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Andrew Urquhart

@andrewurquhart.bsky.social
87 followers 114 following 98 posts

Working in low carbon energy and volunteering in nature conservation

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Reposted by Andrew Urquhart
East Anglia Bylines @eastangliabylines.co.uk · 11/08/2026
🌳 🌺 🦇 A 12-year study by Suffolk Wildlife Trust at Broxted Solar Farm showed renewable energy generation improving biodiversity, with e.g. meadow pipit numbers doubling. Over time, 41% biodiversity net gain was recorded under the solar panels. www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/news/new-rep...
suffolkwildlifetrust.org
New report of Suffolk solar farm showcases ecological best practice | Suffolk Wildlife Trust
Pioneering 12-year study carried out by Suffolk Wildlife Trust at Broxted Estate & Solar Farm Suffolk demonstrates how renewable energy generation and biodiversity restoration can be achieved together...
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Rupert Read @rupertread.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Remember: nuclear power IS intermittent. Probably, as climate breakdown deepens, worse so than wind - and solar. Pass it on…
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 01/04/2026
Say hello to the UK’s most successful growth industry: organised waste crime | George Monbiot
theguardian.com
Say hello to the UK’s most successful growth industry: organised waste crime | George Monbiot
Thanks to a sustained ideological assault on regulation, our country has been turned into a literal dump, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
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Jeremy Cliffe @jeremycliffe.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Meanwhile, Spain's massive investment in renewables is paying dividends now: with prices for Spanish industry and consumers low and stable compared with other European economies. www.ft.com/content/ac77...
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Sarah Finch @sarahfinch.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
The PM wants to scrap laws that protect nature. Wildlife charities are campaigning against some of these threats. I’m also concerned about threats to the environmental impact assessment and judicial reviews regimes. My blog for @green-alliance.org.uk greenallianceblog.org.uk/2026/02/19/t...
greenallianceblog.org.uk
The Fingleton Review has tempted the government to scrap hard won environmental protections
This post is by Sarah Finch, a climate campaigner, who won a landmark legal victory in 2024 over greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel developments. When the economist John Fingleton and his ta…
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Andrew Urquhart @andrewurquhart.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
We have a new swift box, including a gap behind for bats. Thanks for North East Herts Swift Group, working with Sustainable Stansted.
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Malcolm Hull @malcolmhull.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Shocking new report reveals high risk of some ecosystems collapsing. Unusual because it’s authored by Military Intelligence. The need to tackle the food, nature and climate crises together is pressing @bc-hertsmiddx.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @hertswildlifetrust.bsky.social
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James Murray @james-bg.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
Genuine question: Why's the reaction of many politicians to AI 'it's transformational, we must go faster, we can dismiss concerns over energy, copyright, job losses', yet the reaction to a clean tech transition that's more advanced and has less overt downsides is 'steady now, we need to slow down'.
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Jan Rosenow @janrosenow.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
This is huge: For the first time since the early 1970s, coal power generation has fallen in both China & India. It undercuts claims that decarbonisation is pointless while they expand coal. Renewables are no longer just adding capacity — they’re displacing coal. www.theguardian.com/business/202...
theguardian.com
Coal power generation falls in China and India for first time since 1970s
‘Historic’ moment in biggest coal-consuming countries could bring decline in global emissions, analysis says
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The Rivers Trust @theriverstrust.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
UK nature is declining fast, yet the Fingleton Review proposes weakening vital protections. Wildlife can’t afford more loss. These plans aren’t law ... yet. There’s still time to act. Speak up now to protect nature. 👇 action.wildlifetrusts.org/page/183790/...
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Andrew Urquhart @andrewurquhart.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Plough Monday should now be in March. Now that we have waterlogged winters due to climate change, and extremely heavy machinery, we have a much narrower season when land can be worked.
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Andrew Urquhart @andrewurquhart.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Massive potential for solar if intra-day storage becomes feasible at grid scale. Also helps the transition to electrified heating, moving energy to the times of the day when heat is needed.
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Andrew Urquhart @andrewurquhart.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
A petition: When’s the last time you saw a hedgehog? 🦔 Their numbers are falling, so I just signed a petition to make hedgehog highways - tiny gaps in fences to help them - mandatory in ALL new builds. Add your name: 38d.gs/u_t9
38d.gs
Save Britain’s hedgehogs: make hedgehog highways law!
When’s the last time you saw a hedgehog? 🦔 Their numbers are falling, so I just signed a petition to make hedgehog highways - tiny gaps in fences to help them - mandatory in ALL new builds. Add your n...
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Andrew Urquhart @andrewurquhart.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
Encouraging stats here showing 26% reduction in the number of deaths after a default 20mph was introduced in Wales. That's about the same as the benefit from introducing seat belts, which also caused opposition at the time, but a change that we now all accept.
