The Week That Was: 2013-01-26 (January 26, 2013) Brought to You by SEPP (www.SEPP.org)
The Science and Environmental Policy Project
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Quote of the Week: We never intended a fundamentalist Green movement that rejected all energy sources other than renewable, nor did we expect the Greens to cast aside our priceless ecological heritage because of their failure to understand that the needs of the Earth are not separable from human needs. We need take care that the spinning windmills do not become like the statues on Easter Island, monuments of a failed civilisation. James Lovelock scientist and author as he states in a letter dated 12/12/12, “known as the originator of Gaia theory, a view of the Earth that sees it as a self-regulating entity that keeps the surface environment always fit for life.” [H/t Andrew Montford]
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Number of the Week: 8°C +/- 4°C (about 14°F +/-7°F).)
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SAVE THE DATE: February 2 — 1:30 to 3:30 A SEPP / VA-SEEE Energy Forum: Understanding Energy in a Politically Charged World. Presentation on National and Virginia Energy Issues. At the Conference Center, Norfolk International Airport, 2200 Norview Avenue Norfolk, VA. Please register here (no cost). (http://hrenergyforum.eventbrite.com.
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THIS WEEK:
By Ken Haapala, Executive Vice President, Science and Environmental Policy Project (SEPP)
The Right Climate Stuff Team: One of the most spectacular successes of modern empirical science was landing a man on the moon. The motto of the Apollo team was: “In God we trust, all others bring data.” Last spring, some members of the Apollo team announced they would explore the issue of man’s emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG), particularly if carbon dioxide (CO2) are causing unprecedented and dangerous global warming (Catastrophic Anthropogenic Global Warming, CAGW). The team would approach the AGW issue with the same rigor and attention to detail needed for a successful lunar landing. They invited a number of scientists on both sides of the issue to make presentations, but required data to support claims.
On Wednesday, the team made its preliminary findings in six major points including: 1) The science that predicts the extent of Anthropogenic Global Warming is not settled science; 2) There is no convincing physical evidence of Catastrophic Anthropogenic Global Warming; 3) Computer models need to be validated before being used in critical decision-making. These findings are similar to those of the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change (NIPCC) and many of those skeptical of the findings of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and its followers, including the US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP). Please see links under Challenging the Orthodoxy.
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A Debate: On Wednesday evening a group called The Hard Question hosted a debate titled Climate Change – Science or Hype at the National Press Club. The panelists were Hal Doiron (team leader of the Right Climate Stuff Team), Leighton Steward (PlantsNeedCO2), David Kreutzer (Heritage Foundation), Daniel Weiss (Center for American Progress), Scott Sklar (Stella Group), and Dennis V. McGinn (ret. Admiral) (American Council on Renewable Energy). It quickly became obvious that the first three came to debate the science and the second three came to ignore it. Instead, the second three came to promote renewable energy, especially wind.
Weiss of the Center for American Progress quickly set the tone by stating he is not a scientist and recited organizations that have unquestionably followed the announcements of the IPCC, Sklar followed suit, as did McGinn, who referenced a highly questionable Navy threat analysis based on exaggerations of consequences from global warming. These three quickly demonstrated they did not have a scientific approach in questioning authority. Apparently, they believe that authority is the determining factor in science rather than the data gathered through rigorous observation and experimentation. In short, they had a medieval concept of science.
When the three scientifically orientated panelists tried to focus on climate science, they were ignored by the others, who were promoting the virtues of wind power. Steward tried to point out the health benefits of increased atmospheric CO2, which greatly benefits plants. Hopefully, some in the audience will take time to read his booklet. As all too typical, the promoters dominated the scientists. The panel did not take any questions, but the organizers requested that up to two questions be submitted to be answered later.
The two questions submitted by SEPP are:
Climate Change / Global Warming: The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is called the world’s foremost authority on global warming / climate change. Using climate models, in 1990, the IPCC predicted significant, continuous global warming to 2012 and beyond. According to comprehensive satellite data, there has been no warming of the atmosphere for over a decade. According to the less comprehensive, but highly recognized surface data (from HadCRU), there has been no statistically significant surface warming for sixteen years. Should US government policy be based on predictions from models which are obviously failing? Why?
