Patrick Bigger
@pmbigger.bsky.social
Research Director @cplusc.bsky.social // co-director @transitionsec.bsky.social Political economy in the climate+ecological crisis. Terrible taste in music. climateandcommunity.org // transitionsecurity.org // https://bit.ly/pb_pubs
Pinned
Patrick Bigger
@pmbigger.bsky.social
· Sep 10
I'm so excited to share the launch of a new collaboration between @cmmonwealth.bsky.social and @cplusc.bsky.social: The Transition Security Project. TSP will be a home for research, analysis, and new policy thinking at the intersection of climate, economy, & the military industries of the US and UK🧵
Reposted by Patrick Bigger
Catherine Connolly was attacked for talking about the threats of EU militarisation and the military-industrial complex.
She is of course absolutely correct - check out the
@transitionsec.bsky.social for excellent analysis and research on the nature and implications of these threats.
She is of course absolutely correct - check out the
@transitionsec.bsky.social for excellent analysis and research on the nature and implications of these threats.
While the US & Europe ramp up military spending, millions live in poverty.
Today, we launch Transition Security Project, investigating how militarisation makes us poorer and less safe amid climate crisis — and what genuine security could look like. 🧵
transitionsecurity.org
Today, we launch Transition Security Project, investigating how militarisation makes us poorer and less safe amid climate crisis — and what genuine security could look like. 🧵
transitionsecurity.org
Transition Security Project
transitionsecurity.org
November 15, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Catherine Connolly was attacked for talking about the threats of EU militarisation and the military-industrial complex.
She is of course absolutely correct - check out the
@transitionsec.bsky.social for excellent analysis and research on the nature and implications of these threats.
She is of course absolutely correct - check out the
@transitionsec.bsky.social for excellent analysis and research on the nature and implications of these threats.
Reposted by Patrick Bigger
NEW: The first two years of Massachusetts' millionaire tax has raised $3 billion more than expected.
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
Millionaire Tax That Inspired Mamdani Fuels $5.7 Billion Haul in Massachusetts
A millionaire levy in Massachusetts that New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani holds up as a model for taxing the rich has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without forcing...
www.bloomberg.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:01 PM
NEW: The first two years of Massachusetts' millionaire tax has raised $3 billion more than expected.
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
Reposted by Patrick Bigger
"We cannot allow the constraints of private profit to obstruct the necessary path toward collective flourishing and stability. Such projects are essential, non-revenue-generating public goods that communities require for collective well-being."
Beyond Loans: The Public Grant-Making Bank
By the Money on the Left Editorial Collective Public banking has been gaining traction for years, driven by a growing recognition that our current financial system often fails to serve the public g…
moneyontheleft.org
November 13, 2025 at 1:42 PM
"We cannot allow the constraints of private profit to obstruct the necessary path toward collective flourishing and stability. Such projects are essential, non-revenue-generating public goods that communities require for collective well-being."
Reposted by Patrick Bigger
🚨 Transition Security Project is hiring a Researcher!
We're looking for a new researcher to join our transatlantic centre, working at the cutting edge of economic, climate and geopolitical analysis on militarism.
Find out more and apply below. 👇
www.common-wealth.org/vacancies/re...
We're looking for a new researcher to join our transatlantic centre, working at the cutting edge of economic, climate and geopolitical analysis on militarism.
Find out more and apply below. 👇
www.common-wealth.org/vacancies/re...
Vacancies | Researcher — Transition Security Project
UK (London, Manchester, Scottish Central Belt, Belfast)
www.common-wealth.org
November 13, 2025 at 1:22 PM
🚨 Transition Security Project is hiring a Researcher!
We're looking for a new researcher to join our transatlantic centre, working at the cutting edge of economic, climate and geopolitical analysis on militarism.
Find out more and apply below. 👇
www.common-wealth.org/vacancies/re...
We're looking for a new researcher to join our transatlantic centre, working at the cutting edge of economic, climate and geopolitical analysis on militarism.
Find out more and apply below. 👇
www.common-wealth.org/vacancies/re...
Foxes praise henhouse manager for appointing foxes as henhouse guards
Defense industry heaps praise on Hegseth's weapons-buying reformation share.google/un2UxVLbeDDh...
Defense industry heaps praise on Hegseth's weapons-buying reformation share.google/un2UxVLbeDDh...
Defense industry heaps praise on Hegseth's weapons-buying reformation
Pete Hegseth's defense-industry speech was the antithesis of his Quantico rally just weeks ago.
share.google
November 13, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Foxes praise henhouse manager for appointing foxes as henhouse guards
Defense industry heaps praise on Hegseth's weapons-buying reformation share.google/un2UxVLbeDDh...
