Weekly Climate and Energy News Roundup

Quote of the Week:

“That letter is a criminal act against science, against open inquiry. Not only is the world in the hands of intellectual children, they are warring against real science, whose main pillar is open inquiry”

by Claes-Göran Johnson in response to the letter by IPCC Vice-Chair Van Ypersele censoring Fred Singer and Johnson participating in a conference at SEII Foundation Universitaire in Brussels.

Number of the Week: $100 Billion per year

THIS WEEK:

By Ken Haapala, Executive Vice President, Science and Environmental Policy Project (SEPP)

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IPCC Censorship: Jean-Pascal van Ypersele, a Vice-Chair (Vice President) of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, objected to Fred Singer participating in a seminar on global warming / climate change that was to be held at SEII Foundation Universitaire in Brussels. A google translation of part of the letter he sent follows:

You should know that Mr. Fred Singer is a person whose scientific integrity leaves much to be desired. Its activities are financed disinformation by the lobbies of fossil fuels (see XXXXXXXXXXXXXX) [sic], and it is scandalous that such a person may be associated, directly or indirectly, to SEII and the University Foundation.

Eminent colleagues have written that Mr. Johnson was no better. One of his “textbook” recently, where he spoke at random through climate change, published by the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH, Sweden) had to be retracted by him so it contained errors.

Fortunately, the organizers of the conference refused to knuckle under and relocated the conference. It will be held at Rhode St. Genèse, 1 Sept, at 18.00

Fred Singer’s response is posted as Article # 1. Please see the comments of Claes Johnson, another featured person in the conference, under “Suppressing Scientific Inquiry.”

SEPP does not solicit funding from corporations or governments, much less lobbyists for the fossil fuel industry. It is outrageous that taxpayers are funding the activities of people such as van Ypersele who engage in disgraceful personal attacks, when it is becoming clear that their science justification for such activities is failing.

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Climate Science: The big climate science event was the first publication of findings from the CLOUD (Cosmics Leaving OUtdoor Droplets) experiment by CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. As expressed in the press release:

The article and press release were low keyed, as opposed to the UN IPCC release of its “Summary for Policymakers” of the Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) which was a big celebration in Paris with a fireworks display. The reactions were mixed. Proponents of the Svensmark hypothesis that cosmic rays, modulated by the sun, are important in cloud formation, therefore climate, emphasized that component of the experiment. Proponents of the idea that carbon dioxide (CO2) is the control knob of climate emphasized the sulfur and ammonia aerosol component, largely dismissing cosmic rays.What is clear is that models being used to make dire predictions of future climate are inadequate. In Table 2.11 of an appendix of AR4, the inadequacy was recognized. The level of scientific understanding (LOSU) for cosmic rays was considered very low. The the LOSU of various aersols was considered low or low to medium.

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Litigation Issues: The US EPA and the US Justice Department have filed their response to the arguments presented to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia by those seeking to set aside the EPA Endangerment Finding that greenhouse gases (mainly carbon dioxide) endanger human health and welfare. The private groups that sued, the Petitioners, are lumped under “The Coalition for Responsible Regulation, et al.” SEPP is part of the et al. The Petitioners have two months to counter, and oral arguments have not been yet scheduled. The earliest a decision may be reached is possibly the middle of 2012. No doubt, the losing party will petition the US Supreme Court to review the decision.The EPA declares near certainty that greenhouse gases endanger human health and welfare because they are causing unprecedented and dangerous global warming. Yet, the IPCC AR4 states, in an appendix, that the level of scientific understanding for 15 of the 16 components it recognizes as causing climate change is medium, medium to low, low, or very low. The LOSU of 5 components is very low. Further, these components do not include ocean oscillations and other natural components that are being recognized as important.On another litigation issue, the American Tradition Institute successfully sued the University of Virginia under the Freedom of Information Act to obtain the emails of Michael Mann while he was at the University. The University has delivered round one of these emails running over 3,000 pages. There are apparently an additional amount of about 6,000 pages to be delivered. One can only speculate what these emails contain and what has been redacted (blackened over or edited out). The University spent hundreds of thousands of dollars litigating against Virginia Attorney General Cuccinelli to prevent the release of the emails.

