The Week That Was: 2014-12-13 (December 13, 2014) Brought to You by SEPP (www.SEPP.org) The Science and Environmental Policy Project
THIS WEEK:
By Ken Haapala, Executive Vice President, Science and Environmental Policy Project (SEPP)
The Game in Lima: The high stakes game in Lima has ended, with little damage to the industrialized world, except for the costs of maintaining this international theater, where political actors can pompously ply their trade. The annual December meeting of the UN Conference of Parties (to be COP-21) to the 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change will continue in Paris in December 2015.
The purpose of the Lima conference was to lay the groundwork for a legally binding agreement at the Paris Conference – a new agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which failed and has expired. Based on one’s belief of whether or not human carbon dioxide emissions endanger humanity by causing drastic global warming/climate change, these conferences can be described in various ways ranging from the last hope of humanity to a final effort to destroy modern, industrial civilization, which heavily depends on the use of fossil fuels.
The actors (delegates) in Lima did not disappoint. The US delegation pretended that the recent China – US agreement was significant and would result in a significant reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions world-wide. The agreement calls for the US significantly reducing its CO2 emissions in the near-term, while China will do little but promote economic growth, and CO2 emissions, until 2030. Apparently, US administration’s assessment of its own powers to control US CO2 emissions was not universally shared. The November election of a new Congress, to take power on January 3, 2015, did not bode well for the Administration and its delegates. For an international agreement, a treaty, to have the force of law it must be approved by two-thirds of the Senate. This did not happen from 2009 thru 2014, when the party of the Administration controlled the Senate, and it is doubtful to occur with control of the Senate in the hands of the party hostile to the Administration.
Perhaps, it is because the US Senate will no longer be controlled by the President’s party that the delegates from the European Union (EU) insisted that any commitment must be binding on all parties to a new agreement. The US President can promise and bluster, but he cannot commit to an agreement binding on the nation. Or it may have been that throughout the game in Lima, the delegates from industrialized nations in the EU were oblivious to the fact that their grand schemes to control CO2 are failing, and electricity prices are soaring. Or was it that delegates from these nations wish citizens of other nations to experience the same economically painful ordeals that their citizens are experiencing?
Throughout this game, the delegates of two nations notably held fast. China largely dismissed the agreement with President Obama as of no great significance, except for the US. China, along with India, demanded that the West commit the promised $100 Billion per year to a fund that, supposedly, will fight global warming by cutting emissions world-wide. The United Nations’ climate change spokeswoman, Christiana Figueres, was dismissal of the US commitment and increased the number by claiming it will take trillions of dollars, to stop CO2 emissions. India clearly stated it will not punish the poor in its nation by stopping economic growth and associated CO2 emissions. Adding to the complex game, both India and China refused to consider a strict accounting of CO2 emissions.
In this game, the delegates from the West have a distinct disadvantage – the pretense of scientific knowledge – a knowledge that has not been empirically shown to exist, and which is imploding. The science of the UN Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC), embraced by the western nations, failed to predict that warming would stop. The global climate models employed continue to overestimate warming, especially in the lower atmosphere, where the greenhouse effect (enhanced by increased atmosphere CO2) takes place.
The delegates of the various nations agreed to a vague plan to submit individual, national plans for reducing CO2 emissions sometime in the future and that they will work to an overall climate agreement in Paris. Throughout this process it is evident that the general public of Western nations, particularly that of the US, is ill-served by official delegates to these events. See Article # 1, and links under The China – US Agreement? and A New World Agreement?
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Quote of the Week: “The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.” Isaac Asimov
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Number of the Week: $ 1 Trillion per year $1,000 Billion (USD)
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Global Climate Fund: The US Congressional Research Service (CRS) came out with a new report on the Global Climate Fund of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The UNFCCC is the umbrella organization under which these international meetings, such as the COP-20 in Lima, are held. As discussed above, the Global Climate Fund (GCF) is becoming a major issue among the nations participating in the UNFCCC. The Congressional Research Service found:
The U.S. Congress—through its role in authorizations, appropriations, and oversight—would have significant input on U.S. participation in the GCF. Congress regularly determines and gives guidance to the allocation of foreign aid between bilateral and multilateral assistance as well as among the variety of multilateral mechanisms. In the past, Congress has raised concerns regarding the cost, purpose, direction, efficiency, and effectiveness of the UNFCCC and existing international institutions of climate financing.
As the new Congress begins to dig into the financing of government, and governmental entities, the flexibility the Administration has enjoyed may become constrained. See link under Funding Issues.
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Global Climate Fund – Trustee? In recent years the World Bank has issued several strident documents promoting the fear of Global Warming, for example, “Turn Down the Heat: Why a 4°C Warmer World Must Be Avoided” (2012).” Once considered a rather staid institution with prudent oversight, the shift in the position of the World Bank was dramatic. Perhaps the report of the Congressional Research Service gives a reason for this shift. In it the CRS discusses the World Bank as the Trustee of the Global Climate Fund. The report states:
Many developing countries hold the World Bank in a negative light, believing it to be non-transparent, overly bureaucratic, and reflecting solely the interests of higher-income countries, which command greater decision-making power by virtue of their greater financial contributions. Additionally, some Parties see the potential for conflicts of interest during the implementation phase of the fund, since the Bank (1) already operates a portfolio of Climate Investment Funds that might compete against the GCF for potential donor country contributions, and (2) has been asked to serve as support staff to aid in designing the operational procedures, project selection criteria, performance standards, and safeguard measures for the new fund.
For most organizations, to promote the fear [such as of global warming] from which the organization may derive a benefit, without fully discussing the benefit, may be considered an oversight, at best. Or, it may be considered a serious conflict of interest. Apparently, the World Bank promoting the fear of global warming without a mention of the possible benefit to it is now considered business as usual. The new Congress may have some entertaining moments with this view. See link under Funding Issues and http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2012/11/18/Climate-change-report-warns-dramatically-warmer-world-this-century
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Unprecedented? Frequently, those announcing climate news, that may be new to them, use the term unprecedented, such as unprecedented global warming. Apparently, Steve McIntyre of Climate Audit found this tendency amusing and announced “Unprecedented Model Discrepancy” – models are overestimating surface temperatures. McIntyre explains the discrepancy by using language that is all too common to those claiming unprecedented global warming in the temperature records. His comments particularly apply to those who are trying to make a mountain out of a molehill by using shortened 2014 surface temperatures. See links under Models v. Observations and Measurement Issues.
