Weekly Climate and Energy News Roundup #187

The Week That Was: 2015-07-11 (July 11, 2015) Brought to You by SEPP (www.SEPP.org) The Science and Environmental Policy Project

THIS WEEK: By Ken Haapala, President, Science and Environmental Policy Project (SEPP)

Science or Selective Ignorance? In an editorial published in Science magazine on July 3, Marcia McNutt, Editor-in-Chief of the Science Journals, removed all doubt concerning the direction that this once prestigious journal is taking. In “The beyond-two-degree inferno”, she wrote: “The time for debate has ended. Action is urgently needed.” Then, she strongly supports the contrived effort of the European Union to keep “global warming” below 2°C above the preindustrial level – a number for which we have no rigorous measurement or logic. She advocates the political position of the Administration in forcing reductions in carbon dioxide emission (CO2) by stating “The United States has pledged reductions of 26 to 28% below 2005 levels by 2025…” Of course, there is no such pledge by the American people and its representatives in Congress. The Administration’s pledge is arbitrary and authoritarian. Ms. McNutt concludes with a description of the nine circles of Hell found in Dante’s Inferno.

Ms. McNutt continues a trend established in the Science journals by Donald Kennedy (2000-2008), who declared while he is editor, Science would no longer accept articles contradicting the pronouncements of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on global warming, later termed climate change, regardless of the empirical data presented.

The IPCC reports featured glaring deficiencies such as the falsely named distinct human fingerprint, a hot-spot over the tropics, which no one can empirically find; Mr. Mann’s hockey-stick, based on sparse data, from which contradicting data was deleted; and global climate models, which greatly overestimate warming, as current measurements demonstrate. The logic behind this editorial policy can be described as selective ignorance. Please see links under Defending the Orthodoxy, including an excellent critique by Judith Curry.

###################################################

Quote of the Week: “The improver of natural knowledge absolutely refuses to acknowledge authority, as such. For him, scepticism is the highest of duties; blind faith the one unpardonable sin.” Thomas Henry Huxley [H/t Rational Optimist]

###################################################

Number of the Week: 50 to 140 times

###################################################

SEPP ADDRESS

We Are Consolidating Several Addresses to One:

Please address all your correspondence to SEPP to:

Post Office Box 1126

Springfield, VA 22151

###################################################

16^th Century Thinking: European scientific thinking of the 16^th century was dominated by the re-discovery of the works of the Greeks. Their works in geometry and astronomy were very good, particularly considering the lack of precise instruments. Estimates of size of the earth and the moon, and the distance between them were quite accurate. However, they generally underestimated the size of the sun and its distance from the earth.

The concept of a heliocentric solar system was suggested by Aristarchus (died about 232 B.C.) and was accepted by some astronomers but eventually rejected, particularly by Ptolemy, a Roman, (about 150 A.D), whose system became the one widely accepted in the 16^th century. During the 16^th century, learning and written documents were extremely limited, and authority and consensus were dominate.

Copernicus disagreed with the Ptolemy concept of the solar system, but the work was not published until the year of his death in 1543. It was up to Galileo to earn the full wrath of the Greek scholars (often called Aristotelian scientists) that dominated science in the period. Galileo confronted the scientific models and assumptions of the era with observations from nature and experiments. The most dramatic of these confrontations was proposing a heliocentric solar system, with an earth that orbited the sun annually, rotated daily, and titled on its axis. [Kepler proposed elliptical, not circular, orbits doing away with epicycles, and non-uniform speeds.] Using a telescope, Galileo identified spots on the sun, refuting the notion that it was immutable (unchanging). There are various versions of what occurred in the 17^th century (until Newton) and the importance of various groups.

However, for the purposes of this discussion, one must note that Galileo was the first, influential astronomer of the Renaissance to propose that observations take precedence over authority and consensus of opinion as the objective standard in science. He incurred the full wrath of the scientific establishment of that time.

*******************

The Sun? Royal Astronomical Society published a study of a “new model of the Sun’s solar cycle is producing unprecedentedly accurate predictions of irregularities within the Sun’s” 10 to 12 year solar cycle. “The model draws on dynamo effects in two layers of the Sun, one close to the surface and one deep within its convection zone. Predictions from the model suggest that solar activity will fall by 60 per cent during the 2030s to conditions last seen during the ‘mini ice age’ that began in 1645.”

“It is 172 years since a scientist first spotted that the Sun’s activity varies over a cycle lasting around 10 to 12 years. But every cycle is a little different and none of the models of causes to date have fully explained fluctuations. Many solar physicists have put the cause of the solar cycle down to a dynamo caused by convecting fluid deep within the Sun. Now, Zharkova and her colleagues have found that adding a second dynamo, close to the surface, completes the picture with surprising accuracy.”

“We found magnetic wave components appearing in pairs, originating in two different layers in the Sun’s interior. They both have a frequency of approximately 11 years, although this frequency is slightly different, and they are offset in time. Over the cycle, the waves fluctuate between the northern and southern hemispheres of the Sun. Combining both waves together and comparing to real data for the current solar cycle, we found that our predictions showed an accuracy of 97%,” said Zharkova.

 

Zharkova and her colleagues derived their model using a technique called ‘principal component analysis’ of the magnetic field observations from the Wilcox Solar Observatory in California. They examined three solar cycles-worth of magnetic field activity, covering the period from 1976-2008. In addition, they compared their predictions to average sunspot numbers, another strong marker of solar activity. All the predictions and observations were closely matched.

 

Looking ahead to the next solar cycles, the model predicts that the pair of waves become increasingly offset during Cycle 25, which peaks in 2022. During Cycle 26, which covers the decade from 2030-2040, the two waves will become exactly out of synch and this will cause a significant reduction in solar activity.

 

“In cycle 26, the two waves exactly mirror each other – peaking at the same time but in opposite hemispheres of the Sun. Their interaction will be disruptive, or they will nearly cancel each other. We predict that this will lead to the properties of a ‘Maunder minimum’,” said Zharkova. “Effectively, when the waves are approximately in phase, they can show strong interaction, or resonance, and we have strong solar activity. When they are out of phase, we have solar minimums. When there is full phase separation, we have the conditions last seen during the Maunder minimum, 370 years ago.”

Since the period covered in the testing is only three solar cycles, 1976 to 2008, it is far too brief to draw any long-term conclusions. However, the accuracy in the testing is significant. Further, the cooling corresponds with predictions from some other solar scientists.

