Brought to You by SEPP (www.SEPP.org) The Science and Environmental Policy Project
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Quote of the Week:
Moral certainty is always a sign of cultural inferiority. The more uncivilized the man, the surer he is that he knows precisely what is right and what is wrong. All human progress, even in morals, has been the work of men who have doubted the current moral values, not of men who have whooped them up and tried to enforce them. The truly civilized man is always skeptical and tolerant, in this field as in all others. His culture is based on “I am not too sure.”-H.L. Mencken, writer, editor, and critic (1880-1956)
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Number of the Week:: 12 v 7,520 metric tons (0.16%)
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Please Note: There will be no TWTW on May 5. It will resume on May 12.
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THIS WEEK:
By Ken Haapala, Executive Vice President, Science and Environmental Policy Project (SEPP)
Heartland Conference: The Heartland Institute’s Seventh International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC-7) will take place in Chicago, Illinois from Monday, May 21 to Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at the Hilton Chicago Hotel, 720 South Michigan Avenue. The event will follow the NATO Summit taking place in Chicago on May 19–21. The Theme is Real Science, Real Choices. Open to the public, registration is required. http://climateconference.heartland.org/
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The Royal Society: The Royal Society has taken another step from being a scientific society to becoming an advocacy organization. It has published a lengthy study, People and the Planet, which calls for a redistribution of wealth, reduction in consumption by wealthy countries, and population control (by voluntary means). Of course, a key component of the report is controlling carbon-dioxide emissions. According to the press release, this report was in advance of Rio + 20, which is being used to create additional UN bureaucratic control of nations.
If there is an agreement reached at Rio + 20, western nations will dutifully follow it, but most nations will ignore it. Certainly, the leadership of economically fast-growing Asian nations has demonstrated a lack of enthusiasm for punishing their citizenry by curtailing growth.
An examination of fertility rates reveals that Western Nations plus Japan have far lower birth rates, even below replacement rates, than many other nations, particularly Muslim nations. It is doubtful that the leadership of Muslim nations will embrace the call for population controls.
It appears that the Royal Society desires to become a new Club of Rome, with its “Limits to Growth,” based upon fallacious assumptions and errors in key definitions such as resources. Similar to the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the Club used the latest computer technology to make dire predictions. Subsequent economic growth falsified the assumptions and exposed the errors. An article in the Telegraph by Tim Worstall, a dealer in the metal scandium, discusses one of the fundamental errors in defining reserves of resources. Reserves are an economic concept, not a physical one.
The theme is familiar, Western democracies must punish themselves for their prosperity and share their wealth with nations controlled by kleptocracies, small groups who enrich themselves at the expense of the citizenry. The UN, of course, will take a cut of the cash flow. There is no objective reason to believe the report is scientific or even sensible. Please see links under “The Royal Society.”
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Supernovas and Life on Earth: Scientists at the National Space Institute, University of Denmark, have hypothesized that high-energy cosmic rays, modulated by the sun, influence cloudiness on earth, which may cause climate change. Increasing cloudiness increases the reflection of visible light from the sun which results in cooling. Conversely, decreasing cloudiness reduces the reflection this solar energy, which results in warming. Even though these effects have been demonstrated by experiments, the hypothesis is not popular among those who declare that carbon dioxide is the main cause of global warming / climate change.
One of the main proponents of the hypothesis, Henrik Svensmark has extended the hypothesis to suggest that exploding nearby stars, supernovae, may affect the diversity of life on the planet as measured by marine biodiversity. He proposes the other major contributor is plate tectonics. The relationships he establishes are statistical and, of course, correlation does not prove causation. However, the idea is bold and if fleshed out may prove to be a major contribution to scientific understanding of life on this planet, or it may not.
The paper is lengthy and dense. The accompany press release states:
“In the new work, the diversity of life over the last 500 million years seems remarkably well explained by tectonics affecting the sea-level together with variations in the supernova rate, and virtually nothing else. To obtain this result on the variety of life, or biodiversity, he [Svensmark] followed the changing fortunes of the best-recorded fossils. These are from invertebrate animals in the sea, such as shrimps and octopuses, or the extinct trilobites and ammonites.
They tended to be richest in their variety when continents were drifting apart and sea levels were high and less varied when the land masses gathered 250 million years ago into the supercontinent called Pangaea and the sea-level was lower. But this geophysical effect was not the whole story. When it is removed from the record of biodiversity, what remains corresponds closely to the changing rate of nearby stellar explosions, with the variety of life being greatest when supernovae are plentiful. A likely reason, according to Prof. Svensmark, is that the cold climate associated with high supernova rates brings a greater variety of habitats between polar and equatorial regions, while the associated stresses of life prevent the ecosystems becoming too set in their ways.”
Physicist Roger Cohen comments:
“The key step of the aerosol formation has been verified in lab experiments and in the CERN cloud chamber. http://thegwpf.org/science-news/3699-cern-experiment-confirms-cosmic-rays-influence-climate-change.html.
I think it is rare that we see well presented arguments for a truly new scientific idea. We don’t know at this point whether we are looking at one of those things that changes the way we think about things, or just another idea that didn’t pan out.”
For the paper and other commentary please see links under “The Influence of Exploding Stars on Earth?”
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Sea Ice: A new study states that the western Antarctic ice sheet is losing mass from underneath due to changes in ocean currents. The study also speculates this loss will trigger land glaciers to slide down and melt, causing sea levels to rise. The latter remains to be observed. The study ignores that the sea ice extent in Antarctica is growing, and in some places is thickening as well. http://arctic.atmos.uiuc.edu/cryosphere/IMAGES/current.anom.south.jpg. [H/t James Rust] As reported in a prior TWTWs, the GRACE satellites show very little loss of ice mass in both polar ice caps. http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v482/n7386/full/nature10847.html. Please see link under “Changing Sea Ice.”
