Vassili
@vassilipapa.bsky.social
Whale biologist, conservationist and urban tree hugger. Feels animal welfare is an integral part of conservation. Cyclist, runner, horse rider -so-so at these.
Reposted by Vassili
Excellent to hear @lewis-winks.bsky.social on the Today programme this morning discussing his research on 'Who owns the River Dart' - and why this shows we need a right of responsible access
Listen here (45mins in): www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Guardian story: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Listen here (45mins in): www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Guardian story: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Devon campaigners call for ‘right to riverbank’ after finding Dart has 108 owners
Research shows difficulties ahead for ministers if they are to keep manifesto pledge to extend riverside public access
www.theguardian.com
July 30, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Excellent to hear @lewis-winks.bsky.social on the Today programme this morning discussing his research on 'Who owns the River Dart' - and why this shows we need a right of responsible access
Listen here (45mins in): www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Guardian story: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Listen here (45mins in): www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Guardian story: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Vassili
This is bit more obvious.
If it’s not obvious enough, it can be refined.
The bricks from the old path btw are being stored in a depot for other projects.
If it’s not obvious enough, it can be refined.
The bricks from the old path btw are being stored in a depot for other projects.
June 24, 2025 at 11:29 AM
This is bit more obvious.
If it’s not obvious enough, it can be refined.
The bricks from the old path btw are being stored in a depot for other projects.
If it’s not obvious enough, it can be refined.
The bricks from the old path btw are being stored in a depot for other projects.
Reposted by Vassili
In 2003, anti-war activists broke into RAF Fairford to stop US bombers heading to Iraq.
Keir Starmer defended their actions and said it was justified to prevent war crimes.
Now his government is banning Palestine Action for doing the same.
The Prime Minister is a hypocrite.
Keir Starmer defended their actions and said it was justified to prevent war crimes.
Now his government is banning Palestine Action for doing the same.
The Prime Minister is a hypocrite.
June 22, 2025 at 9:55 AM
In 2003, anti-war activists broke into RAF Fairford to stop US bombers heading to Iraq.
Keir Starmer defended their actions and said it was justified to prevent war crimes.
Now his government is banning Palestine Action for doing the same.
The Prime Minister is a hypocrite.
Keir Starmer defended their actions and said it was justified to prevent war crimes.
Now his government is banning Palestine Action for doing the same.
The Prime Minister is a hypocrite.
Reposted by Vassili
Edward Heath blocked US use of UK bases to defend Israel in 1973.
Harold Wilson resisted US pressure to send troops to Vietnam.
From the ’50s to early 2000s, the UK imposed full arms embargoes on Israel for breaking international law.
We can choose not to be America’s poodle.
Harold Wilson resisted US pressure to send troops to Vietnam.
From the ’50s to early 2000s, the UK imposed full arms embargoes on Israel for breaking international law.
We can choose not to be America’s poodle.
June 22, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Edward Heath blocked US use of UK bases to defend Israel in 1973.
Harold Wilson resisted US pressure to send troops to Vietnam.
From the ’50s to early 2000s, the UK imposed full arms embargoes on Israel for breaking international law.
We can choose not to be America’s poodle.
Harold Wilson resisted US pressure to send troops to Vietnam.
From the ’50s to early 2000s, the UK imposed full arms embargoes on Israel for breaking international law.
We can choose not to be America’s poodle.
Reposted by Vassili
Ladies Mile is a totally unnecessary road cutting across Bristol’s biggest public greenspace - The Downs - making it unsafe for kids. It was closed to cars for the day yesterday and what a change! Let’s make this permanent. @edplowden.bsky.social @robbryher.bsky.social @bristol247.bsky.social
May 19, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Ladies Mile is a totally unnecessary road cutting across Bristol’s biggest public greenspace - The Downs - making it unsafe for kids. It was closed to cars for the day yesterday and what a change! Let’s make this permanent. @edplowden.bsky.social @robbryher.bsky.social @bristol247.bsky.social
Reposted by Vassili
Unspeakably awful.
Genocide, in plain sight.
Where is the international condemnation from heads of state? Where is Starmer’s?
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Genocide, in plain sight.
Where is the international condemnation from heads of state? Where is Starmer’s?
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
UN warns 14,000 babies could die in Gaza in next 48 hours without aid – Israel-Gaza war live
UN’s humanitarian chief says aid lorries, which contain baby food and nutrition, are technically in Gaza but have not reached civilians
www.theguardian.com
May 20, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Unspeakably awful.
Genocide, in plain sight.
Where is the international condemnation from heads of state? Where is Starmer’s?
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Genocide, in plain sight.
Where is the international condemnation from heads of state? Where is Starmer’s?
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Reposted by Vassili
Given that we’re a nation of nature lovers, whose conservation charities are among the world's biggest membership organisations, Keir Starmer’s repeated attacks on voters who want to protect the living planet, calling us “time-wasting nimbys”, “blockers” and “zealots”, is frankly idiotic.