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Keystone LX Pipeline: The State Department has released its finding that there are no serious environmental issues in building the 1,700 mile long Keystone XL pipeline to deliver up 830,000 barrels per day of heavy crude from Alberta, Canada, to refineries designed to refine it in south Texas. This sets up a major battle for the administration. The environmental industry is committed to stopping it. Already public protests against it are taking place in Washington. The oil industry and many others want it. The decision will be interesting. Please see the referenced articles under “Energy Issues.”

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Extreme Events: The earthquake that shook Virginia demonstrated that the nuclear power plants affected worked as designed. They automatically shut off, with no damage or mishap. Of course some blamed global warming for the earthquake.The hurricane that is affecting the East Coast of the US is bringing out many of the usual global warming advocates. One zealot, protesting the Keystone pipeline, blamed President Obama for the hurricane.

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Number of the Week: $100 Billion. At the conclusion of the Copenhagen conference in December 2009, which was a disaster for those demanding a major treaty on carbon dioxide emissions, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon claimed western nations committed to pay developing countries $100 Billion per year by 2020 as compensation for global warming / climate change. With their economies in poor condition, and no global warming, it is becoming apparent that the citizens of a number of western nations do subscribe to this generosity. Now various studies are trying to justify this generosity, such as the Mekong delta being flooded by salt water from sea level rise caused by global warming. No doubt, similar claims will intensify.– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –ARTICLES:

For the numbered articles below please see: www.sepp.org.

1. Comments by Fred Singer on IPCC Censorship, Aug 27, 20112. Global warming: Ever the political hot topic

By SEPP Director Donna Fitzpatrick Bethell, Letter to the Washington Post, Aug 21, 2011

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global…– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –NEWS YOU CAN USE:

Science: Is the Sun Rising?

Role of sulphuric acid, ammonia and galactic cosmic rays in atmospheric aerosol nucleation

By Jasper Kirkby, et al. Nature 476, 429-433 (25 August 2011) doi:10.1038/nature10343

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v476/n73…

[SEPP Comment: What many consider to be the most important is put in third place.]

CERN’s CLOUD experiment provides unprecedented insight into cloud formation

Press Release, CERN, Aug 25, 2011 [

http://press.web.cern.ch/press/PressReleases/…

[SEPP Comment: Links to supporting information.]

Probing the cosmic-ray-climate link

By Edwin Cartlidge, Physics World, Aug 24, 2011 [H/t Anne Debeil]

http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/4695…

[SEPP Comment: Video explaining the experiment. Detailed results will follow in upcoming months.]

CERN Finds “Significant” Cosmic Ray Cloud Effect

By David Whitehouse, The Observatory, Aug 25, 2011

http://www.thegwpf.org/the-observatory/3702-c…

[SEPP Comment: Dispassionate analysis.]

CERN: ‘Climate models will need to be substantially revised’

New atomsmasher research into cloud formation

By Andrew Orlowski, A Register, Aug 25, 2011 [H/t Marc Morano, Climate Depot]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/08/25/cern_…

CERN experiment confirms cosmic ray action

The global warmists’ dam breaks

By Nigel Calder, Calder Updates, Aug 24, 2011 [H/t Tom Sheahen]

http://calderup.wordpress.com/2011/08/24/cern…Cloud formation may be linked to cosmic rays

Experiment probes connection between climate change and radiation bombarding the atmosphere.

By Geoff Brumfiel, Nature News, Aug 24, 2011 [H/t Pielke Climate Science]

http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110824/full/n…

Mystery Ingredient Influences Cloud Formation

By Stephanie Pappas, Live Science, Aug 24, 2011 [H/t John Zyrkowski]

http://www.livescience.com/15733-mystery-ingr…

Climategate Continued

UEA correspondence with Outside

By Bishop Hill, His Blog, Aug 26, 2011 [H/t Climate Audit]

http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2011/8…

[SEPP Comment: It appears that under Freedom of Information requests the University of East Anglia released “boilerplate” and claimed exceptions for the rest.]

