Brought to You by SEPP (www.SEPP.org) The Science and Environmental Policy Project
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Quote of the Week:
“Consensus means that everyone agrees to say collectively what no one believes individually” – Abba Eban [H/t Judith Curry]
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Number of the Week: About $4.50 per million BTUs
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THIS WEEK:
By Ken Haapala, Executive Vice President, Science and Environmental Policy Project (SEPP)
International Coral Reef Symposium: The 12th International Coral Reef Symposium was held in Cairns Australia from July 9 to 13. Without question, human activity is damaging coral reefs and local governments should take responsible steps to assure that the damage is limited. However, the Symposium provided one more forum for those who are demanding government controls on the use of fossil fuels. The usual claims are CO2 emissions are destroying coral reefs through global warming and ocean acidification. Both claims are dubious.
One of the featured speakers was Jane Lubchenco, the administrator of US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Ms. Lubchenco famously stated in her address as retiring president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) that it is the duty of American scientists to support government policy in exchange for government support. Please see http://www.icrs2012.com/# and links under Defending the Orthodoxy and Acidic Waters as well as Cliff Ollier’s effective rebuttal to the various claims under Cap and Trade and Carbon Taxes.
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Communicating Better with the Public: A common plea among some scientists is how to communicate better with the public. Special study programs are being established to communicate climate alarm. It is apparent that many citizens are becoming immune to climate alarmism. The scientists that use these techniques can only thank themselves.
Some years ago, Stephen Schneider famously proposed a false dilemma: scientists have to choose between being honest or being effective. Those that choose the latter by using hyperbole, extreme exaggeration, are finding that their public credibility is declining, as it should.
The internet is quickly undermining hyperbole and false claims of certainty. (Certainly, false claims are also propagated by the internet.) One example of undermining false claims occurred during the recent claims that the hot spell in the Eastern and Midwestern parts of the US was an example of global warming. Knowledgeable scientists such as Roy Spencer and Joe D’Aleo quickly refuted it. Anthony Watts posted a temperature map of the globe showing the hot areas were confined to the Eastern and Midwestern parts of the US and southern Greenland. The traditional media that duly reported such hyperbole are also finding their credibility declining as well. Please see links under heading beginning with Communicating Better with the Public…
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2000 Years of Cooling: A new study based on tree rings taken in Lapland reports that Northern Europe has been generally cooling for 2000 years. After the hockey-stick debacle, no doubt many will express skepticism. However, it appears the researchers did not run the data through a computer model that imparts a bias. The temperature variations show the Roman Warm Period and the Medieval Warming Period warmer than today. The graphs also show 20th century warming with a decline starting about 1940 and a subsequent late century rise but remaining below the temperatures of the 1930s. Prior temperature variations are unrelated to carbon dioxide. The explanation for the 2000 year cooling trend is a slight change in the earth’s orbit. No doubt, this research will be a topic of controversy. This general cooling since the Roman Warmer Period is consistent with Greenland ice cores and other data. Please see links under Changing Climate.
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Sea Levels: A survey of scientific literature on sea levels by Sebastian Lüning and Fritz Vahrenholt shows no acceleration in the rise for the last 30 years. Among the findings are: Once adjusted for change in elevation as measured by GPS, no acceleration in northern Europe or Northwest US since 1940, an average 1.6 mm /yr or less than 7 inches per century. Sea levels in the Arctic as measured in Norway and Russia move in sync with the Arctic Oscillation. In New Zealand they move in sync with the Southern Oscillation Index. In Tasmania the rise slowed in the second half of the 20th century. The research casts further doubt in the dire predictions of dangerous global warming and will be a subject of controversy. Please see links under Changing Sea Levels.
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Issues with Climate Science: Tim Ball discusses some of the failings of IPCC science including incomplete analysis, ignoring contradictory evidence, ignoring previous research, etc.
Judith Curry posted an extensive discussion on the on the idea of the consensus of climate scientists as well as logical fallacies, some of which may apply to alarmists, others to skeptics. Please see links under Seeking a Common Ground.
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Skeptic, Denier, — or Dissident? In a letter published in Nature, Paul Bain used the term denier to describe those who question the claims that human emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) are causing unprecedented and dangerous global warming. Many skeptics were outraged as to the negative connotations of the word denier. Jo Nova has posted her illuminating correspondence with Bain. This affair raises the question of what is a good term to use for the skeptics? [For the correspondence between Jo Nova and Paul Bain see link under Seeking a Common Ground.]
Most climate research is government funded. As described in prior TWTWs, a rough estimate for US government spending for climate change activities is about $140 to $150 Billion since 1993. Of this amount about $31 Billion went to climate research as of FY 2010, plus rough estimates of $2.5 Billion in FY 2011 and $2.4 Billion in FY 2012, for a total of $36 Billion for climate research. [The US government has not had a firm budget for three years because the Senate has not passed one.]
The general conclusion from this government sponsored research is that (CO2) emissions are causing unprecedented and dangerous global warming. These results are being used to assert that governments must expand their powers to control CO2 emissions by controlling fossil fuel use. [Of the other five identified greenhouse gases being emitted by human activity, three are man-made, making them easy to control, and, in the US, human emissions of other two are controlled by separate regulations.]
Those who object to global warming claims and efforts to control emissions point out, among other things, the earth is rebounding from the Little Ice Age, 20th century warming was not unprecedented, and that the dangers of global warming come from long term projections by climate models that have no predictive skill. They failed to predict the decade-long trend of no warming and have not been verified and validated and are unlikely to be so.
A noted Chinese-American physicist, who recently died, wrote that science begins with doubt; stresses independence of judgment, not conformity; is egalitarian in that one’s position does make his views superior to other views; needs the free flow of information; and scientific truths are universal, not political. Perhaps these characteristics describe the dissidents who object to government misusing science to expand its powers.
For the correspondence between Jo Nova and Paul Bain see link under Seeking a Common Ground.
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False Positives: In December 2010 a study reported that bacterial life use arsenic rather than phosphorus, changing the elements considered the building blocks of life. Two new studies refute this finding and suggest that the samples in the original study were contaminated with phosphorus.
One of the side benefits from the announcement of the possible discovery of the Higgs Boson is illuminating discussions of the efforts to avoid false positives in the research. One such discussion appeared unexpectedly in the Huffington Post.
