Paul Brannen
@paulbrannenne.bsky.social
Author: 'Timber! How wood can help save the world from climate breakdown'. Published 27 June 2024. Available https://www.agendapub.com/page/detail/timber/?k=9781788217354
Public Affairs Director CEI-Bois
Former UK MEP
Public Affairs Director CEI-Bois
Former UK MEP
Good to see an academic paper linking tackling the housing crisis with tackling the climate crisis. Both the EU & UK currently addressing them as separate issues - in the main - at present. www.bruegel.org/analysis/sol...
The solution to Europe’s housing affordability crisis must include building decarbonisation
The EU can help tackle Europe’s housing crisis by reducing energy costs, decarbonising buildings and adhering to climate goals
www.bruegel.org
November 14, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Good to see an academic paper linking tackling the housing crisis with tackling the climate crisis. Both the EU & UK currently addressing them as separate issues - in the main - at present. www.bruegel.org/analysis/sol...
George Orwell’s statue outside the BBC’s London HQ is accompanied by the quote “If liberty means anything at all it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear”.
I hope the BBC goes on telling people, especially the rich & powerful, what they don’t want to hear.
I hope the BBC goes on telling people, especially the rich & powerful, what they don’t want to hear.
November 10, 2025 at 4:36 PM
George Orwell’s statue outside the BBC’s London HQ is accompanied by the quote “If liberty means anything at all it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear”.
I hope the BBC goes on telling people, especially the rich & powerful, what they don’t want to hear.
I hope the BBC goes on telling people, especially the rich & powerful, what they don’t want to hear.
They are going the extra kilometre with their street trees in Vienna. Extensive wild flower planting around the tree and a fence that clearly signals ‘This is not a toilet for dogs’.
November 8, 2025 at 9:05 AM
They are going the extra kilometre with their street trees in Vienna. Extensive wild flower planting around the tree and a fence that clearly signals ‘This is not a toilet for dogs’.
Reposted by Paul Brannen
Since folks are talking a lot about democratic socialism this week, just gonna re-up this thread on how MLK voiced religious support for democratic socialism — but most folks aren't aware of when he did so most explicitly.
That was in an obscure, little-known speech he gave in Frogmore, SC in 1966.
That was in an obscure, little-known speech he gave in Frogmore, SC in 1966.
1. Religion aside: Mamdani cites a 1961 speech by MLK here, but King was actually more explicit about his support for democratic socialism later on.
I know this because I went to great lengths to confirm the quote — which comes from a 1966 speech to staff in SC — for my book American Prophets.
I know this because I went to great lengths to confirm the quote — which comes from a 1966 speech to staff in SC — for my book American Prophets.
November 6, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Since folks are talking a lot about democratic socialism this week, just gonna re-up this thread on how MLK voiced religious support for democratic socialism — but most folks aren't aware of when he did so most explicitly.
That was in an obscure, little-known speech he gave in Frogmore, SC in 1966.
That was in an obscure, little-known speech he gave in Frogmore, SC in 1966.
We suspected it, now we know it. Time to act.
Time to close down Musk.
Time to close down Musk.
A magnificent piece of work. Comprehesive, revelatory & shocking. Journalism this good is always rare & precious but never moreso than at times like this. Latter day Lord Haw Haws being plumped, preened & delivered to your doorstep in plain sight by a Nazi-saluting goon
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:36 AM
We suspected it, now we know it. Time to act.
Time to close down Musk.
Time to close down Musk.
Reposted by Paul Brannen
X effect: How Elon Musk is boosting the British right
X effect: How Elon Musk is boosting the British right
Sky's Tom Cheshire explains how Elon Musk's X is boosting the British right.
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:38 AM
X effect: How Elon Musk is boosting the British right
Remind me. Who’s that well known far right media mogul who owns the New York Post? If Mamdani is assessed to be a communist then de facto Murdoch is a fascist. You can’t have one defined as extreme if the other you decide isn’t.
it was so sweet of the NY post to make a special commemorative issue
November 5, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Remind me. Who’s that well known far right media mogul who owns the New York Post? If Mamdani is assessed to be a communist then de facto Murdoch is a fascist. You can’t have one defined as extreme if the other you decide isn’t.
Dear GBNEWS
"What's good for the goose is good for the gander" so looking forward to your future headlines that will read " 'Fascist' Nigel Farage " which can clearly be justified by using quote marks because that's what some people say about him.
"What's good for the goose is good for the gander" so looking forward to your future headlines that will read " 'Fascist' Nigel Farage " which can clearly be justified by using quote marks because that's what some people say about him.
November 5, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Dear GBNEWS
"What's good for the goose is good for the gander" so looking forward to your future headlines that will read " 'Fascist' Nigel Farage " which can clearly be justified by using quote marks because that's what some people say about him.