Suppressing Scientific Inquiry

IPCC Censorship

By Claes Johnson, His Blog, Aug 26, 2011

http://claesjohnson.blogspot.com/2011/08/ipcc…

Clouded research,

By Lawrence Solomon, National Post, Feb 23, 2007

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?i…

[SEPP Comment: Four year old article highlighting the difficulties in getting approval for the CLOUD experiment.]

Challenging the Orthodoxy

Perry and Global Warming

Do the warmists questioning Governor Perry really believe in science and math?

By Jim Lacey, National Review, Aug 24, 2011 [H/t Paul Redfern]

http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/print/…

Defending the Orthodoxy

Time to anticipate and adapt to climate change

By David Salisbury , Vanderbilt Research News, Aug. 19, 2011 [H/t WUWT]

http://news.vanderbilt.edu/2011/08/climate-ch…

[SEPP Comment: They got number one half right. “The summit discussions identified several reasons for the current lack of action: 1) uncertainty in the timing and magnitude of climate change;” They failed to include direction.]

Southern South American wildfires expected to increase

By Staff Writers, SPX, Aug 24, 2011

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Southern_So…

[SEPP Comment: The models suggest a change in the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) is the cause. Of course the change in the SAM is caused by ozone depletion and greenhouse gases.]

Unthinking Perry Denies Climate Science

By Richard Cohen, Real Clear Politics, Aug 23, 2011

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/201…

[SEPP Comment: Equating skepticism of IPCC science with demagoguery.]

Questioning the Orthodoxy

Cloud formation may be linked to cosmic rays

Experiment probes connection between climate change and radiation bombarding the atmosphere.

By Geoff Brumfiel, Nature News, Aug 24, 2011 [H/t Pielke Climate Science]

http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110824/full/n…

Global Coal Consumption Jumps Almost 50% – Yet Global Temps Drop!

By P Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Aug 25, 2011 [H/t Climate Science]

http://notrickszone.com/2011/08/25/coal-consu…

“According to the report [BP Review of World Energy], India and China alone are responsible for 90% of the world’s coal consumption increase, while renewable energy in the 2 countries plays nary a role.”

Damp prophet of doom

The rain on Flannery’s parade

By John Dawson, Quadrant, AU, Aug 24, 2011

http://www.quadrant.org.au/blogs/doomed-plane…

[SEPP Comment: When examined, prophets fail, even if they are government employees.]

The Alarming Cost Of Climate Change Hysteria

By Larry Bell, Forbes, Aug 23, 2011

http://www.forbes.com/sites/larrybell/2011/08…

An Example Of The Ink Blot Test Where Everything Is Consistent With Global Warming

By Roger Pielke Sr, Pielke Climate Science, Aug 22, 2011

http://pielkeclimatesci.wordpress.com/2011/08…

Global warming runs out of gas

By Rex Murphy, National Post, Aug 20, 2011

http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/columnist…

Questioning European Green

Britain’s Wind Farm Scam Threatens Economic Recovery

Growing numbers of the nobility are being tempted to build giant wind farms on their estates by the promise of tens of millions of pounds being offered green energy developers.

By Benny Peiser, GWPF, Aug 22, 2011

http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/print-fr…

Half of homes will face winter fuel poverty after electricity price hike, council warns

By Lisa Smyth, Belfast Telegraph, Aug 25, 2011 [H/t Real Science]

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-…

[SEPP Comment: Fuel poverty is defined as more than 10% of household income spent on fuel to heat the home to specific temperatures.]

The BBC steadfastly avoids the facts about the wind farm scam

David Shukman’s reports on energy policy for the BBC failed to explain the true lunacy of the Government’s plans.