The short period of study understood, The Summary for Policymakers of Fifth Assessment Report (AR-5), Synthesis Report, of the IPCC also covers a relatively short period. Table SPM.3 presents “Contributions to observed surface temperature change over the period 1951–2010.” Yet, the IPCC expressed 95% certainty in its work.

The total of natural forcings presented by the IPCC in this table covers a temperature range of about minus 0.1 ºC to plus 0.1 ºC. If the new report of the Royal Astronomical Society bears out, and we experience a cooling greater than 0.1 ºC, the IPCC and the climate establishment has significant problems. See links under: Science: Is the Sun Rising?, Commentary: Is the Sun Rising?, and Defending the Orthodoxy

*******************

NAS: The nominating committee of the US National Academy of Sciences has nominated Marcia McNutt to be the next President, a five year term. Traditionally, this nominee is unopposed and becomes the President. Will the censorship practiced by Science in rejecting articles contradicting IPCC reports become the norm of the NAS? How would they explain a cooling caused by diminished solar energy? See links under Lowering Standards.

*******************

Environmentalism Gone Mad: Retired EPA researcher and environmentalist, Alan Carlin, brings up certain disturbing issues about the EPA. EPA conducted a study on DDT and found no compelling evidence that ordinary use of DDT is harmful to humans. Yet, administrator Ruckelshaus banned DDT, claiming that it may cause cancer. The ban and subsequent government and environmental group activities resulted in tens of millions of preventable deaths from malaria, mostly in poor countries. Carlin estimates the number of deaths to be about 50 million. The World Health Organization estimates that, today, about 500,000 die from malaria every year. This ban illustrates that one cannot assume the activities of the EPA or environmental groups are for the benefit of human health.

In another posting, Carlin explains why climate alarmists want governments to impose limits on growth. See links under: Two Cases of Environmentalism Gone Mad, Questioning the Orthodoxy, and Other News that May Be of Interest

*******************

Energy Costs in Manufacturing: According an article in Fortune, the Boston Consulting Group, estimates the Manufacturing Cost Index to be 95% in China; 100% in the US; 108% in the U.K. and 116% in Germany [The US is the standard for the index.]. The energy share of the Manufacturing Cost Index, is 3% US, 6% China, 8% U.K., and 9% Germany – and it is falling in the US. Reasons for a narrowing of the index between China and the US are rising wages in China, increasing productivity in the US; but, most importantly, fracking bringing down energy costs in the US, particularly for energy intensive industries. Yet, the Administration is trying to bring the US energy cost in line with Germany’s? See link under Non-Green Jobs.

*******************

Additions and Corrections: A past TWTW termed projections by NASA from climate models to 2100 as a data set, which was promptly corrected by some readers. For example: “Calling the NASA projections a ‘data set’ is itself proclaiming a misnomer. That fact should be made known to the general public. Computer generated numbers are not “data” per se.”

Also, there were several errors in the description of the Number of the Week, corrected below for the appropriate number. TWTW always appreciates such corrections and additions.

*******************

Number of the Week: 50 to 140 times. [Note, there were errors in last week’s description.] Two weeks ago, TWTW gave a rough calculation of the relative weights of natural forcing as compared to anthropogenic (human) forcing of the climate system from atmospheric carbon dioxide as presented in the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, AR-4), published in 2007. These were calculated from the table titled “Radiative Forcing Components. The influence of carbon dioxide ranged from 5 to 6 times larger to 25 to 30 times larger than the only natural forcing considered – changes in solar intensity (visible light). These were based on Figure SPM.2, which stated “the understanding of anthropogenic warming and cooling influences on climate has improved since the TAR, leading to very high confidence that the global average net effect of human activities since 1750 has been one of warming, with a radiative forcing of +1.6 [+0.6 to +2.4] W m–2.”

Identical calculations for IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR-5) cannot be made because the critical table is not presented. Instead, a different table is presented: “Contributions to observed surface temperature change over the period 1951–2010” from the Summary for Policymakers of the Synthesis report. The range for all natural variability is about minus 0.1 º C to plus 0.1 º C with a mean of about 0.01 º C. [Not minus 0.5 to plus 0.5 as stated last week.] The range for the influence of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, is not specifically given. According to these IPCC numbers, the influence of greenhouse gases is about 50 to 140 times greater than natural influences. When one considers these estimates in light of past climate change, there is little doubt why the climate models are failing. See links under Defending the Orthodoxy.

###################################################

ARTICLES:

Please note that articles not linked easily or summarized here are reproduced in the Articles Section of the full TWTW that can be found on the web site under the date of the TWTW.

1. Stopping EPA Uber Alles

Even when states win in court, they lose. Here is one legal remedy.

Editorial, WSJ, Jul 6, 2015

http://www.wsj.com/articles/stopping-epa-uber-alles-1436124275

SUMMARY: Even though the opponents of EPA’s questionable anti-coal, mercury regulations were victorious in the Supreme Court, the EPA significantly damaged the US electrical generation system. “In 2011, the year the EPA proposed the anticarbon mercury rule that the Court has now ruled illegal, some 1,500 fossil-fuel-fired electric units were in operation. Only about 100 have not already closed or complied at a cost of billions of dollars.” The challenge to those states filing against the EPA’s Clean Power Plan, requiring another 30% carbon reduction, on average, from the states, is “the snail’s pace of the judicial process in response to new rules lends de facto immunity to whatever the EPA wants to do, even if the conclusion is another legal defeat that arrives too late to make a practical difference.”

“The EPA is counting on it. The agency knows that the Clean Power Plan’s precarious legal footing will be litigated for years, but it is trying to rush the rule out to make it a policy fait accompli before President Obama’s term expires. It also knows that the long lead time and investment decisions the plan compels—about power-plant retirements and upgrades, restructuring transmission lines, creating new green energy and efficiency subsidy programs—must begin today.”

As a solution to the delay the editorial supports Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt who has filed a preliminary injunction.

“Under the 1958 Supreme Court precedent Leedom v. Kyne and a subsequent line of cases, the courts can use their powers to block federal-government actions ‘when an agency exceeds the scope of its delegated authority or violates a clear statutory mandate.’ Plaintiffs must show that they are injured by judicial delay and that they are likely to succeed on the merits.

“Leedom actions have been used to stop abuses from the National Labor Relations Board and the Federal Trade Commission, and the EPA is a promising target. The agency’s unprecedented measures to restructure the U.S. energy economy under an obscure provision of the 1970s-era Clean Air Act have zero grounding in the text of the statute, much less Congress’s consent. Mr. Pruitt also argues that under the High Court’s federalism jurisprudence the EPA is unconstitutionally commandeering the sovereign states.

