Alison Smith
@eci-bio.bsky.social
Research into nature recovery, nature-based solutions, green infrastructure and land-use strategy at the Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford. Views my own.
😡 The Government wants to ban repeated protests & jail those who defy them. Stand up for our democratic right to protest - sign the petition now! you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/do...
Don’t crush our right to protest!
The right to protest is the heartbeat of democracy. It lets us speak out, challenge injustice, and hold those in power accountable. The Government’s plan would give police sweeping powers to ban repea...
you.38degrees.org.uk
October 8, 2025 at 8:51 AM
😡 The Government wants to ban repeated protests & jail those who defy them. Stand up for our democratic right to protest - sign the petition now! you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/do...
How can the UK's Planning and Infrastructure Bill be amended to reduce damage to nature?
Summary of the 184 page list of amendments and their impacts on nature and people.
www.eci.ox.ac.uk/news/eci-res...
Summary of the 184 page list of amendments and their impacts on nature and people.
www.eci.ox.ac.uk/news/eci-res...
ECI Researcher highlights vital amendments to the government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill
www.eci.ox.ac.uk
September 8, 2025 at 2:16 PM
How can the UK's Planning and Infrastructure Bill be amended to reduce damage to nature?
Summary of the 184 page list of amendments and their impacts on nature and people.
www.eci.ox.ac.uk/news/eci-res...
Summary of the 184 page list of amendments and their impacts on nature and people.
www.eci.ox.ac.uk/news/eci-res...
Our new briefing note highlights crucial amendments to make the Planning and Infrastructure Bill less damaging and more positive for nature
@peersfortheplanet.bsky.social @wwf.org.uk @wclnews.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social @cieem.bsky.social
@peersfortheplanet.bsky.social @wwf.org.uk @wclnews.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social @cieem.bsky.social
How can the Planning and Infrastructure Bill bring positive outcomes for people and #naturerecovery?
➡️ New Briefing Note highlights priority amendments to make the Bill less damaging and more nature-positive 📜
Read here: www.naturebasedsolutionsinitiative.org/news/plannin...
@eci-bio.bsky.social
➡️ New Briefing Note highlights priority amendments to make the Bill less damaging and more nature-positive 📜
Read here: www.naturebasedsolutionsinitiative.org/news/plannin...
@eci-bio.bsky.social
September 5, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Our new briefing note highlights crucial amendments to make the Planning and Infrastructure Bill less damaging and more positive for nature
@peersfortheplanet.bsky.social @wwf.org.uk @wclnews.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social @cieem.bsky.social
@peersfortheplanet.bsky.social @wwf.org.uk @wclnews.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social @cieem.bsky.social
Reposted by Alison Smith
Currently being debated in the House of Lords, the Bill is intended to speed up planning and deliver new housing and infrastructure...
But the proposed mechanisms in Part 3 risk enabling the destruction of some of England’s most precious habitats and species 🏗️🌳
Read the priority amendments 👆
But the proposed mechanisms in Part 3 risk enabling the destruction of some of England’s most precious habitats and species 🏗️🌳
Read the priority amendments 👆
September 5, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Currently being debated in the House of Lords, the Bill is intended to speed up planning and deliver new housing and infrastructure...
But the proposed mechanisms in Part 3 risk enabling the destruction of some of England’s most precious habitats and species 🏗️🌳
Read the priority amendments 👆
But the proposed mechanisms in Part 3 risk enabling the destruction of some of England’s most precious habitats and species 🏗️🌳
Read the priority amendments 👆
Reposted by Alison Smith
How can the Planning and Infrastructure Bill bring positive outcomes for people and #naturerecovery?
➡️ New Briefing Note highlights priority amendments to make the Bill less damaging and more nature-positive 📜
Read here: www.naturebasedsolutionsinitiative.org/news/plannin...
@eci-bio.bsky.social
➡️ New Briefing Note highlights priority amendments to make the Bill less damaging and more nature-positive 📜
Read here: www.naturebasedsolutionsinitiative.org/news/plannin...
@eci-bio.bsky.social
September 5, 2025 at 9:56 AM
How can the Planning and Infrastructure Bill bring positive outcomes for people and #naturerecovery?
➡️ New Briefing Note highlights priority amendments to make the Bill less damaging and more nature-positive 📜
Read here: www.naturebasedsolutionsinitiative.org/news/plannin...
@eci-bio.bsky.social
➡️ New Briefing Note highlights priority amendments to make the Bill less damaging and more nature-positive 📜
Read here: www.naturebasedsolutionsinitiative.org/news/plannin...
@eci-bio.bsky.social
Nature offers durable carbon storage at landscape scale and risk of reversal can be managed - let's not undermine investing in nature because of misleading arguments about 'permanence'.
www.weforum.org/stories/2025...
www.weforum.org/stories/2025...
