The Week That Was: 2013-09-07 (September 7, 2013) Brought to You by SEPP (www.SEPP.org) The Science and Environmental Policy Project
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Quote of the Week: In wartime, truth is so precious that she should always be attended by a bodyguard of lies. – Winston Churchill
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Number of the Week: 2.1 Million
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Major New Report on Climate Science — Says Global Warming Is Not a Crisis
The Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change (NIPCC) will release a major new report on climate-change science produced by an international team of 40 scientists at a press conference on September 17 at the James R. Thompson Center in downtown Chicago.
The new report, titled Climate Change Reconsidered II: Physical Science, challenges what its authors say are the overly alarmist reports of the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), whose next report is due out later this month.
| What: | Press conference announcing release of Climate Change Reconsidered II: Physical Science |
| When: | 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 17. |
| Where: | James R. Thompson Center
100 West Randolph Street Press Room (15th Floor) Chicago, Illinois USA |
| Who: | Lead author S. Fred Singer, Ph.D., professor emeritus of environmental sciences at the University of Virginia, Chairman of the Science and Environmental Policy Project
Lead author Craig Idso, Ph.D., Chairman, Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide and Global Change Co-author Willie Soon, Ph.D., Chief Science Advisor, Science and Public Policy Institute |
| Media: | Open to all credentialed press |
Copies of a Summary for Policymakers, an executive summary, and the entire book (unbound) will be available to reporters at the news conference. All three documents will be available for free online following the news conference.
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Save the Date: On Monday, September 23, Noon, Lead author Bob Carter and Co-author Willie Soon will be discussing the new NIPCC report at the Heritage Foundation on Capitol Hill, Washington. Details to follow.
Lead authors Fred Singer and Bob Carter will be making presentations in Europe and in California. Details to follow.
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THIS WEEK:
By Ken Haapala, Executive Vice President, Science and Environmental Policy Project (SEPP)
The Hot Spot: The supporters of the UN International Panel on Climate Changes (IPCC) have played elaborate statistical games in their efforts to explain away the fact that satellite and weather-balloon observations have failed to identify the Hot Spot. This is the volume of the atmosphere centered over the tropics at about 10 km (33,000 feet) where a surface warming trend, whatever the cause, should cause a more pronounced atmospheric warming trend. Note that warming trends in the two locations are the issue, not temperatures. IPCC supporters have mistakenly claimed the Hot Spot is the distinct human fingerprint.
SEPP Chairman Fred Singer presents an unusual explanation why the Hot Spot has not been detected by the most comprehensive measurements of the earth’s temperatures, the satellite observations. No doubt, it will be controversial. Please see Article # 1.
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Australia’s Hot Spot: On September 7, Australia held parliamentary elections. The party in power, the Labor Party, was thoroughly defeated. The poor economy was one issue, another major issue was the carbon tax. After the carbon tax was implemented, the Carbon Sense Coalition and the No Carbon Tax Climate Skeptics Party were formed. These groups exposed to the public the preposterous climate claims being made by government agencies in the government’s efforts to justify the carbon tax.
TWTW reader Stefan Björklund analyzed the energy program of the victorious Liberal-National coalition, commenting how different it is from Germany’s energy plan. The Liberal-National coalition energy program features scrapping the CO2 tax, no emissions trading, support for increased use of domestic oil, natural gas and coal, thorium development for nuclear energy (thanks to David Archibald), and tougher environment standards for wind power with real time monitoring of noise and health effects.
Now if only the victorious party can avoid implementing foolish programs “to fight” largely naturally occurring global warming/climate change. Please see links under Questioning Green Elsewhere and Cap and Trade and Carbon Taxes.
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Germany’s Hot Spot: A German federal election will be held on September 22 to determine the members of the Bundestag, the main federal legislative house. Almost unthinkable a year ago, members of the mainstream press, such as Der Spiegel, are severely criticizing the government’s green energy program with articles such as: “Germany’s Energy Poverty: How Electricity Became a Luxury Good.” If the election is unfavorable to the government, perhaps some politicians will begin to notice that the public does not like being punished by higher energy costs stemming from politically egotistical efforts “to fight” global warming/climate change. Please see links under Questioning European Green.
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Another Piece to the Puzzle: The CERN experiment demonstrated that high-energy cosmic rays can promote the formation of small clusters of molecules. This was another step in testing the cosmic-ray/cloud hypothesis advocated by Danish physicists, including Henrik Svensmark. The hypothesis is that high-energy cosmic rays influence the cloudiness on earth, but are modulated by the sun. When the sun is not active, the magnetic shield is reduced, and more high-energy rays hit the upper atmosphere resulting in more clouds. When the sun is active, fewer high energy cosmic rays hit the upper atmosphere resulting in less clouds. A small change in cloudiness can have a significant influence on surface temperatures. After the CERN experiment, the hypothesis ran into a snag. The numerical simulations of the prevailing chemical theory demonstrated that the small particles will not grow to sufficient size to create clouds. The assumption is that once the sun goes down in a particular area, the particles stop growing.
The researchers at the Technical University of Denmark tested the theory in a series of experiments. In one set of experiments the particles stopped growing. In another set of experiments, they found that under exposure to natural cosmic rays and gamma-rays the small particles continue to grow after the daylight is removed. No doubt, there is much additional work needed and the Climate Establishment will find other objections. But the persistence of the Danish researcher to continue to test a politically unpopular scientific hypothesis is laudatory. If it proves to be correct, the claim that carbon dioxide emissions are the principal cause of global warming/climate change is wrong. Please see links under Science: Is the Sun Rising?