“If Mr. Pruitt does succeed and obtain an injunction, the Clean Power Plan would be put on ice for the rest of Mr. Obama’s term, much as the Fifth Circuit blocked his executive immigration actions. More to the point, an injunction would rebuke an agency that thinks it is above the law.”

*************

2. Oman to Build Giant Solar Plant to Extract Oil

Facility is the latest measure in Oman’s fight to halt a decline in production capacity

By Georgi Kantchev, WSJ, Jul 8, 2015

http://www.wsj.com/articles/oman-to-build-giant-solar-plant-to-extract-oil-1436344310

SUMMARY: In an interesting twist, Oman is building a 1,021-megawatt solar-thermal facility to create the steam necessary to extract extremely heavy oil under an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques. Scheduled to be opened in 2017, the plant will replace part of the use of natural gas now used to create steam.

*************

3. The Trouble With Inspection Tools for Oil Pipelines

Technology has improved, but a recent crude spill along a California beach shows the pitfalls

By Alison Sider, WSJ, Jul 3, 2015

http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB11064341213388534269604581078312838124254

SUMMARY: Even though pipeline inspection tools have significantly improved in recent years, the recent spill on a Santa Barbara, California, beach demonstrates not all the problems have been solved, such as by “Smart pigs,” the small devices put through pipelines to look for signs of weakness in the metal, are the size of an American football. One of the problems is that the devices return huge reams of data, taking a long time for humans to process. “You can have a smart pig, smart people, and dumb management.”

The cause of the spill is not yet known, and may not be for several months. Although pipeline operators are better at preventing spills than formerly, today’s technology is still far from perfect and most accidents aren’t caused by one single, easily preventable problem.

###################################################

NEWS YOU CAN USE:

Science: Is the Sun Rising?

Solar activity predicted to fall 60% in 2030s, to ‘mini ice age’ levels: Sun driven by double dynamo

By Staff Writers, Science Daily, Jul 9, 2015 [H/t Clyde Spencer]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/07/150709092955.htm

Link to Press Release: Irregular heartbeat of the Sun driven by double dynamo

By Staff Writers, Royal Astronomical Society, Jul 9, 2015

http://www.ras.org.uk/news-and-press/2680-irregular-heartbeat-of-the-sun-driven-by-double-dynamo

Commentary: Is the Sun Rising?

Is a mini ICE AGE on the way? Scientists warn the sun will ‘go to sleep’ in 2030 and could cause temperatures to plummet

By Mark Prigg, Daily Mail, UK, Jul 10, 2015

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3156594/Is-mini-ICE-AGE-way-Scientists-warn-sun-sleep-2020-cause-temperatures-plummet.html

Climategate Continued

Raymond Bradley and the Grand Old Duke of York

By Steve McIntyre, Climate Audit, Jul 7, 2015

http://climateaudit.org/2015/07/07/raymond-bradley-and-the-grand-old-duke-of-york/#more-21169

[SEPP Comment: Playing games with proxy information.]

Challenging the Orthodoxy

The Temperature Hiatus … Back Again

By David Whitehouse, GWPF, Jul 7, 2015

http://www.thegwpf.com/the-temperature-hiatus-back-again/

Link to paper: Recent hiatus caused by decadal shift in Indo-Pacific heating

By Nieves, Willis, and Patzert, Science, Jul 9, 2015

http://www.sciencemag.org/content/early/2015/07/08/science.aaa4521.abstract

Ivar Giaever: a skeptical AGW Nobel talk on the climate

By Luboš Motl, The Reference Frame, Jul 9, 2015

http://motls.blogspot.com/2015/07/ivar-giaever-skeptical-agw-nobel-talk.html

Two Cases of Environmentalism Gone Mad

Alan Carlin, Carlin Economics and Science, July 3, 2015

http://www.carlineconomics.com/archives/1843

Defending the Orthodoxy

The beyond-two-degree inferno

By Marcia McNutt, Editor-in-Chief Science Journals, Jul 3, 2015

http://www.sciencemag.org/content/349/6243/7.full

The beyond-two-degree inferno

By Judith Curry, Climate Etc. Jul 5, 2015

http://judithcurry.com/2015/07/05/the-beyond-two-degree-inferno/

2015: One turning point for the planet?

The world is waking up to the existential crisis posed by climate change

By Jessica Cheam, Eco Business, Jul 8, 2015

http://www.eco-business.com/opinion/2015-one-turning-point-for-the-planet/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=July+8+newsletter&utm_content=July+8+newsletter+CID_b68b54e3fb406863e83707f4ca1825f7&utm_source=Campaign%20Monitor&utm_term=READ%20FULL%20STORY

Key Legal Issues in the 2015 Climate Negotiations

By Bodansky and Rajamani, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, June 2015

http://www.c2es.org/docUploads/legal-issues-brief-06-2015.pdf

Climate Change 2014

Synthesis Report: Summary for Policymakers

http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar5/syr/AR5_SYR_FINAL_SPM.pdf

Questioning the Orthodoxy

Polar bear doom and gloom from USGS vs. biologist Mitch Taylor’s reasoned thoughts

By Susan Crockford, Polar Bear Science, Jul 8, 2015

http://polarbearscience.com/2015/07/08/polar-bear-doom-and-gloom-from-usgs-vs-biologist-mitch-taylors-reasoned-thoughts/

Prominent Australian scientists seek to block parliamentary investigation into the evidence for anthropogenic global warming

By Thomas Lifson, American Thinker, Jul 9, 2015 [Timothy Wise]

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2015/07/prominent_australian_scientists_seek_to_block_parliamentary_investigation_into_the_evidence_for_anthropogenic_global_warming.html

Why Climate Alarmists Want Governments to Impose Limits to Growth Where None Exist

By Alan Carlin, Carli Economics and Science, Jul 11, 2015

http://www.carlineconomics.com/archives/1865

Why are greens so keen to destroy the world’s wildlife?

This pursuit of the dream of “carbon-free energy” is creating an ecological catastrophe

By Christopher Booker, Telegraph, UK, Jul 4, 2015

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/11718550/Why-are-greens-so-keen-to-destroy-the-worlds-wildlife.html

On to Paris!

