Alison Tomlin
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alisontomlin.bsky.social
Alison Tomlin
@alisontomlin.bsky.social
3.4K followers 500 following 2.2K posts
Prof @ Leeds Uni in energy & environment. For clean air, net zero, trees, Latin drumming & exercising my right to roam. Suspect professional Northerner.
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alisontomlin.bsky.social
Been walking in Lancashire with some old Uni pals. Even wetter than I remember it apart from this brief break in the clouds. Another social media post that is not wholly representative of the truth. I do love Lancashire though...
Rural scene. Somewhere in the Trough of Bowland. Not exactly sure where...
November 29, 2025 at 5:23 PM
alisontomlin.bsky.social
Allsorts of a weather day in the Dales, including several hail storms. But maybe worth it for some interesting light? Maybe... Very quiet afternoon at the Norber erratics. Apart from the wind.
A spotlight coming from behind the clouds at Norber. One of my favourite trees nestled within the Norber erratics. Near Austwick.
November 28, 2025 at 4:36 PM
alisontomlin.bsky.social
Oh I absolutely loved (love) this album. Sketch for Summer is one of the most beautiful guitar tracks ever. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
The Durutti Column: The Return of the Durutti Column review – fragile classic that echoes far beyond its time
The delicate experimentation of the band’s debut may not have chimed with the post-punk 1980s, but its durability makes this deluxe reissue thoroughly deserved
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:58 PM
alisontomlin.bsky.social
A frosty cercis leaf from this morning. Love this tree. ❤️
A back-lit cercis leaf which looks like a frosted heart.
November 26, 2025 at 8:22 PM
alisontomlin.bsky.social
This pisses me off though tbh. Unfreezing fuel duty now could have been used to fund improvements in public transport infrastructure. Adding cost per mile to EVs when adoption is still low will be discouraging, particularly for those without home charging options
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reeves freezes fuel duty for now as she confirms 3p-a-mile electric vehicle charge
Rishi Sunak’s ‘temporary’ 5p-a-litre cut to be reversed in stages from next September in effort to keep EVs attractive
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:09 PM
alisontomlin.bsky.social
Nice summary of the details and potentially good news for those of us that have disconnectedthe gas; at least in the short term. All eyes on the Warm Homes Plan now. 👀
acjsissons.bsky.social Andrew Sissons @acjsissons.bsky.social · 3d
We've got some Nesta reaction to the Budget up, underpinned by some brilliant speedy analysis by my colleague Dan Lewis.

📉 What does the budget mean for energy bills?

www.nesta.org.uk/blog/what-do...
@nestauk.bsky.social
What does the Budget mean for energy bills?
Major changes to energy bills in the Budget will affect households across the country
www.nesta.org.uk
November 26, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Reposted by Alison Tomlin
acjsissons.bsky.social
Pleased to report that I did not get this embarrassingly wrong: the government has not abolished or amended the Boiler Upgrade Scheme at this Budget.

The ECO levy has been abolished, but the extra government funding to replace it will soften that.
acjsissons.bsky.social Andrew Sissons @acjsissons.bsky.social · 16d
I think part of this story (on eligibility for heat pump grants) is likely to be nonsense - I'll explain in a thread below.

But it is clear that the Treasury wants to abolish the ECO levy, which funds upgrades for fuel poor homes. This would be a serious mistake

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Hundreds of thousands to lose heat pump subsidies in Reeves’s budget plan
Exclusive: Supporters say grants largely going to middle-class households, but experts warn move will slow transition from gas boilers
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Reposted by Alison Tomlin
commonerschoir.bsky.social
My 2 fave pics from our trip to Manresa.
Commoners on la Torre de Caterina.

(Ta @alisontomlin.bsky.social )
#Catalunya
A short squat tower with a flagpole on top, flying the catalan flag, surrounded by a group of people in black. Dryish grass in foreground, clear blue sky above. Looking up from inside a short circular stone tower we see a circular see through platform with people on it, silhouetted against the sky.
November 26, 2025 at 10:16 AM
alisontomlin.bsky.social
A useful application of physics + machine learning (branded as AI) based forecasting models that could actually create energy savings by reducing requirements for computational resources. Best carried out by subject specialists like the Met Office IMHO. V interesting blog.
metoffice.gov.uk Met Office - weather and climate @metoffice.gov.uk · 4d
What does a “blend” of AI and physics mean for weather and climate modelling?