Alternative Energy / Wind Power: Texas has the largest installed wind capacity of any state. ERCOT is the major grid operator, covering about 85% of the state. According to ERCOT, the greatest demand is in the summer, late afternoon and evening. Yet, during the time of critical need, the wind farms deliver about Eight Percent (8%) of installed capacity. Thus, expensive duplicate capacity is required to provide electricity when needed the most. Should those operators, who fail to perform when needed the most, pay for the duplicate capacity required by those who do perform when needed the most? Why?
Please see links under Challenging the Orthodoxy and http://plantsneedco2.org/default.aspx?act=documents.aspx?category=Critical%20Facts
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President Obama and Climate Change: On Monday, in his inaugural address, President Obama announced with almost religious zeal of a moral obligation to fight climate change. Of course, this delighted the Greens. Since climate change has been occurring for hundreds of millions of years, how does he propose stopping it? Or perhaps, he is setting the stage for claiming he stopped global warming, which has not occurred for over a decade. After all, he is claiming credit for the rapid expansion of oil and natural gas production in the US, even though the Administration has curtailed production and development on Federal lands and waters.
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Problems in Europe: Western Europe has been in the forefront in advocating dangerous AGW and the accompanying, expensive green energy solutions. Increasingly, there seems to be a problem. More scientists are questioning the IPCC, and the popular press is as well. It may be that because many countries, such a Germany, have experienced four severe winters out of the last five. It may be that sharp increases in electricity costs to consumers are finally having an effect. Member of the European Parliament, Roger Helmer has informed TWTW of a new “European Citizens’ Initiative” calling for “the suspension of the EU’s massively expensive 2009 Climate & Energy Package, which sets very aggressive targets for renewable energy use by member-states by 2020. It is this Package which is driving the massive proliferation of renewables, especially wind, in the EU, with consequent increases in energy prices.” The petition is for citizens of the EU only. Please see links under Questioning the Orthodoxy, Challenging European Green and www.affordable-energy.eu.
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Life before Fossil Fuels: Master Resource had two posts from a report by Indur Goklany on life before fossil fuels and how humanity, as well as nature, has benefited from the use of fossil fuels. Please see links under Health and Science.
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Corrections and Amplifications: A number of readers pointed out that last week’s TWTW contained a conversion error in the Number of the Week. Seventeen feet converts to 5.2 meters not to 7.6 meters as erroneously stated. The correct conversion factor of feet to meters of 0.3048 was used, but the estimated wave height of 25 feet was converted, not the estimated storm surge of 17 feet. Nonetheless, if the 1938 hurricane had hit New York City, Sandy would be discussed as the strongest hurricane to hit New York since 1938, not a super storm. As always, TWTW appreciates those who take the time to correct errors.
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Number of the Week: 8°C +/- 4°C (about 14°F +/-7°F). In the past, ice core borings have failed to produce satisfactory estimates of temperatures in Greenland during the last warm interglacial period, the Eemian period, from about 130,000 to 115,000 years ago. This week a team led by the Niels Bohr Institute published its new findings – that 126,000 years ago Greenland was about 8°C warmer than today. Even though Greenland was considerably warmer than today for a period of about 15,000 years, the ice sheet did not disappear. After shrinking during the first part of the Eemian period, to a level about 130 meters below the current level, starting about 122,000 years ago it remained stable. Also, the warming was basically unrelated to atmospheric CO2. If the study withstands the criticism that will, no doubt, follow, then those who predict rapid sea level rise from melting Greenland ice will need to recalculate their models.
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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. We the Government
An inaugural address of striking liberal ambition and partisanship.
Editorial, WSJ, Jan 22, 2013
2. The Real Obama Climate Deal
To approve natural gas exports and other energy projects, the president may demand a carbon tax
By Kimberley Strassel, WSJ, Jan 24, 2013
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323539804578262140731231404.html
3. Climate-Change Misdirection
Fear-mongering exaggeration about effects of global warming distracts us from finding affordable and effective energy alternatives.
By Bjorn Lomborg, WSJ, Jan 23, 2013 [H/t Roger Cohen]
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323485704578258172660564886.html?mod=ITP_opinion_0
[SEPP Comment: Disagree with points that CO2 causes significant global warming and CO2 emissions must be reduced.]
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NEWS YOU CAN USE:
Challenging the Orthodoxy
Summary of Preliminary Report
The Right Climate Stuff Research Team, There Web Site, Jan 23, 2013
http://www.therightclimatestuff.com/SummaryPrelimReport.html
Team of Ex-NASA Scientists Concludes No Imminent Threat from Man-Made CO2
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Jan 23, 2013
Global Warming: One NASA Scientist Vs. More Than 20
Editorial, IBD, Jan 25, 2013
[SEPP Comment: The number of scientists on one side of the other does not matter as much as how and why do they know what they claim to know. What do the data show?]