A California Cancer is Spreading

By Donn Dears, Power For USA, Jul 7, 2015

https://dddusmma.wordpress.com/2015/07/07/a-california-cancer-is-spreading/

[SEPP Comment: Other commentators may disagree with the US legal obligations under the UNFCCC treaty of 1992, if an agreement is not submitted and approved by the Senate.]

A Carbon Brief guide to the Our Common Future conference in Paris – Day 3

By Staff Writers, The Carbon Brief, Jul 9, 2015 [H/t Dennis Ambler]

http://www.carbonbrief.org/blog/2015/07/a-carbon-brief-guide-to-the-our-common-future-conference-in-paris/

China’s Climate Pledge

By Paul Homewood, Not a Lot of People Know That, Jul 9, 2015

https://notalotofpeopleknowthat.wordpress.com/2015/07/09/chinas-climate-pledge/#more-15656

[SEPP Comment: The pledge has three parts: 1) CO2 emissions to peak by 2030; 2) Increase non-fossil fuels to 20% by 2030; 3) Cutting GHG emissions per unit of GDP by 60-65% from 2005 levels. Bring on the nuclear and hydro!]]

Green Madness: Crazy Climate Policy May Destroy China’s Entire River Systems

By Lucy Hornby, Financial Times, Via GWPF, Jul 6, 2015

http://www.thegwpf.com/green-madness-climate-policy-may-destroy-chinas-entire-river-systems/

[SEPP Comment: See link immediately above and comment immediately below.]

China’s Emissions Per Unit Of GDP Fall By 34%, But Rise By 72% In Absolute Terms

By Paul Homewood, Not a Lot of People Know That, Jul 9, 2015

https://notalotofpeopleknowthat.wordpress.com/2015/07/09/chinas-emissions-per-unit-of-gdp-fall-by-34-but-rise-by-72-in-absolute-terms/

[SEPP Comment: China is growing so fast that the absolute amount of everything, such as carbon dioxide, is going up; but expressed as a percentage or per-capita, the numbers are coming down. That is a commonplace property of any “growth” scenario, such as the USA a century or so ago, etc. There is no cure for that phenomenon, but hopefully there will be new technologies coming along that will put a dent in the absolute amounts. If China goes really big for nuclear power or hydro (much to the chagrin of the greens), the grand total of emissions may level off someday.]

Problems in the Orthodoxy

Climate scientists discuss future of their field

Paris science meeting prepares the ground for UN climate talks in December.

By Quirin Schiermeier, Nature, Jul 7, 2015 [H/t Climate Etc.]

http://www.nature.com/news/climate-scientists-discuss-future-of-their-field-1.17917

Seeking a Common Ground

Is the EPA’s Clean Power Plan legal? Lawyers and law professors disagree

By Judith Curry, Climate Etc. Jul 7, 2015

http://judithcurry.com/2015/07/07/is-the-epas-clean-power-plan-legal-lawyers-and-law-professors-disagree/

Which climate change papers ‘matter’?

By Judith Curry, Climate Etc. Jul 10, 2015

http://judithcurry.com/2015/07/10/which-climate-change-papers-matter/#more-19303

Models v. Observations

New research on atmospheric radiative transfer

By Judith Curry, Climate Etc. Jul 6, 2015

http://judithcurry.com/2015/07/06/new-research-on-atmospheric-radiative-transfer/

Measurement Issues

Aussie climate scientists: Please don’t examine our work too closely

By Eric Worrall, WUWT, Jul 7, 2015

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2015/07/07/aussie-climate-scientists-please-dont-examine-our-work/

Climate scientists: More scared of an inquiry into the science than they are of climate change

By Jo Nova, Her Blog, Jul 8, 2015

http://joannenova.com.au/2015/07/climate-scientists-more-scared-of-an-inquiry-into-the-science-than-they-are-of-climate-change/

Is NOAA’s Hiatus Gone? (Now Includes May Data)

Guest Post by Werner Brozek, Edited by Just The Facts:, WUWT, Jul 8, 2015

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2015/07/08/is-noaas-hiatus-gone-now-includes-may-data/

Mystery grows over Met Office’s ‘hottest day’

It was odd to base a claimed record of 36.7C (98F) on a single reading at Heathrow airport

By Christopher Booker, Telegraph, UK, Jul 4, 2015 [H/t GWPF]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/11718504/Mystery-grows-over-Met-Offices-hottest-day.html

NOAA’s Data Debacle …Alterations Ruin 120 Years Of Painstakingly Collected Weather Data

By Michael Brakey, New Gloucester, Maine, No Tricks Zone, Jul 7, 2015

http://notrickszone.com/2015/07/07/noaas-data-debacle-alterations-ruin-120-years-of-painstakingly-collected-weather-data/#sthash.Xt94CQ1W.dpbs

NOAA/NCEI Temperature Anomaly Adjustments Since 2010, Pray They Don’t Alter It Any Further

Guest Essay By Walter Dnes, WUWT, Jul 9, 2015

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2015/07/09/noaancei-temperature-anomaly-adjustments-since-2010-pray-they-dont-alter-it-any-further/

[SEPP Comment: NOAA’s National Center for Environmental Information (formerly the National Climatic Data Center) making the 1930s record colder. If these manipulations continue, will the 1930s turn to a Little Ice Age?]

No, it’s natural variability

By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Jul 10, 2015

http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2015/7/10/no-its-natural-variability.html

Changing Weather

Claim: British Isles getting “stormier”

By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Jul 6, 2015

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2015/07/06/claim-british-isles-getting-stormier/

“The move towards wetter summers in recent years is more of a re-establishment of conditions typical of the earlier half of the 20th Century rather than being unusual in the long term.”

Stand by for another DECADE of wet summers, say Met Office meteorologists

By Tom Bawden, Independent, UK, Jun 18, 2015 [H/t GWPF]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/stand-by-for-another-decade-of-wet-summers-say-met-office-meteorologists-8663024.html

“The prediction is based on the last two times the cycle – known as Atlantic multi-decadal oscillation – occurred, in the 1950s and early 1960s and in the 1880s.”

Marshall islands typhoon: weather not climate

By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Jul 4, 2015

http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2015/7/4/marshall-islands-typhoon-weather-not-climate.html

Understanding the Madden–Julian oscillation

The wave-like phenomenon is the primary source of variability in tropical rainfall on time scales of one to two months.