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Hypothesis Testing: Last week’s TWTW discussed hypothesis testing as presented by the noted physicist Richard Feynman. The tested hypothesis is a positive assertion of a relationship between two or more phenomena. The null hypothesis is that there is no relationship, which is the default position. If the hypothesis fails direct testing, the default is tentatively accepted until another hypothesis survives testing.
Professor Emeritus Elliot Cramer of the Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina objected, stating this is wrong. You can only reject the null hypothesis, you can never accept it. By so doing, Professor Cramer brings up another form of hypothesis testing, an indirect form. The null hypothesis is tested to a certain level of confidence. If it fails, the positive assertion is tentatively accepted.
Without getting into the statistical techniques, each form has its advocates. The direct testing form is generally accepted in physical sciences. The indirect testing form is accepted in many social sciences and in many medical studies. As such, it has resulted in many false positives, which cannot be replicated.
If climate science is a physical science, then the generally accepted methods for physical sciences should be followed unless there is compelling evidence that they are unsatisfactory, which should be stated. In any event, the practice of testing models against the same data that was used to develop the models is unsatisfactory. Please see last week’s TWTW and the repeated links under Problems in the Orthodoxy.
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Scientific Method: Following a long exchange among scientists on the scientific method, SEPP Director, Tom Sheahen neatly summed up the discussion. The conclusions are noteworthy.
A) A cornerstone of the scientific method, probably 500 years old, can be expressed as “data trumps theory.” In the 20th century, Feynman said it elegantly a dozen times.
B) There really are subjects too complicated to describe easily, in which case computer modeling is required. That is perfectly okay, and indeed common in any field involving fluids in motion. However,
C) When the computer models don’t agree with the observations, don’t complain about the data, but instead go back and revise the models.
D) Don’t begin trying to plan national policy until you’ve got the science right, as evidenced by agreement between theory and data. Otherwise it’s just futile and expensive.
What is obviously logically flawed is to assert point B and then ask for blind trust in computer models, ignoring the need to observe point C.
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Social Benefits of Carbon: A study asserted that soot emitted by the use of coal with the industrialization of Europe stopped the Little Ice Age, at least in Europe where glacial expansion threatening villages stopped. Luboš Motl comments that the paper talks about forcings between 9 and 35 watts per square meters. “This is vastly higher than the ‘dangerous’ forcing often attributed to the doubling of CO2, 3.7 watts per square meter.” If the paper is correct, we all should be thankful. Please see links under Social Benefits of Carbon.
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97% Consensus: On his Bishop Hill blog, Andrew Montford announces his paper on the famed 97% of scientists … produced by John Cook, et al. and claimed by President Obama. Montford finds that: An analysis of the methodology used by Cook et al. shows that the consensus referred to is trivial: 1) carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas; and 2) human activities have warmed the planet to some unspecified extent. Please see link Challenging the Orthodoxy.
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Testimony: Roger Pielke, Jr. downloaded the 1974 Senate testimony of Paul Ehrlich and John Holdren on the Limits to Growth and their Malthusian philosophy. Pielke intends to use it for a future course about the role of experts in policy making.
Ehrlich is now a Fellow of the Royal Society and Holdren is the science adviser to President Obama. A quote from each is in order. Ehrlich “I suspect you’re aware, that the increased price of petroleum which is certainly related to the near depletion of petroleum resources-they’re going to be gone by the end of the century . . .” Holdren: “The main point here is that, although there may be defects in any specific detailed model, the general conclusion is far more robust than any specific model.” Please see link under Lowering Standards.
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Number of the Week: 2.1 Million. This is the number of direct and indirect jobs in the US created by the oil and gas revolution by the end of 2012, as estimated by HIS CERA Consulting. As with all such estimates, there are details that can be criticized. However, the Energy Information Administration estimates that from 2007 to 2012 jobs in the oil and gas industry increased by 40%, while jobs in the entire private sector increased by 1%.
Unlike the fabled green jobs that politicians are touting, no government subsidies, mandates, or specific tax breaks were required to create these jobs. They are sustainable as long as the oil and gas industry thrives. They were created on private and state owned lands. In 2012, the production of oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids and coal all fell on federally controlled lands. Please see links under Energy Issues – US.
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Quote of the Week: Please see Andrew Montford’s application of this this famous quote under Communicating Better to the Public – Make Things Up.
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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 The UN Climate Panel’s ‘Hot Spot’ is Missing in Action
By S. Fred Singer, American Thinker, /Sep 5, 2013
http://www.americanthinker.com/2013/09/the_un_climate_panels_hot_spot_is_missing_in_action.html
2. It Was a Dark and Stormy Climate Study . . .
Would that all forward-looking global-warming research got such a skeptical reception.
Editorial, WSJ, Sep 4, 2013
3. Greenhouse-Gas Fight Escalates
Administration’s Higher Estimate for Cost of Carbon Raises Ire of Critics
By Keith Johnson, WSJ, Sep 3, 2013
4. Electric Losers, Round Two
The Energy Department hopes to revive an Obama clunker.