Both these reports underline the importance of avoiding false positives and the need for repetition before findings are generally accepted, something lacking in climate science. Please see links under Other Scientific News.
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Corrections and Amplifications: As an example of how rumor spreads by internet, last week’s TWTW stated that “in Australia it is illegal for business to declare they are raising prices due to government-imposed carbon taxes” and linked to such a report. Australian economist Des Moore, an ardent opponent of the tax, promptly corrected TWTW. Moore stated that the body responsible for the tax
“has issued a statement warning businesses against misusing the tax as an excuse for raising prices. This was quite unnecessary given that in a competitive market place an increase in prices that is not justifiable will create a competitive problem for the business concerned. The statement has however caused uncertainty in the business community and some have interpreted it as being illegal, as you suggest.”
Moore gave another example of an unsubstantiated rumor; reports of a cemetery using the tax as a justification for raising its prices.
Several other readers pointed out a poorly worded sentence that conveyed a meaning opposite of what was intended. The sentence was: “Wind farms may be required for 80 to 100% of the installed capacity of the wind.” A corrected sentence is: “Wind farms may require back-up power for 80 to 100 percent of rated (installed) capacity of the farm.”
As always, TWTW appreciates readers who take the time to correct errors in its reports.
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Number of the Week: About $4.50 per million BTUs. Due to its low price, a number of US utilities are converting to natural gas to generate electricity. This would have been unthinkable as few as four years ago. For a brief period the spot price at the Henry Hub peaked above $13 per million BTUs. Today (7/13) the spot is $2.88, up from under $2 in April. On April 12, the spot price to utilities was $2.85 per million BTUs. Such price variation gives utility executives sleepless nights.
In its 2012 Energy Outlook, the Energy Information Agency (EIA) projected the price of natural gas to utilities for electrical generation for 2016 to 2018 will be about $4.50 per million BTUs. New combined-cycle generating plants are approaching 65% thermal efficiency, with reliable 24/7 operation, and net annual production exceeding 85% of rated capacity. If the EIA is correct, electricity rates should remain quite low as long as Washington does not try to control hydraulic fracturing for natural gas, and the solar and wind industries should be nervous. See http://www.eia.gov/oiaf/aeo/tablebrowser/#release=AEO2012&subject=0-AEO2012&table=3-AEO2012®ion=1-0&cases=ref2012-d020112c
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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. Heat and Global Warming
By S. Fred Singer, Letter to Editor, Washington Post (Unpublished), Jul 10, 2012
2. Wind Power Faces Taxing Headwind
By Mark Peters and Keith Johnson, WSJ, Jul 8, 2012
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303684004577509120742881442.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1
[SEPP Comment: The industry complains about the uncertainty of subsidies, yet it thrives on them.]
3. The Smartest Guys in Green
When global warming met German actuaries.
By Anne Jolis, WSJ, Jul 11, 2012
[SEPP Comment: How to make money in the green game – have governments take the risk.]
4. The Price of Green Virtue
The bill starts to come due for California’s climate change law.
Editorial, WSJ, Jul 6, 2012
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304870304577491152903293004.html?mod=ITP_opinion_2
5. The Shale Gas Secret
Why did drilling boom in America, while it struggles in Europe?
Editorial, WSJ, Jul 13, 2012
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NEWS YOU CAN USE:
Climategate Continued
Lonnie Thompson’s Legacy
By Steve McIntyre, Climate Audit, Jul 8, 2012
http://climateaudit.org/2012/07/08/lonnie-thompsons-legacy/
[SEPP Comment: The failure to archive data is inexcusable.]
Suppressing Scientific Inquiry
Monckton’s reply to Eos on Climate Denial
By Christopher Monckton, WUWT, Jul 12, 2012
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2012/07/12/moncktons-reply-to-eos-on-climate-denial/
[SEPP Comment: What EOS refuses to print.]
Challenging the Orthodoxy
Europe clears the air
By Staff Writers, Paris (ESA), Jul 10, 2012
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Europe_clears_the_air_999.html
[SEPP Comment: In Europe and the US nitrogen dioxide levels are decreasing, but increasing in parts Asia and the Middle East.]
Defending the Orthodoxy
Pre-industrial emissions make a difference
By Staff Writers, Washington DC (SPX), Jul 06, 2012
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Pre_industrial_emissions_make_a_difference_999.html
World’s coral reefs at risk
By Staff Writers, Cairns, Australia, (UPI) Jul 11, 2012
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Worlds_coral_reefs_at_risk_999.html
Climate change suspended reef growth for two millennia
By Staff Writers, Melbourne FL (SPX), Jul 06, 2012
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Climate_change_suspended_reef_growth_for_two_millennia_999.html
[SEPP Comment: According to the report natural climate change nearly caused the destruction of coral-reef systems. But if man can stop climate change, then everything will be OK. How do the researchers propose stopping natural climate change?]
Natural-gas boom could isolate US on climate change
By Zack Colman, The Hill, Jul 12, 2012
Natural gas is a much needed tool to battle global warming
By Staff Writers, Ithaca NY (SPX), Jul 12, 2012
Questioning the Orthodoxy
CBS Turns Blind Eye To Climate Change Hype Truth
Editorial, IBD, Jul 12, 2012
http://news.investors.com/article/618004/201207121907/climate-warmer-in-roman-medieval-times.htm
Delusions Down Under
By Donna Laframboise, NFC, Jul 11, 2012
http://nofrakkingconsensus.com/2012/07/11/delusions-down-under/
[SEPP Comment: When faced with skepticism, express great certainty. There appear to be no consequences to false certainty.]
Sick and tired of that global warming whine
By Dennis Byrne, Chicago Tribune, Jul 10, 2012
Scientists Blame Global Warming for Heat Wave, But Fail to Back It Up
By Michael Sandoval, The Foundry, July 11, 2012 [H/t GWPF]
Nordhaus, Tol, and Climate-Change Economics: Turning Around the Conventional Wisdom
By Robert Murphy, Master Resource, Jul 11, 2012
http://www.masterresource.org/2012/07/nordhaus-tol-climate-economics-reconsidered/#more-20736
Climate Change And Earth’s Changing Orbit
By Duncan Steel, The Observatory, Jul 13, 2012
http://thegwpf.org/the-observatory/6159-climate-change-and-earths-changing-orbit.html
[SEPP Comment: A technical discussion on why both spring and fall are occurring earlier.]
