Helen
@helengreengray.bsky.social
Local gov decarbonisation manager, community energy coop director, general eco botherer
Reposted by Helen
Ed Miliband pointing to all the North Sea fossil fuel exploration projects he is cancelling 🔥🔥🔥🔥
November 14, 2024 at 1:16 PM
Ed Miliband pointing to all the North Sea fossil fuel exploration projects he is cancelling 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Reposted by Helen
Yes, playgrounds are good. But "up to 200 playgrounds" across a country of 60 million? That's a grain of salt in the Pacific Ocean. And presumably there will be some joyous 200 page application for every council who want to compete in the Playground Hunger Games to fill in...
Playgrounds are good, small things that matter for children and their families. Cross-generational 'social' infrastructure.
November 26, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Yes, playgrounds are good. But "up to 200 playgrounds" across a country of 60 million? That's a grain of salt in the Pacific Ocean. And presumably there will be some joyous 200 page application for every council who want to compete in the Playground Hunger Games to fill in...
Reposted by Helen
Despite worries about solar under Trump, the sector has not collapsed & prospects look good - hence surge in solar share prices
A lot of tax credits have been maintained, datacentres need power and solar is cheap &fast to deploy, rooftop promising as power prices rise
www.ft.com/content/af1f...
A lot of tax credits have been maintained, datacentres need power and solar is cheap &fast to deploy, rooftop promising as power prices rise
www.ft.com/content/af1f...
November 26, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Despite worries about solar under Trump, the sector has not collapsed & prospects look good - hence surge in solar share prices
A lot of tax credits have been maintained, datacentres need power and solar is cheap &fast to deploy, rooftop promising as power prices rise
www.ft.com/content/af1f...
A lot of tax credits have been maintained, datacentres need power and solar is cheap &fast to deploy, rooftop promising as power prices rise
www.ft.com/content/af1f...
Reposted by Helen
There's an advert on his website for a 'Depot Supervisor' that pays £12.75 an hour for shift work.
If he wants to reduce welfare spending maybe he should pay staff enough that they don't need in-work benefits.
If he wants to reduce welfare spending maybe he should pay staff enough that they don't need in-work benefits.
‘Madness’ to increase welfare spending in Budget, says AO World boss
‘Madness’ to increase welfare spending in Budget, says AO World boss
‘Madness’ to increase welfare spending in Budget, says AO World boss
www.independent.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 12:46 PM
There's an advert on his website for a 'Depot Supervisor' that pays £12.75 an hour for shift work.
If he wants to reduce welfare spending maybe he should pay staff enough that they don't need in-work benefits.
If he wants to reduce welfare spending maybe he should pay staff enough that they don't need in-work benefits.
Reposted by Helen
The UK is losing up to £250m a day in lost tax revenue due to the economic impact of Brexit, House of Commons Library analysis for the Lib Dems suggests.
Brexit has blown a "black hole of [up to] £90 billion a year in the public finances" the party says. Even under lower estimates the hit is ~£65bn
Brexit has blown a "black hole of [up to] £90 billion a year in the public finances" the party says. Even under lower estimates the hit is ~£65bn
November 25, 2025 at 10:33 AM
The UK is losing up to £250m a day in lost tax revenue due to the economic impact of Brexit, House of Commons Library analysis for the Lib Dems suggests.
Brexit has blown a "black hole of [up to] £90 billion a year in the public finances" the party says. Even under lower estimates the hit is ~£65bn
Brexit has blown a "black hole of [up to] £90 billion a year in the public finances" the party says. Even under lower estimates the hit is ~£65bn
Reposted by Helen
What's your favourite lie about EVs? 21 classic tales of misinformation narrated by @carbonbrief.org interactive.carbonbrief.org/factcheck/el... #EVs
Factcheck: 21 misleading myths about electric vehicles
Carbon Brief factchecks 21 of the most common – and persistent – myths about EVs
interactive.carbonbrief.org
November 24, 2025 at 9:33 PM
What's your favourite lie about EVs? 21 classic tales of misinformation narrated by @carbonbrief.org interactive.carbonbrief.org/factcheck/el... #EVs
Reposted by Helen
We delivered a clear message at Cop30: the delayers and defeatists are losing the climate fight | Ed Miliband
We delivered a clear message at Cop30: the delayers and defeatists are losing the climate fight | Ed Miliband
For all its flaws, the Brazil conference underlined the wish by a global majority for clean energy and climate action – and the UK will keep leading the way, says Ed Miliband, secretary of state for energy security and net zero
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:00 PM
We delivered a clear message at Cop30: the delayers and defeatists are losing the climate fight | Ed Miliband
Carbon Brief is the best source of info climate change and bet zero by far.
