Weekly Climate and Energy News Roundup

The Week That Was: 2013-05-18 (May 18, 2013) Brought to You by SEPP (www.SEPP.org) The Science and Environmental Policy Project

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Quote of the Week: “The influence of mankind on climate is trivially true and numerically insignificant.” Richard Lindzen [H/t Tom Sheehan]

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Number of the Week: 76%

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THIS WEEK:

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

Assessing Climate Science: On her web site, Judith Curry posted sections of a March essay by Lennart Bengtsson suggesting that the Climate Establishment, those supporting the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and its assertion that human (anthropogenic) carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are causing unprecedented and dangerous global warming (carbon based AGW), should take the current pause in warming to reassess the climate science. Global warming has not occurred as projected by the models. For example, Bengtsson states that about 25 years ago the MPI model in Hamburg projected the warming since the end of the 19^th century should be about 1.25º C; but, it has been only about 0.75º C. Since the theory of greenhouse warming asserts that doubling of CO2 will cause a warming of about 1.1º C, the models used by the IPCC include an amplification of the warming by a positive feedback mechanism. With no atmospheric warming for a decade and no surface warming (according to the IPCC) for 17 years, there are significant problems with the models, which, according to Bengtsson, from 1979 to 2012 forecast an atmospheric warming about three times greater than observations.

As Curry points out, Bengtsson is part of the Climate Establishment, thus his criticisms should be carefully considered by the Establishment. However, thus far, his criticisms appear to be ignored. As Bengtsson states: “The real genuine interest in climate and climate processes is fading away as the interest is confined to the concept of climate typical of the general public or rather I shall say the predominant or politically correct concept of climate.”

In her comments Curry expresses her great concern for the overemphasis on, what she calls, climate model taxonomy – the analysis of the outputs of the models which infer catastrophic outcomes far in the future. Here the administrators of the government funding have been severely deficient. The emphasis should be on the validation of the models including rigorous testing of the assumptions. As Curry states, it is far too easy to get research, with no solid testing of assumptions, published in journals such as Nature and Science, while the hard research problems are ignored. Please see links under Seeking a Common Ground.

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Public Enemies? P. Gosselin reports that the German Ministry of the Environment published a 123 page pamphlet on global warming/climate change. “According to the UBA, all the climate doubt stems mainly from the USA. Beginning on page 100, the UBA lists the Americans responsible for “spreading doubt and false information“, among them: ExxonMobil, Fred Singer, Sallie Baliunas and Willie Soon, Frederick Seitz, Joe Barton, Pat Michaels, John Christy, Ross McKitrick and the Heartland Institute. The UBA cites the Union of Concerned Scientists and a one-sided Die Zeit smear from November 2012 as its reliable sources for this information.” Draw your own conclusions. Please see link under Defending the Orthodoxy.

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Another 97%: The Climate Establishment seems to be fascinated with the claim that 97% – 98% of the scientists agree … Previously, both EOS and the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences published surveys of highly questionable quality that stressed that “97% – 98% of scientists agree…” [TWTW Sep 1 & Sep 8, 2012] Now, Environmental Research Letters published a survey of the abstracts by a team headed by John Cook, who blogs on the misnamed web site Skeptical Science. The survey covered the years from 1991 to 2011 and searched on the topics “global climate change” and “global warming.” The survey found 11,944 abstracts, of which 66.4% expressed no position on carbon-based AGW, 32.6% endorsed carbon-based AGW, and 1% rejected AGW or were uncertain about the cause. The 32.6% immediately became “97% of scientists agree …”

Based on separate reports by the Government Accountability Office and the Congressional Research Service, SEPP estimates that the US Federal government has spent about $140 to $150 Billion on global warming/climate change issues from FY 1993 to 2012. Little, if any, of this funding went directly to skeptics. It should be noted that the satellite observations of atmospheric temperatures are part of this funding. Further, it would be interesting to see how many of the 32.6% of the papers were based on analysis of the outcomes of IPCC models, which have never been verified and validated, thus are little more than sophisticated speculation. On their web sites, Anthony Watts and Jo Nova have devastating comments regarding the survey.

If anything, the survey demonstrates how much of climate science is of questionable quality. Many of the papers, such as those which analyze the long range results of the models, make the logical error of petitio principii – they assume that which must be proven is true. Please see links under Communicating Better to the Public – Make things up.

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Cloudy Issue: The abstract of an article in Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics states: “Recent measurements of the cosmic ray intensity show that a former decrease with time has been reversed. Thus, even if cosmic rays enhanced cloud production, there would be a small global cooling, not warming.” However, the statement appears to be exactly consistent with the solar-cosmic ray hypothesis and the current lack of warming.