Editorial, WSJ, Sep 2, 2013
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NEWS YOU CAN USE:
Science: Is the Sun Rising?
Danish experiment suggests unexpected magic by cosmic rays in cloud formation
By Henrik Svensmark, Technical University of Denmark, Sep 4, 2013 [H/t WUWT]
http://www.dtu.dk/english/News/Nyhed?id=%7BABB2F1B4-F5F7-4452-BB39-9818EA7CB8F9%7D
Link to paper: Response of cloud condensation nuclei (>50 nm) to changes in ion-nucleation
By Svensmark, Enghoff, Pedersen. Physics Letters A, Jul 11, 2013
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/51188502/PLA22068.pdf
Challenging the Orthodoxy
Consensus? What Consensus
By Andrew Montford, GWPF, No date
http://www.thegwpf.org/content/uploads/2013/09/Montford-Consensus.pdf
Cooks ’97% consensus’ disproven by a new peer reviewed paper showing major math errors
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Sep 3, 2013
Link to paper: Climate Consensus and ‘Misinformation’: A Rejoinder to Agnotology, Scientific Consensus, and the Teaching and Learning of Climate Change
By Legates, Soon, Briggs, and Monckton, Science and Education, Aug 2013
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11191-013-9647-9
Garden shed tinkerers
By Andrew Montfort, Bishop Hill, Sep 6, 2013
http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2013/9/6/garden-shed-tinkerers.html
Man Made Climate Change Arguments Don’t Survive Scrutiny
By Art Horn, Energy Tribune, Sep 2, 2013
[SEPP Comment: Based on US government reports, SEPP estimates the US appropriations have been $150 Billion to $160 Billion from FY 1993 to FY 2012 and are ongoing at about $20 Billion per year.]
Defending the Orthodoxy
Climate science alarming, irrefutable: Kerry
By Staff Writer, AFP, Sep 2, 2013
http://news.yahoo.com/climate-science-alarming-irrefutable-kerry-093106799.html
Wildfires and Climate Change
By Kate Galbraith, NYT, Sep 4, 2013 [H/t Clyde Spencer]
Questioning the Orthodoxy
Another paper blames ENSO for global warming pause, calling it ‘… a major control knob governing Earth’s temperature.’
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Sep 3, 2013
The Hiatus in Global Temperature Explained?
By David Whitehouse, GWPF, Sep 3, 2013
http://www.thegwpf.org/hiatus-global-temperature-explained/
Astounding discovery: World War II had low carbon footprint
By Tom Quirk and Jo Nova, Her Blog, Sep 3, 2013
Chemtrails or Contrails? Another Alarmist Issue Without Scientific Context
By Tim Ball, WUWT, Sep 2, 2013
Climate scientists are wrong and here’s why
By Larry Logan, Portland Tribune, Sep 5, 2013 [H/t NCTCS]
Global Warming Is A Fraud: Three More Pieces Of Evidence
Editorial, IBD, Sep 3, 2013
Where’s The Climate Warming? Nowhere To Be Found In Germany
By Josef Kowatsch, EIKE, Trans. P Gosselin, Sep 4, 2013
Social Benefits of Carbon
How soot killed the Little Ice Age
Industrial revolution kicked off Alpine glacier retreat fifty years before warming began.
By Quirin Schiermeier, Nature, Sep 2, 2013 [H/t Peter Salonius]
http://www.nature.com/news/how-soot-killed-the-little-ice-age-1.13650
[SEPP Comment: Now Nature admits that the Little Ice Age took place, contrary to Mr. Mann’s hockey-stick. When will they retract the paper?]
Did soot melt glaciers in the 19th century?
By Luboš Motl, The Reference Frame, Sep 4, 2013
http://motls.blogspot.com/2013/09/did-soot-melt-glaciers-in-19th-century.html#more
Black Carbon Soot shrank the 19th century glaciers – but why isn’t it listed as a culprit today?
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Sep 4, 2013
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2013/09/04/black-carbon-soot-shrank-the-19th-century-glaciers/
Problems in the Orthodoxy
Overestimated global warming over the past 20 years
By Judith Curry, Climate Etc., Aug 28, 2013
http://judithcurry.com/2013/08/28/overestimated-global-warming-over-the-past-20-years/
Link to paper: Overestimated global warming over the past 20 years
By Fyfe, Gillett, and Zwiers, Nature Climate Change, Aug 28, 2013
http://www.nature.com/nclimate/journal/v3/n9/full/nclimate1972.html?WT.ec_id=NCLIMATE-201309
Can The IPCC Do Revolutionary Science?
By Barry Brill, WUWT, Aug 21, 2013
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2013/08/31/can-the-ipcc-do-revolutionary-science/
[SEPP Comment: A number of IPCC leading authors have produced papers that contradict the 2007 report. Will the upcoming IPCC report include these work?]
Now Dead And Extinct…Climate Issue Not Even Mentioned Once In Germany’s Televised National Election Debate!
By P Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Sep 2, 2013
Seeking a Common Ground
Climate of failure(?)
By Judith Curry, Climate Etc. Sep 1, 2013
http://judithcurry.com/2013/09/01/climate-of-failure/#more-12805
[SEPP Comment: Discussion on an early August article by Roger Pielke, Jr. stating that by making cleaner energy cheap, dirty energy will be displaced. The transition requires technological innovation and social adaption.]