The Hard Question Debate
Climate Change – Science or Hype
Hosted by Blanquita Cullum
http://www.thehardquestion.com/
Link to video: http://vimeo.com/58107137
Temperature Standstill Continues: 2012 just Scrapes into Top Ten
By David Whitehouse, GWPF, Jan 24, 2013
http://www.thegwpf.org/temperature-standstill-continues-2012-scrapes-top-ten/
Someone please tell us where’s the warming
By Frank Bosse and Fritz Vahrenholt, (Translated/edited by P Gosselin), No Tricks Zone, Jan 24, 2013
New study finds low climate sensitivity
By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Jan 25, 2013
http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2013/1/25/new-study-finds-low-climate-sensitivity.html
Global warming less extreme than feared?
By Bård Amundsen/Else Lie. Translation: Darren McKellep/Carol B. Eckmann, Research Council of Norway, Jan 24, 2013
The low-down on aerosols
By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Jan 24, 2013
http://www.bishop-hill.net/blog/2013/1/24/the-low-down-on-aerosols.html
The changing climate of climate change
By Gordon Fulks, Oregon Live, Jan 19, 2013
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2013/01/the_changing_climate_of_climat.html#incart_river
Defending the Orthodoxy
Speech Gives Climate Goals Center Stage
By Richard Stevenson and John Broder, NYT, Jan 21, 2013
Make climate change a priority
By Jim Yong Kim, President, World Bank, Jan 24, 2013 [H/t Dennis Manuta]
[SEPP Comment: World Bank squandering funds fighting imaginary warming.]
The Danger of Making Science Political
By Puneet Opal, The Atlantic, Jan 19, 2013 [H/t Thomas Sheahen]
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/01/the-danger-of-making-science-political/267327/
Many more scientists identify as Democrats than as Republicans, but threats to scientific thinking can come from any quarter. What must be preserved is the pursuit of science, away from irrational dogma.
[SEPP Comment: Then the author descends into it.]
How Climate Change Could Wipe Out the Western Forests
If current trends continue, the landscapes of states like New Mexico and Arizona may soon be unrecognizable.
Editorial, The Atlantic, Jan 24, 2013
Like the hurricane season, statistics suggest the burn season is becoming longer and more severe.
[SEPP Comment: The data show hurricane seasons becoming less severe.]
In inaugural address, Obama makes a moral case for action on climate change
By Juliet Eilperin, Washington Post, Jan 22, 2013
How High Could the Tide Go?
By Justin Gillis, NYT, Jan 21, 2013
Questioning the Orthodoxy
Of climate science and stomach bugs
By Tom Quirk, Quadrant, Jan 21, 2013
http://www.quadrant.org.au/blogs/doomed-planet/2013/01/of-climate-science-and-stomach-bugs
A Citizen’s Guide to Global Warming Evidence
By William Briggs, His Blog, Jan 22, 2013 [H/t ICECAP]
http://wmbriggs.com/blog/?p=1417
[SEPP Comment: A practical summary of some of the issues regarding the claims that man is causing dangerous global warming.]
The U.N.’s Global Warming War On Capitalism: An Important History Lesson
By Larry Bell, Forbes, Jan 22, 2013
The Overwhelming Judgment of Science Rejects Obama’s Global Warming Claims
By James Taylor, Forbes, Jan 24, 2013
Extreme media alert
The insurance industry appears to be behind all the hype of extreme weather
By Terence Corcoran, Financial Post, Jan 23, 2013
http://opinion.financialpost.com/2013/01/23/terence-corcoran-extreme-media-alert/
[SEPP Comment: A winter warming of a few degrees in Canada is hardly the end of the world.]
Inaugural Lies and the Big Chill
By Alan Caruba, Warning Signs, Jan 21, 2013
http://factsnotfantasy.blogspot.com/2013/01/inaugural-lies-and-big-chill.html
Questioning European Green
Ofgem and the family bill
By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Jan 23, 2013
http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2013/1/23/ofgem-and-the-family-bill.html
[SEPP Comment: How to manipulate numbers to make proposed legislation appear to be less costly to households than it actually is.]
Only five households sign up to Coalition’s flagship energy project
With less than a week to go until the launch of the Coalition’s flagship energy efficiency project, just five households have signed up for the Green Deal.