Why we must act on natural climate solutions now
Read the joint letter from 10 top scientists on why we can no longer seek perfection or permanence in natural climate solutions, and must instead take action.
www.weforum.org
June 26, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Nature offers durable carbon storage at landscape scale and risk of reversal can be managed - let's not undermine investing in nature because of misleading arguments about 'permanence'.
www.weforum.org/stories/2025...
www.weforum.org/stories/2025...
Just read this great article showing local stakeholder preferences for more scrub and scattered trees in the hills, rather than solid woodland blocks. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
@rspb.bsky.social @tfinch.bsky.social
@rspb.bsky.social @tfinch.bsky.social
www.tandfonline.com
June 17, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Just read this great article showing local stakeholder preferences for more scrub and scattered trees in the hills, rather than solid woodland blocks. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
@rspb.bsky.social @tfinch.bsky.social
@rspb.bsky.social @tfinch.bsky.social
FINALLY - a victory for common sense as @ed-miliband.bsky.social promises solar panels on all new homes in the UK (unless the roof is shaded) www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Most new build homes must be fitted with solar panels - Miliband
The energy secretary says the move will cut energy bills, but house builders caution against burdensome regulations.
www.bbc.co.uk
June 6, 2025 at 11:48 AM
FINALLY - a victory for common sense as @ed-miliband.bsky.social promises solar panels on all new homes in the UK (unless the roof is shaded) www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Please sign this urgent petition to support an easy win for nature: just put a £35 swift nest brick in every new UK home. 38d.gs/ky2i
Sign the petition: Save Our Swifts
Swifts have lost more than half their population in 20 years. A simple £35 brick in new builds could help save them. Labour used to support this – now they’re planning to backtrack. Sign the petition ...
38d.gs
May 27, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Please sign this urgent petition to support an easy win for nature: just put a £35 swift nest brick in every new UK home. 38d.gs/ky2i
Reposted by Alison Smith
“[Chalk streams] are globally significant ecosystems and are largely restricted to our shores. So we have a huge responsibility to protect them.”
Really disappointing for this amendment I moved in the Planning & Infrastructure Bill Committee to be vetoed.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Really disappointing for this amendment I moved in the Planning & Infrastructure Bill Committee to be vetoed.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Attempt to protect rare chalk streams in planning bill rejected by Labour MPs
Government vetoes cross-party effort to protect threatened waterways from push to rip up environmental red tape
www.theguardian.com
May 15, 2025 at 11:35 AM
“[Chalk streams] are globally significant ecosystems and are largely restricted to our shores. So we have a huge responsibility to protect them.”
Really disappointing for this amendment I moved in the Planning & Infrastructure Bill Committee to be vetoed.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Really disappointing for this amendment I moved in the Planning & Infrastructure Bill Committee to be vetoed.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Alison Smith
Could this be the biggest climate story of the year?
For the first time on record, China's emissions are falling due to clean energy growth, not slow power demand
Full analysis + outlook by Lauri Myllyvirta:
www.carbonbrief.org/...
1/7
For the first time on record, China's emissions are falling due to clean energy growth, not slow power demand
Full analysis + outlook by Lauri Myllyvirta:
www.carbonbrief.org/...
1/7
May 15, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Could this be the biggest climate story of the year?
For the first time on record, China's emissions are falling due to clean energy growth, not slow power demand
Full analysis + outlook by Lauri Myllyvirta:
www.carbonbrief.org/...
1/7
For the first time on record, China's emissions are falling due to clean energy growth, not slow power demand
Full analysis + outlook by Lauri Myllyvirta:
www.carbonbrief.org/...
1/7
Check our our tool for finding suitable indicators to monitor biodiversity and soil health - the paper is published today!
www.smithschool.ox.ac.uk/news/researc...
@naturerecovery.bsky.social @naturebasedsols.bsky.social
www.smithschool.ox.ac.uk/news/researc...
@naturerecovery.bsky.social @naturebasedsols.bsky.social
May 15, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Check our our tool for finding suitable indicators to monitor biodiversity and soil health - the paper is published today!
www.smithschool.ox.ac.uk/news/researc...
@naturerecovery.bsky.social @naturebasedsols.bsky.social
www.smithschool.ox.ac.uk/news/researc...
@naturerecovery.bsky.social @naturebasedsols.bsky.social
Reposted by Alison Smith
📢 @ejmilnergulland.bsky.social: MPs must pause Part III of the Planning Bill—consult widely—and align it with the spirit and substance of the Environment Act and #CANBill. Housing’s urgent—but it doesn’t need to happen at #nature’s expense. Nature isn’t a “nice to have”. It’s all we have.