Questioning European Green
The Economics Of Wind Power
By Gordon Hughes, GWPF, Jul 10, 2012
http://thegwpf.org/uk-news/6137-gwpf-the-economics-of-wind-power.html
[SEPP Comment: To the House of Commons Energy and Climate Change Committee.]
You Can’t Have Shale Gas – It Might Halve Your Bills
By Christopher Booker, Sunday Telegraph, edited by GWPF, Jul 8, 2012
Green Energy Costs ‘May Drive Factories Out Of UK’
By Tim Webb, The Times via GWPF, Jul 13, 2012
http://thegwpf.org/uk-news/6160-green-energy-costs-may-drive-factories-out-of-uk.html
Why European Shale Is Totally ‘Fracked’
By Matthew Hulbert, Forbes, Jul 12, 2012 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.forbes.com/sites/matthewhulbert/2012/07/12/why-european-shale-is-totally-fracked/
Europe grid upgrades pegged at $128B
By Staff Writers, Brussels (UPI), Jul 9, 2012
http://www.energy-daily.com/reports/Europe_grid_upgrades_pegged_at_128B_999.html
[SEPP Comment: Free green energy is not free.]
Questioning Green Elsewhere
Green Jobs Count: Fewer than Before, Sillier than Ever
By David Kreutzer, The Foundry, Jul 9, 2012
http://blog.heritage.org/2012/07/09/green-jobs-arent-shrinking-because-they-dont-exist/
IER Study: Energy Efficiency Mandates Have a “Rebound Effect.’
By Staff Writers, Institute for Energy Research, Jul 12, 2012 [H/t Cooler Heads]
[SEPP Comment: Link to a study by Robert Michaels on the same subject.]
Caught in a Green Crossfire
By Paul Driessen, Townhall, Jul 12, 2012
http://townhall.com/columnists/pauldriessen/2012/07/12/caught_in_a_green_crossfire/page/full/
Expanding the Orthodoxy
Solving the world’s problems in Oxford
By Martin Livermore, Scientific Alliance, Jul 13, 2012
http://www.scientific-alliance.org/scientific-alliance-newsletter/solving-worlds-problems-oxford
[SEPP Comment: No doubt solving the world’s problems is a prestigious activity. Those trained in the neo-classical theory of production and distribution would not have a chance.]
Nitrogen pollution changing Rocky Mountain National Park vegetation
By Staff Writers, Boulder CO (SPX), Jul 06, 2012
[SEPP Comment: Emissions of nitrogen compounds have been falling for over 30 years. http://www.epa.gov/airtrends/nitrogen.html and link under Challenging the Orthodoxy. The biggest problem for fish, etc. is excrement, both animal and human.]
Extreme weather conditions cost EU’s transport system at least 15 billion euro annually
By Staff Writers, Helsinki, Finland (SPX), Jul 10, 2012
[SEPP Comment: No doubt the weather will be attributed to human caused global warming / climate change.]
Seeking a Common Ground
No consensus on consensus: Part II
By Judith Curry, Climate Etc, Jul 13, 2012
http://judithcurry.com/2012/07/13/no-consensus-on-consensus-part-ii/#more-9130
[SEPP Comment: Excellent research on issues regarding a consensus in science.]
Can’t see the Climate Forest For the Trees
By Tim Ball, A Different Perspective, Jul 7, 2012
http://drtimball.com/2012/cant-see-the-climate-forest-for-the-trees/
5 logical fallacies that make you more wrong than you think
By Judith Curry, Climate Etc, Jul 9, 2012
http://judithcurry.com/2012/07/09/5-logical-fallacies-that-make-you-more-wrong-than-you-think/
[SEPP Comment: Curry’s remarks on how some of the fallacies apply to the climate controversies are particularly insightful and apply to skeptics and alarmists.]
My reply to Paul Bain: The name-caller is hurt by the names they throw
By Jo Nova, Her Blog, Jul 13, 2012
Communicating Better to the Public – Exaggerate, or be Vague?
The climate of the climate change debate is changing
Quantifying how greenhouse gases contribute to extreme weather is a crucial step in calculating the cost of human influence
By Myles Allen, Guardian, UK, Jul 11, 2012
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/jul/11/climate-change-debate-weather
[SEPP Comment: Rather Difficult to do without understanding natural variation – something avoided by the IPCC.]
Heating Up
Editorial, N YT, Jul 10, 2012
[SEPP Comment: The Grey Lady does not comprehend the media world has changed.]
What’s cooking? The UK’s potential food crisis
By Staff Writers, Manchester, UK (SPX), Jul 10, 2012
http://www.seeddaily.com/reports/Whats_cooking_The_UKs_potential_food_crisis_999.html
[SEPP Comment: Global trend predicts of 4 deg C rise by the end of this century?]
Rising heat at the beach threatens largest sea turtles
By Staff Writers, Philadelphia PA (SPX), Jul 06, 2012
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Rising_heat_at_the_beach_threatens_largest_sea_turtles_999.html
‘Abrupt increase’ in CO2 absorption slowed global warming
By Kieran Campbell, NZ Herald, Jul 11, 2012 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10818936
[SEPP Comment: See link immediately below.]
NZ Scientists “stunned”, “shocked” by mere 1% rise in CO2 absorption. What spin!
By Jo Nova, Her Blog, Jul 14, 2012
[SEPP Comment: See link immediately above.]
Climate Change May Lead to Fewer – But More Violent – Thunderstorms
By Staff Writers, Tel Aviv, Israel (SPX), Jul 12, 2012
[SEPP Comment: It may lead to more, less violent or any combination thereof.]
Communicating Better to the Public – Make things up.
Scientists attribute extreme weather to man-made climate change
Researchers have for the first time attributed recent floods, droughts and heatwaves, to human-induced climate change
By Fiona Harvey, Guardian, UK, Jul 10, 2012
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/jul/10/extreme-weather-manmade-climate-change
[SEPP Comment: Demolished within days.]
