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James

@jamesroberts.bsky.social
446 followers 447 following 1.5K posts

Maker of wooden things, advocate for climate change solutions and street safety. Dog petter. Retired documentary and radio producer for the CBC in Canada.

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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
How long do electric vehicle batteries last? That question spooks some potential buyers but it turns out they're lasting longer than drivers expected. arstechnica.com/cars/2026/09...
arstechnica.com
EV batteries last longer than drivers feared
Study suggests used vehicles can retain about 90% of original usable battery capacity after 150,000 km.
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
So AI is a teenage boy but much much worse. "OpenAI on Wednesday disclosed six new instances in which artificial intelligence systems hid mistakes, made up data and moved files onto the open internet without permission." www.nytimes.com/2026/09/16/t...
nytimes.com
OpenAI Discloses Six New Incidents of ‘Concerning' A.I. Behavior
The artificial intelligence company also released a framework for reporting when its systems go wrong.
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Best comment so far on the American Supreme Court's decision to allow mail-in voting.
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
👀Enslaved African people were seared with hot metal brands bearing the royal crown, according to research by historians who have documented the monarchy’s centuries-long involvement in Britain’s slave trade. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/ng-i...
theguardian.com
The royal crown branded on enslaved Africans: Britain’s monarchy and the slave trade
From Elizabeth I’s backing of early voyages to royal investment in trafficking companies, generations of monarchs were central to Britain’s slave trade
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Their book is End Times Fascism, an exploration of what the far right, the tech bros, the billionaires and the Trump regime have in common. Spoiler alert: a society devoid of democracy. They're in conversation here about their book. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/12/m...
nytimes.com
Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor Say the End of the World Is Now on the Table
In a new book, the writers argue that a powerful coalition of “end times fascists” is just fine with the earth’s demise.
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
The pro-Russian (and pro Nazi) afd in Germany is surging and it's worth noting that this is the party Elon Musk supports in Germany. Bottom line, it's a warning to all of us. GIFT ARTICLE courtesy Globe and Mail www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/d64609c...
theglobeandmail.com
Germany’s Merz refuses to work with AfD after far-right party’s landslide victory in state election
Party’s strong showing in Saxony-Anhalt raises the prospect of Germany’s first right-wing populist state government since the Nazi era
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
The Doug Ford government is spending $50-million to rip out bike lanes. It won't reduce congestion but it will make Toronto more dangerous for cyclists. FREE COLUMN FROM THE GLOBE AND MAIL'S MARCUS GEE www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/d64609c...
theglobeandmail.com
Where is the ‘common sense’ here?
Ripping out Toronto bike lanes is more than just a waste of money
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David Roberts @volts.wtf · 03/09/2026
This is demonstrably, measurably improving the health of the people who live there. Most notably, it increases the respiratory *& cognitive* health of children. They literally do better in school. If this country really gave a shit about children, this would be at the top of the public-policy list.
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Urban Truth Collective @urbantruth.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
No matter what they claim, the REAL “war” that’s been going on in our cities has been a WAR ON WALKING. And it’s been going on for a century. #UrbanTruth
Mostly black text on white background: “ The Road Lobby claims that there’s a war going on in our cities. There is, but it’s not the war they’ve been lying about. They’ve been waging a WAR ON WALKING for a century.“ Via the Urban Truth Collective.
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
The Trump administration cuts funding for bike lanes and suggests cyclists are dorks. Writing as a proud dork I say to all you city councillors, you know what to do. Get building! Explore this gift article from The New York Times. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/31/u...
nytimes.com
Do D.E.I. Bike Paths Exist? The Trump Administration Says Yes. (Gift Article)
The administration has revoked funding for bike paths, and encouraged removing some. A cycling advocate said it is playing on the idea of “that dork on a bike.”
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Ryan Singh @singhisking.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
A 2,000 foot chunk of glacier snapped off and dropped 4,000 feet in Nepal. The flash flood killed 98 people. 391 tourists are missing. 47 Americans unaccounted for. 19 bridges gone. This isn't a natural disaster. This is climate breakdown.
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
S.T. is absolutely correct. Take for example the province of Canada I live in. A population of just under 6 million and each year 3,200 pedestrians and cyclists are hit by drivers.
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depths of wikipedia @depthsofwikipedia.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
amazing article
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Benne W. Holwerda @benneholwerda.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
It will normalize these on shorter flights first. Maybe improve regional connection more. Then we’ll be used to then when bigger ones arrive. That’s my guess anyway.
