Quote of the Week:
By endorsing the IPCC reports, governments acknowledge the authority of their scientific content. The work of the organization is therefore policy-relevant and yet policy-neutral, never policy-prescriptive. IPCC statement. [Boldface added. H/t Donna Laframboise]
http://www.ipcc.ch/organization/organization.shtml#.T1t8L_EgdWU
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Number of the Week: $17,000,000,000 (est.)
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THIS WEEK:
By Ken Haapala, Executive Vice President, Science and Environmental Policy Project (SEPP)
Global Governance: Science magazine contained an article advocating global governance titled “Navigating the Anthropocene: Improving Earth System Governance.” As the push for Rio +20 Earth Summit, UN Conference on Sustainable Development, June 20 – 22, 2012, continues, it is becoming obvious that the goal of many international politicians, including many scientists, is global governance by a body of unelected persons. Note the misleading phrase, Earth System Governance. The effort will be governance of human behavior, not physical earth systems.
Such a body would be similar to the UN, but probably without the safeguards that Security Council gives. Among the demands will be increasing the power of the UN, particularly to tax, transfer of wealth from developed nations to other nations, greater controls on energy use, particularly in developed countries, and a significant reduction in national sovereignty. To the advocates of global governance, the type of government of the individual country, democracy to kleptocracy, makes no difference, because the advocates assume they will be in charge. A review of the UN Human Rights Council gives and idea of what the make-up may become. http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/membership.htm
A preliminary conference will be held in London from March 26 – 29, 2012 under the title “Planet under Pressure.” Until the final conference in June is concluded, we can expect intensification of reports predicting dire consequences of climate change from various research organizations claiming to be scientific. Please see links under “Expanding the Orthodoxy.”
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Sea Level Rise: In time for the London Conference, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research released a study stating that if temperatures increase as little as 1.6 deg C (2.9 F) above the Little Ice Age, Greenland will melt and sea levels will rise by about 7 meters (23 feet). [There may have been an error translation, because the last two IPCC assessment reports (AR3 & AR4) did not recognize a Little Ice Age.] A quick look at the GISP2 ice cores from Greenland shows that for much of the past 10,000 years Greenland has been warmer than 1.6 deg C above the Little Ice Age temperatures, yet the ice is still there. Even at 3.2 deg C (5.8 F) above the Little Ice Age the temperature does not exceed minus 28.5 deg C (minus 19.3 F). Please see links under “Communicating Better to the Public – Make Things Up” and links under “Challenging the Orthodoxy,” especially the one regarding Don Easterbrook.
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A Dormant Sun: In February, TWTW reported a study from the Pulkovo Observatory in Russia stating that if the current solar cycle pattern continues, with little solar activity, the globe may experience a new Little Ice Age. To the researcher, what is necessary to understanding the influence of the sun is the response of the earth is lagged behind the solar cycles. http://ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/apr/article/view/14754/10140
Also in February, TWTW reported a separate study from Norway that estimated if the current solar pattern continues into the next cycle, the northern part of the Northern Hemisphere will experience a decline in temperatures of 1 deg C or more. The longer cycle indicates lower temperatures. Again, the response of the earth seems to be lagged behind the solar cycles by about 11 years. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364682612000417 and discussion at http://www.weatherbell.com/newsletter-2-14-12-e
The above studies were based on observations of solar patterns, for which models were developed to interpret the data and project it out. We can only wait to see if the predictions are accurate.
This week, we were treated to two new studies, which state that a dormant sun will result in little or no cooling. Interestingly, these studies take the IPCC climate models as the base for their research. As discussed in prior TWTWs, the climate models have significant unknowns and only include visible light as the measure of total solar energy, ignoring solar wind and UV light. Further, visible light is the only major natural cause of climate change the IPCC considers. Of course, these studies find that a dormant sun would cause little cooling because the models were based on the assumption that an active sun caused little 20th century warming. But the studies cut another way, if the sun remains dormant, and cooling occurs, then the models are wrong, as the skeptics claim. Please see links under “Science: Is the Sun Rising?”
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Keystone Pipeline: The Cornell University Global Labor Institute produced a study claiming that the negative impacts of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, over the next 50 years, may be more detrimental than the benefits. The study relies on emotional photographs and testimonials more than facts. The study correctly states that oil from Canada is more viscous than ordinary crude, therefore requiring higher pressures and temperatures to move than ordinary crude. The study cites spills over the past three years from other pipelines moving Canadian crude and extrapolates these spills to what may take place up to 50 years hence.
The major spill in the study occurred on the Lakehead pipeline into a creek feeding into the Kalamazoo River. The study fails to mention the Lakehead system is over 60 years old. Pipeline technology has changed significantly in 60, years including much better sensors and drilling under rivers and creeks. The Cornell study is similar to attributing to today’s telephone system the characteristics of the telephone system of 1950, when it was dominated by operators.