"What's good for the goose is good for the gander" so looking forward to your future headlines that will read " 'Fascist' Nigel Farage " which can clearly be justified by using quote marks because that's what some people say about him.
Some situations and simply black & white.
November 1, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Some situations and simply black & white.
Disappointed to hear @craigbennett3.bsky.social scare mongering about the possibility of “intensive conifer plantations” on the Rothbury Estate in Northumberland on
the Today Programme. Maybe he should listen to Sir David Attenborough www.youtube.com/watch?app=de... especially at the 4 min mark.
the Today Programme. Maybe he should listen to Sir David Attenborough www.youtube.com/watch?app=de... especially at the 4 min mark.
How To Save Our Forests and Rewild Our Planet
YouTube video by WWF International
www.youtube.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Disappointed to hear @craigbennett3.bsky.social scare mongering about the possibility of “intensive conifer plantations” on the Rothbury Estate in Northumberland on
the Today Programme. Maybe he should listen to Sir David Attenborough www.youtube.com/watch?app=de... especially at the 4 min mark.
the Today Programme. Maybe he should listen to Sir David Attenborough www.youtube.com/watch?app=de... especially at the 4 min mark.
Now this absolutely what we should be doing - renovating existing buildings with nature based materials. Demolishing the old should be consigned to the dustbin of construction history. Take note M&S who now have changed their minds and advocate for a Plan B. www.dezeen.com/2024/12/05/m...
October 28, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Now this absolutely what we should be doing - renovating existing buildings with nature based materials. Demolishing the old should be consigned to the dustbin of construction history. Take note M&S who now have changed their minds and advocate for a Plan B. www.dezeen.com/2024/12/05/m...
I’ve lost count of how many sawmills I’ve visited in the last 11 years but this is the first where a whole production line is to be found inside a new 100% timber building. Great use of Cross Laminated Timber by BERGENE HOLM AS in Norway. It smells great too!
October 22, 2025 at 1:30 PM
I’ve lost count of how many sawmills I’ve visited in the last 11 years but this is the first where a whole production line is to be found inside a new 100% timber building. Great use of Cross Laminated Timber by BERGENE HOLM AS in Norway. It smells great too!
Wood a key ingredient in this year’s Stirling Prize win. “The building also used construction materials such as cross-laminated timber to reduce its carbon footprint”.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/enterta...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/enterta...
Riba Stirling Prize: London retirement home wins top architecture award
London's John Morden Centre wins the Riba Stirling Prize for its approach to elderly living.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 16, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Wood a key ingredient in this year’s Stirling Prize win. “The building also used construction materials such as cross-laminated timber to reduce its carbon footprint”.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/enterta...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/enterta...
Today, 35 years ago, we had to have a word with Mike Gatting.
@aamarchives.bsky.social
m.youtube.com/watch?v=LYsz...
@aamarchives.bsky.social
m.youtube.com/watch?v=LYsz...
Opposing Gatting's Rebel Cricket Tour of S.Africa 1990
YouTube video by Paul Brannen
m.youtube.com
October 15, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Today, 35 years ago, we had to have a word with Mike Gatting.
@aamarchives.bsky.social
m.youtube.com/watch?v=LYsz...
@aamarchives.bsky.social
m.youtube.com/watch?v=LYsz...
An information board at Arklow station, south of Wicklow. Brilliant last line reads “After 20 years as a training college for forestry students, it was established as an open prison”.
October 14, 2025 at 3:19 PM
An information board at Arklow station, south of Wicklow. Brilliant last line reads “After 20 years as a training college for forestry students, it was established as an open prison”.
Did you know that IKEA sources 84% of its wood from Europe with Poland being its biggest single country supplier? So while IKEA is as Swedish as ABBA your wooden bookshelf, wardrobe, bed etc is proportionately 29% Polish, 13% Lithuanian and only 10% Swedish.
October 14, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Did you know that IKEA sources 84% of its wood from Europe with Poland being its biggest single country supplier? So while IKEA is as Swedish as ABBA your wooden bookshelf, wardrobe, bed etc is proportionately 29% Polish, 13% Lithuanian and only 10% Swedish.
In ten minutes time.
I'll be speaking on a webinar for Meshwork by Mesh Energy on Wed 8th Oct, 12 - 1 pm. Pros & cons of insulation from a climate perspective will be discussed. Please follow the link below if you'd like to join. Select meshwork.mesh-energy.com/events/timbe...
October 8, 2025 at 10:48 AM
In ten minutes time.
I'll be speaking on a webinar for Meshwork by Mesh Energy on Wed 8th Oct, 12 - 1 pm. Pros & cons of insulation from a climate perspective will be discussed. Please follow the link below if you'd like to join. Select meshwork.mesh-energy.com/events/timbe...
