Florian Busch
@florianabusch.bsky.social
Plant physiologist interested in all things photosynthesis. Born at 329 ppm | Associate Professor at the University of Birmingham School of Biosciences and BIFoR (he/him)
Reposted by Florian Busch
It should be obvious by now that we cannot make the future of human civilisation dependent on whether the fossil fuel vendors vote for ending fossil fuel use.
Rather, it is up to those who buy fossil fuels to end their lethal addiction fast, before it is too late.
Rather, it is up to those who buy fossil fuels to end their lethal addiction fast, before it is too late.
My latest: #COP30, global climate politics, and what happens next — for @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
November 25, 2025 at 12:58 PM
It should be obvious by now that we cannot make the future of human civilisation dependent on whether the fossil fuel vendors vote for ending fossil fuel use.
Rather, it is up to those who buy fossil fuels to end their lethal addiction fast, before it is too late.
Rather, it is up to those who buy fossil fuels to end their lethal addiction fast, before it is too late.
Reposted by Florian Busch
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Reposted by Florian Busch
November 23, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Reposted by Florian Busch
Still reeling from the Stanford report on Brexit. Reduced GDP by up to 8% and investment by as much as 18%. The UK Treasury would have £40 billion more each year if Britain had remained in the EU. Devastating self-immolation.
The Economic Impact of Brexit
Other
siepr.stanford.edu
November 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Still reeling from the Stanford report on Brexit. Reduced GDP by up to 8% and investment by as much as 18%. The UK Treasury would have £40 billion more each year if Britain had remained in the EU. Devastating self-immolation.
Reposted by Florian Busch
Humans will NEVER colonize another planet. Never.
If we can’t even agree to do the minimum to keep Earth habitable, there’s no way in hell we’ll cooperate to make another planet habitable.
If we can’t even agree to do the minimum to keep Earth habitable, there’s no way in hell we’ll cooperate to make another planet habitable.
November 22, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Humans will NEVER colonize another planet. Never.
If we can’t even agree to do the minimum to keep Earth habitable, there’s no way in hell we’ll cooperate to make another planet habitable.
If we can’t even agree to do the minimum to keep Earth habitable, there’s no way in hell we’ll cooperate to make another planet habitable.
Reposted by Florian Busch
"Warming is going to exceed 1.5°C. We are heading into “overshoot” within the next few years. The world is going to become more turbulent and more dangerous. So, what comes after failure?" Some thoughts from Johan Rockstrom & me 10 years after Paris Agreement.
theconversation.com/the-world-lo...
theconversation.com/the-world-lo...
The world lost the climate gamble. Now it faces a dangerous new reality
The world bet on collective but voluntary action to keep global warming at a safe level.
theconversation.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:35 AM
"Warming is going to exceed 1.5°C. We are heading into “overshoot” within the next few years. The world is going to become more turbulent and more dangerous. So, what comes after failure?" Some thoughts from Johan Rockstrom & me 10 years after Paris Agreement.
theconversation.com/the-world-lo...
theconversation.com/the-world-lo...
Reposted by Florian Busch
Kein Platz für die #Energiewende?
20% Ackerfläche in 🇩🇪 reichen, um mit #Photovoltaik theoretisch ganz Europa zu versorgen, wollen wir aber gar nicht.
Um uns mit #Solar und #Windkraft unabhängig zu machen, brauchen wir deutlich weniger Fläche als fürs den Straßenverkehr.
youtube.com/shorts/_g6rn...
20% Ackerfläche in 🇩🇪 reichen, um mit #Photovoltaik theoretisch ganz Europa zu versorgen, wollen wir aber gar nicht.
Um uns mit #Solar und #Windkraft unabhängig zu machen, brauchen wir deutlich weniger Fläche als fürs den Straßenverkehr.
youtube.com/shorts/_g6rn...
Kein Platz für #erneuerbareenergien ?
YouTube video by Prof. Dr. Volker Quaschning
youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Kein Platz für die #Energiewende?
20% Ackerfläche in 🇩🇪 reichen, um mit #Photovoltaik theoretisch ganz Europa zu versorgen, wollen wir aber gar nicht.
Um uns mit #Solar und #Windkraft unabhängig zu machen, brauchen wir deutlich weniger Fläche als fürs den Straßenverkehr.
youtube.com/shorts/_g6rn...
20% Ackerfläche in 🇩🇪 reichen, um mit #Photovoltaik theoretisch ganz Europa zu versorgen, wollen wir aber gar nicht.