By Christopher Booker, Telegraph, UK, Aug 20, 2011 [H/t GWPF]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists…

Problems within the Orthodoxy

Study on global plant die-off faces questions

By Staff Writers, AFP, Aug 25, 2011

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Study_on_gl…

‘Polarbeargate’ Scientist To Head Back To Work

By Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, Aug 25, 2011 [H/t Marc Morano, Climate Depot]

http://www.npr.org/2011/08/25/139953618/polar…

Communicating Better to the Public – Exaggerate?

Happy’ Bhutan alarmed by Himalayan climate change

By Staff Writers, AFP. Aug 24, 2011

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Happy_Bhuta…

Thawing Permafrost Could Accelerate Climate Change By Century End

By Dan Krotz, SPX, Aug 24, 2011

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Thawing_Per…

[SEPP Comment: When starting with an unverified model, one can make all the projections they please.]

Global Warming’s Heavy Cost

Hurricane Irene’s dangerous power can be traced to global warming says Bill McKibben-and Obama is at fault for his failed leadership on the environment.

By Bill McKibben, Daily Beast, Aug 25, 2011 [H/t Marc Morano, Climate Depot]

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/08…

Models v. Observations

Another Climate Forecast Paper Masquerading As A Robust Scientific Result

By Roger Pielke Sr, Pielke Climate Science, Aug 26, 2011

http://pielkeclimatesci.wordpress.com/2011/08…

Changing Weather

What’s so weird about the weather?

The real threat to Prairie agriculture is the cooling trend

By Tim Ball and Thom Harris, Financial Post, Aug 24, 2011

http://opinion.financialpost.com/2011/08/24/w…

New Paper “Why Do Tornados And Hail Storms Rest On Weekends” By Rosenfeld and Bell 2011

By Roger Pielke, Sr, Pielke Climate Science, Aug 24, 2011

http://pielkeclimatesci.wordpress.com/2011/08…

[SEPP Comment: A correlation between human activity (not CO2) and weather.]

Changing Climate

Wildlife responds increasingly rapidly to climate change

By Staff Writers, SPX, Aug 22, 2011

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Wildlife_re…

Changing Seas

Ocean Current Climate Sensitivity Needs Revision

By David Whitehouse, The Observatory, Aug 22, 2011

http://www.thegwpf.org/the-observatory/3675-o…

Weather cycles cause a drop in global sea level, scientists find

By Juliet Eilperin, Washington Post, Aug 25, 2011

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health…Newly discovered Icelandic current could change climate picture

By Staff Writers, SPX, Aug 24, 2011

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Newly_disco…

[SEPP Comment: It may enhance knowledge of the of the ocean circulations.]

Agriculture Issues & Fear of Famine

From food bowl to dust bowl

By Ron Pike, Quadrant, AU, August 25, 2011

http://www.quadrant.org.au/blogs/doomed-plane…

Mekong’s rice production at risk

By Staff Writers, UPI, Aug 23, 2011

http://www.seeddaily.com/reports/Mekongs_rice…

[SEPP Comment: Money from the west is needed to protect the Mekong.]

EPA and other Regulators on the March

Oil and Natural Gas Sector: New Source Performance Standards and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants Reviews

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule. Federal Register, Aug 23, 2011

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-08-23/pd…

EPA’s Proposed Ozone Regulation Could Cost $1 Trillion

By Thomas Pyle, US News, Aug 25, 2011

http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/energy-in…Thomas Pyle is the president of the Institute for Energy Research

EPA’s Looming Blackouts

Editorial, IBD, Aug 22, 2011

http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Arti…

EPA jumps the gun with job-killing rules

Agency’s new blow to air-quality standard comes two years early

By Adam Peshek, Washington Times, Aug, 18, 2011

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/aug/…

Study: Climate pollution from gas drilling overstated

By Ben Geman, The Hill, Aug 24, 2011

http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/…

[SEPP Comment: EPA may have overstated its justification for regulation – shocking!]

