Guest Essay by Kip Hansen
Good Grief! Enough already with the Polar Bears!
The folks at the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science**, whose motto, proudly displayed on their website, is “Science for the Benefit of Humanity”, have managed to embarrass themselves with a little ad that appeared in my news feed from the New York Times Science section:
Down at the bottom, after all the highlights of today’s news, was an advertisement – you know, those ads that Google or someone throws into your emails and web pages – outside of the influence of the email sender or the website itself.
Here’s the ad as it appeared (I admit, that Weizmann gets a bit of free advertising here…):
I hope the irony is not wasted on any reading here….that you all know that if this image was not a fake, the photographer would have to be arrested for endangering a child.
Luckily, the image was created by the very talented Per Breiehagen and is sold by Getty Images.
It is also available as a holiday card from Psaris Productions.
The questions that sprung to my mind are these:
How could a group dedicated to science use an image that is not only–not merely–a fake, but is also so ridiculously hypocritical coming from an “institute of science”?
followed by:
How could they think that anyone who might be interested in supporting science by donating would be taken in by such an image?
This is what happens when the public outreach from scientific organizations is put into the hands of modern college graduates who have been indoctrinated but not educated.
The true essence of the image [had it been real] would be:
I recommend Susan Crockford’s book, Eaten, a novel that will set you straight about cuddly polar bears and what they do with little girls.
**CORRECTION: The first line has been corrected to make it clear that the ad was placed on behalf of the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, not the itself, which is in Israel, whose website states that “” 1300 hrs Eastern Time, 14 Dec 2016 (h/t Pat Frank)
# # # #
Author’s Comment Policy: Sorry, but I just couldn’t take yet another “cute polar bears” money-pitch from an alleged scientific organization. I have no prior experience with the Weizmann Institute before seeing this ad. I can only hope that the ad was produced without their editorial input.
I have no financial interest in Susan Crockford’s book, but I do own a copy and have read it. I do really recommend it. It is available from major booksellers online in eBook editions for as little as three bucks. It is not suitable for children – it contains graphic natural violence.
I do not know much about polar bears but I do have strong opinions about misusing science and science images for propaganda purposes – including fundraising.
I’d prefer that Climate Warriors fight the Climate Wars in the comments of other posts – there are plenty here at WUWT where it is more appropriate. I would like to read your examples of non-science being used to raise funds for organizations that ought to know better.
# # # # #
The polar bears very much regret Clinton’s loss. They were looking forward to having some of those half a billion solar panels around to light up the long dark night.
==============
Just waiting for Oprah to chime in with something like
“Their Giant thinks he won, well Now it is time for our side to take the streets!”
…”And loot the businesses. Don’t forget to burn the Quick-Trip. Polar Bear lives matter! Just to show that I’m serious, I’m buying this studio audience to take a trip to the melting arctic where they will be able to hug the remaining few miserable remnants of a once burgeoning population of cuddly oafs who enjoy human contact.”
Should we not have /sarc’d ourselves?
Kim, I believe their regret is much greater for all the adventurous climate researchers and eco tourists who won’t be coming up their way anymore. With the AGW industry coming to a halt there goes snack time.
Well, according to posts from last year on Susan Crockford’s website, breeding bears from the Svalbard population need ice to be present around Svalbard by December so they can reach their denning areas…
There isn’t any ice extending to Svalbard so far this year, and it hasn’t quite reached Novaya Zemlya either, another place the Barents sea population dens…
also I learn from Susan about when the Hudson Bay population needs to get out on the ice… but so far less that 20% of Hudson Bay is ice covered.
I’d say the bears are in trouble this year…
BTW: does Susan actually have any qualifications to speak about bear populations?
She does not research or publish (scientifically) about bears, nor is she involved in the biology of arctic populations, so far as I know.
What she says is surely just opinion? any biologist who has read the papers surely has a view just as valid??
You don’t make much effort to find out anything, do you griff?
I am a zoologist with more than 35 years experience, including published work on the Holocene history of Arctic animals. I am currently an adjunct professor at the University of Victoria, British Columbia and work full time for a private consulting company I co-own with two colleagues, Pacific Identifications Inc.
Crockford 08_21_2011_0056b
Like Ian Stirling, grand-daddy of all polar bear biologists, I earned my undergraduate degree in zoology at the University of British Columbia. Polar bear evolution is one of my professional interests, which I discuss in my 2006 book, Rhythms of Life: Thyroid Hormone and the Origin of Species (based on my Ph.D. dissertation earned in 2004 at the University of Victoria, B.C. Canada), see http://www.rhythmsoflife.ca.
You’ll find a list of my publications (with a brief introduction) further down, after the list of my most popular posts (with links). At the bottom of this page is a brief bio for posting elsewhere.
