The Week That Was: 2014-03-22 (March 22, 2014) Brought to You by SEPP (www.SEPP.org) The Science and Environmental Policy Project
Quote of the Week: We are at the very beginning of time for the human race. It is not unreasonable that we grapple with problems. But there are tens of thousands of years in the future. Our responsibility is to do what we can, learn what we can, improve the solutions, and pass them on. Richard Feynman, The Quotes Page Number of the Week: 16.9% in two years
9th International Conference on Climate Change July 7 – 9 — Las Vegas, Nevada Press Release, The Heartland Institute, Mar 17, 2014 http://climateconference.heartland.org/
Includes the Findings of the New Report of the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change (NIPCC) Climate Change Reconsidered II, Volumes 1, 2, and 3
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THIS WEEK: By Ken Haapala, Executive Vice President, Science and Environmental Policy Project (SEPP)
Lowering Standards: Perhaps the most severe attacks on scientific rigor are coming from once-distinguished scientific organizations promoting a particular view that is not necessarily based on rigorous science. As Patrick Michaels and Chip Knappenberger discuss, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) publically promoted corn ethanol for automobile fuel, a political issue of questionable public or scientific benefit.
AAAS has now released a report entitled What We Know: The reality, Risks and Responses to Climate Change. The report is written in an alarmist tone, purporting to be based evidence it does not present. The report is based on three assertions. One, climate scientists agree: climate change is happening here and now. Climate change has been happening for hundreds of millions of years, so what is new? The report further states that 97% of climate scientists have concluded that human-caused climate change is happening. If the 97% is based on one the three surveys that have been highly touted, then it is misleading. The results of the surveys were highly manipulated after the surveys were conducted. Probably the worst one was published in Eos, where about 10,300 geoscientists were surveyed and only 79 responses were included in the final results calculating 97%.
SEPP Chairman Fred Singer commented: the report states: “It is not the purpose of this paper to explain why this disconnect between scientific knowledge and public perception has occurred. Nor are we seeking to provide yet another extensive review of the scientific evidence for climate change. Instead, we present key messages for every American about climate change:”… aka propaganda.
The second assertion is: We are at risk of pushing our climate system toward abrupt, unpredictable, and potentially irreversible changes with highly damaging impacts. There is no evidence that reported late-20th century climate change/global warming was unusual, and contrary to forecasts from climate models there is not current warming trend.
The third assertion is: The sooner we act, the lower the risk and cost. And there is much we can do. This statement is not true. We do not understand the natural causes of climate change and there is little we can do to stop natural climate change. Actions taken with such ignorance may harm humanity and the environment. In this assertion the report states: The effects of CO2 emissions cannot be reversed from one generation to the next until there is a large- scale, cost-effective way to scrub carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. SEPP Director Tom Sheahen commented that “Plant life does exactly that, at zero cost.”
Singer further commented: “The overwhelming evidence of human-caused climate change …” is absent.
Judith Curry wrote that the rationale behind the report may have been revealed by co-chair James McCarthy “The real experts on this subject agree in a way that the public do not understand.” Yet, there are no experts on the committee on risk management, economics, mitigation strategies, which is about one-half of the report.
Apparently this AAAS committee has appointed themselves as the real experts on global warming/climate change. Yet, they failed to substantiate their knowledge of the natural causes of climate change. See links under Lowering Standards and for a review of the Cook et al. study claiming 97% see link under Questioning the Orthodoxy.
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Spencer v. Time: Time Magazine touted the new AAAS statement as scientific fact. The reporter falsely claimed the science linking human activities to climate change is analogous to the science linking smoking to lung and cardiovascular diseases. There is a dramatic difference between the two. The smoking link was based on rigorous statistical evidence, though the causal mechanism was not known. The possible link between humans and global warming is weak, at best.
The same reporter hyped a model study claiming that global warming will cause a decline in agricultural productivity and could lead to widespread famine. Roy Spencer, who speaks at a conference for grain producers and investors, took this article, and paper, to task.
Very simply, there is no empirical evidence that production of wheat, soybeans, and maize declined with late 20th century warming. The yields of the three crops continue to increase. Annual corn yield may decline if the summer is too hot, but the trend of increasing yields is dramatic. Spencer states that, with current knowledge, one cannot back out from the data any climate-related signal.
Further, such model studies assume that humans and human activities such as agriculture will not adjust by shifting crops and developing more heat resistant strains. This flap is one more example why studies based on un-validated models are not science, but something else. See links under Agriculture Issues & Fear of Famine, Un-Science or Non-Science?, and Defending the Orthodoxy.
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Low Sensitivity: The report by Lewis and Crok discussed in last week’s TWTW continues to prompt questioning and comments. As with the report by The Right Climate Stuff team, the report indicates that the sensitivity of the earth’s climate to increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) may be low –the lower values of range generally used by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Further, transient climate response (TCR) to CO2 may be more appropriate metric to use rather than equilibrium climate sensitivity (ECS). For a summary by Lewis of what is occurring, see link under Models v. Observations.
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Species Extinction: One of the loudly repeated claims of the climate establishment is that global warming/climate change will lead to massive species extinction. On Watts Up With That, Craig Loehle has a post describing the three common properties, or assumptions, that many of the studies on species extinction contain. One, use the most extreme model and scenario, 2) oversimplify the environment, and 3) assume the species cannot tolerate environmental change beyond its current location. Loehle shows why these assumptions lead to false conclusions. Among them, it is cold that kills vegetation not heat.
The species extinction group needs high values for climate sensitivity (TCR) to justify their research. Low values would render most of their work meaningless. Perhaps this is why the IPCC fails to lower the range of values even though, increasingly, empirical research does not support the high values. See link under Challenging the Orthodoxy.
