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Leo Hickman

@leohickman.carbonbrief.org
22K followers 3.5K following 902 posts

Editor and director, Carbon Brief bsky.app/profile/carbonbrief.org

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Reposted by Leo Hickman
Molly Lempriere @mollylempriere.carbonbrief.org · 24/09/2026
As petrol and diesel prices surge in the wake of the continued attacks on Russian refineries and escalating tensions in the Middle East, it is now nine times cheaper to drive an EV than a diesel car in the UK, This means EV drivers save ~£80 when "filling up" www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-evs...
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Leo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 24/09/2026
Yes, you read that right. NINE times cheaper.
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Leo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 24/09/2026
Where things used to be/could be/should be... Does the project involve any work that could be interpreted as promoting racism, inequality, exclusion and inaccessibility, or climate change denial? Yes No
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Leo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 23/09/2026
'Miliband will appoint a new special representative for climate security, as well as a new ministerial taskforce on “the national security and resilience risks of a changing climate and nature loss”, with military and security experts as well as climate scientists.'
theguardian.com
UK shares findings of damning climate crisis national security report suppressed under Starmer
El Niño poses critical threat to nations’ defences, says Ed Miliband in presentation to global foreign ministers
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Leo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 23/09/2026
Can't help but dwell on how the very same media and politicians whipping up this sort of thing celebrated with glee when Just Stop Oil protestors were imprisoned for years...
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Leo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 22/09/2026
Amid the noise and drama at UNGA this week in New York, it should be noted that leaders are set to adopt tomorrow a high-level declaration on the “existential threats” posed by sea level rise...
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Reposted by Leo Hickman
Carbon Brief @carbonbrief.org · 22/09/2026
NEW – Analysis: Nepal’s $20m ‘loss-and-damage’ claim only covers 0.7% of flood costs | @arunacsekhar.bsky.social @joshgabbatiss.bsky.social w/ comment from @harjeet11.bsky.social Read here: www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-nep...
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Damian Carrington @dpcarrington.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
European Union countries gave more subsidies to fossil fuels than to renewable energy in 2024 (latest data) #energycrisis energy.ec.europa.eu/news/energy-...
energy.ec.europa.eu
Energy subsidies report highlights further reduction in 2024
Total energy subsidies in the EU in 2024 amounted to €340 billion, 5% down on 2023 and significantly lower (-25%) than at the height of the crisis in 2022 (€ 457 billion), according to a new Report on...
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Leo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 22/09/2026
Finally caught up with '70 Up' last night. Even though we've been watching it all our lives, it still gets you every time, doesn't it? Just such a profound and lingering sense of melancholy that runs through it all... www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sfc3...
youtube.com
70 Up | The Legendary Documentary Returns | Episode 1
Across seven decades, viewers watched 14 children grow into adults....
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Simon Evans @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org · 21/09/2026
The long view of North sea licenses: A short story with some fascinating historical details 🧵 How often are we told that new licenses can guarantee UK energy security, amid another energy crisis? But hang on: licenses for the much-discussed Jackdaw gas field were issued as long ago as 1970 (pic)
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Wolfgang Blau @wblau.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Not good at all. But really important to know - and prepare for. www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-sup...
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Zeke Hausfather @zekehausfather.com · 21/09/2026
This year's El Niño event is moving into record territory, with the daily Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) tying the record previously set during the 2015/2016 super-El Niño. My latest over at Carbon Brief: www.carbonbrief.org/...
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Leo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 21/09/2026
Just look at that chart?! This is shaping up to be the strongest El Niño of all time - by quite some margin... "Remarkable, in part, because of how early in the calendar year it is occurring. El Niño typically peaks in the winter months, most commonly in November or December."
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Simon Evans @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org · 16/09/2026
ELECTRIFICATION: Really striking chart showing that three-quarters of final energy demand can now be electrified "economically" (ie at lower lifetime cost) – and 90% electrification is technically possible From the latest @ember-energy.org slidedeck by @kingsmillbond.bsky.social and colleagues
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Leo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 19/09/2026
Only just seeing this very sad news now. A very big loss. Particularly remembering his impact and reach at Climate Progress...
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Leo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 18/09/2026
This was a very nice surprise! Big thanks to the judges at @coveringclimatenow.org for recognising what we do at @carbonbrief.org and huge congrats to all the other prize winners across the various categories.
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Emily Atkin @emorwee.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
A few weekends ago I went to Miami and attended 9 open houses in extremely high-risk flood areas to see what agents are telling prospective buyers about them. Here is my journey
heated.world
The open houses at the edge of disaster
What are buyers being told about climate risk in Miami? I posed as one to find out.
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Carbon Brief @carbonbrief.org · 17/09/2026
What was the impact of extreme heat on UK healthcare during the summer? Carbon Brief’s @joshgabbatiss.bsky.social explains.