By Ángel Adames, Physics Today, Jun 29, 2015

http://scitation.aip.org/content/aip/magazine/physicstoday/news/10.1063/PT.5.4014

Changing Seas

Claim: 20-foot sea-level rise in our future (except nature isn’t cooperating so far)

By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Jul 9, 2015

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2015/07/09/claim-20-foot-sea-level-rise-in-our-future-except-nature-isnt-cooperating-so-far/

Changing Cryosphere – Land / Sea Ice

Study finds surprisingly high geothermal heating beneath West Antarctic Ice Sheet

By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Jul 10, 2015

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2015/07/10/study-finds-surprisingly-high-geothermal-heating-beneath-west-antarctic-ice-sheet/

Has US Already Lost in the Arctic

By Staff Writers, Moscow (Sputnik), Jul 08, 2015

http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Has_US_Already_Lost_in_the_Arctic_999.html

South Polar Ice Age: Stations Show “Dramatic” Antarctic Peninsula Cooling Since 1998, Sea Ice Surge

By Ed Caryl, No Tricks Zone, Jul 8, 2015

http://notrickszone.com/2015/07/08/south-polar-ice-age-stations-show-dramatic-antarctic-peninsula-cooling-since-1998-sea-ice-surge/#sthash.SIh4aGpU.dpbs

Sea ice breakup update: high ice coverage just about everywhere, even Hudson Bay

By Susan Crockford, Polar Bear Science, Jul 8, 2015

http://polarbearscience.com/2015/07/08/sea-ice-breakup-update-high-ice-coverage-just-about-everywhere-even-hudson-bay/

Polar bears fine now but give us more money: US Fish & Wildlife Management Plan subtext

By Susan Crockford, Polar Bear Science, Jul 7, 2015

http://polarbearscience.com/2015/07/07/polar-bears-fine-now-but-give-us-more-money-us-fish-wildlife-management-plan-subtext/

Changing Earth

Medievalist helps scientists rewrite climate records

By Emma Rayner, University of Nottingham, Medievalist, Jul 9, 2015

http://www.medievalists.net/2015/07/09/medievalist-helps-scientists-rewrite-climate-records/?utm_content=bufferca80a&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Volcanic eruptions that changed human history

By Staff Writers, Reno NV (SPX), Jul 09, 2015

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Volcanic_eruptions_that_changed_human_history_999.html

Volcanic eruptions are important for world climate

By Staff Writers, Copenhagen, Denmark (SPX), Jul 09, 2015

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Volcanic_eruptions_are_important_for_world_climate_999.html

Estimating Earth’s last pole reversal using radiometric dating

By Staff Writers, Tokyo, Japan (SPX), Jul 08, 2015

http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Improved_age_for_Earths_latest_magnetic_field_reversal_using_radiometric_dating_999.html

Forest fires may produce as much CO2 as half of all fossil fuels burned

By Jo Nova, Her Blog, Jul 7, 2015

http://joannenova.com.au/2015/07/forest-fires-may-produce-as-much-co2-as-half-of-all-fossil-fuels-burned/

Acidic Waters

Changes in coral reef communities across a natural gradient in seawater pH

By Barkley, et al. Science Advances, Jun 5, 2015 [H/t Bishop Hill]

http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/1/5/e1500328.full

“Our analysis revealed a shift in coral community composition but no impact of acidification on coral richness, coralline algae abundance, macroalgae cover, coral calcification, or skeletal density…. a comparison of the naturally low-pH coral reef systems studied so far revealed increased bioerosion to be the only consistent feature among them, as responses varied across other indices of ecosystem health.”

Contrasting futures for ocean and society from different anthropogenic CO2 emissions scenarios

By Gattuso, et al, Science, Jul 3, 2015

http://www.sciencemag.org/content/349/6243/aac4722.abstract

Suggested reading from Editors of Science

“…we draw on the consensus science in the latest assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and papers published since the assessment.”

Agriculture Issues & Fear of Famine

Rising fossil fuel energy costs spell trouble for global food security

By Staff Writers, Corvallis OR (SPX), Jul 07, 2015

http://www.seeddaily.com/reports/Rising_fossil_fuel_energy_costs_spell_trouble_for_global_food_security_999.html

UN Predicts Food Supplies Will INCREASE Despite Global Warming Fears

By Michael Bastasch, Daily Caller, Jul 6, 2015

http://dailycaller.com/2015/07/06/un-predicts-food-supplies-will-increase-despite-global-warming-fears/

Link to report: OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook, 2015-2024

By Staff Writers, OECD, 2015

http://www.fao.org/3/a-i4738e.pdf

UN: Foodgrain prices will see steady decline in next 10 years

By Vishwa Mohan, Economic Times, India, Jul 6, 2015

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/un-foodgrain-prices-will-see-steady-decline-in-next-10-years/articleshow/47954167.cms

Un-Science or Non-Science?

Contrasting futures for ocean and society from different anthropogenic CO2 emissions scenarios

By Gattuso, et al, Science, Jul 3, 2015

http://www.sciencemag.org/content/349/6243/aac4722.abstract

Suggested reading from Editors of Science

“…we draw on the consensus science in the latest assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and papers published since the assessment.”

Lowering Standards

Science Revives “The Hiatus”

By Patrick J. Michaels and Paul C. “Chip” Knappenberger, CATO, Jul 9, 2015

http://www.cato.org/blog/science-revives-hiatus

“Science the magazine is more interested in generating publicity for itself than in best serving Science the field—a point being increasingly raised by prominent scientific figures.

But, the main story here is not the new findings  (which will require further analysis to unpack their significance), but that Science magazine is publishing a paper describing physical mechanisms behind the hiatus that was accepted in its final form on June 24^th, three weeks after Science’s paper announcing the hiatus to be a non-event….It is high time for everyone to realize that Science magazine can no longer be considered a science journal, but instead has joined the ranks of advocacy publications, for better or for worse.”

Met Office still brazen

By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Jul 7, 2015

http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2015/7/7/met-office-still-brazen.html

More on calcifiers

By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Jul 4, 2015

http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2015/7/4/more-on-calcifiers.html

Sokal hypothesis confirmed

By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Jul 8, 2015

http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2015/7/8/sokal-hypothesis-confirmed.html

“…confirm the Sokal “no-threshold” hypothesis for publishing gibberish in academic journals.

Learned societies and Stalism

By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Jul 6, 2015

http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2015/7/6/learned-societies-and-stalinism.html

Communicating Better to the Public – Exaggerate, or be Vague?

