As some people may or may not know, I am a full member of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) in good standing. The 2015 AGU Fall Meeting is coming up in December. With nearly 24,000 attendees, AGU Fall Meeting is the largest Earth and space science meeting in the world. I hope to attend so that I can cover what is being presented in the world of climate science, while keeping tabs on the antics of people like Michael Mann, John Cook, Peter Gleick, and some of the other players. For the last two years when I attended, I produced several reports and videos in 2013 and again in 2014, plus many, many, live Twitter entries that kept tabs on the politics and the science. This year I hope to do the same. But this year, I’m going to be more than that – I’m going to be the only climate skeptic invited to give a scientific presentation.
There’s only one problem. It is VERY expensive to attend, and more so in previous years due to my dual role as news media as well as presenting AGU member. The reason is that I’m told that while in previous years I could register for free as a member of the news media, this year due to the fact that I’m presenting, I’m also required to register like any other attending member.
The cost of registration is $455, and the deadline is November 12th at 1159PM EDT to get that rate.
Add a hotel for 5-6 days at the typical $150-250 per night rate in SFO, plus incidentals, parking, etc. and the cost to attend easily tops $3000.
While many attendees get the taxpayers (via their Universities) or their NGO’s via donors to pay for such things, WUWT has no such resources, and despite the claims common from detractors, like the last two years, we are still waiting for that ‘big oil check’ to arrive. I’ll drive down to save money rather than take a plane.
So, like I did for the last two years, I thought I’d ask the readership if they can help out so that there will be somebody at AGU to report on climate science that can do so from the skeptic side. It is very important that at least one climate skeptic reporter attend. Otherwise, the media coverage will be completely one-sided. AGU approved my media pass, so now I’m set to attend for that at least, but in order to present, I need to pay the member registration fee and hotel in advance.
But, more importantly, here is what I’m presenting at AGU on Thursday, December 17th, at 1:40PM:
It will be a challenge for me, not just for the content, but because I’m going to have to deal with one-on-one questions in the noisy hall,(and maybe some personal derision, hopefully not) for daring to not only attend, but to make a presentation that questions the surface temperature record.
I need your help. Thanks for your consideration, and most of all thanks for reading WUWT.
Donations toward this effort will be gratefully accepted: here
UPDATE: I’m overwhelmed by the courage and generosity of WUWT readers, the goal has been met and exceeded, such that I’ll be able to not only attend the conference, but do so comfortably. Thanks to one and all for your help! – Anthony Watts
Ok, I’m gonna donate, but full disclosure: I used to work at an EXXON gas station. So my donation will inevitably link you to Big Oil Money!
I guess I should come clean also. As a high school senior, my friends and I used to go to the local Shell station on Friday nights while another friend was working and distract him so we could take $20 from the register to go down to Pepe’s in New Haven CT and have pizza. So big oil was paying for our pizza.
A waste of money … you should have gone to Sally’s ……
Ahhhh, the Pepe’s/Sally’s conflict continues on. Good to see. But Pepe’s back in the late 60’s when Chick was there was better. Don’t know about now, haven’t been there in decades.
Glad to pitch in, at least this is a voluntary donation as opposed to all the tax money my government wastes on selling this non existent fabric.
As for hecklers, try not to laugh out loud at them.
In todays weird academic spaces you are more likely to have an astroturf , rent a protest group, trying to prevent you reaching the podium.
Have fun, you are speaking for truth and science as we used to know them.
All the best. Thank you for your efforts – we need more people like you trying to protect us from this insanity. $10 winging its way across the Pacific from Australia where we now have a conservative prime minister who believes in CAGW. Could be horrible days ahead.
Small donation from England.
I have to confess that I have 200 inherited shares in BP AND I started my working life in BP Head Office in 1962 but left in 64.
Phil
AW
A query – I’ve given, per the link.
But it goes to ‘A city in Ohio with “Chief Mark Holden ” in the PD’ Watts (a) TV Weather dot com [alloneword].
I trust this is the same place that our host intends to receive the money to permit his vital attendance in SFO.
But – mods, others – would appreciate confirmation.
Thanks.
Auto
Done. Look how much support you have from around the world! Keep up the great work Anthony.
Done. Another $50 to make sure you have enough. Thanks for your hard work.
Anthony – More than glad to offer a small contribution from New Zealand where your site is well read and respected.
Disclaimer: The guests to our astronomy themed B&B (stargazersbb.com) mostly fly in from overseas…not one has come by sail boat as yet. Also we have some cows that have been known to emit the odd bit of CH4. However, we have planted several hundred macadamia trees and used the windbreak ones to build our B&B…am I saving the planet or wrecking it??
Please use any excess funds to buy yourself a few cold beers at the conference…you most certainly deserve it for all the wonderful ammunition you have provided to us skeptics around the world over the decades!
Al,
Am ‘I saving the planet or wrecking it??’
Yes.
Opinions matter: I think you’re saving the planet.
Auto
Read your blog daily find it very informative, not a lot but sent 10 USD towards the cause and a big thankyou for all your hard work.
Donation from the northern part of Great Britain. (Those donating from “England” take note) (Sorry, nit picking again.)
And have a beer from my donation. I would send you a bottle of Whisky (note, no “e”), but your postal and border officials won’t let me.
Ha! Well said. Born in Scotland. Live in England. British.
Money sent! Thanks for all you do Anthony!
Best ten bucks I ever spent with such great pleasure, Anthony.
Done. I’m happy to have a chance to help a little.
Just gave $30. Thanks for fighting the good fight, Anthony. (Suggest you ask Mark Steyn to mention your plans and request for financial assistance on his blog.)
Indeed – good point.
Maybe we can get FOX NEWS to give you coverage of your adventure into the land of …..fruits and nuts !
http://www.foxnews.com/science/2015/11/09/criminal-beliefs-nys-probe-exxon-targets-big-oil-over-global-warming-stance.html?intcmp=hplnws
Go get ’em Anthony.
Some Aussie cash on the way.
But won’t they all be in mourning after Paris COP21?
I did a crude tally, looks like it should be around $1500 or so.
Here’s $50 more
Sent a donation via your website. Don’t give up. For whatever reason, you have been given a mission to stand for the truth. One man standing for truth is worth more than 10,000 standing for lies. Even if you never live to see the results of standing for the truth, it matters.
Thanks for representing us Anthony! I sincerely appreciate what you are doing. Like Pres. Truman, you can tell them the truth in SF and they will think it’s hell.
Did $30 and would have done more but I went to a hamfest over the weekend.
MMMMM ham………..DOH !!
Yep, and proud of it!
Amsterdam has got your back !
Done
Fund flung. Benny bestowed.
Done, sorry it’s not more but $20 on its way from Greece.
Fed the fund, Anthony! From the beautiful far western UP, on the shores of Gitchee Gumee, where we’re having a gorgeous, unseasonably warm November… so far.
100 on way from Netherlands. Thanks for amazing website and,
Go get ’em!
(if need more, do us know)
You could make your nom de plume one of your distinguished deceased scientists:
If you are a man: how about Christiaan Huygens?
If you are a woman: how about Christine Buisman?
Or use the Dutch word for “truth” or “facts” or the like.
If anyone asks you your esteemed opinion on a science topic in which you are not well-versed, just say, er, I mean have Huygens or Buisman say: “Terribly sorry, would love to, but, I must catch a plane. Cheerio!”
— Well, what-EVER your name is, glad you are here.
(please, oh, please, just don’t call yourself something like “Hugs” — ugh, ugh, and double ugh…. every time I see that name I cringe…. it just sounds SO tritely cute and insincere I can’t stand to read it)