May 20, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Given that we’re a nation of nature lovers, whose conservation charities are among the world's biggest membership organisations, Keir Starmer’s repeated attacks on voters who want to protect the living planet, calling us “time-wasting nimbys”, “blockers” and “zealots”, is frankly idiotic.
Reposted by Vassili
2025. Mice, Empathy, and the Ethics We Ignore - #AnimalEthics #AnimalWelfare www.scienceadvancement.org/reflections/...
Mice, Empathy, and the Ethics We Ignore - Science Advancement and Outreach Division
A mouse’s ability to recognize distress in others and respond with life-saving actions demonstrates that he or she is not a “furry test tube,” but a sentient being deserving of moral consideration.
www.scienceadvancement.org
May 20, 2025 at 12:48 AM
2025. Mice, Empathy, and the Ethics We Ignore - #AnimalEthics #AnimalWelfare www.scienceadvancement.org/reflections/...
Reposted by Vassili
Anyone wondering why arch neoliberal Blair is speaking against the scientific imperative to stop burning fossil fuels this decade? euroweeklynews.com/2016/04/29/t...
Tony Blair unmasked as chief lobbyist for Saudi oil firm
FLYING somewhat under the radar since his absurdist stint as Middle East peace envoy, Tony Blair has resurfaced as a key broker in a booming nexus of Chinese and Saudi oil companies.
euroweeklynews.com
April 30, 2025 at 6:09 AM
Anyone wondering why arch neoliberal Blair is speaking against the scientific imperative to stop burning fossil fuels this decade? euroweeklynews.com/2016/04/29/t...
Reposted by Vassili
Another dodgy dossier from Blair.
In reality people are being forced to live with crap services (bus cuts anyone?) and wait for huge daily cost savings and jobs in green industries thanks to this kind of visionless hogwash. #GreenNewDeal
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
In reality people are being forced to live with crap services (bus cuts anyone?) and wait for huge daily cost savings and jobs in green industries thanks to this kind of visionless hogwash. #GreenNewDeal
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Tony Blair says current net zero push 'doomed to fail'
The former PM's call for a change of course is rejected by Downing Street but welcomed by the Tories and Reform.
www.bbc.co.uk
April 30, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Another dodgy dossier from Blair.
In reality people are being forced to live with crap services (bus cuts anyone?) and wait for huge daily cost savings and jobs in green industries thanks to this kind of visionless hogwash. #GreenNewDeal
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
In reality people are being forced to live with crap services (bus cuts anyone?) and wait for huge daily cost savings and jobs in green industries thanks to this kind of visionless hogwash. #GreenNewDeal
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Vassili
Government to extend ban on moorland burning - closing loopholes in existing rules
Great news for nature, carbon, & people who’ll be spared from acrid smoke & flooding
Bad news for dukes & billionaires who own grouse moors 🎻
Here's my quote running on PA newswire: 1/
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Great news for nature, carbon, & people who’ll be spared from acrid smoke & flooding
Bad news for dukes & billionaires who own grouse moors 🎻
Here's my quote running on PA newswire: 1/
www.gov.uk/government/n...
March 31, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Government to extend ban on moorland burning - closing loopholes in existing rules
Great news for nature, carbon, & people who’ll be spared from acrid smoke & flooding
Bad news for dukes & billionaires who own grouse moors 🎻
Here's my quote running on PA newswire: 1/
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Great news for nature, carbon, & people who’ll be spared from acrid smoke & flooding
Bad news for dukes & billionaires who own grouse moors 🎻
Here's my quote running on PA newswire: 1/
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by Vassili
Reposted by Vassili
An historic moment for Nature recovery in England with a new policy setting out plans for the return of wild Beavers. Licenses will be issued by Natural England so that we can harness the power of these keystone animals for the many benefits they bring.
naturalengland.blog.gov.uk/2025/02/28/b...
naturalengland.blog.gov.uk/2025/02/28/b...
Beaver wild release: a milestone for nature recovery in England
By Stuart Otway, Principal Officer in Natural England’s Complex Cases Unit and Delphine Pouget, Principal Officer in Natural England’s Species Recovery & Reintroductions Team After centuries of absen...
naturalengland.blog.gov.uk
February 28, 2025 at 10:59 AM
An historic moment for Nature recovery in England with a new policy setting out plans for the return of wild Beavers. Licenses will be issued by Natural England so that we can harness the power of these keystone animals for the many benefits they bring.
naturalengland.blog.gov.uk/2025/02/28/b...
naturalengland.blog.gov.uk/2025/02/28/b...
Reposted by Vassili
Terrific resignation letter by Anneliese Dodds, this.
February 28, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Terrific resignation letter by Anneliese Dodds, this.
Reposted by Vassili
Greenland to ban political donations… but Starmer still doing nothing about the huge loopholes that let foreign money into British politics 🤦
Seems prudent
Greenland plans to ban foreign political donations after Donald Trump’s threats - on.ft.com/4jH4R6k via @data.ft.com
Greenland plans to ban foreign political donations after Donald Trump’s threats - on.ft.com/4jH4R6k via @data.ft.com
Greenland plans to ban foreign political donations after Donald Trump’s threats
Arctic island in US president’s sights is due to hold parliamentary elections by April 6
on.ft.com
February 3, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Greenland to ban political donations… but Starmer still doing nothing about the huge loopholes that let foreign money into British politics 🤦
Reposted by Vassili
Abysmal news for the River Wye—already close to ecological death from intensive poultry production—& other catchments.