12 tools for communicating climate change more effectively

Be consistent, talk about risk rather than uncertainty, use visuals, tell human stories and give the top-line message before the caveats

By Adam Corner, Guardian, UK, Jul 6, 2015

http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/jul/06/12-tools-for-communicating-climate-change-more-effectively?CMP=share_btn_tw

[SEPP Comment: Don’t bother trying to empirically determine risk.]

Exxon knew of climate change in 1981, email says – but it funded deniers for 27 more years

A newly unearthed missive from Lenny Bernstein, a climate expert with the oil firm for 30 years, shows concerns over high presence of carbon dioxide in enormous gas field in south-east Asia factored into decision not to tap it

By Suzanne Goldenberg, Guardian, UK, Jul 8, 2015

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/08/exxon-climate-change-1981-climate-denier-funding

[SEPP Comment: The journalist implies that one report constitutes knowledge among upper management?]

Yosemite forest fire example of possible things to come

By Staff Writers, University Park PA (SPX), Jul 07, 2015

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Yosemite_forest_fire_example_of_possible_things_to_come_999.html

[SEPP Comment: Before European settlers, the natives periodically burned Yosemite to preserve hunting grounds.]

Communicating Better to the Public – Make things up.

What’s really warming the world — NASA has no idea (Not the Sun, Never the Sun!)

By Jo Nova, Her Blog, Jul 7, 2015

http://joannenova.com.au/2015/07/whats-really-warming-the-world-nasa-has-no-idea-not-the-sun-never-the-sun/#more-43425

Pre-traumatic stress syndrome: climate scientists speak out

By Judith Curry, Climate Etc. Jul 10, 2015

http://judithcurry.com/2015/07/10/pre-traumatic-stress-syndrome-climate-scientists-speak-out/#more-19284

Scientists point to narrowing gap for averting climate disaster

By Mariette LE ROUX, Paris (AFP), July 7, 2015

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Scientists_point_to_narrowing_gap_for_averting_climate_disaster_999.html

The oceans can’t take any more: Fundamental change in oceans predicted

By Staff Writers, Science Daily, Jul 3, 2015 [H/t Clyde Spencer]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/07/150703135248.htm

From Alfred Wegener Institute

Communicating Better to the Public – Do a Poll?

New Pew Center study finds global warming to be a mostly political issue

By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Jul 3, 2015

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2015/07/03/new-pew-center-study-finds-global-warming-to-be-a-mostly-political-issue/

[SEPP Comment: It ceased being a true scientific issue decades ago.]

Climate concerns fading, despite Paris hype

Guest essay by Eric Worrall, WUWT, Jul 3, 2015

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2015/07/05/climate-concerns-fading-despite-paris-hype/

Communicating Better to the Public – Go Personal.

Lewandowsky and Cook – back from the dead with another smear paper

By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Jul 8, 2015

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2015/07/08/lewandowsky-and-cook-back-from-the-dead-with-another-smear-paper/

Communicating Better to the Public – Use Propaganda on Children

High pressure propaganda: Greens using children to write activist letters in school

By Jo Nova, Her Blog, Jul 6, 2015

http://joannenova.com.au/2015/07/high-pressure-propaganda-greens-using-children-to-write-activist-letters-in-school/#more-43404

Expanding the Orthodoxy – The Pope – Loyal Opposition

Have Fossil Fuels Diminished the World’s Sustainability and Resilience?

Guest essay by Indur M. Goklany, WUWT, Jul 6, 2015

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2015/07/06/have-fossil-fuels-diminished-the-worlds-sustainability-and-resilience/

Stewardship and Sustainable Development in a World of Rising Atmospheric CO2

A Biblical Perspective on Humanity’s Relationship to the Biosphere

By Craig Idso, Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide and Global Change, Jul 10, 2015

http://www.co2science.org/education/reports/stewardship/stewardshipandsustainabledevelopment.php

Dr. Bill Gray Responds To Pope Francis

Pope Francis’s Climate Encyclical Is Unwise and Should Not Be Acted Upon

By Bill Gray, Real Science, Jul 4, 2015

https://stevengoddard.wordpress.com/2015/07/04/dr-bill-gray-responds-to-pope-francis/

The Pope’s Encyclical Exposes Real Agenda Behind Global Warming

By Tim Ball, WUWT, Jul 5, 2015

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2015/07/05/the-popes-encyclical-exposes-real-agenda-behind-global-warming/

Questioning European Green

Crazy eco rules that are turning modern homes into ovens: Experts warn drive for ‘green’ homes poses a potentially lethal risk

By Tom Rawstorne, Daily Mail, UK, Jul 10, 2015

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3155640/Crazy-eco-rules-turning-modern-homes-ovens-Experts-warn-drive-green-homes-poses-potentially-lethal-risk.html

Germany Gives Dirtiest Coal Plants Six Years for Phase Out

By Stefan Nicola and Tino Andresen, Bloomberg, Jul 2, 2015

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-02/germany-to-close-coal-plants-in-effort-to-curb-pollution

July Budget 2015: Shares dive for green energy firms as Osborne scraps tax exemption

By Sarah Spickernell, City, A.M. Jul 8, 2015 [H/t GWPF]

http://www.cityam.com/219747/july-budget-2015-shares-dive-green-energy-firms-osborne-scraps-tax-exemption

Renewable energy sector reacts with fury to Budget plans to axe levy support

By Staff Writers, Click Green, Jul 8, 2015

http://www.clickgreen.org.uk/news/national-news/126251-renewable-energy-sector-reacts-with-fury-budget-plans-to-axe-levy-support.html

Questioning Green Elsewhere

100,000MW of costly solar power can sink ‘Make in India’

By SA Aiyar, Times of India, Jul 5, 2015

http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Swaminomics/100000mw-of-costly-solar-power-can-sink-make-in-india/

“Apart from such experiments, we should go all out on solar power only after it is fully established as competitive, and even then only to the extent it does not disturb the grid….Otherwise we will be risking the entire edifice of Indian manufacturing on a bet that could go badly wrong.”

(US) Green Energy Lobby Appeals for More $Billions, Can’t Compete with Cheap Gas

By Ed Crooks, Financial Times, UK, Via GWPF, Jun 7, 2015

http://www.thegwpf.com/green-energy-lobby-appeals-for-more-billions-cant-compete-with-cheap-gas/

Non-Green Jobs

U.S. Manufacturing costs are almost as low as China’s, and that’s a very big deal

By Brian Dumaine, Fortune, Jun 26, 2015 [H/t NCPA]

http://fortune.com/2015/06/26/fracking-manufacturing-costs/

The Political Games Continue

Senators question Obama ability to implement climate plans

By Devin Henry, The Hill, Jul 8, 2015

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/247216-senators-question-obama-ability-to-implement-climate-plans

Litigation Issues

Michigan v. EPA: Pyrrhic Victory or A Sign of More to Come?