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APS Statement: As reported last week, The American Physical Society (APS) formed a committee to evaluate its climate statement. The expert panel of six included three skeptics. These actions prompted some commentators to be optimistic about the result. There may be reason for hope, but optimism may be premature. See links under Seeking a Common Ground.
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External Cost: The Pacific Northwest has major wind power generation. It is backed up by the largest hydro-generating system in the US, using dams controlled by the Federal Bonneville Power Administration and non-Federal utilities. Writing in Master Resource, Wayne Lusvardi reports that the Wanapum Dam, owned by the Grant County Public Utility District in central Washington State, has developed a crack. The cause of the crack will probably not be known for some time. But, it is possible that rapid ramp-up required to provide back-up for wind power may be the cause. Lusvardi references a Swedish study that identified “stops and starts” of hydropower plants as a cause of foundation cracks. Lusvardi also states that the utility district is replacing the turbines in the dam that are at the end of their useful life, which was short compared with turbines used for constant generation. These reports continue to question the advisability of using hydro-generation to back-up unreliable wind and who should pay for the associated external costs. See link under Energy Issues – US.
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IGCC: Donn Dears reports on the failure of Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) power plants. These have been trumpeted by environmentalists, claiming that the administration and environmental groups are not in a war against coal. The coal industry thought that the plants may provide means for Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS). Three plants have been built without CCS. The capital cost is about the same as a nuclear plant, $5,500 per KW, or about 5 times the cost of a combined cycle natural gas power plant. Dears discusses another unrealistic scheme as well. See link under Return of King Coal.
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Natural Gas Export: The Russian take-over of the Crimea has prompted calls for the US to develop the ability to export Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Opponents are claiming that it is too late to save the Crimea. Given the long lead time that development of the facilities require, the opponents are technically correct. However, it is not too late to prevent future take-overs, by giving Europeans an alternative to Russian gas. For decades, the opponents have made similar arguments to oppose the development of the oil and gas resources in Alaska, which would be producing large quantities of oil and gas by now.
The Wall Street Journal reported: Martin Dempsey, as dovish a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs as America has had, told a House hearing last week: “An energy independent [U.S.] and net exporter of energy as a nation has the potential to change the security environment around the world—notably in Europe and in the Middle East. And so, as we look at our strategies for the future, I think we’ve got to pay more and particular attention to energy as an instrument of national power. And because it will very soon in the next few years potentially become one of our more prominent tools.” This testimony must have been a shock to the Pentagon types who produced the last strategic review stating climate change is a major strategic threat to the US, with no mention of a Russian take-over of parts of European Countries. See Articles #2 & #3, links under Energy Issues – Non-US and March 8, 2014 TWTW
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Wind Power Subsidies: Some members of Congress wish to restore the credits for investment in renewable energy technology and the production tax credit for wind, both of which expired in 2013. According to the reports, the letters contain choice sentences such as “Like all businesses, the wind industry seeks certainty and predictability so that long-term project decisions and investments can be made.” And, “Without that stability, we once again risk losing many of the jobs, infrastructure and investment that the wind industry has created.” The wind industry is claiming like all businesses it wants certainty, predictability, and stability. Perhaps the industry should assure its product, electricity, has characteristics of certainty, predictability, and stability. Then, the industry would not need subsidies. See link under Subsidies and Mandates Forever.
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Number of the Week: 16.9% in two years. Russia’s take-over of the Crimea is creating an East-West divide in the EU on dramatic action on global warming/climate change. The eastern countries, heavily dependent on Russian gas, oppose strong controls on CO2 emissions; the western countries, less dependent on Russian gas, advocate strong controls. In a press conference, Connie Hedegaard, the EU Commissioner on Climate Action, called for a switch to clean, renewable sources of energy. She claimed it is a myth that renewable power is causing soaring energy costs in Europe. And, “In those member states that have had a huge component of wind and solar energy, the cost of producing energy has actually gone down.” She cited her native Denmark as the example to be followed.
According to the latest EU Eurostat electricity prices for households, in 2011 Denmark was the most expensive country in the EU with 0.298 EUR per kWh, Germany was second with 0.253 EUR per kWh. In 2009, in Denmark household electricity price was 0.255 EUR per kWh. In two years, the household electricity costs went up by 16.9% in the country Ms. Hedegaard cites as the example to be followed. See Article # 1
[In 2011 industrial prices went down to the level they were in 2009 – no net change.]
http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/statistics_explained/index.php/Energy_price_statistics
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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. Ukraine Crisis Is a Call to Rethink Energy Policies
EU Climate Chief Says Countries Should Switch from Russian Gas to Renewables
By Vanessa Mock, WSJ, Mar 19, 2014
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303802104579449382570371924
2. A Gas Export Strategy
Opponents don’t understand energy markets or price expectations.
Editorial, WSJ, Mar 19, 2014
3. Green Politics Made Europe Vulnerable to Putin
Germany’s dependence on renewable energy is a bonanza for Gazprom.