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Guy Shrubsole @guyshrubsole.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
It's ridiculous that the Government *still* haven't banned the sale of peat. Peat bogs are still getting dug up and used for compost and in horticulture. Ministers say they'll ban it 'when time allows'. Get on with it already! Sign the petition: actnow.peatfreepartnership.org.uk/end-peat-sal...
actnow.peatfreepartnership.org.uk
Sign the petition to end peat sales!
No more delays: Let's get peat out of gardens once and for all. The time for uncertainty has ended.
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Chris Hinchliff MP @chrishinchliff.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
Water scarcity is a major challenge. New reservoirs alone won’t solve it. Our projected deficit is 5 BILLION litres a day. A sustainable water system for drinking, agriculture and thriving rivers must come before tech giants’ quenchless thirst for their data centres.
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Andrew Urquhart @andrewurquhart.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
In 'Lie of the Land' @guyshrubsole.bsky.social highlights that 2% of our wheat is for pheasant rearing, about 32,000 ha That's 50% more than 21,200 ha in 2024 for ground-mounted solar, not all on arable land Questions over priorities when the value of electricity is traded against food security
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Andrew Urquhart @andrewurquhart.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
If this bans only stems the decline, that's already hugely important If there's even a hint of recovery, that's even better
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Andrew Urquhart @andrewurquhart.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
The whole point about chalk streams is that they need a constant flow driven by the water levels in the aquifers. Getting all the rain in one weekend is no use at all
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Andrew Urquhart @andrewurquhart.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
Rachel Reeves considering scrapping the windfall tax on oil and gas What possible reason could there be for giving up a substantial tax income when we are supposedly so short of money for public spending? Maybe it's those 'discussions' with the oil and gas companies act.gp/4qQttNC
act.gp
Don’t scrap the Windfall Tax
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Andrew Urquhart @andrewurquhart.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
Milliband is right. If we want to regain the tiny percentage of agricultural land used for solar, we could convert golf courses back to farming. We could also end the inefficient use of agricultural land to grow biofuels, and achieve far greater emissions reduction by converting this to solar
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Andrew Urquhart @andrewurquhart.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
The cheapest generation mix now uses wind and solar, with gas only for backup. That's essentially what Clean Power 2030 is aiming for. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Wind power has cut £104bn from UK energy costs since 2010, study finds
Reduction comes from energy generated from windfarms and lower cost of gas owing to lower demand
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WWF UK @wwf.org.uk · 23/10/2025
Think #NetZero is expensive? The #ClimateCrisis will cost us, in more than money.
theguardian.com
Climate disasters in first half of 2025 costliest ever on record, research shows
LA wildfires and storms this year cost $101bn, new study by non-profit resurrecting work axed by Trump says
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Chris Hinchliff MP @chrishinchliff.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
The extinction of the Slender-Billed Curlew should be a wake-up call. The world is upside down: billionaires jaunt to the moon while wildlife vanishes. Endless wealth for greed, scant care for what enriches all our lives. Nature belongs to all of us—we must defend it.
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Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
British.
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Bishop's Stortford Climate Group @stortfordclimate.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
In our second monthly talk, Chris Dunham will discuss the environmental impact of food, covering links between diet, climate change and biodiversity, and looking at the options for the future Wednesday 7th May 7:30pm events.teams.microsoft.com/event/16c160...
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
It's hard to get your head around the scale of the environmental vandalism the Labour government is hoping to unleash. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill is up there with Trump's executive orders. And the reason is the same: corporate power. This week's column. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Labour’s great nature sellout is the worst attack on England’s ecosystems I’ve seen in my lifetime | George Monbiot
The horrifying planning bill, which rips up environmental protections, was drafted with CEOs in mind. We know because Keir Starmer told us, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
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Doug Parr @dougparr.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
British Broadcasting Corporatn stops presenter doing podcast about heat pumps over fears of political bias “As an impartial broadcaster, BBC shouldn’t be pandering to attempts by the right to turn the world’s most efficient home heating into a culture war issue” www.theguardian.com/media/2025/a...?
theguardian.com
‘They dictate the rules’: BBC tells PM’s Evan Davis to stop hosting heat pump podcast
Presenter believes decision was taken due to the technology’s link with net zero after he was told he risked accusations of political bias
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Dave Goulson @davegoulson.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
Support Sian Berry’s #GoPesticideFree bill, scheduled for debate 25th April, which would ban local councils in England from using pesticides in public spaces. No more poison in our streets and parks! Contact your MP using the link below: pan-uk.eaction.org.uk/edm-urban-pe... @sianberry.bsky.social
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Andrew Urquhart @andrewurquhart.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
A fascinating database of lies
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Cycling UK Official @cyclinguk.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
Did you cycle to the shops or to meet a friend as a kid? 🚲 Today’s children roam 97% less than their parents did. Let’s bring back freedom, joy and independence. Join us in #StandingUpForCyclists. Donate today for the future of tomorrow at www.cyclinguk.org/make-a-diffe...