In this blog find out more about the potential future blend of AI and physics-based models, as well as steps the Met Office is taking to achieve ambitious aims.
www.metoffice.gov.uk/blog/2025/wh...
November 25, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Reposted by Alison Tomlin
justkeepskeeting.pro
this is mesmerizing
November 25, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Reposted by Alison Tomlin
marcdavenant.bsky.social
I spent hours yesterday at the tent encampment behind the Adelphi in London and as a result have sent this open letter with a plea for a meaningful intervention to
Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk
Adam Hug @adamhug.bsky.social
@matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social
@paulabarkermp.bsky.social and Bob Blackman
A plea for a meaningful intervention - Adelphi tent encampment London Dear Paula, Bob and Matthew I wanted to thank you again for facilitating the display of my Outsiders exhibition on homelessness inside Parliament last year. The touring exhibition has now had over 120,000 visitors and continues to tour. Matthew I really valued our conversation about homelessness in the exhibition space - it was clear to me then that you really understood the issues and were determined to do something meaningful to address the problems. Dear Adam and Sadia You don't know me, but I am a documentary photographer who works with marginalised communities and uses photography to highlight social inequality. You can see something about the Outsiders project on homelessness and substandard housing here https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cnOdqk4req0o Dear All Five of the participants in Outsiders have now died while experiencing homelessness. Since I stopped the photography in 2022 the situation has become exponentially worse both in London and in the other cities which I covered during the project. One of the most noticeable changes has been the development of tent encampments and I am writing to all of you about the encampment which is currently behind the Adelphi in London. I believe plans are being drawn up to get an injunction to clear the encampment without any meaningrut Intervention to address the problems laced by the community there. It seems to me that it is an extraordinary situation that in the wealthiest borough, in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, these people are struggling to survive against all the odds and not receiving the support needed to transition them out of homelessness and help them become productive members of society. As a society we are defined by how we treat the poor. Regardless of the legal position I believe that we all have a moral and ethical responsibility towards those who have fallen through the gaps and ended up experiencing homelessness. The people in this encampment are vulnerable and marginalised. The women have all been sexually assaulted or subjected to violence while sleeping rough in London. They rely on the men in the encampment for their safety and if the camp is simply cleared, they will end up back on the street with no safety net, likely being subjected to ongoing sexual abuse and exploitation. People in the camp have both mental and physical health needs which need to be addressed. One has diabetes, has open sores on his legs and is likely to suffer amputations, blindness and possibly death via diabetic coma unless this is addressed. There are mental nean ana suostance abuse chauenges as wel. However overa nis is a close knit communit wrich nas become ponded togeter ov the power of a shared experience. Disbanding the camp with no plans for transitioning the occupants into a stable home would be cruel and irresponsible. The people in the camp also rely on their dogs to provide emotional support. One of the worst things about sleeping rough is being ignored and treated like something less than human. Having something to love and which will love you back unconditionally can be the difference between life and death for someone in their situation. All of them have been told they will have to give up their dogs to get support. I believe that to be an inhumane and unreasonable position to take. There is a desperate need for a multidisciplinary intervention with this camp. If you bulldoze it you will break the bonds within the community ana simply move the problem somewnere else. It isn t a solution to what nas become a nuge problem tor society and is a test for your humanity as the people with the power to change things. Collectively you control billions in spending, control the public policy on homelessness and housing and do have the power to intervene and ensure a positive outcome for the people in this camp. I have attached some portraits taken yesterday and would urge you to look at them and consider how you would feel if they were members of your family who had fallen on hard times. I know that with a sweep of a pen you can simply have them moved on but would ask you to consider whether there is a different approach and who gains from simply sweeone unese oroolems under ine caroet. Experience has taught me to have very low expectations when it comes to asking for support like this in a society which knows the price or everything ana the value or little, but i belleve that you are all good people who came Into public service with the best of Intentions and hope you can find it in your hearts to help. Thank you all for reading this and I hope something can be done. Best Marc Davenant
November 24, 2025 at 11:57 AM
alisontomlin.bsky.social
Good morning from Monserat.
November 23, 2025 at 9:15 AM
alisontomlin.bsky.social
Well that went pretty well. What a privilege to sing with Incordis to mark the 50th anniversary of Franco's death. Such a warm and talented group of people. We love Manresa.
Sneaky picture of the wonderful audience at the end of the gig.
November 22, 2025 at 9:47 PM
alisontomlin.bsky.social
Arrived in Manresa which is beautiful.
November 21, 2025 at 4:02 PM
alisontomlin.bsky.social
Up at 4.00am and heading for Manressa. No pasaran! Looking forward to singing with Incordis.
Advert for Incordis and Commoners Choir on Saturday in Manressa. Cantem juntes contra l'ascens del feixisme.
November 20, 2025 at 7:21 PM
alisontomlin.bsky.social
A sausage is not vegan. A vegan sausage is vegan. It's not that hard really is it?