By Louis Gray, Telegraph, UK, Jan 22, 2013 [H/t Malcolm Ross]
Despite months to prepare, 600 trained builders on standby and the involvement of 40 organisations, including household names like B&Q and British Gas, it looks like few people are interested – never mind queuing up to be the first in line for a loan.
Climate policy could be ‘collateral damage’ of UK exit from EU
By Arthur Neslen, EurActiv, Jan 24, 2013 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.euractiv.com/climate-environment/climate-policy-collateral-damage-news-517292
How not to reduce carbon dioxide emissions
By Martin Livermore, Scientific Alliance, Jan 25, 2013
[SEPP Comment: A cross nation assessment of Western Europe does not result in clear indications that those governments that spend heavily on renewable sources of electricity have comparatively low per capita carbon dioxide emissions.]
Lovelock recants
By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Jan 25, 2013
http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2013/1/25/lovelock-recants.html
Major German Daily Carries Front-Page Headline: “Global Warming Keeps Us Waiting…CO2 Over-Estimated?”
By P Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Jan 21, 2013
Leading German Meteorologist Dismisses Climate Horror Scenarios…”Are Without Any Scientific Merit”
By P Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Jan 23, 2013
Lomborg: Electricity prices for German households have increased 61% since 2000 – renewables blamed
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Jan 23, 2013
Questioning Green Elsewhere
Obama still chasing ‘green jobs’ will-o’-the-wisp
Editorial, Washington Examiner, Jan 22, 2013
Obama’s Bonfire of Green Energy Inanities
By Peter Glover, Energy Tribune, Jan 25, 2013
http://www.energytribune.com/71647/obamas-bonfire-of-green-energy-inanities
Expanding the Orthodoxy
Ban Ki-moon: climate agreement tops 2013 wishlist
The UN chief said global warming, along with ending the Syrian crisis, were his priorities among an ambitious list of hopes
By Staff Writers, AP, Jan 22, 2013
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/jan/22/ban-ki-moon-climate-agreement
Problems in the Orthodoxy
US climate fears mount, but political action wanes
By Staff Writers, Washington (AFP), Jan 19, 2013
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/US_climate_fears_mount_but_political_action_wanes_999.html
U.K. Referendum Call Rattles Europe’s Gilded Cage
Editorial, IBD, Jan 24, 2013
Japan ready to ditch target for emissions cut
By Staff Writers, AFP, Jan 24, 2013
http://phys.org/news/2013-01-japan-ready-ditch-emissions.html
The Gleick Affair
Caught Red-Handed on Climate Change
By John Ransom, Townhall, Jan 21, 2013 [H/t Tom Sheahan]
Seeking a Common Ground
Biased Scientific Appraisals
By Donn Dears, Power for USA, Jan 22, 2013
http://dddusmma.wordpress.com/2013/01/22/biased-scientific-appraisals/
[SEPP Comment: Prior to review, there is no reason to assume an assessment from Exxon is superior or inferior to one by Greenpeace.
Communicating Better to the Public – Exaggerate, or be Vague?
Study Finds Severe Climate Jeopardizing Amazon Forest
By Staff Writers, Pasadena CA (JPL), Jan 21, 2013
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Study_Finds_Severe_Climate_Jeopardizing_Amazon_Forest_999.html
5 Tips for Handling Climate Skeptics in 2013
By Mike Bellamente Climate Counts, Jan 16, 2013 [H/t Ronald Lansky]
[SEPP Comment: Contrary to the author’s claims, carbon dioxide is more than a harmless gas, it is a beneficial gas to the environment and humanity.]
Climate change to profoundly affect the Midwest in coming decades
By Staff Writers, Ann Arbor MI (SPX), Jan 21, 2013
[SEPP Comment: From the draft of the National Climate Assessment using models that have not been validated.]
“Misinterpreted climate report threatens the credibility of scientists’
Debate/Discussion article published January 21, 2013 by the Swedish major daily newspaper Dagens Nyheter, Translation by LRG, [H/t Anne Debeil]
Link ”Misstolkad klimatrapport hotar forskares trovärdighet”
By Lennart Bengtsson,, Deliang Chen,, Marie-José Gaillard, Henning Rodhe. Jan 21, 2013 http://www.dn.se/debatt/misstolkad-klimatrapport-hotar-forskares-trovardighet
The World Bank’s recent climate report was not saying that we necessarily face an extreme global temperature increase – but was about the potential consequences of such. It is one of several examples of how climate information can be misinterpreted and ultimately damage the credibility of researchers, writes leading climate scientists.