Defense industry heaps praise on Hegseth's weapons-buying reformation share.google/un2UxVLbeDDh...
Reposted by Patrick Bigger
Epstein was obviously the story of the day but it’s wild that we got confirmation the CIA was engaged in biological warfare in Afghanistan for at least a decade
Inside the CIA’s secret mission to sabotage Afghanistan’s opium
In a decade-long operation, the CIA modified poppy seeds and dropped them by the billions from aircraft over Afghanistan in an attempt to weaken the potency of the country’s opium crop.
wapo.st
November 13, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Epstein was obviously the story of the day but it’s wild that we got confirmation the CIA was engaged in biological warfare in Afghanistan for at least a decade
Reposted by Patrick Bigger
“It's a boon for shareholders. It's a boon for militarism. It's a clear negative for ecological & climate goals.” — @triofrancos.bsky.social
Listen back to the recording of our launch event via @macrodosepod.bsky.social!
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/m...
Listen back to the recording of our launch event via @macrodosepod.bsky.social!
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/m...
November 12, 2025 at 2:10 PM
“It's a boon for shareholders. It's a boon for militarism. It's a clear negative for ecological & climate goals.” — @triofrancos.bsky.social
Listen back to the recording of our launch event via @macrodosepod.bsky.social!
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/m...
Listen back to the recording of our launch event via @macrodosepod.bsky.social!
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/m...
Reposted by Patrick Bigger
Today 9 Brazilian Amazon States are launching a unified #biodiversitycredit scheme at #COP30. If you want to know what biodiversity credits are and why they are a predictable environmental failure, read this comicbook: 1/2 greenfinanceobservatory.org/wp-content/u...
November 12, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Today 9 Brazilian Amazon States are launching a unified #biodiversitycredit scheme at #COP30. If you want to know what biodiversity credits are and why they are a predictable environmental failure, read this comicbook: 1/2 greenfinanceobservatory.org/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Patrick Bigger
"Accounting for these increased methane emissions removes over two-thirds of the apparent post-2005 decline in United States net greenhouse gas emissions."
Essential paper by @kevinjkircher.com.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Essential paper by @kevinjkircher.com.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
November 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM
"Accounting for these increased methane emissions removes over two-thirds of the apparent post-2005 decline in United States net greenhouse gas emissions."
Essential paper by @kevinjkircher.com.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Essential paper by @kevinjkircher.com.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Patrick Bigger
So it turns out... the US air travel system was incredibly, deeply dependent on federal funding to just run day-to-day all this time, to the benefit of private airline shareholders, when everyone thinks that state-run trains are leeching off the government. Weird!
November 9, 2025 at 12:10 AM
So it turns out... the US air travel system was incredibly, deeply dependent on federal funding to just run day-to-day all this time, to the benefit of private airline shareholders, when everyone thinks that state-run trains are leeching off the government. Weird!
Reposted by Patrick Bigger
The Post (me and @kcrowebasspro.bsky.social) analyzed the social media posts and appearances of prominent politicians across the country.
We found that no one is talking about climate change anymore. In 2025, mentions are 60% lower than in 2024.
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
We found that no one is talking about climate change anymore. In 2025, mentions are 60% lower than in 2024.
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
November 10, 2025 at 4:24 PM
The Post (me and @kcrowebasspro.bsky.social) analyzed the social media posts and appearances of prominent politicians across the country.
We found that no one is talking about climate change anymore. In 2025, mentions are 60% lower than in 2024.
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
We found that no one is talking about climate change anymore. In 2025, mentions are 60% lower than in 2024.
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
Another outstanding contribution to our series on unsettling geopolitics in an era of climate crisis and warmaking. @mona-ali.bsky.social goes global and granular to tease out the causes and consquences of weaponizing trade and the potentials of multipolarity.
The US and China have agreed to a one-year truce in their trade war. What lies behind this conflict and what does it mean for the world economy?
Read @mona-ali.bsky.social on Washington’s assault on global trade and the alliances emerging in response.
transitionsecurity.org/rebalancing-...
Read @mona-ali.bsky.social on Washington’s assault on global trade and the alliances emerging in response.
transitionsecurity.org/rebalancing-...
November 10, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Another outstanding contribution to our series on unsettling geopolitics in an era of climate crisis and warmaking. @mona-ali.bsky.social goes global and granular to tease out the causes and consquences of weaponizing trade and the potentials of multipolarity.
