Published

2 years ago

July 10, 2024

Alice Rush

It’s us, hi. We’re the problem. It’s us. Get better at solving problems with free access to Brilliant for 30 days: https://www.brilliant.org/simonclark

Tree planting initiatives! Politicians, activists, and YouTubers love them, but the scientific literature is much more ambivalent. Failure rates are high. Damage is done to the local (and sometimes the global) environment. Is it possible to plant trees and have a positive impact? Absolutely! But there is another, arguably better way…

Justdiggit: https://justdiggit.org/

REFERENCES
1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/rec.12492
2. https://apps.worldagroforestry.org/downloads/Publications/PDFS/WP20001.pdf
3. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/30/most-of-11m-trees-planted-in-turkish-project-may-be-dead
4. https://e360.yale.edu/features/phantom-forests-tree-planting-climate-change
5. https://www.wetlands.org/case-study/mangrove-restoration-to-plant-or-not-to-plant/
6. https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/11/9/938
7. https://www.vox.com/down-to-earth/22679378/tree-planting-forest-restoration-climate-solutions
8. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aba8232
9. https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/local-water-availability-is-permanently-reduced-after-planting-forests
10. https://terravidaacademy.com/the-environmental-perils-of-monoculture-tree-planting-2/
11. https://www.jamhoor.org/read/2018/2/8/marginalized-by-conservation-the-billion-trees-tsunami-project
12. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-46577-1
13. https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/science.aax0848
14. https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/article/70/11/947/5903754
15. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/forests-and-global-change/articles/10.3389/ffgc.2024.1372409/full
16. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aba8232

PATREON

You can support the channel by becoming a patron at http://www.patreon.com/simonoxfphys

———- II ———-

More about me https://www.simonoxfphys.com/
My second channel – https://www.youtube.com/simonclarkerrata

Threads – https://www.threads.net/@simonoxfphys
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/simonoxfphys
Twitch – https://www.twitch.tv/drsimonclark

———- II ———-

Music by Epidemic Sound: http://nebula.tv/epidemic
Some stock footage courtesy of Getty.
Edited by Luke Negus.

When tree planting goes wrong. How can tree planting hurt the climate? Does planting trees help fix climate change? Will Team Trees actually help the climate? In this video I talk through how tree planting initiatives often fail and can damage the local and global environment. Fortunately scientists have worked out guidelines for such projects to follow to make a positive impact.

Huge thanks to my supporters on Patreon:
Norm Zemke, David Mann, Ben Thayer, Eric A Gentzler, Glen Monks, Daniel Chen, Gary Stark, dryfrog, Marcus Bosshard, Peter Reid, bitreign33 .

Bastian Pranzas, Lucas Johnston, Jeffry ., Whitefang, Marius Kießling, Jon Arlov, Pawel Piwek, Matze, Artem Plotnikov, Paul H and Linda L, Dan Sherman, Andy Hartley.

