James Dyke
@jamesgdyke
Earth systems prof & assistant director of @gsiexeter.bsky.social | Technosphere Earth newsletter
As far as I can tell, fire under control after going through 50 acres of very dry grassland. At one point crews from 20 fire stations across the region were attending. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Getting ready for tomorrow's solar eclipse. Excited. But also feels like an omen given heatwaves and wildfires.
The flow of new fossil fuel cars is decreasing. Good. But we still have a stock problem. EVs make up 5% of the 1.8billion cars on the road. We need to get 1.7billion fossil cars off the road as soon as possible (or at least rapidly reduce their miles driven). Transport emissions are still rising.
Came across this beautiful female wasp spider in the garden today. I have not cut the grass since spring and it's now teaming with insects. I love listening to the grass hoppers in the evening.
Won't this blow up the UK's climate change targets? Don't worry - government's don't include aviation in their climate change targets! www.gov.uk/government/p...
Temperatures in Basra, Iraq hit 48°C today. Next 4 day period will see 48°C every day during which temps will not go below 32°C. This is a lethal heatwave driven by climate change.
Interesting moment at Exeter climate conference. XR protesting Howdens insurance sponsoring the conference.
A metaphor for the 'hot swap' we need to pull off when it comes to the phase out of fossil fuels & phase in of renewables: Some years ago I witnessed two drivers swap positions of the coach I was in as it was hammering along a motorway (not my photo) 1/4
Seriously? OK... 1) transport issues for one - good luck with the trains 2) some folk with underlying health conditions will be advised to essentially shelter indoors. 3) venues with no air conditioning will be unpleasant if not hazardous.
UK infrastructure was built for a different climate. There have already been many delays to trains this week because of the heat (e.g. rails expand & buckle while overhead power lines sag). Now National Rail essentially saying: don't bother trying on Wednesday & Thursday.
There is the risk that some events at London Climate Action Week will be cancelled this week because of an extraordinary heatwave. The @metoffice.gov.uk has just upgraded to red alert on Wedneday with London at 40°C. Previous June record was 35.6°C. This is an emergency.
Today! Paul Behrens' @gsiexeter.bsky.social seminar. Paul will discuss the fragility of our resource systems and how resilience can be built within them to withstand the increasing challenges they face. 14:30-15:30, Streatham Court LT B & online here: forms.office.com/pages/respon...
Nomowmay that most wonderful time of the year. Sat under the shade of an apple tree listening to the busy bees.
This should be fun! Talks and 🪩 popapocalypse from DJ DR DOOM - Exeter Phoenix Thursday 4th June.
Listening to @thierryaaron.bsky.social speak at @gsiexeter.bsky.social seminar. Fascinating exposition of 'the Cassandra condition'.
I am very proud of the amazing seminar series that the @gsiexeter.bsky.social was able to convene - another amazing speaker next week! forms.office.com/pages/respon... I joined @exeter.ac.uk in 2018 to help build the GSI with Tim Lenton. All good things come to an end... 🥹
Event idea: BACK TO THE 80s An 80s music disco/rave that's about getting people to have fun while thinking about how we can work together to get atmospheric concentrations back to 350ppm. Who's in? DJ DR DOOM can play.
Last night's mobile setup. Beyonce Sabbath went well. Will need to work on the Brandy... mix.
This is going to be great! @gsiexeter.bsky.social presents @thierryaaron.bsky.social 'Cassandra's Children: Scientific Responsibility in an Era of Climate Emergency’. Thursday 21st May 14:30-15:30 Streatham Court Lecture Theatre B & Online. Register👇 forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/respon...
Good to see this new report from bank J.P. Morgan on deep uncertainty about climate change & tipping points. One way it could significantly reduce this uncertainty is by stopping being the world's largest funder of oil & gas. jpmorgan.celero.site/s/ab29c67c/c... bank.green/banks/jpmorg...
Trump's disastrous military strikes on Iran may have done more to curtail fossil fuel use than any treaty. Perhaps we shouldn't have been surprised he was a climate campaigner all along - he's so on brand. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
5 mins later I'm up here ( previous photo taken on the beach in the background).
A folding bike can take you places. Today it's Falmouth which is absolutely lovely (and very windy).
It has come to our attention that the flyer for *this Friday's* gig had the wrong date. I have accepted the apology from the designer responsible for this error - Captain Needar - who no longer serves in the Imperial Navy. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/changemake...
46 hours until DOOMSDAY! The popapocalypse begins 7pm, Topsham Brewery, Exeter. Tell your friends. Bring your friends. Find new friends - and then bring them too. Tickets👇 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/changemake...
The US will close the Straits of Hormuz because the Iranians will not open the Straits of Hormuz despite the US bombing Iran in response to them closing the Straits of Hormuz because only the US is allowed to extort other countries via the Straits of Hormuz.