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Acidic Waters: Another alarmist study reports that acidification of ocean waters from increased C02 is resulting in larval oyster failures in hatcheries. The report states: “the scientists found that increased seawater carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, resulting in more corrosive ocean water, inhibited the larval oysters from developing their shells and growing at a pace that would make commercial production cost-effective.”
The abstract of the study states that pH varied between 7.6 and 8.2 – alkaline not acid. The larval oysters did not die, but grew more slowly in mid-stage. The slow growth may have been a result of varying alkalinity of the water rather than the water staying at a particular pH. For example, a sudden lowering of pH can shock an aquarium and reduce growth or even kill animals in it, while a gradual lowering may cause no change whatsoever. The research was funded by the National Science Foundation. Please see links under “Acidic Waters.”
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EPA: The EPA continues to make outrageous statements. It has been brought to light that in testimony to Congress last September, Administrator Lisa Jackson claimed that further controls of soot would be as beneficial to public health as finding a cure for cancer. There is little question that prolonged exposure to high concentrations of soot cause health problems such as in lungs and eyes. However, already soot in the US is tightly controlled. To equate additional benefits of additional controls with finding a cure for cancer is outrageous.
A senior EPA official described his view of enforcement of oil and gas regulations as similar to the practice of Roman soldiers crucifying natives of a village they just occupied. Please see Article # 1, and links under “EPA and other Regulators on the March.”
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Number of the Week: Patrick Michaels points out that total annual global emissions of mercury (both natural and human) is estimated to be 7,520 metric tons while total from US power plants that actually lands on US soil is estimated to be 12 metric tons (about 0.16% of total emissions). Human emissions are estimated to be 2,320 tons and natural emissions to be 5,200 tons, more than twice human emissions. US power plants emit about 49 metric tons, of 0.65% of total emissions.
According to the EPA web site its new regulations of mercury and other air toxins will save 4,200 to 11,000 Americans from premature deaths, prevent 4,700 heart attacks and 130,000 asthma attacks. In total this would result in financial benefits of $37 billion to $90 Billion. Permit us to be skeptical. The web site includes soot which, as mentioned above, is already regulated. Please see link under “EPA and other Regulators on the March” and http://www.epa.gov/mats/health.html
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April Fools’ Award: Send in your nominees for the proposed SEPP April Fools’ Award to the government official or political leader who has done the most to expand government power, by falsely claiming it is scientifically justified based on the flimsiest scientific evidence.
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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. ‘Crucify Them’
An EPA bureaucrat lets the mask slip.
Editorial, WSJ, Apr 26, 2012
2. UK Study Shows Little Danger Of Shale Gas Water Contamination
By James Herron, WSJ, Apr 24, 2012
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20120424-720760.html
[SEPP Comment: Putting an upper limit on the needed separation between the layer to be hydraulically fractured and the aquifer – 600 meters, 1970 feet.]
3. An Economic Approach to the Environment
Resources are limited. Cost-benefit analysis can inform our decisions.
By Bjørn Lomborg, WSJ, Apr 23, 2012
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303513404577356414271425218.html?mod=ITP_opinion_0
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NEWS YOU CAN USE:
The Influence of Exploding Stars on Earth?
Evidence of nearby supernovae affecting life on Earth
Henrik Svensmark, National Space Institute, Denmark, April 22, 2012
ftp://ftp2.space.dtu.dk/pub/Svensmark/MNRAS_Svensmark2012.pdf
The Influence of Exploding Stars on Earth? — Commentary
Did exploding stars help life on Earth to thrive?
Press Release, Royal Astronomical Society, Apr 24, 2012
Svensmark’s Cosmic Jackpot
A stellar revision of the story of life
Climate Change: News and Comments and The Svensmark Hypothesis
By Nigel Calder, Calder’s Updates, Apr 24, 2012 [H/t Peter Salonius]
http://calderup.wordpress.com/2012/04/24/a-stellar-revision-of-the-story-of-life/
Climategate Continued
Checking In
By Steve McIntyre, Climate Audit, Apr 23, 2012
http://climateaudit.org/2012/04/23/checking-in/
[SEPP Comment: McIntyre explaining his recent absence from communicating and his amazement that the reputable science community would take Mr. Mann’s latest book seriously.]
Challenging the Orthodoxy
Comment On “Levitus Data On Ocean Forcing Confirms Skeptics, Falsifies IPCC” At Niche Modeling
By Roger Pielke Sr, Climate Science, Apr 26, 2012
[SEPP Comment: Discussion of ocean heat content data that indicates a likely serious error in the 2007 IPCC report: 1) global radiative feedback is less than global radiative forcing, or 2) the estimated anthropogenic radiative forcings and /or the solar radiative forcing are in error.]
Government should re-examine the climate data” by ICSC Chief Science Advisor
By Bob Carter, David Evans, Stewart Franks, William Kininmonth, Austrailian, Apr 24, 2012
http://www.climatescienceinternational.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=678
Does the global temperature lag CO2? More flaws in the Shakun et al. paper in Nature.
By Nir Shaviv, Science Bits, Apr 21, 2012
http://www.sciencebits.com/Shakun_in_Nature
[SEPP Comment: A top Israeli astrophysicist suggests the study is shaky.]