The EPA Cannot Be Trusted to Keep the Lights On

By William Yeatman, Global Warming.org, Aug 19, 2011

http://www.globalwarming.org/2011/08/19/the-e…

USEPA: Hell-Bent on Over-Control

By Harvey M. Sheldon, American Thinker, Aug 20, 2011

http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/08/usepa_…

A reptile messes with Texas

Obama cares more about sagebrush lizards than jobs

By Emily Miller, Washington Times, Aug 25, 2011

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/aug/…

Canada Proposes Stringent Coal Plant Performance Standards for GHG Emissions

By Staff Writers, POWERnews, Aug 24, 2011

http://www.powermag.com/POWERnews/3984.html?h…

Suckering California

Editorial, IBD, Aug 23, 2011

http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Arti…

[SEPP Comment: Department of Interior expanding power using the endangered species act.]

DOE unveils more stringent refrigerator efficiency rules

By Andrew Restuccia, The Hill, Aug, 26, 2011

http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/…

Energy Issues

Global Coal Consumption Jumps Almost 50% – Yet Global Temps Drop!

By P Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Aug 25, 2011 [H/t Climate Science]

http://notrickszone.com/2011/08/25/coal-consu…

“According to the report [BP Review of World Energy], India and China alone are responsible for 90% of the world’s coal consumption increase, while renewable energy in the 2 countries plays nary a role.”Energy Obamanomics: No green jobs and plenty of red ink

It’s time to end all forms of corporate welfare

By Milton Wolf, Washington Times, Aug 23, 2011

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/aug/…Cities Mean Coal

By Frank Clemente, Energy-Facts.org, Aug 24, 2011

http://www.energy-facts.org/…Chu’s choice

CFLs are not a ‘good choice.’ Choice has been removed

By Peter Foster, Financial Post, Aug 23, 2011

http://opinion.financialpost.com/2011/08/23/p…

Not Free to Choose: The Reality behind Clean Energy Standards

The new stealth approach to energy policy being pushed under the guise of a Clean Energy Standard is frankly dishonest

By Kenneth P. Green, The American, August 23, 2011 [H/t Timothy Wise]

http://www.american.com/archive/2011/august/n…

Oil and Natural Gas – the Future or the Past?

Fracking Fluid Fear-Mongering Farce

By Alan M Aszkler, American Thinker, Aug 26, 2011

http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/08/fracki…

[SEPP Comment: A breakdown of the chemical additives typical in fracking fluids from the US Department of Energy. This does not include chemicals such a brake fluid that are used in the vehicles, which have been heavily played up in the press. ]

USGS Ups The Ante On Shale

Editorial, IBD, Aug 25, 2011

http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Arti…

[SEPP Comment: More reason for the environmental industry to push hard against gas from shale.]

How Much Oil Is There?

By Gregg Laskoski, US News, Aug 24, 2011

http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/energy-in…

Gregg Laskoski is a senior petroleum analyst for Gasbuddy.com.

Administration’s Control of Oil and Gas

Keystone XL Pipeline Decision a Test on Obama, Environmentalism

By Jessica Rettig, US News, Aug 26, 2011

http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/energy-in…

Keystone Pipeline Poses ‘No Significant Impacts’ To Most Resources Along Path, US Says

By Tennille Tracy and Edward Welsch, WSJ, Aug 26, 2011

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405311…

Obama administration plays political theater with oil

By Robert Bradley, Jr., Star Telegram, Aug 23, 2011, [H/t Cooler Heads Digest]

http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/08/23/33079…

Obama’s Real Energy Policy

By Matt Holzmann, American Thinker, Aug 23, 2011

http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/08/obamas…

Exxon Fights Regulatory Pirates

Editorial, IBD, Aug 19, 2011

http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Arti…

Oil Spills & Consequences

Lessons Learned from the Two Worst Oils Spills in U.S. History

By Lynn Yarris for Berkeley Lab, SPX, Aug 22, 2011

http://www.energy-daily.com/reports/Lessons_L…

Rigged For Failure

Editorial, IBD, Aug 24, 2011

http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Arti…

Interior department to hold big gulf oil lease sale

By Bettina Boxall, LA Times, Aug 19, 2011

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/20…

[SEPP Comment: The issue is permitting to drill on existing leases.]

