Keith Smith

@capableclimate @IPEEP_eth @bernauereth @AlessioLevis @Mp__bS @EIEEorg @CmccClimate @T_Bouman @ProfJeroenBergh @ICTA_UAB @IvanVSavin @ESCP_bs

Also, an article on these finding in ETH News : ethz.ch/en/news-and-ev… And a blog post on the @capableclimate website : capableclimate.eu/the-middle-swi…

Small swings amongst the conditional middle can have a big impact on what’s politically feasible. In a simple simulation, moving only the fence-sitting slice from neutral → support raises # of majority-backed policies across Europe from 4/15 to 10/15.

This group is moved by what they think a policy will cost and deliver - who pays, who benefits, and how intrusive it feels - and not by political orientation, climate concern or sociodemos (together explaining only ~5% of variance)

Climate politics sounds increasingly polarised. But in Europe, support for climate isn’t driven by die-hard supporters or opponents. It tends to be shaped by a large “conditional middle” (33%).

Our colleagues across the pond are taking some baby steps towards clean air solutions in Malawi 🇲🇼. @Dzidula_Dzidefo of @cleanaironea led the team to assemble and install one of the air sensors from @IQAir (thank you so much, Dr Christi Chester-Schroeder) today at @mzunionline.

More, better and enhanced data can certainly help policy making, implementation and citizen awareness, but the absence of data should not necessitate the absence of action. Nor is more data necessary before effective solutions can be implemented

Many pollution mitigating solutions (waste management, electrification, road infrastructure, public transit, renewable energy investment) are “no regrets” policies, having broad economic and health benefits, and should be adopted in any case

The evidence of air pollution is undeniable in many lower/middle income countries. Regardless of absolute levels of exposure, mitigating measures can save lives. Governments don’t need to wait for more evidence before acting

Great inequalities persist in air quality monitoring. People in rich countries are 12x more likely than to have monitoring. But that doesn’t mean we need to wait for more monitors to reduce air pollution ⬇️ Camille de Lauriere and Ella Henninger @PNASNews pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pn…

Can local action drive global climate change? In their latest commentary in @NatureClimate, Thijs Bouman, @JBolderdijk & @ekeith_smith show how The Hague’s fossil fuel ad ban challenges social norms and sparks wider support for climate policies. 4 Key Takeaways:

There are days in life that shake you. I’m shattered 💔 to share that I just found out that the US Government terminated my 2024 NIH Director’s Early Independence Award (~$2 million), threatening my long-promised assistant professor job at @Columbia & academic career... 1/🧵