Zoogeography, paleoecology, archaeozoology and ostemetry papers
**Crockford, S. J. 2012. Annotated map of ancient polar bear remains of the world. Electronic resource, available at http://polarbearscience/references ISBN 978-0-9917966-0-1. https://polarbearscience.com/2012/11/26/ancient-polar-bear-remains-of-the-world/
*Crockford, S.J. 2012. Archaeozoology of Adak Island: 6000 years of subsistence history in the central Aleutians. Pg. 109-145 in D. West, V. Hatfield, E. Wilmerding, L. Gualtieri and C. Lefevre (eds), The People Before: The Geology, Paleoecology and Archaeology of Adak Island, Alaska. British Archaeological Reports International Series, Oxford, pg 109-145. ISBN 978-4073-0905-7
*Nishida, S., West, D., Crockford, S. and Koike, H. 2012. Ancient DNA analysis for the sea otter (Enhydra lutris) from archaeological sites on Adak, Aleutian Islands. Pg. 147-165 in D. West, V. Hatfield, E. Wilmerding, C. Lefèvre, L. Gualtieri (eds.), The People Before: The Geology, Paleoecology and Archaeology of Adak Island, Alaska. Oxford, British Archaeological Reports, International Series 2322, ISBN 978-4073-0905-7.
*Wilson, B.J., Crockford, S.J., Johnson, J.W., Malhi, R.S. and B.M. Kemp. 2011. Genetic and archaeological evidence for a former breeding population of Aleutian Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii leucopareia) on Adak Island, central Aleutians, Alaska. Canadian Journal of Zoology 89: 732-743. http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/journal/cjz
**Crockford, S.J. and G. Frederick 2011. Neoglacial sea ice and life history flexibility in ringed and fur seals. pg.65-91 in T. Braje and R. Torrey, eds. Human Impacts on Seals, Sea Lions, and Sea Otters: Integrating Archaeology and Ecology in the Northeast Pacific. U. California Press, LA.
*Baichtal, J.F. and Crockford, S.J. 2011. Possibility of kelp during the LGM in SE Alaska and implications for marine mammals. Poster 5-12, 19th Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, Tampa, FL. Nov. 28-Dec.2.
**Crockford, S.J. 2008. Be careful what you ask for: archaeozoological evidence of mid-Holocene climate change in the Bering Sea and implications for the origins of Arctic Thule. Pp. 113-131 in G. Clark, F. Leach and S. O’Connor (eds.), Islands of Inquiry: Colonisation, Seafaring and the Archaeology of Maritime Landscapes. Terra Australis 29 ANU E Press, Canberra. http://epress.anu.edu.au/ta29_citation.html
**Crockford, S. and Frederick, G. 2007. Sea ice expansion in the Bering Sea during the Neoglacial: evidence from archaeozoology. The Holocene 17(6):699-706.
*Crockford, S.J., Frederick, G. & Wigen, R. 2002. The Cape Flattery fur seal: An extinct species of Callorhinus in the eastern north Pacific? Canadian Journal of Archaeology 26(3):152-174. http://www.canadianarchaeology.com/publications.lasso
Martinsson-Wallin, H. & Crockford, S.J. 2001. Early human settlement of Rapa Nui (Easter Island). Asian Perspectives 40(2):244-278. (Includes an analysis of fish remains & a comprehensive list of modern Rapa Nui fishes). http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/asi/
Crockford, S.J. 1997. Archaeological evidence of large northern bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus, in coastal waters of British Columbia and northern Washington. Fishery Bulletin 95:11-24. http://fishbull.noaa.gov/
Domestication, speciation and evolution papers
Crockford, S.J. and Kusmin, Y.V. 2012. Comments on Germonpré et al., Journal of Archaeological Science 36, 2009 “Fossil dogs and wolves from Palaeolithic sites in Belgium, the Ukraine and Russia: osteometry, ancient DNA and stable isotopes”, and Germonpré, Lázkičková-Galetová, and Sablin, Journal of Archaeological Science 39, 2012 “Palaeolithic dog skulls at the Gravettian Předmostí site, the Czech Republic.” Journal of Archaeological Science 39:2797-2801. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305440312001537
**Crockford, S.J. 2012. Directionality in polar bear hybridization. Comment (May 1) to Hailer et al. 2012. “Nuclear genomic sequences reveal that polar bears are an old and distinct bear lineage.” Science 336:344-347. Follow link and click on “# comments” under the title http://comments.sciencemag.org/content/10.1126/science.1216424
**Crockford, S.J. 2012. Directionality in polar bear hybridization. Comment, with references (May 1) to Edwards et al. 2011. “Ancient hybridization and an Irish origin for the modern polar bear matriline.” Current Biology 21:1251-1258. to view comments, go through the host website, http://www.Cell.com and find the paper at the Current Biology website. http://www.cell.com/current-biology/abstract/S0960-9822%2811%2900645-2#Comments
Ovodov, N.D., Crockford, S.J., Kuzmin, Y.V., Higham, T.F.G., Hodgins, G.W.L. and van der Plicht, J.. 2011. A 33,000 year old incipient dog from the Altai Mountains of Siberia: Evidence of the earliest domestication disrupted by the Last Glacial Maximum. PLoS One 10.1371/journal.pone.0022821. http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0022821
Crockford, S.J. 2009. Evolutionary roots of iodine and thyroid hormones in cell-cell signaling. Integrative and Comparative Biology 49:155-166.