By Rupert Darwall, WSJ, Mar 20, 2014
4. Exxon Agrees to Disclose Its ‘Carbon Risk’
Shareholder Resolution Is Withdrawn on Promise of Environmental Report
By Daniel Gilbert, WSJ, Mar 20, 2014
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NEWS YOU CAN USE:
Climategate Continued
Lewandowsky’s Fury
By Steve McIntyre, Climate Audit, Mar 21, 2014
http://climateaudit.org/2014/03/21/lewandowskys-fury/
Week in review
By Judith Curry, Climate Etc. Mar 22, 2014
http://judithcurry.com/2014/03/22/week-in-review-17/#more-14945
Challenging the Orthodoxy
The Release of Part Two of Climate Change Reconsidered II
Press Release, NIPCC, March 21, 2014
The second and third volumes of Climate Change Reconsidered II, addressing biological impacts, human welfare, energy, and policies, will be released during a series of events in Washington DC starting on April 7. These new reports from the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change (NIPCC) are the most comprehensive and authoritative reports on global warming to be published in 2014. They will change the terms of the debate for years to come, bringing the era of global warming alarmism to an end.
http://climatechangereconsidered.org/
Un-cherry-picking and the [Fred] Singer Event
By Christopher Monckton, WUWT, Mar 19, 2014
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/03/19/un-cherry-picking-and-the-singer-event/
Climate Science
NZ Climate Truth Newsletter No 328
By Vincent Gray, CSP, Mar 17, 2014
http://theclimatescepticsparty.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/climate-science.html
IPCC Scientists Knew Data and Science Inadequacies Contradicted Certainties Presented to Media, Public and Politicians, But Remained Silent
By Tim Ball, WUWT, Mar 21, 2014
Climate science isn’t necessarily ‘settled’
By John Christy, Centre Daily [Penn], Mar 20, 2014 [H/t Climate Etc.]
http://www.centredaily.com/2014/03/20/4093680/john-r-christy-climate-science.html
The reason there is so much contention regarding “global warming” is relatively simple to understand: In climate change science we basically cannot prove anything about how the climate will change as a result of adding extra greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.
Climate Change and the Biodiversity Crisis
By Craig Loehle, WUWT, Mar 16, 2014
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/03/16/climate-change-and-the-biodiversity-crisis/
Defending the Orthodoxy
How much does the ‘war on coal’ really cost?
By Tim Devaney, The Hill, Mar 21, 2014
http://thehill.com/blogs/regwatch/energy-environment/201429-how-much-does-war-on-coal-really-cost
Link to article: Groundhog Days
Utilities Wrong Again About Pollution Safeguard Costs
By Daniel Weiss and Miranda Peterson, American Progress, Mar 19, 2014
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/report/2014/03/19/85923/groundhog-days/
[SEPP Comment: Overestimates can be used against those who made such estimates. The analysis does not include any adjustments for significant technological improvements.]
Scientists Sound the Alarm on Global Warming, But Americans Sleep In
By Bryan Walsh, Time, Mar 18, 2014
http://time.com/28721/global-warming-climate-change-gallup/
Questioning the Orthodoxy
Climate policy based on faulty science does harm
It’s time for reality to supercede theory
By Anthony Sadar and Susan Cammarata, Washington Times, Mar 20, 2014
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/mar/20/sadar-and-cammarata-when-climate-theory-collides-w/
David Friedman on the 97% Consensus on Global Warming
By David Henderson, Library of Economics and Liberty, Feb 27, 2014
http://econlog.econlib.org/archives/2014/02/david_friedman_14.html
The ebbing tide of climate change mitigation
By Martin Livermore, Scientific Alliance, Mar 21, 2014
http://scientific-alliance.org/scientific-alliance-newsletter/ebbing-tide-climate-change-mitigation
Climate change has become part of the background noise rather than the main signal for the majority of people.
What Will Disappear from the IPCC Summary?
By Donna Laframboise, NFC, Mar 17, 2014
http://nofrakkingconsensus.com/2014/03/17/what-will-disappear-from-the-ipcc-summary/
[SEPP Comment: The final-final summary is not yet final.]
Mainstreaming fringe science with John Holdren
The White House science adviser confuses global-warming fact and fanc
By Chip Knappenberger, Washington Times, Mar 18, 2014
More Scientists Debunking Climate Change Myths
By Larry Bell, Newsmax, Mar 17, 2014
http://www.newsmax.com/LarryBell/climate-warming-moore/2014/03/17/id/559929/
Conflict-of-Interest in the IPCC’s New Chapter 7
By Donna Laframboise, NFC, Mar 21, 2014
http://nofrakkingconsensus.com/2014/03/21/conflict-of-interest-in-the-ipccs-new-chapter-7/
We need more scientific mavericks
Letter by many, Guardian, UK, Mar 18, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/mar/18/we-need-more-scientific-mavericks
Modern Magic – Clean Energy by Wire
By Viv Forbes, WUWT, Mar 17, 2014
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/03/17/modern-magic-clean-energy-by-wire/
Social Benefits of Carbon
Benefits Of Carbon Use Far Outweigh Its Costs
By Roger Bezdek and Paul Driessen, IBD, Mar 19, 2014
[SEPP Comment: May have misstated the word hydrocarbon instead of fossil fuels. Hydrocarbons do not include coal, which contains atoms other than hydrogen and carbon, such as oxygen.]
Asia greened by Increased CO2 Fertilisation
By Geoff Brown, CSP, Mar 19, 2014
http://theclimatescepticsparty.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/asia-greened-by-increased-co2.html
Link to paper: Recent Changes in Terrestrial Gross Primary Productivity in Asia from 1982 to 2011
By Kazuhito Ichii, et al., Remote Sensing, Nov 15, 2013
http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/5/11/6043
The Growing Benefits of a Warmer World
By H. Sterling Burnett, NCPA, Mar 18, 2014
Amazon Inhales More Carbon than It Emits
By Staff Writers, Pasadena CA (JPL), Mar 19, 2014
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Amazon_Inhales_More_Carbon_than_It_Emits_999.html
Problems in the Orthodoxy
UN Climate Talks In Bonn Fail
By Tory Aardvark, His Blog, Mar 17, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
http://toryaardvark.com/2014/03/17/un-climate-talks-in-bonn-fail/
EU climate ambitions clouded by calendar issues
By Staff Writers, EurActiv, Mar 19, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.euractiv.com/priorities/calendar-issues-cloud-eu-climate-news-534223
Why Are Americans Not More Worried About Climate Change?