The study highlights the value of the agriculture industry from the various states the pipeline will cross, implying the pipeline will destroy agriculture in the state if a spill occurs. The authors did not bother considering the extensive pipeline system that moves oil and gas through the East Coast of the US. This study is an example of how extreme some academic institutions have become. Please see links under “Communicating Better to the Public – Exaggerate!”
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Plagiarism and Scientific Content: With computer software being able to detect patterns of words, some believe the identity of a writer or plagiarist can be easily established. A researcher using such techniques for Heartland Institute states Gleick is likely the person originating a false Heartland planning memo, but, correctly, recognizes that this alone does not establish guilt.
Such computer techniques are in use to accuse certain writers of plagiarism. For example, shortly before his death, Stephen Ambrose, a prolific writer, was accused of plagiarism because certain phrases in his text were similar or identical to phrases in writings by others.
Over a year ago, the distinguished statistician Edward Wegman was accused of plagiarism because his report to Congress debunking the Mann hockey-stick contained word patterns similar to those found in Wikipedia. It turned out that a graduate student copied sections of boiler plate found in Wikipedia. Edward Wegman was disciplined by George Mason University for his lack of oversight. His article on the subject has been public retracted, but the debunked articles by Mr. Mann remain.
The use of these techniques and the possibility of severe charges to discredit scientists presents a difficult issue to prolific writers. It is impossible for a writer to search the literature to see if similar phrases occur by prior writers. Certainly, the pattern of writing on global governance follows distinct patterns.
Physicist and author Donald Rapp suggested the following as an approach towards possible plagiarism:
“Bouville (2008) wrote a treatise on plagiarism. He said:
“‘… even though … copying other people’s intellectual contribution is wrong, they do not apply to the copying of words. Copying a few sentences that contain no original idea (e.g. in the introduction) is of marginal importance compared to stealing the ideas of others. The two must be clearly distinguished, and the ‘plagiarism’ label should not be used for deeds that are very different in nature and importance’
Bouville, Mathieu (2008) “Plagiarism: Words and ideas” Science and Engineering Ethics 14, 311-322.
http://arxiv.org/PS_cache/arxiv/pdf/0803/0803.1526v1.pdf
Rapp went on: “The point is that plagiarism is only a serious malpractice when an intellectual concept is stolen for personal gain. When background material is presented without attribution, that is an inadvertency or an indiscretion, but not a crime. The thrust of the Wegman Report was two fold: (1) the hockey stick was based on bad science, and (2) collusion between members of the paleoclimatic cabal allowed the hockey stick to get repeatedly published despite the errors in the methods used. There was no plagiarism in these elements of the Report. Unfortunately, some of the introductory and background material was not given proper attribution.”
How many words in the US Constitution have been copied? Should the words such as “freedom of the press” not be used without proper attribution – Amendment 1 of the US Constitution?
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Corrections and Amplifications: Last week TWTW stated that the revenues of the top 12 Environmental Charities in the US amounted to $2,098,000,000 as compiled for the Forbes list of the top 200 US charities in 2011. The amount does not include charities that are engaged in environmental activities, but not as the principal purpose. For example, it does not include the Wildlife Conservation Society, which also operates the Bronx Zoo. Joe Bast, of the Heartland Institute, asked about Greenpeace, which was not included because it is based in the Netherlands and Greenpeace USA does not make the Forbes list. According to the 2010 Greenpeace International annual report, its total international take was some 226 million Euros, with over 45 million from Germany, almost 25 million from the Netherlands, about 23 from the US. Exact numbers are not given.
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Number of the Week: $17 Billion. This week, the US Senate failed to pass an extension to special subsidies to the wind industry called Production Tax Credits (PTC) that are due to expire at the end of 2012. The upfront cash payments for these credits stopped at the end of 2011. Similar tax credits are due to expire for the solar and other industries at the end of 2013. The squabbles will continue for some time with many claiming that the tax credits are needed for energy security and for America to compete with the Chinese in 21st century technology.
During this time, government owned Chinese oil companies have been quietly buying into true 21st century technology – the innovation of producing oil and natural gas from dense shale by using deep underground hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and directional (horizontal) drilling. According to reports, since 2010, the Chinese companies have spent $17 Billion buying into ventures in North America using these techniques and techniques for development of oil sands. This amount is more than these companies have spent in ventures anywhere else in the world, including North Asia.
The new energy plan by China calls for major domestic natural gas production, which has been small. Also, it calls for major expansion in nuclear. It gives some comments to solar and wind. However, in analyzing actual expenditures, it becomes obvious that solar and wind were a marketing ploy to attract the best western technology, produce it cheaper in China, and sell it back to the West. According to their actions, to China coal, oil, gas and nuclear are the fuels of the 21 century. Please Articles #4 & 5.
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ARTICLES:
For the numbered articles below please see this week’s TWTW at: www.sepp.org. The articles are at the end of the pdf.