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California Drought: The lack of rainfall in south-central California resulted in reports on extreme drought. One paper states that more extreme droughts have been observed in the historical record, but the combination of high temperatures and lack of rainfall is unprecedented in the past 1200 years. A major problem with this approach is the temperature record for South-Central California. As discussed in the December 6 TWTW, there is no reliable temperature record. The bristlecone pines used by Mr. Mann as a proxy for temperature are unreliable because they show a later-day cooling while the instruments show a warming, which Mr. Mann failed to report. As it is, new rains are, at least in part, relieving the drought. See links under Changing Weather.
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Defining Experts: The Royal Society has produced a new, short report, and video, on global warming/climate change. Global warming promoters immediately declared that the Society aimed to remove bias from climate science – by focusing on what experts say. That is, those experts who agree with the leadership of the Royal Society. No riff-raff such as those who participated in the reports of the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change (NIPCC), please! See links under Lowering Standards.
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It Works – Ban It! In recent weeks, such as December 6, TWTW has linked to articles discussing the efforts of environmental organizations to ban effective, selective pesticides – a family known as neonicotinoids. Major campaigns have been mounted in Europe claiming, without strong evidence, these pesticides kill colonies of bees.
Now the US EPA is attempting to ban neonicotinoids for seed coatings. Apparently, these seed coatings are very effective for killing pests that thrive on young plants. Perhaps worse for environmental organizations, the pesticides improve safety standards for workers and are not particularly disruptive to beneficial insects. The latest imaginative claim of the environmental industry, and the EPA, is that neonicotinoids are not effective. This is another demonstration that the EPA is a client agency of environmental special interest groups. See links under Agriculture Issues & Fear of Famine and http://www.science20.com/science_20/when_it_comes_to_neonics_activists_understand_pr_better_than_chemical_companies_do-150299
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Green Jobs: Energy expert Donn Dears points out that Green Jobs are no long a special category for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Will we no longer have the pleasure of seeing Senator Barbara Boxer touting the importance of high-paying, high-growth green jobs while waving a publication on green jobs showing that about 50% of these jobs ae in public transit (such as school bus drivers) and public sanitation? See link under Green Jobs.
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Number of the Week: $1 Trillion per year USD. During The Game in Lima, the size of the Green Climate Fund changed dramatically, depending who was making the estimates. It ranged from $100 Billion a year to $1 Trillion a year – $1,000 Billion. Now that it is evident that the World Bank is involved, it will be interesting to see how the size of this fund changes in the course of the year leading to the COP-21 meeting in Paris. See links under Funding Issues
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ARTICLES:
For the numbered articles below, please see this week’s TWTW at: www.sepp.org. The articles, or a synopsis, are at the end of the pdf.
1. The China Climate Accord: A bad deal for the US
By S. Fred Singer, American Thinker, Dec 8, 2014
http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2014/12/the_china_climate_accord_a_bad_deal_for_the_us.html
2. Where Will You Be When the Lights Go Out?
The EPA’s proposed Clean Power Plan would raise utility prices and threaten the grid’s reliability.
By Kevin Cramer, WSJ, Dec 10, 2014
Link to NERC study: Long-Term Reliability Assessment
By Staff Writers, NERC, Nov 2014
http://www.nerc.com/pa/RAPA/ra/Reliability%20Assessments%20DL/2014LTRA_ERATTA.pdf
Link to NERC report, Potential Reliability Impacts of EPA’s Proposed Clean Power Plan
By Staff Writers, NERC, Nov 2014
“The administration’s Clean Power Plan will remake an enormous sector of the U.S. economy, affecting almost every industry and every consumer. It is irresponsible in the extreme that this plan has been put forth without due consideration of the risk it poses to the reliability of the nation’s electricity supply.”
3. Professor Tribe Takes Obama to School
The liberal lion blasts the EPA’s climate rule as an illegal power grab.
Editorial, WSJ, Dec 5, 2014
http://www.wsj.com/articles/professor-tribe-takes-obama-to-school-1417824105?mod=trending_now_5
4. The Oilman to Thank at Your Next Fill-Up
The ‘accidental CEO’ Mark Papa says even he underestimated the shale revolution, which will continue despite lower prices.
By Joseph Rago, WSJ, Dec 5, 2014
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NEWS YOU CAN USE:
Challenging the Orthodoxy
Gruber Thinking in Climate Science: Disconnect Between Academia And The Real World.
By Tim Ball, WUWT, Dec 12, 2014
Alabama’s State Climatologist becomes EPA’s worst nightmare
By Cliff Sims, Yellow Hammer, Dec 11, 2014
http://yellowhammernews.com/business-2/alabamas-state-climatologist-becomes-epas-worst-nightmare/
In recent comments submitted to the agency, Christy pointed out that “the (climate change) models do not yet have the ability to discern ‘why’ a climate variation may have occurred simply because they cannot even reproduce ‘what’ has occurred.”
Policy-based evidence making
Science is being corrupted by political bias
By Matt Ridley, Rational Optimist, Dec 9, 2014
http://www.rationaloptimist.com/blog/policy-based-evidence-making.aspx
Recent examples of bias and corruption in science are bad enough. What’s worse is the reluctance of scientific leaders to criticise the bad apples. Science as a philosophy is in good health; science as an institution increasingly stinks.
Defending the Orthodoxy
Two degrees: Will we avoid dangerous climate change?
By Simon Evans, Carbon Brief, Dec 9, 2014
Two degrees: The history of climate change’s ‘speed limit’
By Mat Hope & Rosamund Pearce, Carbon Brief, Dec 8, 2014
[SEPP Comment: Because James Hansen said so?]
Fossil-fuel lobbyists, bolstered by GOP wins, work to curb environmental rules
By Tom Hamburger, Washington Post, Dec 7, 2014 [H/t Conrad Potemra]
[SEPP Comment: The assumption is that environmental rules protect the health of the public. Often they do not. The ban of DDT is a classic example. It led to the premature deaths of millions world-wide. Regulatory restrictions on wide-spread application would have been better. Driving up the cost of electricity will not protect the public health of developed nations.]