By Frank Newport, Gallup Polls, Mar 14, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
http://pollingmatters.gallup.com/2014/03/why-are-americans-not-more-worried.html
[SEPP Comment: Could it be that they are not as gullible as the alarmists and politicians hope?]
Hans von Storch “Fears Science Taking Role In Political Decision Processes” … German Expert Panel Rejects 2°C Target
By P Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Mar 20, 2014
More likely to say global warming exaggerated, Gallup polling suggests
By Timothy Cama, The Hill, Mr 17, 2014
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/201013-gallup-more-likely-to-say-global-warming-exaggerated
Seeking a Common Ground
Finally, Some Real Climate Science
By Tony Thomas, Quadrant, Mar 18, 2014
http://quadrant.org.au/opinion/tony-thomas/2014/03/finally-real-climate-science/
Mythical Climate Change Consensus Hits An Iceberg
Editorial, IBD, Mar 21, 2014
American Physical Society Sees [May See] the Light: Will It Be the First Major Scientific Institution to Reject the Global Warming “Consensus”?
By James Delingpole, Breibart, Mar 20, 2014
Simplicity amidst complexity (?)
By Judith Curry, Climate Etc. Mar 17, 2014
http://judithcurry.com/2014/03/17/simplicity-amidst-complexity/
Link to the paper: Simplicity amid Complexity
By Isaac Held, Science, Mar 14, 2014
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/343/6176/1206.short
[SEPP Comment: Somewhat technical. Bottom line is that linear thinking may be inappropriate for understanding climate change.]
Moses Versus Joseph: A Biblical Lesson in Communication about Climate Change
By Cliff Mass, Weather Blog, Mar 16, 2014
http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2014/03/moses-versus-joseph-biblical-lesson-in.html
NASA Clarifies Its Role in Civilization-Collapse Study
By Mike Wall, Space.com, Mar 20, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.space.com/25160-nasa-statement-civilization-collapse-study.html
UK-US Workshop Part V: Broadening the portfolio of climate information
By Judith Curry, Climate Etc. Mar 19, 2014
Review of Recent Scientific Articles by NIPCC
For a full list of articles see www.NIPCCreport.org
Embryonic Norway Lobsters in a Warmed and Acidified Ocean
Reference: Styf, H.J.K., Skold, H.N. and Eriksson, S.P. 2013. Embryonic response to long-term exposure of the marine crustacean Nephrops norvegicus to ocean acidification and elevated temperature. Ecology and Evolution 3: 5055-5065.
http://nipccreport.org/articles/2014/mar/18mar2014a1.html
…the three researchers conclude that “this species would benefit from global warming and be able to withstand the predicted decrease in ocean pH in the next century during their earliest life stages.”
The Indo-Australian Monsoon in CMIP3 and CMIP5 Simulations
Reference: Jourdain, N.C., Gupta, A.S., Taschetto, A.S., Ummenhofer, C.C., Moise, A.F. and Ashok, K. 2013. The Indo-Australian monsoon and its relationship to ENSO and IOD in reanalysis data and the CMIP3/CMIP5 simulations. Climate Dynamics 41: 3073-3102.
http://nipccreport.org/articles/2014/mar/18mar2014a2.html
And this means we are still not at a point where we can adequately characterize the nature of the studied region’s climate of the future with any significant degree of confidence.
Sea Level Consequences of Exceptional Glacial Meltwater Forcing (
Reference: Tedstone, A.J., Nienow, P.W., Sole, A.J., Mair, D.W.F., Cowton, T.R., Bartholomew, I.D. and King, M.A. 2013. Greenland ice sheet motion insensitive to exceptional meltwater forcing. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 110: 19,719-19,724.
http://nipccreport.org/articles/2014/mar/18mar2014a4.html
…Tedstone et al. write their findings suggest “surface melt-induced acceleration of land-terminating regions of the ice sheet will remain insignificant even under extreme melting scenarios.”
Modelling the Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation of the 20th-Century
Reference: Ruiz-Barradas, A., Nigam, S. and Kavvada, A. 2013. The Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation in twentieth century climate simulations: uneven progress from CMIP3 to CMIP5. Climate Dynamics 41: 3301-3315.
http://nipccreport.org/articles/2014/mar/19mar2014a3.html
[SEPP Comment: Both sets of models perform poorly.]
Models v. Observations
Ed’s evidence of low TCR
By Nic Lewis, Bishop Hill, Mar 19, 2014
http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2014/3/19/eds-evidence-of-low-tcr.html
Models Issues
Cloudy forecast
The biggest source of climate uncertainty is white and fluffy
By Gabriel Popkin, Science News, Mar 7, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/cloudy-forecast
[SEPP Comment: Lengthy post explaining that the models fail in modeling clouds.]
UCLA study yields more accurate data on thousands of years of climate change
By Staff Writers, Los Angeles CA (SPX), Mar 16, 2014
“Most global climate models underestimate the average temperature variations that the region has experienced,” Tripati said, adding that the other models’ simulations may be incomplete or the models are not sensitive enough.
[SEPP Comment: Not sensitive enough to natural climate change?]