1. What North Dakota Could Teach California
While one plays host to a modern-day Gold Rush, the other shuns evil fossil fuels and wallows in debt.
By Stephen Moore, WSJ, Mar 11, 2012
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203370604577265773038268282.html?mod=ITP_opinion_0
[SEPP Comment: While Washington wise ones say drilling will not help solve the unemployment problem, North Dakota has a different type of employment problem, as well as a budget problem.]
2. The Climate Kamikaze
“The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars” argues that global temperatures have risen in conjunction with our use of fossil fuels.
By Anne Jolis, WSJ, Mar 14, 2012
“These are unfortunate conclusions for a scientist-turned-climate-warrior whose greatest weakness has always been a low estimation of the public intellect.”
3. Big Oil, Bigger Taxes
The industry sends more money to Washington than to shareholders.
Editorial, WSJ, Mar 14, 2012
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304537904577277440911481180.html?mod=ITP_opinion_2
4. China Forecasts Soaring Shale-Gas Output
By Sarah Chen, WSJ, Mar 16, 2012
5. China Foothold in U.S. Energy
By Ryan Dezember, and James Areddy WSJ, Mar 6, 2012
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204883304577223083067806776.html?mod=djemalertNEWS
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NEWS YOU CAN USE:
Science: Is the Sun Rising?
21st century solar cooling
By Judith Curry, Climate Etc, Mar 10, 2012
http://judithcurry.com/2012/03/10/21st-century-solar-cooling/#more-7596
[SEPP Comment: Review of two papers suggesting a dormant sun would have little cooling effect. They ignore the solar-cosmic ray hypothesis.]
Climategate Continued
MSNBC on Climategate and the inquiries
By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Mar 16, 2012
http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2012/3/16/msnbc-on-climategate-and-the-inquiries.html
Suppressing Scientific Inquiry
Deny Deniers their Right to Deny!
By David Suzuki, Huffington Post, Can, Mar 9, 2012
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/david-suzuki/climate-change-denial_b_1325198.html
Challenging the Orthodoxy
Slaying the Slayers with the Alabama Two-Step
By Roy Spencer, His Blog, Mar 14, 2012
http://www.drroyspencer.com/2012/03/slaying-the-slayers-with-the-alabama-two-step/
[SEPP Comment: Argument why greenhouse gases keep the earth warmer than it would be otherwise, but increasing CO2 does not have the effect the IPCC claims.]
What the “Skeptics” of Climate Catastrophe are Skeptical Of: Nordhaus Reconsidered
By Eric Dennis, Master Resource, Mar 16, 2012
http://www.masterresource.org/2012/03/what-the-skeptics-are-skeptical-of/
[SEPP Comment: pointing out errors in the analysis of climate change by Nordhouse in the New York Review of Books.]
Easterbrook To Panicky Potsdam Institute: “Look At Real Data If You Want To Predict Real Events”!
By P. Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Mar 12, 2012 [H/t Anne Debeil]
[SEPP Comment: See links under communicating better with the public – make things up.]
NASA Satellite Debunks Melting Glacier Myth
By Doug Hoffman, The Resilient Earth, Mar 9, 2012 [H/t Thomas Sheahen]
http://theresilientearth.com/?q=content/nasa-satellite-debunks-melting-glacier-myth
Global Warming and National Suicide
By Rael Jean Isaac, American Thinker, Mar 16, 2012
http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/03/global_warming_and_national_suicide.html
[SEPP Comment: A historic example of the destructive power of a mania.]
Defending the Orthodoxy
Agenda 21: Science mag calls for steps toward global governance
By Steve Milloy, Junk Science, Mar 15, 2012
http://junkscience.com/2012/03/15/agenda-21-science-mag-calls-for-steps-toward-global-governance/
EC: Poland veto won’t stop ‘road map’
By Staff Writers, Brussels (UPI), Mar 14, 2012
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/EC_Poland_veto_wont_stop_road_map_999.html
GE rejects Republicans’ climate change doubts
By Pilita Clark, Financial Times, Mar 11, 2012 [H/t Timothy Wise]
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/85e8629e-6a20-11e1-b54f-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1orhveDoY
[SEPP Comment: The promised technology is not delivering as promised.]
Questioning the Orthodoxy
The Corruption of the Royal Society in the Climate Emergency
By Bernie Lewin, ESS, Mar 15, 2012 [H/t GWPF]
[SEPP Comment: A review and discussion of Nullius in Verba: On the Word of No One. The Royal Society and Climate Change, by Andrew Montford, GWPF, 2012]
The Authoritarian Impulse and Climate Change
By Donna Laframboise, NFC, Mar 13, 2012
http://nofrakkingconsensus.com/2012/03/13/the-authoritarian-impulse-and-climate-change/
[SEPP Comment: Are the skeptics climate criminals?]