**Crockford, S.J. 2006. Rhythms of Life: Thyroid Hormone and the Origin of Species. Trafford, Victoria [for a general audience, polar bear evolution discussed];
**Crockford, S.J. 2004. Animal Domestication and Vertebrate Speciation: A Paradigm for the Origin of Species. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Victoria (Canada), Interdisciplinary Studies. [filed at the National Library under Zoology; polar bear evolution discussed] Pdf available, just ask.
**Crockford, S.J. 2003. Thyroid rhythm phenotypes and hominid evolution: a new paradigm implicates pulsatile hormone secretion in speciation and adaptation changes. International Journal of Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part A Vol. 35 (#1, May issue):105-129. http://www.elsevier.com/ [an invited submission; polar bear evolution discussed]
**Crockford, S.J. 2002. Thyroid hormone in Neandertal evolution: A natural or pathological role? Geographical Review 92(1):73-88. http://www.jstor.org/journals/00167428.html [an invited commentary]
**Crockford, S.J. 2002. Animal domestication and heterochronic speciation: the role of thyroid hormone. pg. 122-153. In: N. Minugh-Purvis & K. McNamara (eds.) Human Evolution Through Developmental Change. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. http://www.press.jhu.edu/press/books/index.htm [polar bear evolution discussed].
Crockford, S.J. 2000. Dog evolution: a role for thyroid hormone in domestication changes. pg. 11-20. In: S. Crockford (ed.), Dogs Through Time: An Archaeological Perspective. Archaeopress S889, Oxford. http://www.archaeopress.com/defaultBar.asp
Crockford, S. J. 2000. A commentary on dog evolution: regional variation, breed development and hybridization with wolves. pg. 295-312. In: S. Crockford (ed.), Dogs Through Time: An Archaeological Perspective. Archaeopress S889, Oxford. http://www.archaeopress.com/defaultBar.asp
Northwest Coast dog studies
Crockford, S.J., Moss, M.L., and Baichtal, J.F. 2012. Pre-contact dogs from the Prince of Wales archipelago, Alaska. Alaska Journal of Anthropology 9(1):49-64.
Crockford, S.J., 2005. Breeds of native dogs in North America before the arrival of European dogs. Proceedings of the World Small Animal Veterinary Congress, Mexico City. [invited lecture] available online at: http://www.vin.com/proceedings/Proceedings.plx?CID=WSAVA2005&PID=11071&O=Generic
Koop, B.F., Burbidge, M., Byun, A., Rink, U, & Crockford, S.J. 2000. Ancient DNA evidence of a separate origin for North American indigenous dogs. pg. 271-285. In: S. Crockford (ed.), Dogs Through Time: An Archaeological Perspective. British Archaeological Reports (B.A.R.), Archaeopress S889, Oxford. http://www.archaeopress.com/defaultBar.asp (collaborative research with Univ. of Victoria (Ben Koop, Biology) & National Science & Engineering Research Council, Canada (NSERC) [first published analysis of ancient dog DNA]
Crockford, S.J. 1997. Osteometry of Makah and Coast Salish Dogs. Archaeology Press, Publication 22, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C. http://www.sfu.ca/archaeology/dept/arcpress/index.htm
[A comprehensive analysis of cranial & postcranial remains of adult dogs from 20 coastal archaeological sites]
Crockford, S.J. & Pye, C.J. 1997. Forensic reconstruction of prehistoric dogs from the Northwest Coast. Canadian Journal of Archaeology 21(2):149-153 [the story of the wool dog/village dog sketches done by RCMP forensic artist CJ Pye] http://www.canadianarchaeology.com/publications.lasso
Seal and sea lion diet studies
Tollit, D.J., Schulze, A., Trites, A.W., Olesiuk, P., Crockford, S.J., Gelatt, T., Ream, R. & Miller, K. 2009. Development and application of DNA techniques for validating and improving pinniped diet estimates based on conventional scat analysis. Ecological Applications 19(4):889-905. [This study compares my bone ID of prey species to DNA analysis] http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1890/07-1701.1
Olesiuk, P.F., Bigg, M.A., Ellis, G.M., Crockford, S.J. & Wigen, R.J. 1990. An assessment of the feeding habits of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in the Strait of Georgia, British Columbia, based on scat analysis. Canadian Technical Reports on Fisheries & Aquatic Science. 1730.
http://pubs.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/cgi-bin/rp/rp2_tocs_e?cjfas_cjfasS1-98_55
Oh! Oh dear! How embarrassing!.