Why the Alarmists’ Climate Models Are Worthless
By John Hinderakeer, Power Line, Mar 21, 2014
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2014/03/why-the-alarmists-climate-models-are-worthless.php
Measurement Issues
Geographers create ‘easy button’ to calculate river flows from space
By Staff Writers, Los Angeles CA (SPX), Mar 19, 2014
Changing Weather
End this obsession over climate change: It stops us tackling floods and storms now say experts
By Ben Spencer, Mail Online, Mar 21, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
Harsh Winter’s Toll Could Cost the Economy Billions
By John Schoen, NBC News, Mar 20, 2014 [H/t Clyde Spencer]
http://www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/harsh-winters-toll-could-cost-economy-billions-n58011
Changing Climate
Climatologists offer explanation for widening of Earth’s tropical belt
By Staff Writers, Riverside CA (SPX), Mar 19, 2014
Link to paper: Influence of anthropogenic aerosols and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation on tropical belt width
By Robert J. Allen, Joel R. Norris & Mahesh Kovilakam, Nature Geoscience, Mar 16, 2014
http://www.nature.com/ngeo/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/ngeo2091.html
[SEPP Comment: Eight to five thousand years ago it was wider as the monsoon rains came to the Sahara. Five to three thousand years ago the monsoon rains gave rise to the Harappan civilization in the Indus plateau, which failed when the rains no longer came.]
Antarctic moss returns to life after 1,500 years frozen
By Staff Writers, Washington (AFP), March 17, 2014
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Antarctic_moss_returns_to_life_after_1500_years_frozen_999.html
Changing Seas
Jet Stream Gets Fish in Hot Water
Ocean ‘heat wave’ linked to shift in atmospheric current
By Charlie Winner, OceanUs, Mar 18, 2014
http://www.whoi.edu/oceanus/feature/ocean-heat-wave-linked-to-jet-stream
Southern Ocean iron cycle gives new insight into climate change
By Staff Writers, Liverpool, UK (SPX), Mar 17, 2014
Changing Cryosphere – Land / Sea Ice
Claim: ‘Sustained mass loss of the northeast Greenland ice sheet triggered by regional warming’, but, not so fast
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Mar 17, 2014
New genetic study confirms polar bears survived several warm Interglacials
By Susan Crockford, Polar Bear Science, Mar 17, 2014
Agriculture Issues & Fear of Famine
The Next Great Famine…or Age of Abundance?
By Roy Spencer, His Blog, Mar 18, 2014
http://www.drroyspencer.com/2014/03/the-next-great-famineor-age-of-abundance/
Climate Change Could Cause the Next Great Famine
By Bryan Walsh, Time, Mar 17, 2014
http://time.com/27201/climate-change-could-cause-the-next-great-famine/
Global food trade can alleviate water scarcity
By Staff Writers, Potsdam, Germany (SPX), Mar 19, 2014
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Global_food_trade_can_alleviate_water_scarcity_999.html
Link to paper: Valuing the impact of trade on local blue water
By Anne Biewald, et al, Ecology Economics, Mar 14, 2014
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800914000391
Un-Science or Non-Science?
Claim: Future heat waves pose threat to global food supply
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Mar 19, 2014
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/03/19/claim-future-heat-waves-pose-threat-to-global-food-supply/
Link to paper: Global crop yield response to extreme heat stress under multiple climate change futures
By Delphine Deryng, et al, Environmental Research Letters, Mar 19, 2014
http://iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/9/3/034011/article
Climate change will reduce crop yields sooner than we thought
By Staff Writers, Leeds, UK (SPX), Mar 19, 2014
Link to paper: A meta-analysis of crop yield under climate change and adaptation
By A.J. Challinor, et al. Nature Climate Change, Mar 16, 2014
http://www.nature.com/nclimate/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nclimate2153.html
[SEPP Comment: See immediately above.]
Number of Days Without Rain to Dramatically Increase in Some World Regions
By Staff Writers, La Jolla CA (SPX), Mar 18, 2014
Lowering Standards
What We Know: The reality, Risks and Responses to Climate Change
By AAAS Climate Science Panel, AAAS, March 2014
http://climatenexus.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/AAAS-What-We-Know_3.17.14.pdf
To AAAS: What we know? Earth hasn’t warmed significantly in over a decade, climate models failed to predict this
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Mar 18, 2014
AAAS: What we know
By Judith Curry, Climate Etc. Mar 18, 2014
http://judithcurry.com/2014/03/18/aaas-what-we-know/
AAAS’s Guide to Climate Alarmism
By Patrick J. Michaels and Paul C. “Chip” Knappenberger, CATO, Mar 18, 2014
http://www.cato.org/blog/aaass-guide-climate-alarmism
Climate change: we’ve put off the difficult decisions for too long
The debate isn’t whether global warming exists – it’s what we do about it.
By Paul Nurse, President of the Royal Society, Telegraph, UK, Mar 17, 2014 [H/t Bishop Hill]
Communicating Better to the Public – Exaggerate, or be Vague?
Academic takedown
By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Mar 19, 2014
http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2014/3/19/academic-takedown.html
[SEPP Comment: Members of the climate establishment criticizing distorted headlines of pending doom.]
NOAA map of February temperatures less than accurate
By Howard Ambler, Talking About the Weather, Mar 18, 2014 [H/t WUWT]
What is the Gaelic for “integrity”?
By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Mar 17, 2014
http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2014/3/17/what-is-the-gaelic-for-integrity.html
For NYT Enviro Reporter Justin Gillis, It’s Always ‘Apocalypse Now’
By Clay Waters, News Busters, Mar 19, 2014 [H/t Climate Depot]
Global warming a concern at Chile’s penguin paradise
By Staff Writers, Magdalena Island, Chile (AFP), March 17, 2014
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Global_warming_a_concern_at_Chiles_penguin_paradise_999.html
[SEPP Comment: More special pleading.]
Communicating Better to the Public – Make things up.
Getting away with ‘Müller’ in the climate debate
By Alex Hadcock, Bishop Hill, Mar 16, 2014
http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2014/3/16/getting-away-with-muller-in-the-climate-debate.html
[SEPP Comment: An amusing take.]
Washington Post Falls for Left-Wing Fraud, Embarrasses Itself
By John Hinderaker, Power Line, Mar 20, 2014 [H/t Timothy Wise]
Link to the article: The biggest lease holder in Canada’s oil sands isn’t Exxon Mobil or Chevron. It’s the Koch brothers.
