The Whitehouse releases a laughable state by state climate impact report

UPDATE: Uproariously laughable now, the White House state climate impact report claims there are 31 counties in Hawaii, when there are actually 5, see below – Anthony

This is verbatim from the White House Blog today, see my comments below:

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State-by-State Reports: President Obama’s Plan to Cut Carbon Pollution and Prepare for Consequences of Climate Change

On Tuesday, President Obama laid out his comprehensive plan to cut carbon pollution, prepare our country for the impacts of climate change, and lead global efforts to fight it.

Climate change impacts — ranging from more frequent and severe storms, floods, heat waves, and wildfires, to increased risk of asthma attacks and longer allergy seasons — are already affecting our security, our economy, and our communities.  In 2012 alone, the cost of weather disasters exceeded $110 billion in the United States, and climate change will only increase the frequency and intensity of these events. Today, we already set limits for arsenic, mercury and lead, but we impose no limits on how much carbon pollution our power plants release– despite the fact carbon pollution is one of the largest drivers of climate change.

As the President explained yesterday, we have a moral obligation to leave our children a planet that’s not polluted or damaged, and by taking an all-of-the-above approach to develop homegrown energy and steady, responsible steps to cut carbon pollution, we can begin to slow the effects of climate change so we leave a cleaner, more stable environment for future generations. The President’s plan is a comprehensive approach to cutting the pollution that causes climate change and threatens public health, setting us on a path to make our communities healthier, safer, and more resilient.

The state-by-state reports below detail some of the impacts of extreme weather and pollution across the country, and underscore the importance of acting now  to cut carbon pollution and protect the health of our communities.

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OK here is the laughable part. I decided to click on my state, California, and was presented with this:

The Threat of Carbon Pollution: California

We have a moral obligation to leave our children a planet that’s not polluted or damaged, and by takingan all-of-the-above approach to develop homegrown energy and steady, responsible steps to cut carbon pollution, we can protect our kids’ health and begin to slow the effects of climate change so we leave a cleaner, more stable environment for future generations.

Climate change impacts including severe weather, asthma attacks, prolonged allergy seasons, and sea-level rise are affecting our security, our economy, and our communities. In 2012 alone, the cost of weather disasters exceeded $110 billion in the United States, and climate change will only increase the frequency and intensity of these events. Today, we already set limits for arsenic, mercury and lead, but we impose no limits on how much carbon pollution our power plants release. Carbon pollution is contributing to a higher risk of asthma attacks and more frequent and severe storms, floods, heat waves, and wildfires, driving up food prices and threatening our communities. The President’s plan is a comprehensive approach to cutting the pollution that causes climate change and threatens public health, setting us on a path to make our communities healthier, safer, and more resilient.

THE IMPACT OF POLLUTION AND EXTREME WEATHER IN CALIFORNIA

In 2011, power plants and major industrial facilities in California emitted more than 100 million metric tons of carbon pollution metric tons of carbon pollution—that’s equal to the yearly pollution from more than 21 million cars.

Recent incidents provide a reminder of the impacts to our public health and costs due to extreme weather in California. Although we cannot say that climate change is responsible for any individual event, climate change is already increasing our risks from these events.

• A dry winter in 2011-12 meant that the snow pack, which provides critical drinking water and water to irrigate farmland, was the third lowest on record in the West.
• In California, there were over 32,700 hospital admissions for asthma in 2011, with an average charge of over $35,800 for each stay.
• In 2009, there were 4,073 emergency room visits in California due to heat stress.
• Changing temperature and precipitation patterns can affect the life cycle and distribution of insects, many of which transmit disease that already pose problems to public health in California. In 2010, there were 126 cases of Lyme disease in the state.

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Really, “carbon pollution” causes asthma and Lyme disease? This is the best they can do?

I don’t know of any credible study (or incredible for that matter) that suggests large scale impacts of asthma and Lyme disease for California. And look at the numbers, compared to the most recent census data. Infoplease says the 2010 resident population of California is: 37,253,956 people.

126 cases of Lyme disease in the state. – thats 0.000338% % of the population

4,073 emergency room visits in California due to heat stress – thats 0.011% of the population

32,700 hospital admissions for asthma in 2011 – thats 0.087% of the population

For these small numbers, we need to apply a draconian policy that affects EVERYONE in the state?

And, the section of the California impact report  titled: ANTICIPATED CLIMATE-RELATED RISKS IN THE SOUTHWEST, doesn’t even mention California. It mentions Phoenix and Las Vegas. Where’s the Beef?

These aren’t even remotely worthwhile justifications.

And, get this comparison:

In 2011, power plants and major industrial facilities in California emitted more than 100 million metric tons of carbon pollution metric tons of carbon pollution—that’s equal to the yearly pollution from more than 21 million cars.

First, proofreading anyone? There’s a repeated phrase in the PDF issued by the WH:

in California emitted more than 100 million metric tons of carbon pollution metric tons of carbon pollution

Embarrassing sloppiness.

Plus, California DMV says there are 22,083,049 cars in California, and the fact that power plants and industry emitted less than the number of car-equivalents…this is a concern… how?

This is the best justification research they can offer? What the hell are they smoking there in the White House?

I’m sure readers can find more silly examples in the state links above.

UPDATE: Hawaiian born Obama seems to think there are 31 counties in the state of Hawaii. From the White House Hawaii state impacts report:

The US Department of Agriculture designated 31 counties in Hawaii as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses from drought in 2012.

Screencap from the PDF:

10 seconds with a search engine can clear that up, from the University of Hawaii, there’s 5 counties in Hawaii (though some say each island is a county, as there is confusion by due to small Kalawao County):

It is sometimes said that each of the five major islands of Hawaii are counties. This is not true. Kauai is Kauai county. The Big Island [Hawaii] is Hawaii county. Oahu is Honolulu County. But both Molokai and Maui are Maui county.

The inhabited islands relate to counties as follows:

• Hawaii County comprises Hawaii.
• Honolulu County, officially the City and County of Honolulu, comprises Oahu and the small islands northwest of Kauai and Niihau extending from Nihoa to Kure except for Midway. Prior to 1959 Palmyra, located about 1000 miles south of the Hawaiian chain, also was included.
• Kauai County comprises Kauai and Niihau.
• Maui County comprises Kahoolawe, Lanai, Maui, and Molokai, except that Kalawao County occupies a small portion of Molokai.

Here are the FIPS codes, showing five:

Of course I’m sure its pretty hard for Obama to keep track of when he’s there for the beach or the golf course. 😉