Griff, to use modern English idiom… do one!!! Your presence is no longer required.
Please post an apology to the learned lady and, please, make it your last post.
roaring laughing!!…..Thanks Susan!
I’m afraid such difficult research is above and beyond Griff’s admittedly awesome cutting and pasting skills.
As I’ve said, the bench strength of the green fanatics is getting a bit thin.
I smell Roast Griff.
-or-
“Griff”, it’s what’s for dinner.
C’mon Griff….we are all waiting on the edge of our seats for your response, and (hopefully, though probably not) your apology.
SLAP DOWN !
Maybe you should have tired to answer your own question before posting it and making a total prat of yourself, Griff. Just saying.
Errr, I should have put all of that in quotes. I’m not Susan 😛
Ironically, you burned Griff so badly that the resulting heat melted all the polar ice and wiped out the polar bears. (I’m being sarcastic….don’t go after me like you did Griff…please.)
Don’t feed the troll, I’m just sayin’.
I guess that answers that question. On to the next one: Is Griff actually competent to speak on anything more difficult than how to crack an egg? I have not seen any evidence of it.
“You don’t make much effort to find out anything, do you griff?”
He doesn’t make any effort whatsoever to find out anything at all.
He simply makes stuff up off the top of his head to attack any post that doesn’t adhere to the “Green” agenda in the hope that someone will take him seriously because that’s what he’s paid to do.
Of course, with the exception of one or two of the most egregious sub-bridge-dwelling types, no-one does.
Could be the beginning of a new euphemism: Griffed the bed. Griffed himself. Griffed his pants….
Nice!
I think Griff is not just pwned, but EATEN.
The Troll wasn’t fed. It got a smack down by a polar bear claw.
(Which made him, as Caligula Jones put it, “Griff himself”.)
mic drop !!!
ClimateOtter, oh that was beautiful! +zillion. 🙂
Did Climate Otter just bring a Nuke to a knife fight? 😀 lol
Yes, I see a lot of research on arctic populations I was not previously aware of.
I do not see current studies or a history of studies on polar bear populations, field studies etc like the AGU tracking studies.
While an informed zoologist, I submit you are not an active researcher in polar bear populations.
This matters: I am an amateur offering opinions on a blog/website…
you have established yourself as a prominent advocate of a position on climate change based on the prospects of the flagship arctic species.
I think your climate position leads you into error: I know you are the big cheese in this world, but I think even experts must be challenged.
I submit that there is a situation on Svalbard and in Hudson bay up till the last week which by your own account impacts polar bear populations potentially and this is part of a continuing trend which will impact them in the future.
and you are dissembling on this.
“This matters: I am an amateur offering opinions on a blog/website…”
No, you are a professional propagandist tasked with attempting to discredit any commenters who your paymasters have identified as being possibly capable of damaging whatever portion of the AGW narrative they are profiting from, by any means whatsoever, including posting unfounded personal attacks on highly qualified individuals such as Dr. Crockford.
And you are a coward, without even the common decency to apologise when your mendacity has been spectacularly exposed.
Worse, you even double down by attempting to justify your unpleasant, untruthful attacks.
All in all, you are a totally unprincipled, dishonourable and dishonest creature, and hopefully, one day you will be called to account for your deceit.
(additional, now I have another 5 minutes)
I am of course basing my opinions on what polar bear researchers have said of your work/published articles, especially the polar bear experts contacted by the authors of this article:
http://www.carbonbrief.org/polar-bears-and-climate-change-what-does-the-science-say
“The scientists we spoke to tell us Crockford has never led any research on polar bears, nor has she published any papers on the topic. Amstrup tells Carbon Brief:
“[The GWPF report] is a collection of statements [Crockford] has made and conclusions she has drawn without any support from the refereed literature.”
Derocher points out Crockford’s specialism is not, in fact, in the field of polar bears:
“[Crockford’s] expertise is the archaeology of dead dogs and the identification of animal remains â?¦ In general, her views are tainted by a lack of understanding of polar bear ecology, Arctic marine ecosystem, and sea ice.” ”
I would be happy to hear your refutation of these claims of which perhaps you are unaware.