Research shows Texas is not warming
By Forrest Mims III, Express-News, San Antonio ,Apr 23, 2012 [H/t ICECAP]
http://www.mysanantonio.com/life/article/Research-shows-Texas-is-not-warming-3498409.php
Why do some scientists insist that Texas is warming when the data show a negligible increase? I don’t know. But I do know that a National Science Foundation program officer told me that applications for atmospheric science grants that do not include a global warming theme stand little chance of acceptance. [Boldface added – From an expert reviewer of the IPCC.]
Defending the Orthodoxy
Strident Climate Alarmism: Zwick meets Gleick
By Robert Bradley Jr, Master Resource, Apr 26, 2012
http://www.masterresource.org/2012/04/strident-climate-alarmism-zwick/
[SEPP Comment: Slight error, John Holdren is Assistant to the President for Science and Technology.]
Mr. Obama needs to show he’s serious about climate change
Editorial, Washington Post, Apr 25, 2012
State of the Climate Global Analysis, March 2012
By Staff Writers, National Climatic Data Center, NOAA, Apr 16, 2012 [H/t James Rust]
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/service/global/extremes/201203.gif
“March 2012 average global land and ocean temperature was the coolest March since 1999 and the 16th warmest March since records began in 1880.”
[SEPP Comment: A global map showing the locations of measuring stations in 1880 would be illuminating. About 200 of the 2,592-5 deg by 5 deg grid boxes ideally used for the models were covered.]
Public back wind farm subsidies, survey suggests
More Britons than not regard subsidies for wind power development as a good deal, an opinion poll suggests.
By Richard Black, BBC , Apr 23, 2012 [H/t Warren Wetmore]
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17783604 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17783604vvvvvvv
[SEPP Comment: The poll failed to state the real costs of wind power, including back-up. Great propaganda photo – what is the color of CO2?]
Questioning the Orthodoxy
Madrid 1995: Was this the Tipping Point in the Corruption of Climate Science?
By Bernie Lewin, Enthusiasm, Scepticism and Science, Apr 21, 2012 [H/t Bishop Hill]
Biodiversity Bombshell: Polar Bears And Penguins Prospering, But Pity Those Paramecium!
By Larry Bell, Forbes, Apr 22, 2012
The Highest Authority in Science is the Data
By David Evans and Jo Nova, Her Blog, Apr 26, 2012
http://joannenova.com.au/2012/04/the-highest-authority-in-science-is-the-data/#more-21402
[SEPP Comment: Amusing comparison of hierarchy of authority in science, but they failed to include the status of unverified and unvaladated models.]
Celebrating Earth Day: Is Another Half-Acid Apocalypse On the Way?
By Patrick Michaels, Forbes, Apr 20, 2012
[SEPP Comment: Bouncing from one apocalyptic fear to the next.]
Earth Day 2012: Top 10 Positive Climate Developments
By Chip Knappenberger, Master Resource, Apr 23, 2012
http://www.masterresource.org/2012/04/earth-day-2012-top-10-positives/#more-19711
Putting Earth Day into perspective
Editorial, Orange County Register, Apr 20, 2012
http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/earth-350322-environmental-government.html#
Consensus Argument Proves Climate Science Is Political.
By Tim Ball, Different Perspective, Apr 26, 2012
http://drtimball.com/2012/consensus-argument-proves-climate-science-is-political/
[SEPP Comment: Proves may be too strong a term, but the issue is NOT.]
Biodiversity loss: How accurate are the numbers?
By Richard Knight, BBC News, Apr 24, 2012 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17826898
Questioning European Green
Germany Building 17 New Coal, 29 New Gas-Fired Power Stations
By Staff Writers, GWPF, Apr 23, 2012
New Report: Green Energy Transition Is Anti-Social
By Staff Writers, Hannover Zeitung via GWPF, Apr 27, 2012
http://thegwpf.org/energy-news/5572-new-report-green-energy-transition-is-anti-social.html
[SEPP Comment: The special rates, taxes, etc, intensify income disparity.]
Tilting at windmills
The impact of wind generation on conventional power production is negligible.
Editorial, Telegraph, UK, Apr 26, 2012 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/telegraph-view/9228942/Tilting-at-windmills.html
Questioning Green Elsewhere
BLS Green Jobs Report: Less Than Meets the Eye
By David W. Kreutzer, Heritage, Apr 26, 2012
http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2012/04/bls-green-jobs-report-less-than-meets-the-eye
[SEPP Comment: The integrity of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is in question. In the 1970s it famously stood up to Richard Nixon when he tried to lower the unemployment statistics. BLS now appears to be producing statistics that are a form of special pleading.]
Expanding the Orthodoxy
World Governments Establish Biodiversity Panel
Scientists from more than 90 countries will unite to create an IPCC-like body to assess Earth’s fragile ecosystems
By Natasha Gilbert, Scientific American, Apr 23, 2012 [H/t Climate Depot]
[SEPP Comment: The biological equivalent of the IPCC]
Royal Society
Royal Society calls for a more equitable future for humanity
Consumption levels between developed and developing nations must be rebalanced alongside a stabilisation of the world’s population by voluntary methods, according to a new report from the Royal Society.
Press Release, Royal Society, Apr 26, 2012
http://royalsociety.org/news/Royal-Society-calls-for-a-more-equitable-future-for-humanity/
People versus the planet
By Martin Livermore, Scientific Alliance, Apr 26, 2012
http://www.scientific-alliance.org/scientific-alliance-newsletter/people-versus-planet
The Royal Society Takes Another Step Away from Science
By Ben Pile, Climate Resistance, Apr 26, 2012 [H/t Bishop Hill]
The Royal Society’s appallingly bad report on population and consumption
By Tim Worstall, Telegraph, UK, Apr 26, 2012 [H/t GWPF]
The mismatch between the discussions of economic growth and resource consumption in the report is almost schizophrenic.