Claudia Kapp, Cy ‘kkm’ K’Nelson, Baerbel Winkler, OldGreyWolf, Oscar Hoffmann, Steamrollerman , Andy Parr, Ricky Jones, Guy Markey, Nicholas Hamdorf, Katharina Hartmuth, Mark Phillips, Jor Eero Raico Svederic, KJ Xiao, Martin Sinclair, Matt Beer DFC, Tschäff Reisberg, Tobias Ahsbahs, James Gaskell, Denis Kovachev, Michael Thomas, Victor Gordan, Joona Mäkinen, Tanner , Dominik Rihak, Nico Casal, Laura Glismann, Mark Harper, Ryan, Inten, Tyler Schwartz, John, James Haigh, Rick Kenny, Bailey Cook, Sergio Diaz, Command Chat, Aisolon, Christopher Mullin, I’m stuck in a PhD and I blame Simon., Joseph , Nicklas Kulp, Thomas Newman, Anže Cesar, Josef Probst, Kevin B, Phineas, Ishaan Shah, AngryPanda, Circuitrinos, Mark Richardson, Brian Moss, Hampus Sandell, Thomas Miller, Knut Nesheim, Dajeni, AYS , Forever Bulking, Kim Parnset, Crisan Talpes, Ted CLAY, Mike, Seb Stott, xawt, Diederik Jekel, Fuzzy Leapfrog, Jan-Willem Goedmakers, Samat Galimov, Ashley Hauck, Nico, Thibault , GGH, FireFerretDann, Ciotka Cierpienia, Sam, szigyi, Marcin Wrochna, Tom Painter, Phil Saici, Tom Marsh, Ashley Steel, Simone, Tomás Garnier Artiñano, Steffan , Adam Gillard, Christopher Hall, Miguel Cabrera Brufau, Sylvus , Florian Thie, James Gurney, Eddy Torres, Clemens, Andy Giesen, Jacob Speelman, Robin Anne McDuff, Jean-Marc Giffin, Cifer, Felix Winkler, Christian Weckner, Quinn Sinclair, Ebraheem Farag, Thomas Charbonnel, Sekhalis, Mark Moore, Philipp Legner, Zoey O’Neill, Justin Warren, Heijde, Trevor Berninger, streetlights, Gabriele Siino, David Mccann, Leonard Neamtu, James Leadbetter, Rapssack, Matthew Powell, Adrian Sand, Morten Engsvang, Haris Karimjee, Alex, The Cairene on Caffeine, Cody VanZandt, Casandra “Kalamity Kas” Toledo, Igor Francetic, Daniel Irwin, Sean Richards, Michael B., Thusto , Lachlan Woods, Dan Hanvey, Andrea De Mezzo, Real Engineering.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9k-22Lv9bU

Climate Change Videos

The breathtaking irony of London Climate Week

Published

12 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Alice Rush

Want to restore the planet’s ecosystems and see your impact in monthly videos? The first 100 people to join Planet Wild with my code SIMON6 will get the first month paid for by me: https://planetwild.com/r/simonclark/join/6

If you want to get to know them better first, check out their mission restoring Australia’s lost ecosystems: https://planetwild.com/r/simonclark/m40/6

REFERENCES
1. https://www.worldweatherattribution.org/fossil-fuel-emissions-have-rapidly-worsened-european-heatwaves-in-just-a-few-decades/
2. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3vyz6w5z0zo
3. https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/a-well-adapted-uk/
4. https://howtoliveonearth.net/

You can support the channel by becoming a patron at http://www.patreon.com/simonoxfphys

———- II ———-

More about me – https://www.simonoxfphys.com/
My second channel – https://www.youtube.com/simonclarkerrata
My book – https://geni.us/firmament

Bluesky – https://bsky.app/profile/simonoxfphys.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/simonoxfphys
Twitch – https://www.twitch.tv/drsimonclark

———- II ———-

Music by Epidemic Sound: http://nebula.tv/epidemic
Some stock footage courtesy of Getty.
Edited by Luke Negus.

Huge thanks to my supporters on Patreon:

bitreign33 , Dave Teare, Eric A Gentzler, Gary Stark, Glen Monks, Marcus Bosshard.

Artem Plotnikov, Ben Curtis, David TLR, Jeffry ., Jon Arlov, Marius Kießling, Paul H and Linda L, Peter Reid, TheKeeperOfPie, Tom Oldfield.