The abstract further states: “…the results do not lead to the conclusion that cosmic rays affect atmospheric clouds significantly, at least if H2SO4 is the dominant source of aerosols in the atmosphere.” However, the effectiveness of aerosols in forming clouds is being challenged. Please see links under Commentary: Is the Sun Rising? and Seeking a Common Ground.

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EPA: Until late last week, the Republicans on the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works have held up the confirmation of Regina (Gina) McCarthy for Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. McCarthy is the EPA assistant administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation, which has issued numerous air quality regulations without revealing the scientific basis for the regulations. The Republicans have taken an (unusual?) principled, stance demanding transparency on EPA regulation making, for which they have been been roundly criticized by the administration and in the general press.

On April 10, they sent a letter outlining their five major concerns (copied from the web site on May 14 with the assessment of the response by the EPA).

1. That the EPA issue new guidance drafted by its Office of General Counsel that clearly outlines: a) standards and procedures to ensure that all official business is conducted solely on official government email accounts; and b) standards and procedures for responding fully, truthfully, and in a timely manner to FOIA requests and Congressional inquiries. EPA’s response is a step forward.

2. That all private email accounts of Regina McCarthy are exhaustively reviewed, and that all emails regarding official EPA business are produced unredacted to the committee. If no such emails exist, that an affidavit stating that fact by McCarthy be produced for the committee. In addition, we are asking for transparency on specific documents the committee has obtained in unredacted form. The EPA has been wholly unresponsive.

3. That underlying data used to promulgate Clean Air Act rules be made public so the public can independently examine cost/benefit and other issues. That the EPA release a full set of data files for the American Cancer Society Study; the Harvard Six Cities Study; HEI/Krewski et al. 2009; Laden et al. 2006; Lepeule 2012; and Jerrett 2009. The EPA has been wholly unresponsive.

4. That written assurances be given the committee that the EPA will conduct cost/benefit analyses as required under various executive orders and as required by the CAA, Section 321(a), specifically through issuance of new guidance mandating “whole economy” modeling on major rules. The EPA has been wholly unresponsive.

5. That all petitions for rulemaking or the promulgation of guidance received by the Agency, including by the Office of the Administrator and/or by the Office of General Counsel, be tracked, listed, and made publicly available, including copies of the documents, via readily available links on the Agency’s website. This information is to be regularly updated. That all notices of intent to sue received by the Agency, including by the Office of the Administrator and/or by the Office of General Counsel be tracked, listed, and made publicly available, including copies of the documents, via readily available links on the EPA website. This information is to be regularly updated. The EPA has partially responded. [This relates to “sue and settle” with no opportunity for those most affected to challenge.]

More detail can be found at: http://www.epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressRoom.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=F52A53AB-FAA7-77E3-2E57-DF15459B241B

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Green Jobs v. Black Gold? For years politicians in many countries have been promising prosperity and high paying green jobs from the development of renewable energy, such as solar and wind power. The green jobs are proving to be as illusionary as the reliability of wind. Largely unnoticed by Washington, for a decade deep underground hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling of dense shale for oil and natural gas has been creating prosperity and jobs in the regions in which it is occurring. These activities are regulated by the several states and there is no verified instance in which fracturing has resulted in contamination of well water.

Some in Washington are finally taking notice and the Department of Interior has announced proposed regulations for permitting these activities on Federal lands. It remains to be seen how severe the final regulations will be.

Senator Inhofe has an amusing take on the situation and the possibility of Iran building an atomic bomb with his proposed “Iranian Oil Replacement Zones.” Impose a total embargo on the export of oil by Iran and designate Federal lands for the production of 1.25 million barrels of oil per day to offset current Iranian exports. Please see links under Energy Issues, Alternative Energy and Washington’s Control of Energy.

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Snowpack: Governor of California Jerry Brown has blamed the wildfires in California on global warming, and the LA Times amplified the concern by reporting the snowpack in the Sierra Mountains is 17% of normal. Official reports in March put it at 67% of normal. However, to prepare for the summer, the critical measurement is how much water in the reservoirs, not how much is in the snowpack. Reports put the level of reservoirs at or above normal thanks to November – December rains. In late February, the largest, Lake Shasta, was at 79%, or 107% of normal.

One of the big problems those who manage the water resources face every year is how much to draw down the reservoirs in the fall to prepare for the spring floods. Accurate weather prediction would be a boon for them. One would think journalists at the LA Times would know how they get their water. The same applies for much of the western US, where all the major rivers are dammed. Please see links under California Dreaming.