Questioning European Green
Poland’s antagonism to Europe’s climate policy runs deep
By Sonja van Renssen, European Energy Review, Mar 12, 2012
Energy nationalism
By Martin Livermore, Scientific Alliance, Mar 15, 2012
http://www.scientific-alliance.org/scientific-alliance-newsletter/energy-nationalism
[SEPP Comment: The UK environmentalists say the UK can’t have new nuclear plants because they are built by the French. EU spirit at its best! Why should the UK adopt reductions in carbon dioxide emissions the environmentalists demand?]
Gone With the Wind
By Bjørn Lomborg, Project Syndicate, Mar 16, 2012 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/gone-with-the-wind
Fuel poverty to rise sharply
The number English households struggling to pay their fuel bills could more than double to almost 10 million by 2016 due to rising energy prices and costly green taxes, a Government-commissioned report has found.
By James Hall, Telegraph, UK, Mar 15, 2012 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9146851/Fuel-poverty-to-rise-sharply.html
Germany’s Failing Environmental Projects
By Alexander Neubacher, Speigel Online, Mar 15, 2012 [H/t Anne Debeil]
http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/0,1518,821396,00.html
The energy-saving light bulb ends up as hazardous waste, too much insulation promotes mold and household drains are emitting a putrid odor because everyone is saving water. Many of Germany’s efforts to protect the environment are a chronic failure, but that’s unlikely to change.
How much profit will a turbine turn?
Developers of wind farms offer ‘sweeteners’ to local communities, but they may be tiny compared to the revenues.
By Christopher Booker, Telegraph, Mar 3, 2012
Questioning Green Elsewhere
Ontario’s Power Trip: Wind wastes water — and your dollars
Hydro generation gives way to costly wind
By Parker Gallant and Scott Luft, Financial Post, Mar 15, 2012
http://opinion.financialpost.com/2012/03/15/ontarios-power-trip-wind-wastes-water-and-your-dollars/
Expanding the Orthodoxy
Navigating the Anthropocene: Improving Earth System Governance
By Biermann, et al, Science mag, Mar 16, 2012
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/335/6074/1306.summary
Science assessments indicate that human activities are moving several of Earth’s sub-systems outside the range of natural variability typical for the previous 500,000 years. Human societies must now change course and steer away from critical tipping points in the Earth system that might lead to rapid and irreversible change. This requires fundamental reorientation and restructuring of national and international institutions toward more effective Earth system governance and planetary stewardship.
Welcome at the website of the Earth System Governance Project.
By Staff Writers,
Gear change on road to Rio?
By Richard Black, BBC, Mar 15, 2012
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17381730
[SEPP Comment: The seven point plan. No mention of protection of individual rights or liberties. Trust in government and NGOs.]
Forget evolution, climate science is the most controversial subject in school
By Tina Korbe, Hot Air, Mar 12, 2012 [H/t Timothy Wise]
[SEPP Comment: As with the IPCC, probably climate history will be ignored.]
Seychelles’ idyllic habitat at risk from climate change
By Staff Writers, Victoria (AFP), March 13, 2012
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Seychelles_idyllic_habitat_at_risk_from_climate_change_999.html
[SEPP Comment: UN giving money to buy votes!]
Problems within the Orthodoxy
UN emission market needs urgent reform
By Staff Writers, London, UK (SPX), Mar 16, 2012
http://www.energy-daily.com/reports/UN_emission_market_needs_urgent_reform_999.html
The Gleick Affair
Heartland Institute Responds to Rep. Markey Letter on ‘Fakegate’
By Joseph Bast, Heartland Institute, Mar 15, 2012
Gleick and the Watergate Burglars
By Steve McIntyre, Climate Audit, Mar 10, 2012
http://climateaudit.org/2012/03/10/gleick-and-the-watergate-burglars/#more-15691
Seeking a Common Ground
The IPCC Finally Is Starting To Accept That Human Land Management Is A First-Order Climate Forcing
By Roger Pielke Sr, Pielke Climate Science, Mar 15, 2012
Final FACE harvest reveals increased soil carbon storage under elevated carbon dioxide
By Staff Writers, Oak Ridge TN (SPX), Mar 13, 2012
Communicating Better to the Public – Exaggerate!
New Paper “Is There Any Support In The Long Term Tide Gauge Data To The Claims That Parts Of Sydney Will Be Swamped” By Boretti 2012
By Roger Pielke Sr, Pielke Climate Science, Mar 12, 2012
The Impact of Tar Sands Pipeline Spills on Employment and the Economy
By Lara Skinner, and Sean Sweeney, Cornell University Global Labor Institute, No Date
[SEPP Comment: Long on propaganda photos and testimonials, short on facts.]
Study Warns of Economic Damage in a Keystone Spill
By Dan Frosch, NYT, Mar 13, 2012
[SEPP Comment: See study immediately above.]
Communicating Better to the Public – Make things up.
