repair is not finding them, but that local council funding is down 40 percent since 2010."
A great number of MSPs are standing down in the upcoming Scottish Parliament elections.
This is perhaps a once in a generation transformation with so many seats now effectively open for new faces. Though I'm certain, at least for the SNP, we will see a lot of former MPs.
bbc.com/news/article...
This is perhaps a once in a generation transformation with so many seats now effectively open for new faces. Though I'm certain, at least for the SNP, we will see a lot of former MPs.
bbc.com/news/article...
Scotland's former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to step down as MSP at 2026 Holyrood election
The former SNP leader says she will not seek re-election at the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.
bbc.com
March 12, 2025 at 12:19 PM
A great number of MSPs are standing down in the upcoming Scottish Parliament elections.
This is perhaps a once in a generation transformation with so many seats now effectively open for new faces. Though I'm certain, at least for the SNP, we will see a lot of former MPs.
bbc.com/news/article...
This is perhaps a once in a generation transformation with so many seats now effectively open for new faces. Though I'm certain, at least for the SNP, we will see a lot of former MPs.
bbc.com/news/article...
Impressed with @foreignpolicy.com for this informed piece on AI by @davidgerard.co.uk
AI has its uses and is transformative to a point but its utility has been grossly overstated. Too few promoting "AI governance" and other such buzzwords understand how it works.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/03/10/a...
AI has its uses and is transformative to a point but its utility has been grossly overstated. Too few promoting "AI governance" and other such buzzwords understand how it works.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/03/10/a...
The U.K. Pivot to AI Is Doomed From the Start
Technology can’t provide the economic miracle Starmer wants.
foreignpolicy.com
March 12, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Impressed with @foreignpolicy.com for this informed piece on AI by @davidgerard.co.uk
AI has its uses and is transformative to a point but its utility has been grossly overstated. Too few promoting "AI governance" and other such buzzwords understand how it works.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/03/10/a...
AI has its uses and is transformative to a point but its utility has been grossly overstated. Too few promoting "AI governance" and other such buzzwords understand how it works.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/03/10/a...
Reposted by Gary Paterson
Bonus that's easily overlooked: it took the AI two fucking days to produce that non-answer. This garbage produced nothing better than a Google Scholar search result but took TWO FUCKING DAYS to do so.
I fucking knew it was bullshit!!! pivot-to-ai.com/2025/02/22/g...
February 23, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Bonus that's easily overlooked: it took the AI two fucking days to produce that non-answer. This garbage produced nothing better than a Google Scholar search result but took TWO FUCKING DAYS to do so.
Reposted by Gary Paterson
Scottish councils quit X/Twitter www.holyrood.com/news/view,sc...
Scottish councils quit X
A number of Scottish councils have decided to leave or step back from X, while others are keeping their use of the platf...
www.holyrood.com
March 5, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Scottish councils quit X/Twitter www.holyrood.com/news/view,sc...
AI has its uses but I do sense there's been a bubble around it for a while.
It looks like the private sector has cottoned on; governments are late to the party and now have big investment plans just as the private sector is turning away.
futurism.com/microsoft-ce...
It looks like the private sector has cottoned on; governments are late to the party and now have big investment plans just as the private sector is turning away.
futurism.com/microsoft-ce...
Microsoft Backing Out of Expensive New Data Centers After Its CEO Expressed Doubt About AI Value
After its CEO expressed hesitancy about AI's real-world value, Microsoft is backing out of the construction of new data centers.
futurism.com
February 25, 2025 at 1:50 PM
AI has its uses but I do sense there's been a bubble around it for a while.
It looks like the private sector has cottoned on; governments are late to the party and now have big investment plans just as the private sector is turning away.
futurism.com/microsoft-ce...
It looks like the private sector has cottoned on; governments are late to the party and now have big investment plans just as the private sector is turning away.
futurism.com/microsoft-ce...
Today I wrap up months of work coordinating project management & reporting for @oneplanetnetwork.bsky.social, alongside comms for 2024.
I have been grateful to support impactful initiatives and outcomes at key fora including the UN General Assembly, UN Environment Assembly, G20 & COP29.
I have been grateful to support impactful initiatives and outcomes at key fora including the UN General Assembly, UN Environment Assembly, G20 & COP29.
2024 marked a pivotal year for advancing #SDG12. ♻️ 🌏
The One Planet network - 10YFP, together with its partners, has continued to lead the transformation of high-impact sectors, shifting them towards greater patterns of sustainable consumption and production globally.