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400 ppm: It appears that the reports last Friday putting the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere at 400 parts per million may have been premature. Of course, there were many alarmist reports stating it is the highest in human history, which is technically true. However, it was about 3000 ppm 65 million years ago and the ancestors of all current species of plants and animals survived. Please see links under The Magic 400?

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Number of the Week – 76%. Bjørn Lomborg estimates that 76% of renewable energy is from biomass burning, and it accounts for about 10% of all energy use. “About 60% of this is wood, twigs, and dung, used by almost three billion people who lack access to modern fuels – and resulting in terrible air pollution and millions of deaths.” Please see link Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Energy — Other

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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. From the IRS to the EPA?

By Jason Riley, WSJ, May 15, 2013

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324767004578485020262618766.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_MIDDLESecond

2. Europe’s Manufacturers Feel Squeezed

As Officials Talk of Rebuilding Industry, Business Leaders See the Real Challenge as Just Holding On

By Stephen Fidler, WSJ, May 16, 2013

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323398204578486910790220942.html

3. Europe’s Green Central Planning

State intervention to protect one industry begets intervention to protect another.

Editorial, WSJ, May 9, 2013

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323744604578472723637628606.html

4. Understanding Carbon Dioxide and Climate Change

Two letters in response to the Schmitt-Happer essay in defense of CO2, WSJ, May 16, 2013

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324216004578483381642480020.html?KEYWORDS=Roger+Cohen

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NEWS YOU CAN USE:

 

Commentary: Is the Sun Rising?

A review of the relevance of the ‘CLOUD’ results and other recent observations to the possible effect of cosmic rays on the terrestrial climate

By Erlykin, Sloan, & Wolfedale, Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics, May 2013 [H/t Bishop Hill]

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00703-013-0260-x

Challenging the Orthodoxy

William Happer on CNBC, Video

Posted by Lubos Motl, The Reference Frame, May 17, 2013

http://motls.blogspot.com/2013/05/william-happer-on-cnbc.html

[SEPP Comment: Although Happer was frequently interrupted, the program demonstrates a shift towards giving skeptics an opportunity to speak on CNBC.

Surface Radiation Budget: Where’s the Proof?

By Roy Spencer, His Blog, May 13, 2013

http://www.drroyspencer.com/2013/05/surface-radiation-budget-wheres-the-proof/

Defending the Orthodoxy

German Ministry Of Environment Identifies, Targets American And German Enemy Skeptics In 123-Page Pamphlet

By P Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, May 16, 2013

http://notrickszone.com/2013/05/16/german-ministry-of-environment-identifies-targets-american-and-german-enemy-skeptics-in-123-page-pamphlet/

Unsettled Science! We need more Grants

By Goeff Brown, NCTCS, May 14, 2013

http://theclimatescepticsparty.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/unsettled-science-we-need-more-grants.html

A Change in Temperature

By Justin Gillis, NYT, May 13, 2013

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/14/science/what-will-a-doubling-of-carbon-dioxide-mean-for-climate.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130514&_r=0

Questioning the Orthodoxy

Another blow to the ‘extreme weather is climate’ alarmism meme – Australian cyclone activity down

By Anthony Watts, WUWT, May 17, 2013

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2013/05/17/another-blow-to-the-extreme-weather-is-climate-alarmism-meme-australian-cyclone-activity-down/

Questioning European Green

The EU green hell

Limits to growth ideology a self-fulfilling prophecy

By Benny Peiser, Financial Post, May 13, 2013 [H/t GWPF]

http://opinion.financialpost.com/2013/05/13/the-eu-green-hell/

Why British Energy Policy Imperils Manufacturing Industries,

By Jermey Nicholson, Civitas, May 2013 [H/t GWPF]

http://www.civitas.org.uk/economy/IdeasforEconomicGrowth6.pdf

[SEPP Comment: Civitas can be considered a pro-growth publication. The charts on 2011 electricity prices for energy intensive industries, by selected countries, and the impact of climate policies on industrial electricity prices in 2011, 2015 and 2020, by selected countries, should give pause to all but the most adamant renewable promoters.]

 

To eat or heat? That’s the EU’s question

By Licia Corbella, Calgary Herald, May 15, 2013 [H/t GWPF]

http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/Corbella+heat+That+question/8388644/story.html

Questioning Green Elsewhere

Texas: A Global Green Paragon

By Walter Russell Mead, Via Meadia, May 14, 2013 [H/t Timothy Wise]

http://blogs.the-american-interest.com/wrm/2013/05/14/texas-a-global-green-paragon/

[SEPP Comment: Surprising chart of carbon dioxide emissions by various categories.]