Earth Day’s dark side
Guardians of Earth, persecutors of humankind
By Robert Zubrin, Washington Times, Apr 20, 2012
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/apr/20/earth-days-dark-side/
[SEPP Comment: Including salient comments about a new fellow of the Royal Academy – Paul Ehrlich of “Population Bomb” fame.]
Rio + 20 – World Control?
Rio Summit must address population growth: scientists
By Staff Writers, Paris (AFP), April 26, 2012
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Rio_Summit_must_address_population_growth_scientists_999.html
Problems within the Orthodoxy
‘Gaia’ scientist James Lovelock: I was ‘alarmist’ about climate change
By Ian Johnston, MSNBC, Apr 23, 2012 [H/t Catherine French]
“The problem is we don’t know what the climate is doing. We thought we knew 20 years ago. That led to some alarmist books – mine included – because it looked clear-cut, but it hasn’t happened,” Lovelock said. ..“The climate is doing its usual tricks. There’s nothing much really happening yet. We were supposed to be halfway toward a frying world now,” he said.
Gaia Scientist and Hero of the Greens Admits He Was “Alarmist”
By Walter Russell Mead, American Interest, Apr 25, 2012 [H/t GWPF]
Green Rage Against Shale Gas Is Irrational
By Charles Clover, Sunday Times via GWPF, Apr 22, 2012
Do urban ‘heat islands’ hint at trees of future?
By Staff Writers, New York NY, (SPX) Apr 27, 2012
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Do_urban_heat_islands_hint_at_trees_of_future_999.html
Seedlings did eight times better in New York City’s Central Park than at comparable suburban and rural sites.
DNA reveals polar bear’s ancient origins
The polar bear is much older than previously thought, according to new genetic evidence.
By Helen Briggs, BBC News, Apr 19, 2012
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17762196
[SEPP Comment: The bear survived periods warmer than today. Of course, the warmists rely on unverified and unvalidated models to claim it will be much hotter in the next 100 years.]
Seeking a Common Ground
Questionable Research Practices: The “Steroids of Scientific Competition”
By Roger Pielke Jr, His Blog, Apr 25, 2012
http://rogerpielkejr.blogspot.com/2012/04/questionable-research-practices.html
[SEPP Comment: A presentation of a new paper in psychological research on questionable research practices (QRP) such as excluding data inconsistent with the hypothesis. Pielke concludes with the statement: “I think I am on safe ground when I say that the problem of questionable research practices goes well beyond the discipline of psychology.”]
The Misrepresentation Of Climate Science
By Roger Pielke Sr, Climate Science, Apr 25, 2012
The high elevation data actually shows a cooling and the forest site is only warming in the spring. This should be a red flag that there is more going on than a western U.S. warming, or even if this warming is actually occurring at higher elevation sites.
Candid Statement On The Shortcomings Of Multi-Decadal Climate Model Predictions By Early Career Scientists At An NCAR Workshop
By Roger Pielke, Sr, Climate Science, Apr 27, 2012
[SEPP Comment: Discussion of an article reporting a workshop on climate models that included a candid statement – the variation between the models is not fully understood.]
Communicating Better to the Public – Exaggerate, or be Vague?
An Example of The Misstatement of Fact on Climate Change
By Roger Pielke, Sr, Climate Science, Apr 23, 2012
Anthropogenic carbon dioxide is NOT the main [dominant] culprit affecting changes in climate. It is just one of a diverse set of human and natural climate forcings.
U.S. Says Water Supply At Risk From Global Warming
By Staff Writers, Judicial Watch, Apr 20, 2012 [H/t Timothy Wise]
http://www.judicialwatch.org/blog/2012/04/u-s-says-water-supply-at-risk-from-global-warming/
[SEPP Comment: Water vulnerability is the new rallying cry.]
Communicating Better to the Public – Make things up.
Cut world population and redistribute resources, expert urges
Nuclear disaster or plague likely unless population shrinks and natural resources are reassigned to poor, says Prof Paul Ehrlich
By John Vidal, Guardian, UK, Apr 26, 2012
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/apr/26/world-population-resources-paul-ehrlich
Did Obama’s EPA relaunch Tuskegee experiments?
Human trials vainly tried to prove air pollution is deadly
By Steve Milloy, Washington Times, Apr 24, 2012
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/apr/24/did-obamas-epa-relaunch-tuskegee-experiments/
“Yeah, I was briefed not long ago. If we could reduce particulate matter to healthy levels, it would have the same impact as finding a cure for cancer in our country.” Mr. Markey asked her to repeat what she had said. Ms. Jackson responded, “Yes, sir. If we could reduce particulate matter to levels that are healthy, we would have an identical impact to finding a cure for cancer.”
[SEPP Comment: The Administrator of the EPA makes totally irresponsible statements.]
Models v. Observations
The Overstatement of Regional Climate Prediction Capability
By Roger Pielke Sr, Climate Science, Apr 26, 2012
Thus, while the authors claim that they [the models] are useful for multidecadal water resource planning in the Tampa Bay region, this planning can be directly done with the original real world data. The model downscaling, other than documenting systematic biases, does not provide added information beyond what is already available from observed data and reanalyses without the model.