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
GIFT ARTICLE FROM THE TORONTO STAR: a good roundup of how two nations, Australia and the UK manage to offer free clean renewable power to millions. www.thestar.com/gift-redeem?...
thestar.com
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Let's build pipelines! Drive pickup trucks to the store! Expand natural gas use in cities! Kneecap clean energy expansion! www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
World’s seas have hit hottest temperature on record for July, say scientists
Average sea surface temperature outside polar regions was highest on record for July, beating previous high in 2023
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consbegone.bsky.social @consbegone.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
“But the immeasurable gains fossil fuels have given us over the past century are now being taken away in real time, hundreds of houses, thousands of evacuations, and billions of dollars at a time, leaving behind mass trauma, ravaged landscapes, impoverished communities, and a tattered social fabric”
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Laugh, or cry. Your choice.
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Battery tech is fascinating. And this interviewee says a whole new tech will be in batteries within 5 years. Range anxiety may be a thing of the past within 5 years. www.volts.wtf/p/silicon-an...
volts.wtf
Silicon anodes for batteries unlock greater energy density and faster charging times
A conversation with Rick Costantino of Group14.
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
House lights are flickering here in British Columbia and a note on facebook says BC Hydro is saying that forest fires in the province are the cause. Welcome to another effect of climate breakdown.
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
The majority of Conservative voters in Canada don't believe climate breakdown is a major issue. Most are older voters. And all of them really piss me off. www.thestar.com/gift-redeem?... GIFT ARTICLE FROM THE TORONTO STAR
thestar.com
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🍁 Christine 🍁 @204queenb0574.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
This is a CN rail train driving through the flames. The video is insane. But Trudeau's plans were too expensive and divisive, right? God - I loathe Carney more every day.
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Bill McKibben @billmckibben.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
If you think it's hot where you are, it's 127 degrees Fahrenheit in Iran
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Max Fawcett @maxfawcett.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Paging Alberta
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
And she won in a PEI riding formerly held by the PC's health minister. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Green candidate Tayte Willows wins Cornwall-Meadowbank byelection | CBC News
The P.E.I. Green Party's Tayte Willows has won the District 16 Cornwall-Meadowbank byelection.
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
And the people of Cornwall awoke this morning feeling fury over the world's inability to understand why we need to deal with climate breakdown.
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
And some people really do believe the bicycle lobby is the one that needs to be quashed.
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
"...when municipalities build safe cycling networks, ridership grows and collisions decline. Streets become more welcoming for everyone. www.thestar.com/gift-redeem?.... GIFT ARTICLE - TorStar
thestar.com
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
"...when municipalities build safe cycling networks, ridership grows and collisions decline. Streets become more welcoming for everyone." www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
thestar.com
My husband was killed while cycling and today there is something just as deadly as careless drivers
Misinformation about cars vs. cyclists makes roads deadly
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
How much do we love Bill? "Even better than the E.V. is the e-bike, which I think may turn out to be the transformative invention of our time on Earth." - Bill Mckibben in convo with Ezra Klein www.nytimes.com/2026/07/10/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | The Very Good and Very Bad News on Climate
Advancements in renewable energy are paving the way for a new climate politics. The environmentalist Bill McKibben articulates some of the possibilities in this new era of energy abundance.
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
RollingStone put our their top 50 Canadian musicians on Canada Day and wow, how did Rush get 3rd best? I can abide by Joni Mitchell at #1, Neil Young at #2 but surly Leonard Cohen is #3 and Rush is, well #50? www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
rollingstone.com
Sorry, Nickelback. Here Are the 50 Greatest Canadian Artists of All Time
We rank the best Canadian bands and singers of all time, from artists like Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, to Celine Dion, Justin Bieber and Drake.
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
The same GOP leaders say they speak with their dead relatives.
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The Putting Waffle @puttingwaffle.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Just for the record, Belgian beer is also way way better than American beer.
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
What about preventing all drivers from driving above the speed limit? Let's do it.
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Rachel Gilmore @rachelgilmore.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Canada Day extreme weather brought to you by climate change, which Carney announced yesterday we can’t afford to properly fight 🤗
CBC headline reads: Canada Day activities in Ottawa cancelled due to
'extreme weather,' including fireworks