Um uns mit #Solar und #Windkraft unabhängig zu machen, brauchen wir deutlich weniger Fläche als fürs den Straßenverkehr.
youtube.com/shorts/_g6rn...
Reposted by Florian Busch
![EU’s von der Leyen hails COP28 as 'beginning of post-fossil era'
EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen hailed on Wednesday (13 December) the deal struck at the COP28 climate summit as the dawn of a new world with no need for coal or oil.
Energy, Environment & Transport
Frédéric Simon
Euractiv.com
VDL COP28
"Today's agreement marks the beginning of the post-fossil era," the president of the European Commission said in a social media post. [<a href="https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/photo/P-062452~2F00-15" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Photo credit: European Union, 2023. Source: EC - Audiovisual Service.</a>]
EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen hailed on Wednesday (13 December) the deal struck at the COP28 climate summit as the dawn of a new world with no need for coal or oil.
The final text, agreed on Wednesday morning (13 December), calls on UNFCCC parties to triple renewable energy capacity globally and double the annual rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030.
“Today’s agreement marks the beginning of the post-fossil era,” the president of the European Commission said in a social media post.
It also calls on countries to “Transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems” by 2050 in accordance with the science.
“A crucial part of this historic deal is truly made in Europe,” von der Leyen rejoiced. “The whole world endorsed our 2030 targets: to triple renewable energy and to double energy efficiency, both by 2030.”
EU climate chief Wopke Hoekstra also spoke of a historic decision, saying it will set in motion an “irreversible” transition away from fossil fuels.
“With that, we have achieved what we set out to do: keep 1.5 within reach and mark the beginning of the end of fossil fuels,” he said on social media platform X.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:xujiomimpwqvef6ikglhrdla/bafkreid4rm25blxdgas7tv77dbnfgyuotbgbqkoifanqdm2uivvfojtgua@jpeg)
![The EU is not fighting fossil fuels, only emissions, Von der Leyen says ahead of G20
Her comments to reporters in South Africa may impact global climate talks wrapping up in Brazil
Energy, Environment & Transport
Stefano Porciello
Euractiv
[Photo by Dursun Aydemir/Anadolu via Getty Images]
The EU isn’t fighting fossil fuels themselves, but the emissions they produce that fuel climate change, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at a press conference in South Africa ahead of the G20 leaders’ meeting on Friday.
The distinction is likely to send shock waves all the way to Brazil, where the United Nations’ climate change conference, COP30, is about to wrap up.
In Brazil, negotiators are discussing whether to establish a roadmap to meet the pledge countries made two years ago to transition away from fossil fuels. That decision was seen as a major achievement for the European Union’s international climate diplomacy.
Any perceived weakening of Brussels’ position on fossil fuels could undermine the chances of ensuring bold global commitments to end their use. A draft COP30 deal, published Friday, dropped the proposal, mentioned in a previous draft, to convene a conference to help world governments set up roadmaps to end their dependence on fossil fuels.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:xujiomimpwqvef6ikglhrdla/bafkreihyofpuzynpw5y3b3f7iyj657dzjb6l7kdqlg4usj4dj4osig56bq@jpeg)
Reposted by Florian Busch
Reposted by Florian Busch
Remember this? The most amazing thing about this remarkable 2002 car commercial is that it didn’t seem to realize at the time, or perhaps didn’t care, how effectively it made the point that cars and car infrastructure are a HUGE waste of space in cities. Award-winning 2002 ad for Saturn car company.
Saturn Ion commercial
YouTube video by Eliyahu Biton
youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:28 AM
Remember this? The most amazing thing about this remarkable 2002 car commercial is that it didn’t seem to realize at the time, or perhaps didn’t care, how effectively it made the point that cars and car infrastructure are a HUGE waste of space in cities. Award-winning 2002 ad for Saturn car company.
Reposted by Florian Busch
Trump vs The BBC.
Love or loathe the BBC, recent events have put the UK's journalistic sovereignty in peril.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCMn...
Love or loathe the BBC, recent events have put the UK's journalistic sovereignty in peril.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCMn...
Trump vs The BBC
YouTube video by Jonathan Pie
www.youtube.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Trump vs The BBC.
Love or loathe the BBC, recent events have put the UK's journalistic sovereignty in peril.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCMn...
Love or loathe the BBC, recent events have put the UK's journalistic sovereignty in peril.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCMn...