Holding one’s breath, GOP style
GOP Attacks on EPA Rules Could Be Costly
Editorial, Baltimore Sun, Dec 8, 2014 [H/t Timothy Wise]
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/editorial/bs-ed-epa-climate-20141208-story.html
[SEPP Comment: Typical propaganda photo of chimneys billowing steam.]
Questioning the Orthodoxy
ICSC News Release: UN SHOULD CONCENTRATE on What People Want
Time for the UN to Get Out of Climate Change
Negotiators and Secretary General continue to ignore scientists and public opinion
By Staff Writers, International Climate Science Coalition, Dec 13, 2014
http://theclimatescepticsparty.blogspot.com.au/2014/12/icsc-news-release-un-should-concentrate.html
Kerry boots a real hero off the UN stage to promote AGW; Stossel asks Climate Catastrophe?
By Joe Bastardi, ICECAP, Dec 10, 2014
http://icecap.us/index.php/go/political-climate/climate_catastrophe/
Climate Catastrophe
By John Stossel, Townhall, Dec 10, 2014 [H/t Timothy Wise]
http://townhall.com/columnists/johnstossel/2014/12/10/climate-catastrophe-n1929523
EPA Should Re-Examine Climate Rule’s Scientific Basis – John Christy
By Marlo Lewis, Global Warming.org, Dec 10, 2014
The China – US Agreement?
Obama’s Epic Climate Change Deal With China Falls Apart
Editorial, IBD, Dec 8, 2014
The US-China climate agreement hangover
By Benjamin Zycher, The Hill, Dec 8, 2014
China rejects US-sought carbon pledge review at UN climate talks
Negotiators seek to remove draft provisions for targets to be subject to other countries’ scrutiny
By Staff Writers, Bloomberg, Dec 8, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
A New World Agreement?
An international climate change negotiations glossary
By Mat Hope, The Carbon Brief, Dec 11, 2014
COP-Out: Political Storyboarding in Peru
By Patrick J. Michaels, CATO, Dec 9, 2014
http://www.cato.org/blog/cop-out-political-storyboarding-peru
EU presses for accountability, opening rift at U.N. climate talks in Lima
By Staff Writers, Reuters, Japan Times, Dec 9, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
No road map for finance before 2019, say developed countries
But, demand the linked emission cuts of poor countries be reviewed in 2015
By Nitin Sethi, Business Standard, Dec 12, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
Won’t allow progress review, India tells UN climate meet
By Vishwa Mohan, Times of India, Dec 11, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
India talks tough, invokes WTO at UN climate meet in Lima
By Staff Writers, The Hindu, Dec 10, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
India says ‘five pillars of strength’ key to clinch climate deal
By Vishwa Mohan, Economic Times, India, Dec 6, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
Kerry to developed world: Lead on climate or get out of the way
By Laura Barron-Lopez, The Hill, Dec 11, 2014
Don’t wreck deal, US warns, as climate talks jam
By Staff Writers, Lima (AFP), Dec 12, 2014
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Dont_wreck_deal_US_warns_as_climate_talks_jam_999.html
EU presses for accountability, opening rift at U.N. climate talks in Lima
By Staff Writers, Reuters, Japan Times, Dec 9, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
Optimism fading for progress in Lima climate talks
By Peter Teffer, Eurobserver, Dec 11, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
http://euobserver.com/environment/126888
Report From Lima Climate Conference: Al Gore Preaches Hellfire And Redemption
Bu Myron Ebell, Daily Caller, Dec 10, 2014 [H/t Timothy Wise]
Problems in the Orthodoxy
Goal Post Migration Alert! Father of 2°C Target Schellnhuber Postpones CO2 Emissions Peak 10 Years: From 2020 To 2030!
By P Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Dec 10, 2014
Australia to contribute $200m to green climate fund
By Dennis Shanahan, The Australian, Dec 10, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
Australia tithes $200 million to Green Blob. Time to stand up to the bullies and out-Green them instead.
By Jo Nova, Her Blog, Dec 10, 2014
New study explains the role of oceans in global ‘warming hiatus’
By Staff Writers, Southampton, UK (SPX), Dec 05, 2014
UN Climate Change Conference Breaks Carbon Footprint Record
By Leah Barkoukis, Townhall, Dec 10, 2014 [H/t Clyde Spencer]
http://townhall.com/tipsheet/leahbarkoukis/2014/12/10/draft-n1930142
Seeking a Common Ground
W Hudson Bay polar bear mark-recapture study report 2013 – at last
By Susan Crockford, Polar Bear Science, Dec 10, 2014
Review of Recent Scientific Articles by CO2 Science
Extreme Weather at Its Worst: The Heat and Drought of AD 1540
By Wetter, et al. The year-long unprecedented European heat and drought of 1540 – a worst case. Climatic Change 125, Dec 10, 2014
http://www.co2science.org/articles/V17/dec/a14.php
Testing PMIP2 and CMIP5 Models Against Climates of the Past
By Harrison, et al, Climate model benchmarking with glacial and mid-Holocene climates. Climate Dynamics 43, Dec 9, 2014
http://www.co2science.org/articles/V17/dec/a13.php
Mussels Flex Their Muscles when Temperature & OA Both Increase
By Kroeker, et al, The role of temperature in determining species’ vulnerability to ocean acidification: A case study using Mytilus galloprovincialis. PLOS ONE 9, Dec 9, 2014
http://www.co2science.org/articles/V17/dec/a12.php
A New Method of Assessing the Rate of Global Sea Level Rise
By Woppelmann, et al, Evidence for a differential sea level rise between hemispheres over the twentieth century. Geophysical Research Letters 41: Dec 8, 2014
http://www.co2science.org/articles/V17/dec/a9.php
[SEPP Comment: An average of 15 +/- 5 cm per century (5.9 +/- 2 inches) is consistent with the findings of Fred Singer in NIPCC 2008 – but the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere difference is a puzzle.]