Expanding the Orthodoxy

Climate Change: Future Federal Adaptation Efforts Could Better Support Local Infrastructure Decision Makers

By Staff Writers, GAO, Apr 12, 2013 [H/t Timothy Wise]

http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-242

Problems in the Orthodoxy

Coalition faces an exodus of energy experts as funding for renewables is held up on grounds of cost

Blow to fight against climate change as CO2 in the atmosphere hits record high

By Paul Bignell & Oliver Write, Independent, UK, May 11, 2013 [H/t GWPF]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/coalition-faces-an-exodus-of-energy-experts-as-funding-for-renewables-is-held-up-on-grounds-of-cost-8611631.html

New York Times Conceding Low Sensitivity! Now Talking About “CO2 Quadrupling” To Get Catastrophe Scenarios!

By P Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, May 14, 2013

http://notrickszone.com/2013/05/14/new-york-times-conceding-low-sensitivity-now-talking-about-co2-quadrupling-to-get-catastrophe-scenarios/

The Magic 400?

Carbon dioxide in atmosphere did not break 400 ppm at Hawaii site

By Goeffrey Mohan, LA Times, May 13, 2013 [H/t Climate Depot]

http://www.latimes.com/news/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-carbon-dioxide-400-20130513,0,7196126.story

Carbon dioxide levels hit troubling milestone, scientists say

By Brian Vastag and Jason Samenow, Washington Post, May 10, 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/atmospheric-carbon-dioxide-levels-hit-worrisome-milestone/2013/05/10/7cfe450c-b9a4-11e2-b94c-b684dda07add_story.html

Heat-Trapping Gas Passes Milestone, Raising Fears

By Justin Gillis, NYT, May 10, 2013 [H/t Tom Hayward]

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/11/science/earth/carbon-dioxide-level-passes-long-feared-milestone.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130511&_r=1&

Climate Change: Swift Political Action Can Avert Crisis

Editorial, Guardian, UK, May 11, 2013

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/may/12/observer-editorial-carbon-dioxide-levels-high

Lowering Standards

Retrospective prediction of the global warming slowdown in the past decade

By Virginie Guemas, Francisco J. Doblas-Reyes, Isabel Andreu-Burillo & Muhammad Asif, Nature, Apr 7, 2013 [H/t WUWT]

http://www.nature.com/nclimate/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nclimate1863.html

[SEPP Comment: Editors of Nature sinking to a new low.]

See WUWT a graph showing the actual predictions:

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2013/05/14/in-retrospect-we-predicted-global-warming-would-slow/

Seeking a Common Ground

Lennart Bengtsson on global climate change

By Judith Curry, Climate Etc., May 13, 2013

http://judithcurry.com/2013/05/13/lennart-bengtsson-on-global-climate-change/#more-11674

Sulfate aerosols cool climate less than assumed

Life span of cloud-forming sulfate particles in the air is shorter than assumed due to a sulfur dioxide oxidation pathway which has been neglected in climate models so far

Press Release Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, May 14, 2013

http://www.mpg.de/7248507/sulfate-aerosol-clouds-climate

Link to paper: Enhanced Role of Transition Metal Ion Catalysis During In-Cloud Oxidation of SO2

By Eliza Harris, et al., Science, May 10, 2013

http://www.sciencemag.org/content/340/6133/727

Communicating Better to the Public – Exaggerate, or be Vague?

Hansen’s scandalous interview

By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, May 17, 2013

http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2013/5/17/hansens-scandalous-interview.html

Floods could overwhelm London as sea levels rise – unless Thames Barrier is upgraded

Study concludes there is 1 in 20 chance that existing defences would be unable to cope with extreme storm surge

By Steve Connor, Independent, UK, May 14, 2013

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/floods-could-overwhelm-london-as-sea-levels-rise–unless-thames-barrier-is-upgraded-8616204.html

Communicating Better to the Public – Make things up.

Scientists say [sic] united on global warming, at odds with public view

By Alister Doyle, Reuters, May 16, 2013

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/16/us-climate-scientists-idUSBRE94F00020130516

Link to paper: Quantifying the consensus on anthropogenic global warming in the scientific literature

By John Cook, et al, Environmental Research Letters, May 15, 2013

http://iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/8/2/024024/article

Cook’s fallacy “97% consensus” study is a marketing ploy some journalists will fall for

By Jo Nova, Her Blog, May 17, 2013

http://joannenova.com.au/2013/05/cooks-fallacy-97-consensus-study-is-a-marketing-ploy-some-journalists-will-fall-for/#more-28451

The 97% consensus – a lie of epic proportions.