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Steve Akehurst @steveakehurst.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
NEW: How did the summer heatwaves and wildfires change attitudes to climate and Net Zero, if at all? A short thread on analysis of tracker polling now summer is winding down. 🧵 (for @persuasionuk.bsky.social with @yougov.co.uk)
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Lauri Myllyvirta @laurimyllyvirta.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
NEW from us: India's rapid clean power expansion has kept power sector emissions flat for two years, for the first time in over 50 years, and sharply reduced fossil fuel imports. Oil and gas consumption have also fallen for two years in a row, helping alleviate the Hormuz shock.
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Carbon Brief @carbonbrief.org · 17/09/2026
NEW – Analysis: India’s power-sector emissions flat for two years due to clean-energy surge ✍️ Written by @laurimyllyvirta.bsky.social and Anubha Aggarwal @creacleanair.bsky.social Read here: buff.ly/JIwsTKV
Chart titled "India’s power-sector emissions flat for two years due to clean-energy surge" and subtitled "Power-sector emissions, MtCO2 per half-year". Source: Analysis for Carbon Brief by CREA. H1 and H2 emissions rise from around 500 MtCO2 in 2020 and level off between 600–660 MtCO2 from 2024 to 2026. (alt text generated by Google Gemini)
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Simon Evans @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org · 16/09/2026
NEW ANALYSIS: Global fossil-fuel emissions are set to fall by around 0.5% in 2026 amid the ongoing Hormuz crisis We've all see the scare stories about a "return to coal" – but the "demand destruction" for oil is even bigger Here's how it stacks up: www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-glo...
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Cecilia Keating @ceciliakeating.carbonbrief.org · 14/09/2026
NEW for @carbonbrief.org As El Niño intensifies, the forest fires ripping through Indonesia are on track to reach levels not seen since 2015. The country's 2015 fire season has been linked to 100,000 premature deaths and produced emissions on a par with the EU's fossil-fuel emissions that year.
Line chart showing cumulative daily fire emissions in Indonesia. The 2026 trajectory, highlighted in red, rises sharply to around 75MtC and is closely tracking the early path of 2015, shown in dark blue. In 2015, emissions later surged to about 330MtC, far above the 2000–26 average of roughly 85MtC. Other years are shown in light grey. Source: Global Fire Emissions Database.
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Simon Evans @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org · 11/09/2026
MEGA FACTCHECK: Reform UK's Farage & Tice constantly mislead on climate & energy We've checked 45 of their claims, inc… * Yes we really have made it hotter * No UK is not acting alone * No we can't change geology * Yes underground cables really are more costly www.carbonbrief.org/factcheck-re...
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Reposted by Leo Hickman
Simon Evans @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org · 11/09/2026
NEW: Indonesia's fire emissions in 2026 are on track to match the record for this century, as El Niño builds By my CB colleague @ceciliakeating.carbonbrief.org www.carbonbrief.org/el-nino-indo...
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Leo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 11/09/2026
Shot. Chaser.
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Leo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 11/09/2026
Yes, you did read that correctly... 45 Forty-five FORTY-FIVE false and misleading claims
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Josh Gabbatiss @joshgabbatiss.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
NEW INVESTIGATION – this summer saw temperature records smashed around the UK. We asked NHS trusts in England and Wales how many operations they were forced to cancel due to overheating surgical theatres They provided details of 1,110 operations that were called off in the May and June heatwaves
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Carbon Brief @carbonbrief.org · 08/09/2026
NEW – Q&A: What can – and cannot – be said about global warming’s role in the 2026 Himalayan floods | @ceciliakeating.carbonbrief.org @rtmcswee.carbonbrief.org @ayeshatandon.carbonbrief.org @giulianaviglione.bsky.social @daisydunne.carbonbrief.org Read here: buff.ly/XeMOzXR
An aerial view of Devighat Bazaar in Nuwakot, Nepal, following the floods of 26 August 2026. Credit: ZUMA Press / Alamy Stock Photo
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Ed Hawkins @edhawkins.org · 07/09/2026
2026 really was a fundamentally different summer to 1976 in terms of temperature across the UK and Europe Data: ERA5
Comparing 1976 and 2026 summers in NW Europe
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Leo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 05/09/2026
I'm old enough to remember how the right-wing media and populist politicians reacted to Just Stop Oil blocking some roads...
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Carbon Brief @carbonbrief.org · 04/09/2026
NEW – How this summer’s heat and drought impacted crops in Europe – in six charts ✍️ Written by @orladwyer.carbonbrief.org 📊 Data analysis by Ho Woo Nam Read here: buff.ly/E1uI8OA
Changes in cereal production in 26 EU countries between 2025 and 2026. Malta is excluded due to a lack of available data. Source: European Commission.