Models v. Observations
“Unprecedented” Model Discrepancy
By Steve McIntyre, Climate Audit, Dec 11, 2014
http://climateaudit.org/2014/12/11/unprecedented-model-discrepancy/
Looking at El Nino’s past to predict its future
By Staff Writers, Atlanta GA (SPX), Dec 10, 2014
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Looking_at_El_Ninos_past_to_predict_its_future_999.html
“The more we can close the loop between what this model says happened in the past and what the data say happened in the past, then we can project forward our improved understanding to understand future El Nino,” Cobb said.
Link to paper: Evolution and forcing mechanisms of El Nino over the past 21,000 yeears
By Liu et al. Nature, Nov 27, 2014
Measurement Issues
RSS and UAH “Meteorological Annual Mean” (December to November) Global Temperatures Fall Far Short of Record Highs in 2014…
By Bob Tisdale, WUWT, Dec 10, 2014
RSS YTD Temps Only 7th Highest Since 1998
By Paul Homewood, Not a Lot of People Know That, Dec 5, 2014
http://notalotofpeopleknowthat.wordpress.com/2014/12/05/rss-ytd-temps-only-7th-highest-since-1998/
Current Wisdom: Record Global Temperature—Conflicting Reports, Contrasting Implications
By Paul C. “Chip” Knappenberger and Patrick J. Michaels, CATO, Dec 10, 2014
Spinning the ‘warmest year’
By Judith Curry, Climate Etc. Dec 9, 2014
http://judithcurry.com/2014/12/09/spinning-the-warmest-year/#more-17381
RealClimate’s opinion on the WUWT widget
By Luboš Motl, Reference Frame, Dec 11, 2014
http://motls.blogspot.com/2014/12/realclimates-opinion-on-wuwt-widget.html
Changing Weather
Wet California as storms offshore ease the claimed ‘1200 year’ Drought
By Joseph D’Aleo, ICECAP, Dec 8, 2014
http://icecap.us/images/uploads/WET_CALIFORNIA_AS_STORMS_OFFSHORE_EASE_THE_CLAIMED.pdf
[SEPP Comment: See link immediately below.]
California’s Worst Drought Ever Is 1st Taste of Future
By Becky Oskin, Live Science, Dec 8, 2014 [H/t Clyde Spencer]
http://news.yahoo.com/californias-worst-drought-ever-1st-taste-future-152615952.html
Link to paper: How unusual is the 2012-2014 California drought?
By Griffin and Anchkaitis, Geophysical Research Letters,
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2014GL062433/abstract
[SEPP Comment: Palmer Drought Severity Index was created in 1965. The article does not explain how the researchers were able to take it back some 1200 years.] http://drought.unl.edu/Planning/Monitoring/ComparisonofIndicesIntro/PDSI.aspx
Nature, not climate change, blamed for drought
By Kurtis Alexander, SF Gate, Dec 9, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Feds-Natural-forces-not-climate-change-caused-5943118.php
Drought Relief: Shasta Lake Rises 10 ft. in One Day
By Roy Spencer, His Blog, Dec 12, 2014
http://www.drroyspencer.com/2014/12/drought-relief-shasta-lake-rises-10-ft-in-one-day/
[SEPP Comment: No, it is not related to sea levels.]
You Ought to Have A Look: Weak Link Between Global Warming and Extreme Weather
By Patrick J. Michaels and Paul C. “Chip” Knappenberger, CATO, Dec 12, 2014
http://www.cato.org/blog/you-ought-have-look-weak-link-between-global-warming-extreme-weather
Changing Climate
USGS study says Chesapeake tributaries are warming, and pollution may increase
By Darryl Fears, Washington Post, Dec 10, 2014 [H/t Timothy Wise]
Link to paper: Rising air and stream-water temperatures in Chesapeake Bay region, USA
By Karen C. Rice, John D. Jastram, Climate Change, Nov 26, 2014
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10584-014-1295-9
[SEPP Comment: Urbanization and associated run-off did not have anything to do with the warming of streams?]
Changing Seas
Sydney Sea levels rising at just 6.5cm per century. Peak-panic is behind us.
By Jo Nova, Her Blog, Dec 12, 2014
Changing Cryosphere – Land / Sea Ice
Growing Antarctic Ice Sheets May Have Sparked Ice Age
By Charles Choi, Live Science, Dec 8, 2014 {H/t Clyde Spencer]
http://news.yahoo.com/growing-antarctic-ice-sheets-may-sparked-ice-age-133750917.html
Antarctic ice shelf being eaten away by sea
By Carolyn Gramling, Science Mag. Dec 4, 2014
http://news.sciencemag.org/climate/2014/12/antarctic-ice-shelf-being-eaten-away-sea
West Antarctic Ice Loss Has Been Occurring For Centuries
The Ross Ice Shelf retreated 30 miles before 1932. It has nothing to do with CO2
By Steve Goddard, Real Science, Dec 7, 2014
Comparing sea ice today to Shackleton’s Ill Fated Voyage – 100 years ago this month
By Paul Homewood, WUWT, Dec 11, 2014
[SEPP Comment: Is the sea ice significantly different?]
Changing Earth
Re-thinking Southern California earthquake scenarios
By Staff Writers, Amherst MA (SPX), Dec 10, 2014
Acidic Waters
Hold the Champagne: Climate Change Is Killing Off Oysters
By Zachary Slobig, Takepart, Dec 8, 2014 [H/t Clyde Spencer]
http://news.yahoo.com/hold-champagne-climate-change-killing-off-oysters-205444374.html
Link to web site on “Ocean Acidification’ Shows changes in CO2 in ppm and, sometimes, changes in alkalinity and pH.
http://www.ipacoa.org/Explorer
[SEPP Comment: The article misrepresents what occurred, but the real-time data may be of use for all.]
Agriculture Issues & Fear of Famine
A Wake-Up Call For U.S. Farmers: The EPA Is Trying To Put You Out of Business
By Henry Miller, Forbes, Dec 3, 2014 [H/t ACSH]
Link to report: Benefits of Neonicotinoid Seed Treatments to Soybean Production
By Clayton Meyers, Entomologist, EPA, Oct 15, 2014, Peer Review Oct 3, 2014
All this is vintage EPA: shoddy science; cherry-picked, often-unreliable sources of information; disregard for real-world evidence, economic ramifications and farming practicalities; and potentially catastrophic decisions at the behest of environmental extremists.