Climate of Failure: how alternate energy dreams are pie in the sky solutions for emissions
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Sep 1, 2013
[SEPP Comment: See link immediately above.]
Natural internal variability: sensitivity and attribution
By Judith Curry, Climate Etc. Sep 3, 2013
[SEPP Comment: More on attempting to explain the lack of warming using the Pacific Ocean.]
U.S. Republicans: critical thinking on climate change
By Judith Curry, Climate Etc. Sep 5, 2013
http://judithcurry.com/2013/09/05/u-s-republicans-critical-thinking-on-climate-change/#more-12844
[SEPP Comment: Largely unnoticed by the press, the presentation addresses some of the critical issues.]
Lowering Standards
1974 Ehrlich and Holdren Senate Testimony
By Roger Pielke, Jr. His Blog, Sep 3, 2013
http://rogerpielkejr.blogspot.com/2013/09/1974-ehrlich-and-holdren-senate.html
NOAA goes full alarmist with new publication, seeing AGW in extreme weather events
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Sep 5, 2013
Link to press release: Explaining Extreme Events of 2012
By Staff Writers, NOAA, No Date
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/news/explaining-extreme-events-2012-climate-perspective
Link to report: Explaining Extreme Events of 2012 from a Climate Perspective
Special Supplement to the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society
By Peterson, Hoerling, Stott, and Herring, AMS, Sep 2013
http://www.ametsoc.org/2012extremeeventsclimate.pdf
[SEPP Comment: The cover with a propaganda photo of Breezy Point, NY, of multi-million homes or condos damaged or destroyed by Sandy is very effective. How does this compare with the 1938 Long Island Express that took a movie theater out to sea, with patrons?]
Questioning European Green
Germany’s Energy Poverty: How Electricity Became a Luxury Good
By Staff Writers, Spiegel, DE, Sep 4, 2013 [H/t GWPF]
German Chamber Of Industry and Commerce: Renewable Energy Driving Out 25% Of Industrial Companies
By P Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Sep 6, 2013
Oettinger advises Germany on fracking, warns of climate overacting
Germany should not dismiss gas fracking technology that has boosted US industry, nor unilaterally overexpose itself to climate protection efforts, European Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger said on Tuesday (3 September).
By Staff Writer, Euractiv, Sep 4, 2013 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.euractiv.com/energy/oettinger-advises-germany-fracki-news-530218
Oettinger said German industry could afford to pay 50% or 100% more for energy than rivals in the United States, “but not more than that”.
Mainstream German Media Lashes Out at Energiewende
By Walter Russell Mead, Via Media, Sep 5, 2013
£3,000-a-year bills on the way as energy prices rise again
HARD-UP families could see energy bills double to a whopping £3,000 a year, experts warned last night.
By Nathan Rao, Express, Aug 31, 2013 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/425813/3-000-a-year-bills-on-the-way-as-energy-prices-rise-again
As Coal Plants Shut Down, United Kingdom Faces a Power Crunch
By Thomas Grose, National Geographic, Aug 29, 2013 [H/t Cooler Heads]
[SEPP Comment: Even the National Geographic sees a problem.]
Businesses protest over cost of green energy reforms
Businesses have voiced their concern over the costs of the £110bn “green” overhaul of Britain’s energy sector and believe it risks making the country uncompetitive.
By Emily Gosden, Telegraph, UK, Aug 31, 2013 [H/t GWPF]
Handelsblatt Calls Germany’s Feed-In Act “Energy Madness”. Large Consumers Are Paid To Waste
By P Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Sep 5, 2013
[SEPP Comment: A publication formerly advocating of alternative energy now sees its abuses.]
Questioning Green Elsewhere
50 to 1 Video Project
By Topher, Video, Undated
http://topher.com.au/50-to-1-video-project/
[SEPP Comment: An amusing video explaining how destructive carbon taxes are as compared with adaption to address the false claim that taxes will stop climate change.]
It looks like a Rudd-bath: Poll says Labor is facing its worst primary vote since 1934
By Simon Benson, Telegraph, AU, Sep 6, 2013
Funding Issues
The opportunity the Coalition/Tories/Republicans missed to solve climate dilemma, save money, save environment
How do we fund science?
By Jo Nova, Her Blog, Aug 2, 2013
Communicating Better to the Public – Exaggerate, or be Vague?
Study: Warming Will Shift Tracks of Future Sandy-Like Tropical Storms Away from U.S. Northeast
By Marlo Lewis, Global Warming.org, Sep 3, 2013
The ‘Diffenbaugh Delusion’ – refuted with a single graph of temperature
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Sep 5, 2013
Where can coral reefs relocate to escape the heat?
By Staff Writers, Bristol, UK (SPX), Sep 05, 2013
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Where_can_coral_reefs_relocate_to_escape_the_heat_999.html
[SEPP Comment: Rather than use computer models, why not examine their location in past warm periods, 8,000 years ago, the last interglacial, etc.?]
Communicating Better to the Public – Make Things Up.