[SEPP Comment: When in doubt equivocate.]
Unprecedented melting of Andean glaciers due to climate change
The high mountain water source for millions of people in South America is now in question.
By Martin Barillas, Spero News, Jan 23, 2013
[SEPP Comment: Unprecedented! Over the 300 year study period – starting during the . Little Ice Age. No excuse for the ignorance of history.]
Communicating Better to the Public – Make things up.
Sir David Attenborough calls humans ‘a plague on the Earth’
Filmmaker warns of population growth outstripping resources, global warming
By Staff Writers, Live Science, Jan 22, 2013
[SEPP Comment: Royal Society Fellow Paul Ehrlich agrees.]
Northeast Faces Stark Choice on Climate Pollution
By Peter Shattuck & Daniel Sosland, NYT, Jan 24, 2013
[SEPP Comment: From global warming, to climate change, to extreme weather, to climate pollution, is there any limit to the absurd claims appearing in the once vaunted Gray Lady?]
Measurement Issues
Via experiment, NOAA establishes a fact about station siting: ‘nighttime temperatures are indeed higher closer to the laboratory’
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Jan 20, 2013
Changing Weather
California Megaflood: Lessons from a Forgotten Catastrophe
By Stefan Landherr, NCTCS, Jan 21, 2013
http://theclimatescepticsparty.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/california-megaflood-lessons-from.html
Link to full Article: California Megaflood: Lessons from a Forgotten Catastrophe
A 43-day storm that began in December 1861 put central and southern California underwater for up to six months, and it could happen again
By B. Lynn Ingram, Scientific American, Jan 19, 2013
Snowpocalypse Russia: ‘Snow tsunami’ swallows streets, cars, buildings (PHOTOS)
By Staff Writers, Russia Today, Jan 19, 2013 [H/t ICECAP]
http://rt.com/news/winter-snow-russia-weather-275/
Australia’s Alien Environment Fuels Firestorms
By Viv Forbes, WUWT, Jan 20, 2013
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2013/01/20/australias-alien-environment-fuels-firestorms/
[SEPP Comment: Native Americans used similar techniques in places such as the Shenandoah Valley and Yosemite. Imagine the screams if it was proposed now.]
Changing Climate
Study Provides New Insights on Drought Predictions in East Africa
By Staff Writers, Cape Cod MA (SPX), Jan 21, 2013
Link to Article: Multidecadal variability in East African hydroclimate controlled by the Indian Ocean
By Jessica E. Tierney, Jason E. Smerdon, Kevin J. Anchukaitis, & Richard Seager, Nature, Jan 16, 2013
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v493/n7432/full/nature11785.html
Tiny fossils hold answers to big questions on climate change
By Staff Writers, Press Release, Cardiff University, Jan 21, 2013 [H/t WUWT]
Link to Article: Glacial discharge along the west Antarctic Peninsula during the Holocene
By Pike, Swan, Leng, & Snelling, Nature, Jan 20, 2013
http://www.nature.com/ngeo/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/ngeo1703.html
We show that two processes of atmospheric forcing—an increasing occurrence of La Niña events5 and rising levels of summer insolation—had a stronger influence during the late Holocene than oceanic processes driven by southern westerly winds and upwelling of upper Circumpolar Deepwater.
[SEPP Comment: One should not extrapolate from what is occurring on the west Antarctic Peninsula to the entire continent. Part of it is outside the Antarctic Circle and it has the mildest climate and the only flowering plants in Antarctica.]
Changing Cryosphere – Land / Sea Ice
First complete ice core record of last interglacial period shows the climate of Greenland to be significantly warmer than today
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Jan 24, 2013
Link to Article: Eemian interglacial reconstructed from a Greenland folded ice core
By NEEM, Nature, Jan 23, 2013
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v493/n7433/full/nature11789.html
Greenland less vulnerable than expected to a runaway melt
Only 25 percent of ice sheet thawed in warm period more than 100,000 years ago: study
By Alister Doyle, Reuters, Jan 23, 2013 [H/t Clyde Spencer]
Greenland Ice Simply Would Not Melt in Baking +8°C Era 120k Years Ago
By Lewis Page, The Register, Jan 24, 2013 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/01/24/greenland_ice_sheet_simply/
Agriculture Issues & Fear of Famine
USDA Studies Confirm Plant Water Demands Shift with Water Availability
By Ann Perry for USDA News. Washington DC (SPX), Jan 23, 2013
First Global Assessment of Land and Water ‘Grabbing’
By Fariss Samarrai for UV News, Charlottesville VA (SPX), Jan 23, 2013
http://www.seeddaily.com/reports/First_Global_Assessment_of_Land_and_Water_Grabbing_999.html
[SEPP Comment: Would environmental NGOs placing lands into preserves also be considered ‘Grabbing.’]