[SEPP Comment: The emotional terms in the article may be accurate, but do not assist in an objective analysis.]
Un-Science or Non-Science?
2014 is on track to be warmest year yet: Five images that explain what’s happening
By Eli Kintisch, Science Insider, Dec 3, 2014 [H/t Clyde Spencer]
[SEPP Comment: More non-science from Science Insider.]
NOAA: Researchers offer new insights into predicting future droughts in California
Natural cycles, sea surface temperatures found to be main drivers in ongoing event
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Dec 8, 2014
Link to report: Assessment Report: Causes and Predictability of the 2011-14 California Drought,
By Richard Seager, et al. NOAA, No date
http://cpo.noaa.gov/sites/cpo/MAPP/Task%20Forces/DTF/californiadrought/california_drought_report.pdf
[SEPP Comment: Question the predictability part, based on CMIP5 models which project that rising GHG should increase California winter precipitation.]
Scientists find early warning signs of changing ocean circulation
By Brooks Hays, Exeter, England (UPI), Dec 9, 2014
Climate alarmism secures a set of warning signals
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Dec 8, 2014
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/12/08/climate-alarmism-secures-a-set-of-warning-signals/
Climate change projected to drive species northward
By Staff Writers, Los Angeles CA (SPX), Dec 12, 2014
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Climate_change_projected_to_drive_species_northward_999.html
Warmer Pacific Ocean could release millions of tons of seafloor methane
By Staff Writers, Seattle WA (SPX), Dec 10, 2014
Lowering Standards
Hide the incline
By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Dec 11, 2014
http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2014/12/11/hide-the-incline.html
[SEPP Comment: How low can the Royal Society go?]
Royal Society guide aims to remove bias from climate science
By Charlotte Malone, Blue and Green Tomorrow, Dec 11, 2014
[SEPP Comment: See link immediately above!]
Thanks, volcanoes! Earth cooler than expected due to recent eruptions
By Sid Perkins, Science Mag, Nov 21, 2014 [H/t Clyde Spencer]
[SEPP Comment: Another weak explanation of no warming, why was the lack of warming not predicted by the models or discussed in the IPCC AR5?]
Absolutely Amazing! A Climate Scientist Writes a Blog Post about…
By Bob Tisdale, WUWT, Dec 10, 2014
Communicating Better to the Public – Exaggerate, or be Vague?
Harvard Astrophysicist: 2014 “Hottest Year” Claim A “Prostitution Of Science” …Global Warming “Sorrowfully Exaggerated”
By P Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Dec 12, 2014
Hottest year ever?! Climate doomsayers may have hit the panic button a little too early
By Lawrence Solomon, Financial Post, Dec 11, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
http://business.financialpost.com/2014/12/11/lawrence-solomon-hottest-year-ever-not-quite/
Moving the goalposts – has Professor Wadhams Explained His Now Changed ‘ice-free’ Arctic Prediction?
By Jimbo, WUWT, Dec 12, 2014
Climate change challenge for animals reliant on external sources of heat
By Staff Writers, Sydney, Australia (SPX), Dec 10, 2014
[SEPP Comment: The models cannot predict the lack of current warming, but these researchers can predict the rate of future warming?]
Fossil fuel companies use scare tactics at UN climate negotiations
By Michael Green, The Hill, Dec 8, 2014
What happens if we overshoot the two degree target for limiting global warming?
By Rox Bidcock, Carbon Brief, Dec 10, 2014
Communicating Better to the Public – Make things up.
Science or public relations?
By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Dec 9, 2014
http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2014/12/9/science-or-public-relations.html
Link to questionable paper: Dramatically increasing chance of extremely hot summers since the 2003 European heatwave
By Christidis, Jones, & Stott, Nature Climate Change, Dec 8, 2014
http://www.nature.com/nclimate/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nclimate2468.html
“So, if you believe a set of models that can’t reproduce surface temperatures, can’t do tropospheric temperatures, struggle with clouds, are useless with rainfall, can’t do convection and are devoid of skill at subglobal scales, you might be convinced that heatwaves are about to get worse.”
Europe now 10 times likelier to get heatwaves: study
By Staff Writers, Paris (AFP), Dec 08, 2014
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Europe_now_10_times_likelier_to_get_heatwaves_study_999.html
Temperatures in Western Europe were 0.81 C warmer in the decade of 2003 to 2012 compared to 1990-1999, a rise overwhelmingly ascribed to man-made carbon gases.
[SEPP Comment: Doubt the claimed cause.]
Is fracking the newest “endocrine disruptor?” No. Not that the term has any meaning
By Staff Writers, ACSH, Dec 8, 2014
http://acsh.org/2014/12/fracking-newest-endocrine-disruptor-term-meaning/
Public misled about W Hudson Bay bears since November 2013
By Susan Crockford, Polar Bear Science, Dec 8, 2014
http://polarbearscience.com/2014/12/08/public-misled-about-w-hudson-bay-bears-since-november-2013/
Teutonic Power Grab…Schellnhuber & Co. Tell World To Do As They Say, Or Globe Gets 230-Foot Sea Level Rise!
By P Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Dec 8, 2014
Communicating Better to the Public – Go Personal.
48 science minds misuse the term “scientist” – name calling is not science
End misuse of ‘sceptic’, urge 48 science minds
By Jo Nova, Her Blog, Dec 12, 2014
“What’s the opposite of skeptical? Gullible?”
Greens using “think-tank” witchhunt
By Jo Nova, Her Blog, Dec 13, 2014
http://joannenova.com.au/2014/12/greens-using-think-tank-witchhunt/#more-39895
Communicating Better to the Public – Use Propaganda on Children
FACT SHEET: Lifting America’s Game in Climate Education, Literacy, and Training
The White House, Office of Science and Technology Policy, Dec 3, 2014 [H/t David Wojick]
[SEPP Comment: Starts with the term carbon pollution and goes on from there.]
An odd email from The White House
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Dec 8, 2014
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/12/08/an-odd-email-from-the-white-house/
The Next Plan to Get Climate Denial Into Textbooks Activists are pushing schools to teach climate-change “controversy” by issuing textbook ratings of their own.
By Clare Foran, National Journal, Dec 4, 2014
http://www.nationaljournal.com/energy/the-next-plan-to-get-climate-denial-into-textbooks-20141204
[SEPP Comment: The term “Climate Denial” is value laden and can be considered propaganda.]