Multistability and critical thresholds of the Greenland ice sheet
By Alexander Robinson,Reinhard Calow, Andrey Ganopolski, Nature Climate Change, Mar 11, 2012
http://www.nature.com/nclimate/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nclimate1449.html
[SEPP Comment: The study does not explain the enormous accumulation of snow and ice on the top of the Greenland ice cap.]
Greenland ice sheet may melt completely with 1.6 degrees global warming
Press Release, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Mar 11, 2012 [H/t Anne Debeil]
Gosh, really?
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Mar 12, 2012
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2012/03/12/gosh-really/#comment-920570
Western U.S. Precipitation Extremes—How Did This Turkey Get Published?
By Patrick Michaels, World Climate Report, Mar 12, 2012
http://www.worldclimatereport.com/index.php/2012/03/12/western-us-precipitation-extremes/#more-530
This is also another example of the shoddy state of peer review in climate science. Repeat after us, if models cannot accurately and robustly simulate the observed climate, they are worthless.
Australia’s worst alarmists link recent rains to climate change
By Simon, Australian Climate Madness, Mar 15, 2012
“…global warming may have contributed to the strength of the La Nina event and the heavy rainfall and flooding.”
Models v. Observations
Climate Science Malpractice – The Promotion Of Multi-Decadal Regional Climate Model Projections As Skillful
By Roger Pielke Sr, Pielke Climate Science, Mar 14, 2012
[SEPP Comment: Should disclaimers mandatory? Caution: This study was produced by multi-decadal global climate models that have not been validated. Believe at your own risk.]
Measurement Issues
What Causes the Large Swings in Global Satellite Temperatures?
By Roy Spencer, His Blog, Mar 16, 2012
http://www.drroyspencer.com/2012/03/what-causes-the-large-swings-in-global-satellite-temperatures/
[SEPP Comment: The explanation for some of the significant monthly variability.]
‘Gravity is climate’ – 10 years of climate research satellites GRACE
How much ice is Greenland is really losing? – Movement in the Earth’s mantle? – Enough water for all?
Press Release, Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres, Mar 16, 2012 [H/t WUWT] http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-03/haog-ic031412.php
[SEPP Comment: Poor choice of words in the headline.]
CRUTEM4, Global Warming And The Arctic
By David Whitehouse, The Observatory, Mar 15, 2012
http://thegwpf.org/the-observatory/5225-crutem4-global-warming-and-the-arctic.html
[SEPP Comment: Will adding more Arctic stations increase accuracy or inflate the supposed trend?]
GHCN Temperature Adjustments Affect 40% Of The Arctic
By Paul Homewood, NLPKT, Mar 11, 2012 [H/t ICECAP]
[SEPP Comments: Did US adjustments inflate the warming trend in the Arctic?]
Australian temperature records shoddy, inaccurate, unreliable. Surprise!
By Jo Nova, Her Blog, Mar 15, 2012
“The Relationship Between Climate Warming And Tree Growth Is Not As Simple As Initially Thought”
By David Whitehouse, The Observatory, Mar 9, 2012
False Positive Science
By Roger Pielke Jr, His Blog, Mar 15, 2012
http://rogerpielkejr.blogspot.com/2012/03/false-positive-science.html
[SEPP Comment: Addressing a significant problem on all scientific research that relies on statistics.]
Changing Weather
Atlantic Hurricanes: The Long and the Short of It
By Patrick Michaels, World Climate Report, Mar 16, 2012
[SEPP Comment: Improved instrumentation can distort the historic record.]
Despite a snow drought in US, the northern hemisphere had another snowy winter
By Joseph D’Aleo, ICECAP, Mar 13, 2012
Changing Climate
Extreme Droughts Were More Common 200-300 Years Ago, Study
By Staff Writers, GWPF, Mar 15, 2012
http://thegwpf.org/science-news/5221-extreme-droughts-were-more-common-200-300-years-ago-study.html
[SEPP Comment: Making long term decisions on water use / availability without understanding the history of the area can be fraught with danger – the US Southwest is discovering this and according to this study the US Southeast may discover it as well.]
Changing Seas
Recent contributions of glaciers and ice caps to sea level rise
By Jacob, Wahr, Pfeffer, Swenson, Nature, Feb 23, 2012
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v482/n7386/full/nature10847.html
The total contribution to sea level rise from all ice-covered regions is thus 1.48 ± 0.26 mm −1, which agrees well with independent estimates of sea level rise originating from land ice loss and other terrestrial sources
[SEPP Comment: 15 cm, 6 inches per century.]
Rising Sea Levels Seen as Threat to Coastal U.S.
By Justin Gillis, NYT, Mar 13, 2012
[SEPP Comment: See other study immediately above.]
Acidic Waters
Changing the Chemistry of Earth’s Oceans
Editorial, NYT, Mar 9, 2012 [H/t David Manuta]
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/10/opinion/changing-the-chemistry-of-earths-oceans.html?_r=1&emc=eta1
[SEPP Comment: Fails to mention that even alarmist’s projections do not claim the ocean’s will become acidic, only less alkaline. At deep sea vents, pH has been measured as low as 0.9 – battery acid.]