Global Warming Makes Heat Waves More Likely, Study Finds
By Justin Gillis, NYT, Jul 10, 2012
Desperate Climate Scientists Blame Bad Weather On Global Warming
By Doug Hoffman, The Resilient Earth, via GWPF, Jul 12, 2012
Models v. Observations
Guest Post By Richard McNider On The New JGR – Atmosphere Article “Response And Sensitivity Of The Nocturnal Boundary Layer Over Land To Added Longwave Radiative Forcing”
By Richard McNider, Pielke Climate Science, Jul 12, 2012
[SEPP Comment: A technical explanation on a possible reason why satellite measurements and models diverge.]
Changing Weather
The folly of blaming the Eastern U.S. heat wave on global warming
A picture is worth a thousand words
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Jul 7, 2012
‘Extreme weather is an integral part of the Earth’s climate’
By Madhav Khandekar, WUWT, Jul 10, 2012
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2012/07/10/extreme-weather-is-an-integral-part-of-the-earths-climate/
The Heat Was On—Before Urbanization and Greenhouse Gases
By Patrick Michaels, World Climate Report, Jul 13, 2012
[SEPP Comment: You’ve read the headlines, now for the data.]
What’s to Blame for the Rains on the Plains?
By Patrick Michaels, World Climate Report, Jul 11, 2012
[SEPP Comment: Urbanization leads to different weather patterns, not associated with CO2. Irrigation and dam impoundments may change precipitation patterns and intensities.]
NCDC: June 2012 Was 15th Hottest In US History,
[14th warmest June in 118 years]
By Steve Goddard, Real Science, Jul 13, 2012 [H/t Climate Depot]
http://stevengoddard.wordpress.com/2012/07/13/ncdc-june-2012-was-15th-hottest-in-us-history/
[SEPP Comment: Link to NCDC web site.]
Changing Climate
Climate Was Hotter In Roman, Medieval Times Than Now, New Study
By Lewis Page, The Register, Jul 11, 2012
Climate in northern Europe reconstructed for the past 2,000 years: Cooling trend calculated precisely for the first time
Calculations prepared by Mainz scientists will also influence the way current climate change is perceived / Publication of results in Nature Climate Change
By Staff Writer, Johannes Gutenberg Universitat, Mainz, Jul 9, 2012 [H/t WUWT]
http://www.uni-mainz.de/eng/15491.php
[SEPP Comment: For graph, see above link.]
Orbital forcing of tree-ring data
By Esper, Jan, et al, Nature Climate Change Jul 8, 2012
http://www.nature.com/nclimate/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nclimate1589.html
Tree-rings prove climate was WARMER in Roman and Medieval times than it is now – and world has been cooling for 2,000 years
By Rob Waugh, Mail Online, UK, Jul 11, 2012 [H/t Warren Wetmore]
[SEPP Comment: Typical sensationalist article.]
Reliving the 1950s (and 1890s): the 60 year cycle
By Joseph D’Aleo, Weatherbell.com, Jul 8, 2012
http://icecap.us/index.php/go/joes-blog/reliving_the_1950s_and_1890s_the_60_year_cycle/
El Nino And Global Warming
By David Whitehouse, The Observatory, Jul 9, 2012
http://thegwpf.org/the-observatory/6136-el-nino-and-global-warming.html
[SEPP Comment: Until these natural phenomena are understood, it is virtually impossible to understand the human influence on climate change.]
Changing Seas
Sea Surface Temperature Trends As A Function Of Latitude Bands
By Roger A. Pielke Sr. and Bob Tisdale, Pielke Climate Science, Jul 11, 2012
[SEPP Comment: A possible explanation of why the assumed positive feedback from increased water vapor is not occurring as projected in the models. The waters in the tropics are not warming.]
Ravaged Reefs Bounce Back
By Doug Hoffman, Resilient Earth, via GWPF, Jul 9, 2012
http://thegwpf.org/the-climate-record/6132-ravaged-reefs-bounce-back.html
Viruses linked to coral bleaching
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Jul 12, 2012
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2012/07/12/viruses-linked-to-coral-bleaching/
[SEPP Comment: Links to the press release and the abstract.]
Scientists Discover New Trigger for Immense North Atlantic Plankton Bloom
By Staff Writers, Washington DC (SPX), Jul 11, 2012
Changing Sea Levels
German Survey Of Recent Scientific Literature Shows No Signs Of Accelerated Sea Level Rise
By P. Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Jul 13, 2012 [H/t Climate Depot]
Trigger for past rapid sea level rise discovered
By Staff Writers, Bristol UK (SPX) Jul 13, 2012
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Trigger_for_past_rapid_sea_level_rise_discovered_999.html
[SEPP Comment: In part, this seems to be consistent with the series of massive Missoula Floods that apparently formed the distinctive landscape of Eastern Washington State, the Columbia George, and the Willamette Valley in Oregon. These have been subject to geological research since the early 1900s. Perhaps to better appreciate the significance of these events and the geology they formed, the researchers should go on a field trip to enjoy the fine wines grown in eastern Washington and the Willamette Valley.]
Changing Sea Ice
Ice, logistics delay Shell Alaska drilling plans
By Yereth Rosen, Reuters, Jul 6
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/07/us-shell-alaska-idUSBRE86601P20120707
Changing Earth
Satellite research reveals smaller volcanoes could cool climate
By Staff Writers, Saskatoon, Canada (SPX), Jul 09, 2012
Toward a Better Understanding of Earthquakes
By Staff Writers, Karlsruhe, Germany (SPX), Jul 06, 2012
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Toward_a_Better_Understanding_of_Earthquakes_999.html
Acidic Waters
Science official: Ocean acidity major reef threat
By Kristen Gelineau, AP, Jul 9, 2012
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jul/9/science-official-ocean-acidity-major-reef-threat/
Agriculture Issues & Fear of Famine
False Alarm: Largest Ever Cereal Harvest Predicted This Year
By Subodh Varma, The Times of India, via GWPF, Jul 11, 2012
Cap-and-Trade and Carbon Taxes
Pointless Carbon Tax
By Cliff Ollier, Quadrant, Jul 10, 2012
http://www.quadrant.org.au/blogs/doomed-planet/2012/07/pointless-carbon-tax
[SEPP Comment: A powerful, scientific, indictment of those promoting carbon taxes and deceiving the public. One slight correction: the CO2 concentration was [not is] about 0.03% of the atmosphere and is increasing.]
Left-right climate group quietly weighing proposals for carbon tax
By Ben Geman, The Hill, Jul 12, 2012
[SEPP Comment: The desire of politicians to tax is not limited by political party.]