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Andrew Simms @andrewsimms.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
Hang on, didn't the Government say we're broke & having to slash support to the poorest people? Where did they find £9 billion to blow on a heavily polluting new road 🤔 www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
theguardian.com
Lower Thames Crossing plan for Essex and Kent approved by government
Heidi Alexander gives green light to controversial £9bn tunnel, Britain’s biggest single planned road building project
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Andrew Urquhart @andrewurquhart.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
Does everyone else already know about Gary Stevenson and Gary's Economics? Fascinating stuff, and worth a listen for any green-minded people who want to understand why it's so hard to create a fairer green economy when all the wealth is being sucked out of it. www.youtube.com/garyseconomics
youtube.com
Garys Economics
@garyseconomics is focused on teaching people about real world economics. Inequality Economist. Former Trader. Other Economists make predictions, but my ones are actually right.
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Andrew Urquhart @andrewurquhart.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
Very worrying...
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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
Brilliant news on a Friday afternoon: gov will launch new natural history GCSE. It's taken Mary Colwell, @carolinelucas.bsky.social & others years of campaigning. (I'm praying it'll be introduced quickly enough for my children!) www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Department for Education confirms launch of natural history GCSE
Campaigners have been calling for the qualification for years but plan stalled despite a curriculum being drawn up
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Jan Rosenow @janrosenow.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
It wasn’t net zero — it was fossil gas that drove up UK electricity prices. Spot on, @pilitaclark.bsky.social! Gas sets the price most of the time. As @dharavyas.bsky.social Energy UK, says: "It’s the volatile cost of fossil fuels and our dependence on them that have driven up energy bills."
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Andrew Urquhart @andrewurquhart.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Better headline: "Badenoch declares Tories not capable of managing energy transition" www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Net Zero by 2050 'impossible' for UK, says Kemi Badenoch
The Tory leader says the target is impossible
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Friends of the Earth @friends-earth.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
The UK is alarmingly off track to meet its national climate targets and we’re seeing daily reminders that the climate crisis is here. That’s why we’re calling on the government to deliver a #BigClimatePlan that ensures a brighter future. Sign our petition: foe.uk/nnbkv
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Andrew Urquhart @andrewurquhart.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
Yes, why not. And if compulsory purchase can be used to build roads, can it also be used to create cycle paths when vested interests prevent an obvious route?
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Andrew Urquhart @andrewurquhart.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
So, ULEZ expansion has worked! www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
London air pollution down since Ulez extended to outer boroughs, study finds
Levels of deadly pollutants have dropped, with significant improvements in capital’s most deprived areas
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Andrew Urquhart @andrewurquhart.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
A message for Ed Miliband. I hope @joshdeanmp.bsky.social you have seen this too.
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James Murray @james-bg.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
Beyond enraging how same people who were happy to take an economic hit from Brexit because of sovereignty insist we can't take a smaller (and possibly non-existent) economic hit from net zero because it's only about protecting the only known habitable biosphere. www.businessgreen.com/news/4410408...
businessgreen.com
Rishi Sunak: Net zero should be 'noble ambition' rather than legal target
Uncertainty surrounds Conservatives' commitment to net zero, as former PM joins Shadow Cabinet Minister Robert Jenrick in attacking UK's 2050 climate goal
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Jan Rosenow @janrosenow.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
“What about China?”
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Andrew Urquhart @andrewurquhart.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
Celebrating the River Lea before it reaches us in East Herts www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Luton's River Lea 'should be celebrated' in photo competition
Abi Spendlove says she is
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Wild Trout Trust @wildtrouttrust.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
After three years of progress and promises, the Government appears to have shelved its plans to restore our precious chalk streams - some of the world's rarest wildlife habitats. Now, a public petition is urging them to reconsider - please sign it if you can: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/71...
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Andrew Urquhart @andrewurquhart.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
Really useful points for hedgerow management here, on the need for second-year growth to get shrubs to flower and fruit
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Simon Evans @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org · 02/01/2025
+++NEW ANALYSIS+++ UK electricity was the cleanest ever in 2024, with emissions per unit falling by more than two-thirds in a decade Highlights: 🏭end of coal power after 142yrs 🔥fossil fuels at record-low 29% share 🌄renewables at record-high 45% www.carbonbrief.org/... 1/9
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Andrew Urquhart @andrewurquhart.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
Lots of people there who really do care about the newts!
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Andrew Urquhart @andrewurquhart.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
This is why we need to stop treating the far-right approach to climate as denial. They know the science. Climate change is not an unintended consequence, it's what they actually want. Cheap land, destroyed homes - just a business opportunity, enabled by removing established local democracies
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