@harrimus
Professor of Energy, Sustainability & Inequality at the University of Glasgow, Associate Director of the Glasgow Centre for Sustainable Energy | #EnergyPoverty #NetZero #JustTransitions #ClimateJustice #CommunityEnergy π²π³οΈβππ΄σ §σ ’σ ³σ £σ ΄σ ΏπͺπΊ
βLike Mark Antony minus the toga and brains, he struts and preens, cries havoc! and lets slip the dogs of war.β Well penned, Simon Tisdall.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Give the people of Birmingham the fireworks they so clearly crave!!! In all seriousness though, examples like this raise questions about digital literacy, quite concerning that large groups could be assembled so easily www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Photo of potted marigolds growing outside
Photo of potted marigolds growing outside
Photo of an ofrenda for dΓa de muertos
Only a few of our marigolds flowered in time, but they still helped make a beautiful ofrenda for dΓa de muertos π²π½
Have been distracted today thinking of Caribbean colleagues bracing themselves for Hurricane Melissa and the aftermath of her destructive path. The Bahamas, Cuba, and Jamaica have contributed least to climate change, but most keenly feel its impacts. Stronger international cooperation is a must.
Energy debt has increased yet again. Despite the figure being from a period of warmer weather, householders now owe Β£300 million more, taking the total to almost Β£4.5 billion. Households in fuel poverty are struggling more than ever: www.nea.org.uk/news/ofgem-d...
For anyone at my talk this morning, where I critcised privatisation of energy efficiency, here's the link to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry I referenced webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/202503... Let's be critical about the 'systematic dishonesty' that exists within this industry #EEE2025
Photo of a young marigold plant with emerging flower buds
Photo of a young marigold plant with emerging flower buds
Update on the attempt to grow our own marigolds (or cempasΓΊchil) for dΓa de los muertosβ¦some plants fell victim to slugs, but most of the plants are growing well and have started producing tiny flower buds!
Been having blurry vision recently, so went to the opticians a bit worried and paid for a fancy advanced eye test...nearly two hours and several scans later, it turns out I just have dry eyes π€¦π»ββοΈ
Academics, overcomplicating things since forever!
Photo of lots of young marigold plants in plastic pots
This year, weβre trying to grow our own marigold flowers for dΓa de los muertos, and let me say, I have huge new appreciation for plant growers preparing for flower shows - itβs so stressful!
Over 1 billion people remain at high risk due to lack of access to cooling, according to @seforallorg.bsky.social's latest Chilling Prospects analysis.
Without urgent action that number could hit 1.05B by 2030.
We need a systemic shift to sustainable #cooling now.
www.seforall.org/news/new-rep...
Photo of a wild rose bush with lots of rosehips
Photo of three unripe rosehips on a wild plant
The wild roses of Glasgow are booming with huge hips. Itβs one of those things that instantly reminds me of my grandma, who would be declaring that weβre in for a hard winter, and simply must make rosehip syrup in the autumn
We're strengthening collaborations with Cuba πͺ
Kudos to @harrimus.bsky.social who recently hosted a senior delegation from from Universidad Central "Marta Abreu"β de Las Villas π¨πΊ
This was supported by the @uofglasgow.bsky.social's International Partnership Development Fund enabling π connections.
Photo of a calico cat lying in a wicker basket in front of a wooden window, and next to an orange lamp. In the background are flowering wildflowers, including red poppies, and blue cornflowers.
Photo of a calico cat lying in a wicker basket in front of a wooden window, and next to an orange lamp. In the background are flowering wildflowers, including red poppies, and blue cornflowers.
The simple joy of wildflowers in the window and a sunbathing cat
Photo of a cat wearing a cone, sitting on top of kitchen cabinets.
Tell me why this is the sight Iβm seeing of Pie, 3 days post-surgery, almost at midnight?! The most ungovernable of cats π
Quick reminder to @dailymail.co.uk that solar power has actually been helping to keep the lights on π‘ #apagon
elpais.com/economia/202...