A bodyguard of woo
By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Sep 1, 2013
http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2013/9/1/a-bodyguard-of-woo.html
The Keystone XL Pipeline and the Truth
By Sierra Rayne, American Thinker, Sep 3, 2013
http://www.americanthinker.com/2013/09/the_keystone_xl_pipeline_and_the_truth.html
Models v. Observations
New paper finds cloud assumptions in climate models could be incorrect by factor of 2
By Staff Writer, The Hockey Schtick, Aug 30, 2013 [H/t GWPF]
http://hockeyschtick.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/new-paper-finds-cloud-assumptions-in.html
New paper finds climate models have greatly exaggerated warming & finds no statistically-significant warming for past 20 years
By Staff Writer, The Hockey Schtick, Aug 28, 2013
http://hockeyschtick.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/new-paper-finds-climate-models-have.html
New paper finds climate model assumptions on cloud-aerosol interactions may be off by ± 100%
By Staff Writer, The Hockey Schtick, Sep 5, 2013
http://hockeyschtick.blogspot.com/2013/09/new-paper-finds-climate-model.html
Link to paper: The magnitude and causes of uncertainty in global model simulations of cloud condensation nuclei
By Lee et al. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, Sep 5, 2013
http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/13/8879/2013/acp-13-8879-2013.html
[SEPP Comment: But we are 95% certain we are right!]
Changing Seas
Australia turns back the climate tide!
By Tom Quirk, Quadrant, Sep 2, 2013
http://www.quadrant.org.au/blogs/doomed-planet/2013/09/australia-turns-back-the-climate-tide
[SEPP Comment: Examining the claim that rains in Australia caused the sea levels to drop. A 2mm per year adjustment to reported sea levels may be more appropriate that the 3mm adjustment used. However, the conclusions remain.]
Bringing corals back from the brink
By Staff Writers, Brisbane, Australia (SPX), Sep 05, 2013
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Bringing_corals_back_from_the_brink_999.html
[SEPP Comment: Step 1, recognize the real threats, not the imagined ones.]
Changing Cryosphere – Land / Sea Ice
More settled science: The West Antarctic Ice Sheet is 20 million years older than thought
West Antarctica ice sheet existed 20 million years earlier than previously thought
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Sep 4, 2013
Changing Earth
Scientists confirm existence of largest single volcano on Earth – Massive underwater volcano rivals biggest in solar system
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Sep 6, 2013
[SEPP Comment: Ian Plimer speculated that the Pacific warming events, El Nino, may be caused by undiscovered under seas volcanos. The discovery of such volcanos may add credibility to such an idea.]
Underwater volcano is Earth’s biggest
Tamu Massif rivals the size of Olympus Mons on Mars.
By Alexandra Witze, Nature, Sep 5, 2013
http://www.nature.com/news/underwater-volcano-is-earth-s-biggest-1.13680
Acidic Waters
Carbon-sequestering ocean plants may cope with climate changes over the long run
By Staff Writers, San Francisco CA (SPX), Sep 05, 2013
[SEPP Comment: Animals adapt to changing conditions.]
Review of Recent Scientific Articles by NIPCC
For a full list of articles see www.NIPCCreport.org
Modeling the Indian Ocean Dipole: A Progress Report (of Sorts)
Reference: Cai, W. and Cowan, T. 2013. Why is the amplitude of the Indian Ocean Dipole overly large in CMIP3 and CMIP5 climate models? Geophysical Research Letters 40: 1200-1205.
http://nipccreport.org/articles/2013/sep/3sep2013a1.html
Acidification of the Small Larvae of a Large Tropical Marine Fish
Reference: Bignami, S., Sponaugle, S. and Cowen, R.K. 2013. Response to ocean acidification in larvae of a large tropical marine fish, Rachycentron canadum. Global Change Biology 19: 996-1006.
http://nipccreport.org/articles/2013/sep/3sep2013a2.html
The Effects of Ocean Acidification on Octocorals
Reference: Gabay, Y., Benayahu, Y. and Fine, M. 2013. Does elevated pCO2 affect reef octocorals? Ecology and Evolution 3: 465-473.
http://nipccreport.org/articles/2013/sep/3sep2013a3.html
[SEPP Reducing the pH to as low as 7.3 had no noticeable effect.]
Ocean Acidification’s Impact on Planktonic Community Fatty Acids
Reference: Leu, E., Daase, M., Schulz, K.G., Stuhr, A. and Riebesell, U. 2013. Effect of ocean acidification on the fatty acid composition of a natural plankton community. Biogeosciences 10: 1143-1153.
http://nipccreport.org/articles/2013/sep/3sep2013a4.html
Modeling Southern Ocean Bottom Water Characteristics
Reference: Heuze, C., Heywood, K.J., Stevens, D.P. and Ridley, J.K. 2013. Southern Ocean bottom water characteristics in CMIP5 models. Geophysical Research Letters 40: 1409-1414.
http://nipccreport.org/articles/2013/sep/4sep2013a1.html
Cap-and-Trade and Carbon Taxes
Deadweight Down Under: Australia’s Carbon Tax
By Staff Writers, IER, Sep 5, 2013
http://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/2013/09/05/deadweight-down-under-australias-carbon-tax/
Link to study: Australia’s Carbon Tax: An Economic Evaluation
By Alex Robson, Griffith University, Sep 2013
http://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/IER_AustraliaCarbonTaxStudy.pdf
Australia’s Carbon Tax: Lessons for the United States
By Robert Murphy, IER, Sep 5, 2013
[SEPP Comment: And other countries.]