Review of Recent Scientific Articles by NIPCC
For a full list of articles see www.NIPCCreport.org
Calcification and Productivity in Symbiont-Bearing Foraminifer
Reference: Vogel, N. and Uthicke, S. 2012. Calcification and photobiology in symbiont-bearing benthic foraminifera and responses to a high CO2 environment. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 424-425: 15-24.
http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2013/jan/22jan2013a1.html
Tropical Cyclones of the Lesser Antilles
Reference: Chenoweth, M. and Divine, D. 2012. Tropical cyclones in the Lesser Antilles: descriptive statistics and historical variability in cyclone energy, 1638-2009. Climatic Change 113: 583-598.
http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2013/jan/22jan2013a2.html
Fine-Scale Temperature Features at High Elevations
Reference: Graham, E.A., Rundel, P.W., Kaiser, W., Lam, Y., Stealey, M. and Yuen, E.M. 2012. Fine-scale patterns of soil and plant surface temperatures in an alpine fellfield habitat, White Mountains, California. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research 44: 288-295.
http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2013/jan/22jan2013a3.html
The Medieval Warm Period on Maui
Reference: Pau, S., MacDonald, G.M. and Gillespie, T.W. 2012. A dynamic history of climate change and human impact on the environment from Kealia Pond, Maui, Hawaiian Islands. Annals of the Association of American Geographers 102: 748-762.
http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2013/jan/22jan2013a4.html
The Political Games Continue
Republicans threaten ‘formal action’ over EPA head’s ‘Richard Windsor’ emails
By Ben Geman, The Hill, Jan 24, 2013
[SEPP Comment: To some, the concepts of transparency and public records are in the mind of the beholder.]
Climate Change on Obama’s Second-Term Agenda
By Gail Reitenbach, Power News, Jan 24, 2013
http://www.powermag.com/news/5305.html?hq_e=el&hq_m=2603596&hq_l=5&hq_v=5e660500d0
EPA and other Regulators on the March
China’s bad air puts the lie to EPA scare tactics
Costly regulations have no basis in fact
By Steve Milloy, Washington Times, Jan 22, 2013
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jan/22/chinas-bad-air-puts-the-lie-to-epa-scare-tactics/
EPA Usurps Congressional Intent
By Donn Dears, Power for USA, Jan 25, 2013
http://dddusmma.wordpress.com/2013/01/25/epa-usurps-congressional-intent/
Court delivers blow to biofuel industry in ruling against EPA
By Zack Colman, The Hill, Jan 25, 2013
[SEPP Comment: A court ruling that the EPA cannot require refiners to use product that does not exist in commercial quantities creates uncertainty among the would-be producers who have yet to deliver the product! With this ruling, the EPA can no longer pocket the fines levied for failure to use a product that does not exist.]
EPA Proposal Could Mean $1.1B in New Emissions Controls for Arizona Coal Plant
By Sonal Patel, Power News, Jan 24, 2013
http://www.powermag.com/news/5329.html?hq_e=el&hq_m=2603596&hq_l=6&hq_v=5e660500d0
Energy Issues – Non-US
Keystone vs. religion
Climate change isn’t about policy as much as religion
By Peter Foster, Financial Post, Jan 22, 2013
http://opinion.financialpost.com/2013/01/22/peter-foster-keystone-vs-religion/
US ‘shale boost’ provokes EU fears and indecision
By Staff Writers, EurActiv, Jan 23, 2013 [H/t GWPF]
Savanna study highlights African fuel wood crisis
By Staff Writers, London, UK (SPX,) Jan 21, 2013
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Savanna_study_highlights_African_fuelwood_crisis_999.html
[SEPP Comment: England, the US, etc. solved their fuel wood crisis by using coal. Will the powers that be permit that solution for Africa?]