Griff, that carbon brief site is basically wrong. Their map of polar bear populations is a distortion of the Canadian Environmental site. Here is the real one:
Basically, the site uses half-truths and twists those to change reality. For instance, they say,
Griff is merely a troll, and he/she/it succeeded in making you do unnecessary work. If he doesn’t know who Susan Crockford it, he is so abysmally ignorant, and obviously lazy, to boot, that educating him would be like emptying Lake Superior with a teaspoon. Do not feed the troll.
In Canada there is a “voluntary” quota allowing 600 Polar Bears to be hunted by the Inuit and other “natives”.. It probably ends up being more. The pelts end up in Asia.
I bet that if given a choice the Inuit shoot the largest Polar Bears they can find. Not good for genetic diversity.
Griff “I’d say the bears are in trouble this year…”
If Polar Bears are in trouble it is because humans shoot them a lot.
Wouldn’t shooting the alpha male actually increase diversity because the lesser males will now be able to breed the females?
Ads like that are directed at little old cat ladies in trailer parks who “think” with their emotions and write out $20.00 checks in exchange for a calendar. Most people with more information than that are not taken in by the antics of grifter dot-orgs.
Goldrider ==> Maybe, the ad was placed specifically on my email from the New York Times Science section — not likely to be the habitat of too many little old ladies in trailer parks.
However, I agree in general that these types of fundraising ads are placed extract money from the gullible and uninformed.
Reality Check,
Shooting the larger bears might give the smaller bears a better chance at breeding. But, the question really should be, “What characteristics will give the species a better chance for survival?” Genetic diversity tends to be most advantageous when there are changing environmental conditions. Perhaps shooting the bigger bears would result in traits that gave the species more adaptability to changing sea ice conditions. But, it is all speculation.
“Wouldn’t shooting the alpha male actually increase diversity because the lesser males will now be able to breed the females?”
You are possibly right. Genetic diversity might increase. but maybe polar bears would get smaller.
She’s got the facts right, which is more than can be said about most people talking on this issue.
Polar bears have been increasing their numbers ever since their hunting was regulated and limited, and at least since the 70’s. So during the entire global warming period they have been doing better, not worse.
Their inclusion in the endangered species list is due exclusively to hypothetical future dangers from a changing environment. That position undermines the credibility of the list, as hypothetical future dangers can affect any species, so the reason for being in the list dilutes.
I say you have no idea what you are talking about. As usual.
Absolutely correct, their populations have been increasing since widespread hunting was abolished. There is this older article, while it does contain the usual future climate ‘disclaimers’, it covers the facts in words most people can understand.
The Truth about Polar Bears – Canadian Geographic.
https://www.canadiangeographic.ca/article/truth-about-polar-bears
Except below:
The current scientific consensus places the worldwide polar bear population between 20,000 and 25,000 animals. Prior to the 1973 worldwide restriction on commerical polar bear hunting, that number was dramatically lower, so low that a meeting of polar bear specialists in 1965 concluded that extinction was a real possibility. Some reports even estimated the number of bears as low as 5,000 worldwide. Yet by 1990, Ian Stirling — at the time, the senior research scientist for the Canadian Wildlife Service and a professor of zoology at the University of Alberta; basically, one of the most respected polar bear scientists on the planet — felt comfortable answering the question as to whether polar bears are an endangered species by stating flatly: “They are not.” He went on to say that “the world population of polar bears is certainly greater than 20,000 and could be as high as 40,000 … I am inclined toward the upper end of that range.” Although old studies are sketchy, clearly more polar bears are alive today than there were 50 years ago, an essentially heartening fact that has not managed to pierce the public consciousness.
Keep in mind that the,
quote and the 20,000-25,000 bears number has been used for over a decade.
Also keep in mind that the consensus opinion has admitted making some of their numbers up, completely.
Just try and name an expedition out to see polar bears, that failed to see bears, all over the Arctic. That amazing example of animal availability over such a huge area implies a very large number of animals.
Perhaps griffiepoo will go count the bears, since gp is so full of polar bear nonsense. He’ll need to spray numbers on the bears to prevent double counting; That is allegedly, griffiepoo is capable of numbers greater than 10.
Well Griff, if you went to her website as your comment indicates you did, you would have easily found out if she has any qualifications to speak about bear populations.
Dr. Susan J. Crockford is a zoologist with more than 35 years experience, including work on the Holocene history of Arctic animals. Susan Crockford earned her undergraduate degree in zoology at the University of British Columbia. She is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Victoria, B.C. Polar bear evolution is one of Dr. Crockford’s professional interests.
BTW: does Griff actually have any qualifications to speak about anything?
Griff’s qualification are the standard leftwing qualification.
He cares. That’s enough.
Griff’s highest qualification appears to be Court Jester. For that, I’m grateful to have such a Clown making a continuing fool of himself in the public arena, and I *always* look forward to his next buffoonery to keep me amused.