Subsidies and Mandates Forever
Spain Targets First Cash From Renewables With Energy Tax
By Marc Roca, Bloomberg, Jul 12, 2012
There’s about 40 billion euros of wind and solar power-related debt in Spain, most of which is owned by local banks.
[SEPP Comment: Declare the energy taxes to be other (negative) subsidies. Seriously, bank stocks may take a big hit.]
Wind Energy Jobs: Mysterious Numbers from AWEA (75,000 claim bogus)
By Lisa Linowes, Master Resource, Jul 10, 2012
http://www.masterresource.org/2012/07/wind-energy-jobs-myth/
Documents available on the trade group’s website show that about $4 million of AWEA’s 2012 budget ($30 million) was directed toward PTC lobbying.
[SEPP Comment: Imagine the bonuses that will be paid to the lobbyists if they are successful in extending the production tax credit (PTC). Stating it politely, the models used by used by a government agency to defend the wind industry are incomplete, at best.]
EPA and other Regulators on the March
Energy [sic. Interior] Department sneaks offshore moratorium past public
Jobs and oil-supply potential are shut down
By Thomas Pyle, Washington Times, Jul 9, 2012
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jul/9/energy-department-sneaks-offshore-moratorium-past-/
Fracking Guidelines Expand as Technology Evolves
By Thomas W. Overton, Power News, Jun 20, 2012
[SEPP Comment: A first taste of what will come?]
A clear ruling on greenhouse gas emissions
Those who oppose the EPA regulating emissions must accept a recent court ruling and negotiate with Congress in good faith
Editorial, Denver Post, Jul 8, 2012
http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_21014747/editorial-clear-ruling-greenhouse-gas-emissions
[SEPP comment: Ignores the most obvious, Congress can remove carbon dioxide as a gas regulated under the Clean Air Act.]
EPA Promulgates Final Step 3 of GHG Tailoring Rule
By Staff Writers, POWERnews, Jul 12, 2012
http://www.powermag.com/POWERnews/4780.html?hq_e=el&hq_m=2482540&hq_l=6&hq_v=5e660500d0
[SEPP Comment: Nothing prevents EPA from intensifying the regulations in the future.]
EPA Overlook: Improved Health & Welfare from Greenhouse Gas Emissions
By Chip Knappenberger, Master Resource, Jul 13, 2012
New Science Endangers EPA’s “Endangerment Finding”
By Chip Knappenberger, Master Resource, Jul 12, 2012
http://www.masterresource.org/2012/07/new-science-endangers-epa-endangerment-finding/
[SEPP Comment: EPA’s slanted science.]
Energy Issues – Non-US
The Energy Revolution Part One: The Biggest Losers
By Walter Russell Mead, Via Media, Jul 8, 2012 [H/t GWPF]
The political perils of low oil prices
By Matthew Hulbert, European Energy Review, Jul 9, 2012
[SEPP Comment: Regardless of what happens to oil prices, some analyst will find an impending crisis.]
The Price of Gasoline
By Donn Dears, Power for USA, Jul 13, 2012
http://dddusmma.wordpress.com/2012/07/13/the-price-of-gasoline/
[SEPP Comment: A different take on the issue above. Simply put, unlike what happened in the early 1970s OPEC cannot afford to shut off production or set a low price for that matter.]
German government backtracks on the Energy Transition
By Katharina Mikulcak, European Energy Review, Jul 12, 2012
[SEPP Comment: Private ventures in the US that lowered the price of natural gas are making the US the world leader in Energy Transition.]
La Croix Valmer city selects AREVA’s electricity storage system
By Staff Writers, Paris, France (SPX) Jul 12, 2012
[SEPP Comment: It will be interesting to see how efficient and costly this system will be.]
Energy Issues — US
Temperatures up, lights out across America
Obama’s energy policies are stressing the electricity grid
By Bernard Weinstein, Washington Times, Jul 12, 2012
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jul/12/temperatures-up-lights-out-across-america/
Interior touts 1.5M jobs from energy development
By Zack Colman, The Hill, Jul 9, 2012
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/236731-interior-touts-15m-jobs-from-energy-development
[SEPP Comment: Imaginary numbers rivaling those of the EPA.]
Oil and Natural Gas – the Future or the Past?
Unleashing the North American Energy Colossus:
Hydrocarbons Can Fuel Growth and Prosperity
By Mark P. Mills, Manhattan Institute, Jul 2012
http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/pgi_01.htm
[SEPP Comment: As previously reported in TWTW this study finds: The main limits to oil production in North American are political rather than geological or technological.]
Marcellus brine migration likely natural, not man-made
By Staff Writers, Durham NC (SPX), Jul 12, 2012
http://www.energy-daily.com/reports/Marcellus_brine_migration_likely_natural_not_man_made_999.html
Cornell Researcher Rebuts Colleagues on Fracking Leaks
By Mark Drajem, Bloomberg, Jul 10, 2012 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-07-10/cornell-researcher-rebuts-colleagues-on-fracking-leaks
China’s Nascent Shale Gas Industry Gains Momentum
By Tim Daiss, Energy Tribune, Jul 10, 2012
http://www.energytribune.com//articles.cfm/11130/Chinas-Nascent-Shale-Gas-Industry-Gains-Momentum
[SEPP Comment: China has invested in shale gas projects in the US, no doubt to obtain the technology of hydraulic fracturing.]
Return of King Coal?
IEA Supports Ultra-Supercritical Coal
By Donn Dears, Power For USA, Jul 10, 2012
http://dddusmma.wordpress.com/2012/07/10/iea-supports-ultra-supercritical-coal/
[SEPP Comment: EPA regulations and lawsuits will prevent the US from leading the world in this important advance in technology, which is far more likely to be 21st century technology than wind or solar.]
Irony of Ironies: Europe Switches to Coal as US Gas Glut Reduces Emissions
By Peter C Glover, Energy Tribune, Jul 12, 2012
Locking in the benefits of clean coal: China and India are securing their energy future
By Frank Clemente, Energy Facts Weekly, Jul 10, 2012
http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=29bc7d5d85828d574f86c157a&id=df6156bc13&e=
[SEPP Comment: It will be interesting to learn if CCS actually works.]
Oil Spills, Gas Leaks & Consequences
Study finds winds played important role in keeping oil away from S. Fla.