By Anthony Watts, WUWT, May 17, 2013

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2013/05/17/to-john-cook-it-isnt-hate-its-pity-pity-for-having-such-a-weak-argument-you-are-forced-to-fabricate-in-epic-proportions/

Al Gore Makes A Crackpot Statement About Dirty Oil

Editorial, IBD, May 10, 2013

http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials/051013-655714-gore-says-no-such-thing-as-ethical-oil.htm

Climate change ‘will make hundreds of millions homeless’

Carbon dioxide levels indicate rise in temperatures that could lead agriculture to fail on entire continents

By Robin McKie, Science Editor, Guardian, UK, May 11, 2013 [H/t Climate Depot]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/may/12/climate-change-expert-stern-displacement?CMP=twt_fd

‘Fish thermometer’ reveals long-standing, global impact of climate change

By Staff Writers, Vancouver, Canada (SPX), May 17, 2013

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Fish_thermometer_reveals_long_standing_global_impact_of_climate_change_999.html

Link to PEW: Warming Oceans are reshaping Fisheries

http://www.pewenvironment.org/news-room/fact-sheets/warming-oceans-are-reshaping-fisheries-85899475142

Fishy temperature proxy

By Anthony Watts, WUWT, May 16, 2013

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2013/05/16/fishy-temperature-proxy/

[SEPP Comment: See comments by Patrick Michaels.]

Washington Post Headline: “Worlds fish have been moving to cooler waters for decades, study finds”

By Bob Tisdale, WUWT, May 16, 2013

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2013/05/16/washington-post-headline-worlds-fish-have-been-moving-to-cooler-waters-for-decades-study-finds/

Models v. Observations

2013 in Global Temperature: Standstill Continues

By David Whitehouse, GWPF, May 15, 2013

http://www.thegwpf.org/2013-global-temperature-change/

Atmospheric Methane Concentrations

By Staff Writers, SPPI & CO2 Science, May 8, 2013

http://scienceandpublicpolicy.org/images/stories/papers/originals/atmospheric_methane.pdf

[SEPP Comment: Except for brief intervals, atmospheric methane increase has been far below what was modeled by the IPCC.]

Measurement Issues

Met Office Hadley Centre and Climatic Research Unit HadCRUT4 and CRUTEM4 Temperature Data Sets Adjusted/Corrected/Updated… Can You Guess The Impact?

By Justthefacts, WUWT, May 12, 2013

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2013/05/12/met-office-hadley-centre-and-climatic-research-unit-hadcrut4-and-crutem4-temperature-data-sets-adjustedcorrectedupdated-can-you-guess-the-impact/

Changing Weather

2013 Hurricane Season Forecast

By Joe Bastardi, WeatherBell Analitics, Mar 30, 2013

http://www.weatherbell.com/2013-Hurricane-Season-Forecast

[SEPP Comment: Predicting a tough season along the eastern seaboard of the US, similar to the 1950’s due to a cold PDO and a warm AMO.]

NCDC on April and January to April

By Staff Writer, ICECAP, May 16, 2013

http://icecap.us/index.php/go/in-the-news/ncdc_on_april_and_january_to_april/

Still waiting for spring in Minnesota

By Staff Writer, ICECAP, May 12, 2013

http://icecap.us/index.php/go/political-climate/still_waiting_for_spring_in_minnesotaice_invades_lake_homes1/

A New Chapter for U.S. Numerical Weather Prediction

By Cliff Mass, His Blog, May 15, 2013

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2013/05/a-new-chapter-for-us-numerical-weather.html

[SEPP Comment: A benefit from Sandy! How well will they use it?]

Decline in snow cover spells trouble for many plants, animals

By Staff Writers, Madison WI (SPX), May 10, 2013

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Decline_in_snow_cover_spells_trouble_for_many_plants_animals_999.html

[SEPP Comment: Contradicting this article on diminishing snow cover, last week Joe D’Aleo stated the snow cover for the past winter, Nov to April, was the greatest since satellite measurements permitted accurate measurements.]

This Past Winter Ignored Global Warming Hype

By Art Horn, Energy Tribune, May 15, 2013

http://www.energytribune.com/76868/this-past-winter-ignored-global-warming-hype#sthash.EQjbP9iD.dpbs

Warmer springs causing loss of snow cover throughout the Rocky Mountains

By Staff Writers, Washington DC (SPX). May 16, 2013

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Warmer_springs_causing_loss_of_snow_cover_throughout_the_Rocky_Mountains_999.html

Link to paper: Regional patterns and proximal causes of the recent snowpack decline in the Rocky Mountains, U.S.

By Pederson, Betancourt, and McCabe, Geophysical Research Letters, May 12, 2013

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/grl.50424/abstract

[SEPP Comment: Assumes late 20^th century warming is anthropogenic, yet discusses cycles such as the 1930s.]