Keep up the good work, Griff!
I think he may have a 25 yard Breast Stroke Certificate!
ddpalmer December 14, 2016 at 7:37 am
…
BTW: does Griff actually have any qualifications to speak about anything?
Yes – “Cranial Rectal Syndrome” – although it appears one symptom is that one will not know they have the affliction.
/grin
I’m betting Griff’s qualifications are the checks he recieves from some Soros funded organization to troll sites like WUWT. He probably has a whole slew of different emails and UIDs on different sites and blogs, where he posts his malicious nonesense in an attempt to disrupt the conversation.
No, he reads the Guardian – a knowledge free zone.
“BTW: does Griff actually have any qualifications to speak about anything”
I believe Griff can probably demonstrate he is level headed by dribbling from both sides of his mouth at the same time.
Griff has shown he’s not qualified and too lazy to Google a name before challenging someone on their qualifications and making an arse of himself. ; > )
I should note I am at least as qualified to an opinion on climate -which I endeavour always to back with facts from scientists and observed scientific data – as any on here who tell me that CO2 is not a greenhouse gas, there is no greenhouse effect, etc…
Heck, I bet many of those guys don’t even have a greenhouse…
“I should note I am at least as qualified to an opinion on climate “
Still making stuff up, Grifter?
Your mummy will be cross.
I love it when Griff tries to prove that he’s more sane than an insane person.
Griff,
What does owning a greenhouse have to do with anything. I live in a virtual green house. Although my roof is opaque, it prevents loss of heat by convection or lateral wind. The so-called Green House Effect with respect to Earth is a misnomer. Perhaps you didn’t realize that and that is why you feel that owning one somehow gives you special insight on the problem. Have you apologized to Dr. Crockford yet for accusing her of not having any expertise, experience, or credentials?
Last time I checked, Polar Bears are very good swimmers.
Ursus maritimus Got maritime right in the scientific classification.
I still contend that someone needs to youtube some footage of the cute and cuddly polar bear munching down on the yet cuter and more or less defenseless baby seals for a bit of reality check.
I think it was from Canada where a video went viral of a polar bear patting a dog. Checked the update and apparently a bit later the guy didn’t put out food one night and the bear ate one of the dogs.
CO, now that’s using a sledgehammer to kill a gnat.
You know, you could have just hit the “About” tab and found out that she is a zoologist with 35 years experience. Undergraduate degree from University of British Columbia, PhD from University of Victoria, B.C. And yes, she has peer-reviewed about polar bears. You are a frick’n idiot.
https://polarbearscience.com/about-2/
“I’d say the bears are in trouble this year…”
Indeed. They’ve already been eliminated from playoff contention.
thanks I needed that.
Most of us eliminated them before the season started.
Good Grief.
Agreed, he has managed to derail another discussion with a ridiculous fomentation.
Griff,
I’ll bet you wish you hadn’t said that 🙂
Griff…brilliant. Susan has made you look a right twat, as we say here in England. If I were you, I would go and boil my head (a Scottish insult, this time). If you want, I could find a Welsh one, too.
Griff has invented a new insult.
/Griffed
Oh, Oh, Welsh insult please!!!
Welsh insult please!!! with a side of condescending also…
Griff??? You come to this site and embarrass yourself on almost a daily basis but today’s post from you was one for the record books. Never thought you could out yourself as a gullible ecoloon any further, but you did today. Congratulations.
Just to add what Susan did not cover — you can take a trip to Svalbard to see the polar bears, as the population has been booming. There is no official count, because all of the Nordic polar bear scientists are in Canada arranging a polar bear week every year in the Hudson Bay. You would think one of them could take the time to study polar bears in their own country.
https://www.naturalworldsafaris.com/polar-regions/svalbard/information/when-is-the-best-time-to-see-polar-bears-in-svalbard
“Over the years, Svalbard has acted almost like a refuge when it comes to polar bears and the populations have increased with numbers now thought to be reaching 3,000! This is a huge positive, not just for the bears as a species, but for specialist operators such as ourselves, as these days we are more than confident in regards to sightings. Some of our trips (on our smaller more specialist vessels) have seen upwards of 20+ polar bears on an individual trip!
“The best time to see polar bears in the wilds of svalbard is between the months of May to September”
“She does not research or publish (scientifically) about bears, nor is she involved in the biology of arctic populations, so far as I know.”
What a thoroughly unpleasant, mendacious little creature you are.
Do you have no conscience whatsoever?
Giff has just demonstrated for all to see that he knows absolutely nothing –quite possibly about anything.
“Giff has just demonstrated for all to see that he knows absolutely nothing –quite possibly about anything.”
Sure he does. He knows whatever someone feeds him to post.