Energy Issues — US
Watchdog group demands information on green building program
By Michael Bastasch, Daily Caller, Jan 17, 2013 [H/t Timothy Wise]
http://dailycaller.com/2013/01/17/watchdog-group-demands-information-on-green-building-program/
Washington’s Control of Energy
Nebraska OKs re-routed Keystone XL pipeline, now it’s Obama’s problem
By Andrew Malcolm, IBD, Jan 23, 2013
Nebraska OKs Pipeline; Now It’s Climate Myth Vs. Jobs
Editorial, IBD, Jan 23, 2013
John Kerry Says He’ll Control Keystone XL Review as Secretary of State
Climate change is among the ‘life threatening issues’ that define U.S. foreign policy, he tells Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
By Maria Gallucci, Inside Climate News, Jan 24, 2013
Oil and Natural Gas – the Future or the Past?
The Abundance of Fossil Fuels,
By Philipp Mueller, Report, GWPF, No Date
http://www.thegwpf.org/content/uploads/2013/01/Mueller-Fossil-fuels.pdf
Will California Be the Next Big Shale Oil Play?
By Geoffrey Styles, Energy Tribune, Jan 24, 2013
http://www.energytribune.com/71524/will-california-be-the-next-big-shale-oil-play
[SEPP Comment: The more complex geology of the Monterey shale formation as compared with the Bakken and Eagle Ford, increases the risks of any individual well.]
Breaking: Major shale oil find in South Australia (geopolitical shift coming?)
By Jo Nova, Her Blog, Jan 24, 2013
[SEPP Comment: It depends on the costs of development and extraction.]
Return of King Coal?
IEA: Coal Will Be The World’s Dominant Fuel By 2030
By Rank Clemente, Energy Facts, Jan 22, 2013
http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=29bc7d5d85828d574f86c157a&id=1d1bd58be3&e=
Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Energy — Other
Photovoltaics beat biofuels at converting sun’s energy to miles driven
By Staff Writers, Santa Barbara CA (SPX), Jan 21, 2013
[SEPP Comments: Biofuels perform that poorly!]
Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Vehicles
CBO Says Electric Vehicle Subsidies to Cost $7.5 Billion With Little Benefit
By Mark Modica, NLPC, Jan 18, 2013
http://nlpc.org/stories/2013/01/18/cbo-says-ev-subsidies-cost-75-billion-little-benefits
Link to Report: Effects of Federal Tax Credits for the Purchase of Electric Vehicles
By CBO, Sep 20, 2012
http://www.cbo.gov/publication/43576
Health and Science
Fossil Fuels: Humanity’s Liberator (escaping the Malthusian curse via coal, oil, and gas)
By Indur Goklany, Master Resource, Jan 24, 2013
http://www.masterresource.org/2013/01/fossil-fuels-humanity-liberator/#more-23791
Nature, Not Only Mankind, Saved by Fossil Fuels
By Indur Goklany, Master Resource, Jan 25, 2013
http://www.masterresource.org/2013/01/nature-saved-fossil-fuels/#more-23860
Finally — a little common sense on mercury
By Staff Writers, ACSH, Jan 22, 2013
http://www.acsh.org/finally-a-little-common-sense-on-mercury/
[SEPP Comment: Perhaps it should be called the “mad hatter” agreement. Large doses of the correct mercury compound cause neurological damage. Using the linear no-threshold model, EPA claims that any exposure to mercury causes neurological damage and death. Stay away from the oceans and the sea air!]
Environmental Industry
Scientists worldwide: BPA is safe; CAL-EPA and NRDC: No, it’s not
By Staff Writers, ACSH, Jan 25, 2013
http://www.acsh.org/scientists-worldwide-bpa-is-safe-cal-epa-and-nrdc-no-its-not/
Sierra Club Decides to Break Law to Stop Keystone Pipeline
By Brandon Darby, Breibart, Jan 24, 20113 [H/t Jeff Braswell]
Coal, not oil sands, biggest climate villain: Greenpeace
By Bob Weber, Canadian Press, Jan 23, 2013
Other Scientific News
Extinction fears ‘alarmist’: study
By Staff Writers, Wellington (AFP), Jan 25, 2013
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Extinction_fears_alarmist_study_999.html
Link to Article: Can We Name Earth’s Species Before They Go Extinct?
By Costello, May and Stork, Science, Jan 25, 2013
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/339/6118/413
[SEPP Comment: Extinction fears are over rated.]