Adam Gillard, Adam Pazderka, Adrian Sand, Alex, Alex Hall, Andrea De Mezzo, Andy Hartley, Andy Parr, Anže Cesar, Ashley Hauck, Ashley Steel, AYS , Baerbel Winkler, Bastian Pranzas, Ben Blower, Bill Keydel, Brian Moss, Chris Laslett, Christian Weckner, Christopher Hall, Cifer, Ciotka Cierpienia, Circuitrinos, Clemens, Cody VanZandt, Crisan Talpes, Dan Hanvey, Daniel Andersson, Daniel Cooney, David Mccann, David Stone, Denis Kovachev, Diederik Jekel, Dom, Dominik Rihak, Duffman, FireFerretDann, flakykilowatt, Florian Thie, Gabriele Siino, Hannarrrr, Haris Karimjee, Heijde, Ian Hamilton, idris, j, Jack Fretwell, Jacob Speelman, James Gaskell, James Gurney, James Haigh, James Leadbetter, Jan-Willem Goedmakers, Jean-Manuel Izaret, Joachim Murat, John, Josef Probst, Katharina Hartmuth, Kevin B, Kirsten Athome, KJ Xiao, Knut Nesheim, Korbinian, Kristopher Sicari, Lach Woods, Leonard Neamtu, Marcin Wrochna, Mark Harper, Mark Moore, Mark Richardson, Matthew H, Mercure, Micael Batista, Michael Belde, Michelle Valentino, Miguel Cabrera Brufau, Mike, Mike T, Mikkel Kragh, Morten Engsvang, Nathan Rohrlach, Nick Humphries, Nico Kempe, OldGreyWolf, Peter Lee, Phil Saici, Philipp Legner, Rapssack, Real Engineering, Reid, Richard Bartlett, Richard Swain, Ryan, Sean Richards, Seb Stott, Sergio Alvarez, Sergio Diaz, Simone, Steffan , Sylvus , szigyi, Tanner , Ted CLAY, Thibault , Thomas Charbonnel, Thomas Newman, Thusto , Tobias Ahsbahs, Tom Painter, Tom Wilson, Tomás Garnier Artiñano, Tony, Tschäff Reisberg, Ui, Victor Gordan, Yorick Droz, Youri Hubaut, Zoey O’Neill.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0axMyGj7tc

Climate Change Videos

Why are people reinventing the sail?

Published

1 week ago

June 23, 2026

Alice Rush

Did the age of sail really end? Or did it just take on a new form, with modern technology?

For more information about wind assisted propulsion, check out IWSA: https://www.wind-ship.org/

You can support the channel by becoming a patron at http://www.patreon.com/simonoxfphys

This film has been supported by the Meliore Foundation. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this film lies with the author. The Meliore Foundation cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained or expressed therein.
The Meliore Foundation had no editorial control over this video, but facilitated the interviews within it.

REFERENCES
1. https://seas-at-risk.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/A-global-Fleet-Under-Wind_Seas_At_Risk-1.pdf
2. https://www.iata.org/contentassets/252e4a52294e4d86928fb5fd8a1ffd5c/netzero-progressreport2024.pdf
3. https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/en/press/pressinformation/germany-on-track-for-2030-climate-targets
4. https://news.mongabay.com/2025/10/what-fuel-will-ships-burn-as-they-move-toward-net-zero/
5. https://airseas.com/en/seawing-system/
6. https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/11/1/117
7. https://www.bartechnologies.uk/commercial-ships/windwings/
8. https://www.cargill.com/2023/cargill-bar-technologies-wind-technology-sets-sail
9. https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/norsepower-receives-order-for-installation-of-the-worlds-first-tiltable-rotor-sail/
10. https://earth.org/disappointment-and-determination-as-us-blocks-decision-on-shipping-carbon-price/
11. https://www.wind-ship.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/MEPC-81-INF.39-White-paper-on-wind-propulsion-Comoros-France-Solomon-IWSA.pdf

———- II ———-

More about me – https://www.simonoxfphys.com/
My second channel – https://www.youtube.com/simonclarkerrata
My book – https://geni.us/firmament

Bluesky – https://bsky.app/profile/simonoxfphys.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/simonoxfphys
Twitch – https://www.twitch.tv/drsimonclark

———- II ———-

Music by Epidemic Sound: http://nebula.tv/epidemic
Some stock footage courtesy of Getty.
Edited by Luke Negus.
Research by Marina Hui.
All models were printed using recycled filament and will be recycled when no longer used.

Huge thanks to my supporters on Patreon:

bitreign33 , Dave Teare, Eric A Gentzler, Gary Stark, Glen Monks, Marcus Bosshard.