Pro-Carbon Tax Economists Lash Out at Australia Study
By Robert Murthy, IER, Sep 6, 2013 [H/t Cooler Heads]
Will Australians Vote to End the Carbon Tax?
By Alan Caruba, Warning Signs, ,Sep 5, 2013
http://factsnotfantasy.blogspot.com/2013/09/will-australians-vote-to-end-carbon-tax.html
EPA and other Regulators on the March
Obama’s Stealth War on Global Warming
Stymied by Congress, President Obama is staffing his administration with appointees ready to take aggressive action on climate change.
By Coral Davenport, National Journal, Aug 29, 2013 [H/t Timothy Wise]
http://www.nationaljournal.com/magazine/obama-s-stealth-war-on-global-warming-20130829
An Environmentalist Deception
By Robert Smith, American Spectator, Sep 4, 2013
http://spectator.org/archives/2013/09/04/an-environmentalist-deception
EPA manipulates the FOIA to help Big Green
By Ron Arnold, Washington Examiner, Sep 6, 2013 [H/t Cooler Heads]
http://washingtonexaminer.com/epa-manipulates-the-foia-to-help-big-green/article/2535290
Energy Issues – Non-US
Best and Worst in Energy Arena
By Donn Dears, Power for USA, Sep 3, 2013
http://dddusmma.wordpress.com/2013/09/03/best-and-worst-in-energy-arena/
Best Energy Ideas for Tomorrow
By Donn Dears, Power for USA, Sep 6, 2013
http://dddusmma.wordpress.com/2013/09/06/best-energy-ideas-for-tomorrow/
China to add 1,500 gigawatts of power capacity by 2030: study
By Staff Writers, Paris (AFP) ,Aug 28, 2013
[SEPP Comment: Disagree with the Bloomberg assessment that about half of the new capacity will be generated from renewables. Perhaps, half of the name plate capacity will be in renewables. But, renewables will not generate any amount near the electricity claimed to be usable, to meet consumption.]
Energy Issues — US
Need a Job? The Oil and Gas Industry is the Place to Go
By Staff Writers, IER, Sep 6, 2013
American energy booming despite Obama’s policies
Editorial, Washington Examiner, Sep 4, 2013
Booming oil production boosted GDP estimate, White House advisers say
By Zack Colman, The Hill, Aug 30, 2013
[SEPP Comment: Taking credit for economic success contrary to administration policy. Rather than taking credit for what the private sector has done, the advisers should be telling the administration to become pro-energy and use the resources controlled by the Federal government.]
Energy’s unexpected jobs boom
By Daniel Yergin, Forbes, Sep 5, 2013
http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2013/09/05/energy-us-jobs/
Link to study: “America’s New Energy Future: the Unconventional Oil and Gas Revolution and the Economy — A Manufacturing Renaissance,”
[SEPP Comment: Unexpected for those who did not expect the energy boom.]
Keystone XL and Gas Prices
By Sierra Rayne, American Thinker, Sep 2, 2013
http://www.americanthinker.com/2013/09/keystone_xl_and_gas_prices.html
Reminder: Energy Independence Still a Myth
By Walter Russell Mead, Via Meadia, Aug 30, 2013
http://blogs.the-american-interest.com/wrm/2013/08/30/reminder-energy-independence-still-a-myth/
[SEPP Comment: Fails to distinguish between physical independence and independence from a global market economy. There is no need for the latter as long as the market is functioning. The former is important in case of large global war.]
U.S. energy lifting economy more than expected
By Tim Mullaney, USA Today, Sep 4, 2-13
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/09/04/us-energy-economy-impact/2742461/
[SEPP Comment: The study was funded by the industry, but relies heavily on government numbers. Other studies put the job increase much higher.]
Washington’s Control of Energy
Energy companies preparing for life without the Keystone XL pipeline
By Erika Johnsen, Hot Air, Sep 5, 2013 [H/t Timothy Wise]
[SEPP Comment: The Administration sees no reason to build the pipeline. It would benefit our largest trading partner, Canada, make the US less dependent on Venezuela and Saudi Arabia for oil imports, lower the transportation cost of the oil placing downward pressure on petroleum products, and increase the safety of transporting the oil.]
Report: Canada offers Obama Keystone trade
By Ben Geman The Hill, Sep 6, 2013
Will Obama Approve Keystone? Does It Matter Anymore?
By Walter Russell Mead, Via Meadia, Aug 30, 2013 [H/t Timothy Wise]
Oil and Natural Gas – the Future or the Past?
Global Echoes of the Shale Gas Revolution: “Still in the Pipeline”
By Staff Writers, Natural Gas Europe, Sep 2, 2013 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.naturalgaseurope.com/shale-gas-revolution-still-in-the-pipeline
A tutor for Cuomo
U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz makes the case for gas drilling
Editorial, New York Daily News, Sep 3, 2013
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/tutor-cuomo-article-1.1442114#ixzz2dpuADeLx
India’s new LNG import terminal receives first delivery
By Staff Writers, New Delhi (UPI), Aug 26, 2013
http://www.energy-daily.com/reports/Indias_new_LNG_import_terminal_receives_first_delivery_999.html
[SEPP Comment: A few problems such as a disagreement about price — $4-5 per mmBtu or $14.5 per mmBtu.]
Return of King Coal?
China will soon have 40% more coal than the combined weight of the human population
By Gwynn Guilford, Quartz, Aug 26, 2013 [H/t GWPF]
[SEPP Comment: Interesting statistics on coal development in China.]