Torrential rain falls on the capital

By: Gabrielle Huston

Published July 1 at 3:21pmET
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Daniel Knowles @dlknowles.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
It is now almost 100% of the time that when I do vox pops in rural America I get asked about Britain supposedly being taken over by Muslims and crushed under the boot of Sharia law. I was just asked suspiciously if I am a Muslim myself when I pushed back
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The War on Cars @thewaroncars.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
"The research also found that the US has more new pediatric asthma cases attributable to vehicle pollution annually than any other country. In 2024, US children accounted for one in 10 new pediatric asthma cases attributable to vehicle pollution globally."
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
Does Sportsnet discount subscriptions when the #BlueJays are too painful to watch? @keeganmatheson.bsky.social
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Driving their pickup truck illegally through a do not enter on Richardson Street at Maddison into a bike route. I'll bet you these fellows think cyclists are the entitled ones. #Victoria #cycling
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Given Europe is cooking in fossil fuel induced climate change I propose we tell burly men everywhere in kind gentle words that they don't need pickup trucks.
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Homelessness in Denver has fallen 64% and, no surprise, housing and support at the buildings is working. GIFT ARTICLE from The Economist. www.economist.com/united-state...
economist.com
As American cities grapple with homelessness, one offers a fix
Denver’s answer to a stubborn problem
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jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 16/06/2026
turned this observation into a video youtu.be/ohw33xuL0VE
youtu.be
Stephen Miller Wanted to Take Away Your Most Fundamental Right
YouTube video by Takes™ by Jamelle Bouie
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Private school enrolment is rising in Canada cementing the advantages of the wealthy. Perhaps an unpopular view but banning private schools would better for society. www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/pe...
theglobeandmail.com
Private school enrolment keeps climbing as parents look to give their kids an edge
Some parents are deprioritizing their savings and investments, and cutting back on activities and vacations, to cover the steep costs
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
👀 Meanwhile in China: Goldman Sachs estimates the drop in the use of gasoline and related products was about 20 per cent in April, while China-basedGL Consulting put the decline at around 15 per cent. www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl... @maxfawcett.bsky.social
theglobeandmail.com
The oil market’s unexpected new reality: China needs much less fuel than previously thought
Fuel use in China was already falling in recent years, but recent decline is especially steep and caught industry players by surprise
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
This story is sure to be like a grenade going off in the White House situation room. Maggie Haberman at her best ... GIFT ARTICLE from today's (Wednesday) NYTimes www.nytimes.com/2026/06/10/m...
nytimes.com
Inside the White House Freakout Over the Epstein Files
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
When the pro-Russian party lost badly this week In Armenian elections they claimed it was rigged. It seems authoritarians go to that falsehood every time pro democracy parties win. www.economist.com/europe/2026/...
economist.com
Armenia’s election is a setback for Vladimir Putin
Russia’s dirty tricks are failing to stop its pivot to the West
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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
“Air pollution fell substantially as Paris restricted car traffic and made way for parks, people-streets and bike-lanes.” Better for the climate, better for health, better for livability and quality of life. Common sense. Such a no-brainer, it’s remarkable that more cities HAVEN’T done the same.
washingtonpost.com
Paris said au revoir to cars. Air pollution maps reveal a dramatic change.
Air pollution fell substantially as the city restricted car traffic and made way for parks and bike lanes.
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
He or she who works for the Heritage Foundation does not "love thy neighbor as thyself" as their faith demands. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Red states push conservative rebrands of Pride month in backlash to LGBTQ+ celebrations
Republican states rebrand June as ‘nuclear family month’ or ‘fidelity month’ in latest attack on LGBTQ+ communities
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James @jamesroberts.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
A measure of interest in hockey: 2000 kids play in Raleigh, N Carolina 3000 kids play in Las Vegas, Nevada 19,000 kids play in Vancouver 40,000 kids play in Toronto The NHL finals are Carolina VS Vegas
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