You need to make an effort and produce that sucking sound as you extract your head from where the sun don’t shine.
Crockford’s qualifications are a matter of [scientific] record.
So is the fact that in the 1960s the polar bear population was 5000-6000 and the animal was considered threatened. Today polar populations are estimated to be around 30,000 and possibly higher. In trouble?
That was just the standard Greenpeace tactic: ad hominem. The likes of Griff are so used to doing it by now they couldn’t stop if they tried.
A swing and a Griff!
Literally LOL
And let’s not forget the scientific name for polar bears: “Ursus maritimus,” That is, “Sea Bear.”
(They routinely swim non-stop 10s of miles, have often been seen swimming 200 miles from land/ice, and one female has been recorded as having swum 426 miles nonstop.)
Griff’s been on stage too long.
Get the hook…
Griff
(ha ha tee he)
Yup, Dr Susan Crockford, PhD is qualified to write about polar bears.
(snicker, snicker, yuck, yuck)
The question is: are you qualified to ask polar bear questions…
(ROTFL)
Oh, man: Griff – the gift that keep on giving.
Griffin, anything you’d like to add?
More like 45% coverage of Hudson Bay today:
http://www.natice.noaa.gov/pub/ims/ims_gif/DATA/cursnow_usa.gif
Griff, first you quote Dr. Crockford as an authority, then you question her opinions?
Stupid is as stupid does!
You’ve been pwned!
Wow, Griff. That’s an Epic FAIL. Return to the bottom of your pond.
Well, you know, when it comes to climate alarmism they Must bring everything to Bear.
lol, thanks so much. Not only for the time you take to share your wisdom and insight. But also for the demonstration of just how dry humor can be served. One of the most dishonest and anti-science tactics of the climate consensus extremists is their refusal to accept that there is a diversity of well qualified opinion that disagree with the consensus. I can only imagine the pressure brought to bear by fanatics like Griff.
Hang tough
Anthony (I think) recently wrote that Griff works for Barclays Bank. Check it out!
You could have some fun with that.
There are all too many people out there who act as if “Bambi” was a documentary.
Tell them to read the original. That will set things straight.
Bambi vs Godzilla was closer to a documentary. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-wUdetAAlY
I love bad puns.
Walt Disney was the original destroyer of science.
And I think that Uncle Walt can also take the ‘credit’ for anthropomorphisizing rodents and other lesser creatures.
“Peter Rabbit”, “The Wind in the Willows” and “Alice in Wonderland” were Victorian era, rather a bit earlier than Disney. Disney was just rather “good” and shameless in using anthropomorphism.
Thornton W. Burgess did a really good job of anthropomorphisation with his “Green Forest” series of books. Anyone else remember Reddy Fox, Billy Mink and Prickly Porcupine?
Any comments about uncle Remus?
Disney pulled “Song of the South” from distribution before I ever saw it, and I’m 61.
I am 60 and have seen it. But it was a long time ago.
Da Nada, modera.
PMK
My reaction on seeing the picture was to think of this YouTube clip
Anyone can swim with a polar bear — the only variable is whether you survive the experience.
I think Agee is adorable!
Obligatory Blue Peter warning: “Viewers are reminded not to try this at home “
I’ll assume this bear was raised in captivity? It acts more like a Labrador retriever.
Griffie:
Do us all a favor and go hug a polar bear. Your empathy will be rewarded – social justice at work.
Just sayin 😉
“Do us all a favor and go hug a polar bear. Your empathy will be rewarded ”
And don’t forget your GoPro.
All the GoPro would show, would be the insides of a polar bear.
Perhaps we could get him one for Christmas? Then he could be proud that he had saved one.
I want to see the image of polar bears hugging penguins. Then we’ll know it’s real for sure!
Here you go…
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/308848486918502775/
Twenty years ago, I was in a bar in a small town in Alaska, a local couple got into a spat and she stormed out. The other men in the bar really got on the guy and made him walk home with her, because there had been a bear spotted in town. They took it very seriously.
I hope he was wearing running shoes. As the saying goes, he doesn’t have to outrun the bear. He just has to outrun her.
Traditional hunting is just an excuse as those animals end up being hunted by rich international hunters. If it were up to me traditional hunting would only be allowed by the traditional method of handheld spear and large knife. You want traditional you do traditional. Let’s see how many would be up to the task.
“Objection you Honor. Assumes facts not in evidence.”
http://www.polarbearhunting.net/images/8.jpg
http://www.polarbearhunting.net/images/8.jpg
“Join us on the adventure of a lifetime and thrill to the chase of the Arctic’s greatest trophy animal, the Polar Bear! You can be among the few who have braved Canada’s Northwest Territories in quest of the North’s most spectacular bear.”
http://www.polarbearhunting.net/
@Javier
Your post clearly implied that some significant fraction of the polar bear hunt was for “rich international hunters”. An advertisement is hardly proof of that assumption. In fact, the web site touts their “very successful season” with a total of 6 bears taken. Egads!! Extinction is just around the corner!