Reposted by Patrick Bigger
Solar’s price drop is astonishing: panels are now 98% cheaper than when I first analyzed them in 2004.
Today, building a fence with solar can be cheaper than using wood.
Today, building a fence with solar can be cheaper than using wood.
November 10, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Solar’s price drop is astonishing: panels are now 98% cheaper than when I first analyzed them in 2004.
Today, building a fence with solar can be cheaper than using wood.
Today, building a fence with solar can be cheaper than using wood.
Reposted by Patrick Bigger
Forest and other biomass techniques might be the most cost-effective methods of CO₂ removal (CDR), but they're certainly not the most effective. But if you're only interested in greenwashing, why waste your money on real CDR?
www.statista.com/chart/35418/...
www.statista.com/chart/35418/...
November 10, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Forest and other biomass techniques might be the most cost-effective methods of CO₂ removal (CDR), but they're certainly not the most effective. But if you're only interested in greenwashing, why waste your money on real CDR?
www.statista.com/chart/35418/...
www.statista.com/chart/35418/...
Reposted by Patrick Bigger
Weapons that get built tend to get used. More weapons don’t make us safer — they make the world more dangerous, and shrink the space for finding common ground on #climate. — @pmbigger.bsky.social
More in my latest on a world begging for relief at #COP30: tribune.com.pk/story/257674...
More in my latest on a world begging for relief at #COP30: tribune.com.pk/story/257674...
At COP30, the planet waits for reprieve | The Express Tribune
Global temperatures are rising, political will is shifting, and many countries are sidelining the climate agenda
tribune.com.pk
November 10, 2025 at 6:41 AM
Weapons that get built tend to get used. More weapons don’t make us safer — they make the world more dangerous, and shrink the space for finding common ground on #climate. — @pmbigger.bsky.social
More in my latest on a world begging for relief at #COP30: tribune.com.pk/story/257674...
More in my latest on a world begging for relief at #COP30: tribune.com.pk/story/257674...
Reposted by Patrick Bigger
By me: ‘Existential and urgent’: what impact will/should the ICJ climate ruling have on Cop30?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Existential and urgent’: what impact will ICJ climate ruling have on Cop30?
Decision by international court of justice hailed as a gamechanger for climate justice and accountability
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:51 PM
By me: ‘Existential and urgent’: what impact will/should the ICJ climate ruling have on Cop30?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Patrick Bigger
@cplusc.bsky.social’s brilliant @pmbigger.bsky.social takes the wheel on our front page today.
War industries — especially across the US & Europe — are quietly (or not so quietly) fanning the flames of the #climate crisis. As temps climb & political will melts, #COP30 begins in Belém on Nov 10.
War industries — especially across the US & Europe — are quietly (or not so quietly) fanning the flames of the #climate crisis. As temps climb & political will melts, #COP30 begins in Belém on Nov 10.
November 9, 2025 at 6:36 AM
@cplusc.bsky.social’s brilliant @pmbigger.bsky.social takes the wheel on our front page today.
War industries — especially across the US & Europe — are quietly (or not so quietly) fanning the flames of the #climate crisis. As temps climb & political will melts, #COP30 begins in Belém on Nov 10.
War industries — especially across the US & Europe — are quietly (or not so quietly) fanning the flames of the #climate crisis. As temps climb & political will melts, #COP30 begins in Belém on Nov 10.
Reposted by Patrick Bigger
The US is the world's largest oil and gas producer. Yet, "China is now making more money from exporting green technology than America makes from exporting fossil fuels."
China’s clean-energy revolution will reshape markets and politics
The world’s biggest manufacturer now has an interest in the world decarbonising
www.economist.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:05 AM
The US is the world's largest oil and gas producer. Yet, "China is now making more money from exporting green technology than America makes from exporting fossil fuels."
Reposted by Patrick Bigger
my latest: i spent weeks investigating how frustrations about data centers were about to swallow american politics…
…and then the 2025 election happened, proving the electoral impacts are already here.
read and share my deep dive on the bipartisan AI techlash shaping our elections before our eyes!
…and then the 2025 election happened, proving the electoral impacts are already here.
read and share my deep dive on the bipartisan AI techlash shaping our elections before our eyes!
The Data Center Backlash Is Swallowing American Politics
Activists on both the left and the right are pushing back against rampant AI development.
heatmap.news
November 6, 2025 at 9:13 PM
my latest: i spent weeks investigating how frustrations about data centers were about to swallow american politics…
…and then the 2025 election happened, proving the electoral impacts are already here.
read and share my deep dive on the bipartisan AI techlash shaping our elections before our eyes!