Changing Climate

Is cooling worse than we thought?

By Joe Bastardi, Weatherbell.com, May 11, 2013

http://icecap.us/index.php/go/new-and-cool/is_cooling_worse_than_we_thought1/

Changing Seas

Ice melt, sea level rise, to be less severe than feared: study

By Alister Doyle, Reuters, May 14, 2013 [H/t GWPF]

http://news.yahoo.com/ice-melt-sea-level-rise-less-severe-feared-180053857.html

[SEPP Comment: The claim of an accelerated rate of rise no longer applies.]

Changing Cryosphere – Land / Sea Ice

Temperature change on the Antarctic Peninsula linked to the tropical Pacific

By Qinghua Ding* and Eric J. Steig, Journal of Climate, 2013

http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/abs/10.1175/JCLI-D-12-00729.1?journalCode=clim

World’s melting glaciers making large contribution to sea rise

By Staff Writers, Boulder CO (SPX), May 17, 2013

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Worlds_melting_glaciers_making_large_contribution_to_sea_rise_999.html

Unable to find link to paper

[SEPP Comment: Now that it is becoming clear that the contribution to sea level rise from Greenland and the Antarctic has been greatly overstated.]

The effect of climate change on iceberg production by Greenland glaciers

By Staff Writers, London, UK (SPX), May 13, 2013

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/The_effect_of_climate_change_on_iceberg_production_by_Greenland_glaciers_999.html

Agriculture Issues & Fear of Famine

Agriculture and Livestock Remain Major Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

By Staff Writers, Washington DC (SPX), May 10, 2013

http://www.seeddaily.com/reports/Agriculture_and_Livestock_Remain_Major_Sources_of_Greenhouse_Gas_Emissions_999.html

Collapse Of Bee Colonies Is Latest Target For Anti-Pesticide Groups

By Paul Driessen, IBD, May 13, 2013

http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials-perspective/051313-655865-green-groups-go-after-pesticides-to-save-bees.htm?p=full

Review of Recent Scientific Articles by NIPCC

For a full list of articles see www.NIPCCreport.org

One Hundred and One Years of Netherlands’ Windstorms

Reference: Cusack, S. 2013. A 101 year record of windstorms in the Netherlands. Climatic Change 116: 693-704.

http://nipccreport.org/articles/2013/may/14may2013a1.html

U.S. Climate Change and Its 20th-Century Biological Consequence

Reference: Dobrowski, S.Z., Abatzoglou, J., Swanson, A.K., Greenberg, J.A., Mynsberge, A.R., Holden, Z.A. and Schwartz, M.K. 2013. The climate velocity of the contiguous United States during the 20th century. Global Change Biology 19: 241-251.

http://nipccreport.org/articles/2013/may/14may2013a3.html

How Well Do Climate Models Mimic Atmospheric Teleconnections?

Reference: Handorf, D. and Dethloff, K. 2012. How well do state-of-the-art atmosphere-ocean general circulation models reproduce atmospheric teleconnection patterns? Tellus A 64: org/10.3402/tellusa.v64i0.19777.

http://nipccreport.org/articles/2013/may/15may2013a2.html

Is There a Human Influence on Extreme Temperatures in China?

Reference: Wen, Q.H., Zhang, X., Xu, Y. and Wang, B. 2013. Detecting human influence on extreme temperatures in China. Geophysical Research Letters 40: 1-6, doi:10.1002/grl.50285.

http://nipccreport.org/articles/2013/may/15may2013a4.html

In summary the conclusion by Wen et al. that “human influence is detectable on extreme temperatures in China” appears to be based on model-driven analysis that does not represent important observed realities, that large-scale circulation changes have led to fewer rain/cloud days, and subsequently, to extreme warm temperatures. These large-scale circulation changes are governed by several parameters few, if any of which, include anthropogenic (CO2-induced) warming. As such, the conclusion that ‘increasing extreme temperatures over China are linked primarily to anthropogenic warming” is not well substantiated.

Litigation Issues

Power Plant Global Warming Suit Dismissed by Federal Court

By Sonal Patel, Power News, May 16, 2013

http://www.powermag.com/POWERnews/5613.html?hq_e=el&hq_m=2673662&hq_l=7&hq_v=5e660500d0

Cap-and-Trade and Carbon Taxes

Why You Just May Come to Like a Carbon Tax

By Ike Brannon, Real Clear Energy, May 14, 2013 [H/t Cooler Heads]

http://www.realclearenergy.org/articles/2013/05/14/why_you_just_may_come_to_like_a_carbon_tax_107016.html

EPA and other Regulators on the March

Obama administration unveils fracking rules

By Ben Geman, The Hill, May 16, 2013

http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/300231-interior-to-unveil-revised-draft-fracking-rules

[SEPP Comment: Washington cannot continue to ignore the great success of deep underground hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling of dense shale.]

