Nix Rust
@nixrust.bsky.social
3.8K followers 610 following 1.4K posts
Climate, land, agriculture & nature leader in science, policy, comms & delivery Ex WWF, IIED, Defra, CCC IUCN member Striving to build a better future for people & the planet
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nixrust.bsky.social
Hi @bsky.app folks, Niki/Nix Rust here.

Spent 15 years working at the intersection of land, climate, agriculture, food and nature - spanning academia, NGOs, intergovernmental orgs, private sector, local government and central government.

Interested in how evidence and comms can best inform policy.
Reposted by Nix Rust
annieleymarie.bsky.social
From a thread on the recently published report (version 2.0) about the EAT Lancet Planetary Health Diet
nixrust.bsky.social
All regions of the world do not eat enough nuts.

North America and Europe consume WAY too much dairy.

All those TikToks telling you to smash those yoghurts to increase your protein? If you're from the West, you really probably don't need to do that and it's likely to be more harmful.
nixrust.bsky.social
🤣🤣🤣🤣 brilliant [saves cartoon]
nixrust.bsky.social
I don't think these people knew why they were there. To look busy?

For each meeting (online or in person), I consider these questions beforehand:

1) what is the purpose?
2) what needs to get done during the meeting?
3) so who is *critical* to be there?
4) can any of this be done without a meeting?
nixrust.bsky.social
As a digital native who grew up on the internet, I do find it weird when people say they need in-person meetings to get things done.
When I worked in government, I was regularly confused why we had so many big meetings where 5+ people from the same team joined. Why? FOMO? Profile raising?
Reposted by Nix Rust
nixrust.bsky.social
Also incredibly relevant for a new start-up too!
nixrust.bsky.social
Oooh I LOVE these policies and practices on how to communicate and get stuff done. If *ONLY* other orgs would follow these!
nixrust.bsky.social
I say this as someone who used to work in government negotiating UN texts and trade deal agreements with other countries. Never once travelled to our UK office for this, let alone another country. But who knows, maybe if we *had* negotiated in-person, the UK might have got better trade deals?!
nixrust.bsky.social
Wow that's a big carbon saving from doing stuff online! Aware there are trade-offs for virtual vs. in-person. To me, form follows function. What is it we're trying to achieve? E.g. if it's for governments to agree on a UN text, can that be done on an online shared doc?
nixrust.bsky.social
Interesting - thanks for sharing! Just out of interest, would you say you're more of an extrovert (get energy from people) or introvert (people sap your energy)?
Reposted by Nix Rust
nixrust.bsky.social
🌍 Do our meetings matter? On quantifying the impact of conferences on society 🌍

In an era where calendars are dominated by digital workshops, webinars and globe-trotting for conferences and summits, I've been pondering the following question....
a man in a suit and tie is standing in front of a window with the words when the meeting could 've been an email
ALT: a man in a suit and tie is standing in front of a window with the words when the meeting could 've been an email
media.tenor.com
nixrust.bsky.social
Thanks for sharing, that's really interesting. Just out of curiosity, would you say you are more of an extrovert (get energy from people) or introvert (drained by being around people)? As I wonder if that too could influence people's perceptions of what they get from conferences and meetings.
nixrust.bsky.social
NB I'm not trying to be spicy here - I really want to understand some tangible impacts that these sorts of meetings have on the world.

#Conferences #SocietalImpact #Productivity #MeasurableResults #AcademicResearch #FutureOfWork
a man with a surprised look on his face says 2 minutes til the end of staff meeting just one more agenda item
ALT: a man with a surprised look on his face says 2 minutes til the end of staff meeting just one more agenda item
media.tenor.com
nixrust.bsky.social
For instance, if you've recently been to #ClimateWeekNYC, the #EATLancet symposium, a #UN event or another big conference, can you share how your attendance at that meeting has helped to create a real-world change to people and/or the planet?
a group of people are sitting in a room with the words no more meetings written on the bottom
ALT: a group of people are sitting in a room with the words no more meetings written on the bottom
media.tenor.com
nixrust.bsky.social
👉 And for people who have attended a big meeting recently - what are your insights? Can you share an example from your own experience where a specific conference or meeting demonstrably led to a positive, tangible change in the world?
a man is sitting on a swing in a park waiting to end this meeting .
ALT: a man is sitting on a swing in a park waiting to end this meeting .
media.tenor.com
nixrust.bsky.social
I’m particularly interested in hearing from academics who have studied the societal impact of large-scale professional gatherings. What data exists to prove that these forums translate into policy changes, scientific breakthroughs, or widespread behavioral shifts?

#AcademicSky 📖
a man in a yellow shirt and tie is standing in front of a computer in an office .
ALT: a man in a yellow shirt and tie is standing in front of a computer in an office .
media.tenor.com
nixrust.bsky.social
And what about the carbon emissions if people are travelling from across the globe?

Or the justice implications of those who can't afford to travel?

How do we step out of the echo chambers of existing ideas?
a group of men are sitting around a table with the words `` critical meeting time '' written above them .
ALT: a group of men are sitting around a table with the words `` critical meeting time '' written above them .
media.tenor.com
nixrust.bsky.social
But how often can we trace a direct line from Meeting X ➡️ Decision Y ➡️ Tangible Societal Change Z? 🤔

While the value of networking, profile-raising, and career development are undeniable, are these high-energy, often high-cost events yielding actual progress on global challenges?
a group of people applauding with the words meeting adjourned
ALT: a group of people applauding with the words meeting adjourned
media.tenor.com
nixrust.bsky.social
What quantitative impact are these gatherings truly having on furthering society?

It feels like we're busier than ever, dedicating countless hours to internal meetings, external workshops, roundtables, and international panels.
a woman wearing a blue coat and earrings is making a funny face .
ALT: a woman wearing a blue coat and earrings is making a funny face .
media.tenor.com
nixrust.bsky.social
🌍 Do our meetings matter? On quantifying the impact of conferences on society 🌍

In an era where calendars are dominated by digital workshops, webinars and globe-trotting for conferences and summits, I've been pondering the following question....
a man in a suit and tie is standing in front of a window with the words when the meeting could 've been an email
ALT: a man in a suit and tie is standing in front of a window with the words when the meeting could 've been an email
media.tenor.com
Reposted by Nix Rust
nixrust.bsky.social
Oh hai friendly starlings 😍

#BirdSky 🐦 #BirdsOfBlueSky
🦅🦜🪶🦢🦉
nixrust.bsky.social
Oh hai friendly starlings 😍

#BirdSky 🐦 #BirdsOfBlueSky
🦅🦜🪶🦢🦉
Reposted by Nix Rust
premnsikka.bsky.social
Since privatisation England's water companies paid £88.4bn in dividends.

90% of water companies owned by foreign investors/govts.

90% of dividend not recirculated in the UK economy. No UK tax paid on dividends.

Public ownership would make a difference.
If the government wants economic growth it must bring essential industries into public ownership
Successive governments clobber households and small businesses by hiking interest rates to manage inflation, but don’t inconvenience corporations.
leftfootforward.org
Reposted by Nix Rust
jcsmoot.bsky.social
Great thread summarizing latest #EatLancet report presentation.

Here is a link to recording of the 3.5 h presentation.

www.youtube.com/live/4ofJYRz...