By Steven Mufson and Juliet Eilperin, Washington Post, Mar 20, 2014
L.A. Council Members Blame Fracking for Recent Earthquake
By Joel Pollak, Breitbart, Mar 19, 2014
The Goldilocks principle: New hypothesis explains earth’s continued habitability
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Mar 20, 2014
Communicating Better to the Public – Go Personal.
The one-sided Conversation
By Christopher Monckton, WUWT, Mar 18, 2014
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/03/18/the-one-sided-conversation/
Expanding the Orthodoxy
New ‘impossible to ignore’ climate data spin initiative announced by the White House
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Mar 19, 2014
White House launches climate data initiative
By Juliet Eilperin, Washington Post, Mar 19, 2014 [H/t Conrad Potemra]
[SEPP Comment: The last gasp of a failing idea embraced by a failing administration.]
Kerry’s first Policy Guidance out of touch with climate realities
By Tom Harris, On Line Opinion, AU, Mar 17, 2014
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=16121
US Senator Kerry’s climate nostrums will make the patient worse
By James Rust, On Line Opinion, AU, Mar 21, 2014
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=16138
Declining ocean health threatens food security
By Staff Writers, Hong Kong (SPX), Mar 18, 2014
http://www.seeddaily.com/reports/Declining_ocean_health_threatens_food_security_999.html
[SEPP Comment: The usual cure – put us in control.]
Questioning European Green
Germany’s Green Energy Shift Could Lead To Fall In Living Standards
By Frank Umbach, World Review, Mar 18, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.worldreview.info/content/germany-s-energy-policy-could-lead-fall-living-standards
Germany’s energy policy is expensive, harmful and short-sighted
By Bjorn Lomborg, Financial Times, Mar 16, 2014 [H/t David Lessman]
No turning back: Four reasons Osborne’s Budget matters
By Andrew Lilico, City A.M. Mar 19, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.cityam.com/article/1395265457/no-turning-back-four-reasons-osbornes-budget-will-matter
The third key feature is the death of whatever was left of the UK government’s feeble attempts to persuade anyone we can and will prevent climate change by limiting CO2 emissions.
Thousands Of Wind Turbines A ‘Disaster For Tourism’
By Mike Wade, The Times, UK, Via GWPF, Mar 18, 2014
http://www.thegwpf.org/thousands-of-wind-turbines-a-disaster-for-tourism/
Green Jobs
Empty Theatrics on Climate Change
Senate Democrats spurt sound bites all night long but fail to offer specific proposals.
By Robert Bryce, National Review, Mar 19, 2014 [H/t Timothy Wise]
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/373641/empty-theatrics-climate-change-robert-bryce
For years, left-leaning politicians and their allies have been claiming that renewable energy can create jobs and boost the economy. For instance, back in 2008, then-candidate Barack Obama claimed during a speech in Golden, Colo., that his planned investments in wind, solar, and biofuels would create “5 million new jobs that pay well and can’t ever be outsourced.”
German Professor Fritz Vahrenholt Calls Claimed Green Jobs Wonder A “Labeling Fraud”!
By P. Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Mar 15, 2014
Litigation Issues
Federal Court Denies DOE’s Waste Fee Appeal
By Sonal Patel, Power, Mar 19, 2014
Cap-and-Trade and Carbon Taxes
Dear Prime Minister [AU]
By Des Moore and Case Smit, Mar 19, 2014
http://quadrant.org.au/opinion/doomed-planet/2014/03/dear-prime-minister-2/
[SEPP Comment: The need for an objective cost-benefit analysis of carbon taxes.]
Budget 2014: Key climate and energy announcements
By Mat Hope, Carbon Brief, Mar 19, 2014
China reconsiders carbon tax, citing Australia’s planned repeal
By Staff Writers, Reuters, Mar 13, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
Subsidies and Mandates Forever
Lawmakers urge renewal of wind energy tax credits
By Timothy Cama, The Hill, Mar 21, 2014
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/201423-lawmakers-urge-renewal-of-wind-energy-tax-credits
EPA and other Regulators on the March
Former White House CEQ official Guzy discusses future of air regulations
Transcript by Staff Writers, EETV, Mar 20, 2014
http://www.eenews.net/tv/videos/1800/transcript
Fake CIA agent helped craft sweeping environmental rules while at EPA
Republicans seek review of John Beale’s work while at agency
By Jim McElhatton, Washington Times, Mar 19, 2014
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/mar/19/republicans-seek-review-of-john-beales-work-while-/
Energy Issues – Non-US
Russia Eyes Crimea’s Oil and Gas Reserves
By Nicholas Cunningham of Oilprice.com
Washington DC (SPX) Mar 19, 2014
http://www.energy-daily.com/reports/Russia_Eyes_Crimeas_Oil_and_Gas_Reserves_999.html
European leaders seek ways to curb dependence on Russian gas
By Barbara Lewis, Reuters, Mar 19, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/19/ukraine-crisis-energy-idUSL6N0LN26720140319?irpc=932
Coal taints Germany’s energy mix
By Staff Writers, WNN, Mar 12, 2014
http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/EE-Coal-taints-Germanys-energy-mix-1203141.html
Energy Issues — US
Can fracking save the world?
By Robert Shum, The Hill, Mar 18, 2014
http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/energy-environment/201003-can-fracking-save-the-world
Curtailed Hydro from Wanapum Dam Crack: An ‘Unpredicted Change in the Wind’?