Litigation Issues
A Pivotal Court Challenge: America vs. the EPA
By Larry Bell, Forbes, Mar 13, 2012
http://www.forbes.com/sites/larrybell/2012/03/13/a-pivotal-court-challenge-america-vs-the-epa/
Cap-and-Trade and Carbon Taxes
Chinese diplomat sees airlines turning to Boeing over EU tax
By Staff Writers, Paris (AFP), March 12, 2012
Subsidies and Mandates Forever
GAO: DOE’s Loan Program Lacks Consolidated Data, Could Improve Application Reviews
By Staff Writers, POWERnews, Mar 15, 2012
http://www.powermag.com/POWERnews/4476.html?hq_e=el&hq_m=2403739&hq_l=5&hq_v=5e660500d0
Is there a future in the US for renewables without federal incentives?
By Staff Writers, New York NY (SPX), Mar 16, 2012
[SEPP Comment: Only in states with mandates, as long as Washington is prevented from driving the cost of traditional sources extremely high.]
New Study Questions Incentives To Create Green Jobs
By Sean Whaley, Record Courier, Mar 16, 2012
http://thegwpf.org/international-news/5228-new-study-questions-incentives-to-creat-green-jobs.html
Germany to cut solar power subsidies
By Staff Writers, Berlin (UPI), Mar 12, 2012
http://www.solardaily.com/reports/Germany_to_cut_solar_power_subsidies_999.html
Germany says it is cutting subsidies for solar power panels because consumer demand is so high government support for the technology has become too costly.
[SEPP Comment: The above sentence translated: The subsidy is so profitable to those who deliver meager amounts of electricity, the government can no longer support it.]
EPA and other Regulators on the March
A GONGO idea – a government funded job destruction program…
By Jo Nova, Her Blog, Mar 13, 2012
[SEPP Comment: Australian government funding environmental groups to attack certain industries.]
EPA’s Mercury Ruse
By Donn Dears, Power for USA, Mar 16, 2012
http://dddusmma.wordpress.com/2012/03/16/epas-mercury-ruse/
Energy Issues – Non-US
EU, US, Japan take ‘rare earth’ dispute with China to WTO
By Staff Writers, Geneva (AFP), March 13, 2012
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/EU_US_Japan_take_rare_earth_dispute_with_China_to_WTO_999.html
Is China’s SPR soaking up all the oil?
By Yadullah Hussain, Financial Post, Mar 16, 2012
http://business.financialpost.com/2012/03/16/is-chinas-spr-soaking-up-all-the-oil/?__lsa=5fe27761
[SEPP Comment: Is China anticipating a war over Iran’s development of nuclear weapons?]
The not so Dirty Dozen
COSIA is the latest oil sands initiative to enter a now-crowded field
By Peter Foster, Financial Post, Mar 14, 2012
http://opinion.financialpost.com/2012/03/14/peter-foster-the-not-so-dirty-dozen/
Energy Issues — US
Oil and Gasoline Prices
By Seldon B. Graham, Jr., American Thinker, Mar 12, 2012
http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/03/oil_and_gasoline_prices.html
Oil and Natural Gas – the Future or the Past?
Oil and Gas is One of the Fastest Growing Segments of the Energy Sector in China
By Staff Writers, Kolkata, India (SPX) Mar 09, 2012
Faulty Wells, Not Fracking, Blamed for Water Pollution
By Russell Gold, WSJ, Mar 13, 2012
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304537904577277814040731688.html?mod=ITP_pageone_0
[SEPP Comment: May be behind a pay wall.]
US Administration’s Control of Oil and Gas
Gov. Dalrymple: Obama is ‘killing energy development’
By Andrew Restuccia, The Hill, Mar 10, 2012
http://thehill.com/video/senate/215287-gov-dalrymple-obama-is-killing-energy-development
[SEPP Comment: The Keystone pipeline would carry crude from North Dakota as well as Canada. Contrary to the report, the pipeline did not run through North Dakota.]
Obama’s Politicized Energy Policy
The president should reverse cabinet-level decisions that are at odds with affordable domestic production.
By Bobby Jindal, WSJ, Mar 12, 2012
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203458604577265413033342028.html?mod=ITP_opinion_0
[SEPP Comment: May be behind a pay wall.]
Dr Steven Chu fixes sign error: gasoline prices should go down
By Lubos Motl, Reference Frame, Mar 14, 2012
http://motls.blogspot.com/2012/03/dr-steven-chu-fixes-sign-error-gasoline.html#more
[SEPP Comment: Amusing look at Chu’s statements regarding the price of gasoline.]
Outside View: Wisdom of drilling for oil
By Peter Morici, College Park, Md. (UPI,) Mar 15, 2012
http://www.energy-daily.com/reports/Outside_View_Wisdom_of_drilling_for_oil_999.html
Drill Our Way to Lower Oil Prices? Yes We Can!