Nuclear Energy and Fears

Dominion ends emergency alert at Virginia nuclear plant

By Andrew Restuccia, The Hill, Aug 24, 2011

http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/…

[SEPP Comment: The shut-off systems worked.]

Progress report on Fukushima Daiichi

By Staff Writers, World Nuclear News, Aug 17, 2011

http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS_Progress…

Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Energy

The Great Renewable Energy Scam Continues

By Alan Caruba, Warning Signs, Aug 24, 2011

http://factsnotfantasy.blogspot.com/2011/08/g…

[SEPP Comment: Exposing another organization of wind promoters.]Solar energy cost hits par with coal fuel

By Ben Cubby, Brian Robins, Melissa Lahoud, Sydney Morning Herald, Aug 18, 2011 [H/t Jo Nova]

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/energy-smar…

[SEPP Comment: See article immediately below.]

Solar Power costs less than Coal, and the Wishing Chair lives on

Finally, a new day has dawned and solar power is cheaper than coal fired electricity! Gadzooks! It must be true, the Sydney Morning Herald says so.

By Jo Nova, Her Blog,

http://joannenova.com.au/2011/08/solar-power-…

Rick Perry’s $7 Billion Problem (Texas wind transmission project 38% over budget-$270+ for every citizen in the state)

By Robert Bradley Jr., Master Resource, Aug 26, 2011

http://www.masterresource.org/2011/08/rick-pe…

[SEPP Comment: As expected, wind farms performed poorly during the recent heat wave, when needed the most.]

Production shifts to China for rare earths

By Staff Writers, UPI, Aug 25, 2011

http://www.spacemart.com/reports/Production_s…

[SEPP Comment: A squeeze play by the Chinese government. Look for dramatic increases in wind turbine production in China without corresponding increase in wind electricity production.]

California Dreaming

California panel reaffirms carbon trading program

The California Air Resources Board approves a revised analysis ordered by a judge. Opponents plan another challenge to the long-delayed program to trade emissions permits.

By Julie Cart, LA Times, Aug 25, 2011

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-cap-t…

Gov. Brown seeks to extend California energy surcharge

The levy on electric bills has been in effect since 1997 and raises $400 million a year for renewable energy and efficiency programs but is set to expire at the end of the year. Brown sees its reauthorization as a way to create more high-tech jobs.

By Marc Lifsher, LA Times, Aug 25, 2011

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-energy-…

Review of Recent Scientific Articles by NIPCC

For a full list of articles see

http://www.NIPCCreport.org…

A 2200 – Year Storm History from North Carolina’s Barrier Islands

Reference: Mallinson, D.J., Smith, C.W., Mahan, S., Culver, S.J. and McDowell, K. 2011. Barrier island response to late Holocene climate events, North Carolina, USA. Quaternary Research 76: 46-57.

http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2011/aug/…

Not All Australian Marine Fauna Obeying Climate-Alarmist Dogma

Reference: Poloczanska, E.S., Smith, S., Fauconnet, L., Healy, J., Tibbetts, I.R., Burrows, M.T. and Richardson, A.J. 2011. Little change in the distribution of rocky shore faunal communities on the Australian east coast after 50 years of rapid warming. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 400: 145-154.

http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2011/aug/…

Testing the Entire Suite of IPCC AR4 Models

Reference: Furtado, J.C., Di Lorenzo, E., Schneider, N. and Bond, N.A. 2011. North Pacific decadal variability and climate change in the IPCC AR4 models. Journal of Climate 24: 3049-3067.

http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2011/aug/…

[SEPP Comment: The models test poorly.]

CO2 and Global Vegetation: From the Last Glacial Maximum to the Pre-Industrial Holocene

Reference: Prentice, I.C., Harrison, S.P. and Bartlein, P.J. 2011. Global vegetation and terrestrial carbon cycle changes after the last ice age. New Phytologist 189: 988-998.

http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2011/aug/…

Oh Mann!