By Wayne Lusvardi, Master Resource, Mar 17, 2014
http://www.masterresource.org/2014/03/hydro-wind-wanapum-dam-crack/#more-29775
James Hansen: Still More Good Energy Realism (just ignore his climate alarmism, world fee-and-dividend fix)
By Robert Bradley Jr., Master Resource, Mar 18, 2014
http://www.masterresource.org/2014/03/hansen-more-energy-realism/
Environmental groups gearing up for battle over natural gas exports
By Zack Colman, Washington Examiner, Mar 20, 2014
“The environmental community is pretty united in the U.S. that natural gas is a bridge to nowhere,” Kessler said.
Washington’s Control of Energy
Alaska sues feds over Arctic drilling
By Timothy Cama, The Hill, Mar 17, 2014
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/200983-alaska-sues-feds-over-arctic-drilling
Keystone XL pipeline delays: Don’t blame Canada
Opinion: Pipeline would generate tax revenue, economic activity and jobs
By Diana Furchtgott-Roth, Market Watch, Mar 14, 2014
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/keystone-xl-pipeline-delays-dont-blame-canada-2014-03-14
Domestic Shipping Industry Needs Load Of Competition
By Mark Perry, IBD, Mar 20, 2014
Greens seek to derail expansion of natural gas exports
By Rick Moran, American Thinker, Mar 19, 2014
Oil and Natural Gas – the Future or the Past?
Shale gas will continue changing world energy outlook
BP executive calls increase in U.S. oil production ‘staggering’
By Ted Griggs, The Advocate, Mar 19, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
http://theadvocate.com/home/8667689-125/shale-gas-will-continue-changing
Three Cheers for Fracking
By Gary D. Libecap, Hoover Institution Journal, Mar 5, 2014 [H/t Timothy Wise]
http://www.hoover.org/publications/defining-ideas/article/170026
Thanks to secure property rights, this technology has the power to resuscitate our lagging economy.
Fracking celebrates its 65th birthday
Companies like Oklahoma City-based Devon Energy Corp. have grabbed headlines with the technique recently, but fracking is far from a new process.
By Adam Wilmoth, The Oklahoman, Mar 21, 2014
http://newsok.com/fracking-celebrates-its-65th-birthday/article/3945352
Return of King Coal?
Lipstick on a Pig
By Donn Dears, Power For USA, Mar 21, 2014
http://dddusmma.wordpress.com/2014/03/21/lipstick-on-a-pig/
Dan River Ash Spill Could Lead Duke to Retire 932 MW of Coal Generation
By Aaron Larson, Power, Mar 19, 2014
[SEPP Comment: No question that improvements should be made to the older units and disposal of ash. But, often the slogan “make the polluter pay” becomes make the ratepayers suffer.]
Nuclear Energy and Fears
S.C.: DOE’s Hold of MOX Facility Construction Is Illegal
By Sonal Patel, Power, Mar 20, 2014
Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Solar and Wind
The Poverty of Renewables
By Bjørn Lomborg, Project Syndicate, Mar 17, 2014 [H/t David Lessmann]
“Killing Wildlife In the Name of Climate Change” (Part II: Gas, Nuclear, Little Else)
By Robert Bryce, Master Resource, Mar 20, 2014
http://www.masterresource.org/2014/03/killing-wildlife-in-the-name-of-climate-change-ii/#more-29987
[SEPP Comment: Second of two parts. Discusses the important concept of energy density. The first part discusses the political favoritism shown by Federal agencies to the wind industry in enforcing Federal laws on wildlife.]
Spain island eyes world first with wind, water power
By Staff Writers, Madrid (AFP), March 20, 2014
http://www.winddaily.com/reports/Spain_island_eyes_world_first_with_wind_water_power_999.html
Veterans Affairs wind turbine, built for $2.3 million, stands dormant
By Tom Steward, Watchdog.org, Mar 19, 2014 [H/t Timothy Wise]
Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Energy — Other
The bonfire of insanity: Woodland is shipped 3,800 miles and burned in Drax power station. It belches out more CO2 than coal at a huge cost YOU pay for… and all for a cleaner, greener Britain!
By David Rose, Mail, UK, Mar 15, 2014 [H/t Climate Etc.]
Bonfire of insanity
By Judith Curry, Climate Etc. Mar 16, 2014
http://judithcurry.com/2014/03/16/bonfire-of-insanity/
[SEPP Comment: Additional information on the above from Curry.]
Friends of the Earth want Scotland covered in “high risk” boreholes
By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Mar 16, 2014
Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Vehicles
Electric Vehicle Update
By Donn Dears, Power For USA, Mar 18, 2014
http://dddusmma.wordpress.com/2014/03/18/electric-vehicle-update-2/
California Dreaming
The enviro zealots
By Roger Hedgecock, UT San Diego, Mar 18, 2014 [H/t Timothy Wise]
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/mar/18/hedgecock-environment-zealots-water-nuclear-solar/
Oh Mann!
Media, Surprisingly, Ask To See Climate Scientist’s Emails
Editorial, IBD, Mar 18, 2014
Mann on climate sensitivity and counting
By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Mar 19, 2014
http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2014/3/19/mann-on-climate-sensitivity-and-counting.html
Environmental Industry
Climate confessions as SPAM (please send money)
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Mar 20, 2014
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/03/20/climate-confessions-as-spam-please-send-money/
The Merchants of Doom
By Keith Kloor, Discover, Mar 17, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
https://blogs.discovermagazine.com/collideascape/2014/03/17/merchants-doom/
Other Scientific News
Earth Dodged Grid-Destroying Solar Storm in 2012, Says Study
By Thomas Overton, Power, Mar 19, 2014
Link to paper: Observations of an extreme storm in interplanetary space caused by successive coronal mass ejections
By Ying D. Liu, et al., Nature Communications, Mar 18, 2014
http://www.nature.com/ncomms/2014/140318/ncomms4481/full/ncomms4481.html
Are Academics Above The Law?