Nuclear Energy and Fears
Fukushima leak cleaned up
By Staff Writers, WNN, Aug 27, 2013
http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS_Fukushima_leak_cleaned_up_2708131.html
NRC seeks input on Yucca Mountain restart
By Staff Writers, WNN, Sep 2, 2013
http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/WR-NRC_seeks_input_on_Yucca_Mountain_restart-0209138.html
[SEPP Comment: Given the make-up of the NRC, this will be another “slow roll” – avoid approving.]
Nuclear Power’s Renaissance in Reverse
By Mycle Schneider and Antony Froggatt, Project Syndicate, Sep 5, 2013
Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Solar and Wind
Non-Hydro Renewables Triple Output in a Decade
By Staff Writers, Washington DC (SPX), Aug 28, 2013
http://www.energy-daily.com/reports/Non_Hydro_Renewables_Triple_Output_in_a_Decade_999.html
[SEPP Comment: If they are so successful, they do not need subsidies.]
Official policy: put kids in mortal danger
By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Sep 5, 2013
http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2013/9/5/official-policy-put-kids-in-mortal-danger.html
Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Energy — Other
Biofuel blunder
By Douglas Auld, Financial Post, Sep 3, 2013 [H/t GWPF]
http://opinion.financialpost.com/2013/09/03/biofuel-blunder/
Lobbying trumped science as politicians lavished more than $100-billion in subsidies on morally suspect energy.
Globally, in 2011 Canada, the US, EU, China, India, Brazil and Australia spent more than $40 billion on biofuel subsidies. Since 2005 more than $100 billion has been allocated to biofuel programs.
Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Vehicles
DOE to Lose Tens of Millions on Green Car Company
By Lachian Markey, Washington Free Beacon, Sep 6, 2013 [H/t Timothy Wise]
http://freebeacon.com/doe-to-lose-tens-of-millions-on-electric-car-company/
[SEPP Comment: Buy high, sell low – the Washington Way.]
California Dreaming
O Legacy, Where’s My Legacy?
By Peter Hannaford, American Spectator, Sep 5, 2013
http://spectator.org/archives/2013/09/05/o-legacy-wheres-my-legacy
Oh Mann!
Judge refuses to toss climate scientist Mann’s defamation lawsuit
By Ben Geman, The Hill, Aug 30, 2013
Environmental Industry
Duke to Retire Four Coal Units Under New Edwardsport IGCC Settlement
By Staff Writers, Powernews, Sep 4, 2013
[SEPP Comment: Does the consumer have a say?]
Wildlife service proposes change to endangered species management rules
By Julian Hattem, The Hill, Sep 3, 2013
[SEPP Comment: A causal link is too vague, or not too vague, for the Greens.]
Other Scientific News
Existence of new element confirmed
By Staff Writers, Lund, Sweden (SPX), Sep 05, 2013
http://www.spacemart.com/reports/Existence_of_new_element_confirmed_999.html
A descent into the maelstrom – ‘black hole’ whirlpools seen for the first time in the South Atlantic
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Sep 5, 2013
Other News that May Be of Interest
Shooting for the Stars: UH’s Larry Bell Discusses Space Architecture
By Audrey Grayson, Cullen College of Engineering, UH, Sep 3, 2013
http://egr.uh.edu/news/201309/shooting-stars-uhs-larry-bell-discusses-space-architecture
Overgrazing turning parts of Mongolian Steppe into desert
Press Release, OSU, Sep 5, 2013 [H/t WUWT]
http://oregonstate.edu/ua/ncs/archives/2013/sep/overgrazing-turning-parts-mongolian-steppe-desert
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BELOW THE BOTTOM LINE:
Guest Viewpoint: Fracking would hurt underground biosphere
By Paul V. Sheridan, Ithaca Journal, Aug 28, 2013
[SEPP Comment: An amusing take on the hot, deep biosphere.]
Crop pests moving polewards through global warming
By Staff Writers, Paris (AFP), Sept 01, 2013
http://www.seeddaily.com/reports/Crop_pests_moving_polewards_through_global_warming_999.html
[SEPP Comment: As crops are grown further north.]
Reality TV jet skiers rescued in Northwest Passage
The Canadian Coast Guard rescued a group of Americans who attempted to travel through the Northwest Passage on jet skis as part of a reality television show.
By Staff Writers, MSN News, Sep 6, 2013
http://news.ca.msn.com/top-stories/reality-tv-jet-skiers-rescued-in-northwest-passage
[SEPP Comment: Why not spend the season there to get the full experience?]
Sea ice, winds end rowers’ Northwest Passage bid early
Vancouver rowers say they saw grizzly bears and beavers at the Arctic Ocean
By Staff Writers, CBC News (CA), Sep 3, 2013
‘To see a beaver swimming around in the Arctic Ocean is, you know, just crazy.’— Denis Barnett, rower
[SEPP Comment: What did the beaver think of the rowers?]
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Ehrlich “I suspect you’re aware, that the increased price of petroleum which is certainly related to the near depletion of petroleum resources-they’re going to be gone by the end of the century…”
Ehrlich is the gift that keeps on giving.
“Judge refuses to toss climate scientist Mann’s defamation lawsuit.”