Expanding the Orthodoxy
Clearing the ‘cloud hanging over climate science’
Commentary calls for new ‘science of climate diversity’
By Melissa Osgood, Cornell Univ, Media Relations, Dec 8, 2014 [H/t WUWT]
http://mediarelations.cornell.edu/2014/12/08/commentary-calls-for-new-science-of-climate-diversity/
New study translated: public servants are more likely to become eco-activists
UGA research reveals public servants individually motivated to help environment
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Dec 9, 2014
The Year of Sustainable Development
By Jeffrey Sachs, Project Syndicate, Dec 9, 2014
http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/sustainable-development-2015-by-jeffrey-d-sachs-2014-12
[SEPP Comment: Three more international conferences that will ignore the obvious. Prosperity depends upon access to energy – particularly in the form of reliable electricity. Sustainable development means no prosperity except for the already prosperous.]
Questioning European Green
Changing the balance of EU environmental policy?
By Martin Livermore, Scientific Alliance, Dec 12, 2014
http://scientific-alliance.org/node/899
“It is probably asking too much of the EU institutions to make a clear-cut choice between relying on science or bowing to the green lobby, so we can expect further decisions based on politics rather than evidence.”
Commission plans to ditch circular economy and air pollution rules
By Staff Writers, EurActiv, Dec 12, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
A prices and income policy
By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Dec 11, 2014
http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2014/12/11/a-prices-and-income-policy.html
The unsinkable German anti-CO2-Titanic just found its iceberg
Unpleasant encounter with hard facts
By Fred Mueller, WUWT, Dec 10, 2014
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/12/10/the-unsinkable-german-anti-co2-titanic-just-found-its-iceberg/
Burning issue: Dismay as Paris bans log fires
By Staff Writers, Paris (AFP), Dec 05, 2014
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Burning_issue_Dismay_as_Paris_bans_log_fires_999.html
French ecology minister slams ‘ridiculous’ log fire ban
By Staff Writers, Paris (AFP), Dec 09, 2014
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/French_ecology_minister_slams_ridiculous_log_fire_ban_999.html
Questioning Green Elsewhere
Big Numbers, Small Numbers
By Willis Eschenbach, WUWT, Dec 10, 2014
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/12/10/big-numbers-small-numbers/
Green Jobs
The End of Green Jobs
By Donn Dears, Power For USA, Dec 9, 2014
https://dddusmma.wordpress.com/2014/12/09/the-end-of-green-jobs/
Funding Issues
Billions won’t satisfy warmists
Last week’s claims that 2014 is set to be ‘the hottest year ever’ are frankly a load of nonsense, says Christopher Booker.
By Christopher Booker, Telegraph, UK, Dec 6, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/11277024/Billions-wont-satisfy-warmists.html
Why the UN says climate adaptation could cost developing countries $1 trillion a year
By Mat Hope, The Carbon Brief, Dec 8, 2014
“These estimates are based on politicians acting to ensure global temperatures don’t rise more than two degrees above pre-industrial levels, the de facto target of international climate negotiations.”
Developing world may need annual $500 bn for climate by 2050: UN
By Staff Writers, Lima (AFP), Dec 06, 2014
International Climate Change Financing: The Green Climate Fund
By Richard Lattanzio, CRS, Nov 17, 2014 [H/t Timothy Wise]
http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/235012.pdf
Poorest countries ‘left behind’: climate finance report
By Staff Writers, Lima (AFP), Dec 08, 2014
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Poorest_countries_left_behind_climate_finance_report_999.html
The Political Games Continue
House Spending Bill Blocks US Funding For The UN’s ‘Green Climate Fund’
By Michael Bastasch, Daily Caller, Dec 10, 2014
EPA and other Regulators on the March
The EPA Pours On the Pain With New Ozone Regulations
By Diana Furchtgott-Roth, e21, Manhattan Institute, Dec 3, 2014
http://economics21.org/commentary/epa-pours-pain-new-ozone-regulations-12-03-2014
How Obama and His Environmental Base Are Planning to Eradicate the Oil and Gas Industry
By Ron Arnold, Daily Signal, Dec 12, 2014
http://dailysignal.com/2014/12/12/obama-environmental-base-planning-eradicate-oil-gas-industry/
EPA restricts hazardous [waste] recycling rules
By Timothy Cama, The Hill, Dec 10, 2014
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/226627-epa-restricts-hazardous-recycling-rules
Energy Issues – Non-US
All megawatts are not equal
By Planning Engineer, Climate Etc. Dec 11, 2014
http://judithcurry.com/2014/12/11/all-megawatts-are-not-equal/#more-17406
“It matters very much when energy is generated, where the energy comes from and how well it works to support the system. The average cost of solar and wind will need to be significantly below the average cost of conventional generation well before wind and solar can begin to approach general competitiveness on a cost basis.”
Exxon’s 25-Year Energy Outlook
By Paul Ausick, 24-7 Wall Street, Dec 9, 2014
http://247wallst.com/energy-economy/2014/12/09/exxons-25-year-energy-outlook/
Link to report: “2015 Outlook for Energy: A View to 2040”
By Bill Colton, ExxonMobil, Dec 9, 2014
[SEPP Comment: More reason not to accept the pronouncements of the IPCC and the UNFCCC.]
Exxon Issues Energy Reality Check as UN Debates Emissions
By Joe Carroll, Bloomberg, Dec 10, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-12-09/exxon-sees-emissions-surge-as-developing-nations-propser
[SEPP Comment: According to the Exxon report: renewables will provide just 4 percent of the world’s energy by 2040, up from 1 percent in 2010. Fossil fuels will still dominate: Oil will account for 32 percent of world energy, natural gas for 26 percent, and coal for 19 percent. Nuclear and biomass will account for 8 percent each, and hydroelectric power will account for 3 percent.]
Exxon sees abundant oil, gas far into future
By Jonathan Fahey, AP, Dec 9, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
“Michael E. Mann, a climate scientist and director of Penn State’s Earth System Science Center, notes that many experts dispute Exxon’s conclusion on renewables because in several places around the world renewable energy is competitive with the price of traditional power, even without a high price on carbon pollution that Exxon and others seem to agree is coming.”