By Staff Writers, Miami FL (SPX), Jul 12, 2012
Pipelines Are Safest for Transportation of Oil and Gas
By Diana Furchtgott-Roth, Manhattan Institute, Jun 2012
http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/ir_17.htm
[SEPP Comment: A detailed examination of the comparative human and environmental safety of major means of moving oil and natural gas.]
Enbridge Fined Over Kalamazoo River Tar Sands Pipeline Spill
By Staff Writers, Washington DC (SPX), Jul 10, 2012
Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Solar and Wind
Uncle Sam’s solar eclipse
Federal funds can’t buy success under the sun
Editorial, Washington Times, Jul 11, 2012
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jul/11/uncle-sams-solar-eclipse/
A Sign of Sanity in Solar Manufacturing
By Geoffrey Styles, Energy Tribune, Jul 11, 2012
http://www.energytribune.com/articles.cfm/11154/A-Sign-of-Sanity-in-Solar-Manufacturing
[SEPP Comment: The solar bubble is popping. The race to beat China ended long ago.]
Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Energy — Other
Biofuels – Still Searching for a Benefit
By William Tucker, Nuclear Townhall, Jul 11, 2012 [H/t Cooler Heads]
http://www.nucleartownhall.com/blog/william-tucker-biofuels-searching-for-a-benefit/
[SEPP Comment: More than a slight oversight, failing to calculate the land requirements of Biofuels.]
Prairie cordgrass: Highly underrated
By Staff Writers, Urbana IL (SPX), Jun 28, 2012
http://www.biofueldaily.com/reports/Prairie_cordgrass_Highly_underrated_999.html
[SEPP Comment: In search of the efficient biofuel.]
Review of Recent Scientific Articles by NIPCC
For a full list of articles see www.NIPCCreport.org
Impacts of Recurrent Estuarine Acidification on Wild Invertebrates
Reference: Amaral, V., Cabral, H.N. and Bishop, M.J. 2011. Resistance among wild invertebrate populations to recurrent estuarine acidification. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 93: 460-467
http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2012/jul/10jul2012a3.html
Global Warming: Does It Promote or Hinder Peace?
Reference: Gartzke, E. 2012. Could climate change precipitate peace? Journal of Peace Research 49: 177-192.
http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2012/jul/11jul2012a3.html
[SEPP Comment: It appears that global warming benefits humanity, as concluded in the NIPCC reports.]
Atmospheric CO2 Enrichment: Working Wonders in the Plant Root Zone
Reference: Fortuna, P., Avio, L., Morini, S. and Giovannetti, M. 2012. Fungal biomass production in response to elevated atmospheric CO2 in a Glomus mosseae-Prunus cerasifera model system. Mycological Progress 11: 17-26.
http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2012/jul/11jul2012a1.html
The Ability of Marine Turtles to Adapt to Warmer Environments
Reference: Weber, S.B., Broderick, A.C., Groothuis, T.G.G., Ellick, J., Godley, B.J. and Blount, J.D. 2012. Fine-scale thermal adaptation in a green turtle nesting population. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 279: 1077-1084.
http://www.nipccreport.org/articles/2012/jul/11jul2012a2.html
[SEPP Comment: Contradicting reports that warming endangers sea turtles, it appears some like it hot.]
Oh Mann!
Michael Mann-Bill Blakemore ABC News interview on climate change and the global warming disinformation campaign
By Rick Piltz, Climate Science Watch, Jul 8, 2012 [H/t Climate Etc,
[SEPP Comment: Those who run the web site bill themselves as: Promoting integrity in the use of climate science in government.
There are 5 talks with Mr. Mann.
Part 1: New McCarthyism, Described by Climate Scientist Michael Mann, Part 2: Climate Denialists Worse Than Tobacco CEOs Lying Under Oath, Says Mann, Part 3: Climate Denialists Would be Remembered as Villains, Says Mann, Part 4: Unprecedented Crisis for Humanity – But There’s Hope; Part 5: Climate ‘Groundhog Day for Scientists and Journalists Alike. No additional comment needed.]
Environmental Industry
Environmental Extremists Exposed as Political Goliaths
By Rachel Swaffer, Net Right Daily, Jul 11, 2012
http://netrightdaily.com/2012/07/environmental-extremists-exposed-as-political-goliaths/
[SEPP Comment: The multi-billion dollar environmental industry is being thwarted by a few ten million dollars given to skeptics.]
Other Scientific News
Scientists say NASA’s ‘new form of life’ was untrue
By Staff Writers, Washington (AFP), July 9, 2012
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Scientists_say_NASAs_new_form_of_life_was_untrue_999.html
[SEPP Comment: The need for independent reproducibility is paramount. There is no reason to be overly severe on the original research.]
Higgs and Significance
By Victor Stenger, Huffington Post, Jul 5, 2012 [H/t Tom Sheahen]
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/victor-stenger/higgs-and-significiance_b_1649808.html
[SEPP Comment: Avoiding false positives where repeated testing is difficult.]
Copper making salmon prone to predators
By Staff Writers, Puyallup WA (SPX), Jul 12, 2012
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Copper_making_salmon_prone_to_predators_999.html
[SEPP Comment: The last sentence may address the reason for government funding of this study. Some of the most highly prized salmon come from the Copper River which is named for its copper deposits. The salmon runs are very large. A question of dose – response needs to be answered.]
Dark matter scaffolding of universe detected for the first time
By Nicole Casal Moore, Ann Arbor, MI (SPX), Jul 10, 2012
Native American populations descend from three key migrations
By Staff Writers, London, UK (SPX). Jul 13, 2012
Sounds of northern lights are born close to ground
By Staff Writers, Aalto, Finland (SPX), Jul 13, 2012
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Sounds_of_northern_lights_are_born_close_to_ground_999.html
Other News that May Be of Interest
Federal obstacles hamper battle on wildfires
Caught in red tape, chopper didn’t act
By Stephen Dinan, Washington Times, Jul 12, 2012
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jul/12/federal-obstacles-hamper-battle-on-wildfires/
[SEPP Comment: Insane!]
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BELOW THE BOTTOM LINE:
Here we go again: row, row, row, your boat – Arctic edition
By Willis Eschenbach, WUWT, Jul 9, 2012
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2012/07/09/here-we-go-again-row-row-row-your-boat-arctic-edition/
[SEPP Comment: The first, non-stop, unsupported row across the Arctic Ocean does not cross much of the Ocean.]