Watch for fireworks on this one folks. No one knows the depth of corruption in the “judicial” system.
geran,
You are absolutely correct.
This became clear when the Obama Administration “flipped” SCOTUS Chief Justice John Roberts on the Obamacare legislation..
Just about every legal pundit assumed that Roberts’ vote would be against Obamacare because it was so plainly unConstitutional. Roberts’ questions during oral arguments were highly skeptical of the law. The media discussion revolved around the question of whether Kennedy, or another Associate Justice would be the swing vote. But everyone assumed that Roberts would vote against Obamacare.
But in the final 24 hours, Roberts flipped, changing his ruling on Obamacare at the last minute and basing that ruling on an argument that the government didn’t even argue in court! He voted to uphold the law on plainly ridiculous grounds. Therefore, the inescapable conclusion is that either Obama operatives found something in Roberts’ past [like they did with General Petraeus], or they found something that Roberts wanted more than he wanted to defend the Constitution.
Any student of human nature can see what happened. That means that now the highest justice in the nation’s highest Court has been corrupted. Also, the very public humiliation of Gen Petraeus has cowed the military general staff.
Now that the courts and the military have been corrupted, who will defend American citizens?
Answer: no one. The country is lost. The great experiment is over. King Obama has won.
dbstealey says:
September 8, 2013 at 7:10 pm
I would point out as well that Roberts swore in Obama 4 times: Once in public at each inaugural, but twice OUTSIDE that public ceremony. The first was claimed to be needed for some “mistake” made on the public oath, so it had to be repeated. but no one admits to what that original “mistake” was, nor will anyone admit to what the “private oath” actually was. The third ceremony occurred on Sunday, Jan 20 (when the fed government was “closed”) so the public ceremony could be done on Martin King day a few days later. Again, no one admits to what the private ceremony actually swore, nor to what it was swearing, or upon what documents it was sworn.
Though, then again, he did swear to defend the nation against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Its just that, to Obama and his media, “all enemies” means all who oppose Obama’s policies, all who are not democrats, and all who do not fund democrat campaigns.
There are three things I’ve been noticing lately that should be more prominent in the debunking of Catastrophic Man Made Global Warming. Actually, it is already trending that way.
1. The missing hotspot.
2. The missing warming of the last 20 years.
3. That man-made CO2 has a half life of 5 years while the increase we see at Mauna Loa indicates an average half life of CO2 of 30 years or more.
The first two are obviously linked in the round up. But the third one is something I don’t see very often. I find that one easier to understand and more fatal than the other two.
MrX says:
September 8, 2013 at 7:31 pm
3. That man-made CO2 has a half life of 5 years while the increase we see at Mauna Loa indicates an average half life of CO2 of 30 years or more.
>>>>>
Yeah MrX, don’t you love it when they know how much man-made CO2 is in the atmosphere. It is so properly labeled, just like the merchandise on the shelve–“Made in China”, “Made by Man-Kind”.
Just read the label on the molecule….
Singer thinks that the measured warming is due to local effects (e.g. UHI?) and is not a true representation iof the world’s surface.
I will stick my neck out and say No.
The rate of warming in the first part of the 20th Century was the same as the second. To me this makes the idea that CO2 is the principle driver of warming – untenable.
But the same goes for local effects.
already in the Telegraph & Daily Mail…and now:
9 Sept: UK Express: Cyril Dixon: Global warming? No, the planet is getting cooler
MORE than a million square miles of Arctic seas have frozen in the past year as a new environmental trend takes hold, dubbed “global cooling”.
The extraordinary “reverse” of global warming has led to a 60 per cent rise in ice-covered ocean. Just six years ago, some scientists were predicting that all of this ice would have melted away by 2013…
UN chiefs have now planned a crisis meeting and a pre- summit gathering next month…
http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/427980/Global-warming-No-the-planet-is-getting-cooler
9 Sept: UK Sun: Global Cooling: GOOD news for polar bears! The Arctic ice pack is 60 per cent BIGGER than it was a year ago
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/5124775/Arctic-ice-pack-is-now-60-bigger-than-a-year-ago.html
But Pat, The Guardian tells us that this is just regression to the mean.
Dana Nuticelli says:
This is apparently due to the chance of rapid loss of ice in September and that the 60% growth is merely regression to the mean.
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2013/sep/09/climate-change-arctic-sea-ice-delusions
I would ask whether, if a 60% increase year on year is an indicator of the natural annual variation, then is the effect of temperature that significant at all?
But I am constantly getting my posts banned at the Guardian right now – so I left the echo chamber to disappear up it own posterior..
RACookPE1978 says:
September 8, 2013 at 7:29 pm
dbstealey says:
September 8, 2013 at 7:10 pm
“I would point out as well that Roberts swore in Obama 4 times: Once in public at each inaugural, but twice OUTSIDE that public ceremony. The first was claimed to be needed for some “mistake” made on the public oath, so it had to be repeated. but no one admits to what that original “mistake” was, nor will anyone admit to what the “private oath” actually was.”
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The audios are right here.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Roberts
If there was something in Chief Justice John Roberts past that Obama operatives could bribe him with, how has it not been leaked by now and how did it escape discovery during his appointment by George W. Bush and during Roberts’ conformation hearings? You guys appear to have become conspiracy woo woo theorists, wuwt?
No, the country was lost on July 6, 1946. It just took a while to become realized.