Rob Larter
@polarrobs.bsky.social
Polar marine scientist. UK Science Lead in Science Coordination Office of International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration. Views are my own.
On Mastodon @[email protected]
On Mastodon @[email protected]
Pinned
🧪🧵 Future change to #ThwaitesGlacier, Antarctica constitutes the largest uncertainty in #sea-level rise forecasts. The Science Coordination Office of the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration recently issued a briefing document summarising some key findings - thwaitesglacier.org/findings
Reposted by Rob Larter
If we don't rapidly phase out fossil fuels, we can say goodbye to coral reefs, the Greenland and Antarctic icesheets, and permafrost. The results will not be pretty.
3 massive changes you'll see as the climate careens toward tipping points
Scientists are increasingly concerned that the planet is headed for massive, irreversible changes due to global warming. In some cases, those changes have already begun.
www.npr.org
November 19, 2025 at 3:42 PM
If we don't rapidly phase out fossil fuels, we can say goodbye to coral reefs, the Greenland and Antarctic icesheets, and permafrost. The results will not be pretty.
Don't know who's responsible for this but it seems like a case of #youhadonejob
November 19, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Don't know who's responsible for this but it seems like a case of #youhadonejob
Reposted by Rob Larter
Big Polar Plunge across Europe as the jet stream takes a nose dive! Temps 10-20C below normal! Lots of snow in the mountains!!
November 19, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Big Polar Plunge across Europe as the jet stream takes a nose dive! Temps 10-20C below normal! Lots of snow in the mountains!!
Reposted by Rob Larter
Lowest global sea ice maximum area on record. 🧪
November 17, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Lowest global sea ice maximum area on record. 🧪
The displays of the "historic" climbing gear on the walls of the mountaineering club hut where I was staying this weekend made me feel very old.
November 17, 2025 at 8:30 AM
The displays of the "historic" climbing gear on the walls of the mountaineering club hut where I was staying this weekend made me feel very old.
The spectacular Cathedral Quarry near Little Langdale, Cumbria
November 17, 2025 at 8:25 AM
The spectacular Cathedral Quarry near Little Langdale, Cumbria
Reposted by Rob Larter
“If we wait to cross tipping points before we act, it will be too late. The only credible risk management strategy is to act in advance.”
global-tipping-points.org/the-dartingt...
global-tipping-points.org/the-dartingt...
The Dartington Declaration - Global Tipping Points
The Dartington Declaration has emanated from scientific meetings held at Dartington Hall in England, and then a statement agreed at the Global Tipping Points Conference, on 30 June – 3 July 2025. It w...
global-tipping-points.org
November 15, 2025 at 3:21 PM
“If we wait to cross tipping points before we act, it will be too late. The only credible risk management strategy is to act in advance.”
global-tipping-points.org/the-dartingt...
global-tipping-points.org/the-dartingt...
Reposted by Rob Larter
All nations committed under the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5 degC for good reason. Instead many governments are beholden to the fossil fuel lobby and even subsidize fossil fuel use with your money. We’re now at 1.4 degC & emissions are rising not falling.
unfccc.int/process-and-...
unfccc.int/process-and-...
November 15, 2025 at 4:09 PM
All nations committed under the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5 degC for good reason. Instead many governments are beholden to the fossil fuel lobby and even subsidize fossil fuel use with your money. We’re now at 1.4 degC & emissions are rising not falling.
unfccc.int/process-and-...
unfccc.int/process-and-...
Reposted by Rob Larter
Another dataset confirms that last month was the warmest October on record in the #Arctic. The previous record was 2024. This is already a month with a very large increasing temperature trend (i.e., Arctic amplification). Not good.
Data from NASA/GISS GISTEMPv4 (data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/).
Data from NASA/GISS GISTEMPv4 (data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/).
November 15, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Another dataset confirms that last month was the warmest October on record in the #Arctic. The previous record was 2024. This is already a month with a very large increasing temperature trend (i.e., Arctic amplification). Not good.
Data from NASA/GISS GISTEMPv4 (data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/).
Data from NASA/GISS GISTEMPv4 (data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/).
Reposted by Rob Larter
Reform UK energy plans crumble under scrutiny
Reform UK rails against net zero, but the evidence shows green jobs and growth are already powering the UK economy
@yorkshirebylines.co.uk
@bylinesnetwork.co.uk
yorkshirebylines.co.uk/politics/ref...
Reform UK rails against net zero, but the evidence shows green jobs and growth are already powering the UK economy
@yorkshirebylines.co.uk
@bylinesnetwork.co.uk
yorkshirebylines.co.uk/politics/ref...
Reform UK energy plans crumble under scrutiny
Reform UK rails against net zero, but the evidence shows green jobs and growth are already powering the UK economy
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Reform UK energy plans crumble under scrutiny
Reform UK rails against net zero, but the evidence shows green jobs and growth are already powering the UK economy
@yorkshirebylines.co.uk
@bylinesnetwork.co.uk
yorkshirebylines.co.uk/politics/ref...