OUT NOW: All you need to know about COP30, brought to you by @carbonbrief.org
Our 20k word explainer breaks down:
🛢️ What happened with the fossil fuel roadmap push?
💰 Who wanted (and got) what on climate finance?
🇨🇳 Did China step up as a climate leader?
Find out here ⬇️
Our 20k word explainer breaks down:
🛢️ What happened with the fossil fuel roadmap push?
💰 Who wanted (and got) what on climate finance?
🇨🇳 Did China step up as a climate leader?
Find out here ⬇️
COP30: Key outcomes agreed at the UN climate talks in Belém - Carbon Brief
A voluntary plan to curb fossil fuels, a goal to triple adaptation finance and new...
www.carbonbrief.org
November 24, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Carbon Brief is the best source of info climate change and bet zero by far.
Reposted by Helen
With the disappointing progress at Cop30, evergreen reminder it isn't "we" or "humanity" failing to address the climate crisis — oil-producing nations and fossil fuel interests are actively obstructing action, despite heroic efforts by developing nations, Indigenous peoples, and many, many others.
End of fossil fuel era inches closer as Cop30 deal agreed after bitter standoff
Wealthy countries should triple funds for countries to tackle climate impacts, but deforestation and critical minerals blocked from final deal
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:45 PM
With the disappointing progress at Cop30, evergreen reminder it isn't "we" or "humanity" failing to address the climate crisis — oil-producing nations and fossil fuel interests are actively obstructing action, despite heroic efforts by developing nations, Indigenous peoples, and many, many others.
As ye sow...
November 21, 2025 at 8:17 AM
As ye sow...
Reposted by Helen
Another reason why the underfunding of local government and the inexorable centralisation of decisions on housing is going to cause problems.
November 20, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Another reason why the underfunding of local government and the inexorable centralisation of decisions on housing is going to cause problems.
Reposted by Helen
As renewables eat into the energy market + EVs reduce demand for petrol, fossil fuel firms aim to step up production of plastics + chemicals made from oil + gas. By mid-century, half of growth in demand for oil is predicted to come from making more plastic + chemicals. A must read 👇🏾
How Fossil-Fuel Companies Are Driving Plastic Production and Pollution | Scientific American www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-...
How the Fossil-Fuel Industry’s Pivot to Plastic Is Polluting Our Planet
To keep profits rolling in, oil and gas companies want to turn fossil fuels into a mounting pile of packaging and other plastic products
www.scientificamerican.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:50 PM
As renewables eat into the energy market + EVs reduce demand for petrol, fossil fuel firms aim to step up production of plastics + chemicals made from oil + gas. By mid-century, half of growth in demand for oil is predicted to come from making more plastic + chemicals. A must read 👇🏾
Worth reading, always - Hewitt writes beautifully on fascinating topics.
I'm offering free trial subs to my Substack! You can read about the psychology of patriarchy and its harms in posts on: Psychopathology of Cancellation; Sex Snoopers & Spy Cops; why men keep secrets; myths of male disadvantage; & a feminist view of grief rachelhewitt.substack.com
Small Revolutions, Every Day | Rachel Hewitt | Substack
Feminist life advice for very hard times. Analysis and practical posts about how men damage women via abuse, and how we can survive, and even thrive, in the aftermath of trauma and grief. From the per...
rachelhewitt.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Worth reading, always - Hewitt writes beautifully on fascinating topics.
Reposted by Helen
It's actually been around since 2021
Could modular data centres heat Britain’s homes? A look at Thermify’s HeatHub - Solar Power Portal
As the need to decarbonise Britain's heating network grows ever more pressing, we take a look at a new technology developed by Thermify, which could heat homes using waste heat from distributed data p...
www.solarpowerportal.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 1:30 PM
It's actually been around since 2021
Reposted by Helen
If you want people to feel that their day to day lives are improving then make sure that local government is properly funded. You could call it “the pothole theory of everything”.
English councils plan to sell off social clubs and sports centres to balance books
English councils plan to sell off social clubs and sports centres to balance books
Survey finds 60% of key cities councils are planning to sell assets to meet costs of adult and children’s social care
English councils are planning to sell social clubs, sports centres and shopping arcades as they bet on a fire sale of assets to balance the books, according to a survey of local authorities.
The key cities group of councils, which represents second-tier cities in England, said 60% of councils were planning to sell assets to meet the escalating costs of adult and children’s social care. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:14 PM
If you want people to feel that their day to day lives are improving then make sure that local government is properly funded. You could call it “the pothole theory of everything”.