…and then the 2025 election happened, proving the electoral impacts are already here.
read and share my deep dive on the bipartisan AI techlash shaping our elections before our eyes!
Reposted by Patrick Bigger
It would be nice if — instead of complicated financial instruments with huge loopholes for fraud —we just directly addressed climate change.
Brazil’s Federal Police have indicted 31 suspects for fraud and land-grabbing in a massive criminal carbon credit scheme in the Amazon, according to Brazilian national media outlet Folha de S.Paulo.
It is the largest known criminal operation involving carbon credit fraud to date in the nation.
It is the largest known criminal operation involving carbon credit fraud to date in the nation.
Brazil charges 31 people in major carbon credit fraud investigation
Brazil’s Federal Police have indicted 31 suspects for fraud and land-grabbing in a massive criminal carbon credit scheme in the Brazilian Amazon, according to Brazilian national media outlet Folha de…
news.mongabay.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:57 PM
It would be nice if — instead of complicated financial instruments with huge loopholes for fraud —we just directly addressed climate change.
Exciting new stuff from @cplusc.bsky.social by @joshuamcwhirter.bsky.social - one thing we always confront in making bold, just climate investments is how to pay for it. CCI will be starting to answer those questions, and this brief looks how we can rethink investments for healthy schools
Healthy School Finance
Demanding the right kind of debt, on just terms, is as essential a fight as any for public education.
climateandcommunity.org
November 6, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Exciting new stuff from @cplusc.bsky.social by @joshuamcwhirter.bsky.social - one thing we always confront in making bold, just climate investments is how to pay for it. CCI will be starting to answer those questions, and this brief looks how we can rethink investments for healthy schools
Reposted by Patrick Bigger
NEW: In the first installment in a joint series between @cplusc.bsky.social and RDP, Sarah Knuth and Winston Yau make the case for fighting Big Tech's political capture with green economic populism.
When AI Comes to Town
The Fight for the United States’s Green Economic Future
climatecommunityinstitute.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:00 PM
NEW: In the first installment in a joint series between @cplusc.bsky.social and RDP, Sarah Knuth and Winston Yau make the case for fighting Big Tech's political capture with green economic populism.
New today in our series on critical issues at the climate/economy/geopolitics nexus- @tobitac.bsky.social shows the horrifyingly plausible ways that the US's hostility to Chinese development isn't just a climate threat, but puts us all on a dangerous path from cold war to hot war.
🚨 NEW: Read @tobitac.bsky.social “Cold War on a Warming World” for sharp analysis of China’s economic development, its clean energy dominance and why Washington’s foreign policy response is a threat to global decarbonisation.
🔗👇
transitionsecurity.org/cold-war-war...
🔗👇
transitionsecurity.org/cold-war-war...
Cold War on a Warming World
The US foreign policy response to China's economic development is a threat to the global climate transition.
transitionsecurity.org
November 6, 2025 at 1:52 PM
New today in our series on critical issues at the climate/economy/geopolitics nexus- @tobitac.bsky.social shows the horrifyingly plausible ways that the US's hostility to Chinese development isn't just a climate threat, but puts us all on a dangerous path from cold war to hot war.
Reposted by Patrick Bigger
Congrats to Colorado for showing the rest of the country how to establish a basic baseline of decency.
Colorado voters approve boost to free school meals program | Colorado Newsline
Two ballot measures to fund Colorado's universal school meals program, Propositions LL and MM, led in early results Tuesday night.
coloradonewsline.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Congrats to Colorado for showing the rest of the country how to establish a basic baseline of decency.
Reposted by Patrick Bigger
"What binds Polanski and Mamdani is not only their left-wing credentials, but their rejection of political cynicism."
Let's go! 🎉
www.europinion.uk/post/how-zac...
Let's go! 🎉
www.europinion.uk/post/how-zac...
How Zack Polanksi And Zohran Mamdani Transformed What It Means To Be A Left-Wing Politician
Newly elected leader of the Green Party, Zack Polanksi, has taken British politics by storm. The self-proclaimed ‘eco-populist’ has resurrected the Green Party’s reputation amongst voters and driven t...
www.europinion.uk
November 4, 2025 at 6:40 PM
"What binds Polanski and Mamdani is not only their left-wing credentials, but their rejection of political cynicism."
Let's go! 🎉
www.europinion.uk/post/how-zac...
Let's go! 🎉
www.europinion.uk/post/how-zac...