Labour came to power promising to heal Britain’s river network; today the Env Sec singles out chicken producers & promises laxer regulation.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Labour came to power promising to heal Britain’s river network; today the Env Sec singles out chicken producers & promises laxer regulation.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Labour’s agriculture plans will increase chicken waste in rivers, say campaigners
Steve Reed says planning rules ‘have got in the way’ of farmers and apologises for ‘shock’ of inheritance tax change
www.theguardian.com
January 9, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Abysmal news for the River Wye—already close to ecological death from intensive poultry production—& other catchments.
Labour came to power promising to heal Britain’s river network; today the Env Sec singles out chicken producers & promises laxer regulation.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Labour came to power promising to heal Britain’s river network; today the Env Sec singles out chicken producers & promises laxer regulation.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Vassili
Last night I attended a vigil for the women and girls of Sudan, along with our Green Cllr Mohamed Makawi, who gave a powerful speech highlighting the plight of these women. Sexual violence is a weapon of war is a stain on humanity. 🇸🇩💚🕊️
December 14, 2024 at 9:32 AM
Last night I attended a vigil for the women and girls of Sudan, along with our Green Cllr Mohamed Makawi, who gave a powerful speech highlighting the plight of these women. Sexual violence is a weapon of war is a stain on humanity. 🇸🇩💚🕊️
Reposted by Vassili
People have had enough of Elon Musk interfering with our country’s democracy when he clearly knows nothing about Britain.
It’s time to summon the US ambassador to ask why an incoming US official is suggesting the UK government should be overthrown.
It’s time to summon the US ambassador to ask why an incoming US official is suggesting the UK government should be overthrown.
January 6, 2025 at 1:56 PM
People have had enough of Elon Musk interfering with our country’s democracy when he clearly knows nothing about Britain.
It’s time to summon the US ambassador to ask why an incoming US official is suggesting the UK government should be overthrown.
It’s time to summon the US ambassador to ask why an incoming US official is suggesting the UK government should be overthrown.
Reposted by Vassili
Sad news about Iceland's #whaling plans. Some scientists will be glad: more samples for them. Peter Sand @vassilipapa.bsky.social & I wrote about tacit complicity in the cruel practice of harpooning whales+ incidentally providing scientific credibility to whalers
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1...
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1...
Ethical and Legal Considerations for Scientists Collaborating with Whalers: A Case Study of International Research Using the Outcome of Contemporary Whaling by Iceland
This article explores some ethical and legal issues regarding international research conducted on whales killed by Iceland since it resumed whaling in 2003. In total, 35 peer-reviewed publications ...
www.tandfonline.com
December 14, 2024 at 3:09 AM
Sad news about Iceland's #whaling plans. Some scientists will be glad: more samples for them. Peter Sand @vassilipapa.bsky.social & I wrote about tacit complicity in the cruel practice of harpooning whales+ incidentally providing scientific credibility to whalers
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1...
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1...
Reposted by Vassili
🏦 The government should heed our call - launched just last week - to establish a National Commission for Electoral Reform in 2025, tasked with recommending a fair and democratic voting system in which every vote counts
3/3
3/3
Dozens of new Labour MPs join group pushing for electoral reform
Exclusive: All-party parliamentary group on fair elections argues proportional voting system would help restore trust
www.theguardian.com
December 3, 2024 at 4:17 PM
🏦 The government should heed our call - launched just last week - to establish a National Commission for Electoral Reform in 2025, tasked with recommending a fair and democratic voting system in which every vote counts
3/3
3/3
Reposted by Vassili
“Yes, it’s a genocide. And once you come to this conclusion you cannot remain silent.” - Amos Goldberg, Israeli Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies
(Location: Parliament Square, London. Read full statement below)
(Location: Parliament Square, London. Read full statement below)
December 4, 2024 at 10:29 AM
“Yes, it’s a genocide. And once you come to this conclusion you cannot remain silent.” - Amos Goldberg, Israeli Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies
(Location: Parliament Square, London. Read full statement below)
(Location: Parliament Square, London. Read full statement below)
Reposted by Vassili
Doomed trees of Bristol 😢
A Grand Day out for @bristoltreeforum.bsky.social with the Woodland Trust - we visited the doomed trees at St Mary-le-Port, Millennium Square and Baltic Wharf, stopping off at the SS Get Britain carpark to note that these tree are also threatened with removal.
November 29, 2024 at 2:14 PM
Doomed trees of Bristol 😢
Reposted by Vassili
Here’s a short story about who wins and loses from the status quo of our inheritance tax rules - and about, what you might politely call ‘sub-optimal’ journalism🧵
November 25, 2024 at 5:00 PM
Here’s a short story about who wins and loses from the status quo of our inheritance tax rules - and about, what you might politely call ‘sub-optimal’ journalism🧵