ExxonMobil: Energy demand to increase on growing middle class
By Staff Writers, ExxonMobil, Off-Shore Energy, Dec 10, 2014
Poland faces EU fines over renewable energy failures
By Staff Writers, Luxembourg (AFP), Dec 11, 2014
http://www.winddaily.com/reports/Poland_faces_EU_fines_over_renewable_energy_failures_999.html
“Energiewende” Takes A Massive Blow…Top Green Energy Proponent Concedes: “Blunder With Ugly Consequences”!
By P Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Dec 9, 2014
German Renewable Energy Keeps Blacking Out! Supply Often Less Than 2% Of Wintertime Demand
By P Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Dec 6, 2014
Germany’s Electricity Price More Than Doubles. Electrocuting Consumers And Markets!
Germany’s electricity price just behind leader Denmark in the EU: Since the introduction of its Feed-in Act in 2000, the electricity price has more than doubled!
By Michael Krüger, Trans P Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Dec 7, 2014
Green subsidies on energy bills set to rise by four times by 2030: £175 will be added to average cost due to funding of wind and solar power
The cost of energy to business and industry is set to double in the same period, causing a knock-on effect to other goods and services
Britain has already adopted the most stringent climate law in the world
By Ben Spencer, Daily Mail, UK, Dec 10, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
Autumn Statement: Chancellor to establish sovereign wealth fund for the North of England with shale gas cash
By Bill Gleeson, Liverpool Echo, Dec 3, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/business/autumn-statement-chancellor-establish-sovereign-8222555’’
Energy Issues — US
U.S. Again World’s No. 1 In Energy Production
By Bernard Weinstein, IBD, Dec 10, 2014 [H/t Timothy Wise]
U.S. Oil Reserves Highest Since at Least 1975 on Shale
By Dan Murtaugh and Harry R. Weber, Bloomberg, Dec 4, 2014
Washington’s Control of Energy
Obama: Keystone may contribute to ‘disastrous’ climate change
By Timothy Cama, The Hill, Dec 9, 2014
Oil and Natural Gas – the Future or the Past?
CBO makes the fracking case
Editorial, Washington Examiner, Dec 12, 2014 [H/t Timothy Wise]
Link to report: The Economic and Budgetary Effects of Producing Oil and Natural Gas From Shale
By Staff Writers, CBO, Dec 2014
http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/49815-Effects_of_Shale_Production.pdf
Energy superpower ‘Saudi America’ has been the world’s largest petroleum producer for 22 months in a row
By Mark Perry, AEIdeas, Dec 5, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
[SEPP Comment: Defined as oil and natural gas liquids, and similar products.]
Applications to drill new wells in Bakken, Eagle Ford fall 30 percent
By Laura Barron-Lopez, The Hill, Dec 10, 2014
U.S. rig count steady, Baker Hughes finds
By Daniel J. Graeber, Dallas (UPI), Dec 5, 2014
http://www.oilgasdaily.com/reports/US_rig_count_steady_Baker_Hughes_finds_999.html
Oil Spills, Gas Leaks & Consequences
Abandoned U.S. oil wells still spewing methane, study finds
By Richard Valdanis, Reuters, Dec 8, 2014 [H/t Clyde Spencer]
http://news.yahoo.com/abandoned-u-oil-wells-still-spewing-methane-study-222848341.html
[SEPP Comment: A few wells studied, emitting small amounts of methane.]
Leaks from natural gas drilling are falling, study finds
By Timothy Cama, The Hill, Dec 9, 2014
Link to a report of the study: Study: Methane emissions from natural gas production are lower than previously estimated
By Carlton Carroll, API, Dec 9, 2014
‘Catastrophic’ Bangladesh oil spill threatens rare dolphins
By Staff Writers, Dhaka (AFP), Dec 11, 2014
[SEPP Comment: Headline may be extreme!]
Nuclear Energy and Fears
China Approves Major New Scheme to Boost Nuclear Power: Reports
By Staff Writers, Beijing (Sputnik), Dec 08, 2014
[SEPP Comment: Off-shore nuclear plants?]
Construction Monitor: Longer Delays Are Likely for Vogtle Reactors
By Sonal Patel, Power, Dec 10, 2014
DOE Opens $12.5B Nuclear Loan Guarantee Solicitation
By Sonal Patel, Power, Dec 10, 2014
Finland approves construction of nuclear plant by Russia
By Staff Writers, Helsinki (AFP) Dec 05, 2014
GOP Should Revive Yucca Mountain And Nuclear Energy
Editorial, IBD, Dec 8, 2014
Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Solar and Wind
Dead Eagle Data: Buffet/Berkshire/PacifiCorp Don’t Want You to Know (Part 2)
By Jim Wiengand, Master Resource, Dec 12, 2014
https://www.masterresource.org/cuisinarts-of-the-air/dead-eagle-data-2/
[SEPP Comment: No justification for Washington to keep eagle kills secret.]
Carbon Schemes
The Myth of Net-Zero Emissions
By Lili Fuhr and Niclas Hallstrom, Project Syndicate, Dec 8, 2014
Health, Energy, and Climate
Energy efficient homes linked to asthma
The drive for energy efficient homes could be increasing asthma risks, according to new research.
By Staff Writers, Construction Index, UK, Dec 11, 2014 [H/t Timothy Wise]
http://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/energy-efficient-homes-linked-to-asthma
BPA study comments section leads to a look at the “academically-based health industry”
By Staff Writers, ACSH, Dec 10, 2014
http://acsh.org/2014/12/bpa-study-comments-section-leads-look-academically-based-health-industry/
Environmental Industry
Greens Wage War On All Pipelines, Not Just Keystone XL
Editorial, IBD, Dec 11, 2014 [H/t Timothy Wise]
Greenpeace: We Spit on Your Sacred Spaces
By Donna Laframbose, NFC, Dec 11, 2014
http://nofrakkingconsensus.com/2014/12/11/greenpeace-we-spit-on-your-sacred-spaces/
Greenpeace apologizes for stunt at ancient Peru site
By Staff Writers, Lima (AFP), Dec 10, 2014
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Greenpeace_apologizes_for_stunt_at_ancient_Peru_site_999.html
Judge: rule of law challenged by greens
By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Dec 8, 2014
http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2014/12/8/judge-rule-of-law-challenged-by-greens.html
Other Scientific News
National Science Foundation updates transparency and accountability practices
By Dana Topousis, NSF, Dec 3, 2014
http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=133533&WT.mc_id=USNSF_51&WT.mc_ev=click
Transparency and Accountability – Policy Statement
By Peter Arzberger, NSF, Dec 8, 2014
http://www.nsf.gov/od/transparency/transparency.jsp
Paul Allen donates $100 million for research on the human cell
By Aileen Graef, Seattle (UPI), Dec 9, 2014
################################################
BELOW THE BOTTOM LINE:
EPA chief: Clean water, climate regs critical to beer-making
By Laura Barron-Lopez, The Hill, Dec 9, 2014
[SEPP Comment: Beer making produces CO2, which the EPA chief calls a pollutant. Wait for the regulations.]