🎥 Find out more:
The One Planet network - 10YFP, together with its partners, has continued to lead the transformation of high-impact sectors, shifting them towards greater patterns of sustainable consumption and production globally.
🎥 Find out more:
One Planet Network - 2024 in Review
YouTube video by One Planet network
www.youtube.com
January 31, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Today I wrap up months of work coordinating project management & reporting for @oneplanetnetwork.bsky.social, alongside comms for 2024.
I have been grateful to support impactful initiatives and outcomes at key fora including the UN General Assembly, UN Environment Assembly, G20 & COP29.
I have been grateful to support impactful initiatives and outcomes at key fora including the UN General Assembly, UN Environment Assembly, G20 & COP29.
Haunting photos.
These extraordinary photos of the LA fires have been shared widely on social media, often without crediting the photographer.
These are all the work of Ethan Swope, an LA-based photojournalist working for AP.
You can follow his remarkable reporting here👇
www.instagram.com/ethanswopeph...
These are all the work of Ethan Swope, an LA-based photojournalist working for AP.
You can follow his remarkable reporting here👇
www.instagram.com/ethanswopeph...
January 9, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Haunting photos.
Reposted by Gary Paterson
Hard to process the devastation I’ve witnessed in the last two days. Still in a state of shock for those who have lost so much in such a short period of time. #NoWords 💔
January 9, 2025 at 2:41 AM
Hard to process the devastation I’ve witnessed in the last two days. Still in a state of shock for those who have lost so much in such a short period of time. #NoWords 💔
Reposted by Gary Paterson
Can better consumer information drive sustainable agrifood systems? 🌱📘
The latest @fao.org Policy Brief highlights how clear, accessible info empowers informed choices, reduces waste, & supports supply chain sustainability.
➡️https://openknowledge.fao.org/items/cc416874-fe47-47c7-83c9-783d1a4e7190
The latest @fao.org Policy Brief highlights how clear, accessible info empowers informed choices, reduces waste, & supports supply chain sustainability.
➡️https://openknowledge.fao.org/items/cc416874-fe47-47c7-83c9-783d1a4e7190
January 8, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Can better consumer information drive sustainable agrifood systems? 🌱📘
The latest @fao.org Policy Brief highlights how clear, accessible info empowers informed choices, reduces waste, & supports supply chain sustainability.
➡️https://openknowledge.fao.org/items/cc416874-fe47-47c7-83c9-783d1a4e7190
The latest @fao.org Policy Brief highlights how clear, accessible info empowers informed choices, reduces waste, & supports supply chain sustainability.
➡️https://openknowledge.fao.org/items/cc416874-fe47-47c7-83c9-783d1a4e7190
Reposted by Gary Paterson
🌍🍽️ Did you know? 1.05 billion tonnes of food waste is generated annually (UNEP's Food Waste Index).
One of our partners the Consumer Goods Forum’s Sustainable Kitchen Hub offers solutions to drive efficiency, sustainability & cut #FoodWaste.
➡️ Explore: www.sustainablekitchen.org
One of our partners the Consumer Goods Forum’s Sustainable Kitchen Hub offers solutions to drive efficiency, sustainability & cut #FoodWaste.
➡️ Explore: www.sustainablekitchen.org
January 9, 2025 at 10:05 AM
🌍🍽️ Did you know? 1.05 billion tonnes of food waste is generated annually (UNEP's Food Waste Index).
One of our partners the Consumer Goods Forum’s Sustainable Kitchen Hub offers solutions to drive efficiency, sustainability & cut #FoodWaste.
➡️ Explore: www.sustainablekitchen.org
One of our partners the Consumer Goods Forum’s Sustainable Kitchen Hub offers solutions to drive efficiency, sustainability & cut #FoodWaste.
➡️ Explore: www.sustainablekitchen.org
Big changes at Facebook leave me wondering how long until there's a similar X-odus to an alternative platform.
The attraction of Facebook remains its largely disgruntled userbase: people remain because people are there. But it was also the case back in MySpace and Bebo days until they weren't.
The attraction of Facebook remains its largely disgruntled userbase: people remain because people are there. But it was also the case back in MySpace and Bebo days until they weren't.
January 7, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Big changes at Facebook leave me wondering how long until there's a similar X-odus to an alternative platform.
The attraction of Facebook remains its largely disgruntled userbase: people remain because people are there. But it was also the case back in MySpace and Bebo days until they weren't.
The attraction of Facebook remains its largely disgruntled userbase: people remain because people are there. But it was also the case back in MySpace and Bebo days until they weren't.