Changing Weather
Extended Range Forecast of Atlantic Seasonal Hurricane Activity and Landfall Strike Probability for 2012
By Philip Klotzbach and William Gray, Colorado State University, Apr 4, 2012 [H/t WUWT]
http://tropical.atmos.colostate.edu/forecasts/2012/apr2012/apr2012.pdf
[SEPP Comment: As compared with the 1981 to 2010 record, below normal activity and below average probability for major hurricanes making landfall. However, if you happen to be where one makes a landfall, it could ruin your day. Please note that last December Klotzbach and Gray announced that even though their models for earlier forecasts hindcast well (performed well with existing data) the models did not forecast well. Thus, they dropped their quantitative December forecasts.]
Changing Climate
Africa said rich in underground water
By Staff Writers, London (UPI), Apr 20, 2012
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Africa_said_rich_in_underground_water_999.html
[SEPP Comment: At least the article doesn’t attribute to human activity the climate change that made the Sahara a desert.]
Changing Seas
Where sea-level rise isn’t what it seems
By Mark Lynas, His Blog, Apr 25, 2012 [H/t Climate, Etc.]
http://www.marklynas.org/2012/04/where-sea-level-rise-isnt-what-it-seems/
[SEPP Comment: No trends in sea level but significant variation in sea levels at a Pacific island due to shifts in the El Nino Southern Oscillation.]
Changing Sea Ice
Waterworld? Map shows how warm water – not warmer air – is eating away Antarctica’s ice shelf and raising world’s sea levels
By Staff Writers, AP, Daily Mail, Apr 25, 2012
[SEPP Comment: Many skeptics have pointed out that the recorded changes in measured temperatures in the Antarctic Peninsula are the result of changing ocean currents from changes in the Thermohaline Circulation. The central point of the study suggests the same.]
Acidic Waters
Ocean Acidification Linked With Larval Oyster Failure in Hatcheries
By Staff Writers, Washington DC (SPX). Apr 18, 2012
The Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, shows negative correlation to naturally elevated carbon dioxide levels: Implications for near-term ocean acidification effects
By Alan Barton, Burke Hales, George G. Waldbusser, Chris Langdon and Richard A. FeelyLimnol. Oceanogr., 57(3), 2012, 698-710 | DOI: 10.4319/lo.2012.57.3.0698
http://www.aslo.org/lo/toc/vol_57/issue_3/0698.html
Agriculture and Fishery Issues & Fear of Famine
Arctic marine mammals and fish populations on the rise
By Staff Writers, Montreal (AFP), April 23, 2012
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Arctic_marine_mammals_and_fish_populations_on_the_rise_999.html
[SEPP Comment: Of course, some slow reproducing animals that have been heavily hunted, such as whales, have not returned to historic levels.]
The Political Games Continue
Tennessee Votes To Teach Uncertainty In Science. Result?
By William Briggs, His Blog, Apr 15, 2012 [H/t GWPF]
http://wmbriggs.com/blog/?p=5538
Arizona House votes to demand return of federally owned lands
By Staff Writer, Reuters, Apr 24, 2012
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/24/us-usa-arizona-lands-idUSBRE83N00R20120424
[SEPP Comment: Demanding land with valuable resources that the Department of Interior declared off-limits to mining.]
Subsidies and Mandates Forever
CAFE, RFS Endanger Convenience Stores, Study Cautions
By Marlo Lewis, Global Warming.org, Apr 25, 2012
http://www.globalwarming.org/2012/04/25/cafe-rfs-endanger-convenience-stores-study-cautions/
[SEPP Comment: Mandating specific fuels can have enormous costs.]
EPA and other Regulators on the March
EPA’S Toxic Science
By Patrick Michaels, World Climate Report, Apr 27, 2012
http://www.worldclimatereport.com/index.php/2012/04/27/epa-toxic-science/#more-537
EPA’s ‘Crucifixion’ of Energy Sector Exposed
By Rich Trzupek, Front Page, Apr 27, 2012
http://frontpagemag.com/2012/04/27/epa-abuse-takes-center-stage/print/
Where Are the Rolling Heads from NOAA?
By Mike Johnson, American Thinker, Apr 24, 2012
http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/04/where_are_the_rolling_heads_from_noaa.html
Energy Issues – Non-US
Gas Wars – shaking up the industry
By Staff Writers, Power Engineering, Apr 15, 2012 {H/t GWPF]
http://www.power-eng.com/news/2012/04/25/gas-wars-shaking-up-the-industry.html
Energy: Refined out of existence
As petrol prices rise and western demand shrinks, refineries are closing across the developed world
By Gregory Meyer, Financial Times, Apr 9, 2012
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/256f583c-7a83-11e1-8ae6-00144feab49a.html#axzz1t4N476YZ
North American Shale Gas Gives Russia Serious Headache
By Walter Russell Bead, Via Meadia, Apr 25, 2012
[SEPP Comment: Link to the Financial Times.]
India’s energy woes to affect growth?
By Staff Writers, New Delhi (UPI), Apr 23, 2012
http://www.energy-daily.com/reports/Indias_energy_woes_to_affect_growth_999.html
[SEPP Comment: One-third of the power generated is lost to inefficiency and theft?]
Energy Issues — US
Video warning of green energy ‘suicide pact’ goes viral online
By Ben Geman, The Hill, Apr 25, 2012
[SEPP Comment: Over 1,600,000 hits in less than a week. The video is properly classified as propaganda, an emotional appeal.]