Reposted by Florian Busch
Tomorrow!
"City of Cars" film screening and launch of the Pritchatts Road Accessibility Audit Report.
All welcome.
"City of Cars" film screening and launch of the Pritchatts Road Accessibility Audit Report.
All welcome.
November 18, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Tomorrow!
"City of Cars" film screening and launch of the Pritchatts Road Accessibility Audit Report.
All welcome.
"City of Cars" film screening and launch of the Pritchatts Road Accessibility Audit Report.
All welcome.
Reposted by Florian Busch
You pay fuel duty. Why don’t billionaires?
This week, we launched WeWingAnyCar.com to help you qualify for the same tax breaks that private jets get.
Because tax loopholes shouldn’t just be for billionaires.
They’re for everyone.
This week, we launched WeWingAnyCar.com to help you qualify for the same tax breaks that private jets get.
Because tax loopholes shouldn’t just be for billionaires.
They’re for everyone.
November 6, 2025 at 6:02 PM
You pay fuel duty. Why don’t billionaires?
This week, we launched WeWingAnyCar.com to help you qualify for the same tax breaks that private jets get.
Because tax loopholes shouldn’t just be for billionaires.
They’re for everyone.
This week, we launched WeWingAnyCar.com to help you qualify for the same tax breaks that private jets get.
Because tax loopholes shouldn’t just be for billionaires.
They’re for everyone.
Reposted by Florian Busch
A new meditation app that embraces climate breakdown.
Breathe in profit. Breathe out responsibility.
If you’ve ever had problems with anxiety from being a fossil fuel executive, this is the app for you.
Brought to you by @olifro.st
Breathe in profit. Breathe out responsibility.
If you’ve ever had problems with anxiety from being a fossil fuel executive, this is the app for you.
Brought to you by @olifro.st
November 16, 2025 at 6:28 PM
A new meditation app that embraces climate breakdown.
Breathe in profit. Breathe out responsibility.
If you’ve ever had problems with anxiety from being a fossil fuel executive, this is the app for you.
Brought to you by @olifro.st
Breathe in profit. Breathe out responsibility.
If you’ve ever had problems with anxiety from being a fossil fuel executive, this is the app for you.
Brought to you by @olifro.st
Reposted by Florian Busch
Penguin Revenge Climate Tribunal? Sign me up thanks! www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Another COP already? Surely you’ve all worked this out by now? | First Dog on the Moon
Wait … I’m hearing you have worked it out you’re just not doing it
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Penguin Revenge Climate Tribunal? Sign me up thanks! www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Florian Busch
Come join our group for an exciting PhD program!
A fully funded, fun PhD to enhance urban tree canopies with mistletoe to increase air quality, biodiversity, and well-being - all within a creative, collaborative molecular physiology and synthetic biology research environment.
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Augmenting Urban Tree Canopies with Mistletoe: Enhancing Air Quality, Biodiversity, and Wellbeing in a Changing Climate at University of Essex on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - Augmenting Urban Tree Canopies with Mistletoe: Enhancing Air Quality, Biodiversity, and Wellbeing in a Changing Climate at University of Essex, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Come join our group for an exciting PhD program!
Reposted by Florian Busch
The River Cherwell feeds into the River Thames. The River Thames fills up Farmoor reservoir. Farmoor reservoir supplies water to approx 600,000 people. Including my house.
As well as letting it kill our wildlife, we are drinking this stuff.
As well as letting it kill our wildlife, we are drinking this stuff.
🚨 SHOCKING 🚨
A HUGE illegal waste dump has appeared between the A34 and River Cherwell, linked to organised crime.
Every rainfall risks toxins washing into the river.
We’re calling on the Environment Agency & Cherwell Council to act NOW.
Our rivers cannot wait. 👇👇
A HUGE illegal waste dump has appeared between the A34 and River Cherwell, linked to organised crime.
Every rainfall risks toxins washing into the river.
We’re calling on the Environment Agency & Cherwell Council to act NOW.
Our rivers cannot wait. 👇👇
November 17, 2025 at 9:43 AM
The River Cherwell feeds into the River Thames. The River Thames fills up Farmoor reservoir. Farmoor reservoir supplies water to approx 600,000 people. Including my house.
As well as letting it kill our wildlife, we are drinking this stuff.
As well as letting it kill our wildlife, we are drinking this stuff.