By Josiah Neeley, Master Resource, Jul 8, 2015

https://www.masterresource.org/utility-mact-rule/michigan-vs-epa-decision/

[SEPP Comment: Will the EPA continue to be able to get away with its imaginative accounting.]

New legal challenge for Hinkley Point C

A group of ten German and Austrian renewable energy suppliers and municipalities plans to file a lawsuit against European Commission approval of state aid for the planned Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant in the UK.

By Staff Writer, WNN, Jul 3, 2015

http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-New-legal-challenge-for-Hinkley-Point-C-0307157.html

[SEPP Comment: Don’t touch our subsidies!]

Will High Court ruling save our most glorious coastline from wind farms invasion? Cornwall’s ‘green strategy’ in turmoil as council’s unlawful backing for turbine is quashed

By Simon Trump, Daily Mail, UK, Jul 4, 2015 [H/t GWPF]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3149731/Will-High-Court-ruling-save-glorious-coastline-wind-farms-invasion-Cornwall-s-green-strategy-turmoil-council-s-unlawful-backing-turbine-quashed.html

Cap-and-Trade and Carbon Taxes

Scientists issue carbon price call to curb climate change

By Staff Writers, AFP, Jul 10, 2015 [H/t Clyde Spencer]

http://news.yahoo.com/scientists-issue-carbon-price-call-curb-climate-change-151011304.html

“Academics and economists called Friday for a price on carbon and an end to fossil fuel subsidies to help curb rampant greenhouse gas emissions harming Earth’s climate system.”

Road tax reform will hit drivers of luxury and greenest cars hardest: Families attack ‘madness’ of £900 annual bill for two cars

By Ray Massey, Daily Mail, UK, Jul 9, 2015

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3154201/Road-tax-reform-hit-drivers-luxury-greenest-cars-hardest-Osborne-says-money-raised-used-improve-roads.html

Subsidies and Mandates Forever

An Open Letter to Senator Hatch on the PTC

By Lisa Linowes, Master Resource, Jul 10, 2015

https://www.masterresource.org/production-tax-credit-ptc/open-letter-hatch-ptc/

Green energy subsidies spiral out of control

George Osborne to abolish coalition’s green tax target as customers face paying £1.5billion more through their bills to subsidise wind farms, solar panels and biomas plants

By Tim Ross, Telegraph, UK, Jul 4, 2015 [H/t GWPF]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/budget/11718594/Green-energy-subsidies-spiral-out-of-control.html

U.K. Renewable Funds Drop on Osborne’s Climate Levy Changes

By Alexander Longley, Bloomberg, Jul 9, 2015 [H/t GWPF]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-09/u-k-renewable-funds-drop-on-osborne-s-climate-levy-changes

Emergency summit on wind power after UK government ends subsidy

By Staff Writers, STV, Jul 9, 2015 [H/t GWPF]

http://news.stv.tv/scotland/1324338-emergency-scots-summit-on-wind-power-after-uk-government-ends-subsidy/

Research & Commentary: The Exelon Bailout

By Matthew Glans, Heartland Institute, Jun 26, 2015

https://www.heartland.org/policy-documents/research-commentary-exelon-bailout

[SEPP Comment: Increase and expand the Illinois state mandate to include nuclear – will it wipe out wind and solar?]

EPA and other Regulators on the March

Driving Policies Through Fraud and Fear-Mongering

By Charles Battig, Heartland, Jul 10, 2015

http://news.heartland.org/editorial/2015/07/10/driving-policies-through-fraud-and-fear-mongering

EPA Ruled by Cherry-Picking Junk Science

By Larry Bell, Newsmax, Jul 6, 2015

http://www.newsmax.com/LarryBell/epa-climate-global-warming/2015/07/06/id/653597/

Center for American Progress Helped Craft EPA Press Strategy

Emails reveal liberal think tank’s climate strategy director advised top EPA officials on dealing with skeptical reporter

By Lachlan Markay, Washington Free Beacon, Jul 6, 2015 [H/t Timothy Wise]

http://freebeacon.com/issues/center-for-american-progress-helped-craft-epa-press-strategy/

Ratepayer Opportunity: State PUCs vs. EPA’s Power Plant Rule

By Travis Fisher, Master Resource, Jul 9, 2015

https://www.masterresource.org/epa-power-plant-rule/pucs-versus-obama-epa/

When EPA worries about regulating puddles, it has gone too far

By Luther Strange, Alabama Attorney General, WUWT, Jul 2, 2015

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2015/07/02/when-epa-worries-about-regulating-puddles-it-has-gone-too-far/

Energy Issues – Non-US

French renewables power grid pilot shows limits of batteries in Europe

By Geert De Clercq, Reuters, Jul 5, 2015 [H/t Clyde Spencer]

http://news.yahoo.com/french-renewables-power-grid-pilot-shows-limits-batteries-081519224–sector.html

The Tiny Islands at the Heart of Germany’s Offshore Wind Boom

Renewables industry revives remote North Sea archipelago known for birds and tax-free liquor

By Nicholas Brautlecht and Tino Andresen, Bloomberg, Jul 9, 2015

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-09/the-tiny-islands-at-the-heart-of-germany-s-offshore-wind-boom

Energy Issues — US

Fossil Fuels Have Been 80% of Energy Since 1900

By Staff Writers, EIA, Jul 2, 2015

http://www.realclearenergy.org/charticles/2015/07/08/fossil_fuels_have_been_80_of_energy_since_1900_108572.html

The Grid is Essential for America’s Well Being

By Donn Dears, Power For USA, Jul 10, 2015

https://dddusmma.wordpress.com/

SRBC: Water Quality Not Impacted by Shale Gas Drilling [Susquehanna River Basin Commission, an important producing area for natural gas in the East.]