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Carbon Brief @carbonbrief.org · 04/09/2026
NEW – Analysis: UK solar power hits record high over summer 2026 ✍️ Written by @mollylempriere.carbonbrief.org 📊 Data analysis by Ho Woo Nam Read here: buff.ly/g7fZyp6
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Leo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 04/09/2026
It's rare to see a mainstream news broadcaster explicitly referencing loss-and-damage finance, climate justice and big-emitter responsibility in its reporting. So this moment on the BBC's News at Ten really caught my attention. Report by @azadehmoshiri.bsky.social in Nepal
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Leo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 03/09/2026
This is quite the read. The very idea of having to sit down and watch this firehose of hysterical misinformation... shudder
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Zeke Hausfather @zekehausfather.com · 01/09/2026
The emissions scenarios underlying the next generation of climate model runs that will be featured in the upcoming IPCC 7th Assessment Report are officially out! I have a big new explainer over at Carbon Brief taking an in-depth look at what they mean and whats changed: www.carbonbrief.org/...
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Leo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 30/08/2026
Just found dozens of my job rejection letters! Includes this one from Bloomberg... 32 years ago! #SlidingDoors cc @akshatrathi.bsky.social @jessshankleman.bsky.social @oliviarudgard.bsky.social @zhirji.bsky.social @lararhiannon.bsky.social @davidfickling.bsky.social @eroston.bsky.social
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Doug McNeall @dougmcneall.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
On holiday in France. Took a train from the Fontainebleau forest into the heart of Paris. 50 minute journey. €2.55, or just over €5 return. Similar journey in the uk is an order of magnitude more expensive.
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Leo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 27/08/2026
This is really worth your time if you want to understand from an expert the processes involved in yesterday's glacier collapse...
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Ros Taylor @rostaylor.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
I remember being at the leader conference where Paul Johnson brought up the Bond villain. I didn’t write that leader though…
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Leo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 27/08/2026
This week marks the 20 years since the pivotal 'Climate Camp' protest held outside the huge Drax coal plant in Yorkshire. It's worth re-reading the Guardian's editorial and think of everything that has happened since (including, not least, the closing down in 2024 of the UK's last coal plant)
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Leo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 26/08/2026
A whole generation of children, now entering into adulthood, were basically knowingly treated as guinea pigs to be exploited then? Harms – that were so obvious to many parents right from when these platforms took hold – that can never be undone... www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cy...
bbc.co.uk
Meta agrees to pay up to $18bn to settle claims its platforms harm children
The Facebook and Instagram owner, which denies wrongdoing, says the agreement builds on its "longstanding efforts to empower parents and support teens".
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Leo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 26/08/2026
This story reminds me of a Guardian piece I wrote many years ago about the culture in the US of having a "grab bag" ready for emergencies and what essentials are best to place in them. Peanut butter was the universal recommendation due to being so calorie rich www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
UK to warn citizens to stock up on food amid threat from climate crisis and hostile states
Government resilience campaign aims to ensure people can cope in a national disaster, in order to free resources for most vulnerable
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Lauri Myllyvirta @laurimyllyvirta.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Breaking: The fossil fuel shock caused by the closure of the Hormuz has cost $330 bn in fuel import costs in the past six months. The cost of the crisis equals all global investments in renewable power in 2025, on a per-month average basis.
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Leo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 24/08/2026
The daily global average sea surface temperature has just reached its highest level on record, per C3S. "The timing of the record is particularly notable. Global ocean temperatures are typically highest in March and April, following the austral summer, yet this record has been reached in August."
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Damian Carrington @dpcarrington.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
with "flaws" being kind ... “just doesn’t add up” “flawed logic” 'grossly simplified" "more holes than a Swiss cheese” “very far out of line with mainstream thinking”
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Peter Stott @stottpeter.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
It's enraging to hear these zombie arguments still being promulgated after all these years as a I documented in my book Hot Air. And it's why it's so important that broadcasters make clear that climate change is human caused as we stated in our letter to them. pressgazette.co.uk/news/climate...
pressgazette.co.uk
Climate scientists say news coverage ignores cause of UK heatwave
Connection between greenhouse emissions and extreme heat in UK 'indisputable'.
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Leo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 15/08/2026
The Times has just published these two reader letters in response to a column by @hugorifkind.bsky.social headlined: "Where are all those climate deniers now?" I just googled them. The first is a "retired consultant in rheumatology" The second is "UK former chief geologist, BP North Sea"
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Guy Shrubsole @guyshrubsole.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Burnham: “This summer has shown beyond doubt that climate change is not a far-off prospect but with us today… I know people are deeply worried about the climate crisis… This govt will rise to the moment & build a better, fairer, greener & more resilient Britain” www.independent.co.uk/voices/andy-...
independent.co.uk
I will send in as many troops as are needed to fight tinderbox Britain
The country is a tinderbox right now, and we must take extraordinary steps to protect ourselves, says prime minister Andy Burnham
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Leo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 14/08/2026
Everyone in the UK has just - for the first time ever - received this SMS message on their phones with a loud repeating alarm. Instant, dramatic communication to 10s of millions of people. #ClimateChange
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