Reposted by Florian Busch
‘If this were just a climate crisis, we would fix it. The technology, money and strategies have all been at hand for years. What stifles effective action is an …An epistemic crisis ie a crisis in the production and delivery of knowledge’ #ClimateEmergency www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Dark forces are preventing us fighting the climate crisis – by taking knowledge hostage | George Monbiot
The fundamental problem is this: that most of the means of communication are owned or influenced by the very rich, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 1:53 AM
‘If this were just a climate crisis, we would fix it. The technology, money and strategies have all been at hand for years. What stifles effective action is an …An epistemic crisis ie a crisis in the production and delivery of knowledge’ #ClimateEmergency www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Florian Busch
🚸 Better Streets for Birmingham are calling on all those preparing to stand for election in Birmingham next year to back practical steps to address the road safety emergency.
Ask #1: Keep rolling out 20mph limits
👉Read the ten asks in full and co-sign them: betterstreetsforbirmingham....
Ask #1: Keep rolling out 20mph limits
👉Read the ten asks in full and co-sign them: betterstreetsforbirmingham....
November 15, 2025 at 8:15 AM
🚸 Better Streets for Birmingham are calling on all those preparing to stand for election in Birmingham next year to back practical steps to address the road safety emergency.
Ask #1: Keep rolling out 20mph limits
👉Read the ten asks in full and co-sign them: betterstreetsforbirmingham....
Ask #1: Keep rolling out 20mph limits
👉Read the ten asks in full and co-sign them: betterstreetsforbirmingham....
Reposted by Florian Busch
There are thousands of things like this in tech. Why is search bad in Gmail. Why does Bluetooth suck. Why are most streaming apps bad. Why is file transfer still annoying. Every day it feels like I've got random issues with tech stuff while these companies sink billions into AI
if microsoft just made outlook search not suck they'd see triple the productivity gains of any AI integration
November 14, 2025 at 8:24 AM
There are thousands of things like this in tech. Why is search bad in Gmail. Why does Bluetooth suck. Why are most streaming apps bad. Why is file transfer still annoying. Every day it feels like I've got random issues with tech stuff while these companies sink billions into AI
Reposted by Florian Busch
We've joined with 15 local and national organisations, setting out 10 practical steps to address the city's road safety emergency and prevent needless deaths on our city's roads.
Will you join us by co-signing the asks in 2 minutes?: betterstreetsforbirmingham....
Will you join us by co-signing the asks in 2 minutes?: betterstreetsforbirmingham....
November 10, 2025 at 7:15 AM
We've joined with 15 local and national organisations, setting out 10 practical steps to address the city's road safety emergency and prevent needless deaths on our city's roads.
Will you join us by co-signing the asks in 2 minutes?: betterstreetsforbirmingham....
Will you join us by co-signing the asks in 2 minutes?: betterstreetsforbirmingham....
Reposted by Florian Busch
Official data from government of British Columbia, along with satellite monitoring, backs claims that a Canadian subsidiary owned by Drax sourced 250-year-old trees to manufacture biomass pellets as recently as this year
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Drax still burning 250-year-old trees sourced from forests in Canada, experts say
Exclusive: report by Stand.earth says subsidiary of power plant received truckloads of whole logs at biomass pellet sites
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Official data from government of British Columbia, along with satellite monitoring, backs claims that a Canadian subsidiary owned by Drax sourced 250-year-old trees to manufacture biomass pellets as recently as this year
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Florian Busch
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
www.newyorker.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:31 PM
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
Reposted by Florian Busch
Meanwhile, CEOs make 280 times the typical worker today.
The system is rigged.
The system is rigged.
November 8, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Meanwhile, CEOs make 280 times the typical worker today.
The system is rigged.
The system is rigged.
Reposted by Florian Busch
To put this in scale, Elon Musk's salary from Tesla alone could fund the SNAP program for the entire country into 2034.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk scored a resounding victory on Thursday as shareholders approved a pay package of as much as $878 billion over the next decade, endorsing his vision of morphing the EV maker into an AI and robotics juggernaut.
Tesla shareholders approve $878 billion pay plan for Elon Musk
Tesla CEO Elon Musk scored a resounding victory on Thursday as shareholders approved a pay package of as much as $878 billion over the next decade, endorsing his vision of morphing the EV maker into an AI and robotics juggernaut.
reut.rs
November 6, 2025 at 10:19 PM
To put this in scale, Elon Musk's salary from Tesla alone could fund the SNAP program for the entire country into 2034.