Reposted by Helen
Nature not a blocker to housing growth, inquiry finds
Nature not a blocker to housing growth, inquiry finds
Commons committee report challenges ‘lazy narrative’ used by ministers that scapegoats wildlife and the environment
Nature is not a blocker to housing growth, an inquiry by MPs has found, in direct conflict with claims made by ministers.
Toby Perkins, the Labour chair of the environmental audit committee, said nature was being scapegoated, and that rather than being a block to growth, it was necessary for building resilient towns and neighbourhoods. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Nature not a blocker to housing growth, inquiry finds
Reposted by Helen
While this budget psychodrama is playing out, my LinkedIn feed is full of heat pump engineers worrying their business is doomed because of an HMT briefing yesterday, and there’s a prominent story about the imminent collapse of the SEND system.
Bad fiscal policy has real world consequences
Bad fiscal policy has real world consequences
November 14, 2025 at 8:38 AM
While this budget psychodrama is playing out, my LinkedIn feed is full of heat pump engineers worrying their business is doomed because of an HMT briefing yesterday, and there’s a prominent story about the imminent collapse of the SEND system.
Bad fiscal policy has real world consequences
Bad fiscal policy has real world consequences
And nuclear fusion is also just around the corner, followed by carbon capture and storage. Meanwhile we have 3 safe clean and getting cheaper all the time renewable techs that we could just roll out everywhere, in wind PV and batteries.
Checked through old emails.
It has been ten years since Rolls Royce first told me that SMR tech was ready to go and explained how the UK had the chance to gain a first mover advantage.
It has been ten years since Rolls Royce first told me that SMR tech was ready to go and explained how the UK had the chance to gain a first mover advantage.
November 13, 2025 at 6:32 PM
And nuclear fusion is also just around the corner, followed by carbon capture and storage. Meanwhile we have 3 safe clean and getting cheaper all the time renewable techs that we could just roll out everywhere, in wind PV and batteries.
Reposted by Helen
Reform UK Ltd gets 92% of its funding from climate change deniers and fossil fuel corporate interests, provoking negative reactions.
A new survey reveals negative attitudes to Reform UK Ltd
Reform UK Ltd gets 92% of its funding from climate change deniers and fossil fuel corporate interests, provoking negative reactions
centralbylines.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Reform UK Ltd gets 92% of its funding from climate change deniers and fossil fuel corporate interests, provoking negative reactions.
Reposted by Helen
There's no-one I trust more on contemporary housing policy than @peteapps.bsky.social. This is an important read: 'The new social housing programme looks more and more like a genuine step forward'.
open.substack.com/pub/peteapps...
open.substack.com/pub/peteapps...
The new social housing programme looks more and more like a genuine step forwards
New government funding will support the development of tens of thousands of socially rented homes a year. Plus, the descent of Assent
open.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:17 PM
There's no-one I trust more on contemporary housing policy than @peteapps.bsky.social. This is an important read: 'The new social housing programme looks more and more like a genuine step forward'.
open.substack.com/pub/peteapps...
open.substack.com/pub/peteapps...
Reposted by Helen
There's an army of people out there telling us change is impossible.
Only that it is not.
10 years ago electric vehicles plaid almost no role in global car sales.
Today one in five cars sold worldwide is electric.
Only that it is not.
10 years ago electric vehicles plaid almost no role in global car sales.
Today one in five cars sold worldwide is electric.
November 11, 2025 at 10:34 AM
There's an army of people out there telling us change is impossible.
Only that it is not.
10 years ago electric vehicles plaid almost no role in global car sales.
Today one in five cars sold worldwide is electric.
Only that it is not.
10 years ago electric vehicles plaid almost no role in global car sales.
Today one in five cars sold worldwide is electric.
Reposted by Helen
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
November 10, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
Reposted by Helen
I’ve written to Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage urging them to condemn Donald Trump’s attack on the BBC.
The BBC belongs to Britain, not Trump. We must defend it together.
The BBC belongs to Britain, not Trump. We must defend it together.
November 10, 2025 at 11:29 AM
I’ve written to Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage urging them to condemn Donald Trump’s attack on the BBC.
The BBC belongs to Britain, not Trump. We must defend it together.
The BBC belongs to Britain, not Trump. We must defend it together.
Reposted by Helen
Can’t wait to hear fuel duty get frozen again in the budget in ten days or so!!
Govt scraps all electrification investment. Midland Main Line to stay forever diesel Leicester Nottingham Derby Sheffield. Hugely embarrassing and inexplicable
www.ft.com/content/5ecd...
www.ft.com/content/5ecd...
UK transport secretary says full electrification of railways ‘not affordable right now’
Heidi Alexander says focus will be on other projects such as HS2
www.ft.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Can’t wait to hear fuel duty get frozen again in the budget in ten days or so!!