Reform UK rails against net zero, but the evidence shows green jobs and growth are already powering the UK economy
@yorkshirebylines.co.uk
@bylinesnetwork.co.uk
yorkshirebylines.co.uk/politics/ref...
Reposted by Rob Larter
More than 1,600 fossil fuel lobbyists granted access to the Cop30 climate negotiations in Belém (Brazil), 12% up from last year’s talks in Baku, Azerbaijan.
What should be the most serious, urgent talks on the planet continue to be a farce.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
What should be the most serious, urgent talks on the planet continue to be a farce.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Fossil fuel lobbyists outnumber all Cop30 delegations except Brazil, report says
One in every 25 participants at 2025 UN climate summit is a fossil fuel lobbyist, according to Kick Big Polluters Out
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:46 PM
More than 1,600 fossil fuel lobbyists granted access to the Cop30 climate negotiations in Belém (Brazil), 12% up from last year’s talks in Baku, Azerbaijan.
What should be the most serious, urgent talks on the planet continue to be a farce.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
What should be the most serious, urgent talks on the planet continue to be a farce.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Rob Larter
With current pledges, the world's on track for 2.6°C of warming in 2100 compared to preindustrial levels.
10 years ago, before the Paris agreement, it was 3.6°C
20+ years ago, we thought it would be 4-5°C
So 2.6°C is better, but the problem is that climate impacts are way worse than we predicted.
10 years ago, before the Paris agreement, it was 3.6°C
20+ years ago, we thought it would be 4-5°C
So 2.6°C is better, but the problem is that climate impacts are way worse than we predicted.
World still on track for catastrophic 2.6C temperature rise, report finds
Fossil fuel emissions have hit a record high while many nations have done too little to avert deadly global heating
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:55 PM
With current pledges, the world's on track for 2.6°C of warming in 2100 compared to preindustrial levels.
10 years ago, before the Paris agreement, it was 3.6°C
20+ years ago, we thought it would be 4-5°C
So 2.6°C is better, but the problem is that climate impacts are way worse than we predicted.
10 years ago, before the Paris agreement, it was 3.6°C
20+ years ago, we thought it would be 4-5°C
So 2.6°C is better, but the problem is that climate impacts are way worse than we predicted.
Reposted by Rob Larter
Huge COPs are an equity issue.
We don't hear marginalised voices above the din of who can afford the pavilions, flights, comms teams, or hosting.
theconversation.com/the-un-clima...
We don't hear marginalised voices above the din of who can afford the pavilions, flights, comms teams, or hosting.
theconversation.com/the-un-clima...
The UN climate talks have become too big for their own good
Cop30 will have 50,000 delegates. But bigger Cops are not better Cops.
theconversation.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Huge COPs are an equity issue.
We don't hear marginalised voices above the din of who can afford the pavilions, flights, comms teams, or hosting.
theconversation.com/the-un-clima...
We don't hear marginalised voices above the din of who can afford the pavilions, flights, comms teams, or hosting.
theconversation.com/the-un-clima...
For some reason I keep thinking of Dr Evil today.
dr. evil from the movie dumb and dumber is sitting in a chair .
ALT: dr. evil from the movie dumb and dumber is sitting in a chair .
media.tenor.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:06 AM
For some reason I keep thinking of Dr Evil today.
Reposted by Rob Larter
Good morning to all those people who wasted the last decade saying, "there's no point tackling climate change in the UK, because China."
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
China’s CO2 emissions have been flat or falling for past 18 months, analysis finds
World’s biggest polluter on track to hit peak emissions target early but miss goal for cutting carbon intensity
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Good morning to all those people who wasted the last decade saying, "there's no point tackling climate change in the UK, because China."
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Totally agree with the quote near the end of the article - “The UNFCCC must move from disclosure to disqualification … without reform this process will not save the world, and instead, will just help bury it.”
Exclusive by me: How thousands fossil fuel lobbyists got access to UN climate talks – and then oil and gas companies kept drilling
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
How thousands of fossil fuel lobbyists got access to UN climate talks – and then kept drilling
Exclusive: Research shows oil, gas and coal firms’ unprecedented access to Cop26-29, blocking urgent climate action
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Totally agree with the quote near the end of the article - “The UNFCCC must move from disclosure to disqualification … without reform this process will not save the world, and instead, will just help bury it.”
Reposted by Rob Larter
I’ve just announced I’ll be leading a National Emergency Briefing on 27 November . At a time when climate is in free fall on the political agenda , it’s vital our leaders realise what is at stake if we do not accelerate a just , green transition for all .
@nebriefing.bsky.social 🇬🇧
@nebriefing.bsky.social 🇬🇧
November 9, 2025 at 12:46 PM
I’ve just announced I’ll be leading a National Emergency Briefing on 27 November . At a time when climate is in free fall on the political agenda , it’s vital our leaders realise what is at stake if we do not accelerate a just , green transition for all .