FERC: Coal Generation Losing Out to Natural Gas
By Staff Writers, POWERnews, Apr 26, 2012
http://www.powermag.com/POWERnews/4608.html?hq_e=el&hq_m=2432158&hq_l=4&hq_v=5e660500d0
[SEPP Comment: A summary of the annual assessment report produced by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which one of the main Federal agencies regulating energy production and distribution among the states.]
Oil and Natural Gas – the Future or the Past?
Fracking requires a minimum distance from sensitive rock strata
By Staff Writers, Durham UK (SPX), Apr 27, 2012
Obama Fought Oil And Lost; Now It’s Back To Reality
Editorial, IBD, Apr 24, 2012
Washington’s Control of Oil and Gas
Obama’s Oil Blindness
America has the most creative and efficient oil industry in the world. Why doesn’t the president understand that?
By Robert Bryce, Slate, Apr 25, 2012
ExxonMobil Deal With Russia Underscores U.S. Oil Folly
Editorial, IBD, Apr 25, 2012
http://news.investors.com/article/609186/201204251909/obama-closes-off-us-oil-development.htm
Obama Fought Oil And Lost; Now It’s Back To Reality
Editorial, IBD, Apr 24, 2012
Return of King Coal?
The Return Of King Coal
IF there is to be a new beginning in global energy, the golden age is unlikely to be powered directly by the wind or sun. Despite high hopes for renewables, the figures show the world to be on the cusp of another fossil fuel boom.
By Graham Lloyd, Australian, via GWPF, Apr 27, 2012
http://thegwpf.org/international-news/5575-the-return-of-king-coal.html
Oil Spills, Gas Leaks & Consequences
Nearly Seven million birds die each year at communication towers
By Staff Writers, Washington DC (SPX) Apr 27, 2012
[SEPP Comment: Adds some prospective to the claims of ecological disaster when 2300 dead birds with visible oil were found in the year following the BP blowout in the Gulf of Mexico.]
NCEAS researchers offer new ecological model for deep-water oil spills
By Staff Writers, Santa Barbara CA (SPX) Apr 25, 2012
http://www.energy daily.com/reports/NCEAS_researchers_offer_new_ecological_model_for_deep_water_oil_spills_999.html
[SEPP Comment: Understanding what happens is critical to solving the problems.]
Can sound science guide dispersant use during subsea oil spills?
By David Malmquist, Gloucester Point, VA (SPX) Apr 23, 2012
Scientists find higher concentrations of heavy metals in post-oil spill oysters from Gulf of Mexico
By Staff Writers, Los Angeles CA (SPX), Apr 27, 2012
[SEPP Comment: Measurements were not given, so it is impossible to tell if this is alarming or not.]
Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Solar and Wind
Windpower Reconsidered: Testimony before the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee
By Lisa Linowes, Master Resource, Apr 25, 2012
http://www.masterresource.org/2012/04/windpower-testimony-house-linowes/#more-19755
Progressive Energy vs. “Renewable” Energy
By Alex Epstein, Master Resource, Apr 27, 2012
http://www.masterresource.org/2012/04/progressive-energy-vs-renewable-energy/#more-19821
“Renewable energy” has two fundamental conceptual flaws. It’s not really renewable, and it’s not really energy.
Green Energy Girds For Dark Times As Subsidies Expire
By Tom Gray, IBD, Apr 27, 2012
Folly of Ontario’s Renewable Energy Program Provides Warning for Other Governments; Ontario Households to Pay Extra $285 Million Annually for Electricity
By Staff Writers, Fraser Institute, Apr 12, 2012 [H/t John Droz, Jr.]
Wired for wind: Re-tuning the US grid
By Dan McCue, Wind Energy Update, Apr 20, 2012
[SEPP Comment: The need to compensate for the inherent unreliability of wind.]
Va. study makes economic case for renewable energy
By Steve Szkotak, Bloomberg, Apr 25, 2012
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-04/D9UC59900.htm
[SEPP Comment: Using wind and solar for new capacity requires at least 80% reliable back-up from other sources. Why not build the back-up and forget the solar and wind with its huge capital costs? Virginia tried biomass burning in the 17th and 18th centuries resulting in the denuding of the land, including the mountains. The study director stated: We couldn’t reasonably expect to have a nuclear reactor up and running and filling this demand gap b 2035.”]
Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Energy — Other
The Folly Of E15 Anti-Hydrocarbon Policies – OpEd
EPA’s E-15 ethanol plan is bad for our pocketbooks, environment and energy policy
By Paul Driessen, Eurasia Review, Apr 24, 2012
http://www.eurasiareview.com/24042012-the-folly-of-e15-anti-hydrocarbon-policies-oped/
Ocean Renewable Power to Secure Nation’s First 20-Year PPA for Tidal Power Project
By Staff Writers, POWERnews, Apr 26, 2012
http://www.powermag.com/POWERnews/4612.html?hq_e=el&hq_m=2432158&hq_l=11&hq_v=5e660500d0
[SEPP Comment: When a public utilities commission directs that utilities purchase very expensive electricity from politically favored sources, the commission no longer serves the public.]
Analysis raises atmospheric, economic doubts about forest bioenergy
By Staff Writers, Corvallis, OR (SPX), Apr 23, 2012
[SEPP Comment: Coal use brought western nations out of bioenergy.]
Rivers flowing into the sea offer vast potential as electricity source
By Staff Writers, Washington DC (SPX), Apr 23, 2012
Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Vehicles
Cheap Fracked Gas Could Help Americans Keep on Truckin’
Companies and researchers are working on infrastructure and technologies to help bring the nation’s growing stock of natural gas to fuel tanks, including those of long-haul vehicles
By David Biello, Scientific American, Apr 23, 2012 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=natural-gas-as-alternative-transportation-fuel
[SEPP Comment: Many will argue that natural gas is not an alternative fuel for vehicles.]