Taxing Termites, Wetlands, Volcanoes and Sacred Cows?
By Viv Forbes, WUWT, Jul 8, 2012
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2012/07/08/taxing-termites-wetlands-volcanoes-and-sacred-cows/
No baloney: Global Warming creates a largesse of lobster
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Jul 9, 2012
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2012/07/09/no-baloney-global-warming-creates-a-largesse-of-lobster/
[SEPP Comment: If NOAA’s predictions of ocean acidification come true, the dinner would not have to take off the shells.
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On the Road Again: At the end of the month Fred Singer will be traveling and speaking at various locations. Talks include:
July 27, 11 am Seminar: Brookhaven National Lab, Patchogue, Long Island, New York
Doctors for Disaster Preparedness, Long Island Marriot, 101 James Doolittle Blvd, Uniondale, NY
http://www.ddponline.org/2012/03/08/2012-ddp-meeting-july-27-29/
July 29, 9:00 am, Registration may be required
Heartland Institute
July 30, 2012, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm One South Wacker Drive, #2740, Chicago, Il 60606
Registration required, $10, Contact Tonya Houston at thouston@heartland.org or 312/377-4000
The 15th Annual International Mars Society Convention
August 3 to 5, 2012 Pasadena Convention Center, CA
http://www.marssociety.org/convention2012
Morning of Aug 4, Registration may be required
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Wow!! How did you find all those links so fast!!!
I need some time to read them.
doesn’t this just build confidence? LOL.
13 July: Bloomberg: Matthew Carr: Carbon Top Commodity Stokes Suspicion EU Ideas Leaked
The most ambitious market-based effort to control carbon emissions is being undermined by a glut of permits, amid allegations that European Union ideas to tackle the surplus are being leaked prematurely…
Details of the plans, contained in a draft report being drawn up by EU officials, may be ending up in the hands of everyone from national governments and non-government organizations to researchers and traders, said Brett Stacey, the founder of CarbonDesk Group Plc (CO2P), a renewable-energy financier in London that suspended its emissions-options brokerage in January. That’s sapping trust in the seven-year-old cap-and- trade market, the world’s biggest, he said.
“This information shouldn’t be leaked to certain places in the market because fortunes can be lost, and unless this is realized it could kill the very market they’re trying to protect,” Stacey said in an interview. “Investors will end up leaving the market, as they have no confidence of having the same information.”…
The EU market will probably still be oversupplied by the equivalent of a year’s total allowances by 2020, Barclays Plc (BARC) forecast on June 22….
Traders who pay the closest attention to regulatory developments may “know a little bit more than others,” she said. “We would very much welcome a discussion around the definition of insider information in the context of the supervision of carbon markets.”…
Options Traded
Trading in “calls” linked to the June emissions future increased to 2.1 million tons in the week ended June 15, from 500,000 tons the week before, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Calls are options that give the buyer the right to purchase at a certain price.
The options, which expired June 20, surged to 61 cents a ton on June 19 from 18 cents June 8, according to ICE data. Options contracts are cleared on ICE after being brokered over the counter at prices that may not be disclosed.
Claire Miller, a London-based spokeswoman for ICE, declined to comment on whether the exchange was investigating the trades. Chris Hamilton, a spokesman for the U.K.’s Financial Services Authority, said the FSA never confirms or denies whether an investigation is taking place…
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-13/carbon-top-commodity-stokes-suspicion-eu-ideas-leaked.html
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15 July: Times of India: Nitin Sethi: BASIC nations call for rollback of EU carbon tax on aviation
The meeting of BASIC countries – Brazil, South Africa, China and India — in Pretoria, South Africa, made a strong statement against EU’s carbon tax on aviation at the end of two-day talks.
A joint statement of the four countries stated, “Ministers were deeply concerned at the continued unilateral action by the EU to include international aviation in the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS), including intentions for similar unilateral measures, and called for immediate withdrawal of such actions that violate the multilateral rules-based system and adversely affect trust among parties.”…
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/global-warming/BASIC-nations-call-for-rollback-of-EU-carbon-tax-on-aviation/articleshow/14919330.cms
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9 July: Bloomberg: Matthew Carr:Camco Appoints Marren as CFO After Shares Drop 76%
Camco International Ltd. (CAO), a London- based developer of clean-energy and carbon-offset projects, appointed Jonathan Marren as chief financial officer and board member starting today, after the company’s shares dropped 76 percent in the past year…
“Carbon is a difficult asset class,” Marren said in a phone interview. “Investors need to spend a lot of time to understand it.” …
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-07-09/camco-appoints-marren-as-cfo-after-shares-drop-76-percent
Late addition. Next week?
Hunting with fire appears to benefit Australia’s small-mammal populations, say Stanford researchers
http://news.stanford.edu/news/2012/july/australia-hunting-fire-071212.html
“Consensus” = Mutual inter-assumptive confabulation.
5 July: San Diego Union Tribune: Bill Gunderson: Green energy bad idea for pension funds
State pension fund managers you can relax now: Al Gore is here.
Gore wants to put your retirement savings in green energy. He does not want to tell us what companies or how much.
Just last month it was revealed that Al Gore’s investment company has been managing assets for New York state and city pension funds for three years. Pension fund officials say Al is doing a great job.
But they refuse to tell us where Gore is putting the money.
The news of Gore’s involvement in state pension funds comes the same week several research reports surfaced that said state public employee pension funds are in crisis and underfunded by $1 trillion to $4 trillion.
Not to worry, says Gore. Now that his Nobel Peace Prize for his theory about global warming is gathering a bit of dust, Gore has another theory. He calls this one sustainable capitalism.
“We invest in private equity, restricted public equity and unrestricted public equity. This strategy is focused exclusively on deploying capital into companies that are part of the transition from a high-carbon to a low-carbon economy.”
That’s what it says at his website: indecipherable graduate-student seminar talk. What isn’t there is any mention of what these great companies might be…
I’m sorry if I am as skeptical of Gore’s financial acumen as I am of his meteorological expertise. But green investments are terrible performers.
More than a year ago I told my clients and readers to “sell everything under the sun.” I shorted First Solar, America’s largest solar manufacturer.