Editorial, IBD, Mar 15, 2012
Interior official defends oil program amid federal lands production dip
By Ben Geman, The Hill, Mar 14, 2012
[SEPP Comment: Moratoriums are not market decisions.]
Oil Spills & Consequences
Sorting out Responsibility for the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
By Bruce Thompson, American Thinker, Mar 15, 2012
[SEPP Comment: Proposition: the actions of Washington during the spill may prevent government from fully obtaining legal penalties.]
Nuclear Energy and Fears
The Pyrolysis of the Spent Fuel Rods at Fukushima
By Bruce Thompson, American Thinker, Mar 10, 2012
http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/03/the_pyrolysis_of_the_spent_fuel_rods_at_fukushima.html
[SEPP Comment: Lesson number 5 can apply to the BP blow-out in the Gulf of Mexico as well.]
Feds approve post-Fukushima nuclear power rules
By Andrew Restuccia, The Hill, Mar 9, 2012
Cheap Natural Gas Unplugs U.S. Nuclear-Power Revival
By Rebecca Smith, WSJ, Mar 15, 2012
[SEPP Comment: May be behind a pay wall.]
Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Solar and Wind
US wind generation increases by 27 percent
By Staff Writers, Washington (IANS,) Mar 13, 2012
http://www.winddaily.com/reports/US_wind_generation_increases_by_27_percent_999.html
Battered Solar Sector Saw Record Gains During 2011
By Staff Writers, POWER News, Mar 14, 2012
http://www.powermag.com/POWERnews/4475.html?hq_e=el&hq_m=2403739&hq_l=8&hq_v=5e660500d0
[SEPP Comment: The upfront cash in lieu of tax credits ended in 2011]
The Predestined Failure of Obama’s Energy Policy
By Anthony J.Ciani, American Thinker, Mar 12, 2012
http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/03/the_predestined_failure_of_obamas_energy_policy.html
Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Other
The White House Wants To Put Seaweed In Your Gas Tank
By Charles Krauthammer, IBD, Mar 15, 2012
http://news.investors.com/article/604490/201203151750/obama-has-contempt-for-oil-fancies-seaweed.htm
Czech president vetoes a biomethane bill
By Lubos Motl, Reference Frame, Mar 14, 2012
http://motls.blogspot.com/2012/03/czech-president-vetoes-biomethane-bill.html#more
[SEPP Comment: A president that understands that subsidizing uneconomic energy sources does not create prosperity.]
Solyndra Is Blamed as Clean-Energy Loan Program Stalls
By Bill Vlasic and Matther Wald, NYT, Mar 12, 2012 [H/t GWPF]
Karma Comedian: Obama’s ‘Undriveable’ Electric Car
Editorial, IBD, Mar 12, 2012
California Dreaming
California: The Sick Man Of America
Editorial, IBD, Mar 13, 2012
http://news.investors.com/article/604210/201203131827/california-drives-out-more-businesses.htm
Review of Recent Scientific Articles by NIPCC
For a full list of articles see www.NIPCCreport.org
A 2000-Year Temperature History of the Indo-Pacific Warm Pool
Reference: Oppo, D.W., Rosenthal, Y. and Linsley, B.K. 2009. 2,000-year-long temperature and hydrology reconstructions from the Indo-Pacific warm pool. Nature 460: 1113-1116.
http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2012/mar/14mar2012a1.html
[SEPP Comment: Further repudiation of the hockey-stick.]
Aerosol Radiative Forcing of Climate
Reference: Haerter, J.O., Roeckner, E., Tomassini, L. and von Storch, J.-S. 2009. Parametric uncertainty effects on aerosol radiative forcing. Geophysical Research Letters 36: 10.1029/2009GL039050.
The current atmosphere’s aerosol radiative forcing is probably not known to anything better that ± 100%, which does not engender confidence in the ability to simulate Earth’s climate very far into the future with state-of-the-art climate models.
http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2012/mar/14mar2012a2.html
Anthropogenic-CO2-Induced Global Warming: Proven or Unproven?
Reference: Solomon, S., Daniel, J.S., Neely III, R.R., Vernier, J.-P., Dutton, E.G. and Thomason, L.W. 2011. The persistently variable “background” stratospheric aerosol layer and global climate change. Science 333: 10.1126/science.1206027.
http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2012/mar/13mar2012a1.html
Two Thousand Years of Dust Deposition in the Aral Sea
Reference: Huang, X., Oberhansli, H., von Suchodoletz, H. and Sorrel, P. 2011. Dust deposition in the Aral Sea: implications for changes in atmospheric circulation in central Asia during the past 2000 years. Quaternary Science Reviews 30: 3661-3674.
http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2012/mar/13mar2012a3.html
Oh Mann!