Photo of a sandy coloured cat sat on a table next to a laptop.
Photo of a sandy coloured cat sat on a table next to a laptop, the cat is having her chin tickled and has her eyes closed.
Working on a paper with a very demanding supervisor.
Sheβs insisting on a 5:1 ratio of chin tickles to paragraphs written.
Photo from behind of a woman in a dark grey/black coat and red scarf holding up a long strip of clay that is imprinted with the word βGarnethillβ taken from an old lamp post, directly in front.
Today in an unexpected turn of events, I found myself plaster casting bits of Garnethill as part of an upcoming community exhibition exploring local heritage. Never a dull day in this neighbourhood π€©
Fancy getting a new efficient, heating system for free?
We're looking for homeowners with electric heating and smart meters to join our research project (note we are looking for quite a select target group - so please pass on to anyone you think might fit the bill/benefit).
Lovely sighting of deer at the @claypitslnr.bsky.social in Glasgow during a rainy lunchtime walk. Amazing to see wildlife thriving so close to major roads like the M8 π¦
At the heart of every attack on disability benefits is the myth disabled people βget perksβ: a free car, loads of cash, a life off work. It misrepresents the reality of disability, whilst exploiting low wages and high living costs to make the public envy people in daily pain.
Just finished binge-watching Mr Bates vs The Post Office, and highly recommend others do the same. The scale of this complete miscarriage of justice gives much to reflect on as we hurtle towards increased integration of computer systems and AI in our delivery of public services.
Photo of two plates with a stack of crepe-style pancakes, covered in salsa verde, on a striped wood effect kitchen worktop.
Pancake Day, Mexican style! This year we made a sort of pastel azteca inspired savoury pancake stack, absolutely delicious ππΆοΈ
So sorry to read this, itβs a horrible, gut-wrenching feeling when a government pulls the rug from under your feet on a live project, but I cannot imagine how awful this must be with the anti-DEI agenda. Sending hugs of solidarity π€
Today in a conference I heard a social scientist say chatbots could be used for interviews π±π±π± call me a Luddite, but I strongly believe that's a step too far. Interviewing is an art form that is intrinsically human, it calls on understanding body language, place, gestures and more beyond just text.
Very pleased to announce Iβve been awarded 5-year European Research Council (ERC) funding for the project βEnergy Divides in Europe: Closing Gaps in Understanding for Transformative Alleviation of Energy Poverty' (EnCUENTA). Iβm absolutely over the moon! #ERCCoG
Photo of a small solar PV array mounted at ground level, with two grey oxen and one black dog approaching. In the background, the sky has pink and blue colours from the sun setting.
And despite all of the many barriers, so much is being done with so little. Small pockets of solar energy to power water pumping, constant experimentation with alternative animal feed, repair of any and all electrical equipment.
There is so much to learn from Cuba about sustainability.
Photo of a several men sat having their hair cut in a public square.
Of course, I could not talk about π¨πΊ without also mentioning the incredible people, who live in the long shadow of the blockade yet embody solidarity & kindness every single day.
If you sit still long enough in Cuba, youβll make a friend, like Alex who wanted us to photograph him getting a haircut!
Photo of two men producing charcoal, with large smoke clouds drifting off into the distance.
Gas has also become very scarce, leading to increased charcoal demand for cooking. In turn, trees are disappearing and air pollution is π
An energy crisis in Cuba is a global environmental crisis for all. Cuba is ripe for solar, hydro and wind power, but the US blockade cruelly prevents this.
Photo of a solar lamp switched on in an otherwise dark bedroom.
In my 1st Bluesky post, Iβd like to focus on the worsening energy crisis in Cuba. Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting the Villa Clara region, 5 years since my last trip. During the stay, we faced daily prolonged power cuts, with remote areas only receiving 2 hours of electricity per day β‘οΈ