By Walter Starck, Quadrant, Mar 21, 2014
http://quadrant.org.au/opinion/doomed-planet/2014/03/academics-law/
[SEPP Comment: A lengthy discussion of possible misleading research and conflicts of interest in studies on the Great Barrier Reef from a marine biologist.]
Sea anemone is genetically half animal, half plant
By Staff Writers, Vienna, Austria (SPX), Mar 19, 2014
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Sea_anemone_is_genetically_half_animal_half_plant_999.html
Rocky Mountain wildflower season lengthens by more than a month
By Staff Writers, College Park MD (SPX), Mar 21, 2014
Link to paper: Shifts in flowering phenology reshape a subalpine plant community
By Paul J. CaraDonna, et al. PNAS, Mar 12, 2014
http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2014/03/12/1323073111.abstract
[SEPP Comment: No temperature measurements of the area studied are presented. The lengthening of the blooming season may be due to atmospheric carbon dioxide enhancement.]
Other News that May Be of Interest
Addercadabra: Python’s homing trick stuns scientists
By Staff Writers, Paris (AFP), March 19, 2014
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Addercadabra_Pythons_homing_trick_stuns_scientists_999.html
EU readying invasive alien species hit-list
By Staff Writers, Brussels (AFP), March 18, 2014
http://www.seeddaily.com/reports/EU_readying_invasive_alien_species_hit-list_999.html
New Airborne GPS Technology for Weather Conditions Takes Flight
By Staff Writers, San Diego CA (SPX), Mar 19, 2014
Polluted Paris prepares for partial car ban
By Staff Writers, Paris (AFP), March 16, 2014
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Polluted_Paris_prepares_for_partial_car_ban_999.html
The tyranny of experts
William Easterly’s new book explores the aid industry’s autocratic instincts
My book review for The Times of William Easterly’s new book “The Tyranny of Experts”
By Matt Ridley, Rational Optimist, Mar 21, 2014
http://www.rationaloptimist.com/blog/the-tyranny-of-experts.aspx
################################################
BELOW THE BOTTOM LINE:
CNN’s dumbest news question, evar
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Mar 19, 2014
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/03/19/cnns-dumbest-news-question-evar/
[SEPP Comment: If it is not caused by global warming, it must be caused by a black hole.]
Earth going to pot – Marijuana grows in California produce more carbon than 3 million cars
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Mar 17, 2014
###################################################
Wow! A real life climate denier idiot! Let’s see….I bet you also hate Hillary Clinton and want to see Barry’s birth certificate. How funny to stumble on to you, lizard brain. You’re so pathetic.
[Reply: “pathetic” defines those commentators who don’t understand site Policy. Read it before commenting again. ~ mod.]
“The real experts on this subject agree in a way that the public do not understand.”
Who knew? Seems there are two kinds of agreeing. Regular old fashioned agreeing which we all pretty much understand, and super-duper, “expert” agreeing which is beyond the ability of regular people to grasp…
DEnniSon,
From your comment you must be quite upset. As the truth marches forward perhaps you will need meds.
I look forward to Weekly Climate and Energy News Roundup. The links occupy most of my spare time.
My grand-daughter aged 6 off from kindergarten asked me yesterday on skype after I asked how she she was enjoying her spring break, . OPA? what is spring?
(they still have 24″ of the white stuff). Just how long are these deniers of :”CC” are going to hang in there ? Do they realize the Al Gore’s, the Suzuki’s, the Hanson’s and the Mann’s etc etc are hiding in the bushes and slithering away like the snakes they are? While they are leaving them holding the bags (of crap)? Will they ever wake up? Hats of to Watson btw.
Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the EE network. From: Watts Up With That?Sent: Monday, 24 March 2014 01:58To: brentharg@aol.comReply To: Watts Up With That?Subject: [New post] Weekly Climate and Energy News Roundup
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Anthony Watts posted: ” The Week That Was: 2014-03-22 (March 22, 2014) Brought to You by SEPP (www.SEPP.org) The Science and Environmental Policy Project Quote of the Week: We are at the very beginning of time for the human race. It is not unreasonable that we grapple with pr”
Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the EE network. From: brentharg@aol.comSent: Monday, 24 March 2014 08:52To: comment+e6ty40qqwcrg0e-h_ftd232o@comment.wordpress.comSubject: Re: [New post] Weekly Climate and Energy News Roundup Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the EE network. From: Watts Up With That?Sent: Monday, 24 March 2014 01:58To: brentharg@aol.comReply To: Watts Up With That?Subject: [New post] Weekly Climate and Energy News Roundup
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Anthony Watts posted: ” The Week That Was: 2014-03-22 (March 22, 2014) Brought to You by SEPP (www.SEPP.org) The Science and Environmental Policy Project Quote of the Week: We are at the very beginning of time for the human race. It is not unreasonable that we grapple with pr”
The report says ” The American Physical Society (APS) formed a committee to evaluate its climate statement. The expert panel of six included three skeptics.”
I don’t think that this is quite right. As I understand things, a permanent subcommittee of the APS formed a committee of half a dozen senior members of APS to report on the statement. This latter committee was briefed by a group including three skeptics. This assumes that Dr. Judith Curry is a skeptic. Having read the transcripts of this briefing, and based on almost nothing, I suspect the lady to watch is Dr. Susan Seestrom.
Excellent way of explaining, and pleasant post to obtain data regarding my presentation focus, which i am going to convey in academy.
The AAAS under Donald Kennedy’s leadership became thoroughly politicized. All one needed to see was the very different treatment of Clinton and Bush in their editorials. After a decade of membership I quit for good in 2004. Same thing for the APS, of which I was a member for two decades; except in their case they had not only become partisan, but kooky as well. Organizations suffer dementia just as do people.