The eyeroller you knew was going to happen – California winter storm caused by “changing climate”
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Dec 11, 2014
Friday Funny – Best Grauniad typo ever
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Dec 12, 2014
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/12/12/friday-funny-best-grauniad-typo-ever/
###################################################
Here’s a good one on nuclear power:
http://www.brookings.edu/research/essays/2014/backtothefuture?cid=00900013020140101US0001#
These are the 20 questions that the Royal Society asks and answers:
1. Is the climate warming?
2. How do scientists know that recent climate change is largely caused by human activities?
3. CO2 is already in the atmosphere naturally, so why are emissions from human activity significant?
4. What role has the Sun played in climate change in recent decades?
5. What do changes in the vertical structure of atmospheric temperature – from the surface up to the stratosphere – tell us about the causes of recent climate change?
6. Climate is always changing. Why is climate change of concern now?
7. Is the current level of atmospheric CO2 concentration unprecedented in Earth’s history?
8. Is there a point at which adding more CO2 will not cause further warming?
9. Does the rate of warming vary from one decade to another?
10. Does the recent slowdown of warming mean that climate change is no longer happening?
11. If the world is warming, why are some winters and summers still very cold?
12. Why is Arctic sea ice reducing while Antarctic sea ice is not?
13. How does climate change affect the strength and frequency of floods, droughts, hurricanes and tornadoes?
14. How fast is sea level rising?
15. What is ocean acidification and why does it matter?
16. How confident are scientists that Earth will warm further over the coming century?
17. Are climate changes of a few degrees a cause for concern?
18. What are scientists doing to address key uncertainties in our understanding of the climate system?
19. Are disaster scenarios about tipping points like ‘turning off the Gulf Stream’ and release of methane from the Arctic a cause for concern?
20. If emissions of greenhouse gases were stopped, would the climate return to the conditions of 200 years ago?
I note that they do not ask:
a. Is the climate warming as fast as the computer models predicted? Alternatively, did the computer models predict the current slowdown in global warming?
b. What role has the sun played in past climate?
c. Can the models reproduce past climate over, say, the Holocene, or further back in time?
d. Do the changes in the vertical structure of atmospheric temperature – from the surface up to the stratosphere – match the computer models’ predicted changes? (eg. as in AR4 Figure 9.1)
e. When, several millions of years ago, Earth’s temperature was higher than it is now, and sea levels were higher, were the species alive then extincted by those conditions or did they thrive?
f. Why are the benefits of global warming never even mentioned?
(For example,vast new inhabitable areas, and greater food production, in Canada and Russia.)
g. Given the uncertainties in our understanding of the climate system, why are climate predictions always presented as if there were no uncertainties?
(For example:- Question 16. How confident are scientists that Earth will warm further over the coming century? Answer. Very confident. [..])
h. What scientific evidence is there for the positive “feedbacks” to greenhouse-gas warming, which are relied on by the computer models to predict warming several times greater than thst caused by man-made carbon dioxide emission?
i. How many discussion meetings, conferences or events have the Royal Society organised, in which scientists with different perspectives on global warming have been invited to constructively discuss their different views? Where can the outcomes of those meetings etc be viewed?
(The Royal Society website says “The Society facilitates interaction and communication among scientists via its discussion meetings”)
There are of course a lot more questions that could and should have been asked.
” The high stakes game in Lima has ended, with little damage to the industrialized ”
Apart from the damage to the UK Economy by politicians & Green groups.through the Climate Change Act and suicidal energy policies!
These are always great reports, Ken, thanks! Just want to let people know I wrote a follow-up column on John Christy’s comment letter challenging the scientific basis of EPA’s Clean Power Plan. I hope folks will take a look, because Christy breaks new ground in the old debate over climate change attribution. Christy’s analysis, based on the IPCC’s own information (albeit “buried without comment” in supplementary material), directly challenges the core “consensus” claim that most warming since the 1950s is anthropogenic. My post is available here: http://www.globalwarming.org/2014/12/12/epa-should-re-examine-climate-rules-scientific-basis-part-ii/
I would find these updates more useful if the links were immediately following the relevant text instead of being all grouped together at the end of the post
I agree.
Climate change has caused an Unprecedented use of the word Unprecedented.
I wonder if the EU delegates insistance that a decision must be binding on all parties is because they know perfectly well that the whole CAGW thing is a scam, and if they can’t get universal agreement, which they won’t, then that would give them a convenient opt out of the whole thing.
Cynic? Me?
With reference to Asimov’s “Quote of the Week” above, here’s a variant on an adage: Wisdom results from experience; Experience results from unwise decisions.
I actually took the World Bank course “Turn Down the heat…” referred to above-
Global Climate Fund – Trustee? In recent years the World Bank has issued several strident documents promoting the fear of Global Warming, for example, “Turn Down the Heat: Why a 4°C Warmer World Must Be Avoided” (2012).”
My final assignment paper, graded by fellow students, blasted the simplistic and misleading course. Guess what, my fellow students gave me a very high grade!
Here’s a modified version of that final assignment- https://sites.google.com/site/climatesensitivity/
Good start, but you need to delve further. The climate’s sensitivity to the increased CO2 in fact appears to be nil. It simply can’t be ferreted out from the climate noise. In terms of climate, CO2 is a non-issue, and in environmental terms CO2 is entirely beneficial.