April 15, 2025 at 7:06 PM
📢 @ejmilnergulland.bsky.social: MPs must pause Part III of the Planning Bill—consult widely—and align it with the spirit and substance of the Environment Act and #CANBill. Housing’s urgent—but it doesn’t need to happen at #nature’s expense. Nature isn’t a “nice to have”. It’s all we have.
Reposted by Alison Smith
🚨 EU solar overtook coal for the FIRST TIME last year
The BIGGEST fall in coal generation globally was in the EU in 2024, with many EU countries ranking among the world’s leaders in solar and wind 📉
ember-energy.org/lat...
The BIGGEST fall in coal generation globally was in the EU in 2024, with many EU countries ranking among the world’s leaders in solar and wind 📉
ember-energy.org/lat...
April 16, 2025 at 9:00 AM
🚨 EU solar overtook coal for the FIRST TIME last year
The BIGGEST fall in coal generation globally was in the EU in 2024, with many EU countries ranking among the world’s leaders in solar and wind 📉
ember-energy.org/lat...
The BIGGEST fall in coal generation globally was in the EU in 2024, with many EU countries ranking among the world’s leaders in solar and wind 📉
ember-energy.org/lat...
Reposted by Alison Smith
NEWS: Oxford tops QS World University Rankings in English, Physiology and Geography
Congratulations! Faculty of English, @oxforddpag.bsky.social and @oxfordgeography.bsky.social
DPAG is No1 for six consecutive years, top of over 170 universities in this year’s rankings.
www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/...
Congratulations! Faculty of English, @oxforddpag.bsky.social and @oxfordgeography.bsky.social
DPAG is No1 for six consecutive years, top of over 170 universities in this year’s rankings.
www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/...
Oxford tops QS World University Rankings in English, physiology and geography
The University of Oxford has secured the top place in the QS World University Rankings 2025 in three subjects: English Language and Literature, Physiology and Geography.
www.medsci.ox.ac.uk
March 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM
NEWS: Oxford tops QS World University Rankings in English, Physiology and Geography
Congratulations! Faculty of English, @oxforddpag.bsky.social and @oxfordgeography.bsky.social
DPAG is No1 for six consecutive years, top of over 170 universities in this year’s rankings.
www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/...
Congratulations! Faculty of English, @oxforddpag.bsky.social and @oxfordgeography.bsky.social
DPAG is No1 for six consecutive years, top of over 170 universities in this year’s rankings.
www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/...
Reposted by Alison Smith
As EVs become more affordable and the technology more mature, more diverse and inclusive messaging from trusted sources is needed to truly widen their appeal in the wake of backlash against Elon Musk, says Hannah Budnitz from the Transport Studies Unit.
Why the Tesla backlash could help electric cars finally go mainstream
Elon Musk marketed EVs to wealthy early-adopter men – but in the long run, more diverse messaging will help the industry.
theconversation.com
April 11, 2025 at 9:00 AM
As EVs become more affordable and the technology more mature, more diverse and inclusive messaging from trusted sources is needed to truly widen their appeal in the wake of backlash against Elon Musk, says Hannah Budnitz from the Transport Studies Unit.
Reposted by Alison Smith
🧵Planning reform that speeds up sustainable development *and* restores nature is worth fighting for. The #PlanningBill is currently one sided, weakening nature laws with scant benefit for biodiversity. But Ministers could get back on track for a win-win.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Planning bill ‘throws environmental protection to the wind’, say UK nature chiefs
Heads of 32 charities warn proposals could push species towards extinction and lead to irreversible habitat loss
www.theguardian.com
April 9, 2025 at 7:13 AM
🧵Planning reform that speeds up sustainable development *and* restores nature is worth fighting for. The #PlanningBill is currently one sided, weakening nature laws with scant benefit for biodiversity. But Ministers could get back on track for a win-win.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Alison Smith
NEW – Analysis: Nearly 60 countries have ‘dramatically’ cut plans to build coal plants since 2015 | @joshgabbatiss.bsky.social @globalenergymon.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/ndBmRxQ
Read here: buff.ly/ndBmRxQ
April 8, 2025 at 12:11 PM
NEW – Analysis: Nearly 60 countries have ‘dramatically’ cut plans to build coal plants since 2015 | @joshgabbatiss.bsky.social @globalenergymon.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/ndBmRxQ
Read here: buff.ly/ndBmRxQ
Reposted by Alison Smith
Air pollution has dropped significantly in #Paris in the last 15 years as a result of a deliberate strategy. Mayor @annehidalgo.bsky.social’s leadership has traded car space for green space, safe bike space, kid space.. and traded pollution for people.
Good trade.
Good trade.