PODEX Experiment to Reshape Future of Atmospheric Science
By Kathryn Hansen for NASA Earth News, Greenbelt MD (SPX), Jan 17, 2013
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/PODEX_Experiment_to_Reshape_Future_of_Atmospheric_Science_999.html
[SEPP Comment: Certainly more data is needed.]
Other News that May Be of Interest
Tree and human health may be linked
By Staff Writers, Portland OR (SPX), Jan 18, 2013
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Tree_and_human_health_may_be_linked_999.html
[SEPP Comment: Perhaps in a way that the authors do not realize. More atmospheric CO2 yields healthier plants, trees included, thus more food to humanity.]
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BELOW THE BOTTOM LINE:
Green energy and organized crime: A match made in heaven
By Conn Carroll, Washington Examiner, Jan 23, 2013
It’s Time to Prepare Your Portfolio for Climate Change
By Travis Hoium, The Motley Fool, Jan 18, 2013 [H/t Charles Schafer]
Marginal lands are prime fuel source for alternative energy
By Staff Writers, Lansing MI (SPX), Jan 18, 2013
[SEPP Comment: What a joke. Talk to environmental NGOs about wetlands being used for alternative energy.]
Never use “orientated” when “oriented” will do.
We must not forget that Lovelock recently stated that his Gaia hypothesis was a bit ingenuous and he was surprised so many too it so far. He has backed away from this anthropomorphic view of the Earth.
8 degrees C is 46-47F, not 14F. 14F is -10C.
I tried to sign the petition for EU citizens mentioned above (1,000,000 signatures needed) but each time I got as far as the final submit button it said an error had occurred. Has anyone been successful?
Although “16 years of no warming” is contentious, both Hansen and Lovelock agree on “no warming since 2000.” Isn’t that the year when Bush became president?
@mnhawk
They specifically said 8C warmer than today, an 8C change is a 14.4 F change. So they are actually correct in this instance. (You don’t add the 32F when speaking of temperature changes)
Well WE are all funded by Koch… according to the Independent…
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/exclusive-billionaires-secretly-fund-attacks-on-climate-science-8466312.html
“The Knowledge and Progress Fund, whose directors include Charles Koch and his wife Liz, gave $1.25m to Donors in 2007, a further $1.25m in 2008 and $2m in 2010. It does not appear to have given money to any other group and there is no mention of the fund on the websites of Koch Industries or the Charles Koch Foundation.”
And I guess this Independent article comes from the Firends of Mann…
“The trust has given money to the Competitive Enterprise Institute which is currently being sued for defamation by Professor Michael Mann of Pennsylvania University, an eminent climatologist, whose affidavit claims that he was accused of scientific fraud and compared to a convicted child molester.”
Meanwhile the Independent has yet to discover those other US billionaires:
http://fairquestions.typepad.com/rethink_campaigns/90-million-hewlett-packard.html
“Since 1999, the Hewlett foundation and the Packard foundation have granted $90 million to environmental organizations in Canada. The top recipient, by far, was Tides Canada which received a total of $28 million.
As depicted in the diagram below, about 90 percent of the funds granted by the Hewlett and the Packard foundations were for projects to tackle the Canadian energy industry and to create a huge park right smack on the strategic, north coast of British Columbia – Canada’s gateway to Asia. The thing is, this park isn’t called the Hewlett-Packard park. Instead, its called the Great Bear Rainforest and its now used by the U.S.-funded Dogwood Initiative as a pretext for seeking a federal ban on oil tanker traffic. No oil tankers means no oil exports to Asia – and that the U.S. gets to keep its monopoly on Canadian oil exports.”
I’d rather be bought by the Hewlett and Packard… they are more generous with their dough…
Oh and the Independent does not mind the Koch funding BEST…
@ Heather Brown. I missed the “select your nationality” drop down box on my first attempt. Having selected that it went through OK.
“It isn’t pollution that’s harming the environment. It’s the impurities in our air and water that are doing it..”
–Al Gore, Vice President
There’s your daily pump up eh?
Talking about the US billionaires funding Tides that in turns fund the David Suzuki Foundation and its guru…
http://ezralevant.com/2013/01/saint-suzukis-scandal.html
One hour speech in front of a Quebec college= $41,000
And security around the big man? Selected college students… female and pretty as requested by the Suzuki…
Also it is worth appreciating watching Stroumbolopoulos interviewing Suzuki on CBC… that is two board members of the Suzuki Foundation self congratulating each others on taxpayers’ dime…
Hypocrites: US have Al Gore… Canada has Suzuki.