Louis Schipper
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louisschipper.bsky.social
Louis Schipper
@louisschipper.bsky.social
Researching how can we reduce environmental impacts of land use. Current focus: GHG emissions from peat, biogeochemistry, soil carbon, temperature dependence of the biosphere. He/him. Website: waiber.com
Another way NZ resembles Ireland
December 4, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
I thought of the gold clam invasion in the Waikato mostly as a threat to ecosystems, but the clams' need for calcium to build their shells impairs arsenic removal during treatment, threatening drinking water for millions theconversation.com/gold-clam-in...
Gold clam invasion in NZ threatens drinking water for millions of people
The invasion threatens more than water. Clams could foul dam intakes and reduce hydroelectric efficiency in a river that generates 13% of New Zealand’s power.
theconversation.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Excited to have this paper out, soil microbial growth Topt (and other metrics) increases by 0.22°C–0.27°C per 1°C warming along a longstanding geothermal gradient.

Global Change Biology | Environmental Change Journal | Wiley Online Library onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
Thermal Adaptation of Bacterial and Fungal Growth in a Geothermally Influenced Soil Transect
We examined how soil microbes adapt to long-term warming along a natural geothermal gradient in Aotearoa New Zealand (17°C–42°C). Laboratory incubations of these soils across multiple temperatures re...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
December 1, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
Also excited to be chatting about this tonight on www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro... - around 8.05/8.10pm if you're keen to tune in 🕸️🕸️🕸️
October 31, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
A Conversation piece on our (@manpreetkdhami.bsky.social @sbirdy.bsky.social) quirky fake spiderweb research for eDNA biomonitoring, just out in time for Halloween. Paper forthcoming!

theconversation.com/spiders-insp...
Spiders inspired biologists to create artificial webs to capture airborne DNA for biodiversity monitoring
Natural spiderwebs are good at capturing DNA from the environment, but artificial webs are cheap and provide better control – without harm to spiders.
theconversation.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:46 AM
I had to read this twice, what?
October 14, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
New Zealand accused of ‘full-blown climate denial’ over cuts to methane reduction targets #Climate
New Zealand accused of ‘full-blown climate denial’ over cuts to methane reduction targets
Farmers praised the move, but scientists and opposition parties criticised it as ‘weak’ and ‘unambitious’
www.theguardian.com
October 13, 2025 at 4:12 AM
"Agriculture and Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay said the government had worked closely with industry and accepted a range of advice to determine a "practical target"."
Imagine a business setting a "practical target" rather than success and being ambitious
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Scientists fear weaker methane target signals wider retreat from climate action
After cutting methane targets, New Zealand has a choice: shoulder the burden at huge cost - or cause more warming to the planet.
www.rnz.co.nz
October 13, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
I thought I’d have a go at answering the question: what’s the flow on effect on emissions budgets from the methane cuts?

The answer was worse than I had anticipated

www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Scientists fear weaker methane target signals wider retreat from climate action
After cutting methane targets, New Zealand has a choice: shoulder the burden at huge cost - or cause more warming to the planet.
www.rnz.co.nz
October 13, 2025 at 4:00 AM
"Chief people officer Keri-Anne Tane said reduced funding and the sector going through reforms meant they had to pause taking on new graduates."
www.rnz.co.nz/news/top/575...
Shrinking job market forces scientists to pursue careers offshore
After 13 years studying for a biology degree, Ian has had to apply - unsuccessfully - for labouring jobs.
www.rnz.co.nz
October 12, 2025 at 4:45 AM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
Applications for @ipcc.bsky.social AR7 Chapter Scientists close on 18th October. Great opportunity for emerging researchers from developing countries! 🧪🌎🌱
📣 Opportunity for early career researchers from developing countries who work on climate change. IPCC is calling for chapter scientists for assessment round 7. Successful applicants will receive a stipend for 48 months. 🧪🌎
www.ictp.it/opportunity/...
IPCC AR7 Chapter Scientists | ICTP
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is in the process of preparing its Seventh Assessment report (AR7). The IPCC Working Groups are seeking highly motivated early-career researchers f...
www.ictp.it
October 8, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
Every year, the Ig Nobel Prizes honor the weirdest and most wonderful science out there—like studying how drunk bats fly or the physics of perfect pasta. It’s all real research, and it’s all hilariously brilliant. Because sometimes science makes you laugh… then think.