The stock was at $120. Today is at $14.
Line ’em up: The green-energy cars, green battery companies, green solar, green wind, green you name it: They are toxic to a portfolio. Unless of course you short them.
Four years ago, the Solar Index – TAN – was $307 a share. Today it is $19.
The Wind Index was $31 a share. Today it is $6.
Vestas Wind was $25 in 2009. Today it is $1.70.
The list of lousy green stocks is just about the closest thing we have to an infinite renewable resource.
Curious how almost all of the investments in green energy that Gore would make for public employees require public subsidies and regulatory relief from the same people who are investing in the technology…
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jul/05/green-energy-bad-idea-for-pension-funds/
Good commentary, Pat. With T. Boone Pickens’ stellar investing in green energy I’m having dreams of a truck stop explosion at a Clean Energy Fuels natural gas filling station. That stopped me from investment in CLNE. Though I would like to see Nancy Pelosis loose her rear end, Boone hasn’t much rear area left. Hope it doesn’t happen for his sake. Gosh, you have to ground wire the trucks and other safety steps. Uh, truckers make mistakes when they’re run hard and exhausted.
” The world is expected to harvest the largest ever crop of cereals in 2012-13 according to an estimate released by the UN affiliated Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) recently. It is estimated that this year’s world cereal production will be a record 2371 million tonnes, marking a 1 percent, or 27 million tonnes increase over 2011.” I hope so, I guess it’s possible. When we in the USA have bumper crops other countries don’t. We’re not going to have a good one, so I hope everybody else is.
Oh, and if Hillary or any of her binkies read this… thanks for helping Smith & Wesson break through resistance. I’m working a double.
South east England : 2012 year without summer.
http://in.mobile.reuters.com/article/idINL2E8IGF7P20120717?irpc=932
UPDATE 3-Worst U.S. drought since 1956 shrivels corn, soy crops Tue Jul 17, 2012 5:38am IST
* Drought expanding into Northwest,worst since Dec. 1956
* Corn ratings fall more than expected,most in nearly 10 years
* Weather indicates more deterioration for corn and soy this week
* More surges likely for corn and soybean prices
By Sam Nelson
CHICAGO,July 16 (Reuters) – An expanding U.S. drought,now deemed the worst since 1956,dealt another blow to the corn crop,with conditions deteriorating for a second straight week in the world’s top exporter of the grain,U.S. government data showed on Monday.
There were signs that the drought,which has been centered in the Midwest,was expanding north and west,putting more crops at risk including in states like Nebraska where large tracts of cropland are irrigated by groundwater and rivers.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said in a report on Monday that,based on the Palmer Drought Index,55 percent of the contiguous United States was under moderate to extreme drought in June. That is the largest land area in the United States to be affected by a drought since December 1956.
In a report titled National Drought Overview,NOAA said that moderate to extreme drought had spread across much of the Midwest and Central to Northern Plains,with pockets of exceptional drought in the High Plains of Colorado.
The drought,previously considered to be the worst since 1988,has been wreaking havoc on developing crops in the U.S. farm belt.
The amount of the corn crop rated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to be in the good-to-excellent category fell 9 percentage points to 31 percent,well exceeding the 5-point drop expected by traders polled by Reuters on Monday morning.
The drought also pummeled the soybean crop,which was rated 34 percent good-to-excellent,down 6 percentage points from the previous week and one point below estimates for 35 percent.
MILD WINTER,DRY SUMMER
After one of the mildest winters on record sparked a record pace in planting and promised a bumper harvest,a sudden turn to dry weather in the Midwest has decimated crops.
New-crop December corn futures on the Chicago Board of Trade have soared 54 percent since mid-June,reaching a contract high of $7.78 on Monday.
The surge in prices would cut into margins for meat companies like Smithfield Foods and Tyson Foods and ethanol producers while raising the prospects for higher beef and pork prices in the United States next year as ranchers cull their herds because of high feed costs.
“The drought continues to take a significant bite out of yield potential,” said Dan Basse, president and analyst for AgResource Co.
In a report last week,the USDA cut its corn yield estimate by an unprecedented 20 bushels to 146 bushels per acre,igniting concerns that this year’s crop could mirror production in 1988 when a similar drought decimated the crops.
“I suspect we’re getting very close to something in the 132 to 133 yield range,and it’s still falling,” Basse said.
YIELDS DECLINING; CROP ABANDONMENT LIKELY
“As the crop gets worse,there’s an historical precedent for increased abandonment. If you talk to farmers,they’d tell you that there’s a fair amount of fields being zeroed out by crop adjusters,” Basse said,referring to farmers forgoing their crops to collect crop insurance.
The top two corn producing states in the country,Iowa and Illinois,showed huge declines in crop prospects.
Corn in Iowa fell from 46 percent good-to-excellent last week to 36 percent this week. In Illinois,the crop plunged to 11 percent from 19 percent good-to-excellent.
The crop in Missouri,worst hit by the drought,fell to 7 percent from 12 percent while Kentucky’s crop improved slightly to 6 percent from 5 percent.
At the beginning of the crop season,the USDA rated 77 percent of the corn crop and 56 percent of the soybean crop in the good-to-excellent category.
The 1988 drought saw sharp reductions in corn and soybean production.
By this point in the growing season of 1988,18 percent of the corn crop and 20 percent of the soybean crop was rated good-to-excellent,according to USDA data. Crop conditions were rated lower at the beginning of 1988 than this year.
Extreme dryness and heat hurt crops at first in the eastern and southern Midwest. Now western and northwestern states such as Iowa,Nebraska,Minnesota and the Dakotas, all major producers of corn and soybeans,are being affected.
“Crops in the east already have deteriorated rapidly and now heat and dryness are stressing crops in the west and northwest,” said Roy Huckabay,analyst for The Linn Group.
The latest weather forecasts call for the drought afflicting the U.S. Midwest to worsen, which will worsen destruction of the country’s corn and soybean crops,meteorologists said on Monday.
Cato’s ecological climatologist, Patrick Michaels, a critic of mainstream assertions around global warming , appeared in more than 20 media interviews within two weeks of the ” Climategate ” e-mail breach at the University of East Anglia’s Climatic Research Unit, the report says. Michaels has called the CRU scientists a “mob” that has worked to bias climate science to support warming conclusions.