@nebriefing.bsky.social 🇬🇧
@nebriefing.bsky.social 🇬🇧
Reposted by Rob Larter
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:39 PM
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
An informative article, but it doesn't make me optimistic about the answer to the headline question.
#COP30
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
#COP30
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
Amid squabbles, bombast and competing interests, what can Cop30 achieve?
Climate summit in Brazil needs to find way to stop global heating accelerating amid stark divisions
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:53 AM
An informative article, but it doesn't make me optimistic about the answer to the headline question.
#COP30
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
#COP30
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
Reposted by Rob Larter
2025 on track to be among three warmest years on record
With global climate records continuing to tumble, can COP30 put on the brakes?
#COP30
@yorkshirebylines.co.uk
@bylinesnetwork.co.uk
yorkshirebylines.co.uk/news/world/2...
With global climate records continuing to tumble, can COP30 put on the brakes?
#COP30
@yorkshirebylines.co.uk
@bylinesnetwork.co.uk
yorkshirebylines.co.uk/news/world/2...
2025 on track to be among three warmest years on record
With global climate records continuing to tumble, can COP30 put on the brakes?
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 7:27 AM
2025 on track to be among three warmest years on record
With global climate records continuing to tumble, can COP30 put on the brakes?
#COP30
@yorkshirebylines.co.uk
@bylinesnetwork.co.uk
yorkshirebylines.co.uk/news/world/2...
With global climate records continuing to tumble, can COP30 put on the brakes?
#COP30
@yorkshirebylines.co.uk
@bylinesnetwork.co.uk
yorkshirebylines.co.uk/news/world/2...
So #COP30 is underway, the most significant opportunity this year to forge agreements that might just enable us to ensure the planet remains habitable. The PM and heir to the throne attend, and yet it still isn't anywhere near the top of the news agenda in the UK.
news.sky.com/story/wednes...
news.sky.com/story/wednes...
Friday's national newspaper front pages
Sky News takes a look at the headlines on Friday's national newspaper front pages.
news.sky.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:09 AM
So #COP30 is underway, the most significant opportunity this year to forge agreements that might just enable us to ensure the planet remains habitable. The PM and heir to the throne attend, and yet it still isn't anywhere near the top of the news agenda in the UK.
news.sky.com/story/wednes...
news.sky.com/story/wednes...
Reposted by Rob Larter
This is not what climate leadership looks like.
Reminder: the economy is completely dependent on the environment. There is NO economy on a dead planet
#COP30 #ClimateEmergency
www.politico.eu/article/keir...
Reminder: the economy is completely dependent on the environment. There is NO economy on a dead planet
#COP30 #ClimateEmergency
www.politico.eu/article/keir...
Keir Starmer, climate leader (when the Treasury lets him)
The U.K. prime minister is heading to the COP30 climate summit in Brazil to show climate still matters Britain, even in the age of Trump. But back at home, Starmer blows hot and cold on all things …
www.politico.eu
November 6, 2025 at 7:55 AM
This is not what climate leadership looks like.
Reminder: the economy is completely dependent on the environment. There is NO economy on a dead planet
#COP30 #ClimateEmergency
www.politico.eu/article/keir...
Reminder: the economy is completely dependent on the environment. There is NO economy on a dead planet
#COP30 #ClimateEmergency
www.politico.eu/article/keir...
Reposted by Rob Larter
Guterres is right.
Even a temporary overshoot could unleash far greater destruction and costs for every nation. It could push ecosystems past catastrophic and irreversible tipping points.
Fossil fuel companies are deceiving the public and obstructing progress. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Even a temporary overshoot could unleash far greater destruction and costs for every nation. It could push ecosystems past catastrophic and irreversible tipping points.
Fossil fuel companies are deceiving the public and obstructing progress. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Missing 1.5C climate target is a moral failure, Guterres tells Cop30 summit
UN secretary general urges opening session in Brazil to bring about a ‘fundamental paradigm shift’
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Guterres is right.
Even a temporary overshoot could unleash far greater destruction and costs for every nation. It could push ecosystems past catastrophic and irreversible tipping points.
Fossil fuel companies are deceiving the public and obstructing progress. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Even a temporary overshoot could unleash far greater destruction and costs for every nation. It could push ecosystems past catastrophic and irreversible tipping points.
Fossil fuel companies are deceiving the public and obstructing progress. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Rob Larter
A fascinating paper in @NatureGeosci that has already sparked considerable debate in the ice community. It's the super-fast withdrawal of Hektoria Glacier on the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula in 2022/23. Words by me in @newscientist.com www.newscientist.com/article/2502...
Antarctic glacier's alarming retreat is the fastest ever seen
Hektoria glacier on the Antarctic Peninsula retreated 25 kilometres in just 15 months. Its rapid melt could have implications for other glaciers and the rate of sea level rise
www.newscientist.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:00 PM
A fascinating paper in @NatureGeosci that has already sparked considerable debate in the ice community. It's the super-fast withdrawal of Hektoria Glacier on the eastern side of the Antarctic Peninsula in 2022/23. Words by me in @newscientist.com www.newscientist.com/article/2502...