Artem Plotnikov, Ben Curtis, David TLR, Jeffry ., Jon Arlov, Marius Kießling, Paul H and Linda L, Peter Reid, TheKeeperOfPie, Tom Oldfield.

Adam Gillard, Adam Pazderka, Adrian Sand, Alex, Alex Hall, Andrea De Mezzo, Andy Hartley, Andy Parr, Anže Cesar, Ashley Hauck, Ashley Steel, AYS , Baerbel Winkler, Bastian Pranzas, Bill Keydel, Brian Moss, Chris Laslett, Christian Weckner, Christopher Hall, Cifer, Ciotka Cierpienia, Circuitrinos, Claudia Kapp, Clemens, Cody VanZandt, Crisan Talpes, Dan Hanvey, Daniel Andersson, Daniel Cooney, David Mccann, David Stone, Denis Kovachev, Diederik Jekel, Dom, Dominik Rihak, Duffman, FireFerretDann, flakykilowatt, Florian Thie, Gabriele Siino, Hannarrrr, Haris Karimjee, Heijde, Ian Hamilton, idris, Ishaan Shah, j, Jack Fretwell, Jacob Speelman, James Gaskell, James Gurney, James Haigh, James Leadbetter, Jan-Willem Goedmakers, Jean-Manuel Izaret, Joachim Murat, John, Josef Probst, Katharina Hartmuth, Kevin B, Kirsten Athome, KJ Xiao, Knut Nesheim, Korbinian, Kristopher Sicari, Lach Woods, Leonard Neamtu, Marcin Wrochna, Mark Harper, Mark Moore, Mark Richardson, Matthew H, Mercure, Micael Batista, Michael Belde, Michelle Valentino, Miguel Cabrera Brufau, Mike, Mikkel Kragh, Morten Engsvang, Nathan Rohrlach, Nick Humphries, Nico Kempe, OldGreyWolf, Peter Lee, Phil Saici, Philipp Legner, Rapssack, Real Engineering, Reid, Richard Bartlett, Richard Swain, Ryan, Sean Richards, Seb Stott, Sergio Alvarez, Sergio Diaz, Simone, Steffan , Sylvus , szigyi, Tanner , Ted CLAY, Thibault , Thomas Charbonnel, Thomas Newman, Thusto , Tobias Ahsbahs, Tom Painter, Tom Wilson, Tomás Garnier Artiñano, Tony, Tschäff Reisberg, Ui, Victor Gordan, Yorick Droz, Youri Hubaut, Zoey O’Neill.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xit31j1l3Q0

Climate Change Videos

How London fixed its air pollution problem

Published

1 month ago

May 31, 2026

Alice Rush

Want to restore the planet’s ecosystems and see your impact in monthly videos? The first 100 people to join Planet Wild with my code SIMON5 will get the first month paid for by me: https://planetwild.com/r/simonclark/join/5
If you want to get to know them better first, check out their mission using tech to build a forest: https://planetwild.com/r/simonclark/m39/5

London has long been synonymous with dirty air, but in the past decade an extremely impactful public health policy has changed that. Though it hasn’t been smooth sailing for the ULEZ…

You can support the channel by becoming a patron at http://www.patreon.com/simonoxfphys

REFERENCES
1. https://rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/j.1477-8696.1975.tb05276.x
2. https://www.nesta.org.uk/blog/clearing-the-air-in-the-big-smoke-a-complex-challenge-with-a-long-history/
3. Freese, Barbara. Coal: A Human History. Cambridge, MA: Perseus Publishing, 2003.
4. https://www.rmets.org/metmatters/65-years-great-smog
5. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/7961914-it-was-by-this-time-about-nine-in-the-morning
6. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Eliz2/4-5/52/enacted
7. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/air-quality-statistics/concentrations-of-particulate-matter-pm10-and-pm25
8. https://www.epa.gov/no2-pollution/basic-information-about-no2
9. https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/environment-and-climate-change/environment-and-climate-change-publications/air-quality-london-2016-2024
10. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/air-pollution-applying-all-our-health/air-pollution-applying-all-our-health
11. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-55330945
12. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749118321687
13. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/air-pollution-in-the-uk-2024/air-pollution-in-the-uk-2024-compliance-assessment-summary
14. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgq9nnj274xo
15. https://www.bath.ac.uk/announcements/londons-low-emission-zones-save-lives-and-money-new-study-finds/
16. https://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2023/09/03/the-blade-runners/
17. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce39l04d88qo
18. https://www.express.co.uk/comment/expresscomment/1781919/sadiq-khan-ulez-reform-uk-london-mayor-election-comment
19. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096585642500240X
20. https://www.c40.org/