October 6, 2025 at 1:10 PM
I'll be speaking on a webinar for Meshwork by Mesh Energy on Wed 8th Oct, 12 - 1 pm. Pros & cons of insulation from a climate perspective will be discussed. Please follow the link below if you'd like to join. Select meshwork.mesh-energy.com/events/timbe...
Good to see this new campaign that champions British-grown C16 timber. Too often people are unnecessarily choosing to buy C24 which is almost certainly will have been imported.
www.forestryjournal.co.uk/news/2551362...
www.forestryjournal.co.uk/news/2551362...
New campaign aims to champion British-grown C16 timber
Traditionally, assumptions have been that imported C24 timber is always the stronger or more suitable choice.
www.forestryjournal.co.uk
October 2, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Good to see this new campaign that champions British-grown C16 timber. Too often people are unnecessarily choosing to buy C24 which is almost certainly will have been imported.
www.forestryjournal.co.uk/news/2551362...
www.forestryjournal.co.uk/news/2551362...
Reposted by Paul Brannen
…. to show ourselves to be a people united, throw our arms around those who are grieving, but to be united in our love for one another and our common humanity, which transcends all our religious, political and other traditions.” 2/2
October 2, 2025 at 1:13 PM
…. to show ourselves to be a people united, throw our arms around those who are grieving, but to be united in our love for one another and our common humanity, which transcends all our religious, political and other traditions.” 2/2
Reposted by Paul Brannen
David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, on R4: “The principal purpose of terror attacks is to try to divide us, to separate us off into hostile communities not trusting each other & so the best way to defy terrorism is not to seek revenge, it's to draw ever closer together… 1/2
October 2, 2025 at 1:13 PM
David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, on R4: “The principal purpose of terror attacks is to try to divide us, to separate us off into hostile communities not trusting each other & so the best way to defy terrorism is not to seek revenge, it's to draw ever closer together… 1/2
Reposted by Paul Brannen
Exc - Labour is in a fight against “global network of right-wing billionaires” who want to undermine net zero for their “vested interests”, the energy secretary, Ed Miliband, has said.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Labour must fight rightwing billionaires undermining net zero, says Ed Miliband
Exclusive: Energy secretary will hit out at the Tory and Reform ‘culture war’ and unveil target of 400,000 new jobs in clean energy
www.theguardian.com
September 29, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Exc - Labour is in a fight against “global network of right-wing billionaires” who want to undermine net zero for their “vested interests”, the energy secretary, Ed Miliband, has said.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
How do we build homes without damaging the climate? At Labour's conference Andrew Orriss of the Confederation of Timber Industries made the climate case for timber as a low carbon construction material at a
@labourhousinggroup.bsky.social
fringe meeting, see sitemanagerpro.co.uk/learn/qualit...
@labourhousinggroup.bsky.social
fringe meeting, see sitemanagerpro.co.uk/learn/qualit...
September 29, 2025 at 8:56 AM
How do we build homes without damaging the climate? At Labour's conference Andrew Orriss of the Confederation of Timber Industries made the climate case for timber as a low carbon construction material at a
@labourhousinggroup.bsky.social
fringe meeting, see sitemanagerpro.co.uk/learn/qualit...
@labourhousinggroup.bsky.social
fringe meeting, see sitemanagerpro.co.uk/learn/qualit...
Why isn’t this a bigger story? It’s not there on the top 12 BBC political stories. It was obvious during my time in the European Parliament that Farage & his fellow MEPs like Gill were ‘Putin’s little helpers’ but the media weren’t interested.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reform UK's ex-Wales leader Nathan Gill admits pro-Russia bribery
Nathan Gill admits eight charges of bribery while being a Member of the European Parliament.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 27, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Why isn’t this a bigger story? It’s not there on the top 12 BBC political stories. It was obvious during my time in the European Parliament that Farage & his fellow MEPs like Gill were ‘Putin’s little helpers’ but the media weren’t interested.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Canada has built another large outstanding mass timber building. Part of George Brown College its 10 storeys can hold
3,400 students & staff and houses classrooms for the college’s School of Architectural Studies and its Brookfield Sustainability Institute.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
3,400 students & staff and houses classrooms for the college’s School of Architectural Studies and its Brookfield Sustainability Institute.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Limberlost Place: Toronto’s timber tower aims high
Limberlost stretches building codes and gives architects and engineers a new system of open-sourced solutions
www.theglobeandmail.com
September 22, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Canada has built another large outstanding mass timber building. Part of George Brown College its 10 storeys can hold
3,400 students & staff and houses classrooms for the college’s School of Architectural Studies and its Brookfield Sustainability Institute.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
3,400 students & staff and houses classrooms for the college’s School of Architectural Studies and its Brookfield Sustainability Institute.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...