Increased natural gas use could free up crude for exports
By Yadullah Hussain, Financial Post, Apr 24, 2012
[SEPP Comment: An analysis of a possible shift from oil to liquefied natural gas for heavy trucks in Canada.]
Carbon Schemes
Tough Road Ahead To Realize Potential of Carbon Capture And Storage
By Staff Writers, London, UK (SPX), Apr 24, 2012
Review of Recent Scientific Articles by NIPCC
For a full list of articles see www.NIPCCreport.org
Effects of Ocean Acidification on Deep-Sea Corals and Seamount Megabenthos
Reference: Thresher, R.E., Tilbrook, B., Fallon, S., Wilson, N.C. and Adkins, J. 2011. Effects of chronic low carbonate saturation levels on the distribution, growth and skeletal chemistry of deep-sea corals and other seamount megabenthos. Marine Ecology Progress Series 442: 87-99.
http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2012/apr/24apr2012a4.html
Data from a new study clearly suggest, in the words of the researchers, that “a change in carbonate saturation horizons per se as a result of ocean acidification is likely to have only a slight effect on most of the live deep-sea biogenic calcifiers,” which is a most reassuring result.
[SEPP Comment: This research contradicts testimony by Penn State researchers to a Congressional Committee on the subject.]
Whither ENSO?
Reference: Vecchi, G.A. and Wittenberg, A.T. 2010. El Nino and our future climate: where do we stand? WIREs Climate Change 1: 10.1002/wcc.33.
http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2012/apr/24apr2012a3.html
“the ENSO variations we see in decades to come may be different than those seen in recent decades,” and admitting that “we are not currently at a state to confidently project what those changes will be.”
The Hawaiian Corals of Oahu’s Kaneohe Bay
Reference: Shamberger, K.E.F., Feely, R.A., Sabine, C.L., Atkinson, M.J., DeCarlo, E.H. and Mackenzie, F.T. 2011. Calcification and organic production on a Hawaiian coral reef. Marine Chemistry 127: 64-75.
http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2012/apr/24apr2012a2.html
Transgenerational Plasticity: A Third Way of Adapting to Climate Change
Reference: Salinas, S. and Munch, S.B. 2012. Thermal legacies: transgenerational effects of temperature on growth in a vertebrate. Ecology Letters 15: 159-163.
http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2012/apr/25apr2012a3.html
Genetic Study Reveals the Polar Bear is Old Enough to Have Survived Several Glacial Cycles
Reference: Hailer, F., Kutschera, V.E., Hallstrom, B.E., Klassert, D., Fain, S.R., Leonard, J.A., Arnason, U. and Janke, A. 2012. Nuclear genomic sequences reveal that polar bears are an old and distinct bear lineage. Science 336: 344-347.
http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2012/apr/25apr2012a5.html
An analysis of nuclear genes suggests that the polar bear is old enough to have survived through several periods that were warmer than today between the Middle Pleistocene and the early Holocene.
Oh Mann!
Mann’s End
By P. Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Apr 25, 2012 [H/t Anne Debbeil]
http://notrickszone.com/2012/04/25/manns-end/
[SEPP Comment: Why are Mr. Mann and the once proud University of Virginia fighting so hard to prevent the release of the emails? The University freely released emails of other professors? The video at the link may provide an answer.]
Environmental Industry
Indoctrination of American Youth via the National Park Foundation
By Dennis Ambler, SPPI, Apr 26m 2012
http://sppiblog.org/news/indoctrination-of-american-youth-via-the-national-park-foundation#more-7541
Mother Mexico & the Jackals
How are green groups different from yesterday’s colonial powers? Their global agenda is paramount, their lack of empathy for ordinary people breathtaking.
By Donna Laframboise, NFC, Apr 21, 2012
http://nofrakkingconsensus.com/2012/04/21/mother-mexico-the-jackals/
Earth Day: Less About Hugging Trees, More About Bringing America to Her Knees
By Marita Noon, Townhall, Apr 22, 2012
Report says 40 percent of the public breathes unhealthy air
By Andrew Restuccia, The Hill, Apr 25, 2012
[SEPP Comment: Results of EPA funding of ALA?]
Big Green pushes for EPA power grab to stop Pebble Mine
By Ron Arnold, Washington Examiner, April 26, 2012
Other Scientific News
Hinode and SOHO paint an asymmetrical picture of the sun
By Staff Writers, Greenbelt MD (SPX), Apr 23, 2012
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Hinode_and_SOHO_paint_an_asymmetrical_picture_of_the_sun_999.html
Diversity aided mammals’ survival over deep time
By Staff Writers, Nashville, TN (SPX), Apr 25, 2012
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Diversity_aided_mammals_survival_over_deep_time_999.html
Other News that May Be of Interest
Meat eating led to earlier weaning, helped humans spread across globe
By Staff Writers, London, UK (SPX), Apr 23, 2012
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BELOW THE BOTTOM LINE:
Earth Day 2012 – Measuring Cow Farts
By Alan Caruba, Warning Signs, April 22, 2012
http://factsnotfantasy.blogspot.com/2012/04/earth-day-2012-measuring-cow-farts.html
[SEPP Comment: It’s even attached on the wrong end to measure methane!]
