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
I threw a little something in the bucket from my ill-gotten check from Big Wind.
I’m on board and have sent a donation. I’d very much like an update or a whole new post with the amount raised through this humble request, with some indication of where the money over and above the required amount will be spent. Judging from the comments here, your $3k for the conference should be relatively easily covered.
I was a late giver to the cause a few years ago, goal was already met, Anthony returned the money.
Bushy
Any excess I hope Anthony spends on wine, woman(his wife) and song.
Eugene WR Gallun
Long time lurker – I chipped in what I could.
I just gave a small donation. Thanks for all you do!
Done. Looking forward to your report.
The time it took me to earn my donation would be a very very small fraction of the time you have spent chasing unhyped transparency. I applaud your civic spirit.
$100, and thanks for providing an anthropogenic light in the cold and dark of consensus.
Sent $40 from beautiful tropical Minnesota earlier today.
Done, with pleasure.
Sent $50…..put it to good use
keep up the good work
A few Bob coming next week when I am back home.
Proviso – it is to be spent on fast food, slow horses, quick drinks, long drives and short falls.
Done, Anthony, good luck
Hello Venter,
may I use your reply link to also give a big salute to WUWT Readers as the donations seem to be flowing and I have given my small contribution.
I am interested how others see Mr Watts as probably the only sceptical voice at The Conference and ask if there is any chance of Anthony organising some support system to be put in place so he does not feel completely isolated over the 4/5 days of The Conference.
I know you are a grownup and not subject to cracking the tears at the drop of your hat like the modern day Luvvie but we want you there and supported.
Is there anything else that the readership can do to support you at this conference? Can some local people arrange to shout you lunch or dinner and just be there to chat and keep your spirits up. Do some well credentialed people live in Washington who would put up their hand to support your presentation? Do you have some mates or buds locally?
Mods, Does Mr Watts need some more Money?
Remember one major thing Anthony. When you present you may be on your own on the platform but you are not alone at any time ever in regards to what you do on this issue?
Please let us know what more we can do and may I take the liberty to say that this applies to Ms Nova, Donna, Jennifer M, Mr Steyn, Morano Spencer and Tisdale and Willis and Eric W, The Bishop, Delingpole and all who make up this and other sites.
Please let us know what we can do?
Now if only I had some cheerleaders and Passionate Music..
Cheers and Regards.
If I were in Washingston it would be an honour to host Anthony, but alas I am far, far way. Any plans to come to Paris for COP21 Mr. Watts?
I would be more than happy to host Anthony at our place in the bay area. Or take him out for a beer!
Happy to send $50 from BC Canada,
Voluntary tuition
I cleaned out under the sofa cushions and sent it along.
Could we have a status report? I could raid the change collection in the car if it is close (not much there–bought coffee on the road to Kansas City last week.
$2,080 at least (secret amounts not guessed at) so I think I can rest easy. Good people here.
I would like to move that any excess be retained in a suitable bank account against the next travel opportunity.
Is there a second?
I second it.
Me too.
Amen.
$50 on its way … along with my gratitude for this website.
Trying to send some money but Paypal apparently can’t deal with people who don’t have a telephone. Is there anyway to get around this?
Eugene WR Gallun
Is there anyway to get around this?
Put a $10 or $20 bill in an envelope and mail it? (with a postcard or something else as well, obviously)
Ok, and mail it to where???? — Eugene WR Gallun
Hi, Mr. Gallun,
I found Anthony’s Weathershop address from the link on the graphic on this page where it says “Monitor Your Own Climate:”
Weathershop
3008 Cohasset Road
Chico, CA 95973
Good for you to persevere. Oh, and given the lack of trust of some bloggers, here (perhaps, only one, “Bushy”), if the donations have already covered the AGW conference costs, Anthony may feel he must refund you your donation unless you specify that he may use it for ANY purpose. Too bad about the Bushy’s of the world…., but, there you go.
Take care O Faithful WUWT Commenter,
Janice
Janice Moore
Thankyou. Will try to get it in mail today. Have to buy envelope and stamp. Fortunately still do have some paper checks. Sometimes I feel like civilization and I are going in different directions.
Eugene WR Gallun
Janice Moore
Now see where others have suggested I input a fake telephone number. Will try that first. Why didn’t that occur to me? Guess I don’t do fake stuff naturally. Guess I have no future as a climate alarmist.
Eugene WR Gallun
Just make up a number or give a number of a friend, neighbor, etc. They never use the phone number for anything that I know of other than to contact you for some reason your email doesn’t work.
Eugene WR Gallun …
I solved that issue with a fake phone number … (area code) 999-9999.
markl & teapartygeezwer —
Fake telephone number worked. Thankyou.
Eugene WR Gallun
$20 from Switzerland on its way. Good luck!
Done $50 coming your way
A small contribution from a pensioner – but £10 well spent. $15 despatched via paypal.
Something from Sweden.
BTW, read Koonin and/or Lomborg on the projected impacts of a “succesful” outcome of the Paris talks!
0,0xx degrees.
Small donation heading from Edinburgh. Good luck…
10 greenbacks from Down Under.