By Staff Writers, Natural Gas Intel, Jul 6, 2015

http://www.naturalgasintel.com/articles/102886-srbc-water-quality-not-impacted-by-shale-gas-drilling

Fracking Opponents Ditch Science, Embrace Hysteria

By Michael Lynch, Forbes, Jul 9, 2015

http://www.forbes.com/sites/michaellynch/2015/07/09/fracking-opponents-ditch-science-embrace-hysteria/?ss=energy

Washington’s Control of Energy

Wave of new federal oil and gas mandates in the works

By Jennifer A. Dlouhy, Houston Cornicle, Jul 6, 2015

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/energy/article/Wave-of-new-federal-oil-and-gas-mandates-in-the-6368433.php?t=34f9682967&cmpid=twitter-premium

The Case for Ending the US Oil Export Ban Weakens

By Staff Writers, The American Interest, Jul 9, 2015

http://www.the-american-interest.com/2015/07/09/the-case-for-ending-the-us-oil-export-ban-weakens/

Oil and Natural Gas – the Future or the Past?

The Myths About Fracking Are Many And Damaging

By Merrill Matthews, IBD, Jul 7, 2015

http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials-viewpoint/070715-760508-despite-myth-fracking-is-safely-creating-new-energy-for-us.htm?p=full

Nuclear Energy and Fears

USA’s Experimental Breeder Reactor-II now permanently entombed

By Staff Writers, WNN, Jul 1, 2015

http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/WR-USAs-Experimental-Breeder-Reactor-II-now-permanently-entombed-01071501.html

Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Solar and Wind

Increasing Solar Access for All Americans

By Dan Utech, White House Blog, Jul 7, 2015

https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/07/07/increasing-solar-access-all-americans

Obama’s Renewable-Energy Fantasy

By Staff Writers, NCPA, Jul 7, 2015

http://www.ncpa.org/sub/dpd/index.php?Article_ID=25825&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EnvPD

From: WSJ article by Rupert Darwall of same headline

Link to cited paper that states natural gas generation is cuts more carbon emissions than Mr. Obama’s renewables: The Net Benefits of Low and No-Carbon Electricity Technologies

By Charles Frank, Jr, Brookings, May 2014

http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/research/files/papers/2014/05/19-low-carbon-future-wind-solar-power-frank/net-benefits-final.pdf

Obama Plan Would Give Poor Easier Access to Solar Energy

By Julie Hirschfield Davis, NYT, Jul 7, 2015 [H/t Timothy Wise]

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/08/us/white-house-solar-plan-aims-at-low-and-middle-income-people.html?_r=1

[SEPP Comment: Forget jobs in Baltimore, focus on more expensive, “free” energy.]

Study: Wind Farms Even More Expensive and Pointless Than You Thought

By James Delingpole, Breitbart, Jul 7, 2015 [H/t Timothy Wise]

http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/07/07/study-wind-farms-even-more-expensive-and-pointless-than-you-thought/

Link to study: The True Cost of Energy: Wind, Final Report

By Simmons, Yonk, and Hansen, Strata Policy, July 2015

http://www.strata.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Full-Report-True-Cost-of-Wind1.pdf

“But when you take into account the true costs of wind, it’s around 48 per cent more expensive than the industry’s official estimates – according to new research conducted by Utah State University.”

Study urges 10 climate actions to curb warming, lift GDP

By Alister Doyle, Reuters, Jul 6, 2015 [H/t Clyde Spencer]

http://news.yahoo.com/study-urges-10-climate-actions-curb-warming-lift-000450858.html

“Last year’s report estimated, for instance, that air pollution, largely from burning coal or oil, was equivalent to a 4.4 percent brake on annual world gross domestic product. Such pollution causes 3.7 million premature deaths a year, it said.”

[SEPP Comment: Imaginary numbers.]

The green mirage – and con job

Guest essay by Paul Driessen and Tom Tamarkin, WUWT, Jul 10, 2015

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2015/07/10/the-green-mirage-and-con-job/

Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Vehicles

“Zero Emission Vehicles” Are Not Emission Free

By Staff Writers, NCPA, Jun 30, 2015

http://www.ncpa.org/sub/dpd/index.php?Article_ID=25804&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EnvPD

Link to report: Environmental Benefits from Driving Electric Vehicles?

By Stephen Holland, et al, National Bureau of Economic Research, june 2015

http://www.nber.org/papers/w21291.pdf

Other Scientific News

Idols With Wee P Values. Statistics As Ritual

By William Briggs, His Blog, Jul 7, 2015

http://wmbriggs.com/post/16385/

“Unlike many of his followers, Savage carefully limited Bayesian decision theory to “small worlds” in which all alternatives, consequences, and probabilities are known. And he warned that it would be “utterly ridiculous” to apply Bayesian theory outside a well-defined world—for him, “to plan a picnic” was already outside because the planners cannot know all consequences in advance (Savage, 1954/1972: 16)”

[SEPP Comment: Objecting to trivial p values and the misuse of Bayesian statistics.]

Researcher discovers groundwater modeling breakthrough

By Staff Writers, Laramie WY (SPX), Jul 07, 2015

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Researcher_discovers_groundwater_modeling_breakthrough_999.html

Other News that May Be of Interest

Killing Malaria without using DDT

By Anthony Watts, WUWT, JUl 7, 2015

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2015/07/07/killing-malaria-without-using-ddt/

“According to the World Health Organization malaria currently infects more than 200 million people world-wide and accounts for more than 500,000 deaths per year.”

Paved with good intentions?

By Martin Livermore, The Scientific Alliance, Jul 10, 2015

http://scientific-alliance.org/node/938

[SEPP Comment: How improper safety rules can damage useful products.]

New national monuments coming in Texas, California, Nevada

By Josh Lederman, AP, Jul 10, 2015

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/329cf6381ca94c4eb61e148bf663ba2c/new-national-monuments-coming-texas-california-nevada

[SEPP Comment: Another one million plus acres put off limits to development.]

###################################################

BELOW THE BOTTOM LINE:

Climate change axioms

By Staff Writers, Climate Change Predictions.org, Jul 6, 2015

http://climatechangepredictions.org/uncategorized/3469

[SEPP Comment: A bit of humor.]

That Didn’t Take Long: North & South Carolina Shark Attacks Blamed on Global Warming

Guest Post by Bob Tisdale, WUWT, Jul 3, 2015

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2015/07/03/that-didnt-take-long-north-south-carolina-shark-attacks-blamed-on-global-warming/

Whew! Climate change not likely to cause ‘grolar bears’

By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Jul 6, 2015

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2015/07/06/whew-climate-change-not-likely-to-cause-grolar-bears/

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2015/06/30/more-pointless-worrying-from-noaa-july-4th-fireworks-cause-a-spike-in-particulate-matter-for-a-day/

###################################################