“Warming hole” delayed climate change over eastern United States
By Caroline Perry, Harvard Press Release, April 26, 2012 [H/t WUWT]
[SEPP Comment: The air in eastern US has become cleaner over the past 40 years. As the air became cleaner, particulate pollution increased, causing cooling?]
ScienceShot: No Letup in World’s Warming
By Richard A. Kerr, Science Now, Apr 20, 2012
http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2012/04/scienceshot-no-letup-in-worlds.html
Ninety-three percent of the heat trapped by increasing greenhouse gases goes into warming the ocean, not the atmosphere.
[SEPP Comment: A new theory of greenhouse warming, it takes place in the oceans.]
Postal Service + Wind Farm + Electric Vehicles – What could possibly go wrong?
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Apr 25, 2012
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“Moral certainty is always a sign of cultural inferiority.” Mencken
Says Mencken, with some certainty. Its a bad quote because it refutes itself.
PaulR,
Mencken had a way of distilling universal human traits, even if they sometimes applied to him. While reading that quote I couldn’t help but think of the insufferable William Connolley.
Since this is an election year, here’s another Mencken quote:
Where can I nominate Australia’s soon to be gone/replaced Prime Minister, Julia Gillard for the April Fools day award, she has to be a odds (odd?) favorite to win.
Who else lied by saying there would be no carbon tax under a government I lead and then bought one in?
Who else appointed highly unqualified people to mislead the Australian Public on Climate and the carbon tax (Tim Flannery, and “climate” experts like economist Garnault)
I am sure others can add to her daily mistakes and pompous pronouncements pumping up rhetoric in place of science. Unworthy but a winner for this award.
“Moral certainty is always a sign of cultural inferiority..” Oh, what a load of post-enlightenment hogwash. PaulR has summarised this vacuous stupidity nicely.
Well said, PaulR. I might also add: what society has ever become so “enlightened” that they could say they are just “not so sure” that love is a good thing? Or what culture has ever “learned” that murder may not be so bad? Some matters of good and bad (moral judgments) are naturally known and answer to our, dare I say, God-given conscience. Lewis and Coppleston did a pretty good job of explaining this in their debates with people, and Thomas B. Warren absolutely destroyed Anthony Flew (before Flew’s conversion) in a debate in Texas using the moral argument.
re Richard Black’s wind turbine article, note who commissions the polls and how everyone is reinforcing everyone else:
Commissioned by trade body RenewableUK, the Ipsos-Mori poll found that 43% see the UK subsidy as good value for money against 18% who do not…
Further endorsement for renewables came in another poll, this time by YouGov, commissioned by Friends of the Earth…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17783604
IPSOS MORI: In April 2012, Ipsos MORI conducted research into public attitudes to wind power for Renewable UK / Hill and Knowlton Strategies…
Publication of Data
Any publication of results requires the prior approval of Ipsos MORI and Hill and Knowlton Strategies….
http://www.ipsos-mori.com/researchpublications/researcharchive/2946/RenewableUK-Wind-Power-Omnibus-research.aspx
19 March: BBC: Richard Black: Just 2% believe coalition is ‘greenest government’, survey suggests
The poll, commissioned by Greenpeace and the RSPB from YouGov…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17409165
YouGov does unreliable, online, politically motivated polls:
25 April: YouGov: Trump on wind power: No effect
93% Scots more supportive, or views unchanged, after Trump negative comments on wind power
http://labs.yougov.co.uk/news/2012/04/25/trump-wind-power-no-effect/
11 Dec 2011: RenewableUK: RenewableUK welcomes YouGov poll on support for windpower
Poll commissioned by Sunday Times shows 56% of public support expansion of wind – only 19% against
60% of public support Government investment in wind energy
http://www.bwea.com/media/news/articles/pr20111213-2.html
Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive…
IF there is to be a new beginning in global energy, the golden age is unlikely to be powered directly by the wind or sun. Despite high hopes for renewables, the figures show the world to be on the cusp of another fossil fuel boom.
King Coal is refusing to die and, without a significant breakthrough in technology, the biggest energy future winner looks certain to be gas.
The Return Of King Coal
Friday, 27 April 2012 14:29 Graham Lloyd, The Australian
http://thegwpf.org/international-news/5575-the-return-of-king-coal.html
.If you want to kill the environment and the economy, go green.
I love the opening quote … does anyone else see the contradiction?
“Moral certainty is always a sign of cultural inferiority.”
The statement is itself one of moral certainty of judgement, saying “I can judge better than you, I can see your cultural inferiority”.
Could someone explain voluntary (population) control? The concept of voluntary control eludes me.
Reblogged this on TaJnB | TheAverageJoeNewsBlogg.
I have obseved that a Those of “Moral certainty” are arrogant. They are certain also, of their own superiority. Their perception is their reality. How well can they sell their ideology to the ignorant masses. That is the question.
If these types were as inferior as Mencken says, they wouldn’t be dangerous.
Ed Reid says:
April 30, 2012 at 4:49 am
“Could someone explain voluntary (population) control? The concept of voluntary control eludes me.”
It is based on the concept of “or else”.
the h.l. mencken quote is the leading weapon in the arsenal of the post normal subjectivists in their attack on reason.
what he hopes, with a lot of justification, because there are so many fools around, is that you won’t notice that he is absolutely sure that nobody can be absolutely sure and remain civilized.
that means he must be confessing to barbarism. he is.
slides right by the crippled uncritical mind, doesn’t it?
all they need is the benefit of your doubt. they live off it. thus, they continually sow the seeds. they reap the harvest of your confusion and unresisting submission to their authority, thereby.
the benefit of the doubt accrues to he who knows how to work it on his prey.