www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Ban on veggie ‘burgers’: plant-based products may lose meaty names in UK under EU law
Exclusive: Trade agreement means UK is subject to some food labelling rules, with vote on vegetarian food terms this week
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Reposted by Alison Tomlin
parramaterial.bsky.social
Everything electro started with Cabaret Voltaire... last night at Gorilla Manchester.
November 19, 2025 at 5:58 PM
alisontomlin.bsky.social
Really enjoyed the brilliant inaugural lecture of my friend Prof Gabriella Alberti on the politics of migration and precarious work. Informative and accessible and delivered with energy. Especially liked the final slide featuring the social capital provided by @commonerschoir.bsky.social.
Resisting the Brexodus, reasons to stay. Featuring friends, colleagues, fellow protestors and Leeds' famous choir.
November 19, 2025 at 8:20 PM
alisontomlin.bsky.social
I know this is not a very exciting picture, but for some reason I really like it. It shows movement in the leaves, and that they still cling on despite the icy winds. And it's a treat to see some blue sky after all the miserable rain.
November 19, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Reposted by Alison Tomlin
james-bg.bsky.social
The net zero transition is going to create a lot of jobs. www.businessgreen.com/news/4522066...
Report: Global green transition to deliver net gain of 9.6 million jobs by 2030
But World Economic Forum report warns economic and geopolitical headwinds risk uneven transition that could negatively impact some businesses, workers, and communities
www.businessgreen.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Reposted by Alison Tomlin
chrisbaraniuk.com
NEW from me: A recent study finds that fully electrified homes in Handsworth, built to adhere to a draft version of the Future Homes standard, put less pressure on the grid than researchers expected.

www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Heat-pump homes put less strain on grid than expected, study shows
Analysis of new-builds in Birmingham suggests all-electric homes not only use less energy but vary in peak usage
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:14 AM
alisontomlin.bsky.social
And just like that, it's winter. Was not expecting that (snow).
Parkside cricket pitch in the snow.
November 19, 2025 at 8:35 AM
alisontomlin.bsky.social
Late night to Manchester and back to see Cabaret Voltaire for the first time since 83. Still great sounds and visuals. Took me right back to old Preston Warehouse days. Bit surprised to wake up to snow on the ground in Leeds. 😵
Terrible picture of the Cabs. The rapidly moving visuals were great but my phone is rubbish in those situations.
November 19, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Reposted by Alison Tomlin
isoutar.bsky.social
If you are a PhD or MSc student interested in seasonal heat storage, then you need to know about the 2026 PUSH-IT Summer School.

Open to all students, whether from engineering, geology, or social science disciplines

Please pass on to your networks!

www.push-it-thermalstorage.eu/pre-registra...
November 18, 2025 at 1:56 PM
alisontomlin.bsky.social
Opened the vegan brandy snap factory a bit early this year. It's a birthday weekend, including mine and a friend who's heading for a big one. No failures so far which might be a first!
Plate of home made brandy snaps with fairly irregular shapes.
November 14, 2025 at 5:01 PM