Shollenberger’s Technical Review of Mann’s recent book
By Brandon Shollenberger, WUWT, Mar 11, 2012
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2012/03/11/shollenbergers-technical-review-of-manns-recent-book/
[SEPP Comment: A more detailed review than presented last week.]
Environmental Industry
Oil spill commission reuniting to press for drilling reforms
By Andrew Restuccia, The Hill, Mar 14, 2012
[SEPP Comment: A reuniting of environmentalists.]
Anti-coal funding sparks outrage
By Christian Kerr, The Australian, Mar 12, 2012
How the environmentalists do it
By Marita Noon, Washington Examiner, Mar 15, 2012
http://washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/2012/03/how-environmentalists-do-it/371391
[SEPP Comment: Reviewing some failures – except the regulations are still in place.]
New Keystone XL Route Could Still Threaten Ogallala Aquifer
By Lisa Song, InsideClimate News, Mar 14, 2012
[SEPP Comment: Existing pipelines cross over the Ogallala Aquifer.]
Other Scientific News
Berkeley Lab Quantifies Effect of Soot on Snow and Ice
By Allan Chen for Berkeley News, Berkeley CA (SPX), Mar 15, 2012
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Berkeley_Lab_Quantifies_Effect_of_Soot_on_Snow_and_Ice_999.html
Scientists document first consumption of abundant life form, Archaea
By Staff Writers, Corvallis, OR (SPX), Mar 13, 2012
[SEPP Comment: Animals consume Archaea which consume methane.]
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BELOW THE BOTTOM LINE:
How Engineering the Human Body Could Combat Climate Change
By Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, Mar 12, 2012 [H/t WUWT]
Food fight: CO2 makes us fatter
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Mar 13, 2012
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2012/03/13/food-fight-co2-makes-us-fatter/
[SEPP Comment: Could there be a cofounding variable. Electrical and mechanical energy is substituted for muscle power, resulting in a smaller caloric need? Graph showing relationship between food production per capita and annual CO2 emissions is illuminating. Put in a positive light, CO2 may be responsible for reducing hunger.]
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March 31: Ken Haapala will be speaking at the Capital Science 2012 Conference sponsored by the Washington Academy of Sciences at 10 am. The topic is “Wind and Solar Power – the Past or the Future.” Unfortunately, registration and a fee are required. The Conference will be held at Virginia Tech, GWU, and Marymount Universities in Arlington, VA http://www.washacadsci.org/capsci12/body.htm
For our US friends:
Fracking could pose health threat
The controversial drilling process known as “fracking” may release harmful gases into the atmosphere which could cause headaches and breathing difficulties, up to half a mile away, research has found.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/9153228/Fracking-could-pose-health-threat.html
So, apart from clouds and aerosols, the computer models have just about everything stiched up.
cui bono says:
March 19, 2012 at 10:07 am
So, apart from clouds and aerosols, the computer models have just about everything stiched up.
________________________________
If you believe that I have this very nice, slightly used, bridge for sale. Cash only in gold $10,000,000 USD not refunds.
I don’t understand Roy Spencer.
His blogs on how cool objects warm warm objects and the “two step” are little more than a thought experiment.
When people disagree in comments he denigrates their opinion with the use of terms such as “straw man” arguments and “psuedoscience”.
YET, he offers no evidence to support his opinions and offers no cantradictory arguement in his denigrating attacks by the use of insult rather than an explanation.
I’m sure that many people who comment on blogs offer opinions in the hope that instead of being classed as fools or dangerous they might be given some semblance of a scientific explanation as to the validity or otherwise of their stated hypothesis – which, until shown to be incorrect, is as valid as any unvalidated hypothesis.
The simple statement of “strawman” arguements to denigrate commenters is a totally flawed response mechanism – present some arguements which cast doubt.
Funny! not. Posted in t&n but it disappeared
Good News: Solar Firm Subsidized to Sell Panels… to Itself – Erika Johnsen
http://townhall.com/tipsheet/erikajohnsen/2012/03/19/good_news_solar_firm_subsidized_to_sell_panels_to_itself
Rigrodsky & Long, P.A. Announces A Securities Fraud Class Action Lawsuit Has Been Filed Against First Solar, Inc. | Business Wire
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120316006015/en/Rigrodsky-Long-P.A.-Announces-Securities-Fraud-Class
Obama Backed Solar Company Slashes 70 Percent of Workforce – Bob Beauprez – Townhall Finance Conservative Columnists and Financial Commentary – Page 1
http://finance.townhall.com/columnists/bobbeauprez/2012/03/02/obama_backed_solar_company_slashes_70_percent_of_workforce
Gail Combs says (March 19, 2012 at 2:03 pm)
——
OK, but apart from the clouds, the aerosols, the climate sensitivity, the effect of oceanic cycles, solar effects, biological feedbacks, natural reversion to the mean after the LIA, and failed predictions…..what have the climate models ever NOT done for us?? (h/t Python team)