EPA waives fee requests for friendly groups, denies conservative groups

By Michal Conger, Washington Examiner, May 14, 2013

http://washingtonexaminer.com/epa-waives-fee-requests-for-friendly-groups-denies-conservative-groups/article/2529609?custom_click=rss

Energy Issues – Non-US

New Renewable Energy Technologies: a monstrous boondoggle?

By Leyland Consultants, NZCSC, May 9, 2013

http://nzclimatescience.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=940&Itemid=1

[SEPP Comment: An overview of wind, solar, wave, and tide power with estimates of cost as compared with nuclear power. Except for isolated areas, the renewable forms of generation would not exist without government subsidies.]

Oily Dirt

By Randall Morck, Project Syndicate, May 15, 2013

http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/how-obama-should-approve-the-keystone-xl-pipeline-by-randall-morck

[SEPP Comment: Carbon dioxide sequestration has not been demonstrated on a commercial scale and will trigger the protest by greens as demonstrated by Yucca mountain nuclear waste storage.]

The World is Not Running Out of Oil – but Europe Is

By Peter Glover, Energy Tribune, May 14, 2013

http://www.energytribune.com/76816/the-world-is-not-running-out-of-oil-but-europe-is#sthash.Wprd07JC.dpbs

Energy Issues — US

To Defeat Iran, Drill For Energy At Home

By Jim Inhofe, IBD, May 10, 2013

http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials-viewpoint/051013-655687-to-defeat-iran-drill-for-american-energy.htm

Obama’s Green Jobs Promise Carries A High Cost

Editorial, IBD, May 13, 2013

http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials/051313-655875-obama-green-jobs-cost-millions-each.htm

U.S. pumps up oil production as demand rises in developing world

By Patrice Hill, Washington Times, May 14, 2013 [H/t Timothy Wise]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/may/14/us-oil-surge-transforms-markets-undercuts-opec/

Washington’s Control of Energy

The President’s Ruinous Energy Policy: Once More with Feeling

By Jeffrey Folks, American Thinker, May 15, 2013

http://www.americanthinker.com/2013/05/the_presidents_ruinous_energy_policy_once_more_with_feeling.html

Keystone Pipeline Needs to be Built for America

By Michael Economides, Energy Tribune, May 13, 2013

http://www.energytribune.com/76753/keystone-pipeline-needs-to-be-built-for-america#sthash.UK7blLYZ.dpbs

Oil and Natural Gas – the Future or the Past?

Oil Boom Raises North Dakota Wages

By Staff Writers, NCPA, May 14, 2013

http://www.ncpa.org/sub/dpd/index.php?Article_ID=23171&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DPD

Link to articles: How Oil Made Working-Class North Dakota a Whole Lot Richer

Employment in the drilling region jumped by 35 percent, and average pay leaped by half

By Jordan Weissman, The Atlantic, May 2, 2013 [H/t NCPA]

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/05/how-oil-made-working-class-north-dakota-a-whole-lot-richer/275506/

There’s Oil Flowing Again in Texas: Corpus Christi’s Oil & Gas Boom

By Tim Daiss & Michael Economides, Energy Tribune, [No Date]

http://www.energytribune.com/76942/theres-oil-flowing-again-in-texas-corpus-christis-oil-gas-boom#sthash.6u3PaiHH.dpbs

Oil trains — pipelines on wheels — headed to Northwest terminals and refineries from North Dakota fracking

By Scott Learn, The Oregonian, May 13, 2013 [H/t Gordon Fulks]

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2013/05/oil_trains_–_pipelines_on_whe.html

Industry chief says EU’s gas sector is in a ‘disastrous’ state

By Staff Writers, Reuters, May 15, 2013 [H/t GWPF]

http://www.euractiv.com/energy/industry-chief-eu-gas-sector-dis-news-519741

Study: Gas ‘fracking’ in Arkansas not affecting groundwater

By Staff Writers, Durham, N.C. (UPI), May 15, 2013

http://www.energy-daily.com/reports/Study_Gas_fracking_in_Arkansas_not_affecting_groundwater_999.html

Return of King Coal?