🎤🎥🎞️@tomlumperson.bsky.social
October 2, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
High nitrate levels found in rural NZ drinking water – Expert Reaction
High nitrate levels found in rural NZ drinking water - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre
Tens of thousands of rural New Zealanders could be drinking water with harmful nitrate levels, researchers say. The first-ever national rural drinking water survey found 5% of the private bore samples...
www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz
September 29, 2025 at 11:00 PM
We need the NZ Climate Change Commission independence, wisdom, courage, and intellect. www.climatecommission.govt.nz/who-we-are/o...
Our Board and Chief Executive
He Pou a Rangi - The Climate Change Commission provides independent, expert advice to government to help Aotearoa New Zealand transition to a low-emissions and climate-resilient economy.
www.climatecommission.govt.nz
September 19, 2025 at 6:17 AM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
It seems like it’s dangerous for scientists to speak out against Colossal’s “de extinction research”.

www.newscientist.com/article/2490...
Critics of de-extinction research hit by mystery smear campaign
Several researchers who have been critical of Colossal Biosciences’ plans to revive extinct animals say they have been targeted by online articles trying to discredit them
www.newscientist.com
September 18, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
It feels slow not because of facts, but because the doom-narrative drowns out reality. 📉 The truth: solar doubled from 1,000 → 2,000 TWh in just 3 yrs, wind’s surging too. Fossils took decades. The fastest energy leap in history is here—don’t let fear blind you. ⚡🌞 #EnergyTransition #BESS #EVs #LFP
Climate action can feel slow – but the fastest energy leap in history has begun
Weaning ourselves off fossil fuels is glacially slow – isn’t it? This pessimistic narrative doesn’t stack up against evidence of very rapid change in the real world.
theconversation.com
September 13, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
More cuts to the Marsden Fund. This time $20 million from the annual budget cut starting next year. This is on top of previous cuts by this government. They are trying to skip the 'priming the pump' step of public research as a driver of the economy. How well that is going to work?
#NZPOL
Fewer Marsden Fund grants after government cuts
A major research fund has been forced to slash its grant allocation by more than $20 million next year.
www.rnz.co.nz
September 6, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
On behalf of the Netherlands, I’m sorry for all the whales that are killed by our windmills throughout the centuries. 🌬️
Sadly, there are documented cases:
August 26, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Reposted by Louis Schipper
Folks, there is a snail out there looking for love and you may be able to help them find it.... www.nzgeo.com/newsletter/t...
The Weekender August 22 2025
nzgeo.com The Weekender Free newsletter AUGUST 22, 2025 By James Frankham Publisher This month, a miracle. New Zealand Geographic illustrator Giselle Clarkson found a left-spiralling snail in her gard...
www.nzgeo.com
August 22, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Important read "For Indigenous Peoples in the 21st century, statistical erasure remains an ongoing issue."
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...?
Census in crisis—further erasure of Indigenous Peoples?
In 2013, demographer David Coleman wrote that the population census in its traditional form was heading toward its twilight. Its impending demise was being driven by digitization, rapid data transfer,...
www.science.org
August 7, 2025 at 9:19 PM
This is so bad! How out of touch with human decency. www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Rotorua kuia caught up in Hobson's Pledge's anti-Māori ward campaign
The campaign asked people to vote no to Māori wards.
www.rnz.co.nz
August 6, 2025 at 6:50 AM
For teachers everywhere:
www.smbc-comics.com/comic/lesson
Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal - Lesson
Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal - Lesson
www.smbc-comics.com
July 28, 2025 at 7:34 PM