April 10, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Air pollution has dropped significantly in #Paris in the last 15 years as a result of a deliberate strategy. Mayor @annehidalgo.bsky.social’s leadership has traded car space for green space, safe bike space, kid space.. and traded pollution for people.
Good trade.
Good trade.
Reposted by Alison Smith
🐝 @carolinelucas.bsky.social is 100% right.
🌍 The #CANBill is essential to protect climate and nature with stronger, joined-up law.
❌ We can’t afford delays.
🌳 We need to make time to advance the Climate and Nature Bill in Parliament.
📰 👉 www.theguardian.com/environment/... @theguardian.com
🌍 The #CANBill is essential to protect climate and nature with stronger, joined-up law.
❌ We can’t afford delays.
🌳 We need to make time to advance the Climate and Nature Bill in Parliament.
📰 👉 www.theguardian.com/environment/... @theguardian.com
April 1, 2025 at 12:46 PM
🐝 @carolinelucas.bsky.social is 100% right.
🌍 The #CANBill is essential to protect climate and nature with stronger, joined-up law.
❌ We can’t afford delays.
🌳 We need to make time to advance the Climate and Nature Bill in Parliament.
📰 👉 www.theguardian.com/environment/... @theguardian.com
🌍 The #CANBill is essential to protect climate and nature with stronger, joined-up law.
❌ We can’t afford delays.
🌳 We need to make time to advance the Climate and Nature Bill in Parliament.
📰 👉 www.theguardian.com/environment/... @theguardian.com
Reposted by Alison Smith
⏸️ Pausing Part III of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill isn’t obstructionism—it’s a plea for due process.
👇 Read more in the op-ed written by @ejmilnergulland.bsky.social, @natduffus.bsky.social, Alexa Culver and Sophus zu Ermgassen.
🌳 www.zerohour.uk/planningbill...
👇 Read more in the op-ed written by @ejmilnergulland.bsky.social, @natduffus.bsky.social, Alexa Culver and Sophus zu Ermgassen.
🌳 www.zerohour.uk/planningbill...
Obstructionism? This is a plea for due process
Why MPs must pause Part III of the Planning Bill
www.zerohour.uk
April 1, 2025 at 3:17 PM
⏸️ Pausing Part III of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill isn’t obstructionism—it’s a plea for due process.
👇 Read more in the op-ed written by @ejmilnergulland.bsky.social, @natduffus.bsky.social, Alexa Culver and Sophus zu Ermgassen.
🌳 www.zerohour.uk/planningbill...
👇 Read more in the op-ed written by @ejmilnergulland.bsky.social, @natduffus.bsky.social, Alexa Culver and Sophus zu Ermgassen.
🌳 www.zerohour.uk/planningbill...
Reposted by Alison Smith
🌍 Steve Reed wanted the Climate & Nature Bill to proceed. Ed Miliband promised to work on the #CANBill's objectives. Mary Creagh pledged to deliver “binding nature commitments”.
🚨 Labour Ministers are speaking out.
⏳ What’s the delay for new, joined-up, science-led climate and nature legislation?
🚨 Labour Ministers are speaking out.
⏳ What’s the delay for new, joined-up, science-led climate and nature legislation?
🌿 Steve Reed MP on Climate and Nature Bill | Environmental Audit Committee, 24 March 2025
YouTube video by Zero Hour: Climate and Nature Bill
www.youtube.com
March 25, 2025 at 12:35 PM
🌍 Steve Reed wanted the Climate & Nature Bill to proceed. Ed Miliband promised to work on the #CANBill's objectives. Mary Creagh pledged to deliver “binding nature commitments”.
🚨 Labour Ministers are speaking out.
⏳ What’s the delay for new, joined-up, science-led climate and nature legislation?
🚨 Labour Ministers are speaking out.
⏳ What’s the delay for new, joined-up, science-led climate and nature legislation?
Reposted by Alison Smith
Government to extend ban on moorland burning - closing loopholes in existing rules
Great news for nature, carbon, & people who’ll be spared from acrid smoke & flooding
Bad news for dukes & billionaires who own grouse moors 🎻
Here's my quote running on PA newswire: 1/
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Great news for nature, carbon, & people who’ll be spared from acrid smoke & flooding
Bad news for dukes & billionaires who own grouse moors 🎻
Here's my quote running on PA newswire: 1/
www.gov.uk/government/n...
March 31, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Government to extend ban on moorland burning - closing loopholes in existing rules
Great news for nature, carbon, & people who’ll be spared from acrid smoke & flooding
Bad news for dukes & billionaires who own grouse moors 🎻
Here's my quote running on PA newswire: 1/
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Great news for nature, carbon, & people who’ll be spared from acrid smoke & flooding
Bad news for dukes & billionaires who own grouse moors 🎻
Here's my quote running on PA newswire: 1/
www.gov.uk/government/n...