AES Corp. to Retire 990 MW of Coal Capacity on Environmental Rule Concerns

By Sonal Patel, Power News, May 16, 2013

http://www.powermag.com/POWERnews/5615.html?hq_e=el&hq_m=2673662&hq_l=5&hq_v=5e660500d0

Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Solar and Wind

Wind farms get pass on eagle deaths

By Staff Writers, AP, May 14, 2013 [H/t Timothy Wise]

http://townhall.com/news/politics-elections/2013/05/14/ap-impact-wind-farms-get-pass-on-eagle-deaths-n1594298

“What it boils down to is this: If you electrocute an eagle, that is bad, but if you chop it to pieces, that is OK,” said Tim Eicher, a former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service enforcement agent based in Cody.

Wind Performing Badly

By Lisa Linowes, Master Resource, May 16, 2013

http://www.masterresource.org/2013/05/wind-performing-badly/#more-25620

Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Energy — Other

Hugging a Burning Tree

By Bjørn Lomborg, Project Syndicate, May 15, 2013

http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/resisting-the-biomass-temptation-by-bj-rn-lomborg

[SEPP Comment: Disagree with the statement that the industrial revolution caused climate change.]

It’s been tried. Now What?

By Donn Dears, Power for USA, May 14, 2013

http://dddusmma.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/its-been-tried-now-what/

Biofuel Promises,

By Donn Dears, Power for USA, May 17, 2013

http://dddusmma.wordpress.com/2013/05/17/biofuel-promises/

California Dreaming

Californians are paying ridiculous subsidies for electric cars

By Bjørn Lomborg, WUWT, May 12, 2013

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2013/05/12/lomborg-californians-are-paying-ridiculous-subsidies-for-electric-cars/

Jerry Brown blames climate change for state’s early fire season

By Anthony York, LA Times, May 6, 2013 [H/t Gordon Fulks]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/political/la-me-pc-fire-jerry-brown-global-climate-change-environment-wildfire-sparks-camarillo-20130506%2c0%2c6218955.story

Sierra Snowpack at Record Low for January, February

By Paul Rogers, San Jose Mercury News, Mar 1, 2013

http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/2013/3/1/sierra_snowpack_at_record_low_for.htm

Environmental Industry

Big Green’s anti-fracking operatic chorus hits false notes

By Ron Arnold, Washington Examiner, May 9, 2013

http://washingtonexaminer.com/ron-arnold-big-greens-anti-fracking-operatic-chorus-hits-false-notes/article/2529276?utm_source=Washington%20Examiner:%20Opinion%20Digest%20-%2005/14/2013&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Washington%20Examiner:%20Opinion%20Digest

Other Scientific News

And you thought the Sun just sat there burning

By Andrew Malcolm, IBD, May 12, 0213

http://news.investors.com/politics-andrew-malcolm/051213-655583-nasa-time-lapse-video-three-years-in-the-life-of-our-sun.htm?p=full

[SEPP Comment: A 3 minute video capturing solar change over 3 years.]

Microbes capture, store, and release nitrogen to feed reef-building coral

By Staff Writers, Washington DC (SPX), May 16, 2013

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Microbes_capture_store_and_release_nitrogen_to_feed_reef_building_coral_999.html

News in Brief: Warming may not release Arctic carbon

Element could stay locked in soil, 20-year study suggests

By Erin Wayman, Science News, May 15, 2013 [H/t WUWT]

http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/350415/description/News_in_Brief_Warming_may_not_release_Arctic_carbon

Link to paper: Long-term warming restructures Arctic tundra without changing net soil carbon storage

By Sistla, et al., Nature, May 15, 2013

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nature12129.html

Other News that May Be of Interest

China emperors ruled via false prophecies: Xinhua

By Staff Writers, Beijing (AFP), May 13, 2013

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/China_emperors_ruled_via_false_prophecies_Xinhua_999.html

America’s New Manufacturing Boomtowns

By Joel Kotkin, Forbes, May 15, 2013

http://www.forbes.com/sites/joelkotkin/2013/05/15/americas-manufacturing-boomtowns/

US urban trees store carbon, provide billions in economic value

By Staff Writers, Science Blog, May 8, 2013

http://scienceblog.com/62894/us-urban-trees-store-carbon-provide-billions-in-economic-value/

Link to the paper, Carbon storage and sequestration by trees in urban and community areas of the United States

By Nowak, et al., USDA, Apr 15, 2013

http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/24240

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BELOW THE BOTTOM LINE:

Humans may have driven ancient mastodons into ‘civil war’

By Staff Writers, Ann Arbor, Mich. (UPI), May 7, 2013

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Humans_may_have_driven_ancient_mastodons_into_civil_war_999.html

[SEPP Comment: Trophy hunters with high powered rifles shoot the largest elephants from a distance. Therefore, early hunters with primitive weapons that require short distances and close contact must have killed the largest mastodons – what logic!]

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