Climate-Change Scientist Cleared in Closing of U.S. Data-Altering Inquiry

By Jim Efstathiou Jr, Bloomberg, Aug 22, 2011

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-22/clim…Environmental Industry

Dozens arrested in US as pipeline protest kicks off

By Staff Writers, AFP, Aug 20, 2011

http://www.energy-daily.com/reports/Dozens_ar…

Other Scientific News

Wild world: Millions of unseen species fill Earth

By Seth Borenstein, AP, Aug 23, 2011

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/aug/…

Scientists find underground river beneath Amazon

By Staff Writers, AFP, Aug 25, 2011

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Scientists_…

Scientists find lager beer’s missing link – in Patagonia

German lager yeast appears to have originated on beech trees in southern Argentina. But how did it get to Europe 600 years ago?

By Eryn Brown, Los Angeles Times, August 23, 2011

http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-be…

[SEPP Comment: More research needed!]

Other News that May Be of Interest

Tyranny of the north

Alberta passes draconian laws abolishing property rights

By Lawrence Solomon, Financial Post, Aug 19, 2011

http://opinion.financialpost.com/2011/08/19/l…

Fewer Americans See Climate Change a Threat, Caused by Humans

By Jessica Rettig, US News, Aug 26, 2011 [H/t ICECAP]

http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/energy-in…

From food bowl to dust bowl

By Ron Pike, Quadrant, AU, August 25, 2011

http://www.quadrant.org.au/blogs/doomed-plane…

Light-rail disease

Politicians love light-rail transit – even when it makes no sense and cost overruns are sure to follow

By Peter Shawn Taylor, Financial Post, Aug 23, 2011

http://opinion.financialpost.com/2011/08/23/l…– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –BELOW THE BOTTOM LINE:

Attack of the liberal space aliens

Global warmists fear ETs might zap us for polluting the planet

By Jeffrey Kuhner, Washington Times, Aug 25, 2011

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/aug/…

El Nino Found to Drive Tropical Civil Wars

The warmer, drier conditions of El Nino have had a baleful effect on conflict in the tropics since 1950, research shows

By David Biello, Scientific American, August 24, 2011 | 17

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm…

[SEPP Comment: Otherwise it is too wet to fight?]

Telegraph, BBC, and Independent geography FAIL: “Row to the Pole” never made it to the “North Pole” – they are 790 miles short

By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Aug 26, 2011

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2011/08/26/telegra…

[SEPP Comment: Apparently, reporters cannot comprehend that the magnetic north pole is different from the geographic North Pole. The magnetic north pole has shifted significantly, while the geographic North Pole wanders slightly.PLEASE NOTE: The complete TWTW, including the full text of the numbered articles, can be downloaded in an easily printable form at this web site: http://www.sepp.org/the-week-that-was.cfm…

The CLOUD experiment has been designed to study the effect of cosmic rays on the formation of atmospheric aerosols – tiny liquid or solid particles suspended in the atmosphere – under controlled laboratory conditions. Atmospheric aerosols are thought to be responsible for a large fraction of the seeds that form cloud droplets. Understanding the process of aerosol formation is therefore important for understanding the climate.The CLOUD results show that trace vapours assumed until now to account for aerosol formation in the lower atmosphere can explain only a tiny fraction of the observed atmospheric aerosol production. The results also show that ionisation from cosmic rays significantly enhances aerosol formation. Precise measurements such as these are important in achieving a quantitative understanding of cloud formation, and will contribute to a better assessment of the effects of clouds in climate models.”These new results from CLOUD are important because we’ve made a number of first observations of some very important atmospheric processes,” said the experiment’s spokesperson, Jasper Kirkby. “We’ve found that cosmic rays significantly enhance the formation of aerosol particles in the mid troposphere and above. These aerosols can eventually grow into the seeds for clouds. However, we’ve found that the vapours previously thought to account for all aerosol formation in the lower atmosphere can only account for a small fraction of the observations – even with the enhancement of cosmic rays.”