———- II ———-

More about me – https://www.simonoxfphys.com/
My second channel – https://www.youtube.com/simonclarkerrata
My book – https://geni.us/firmament

Bluesky – https://bsky.app/profile/simonoxfphys.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/simonoxfphys
Twitch – https://www.twitch.tv/drsimonclark

———- II ———-

Music by Epidemic Sound: http://nebula.tv/epidemic
Some stock footage courtesy of Getty.
Edited by Luke Negus.
Research by Amelia Jabry.

Huge thanks to my supporters on Patreon:

bitreign33 , Dave Teare, Eric A Gentzler, Gary Stark, Glen Monks, Marcus Bosshard.

Artem Plotnikov, Ben Curtis, David TLR, Jeffry ., Jon Arlov, Marius Kießling, Paul H and Linda L, Peter Reid, TheKeeperOfPie, Tom Oldfield.

Adam Gillard, Adam Pazderka, Adrian Sand, Alex, Alex Hall, Andrea De Mezzo, Andy Hartley, Andy Parr, Anže Cesar, Ashley Hauck, Ashley Steel, AYS , Baerbel Winkler, Bastian Pranzas, Bill Keydel, Brian Moss, Chris Laslett, Christian Weckner, Christopher Hall, Cifer, Ciotka Cierpienia, Circuitrinos, Claudia Kapp, Clemens, Cody VanZandt, Crisan Talpes, Dan Hanvey, Daniel Andersson, Daniel Cooney, David Mccann, David Stone, Denis Kovachev, Diederik Jekel, Dom, Dominik Rihak, Duffman, FireFerretDann, flakykilowatt, Florian Thie, Gabriele Siino, Hannarrrr, Haris Karimjee, Heijde, Ian Hamilton, idris, Igor Francetic, Ishaan Shah, j, Jack Fretwell, Jacob Speelman, James Gaskell, James Gurney, James Haigh, James Leadbetter, Jan-Willem Goedmakers, Jean-Manuel Izaret, Joachim Murat, John, Josef Probst, Katharina Hartmuth, Kevin B, Kirsten Athome, KJ Xiao, Knut Nesheim, Korbinian, Kristopher Sicari, Lach Woods, Leonard Neamtu, Marcin Wrochna, Mark Harper, Mark Moore, Mark Phillips, Mark Richardson, Martin, Matthew H, Mercure, Micael Batista, Michael Belde, Michelle Valentino, Miguel Cabrera Brufau, Mike, Mikkel Kragh, Morten Engsvang, Nathan Rohrlach, Nick Humphries, Nicklas Kulp, Nico Kempe, OldGreyWolf, Peter Lee, Phil Saici, Philipp Legner, Rapssack, Real Engineering, Reid, Richard Bartlett, Richard Swain, Ryan, Sean Richards, Seb Stott, Sergio Alvarez, Sergio Diaz, Simone, Steffan , Sylvus , szigyi, Tanner , Ted CLAY, Thibault , Thomas Charbonnel, Thomas Newman, Thusto , Tobias Ahsbahs, Tom Painter, Tom Wilson, Tomás Garnier Artiñano, Tony, Tschäff Reisberg, Ui, Victor Gordan, Yorick Droz, Youri Hubaut, Zoey O’Neill.