Hmmm
6 bears taken, let’s say 1 male and 5 females. Females aged5 and older can birth 2 or 3 cubs a season. The cubs mature over the next 2 to 3 years and begin the cycle again after 5 years. Presuming all the cubs survive to maturity, the male and 5 females would equate to 10 to 15 bears in the next generation. Those bears would have the potential to create an additional 20 to 30 bears in the next generation. In ten years time, the original 6 bears hunted unnecessarily has eliminated a possible 70 to 100 bears by the third generation
I don’t think it’s that simple. While predation by humans might have been the limit on polar bear populations in the past, most alpha predators are so-called “k selected”,where the limit is carrying capacity, not “r selected” where the short term limit is how fast they breed. While most organisms can breed to fill the capacity of the environment, the short term behavior is different. Bad management in the past does not rule out controlled hunting.
Javier,
I think that the “traditional hunting” method was shown in Nanuck of the North. The traditional hunter froze the springy skeleton of a fish inside a ball of blubber. The bear would swallow the ball in one gulp. Then, when the blubber melted in the stomach, the skeleton would spring open, piercing the internal organs. The hunter would follow the bear until it collapsed from loss of blood. If he was in a hurry, he might finish it off with a spear. Most modern hunters disavow such a slow, painful death of game animals. They advocate a single, well-placed bullet as a more humane way to kill an animal. Primitive people were pragmatic. They didn’t take risks they didn’t need to take. The spear was for a coupe de grace and the knife was for field dressing the animal.
And they eat the bear to survive. How many Trophy Hunters are hunting the bear to survive and actually Eat all of the Polar Bear meat? I’ll bet you could probably count the hunter consumed carcases of those afore mentioned 6 bears on one hand with no fingers held up.
Like hunting:
Elephants for their Tusks
or
Rhino’s for their Horns
or
Sharks for theiir fins
or
Gorillas for their hands
Trophy hunting for trophies is just senseless killing
Granted sharks fins aren’t trophies but shark steaks arent sold in the same market as their fins so that is a true waste
Maybe the Weizmann Institute ought to change their motto from “”Science for the Benefit of Humanity” to “To Serve Man”.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Serve_Man_(The_Twilight_Zone)
BTW, is Griff short for Griffter?
I’ve been wondering the same thing for months.
I’m thinking its closer to Bullgriff.
I can’t believe that anyone still thinks the polar bears are an endangered species.
I also don’t understand the logic of pushing energy policies which for certain will kill
many humans , again, for certain, against the barest (sorry!) possibility that they will prevent the
extinction of a damn carnivorius, seal-murdering bear. Exterminate the bears and save the seals is my motto. We don’t need no stinking high latitude killers. Polar bear lovers turn out to be the enemy of us humans.
Seals tend to eat the same fish I happen to enjoy.
PBs keep the seal population down.
Herring?
Seals hardly make a dent in the populations of herrings.
Why take the chance?
You have just described the pernicious side of the faith embraced by the trolls who infest blog sites like this, and underlies the climate consensus extremist groups in general
As Kate from the Small Dead Animals blog says, Walt Disney has a lot of blood on his hands…
A Disney film created the urban myth about lemmings committing mass suicide by running off cliffs:
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=wildlifenews.view_article&articles_id=56
“Science to benefit polar bears. Screw man.”
If someone had been paid $1 million to destroy the credibility of Griff, they could not have done a more effective job than what he just did to himself. Is it really that difficult to do a little research before making oneself out to be a complete fool?
Memo to myself: Completely ignore in the future anything written by Griff.
Griff, post drivel in other blog places I visit,he is a warmist loon who pounces on bread crumbs,blows into a tortured CAGW narrative,while ignoring lots of posted evidence to the contrary others post in the threads he visits.
So that’s where he goes when he isn’t bothering us. I was pretty sure he wasn’t at work.
You can see his current blather here,he is always worried about the Arctic region…….
http://realclimatescience.com/2016/12/hottest-year-ever-6/#comment-31285
Griff in hysterical action over the Arctic,
http://realclimatescience.com/2016/12/hottest-year-ever-6/#comment-31285
I think you’ll find that he IS at work when he’s bothering us, Mark.
His latest drivel here,
http://realclimatescience.com/2016/12/hottest-year-ever-6/#comment-31149
Griff probably makes enough from his mentors to buy another computer.
And then co-incidentally a new poster will appear.
cerescokid,
You can’t destroy something you don’t have in the first place.
I won’t say that Griff has completely destroyed his credibility forever. That would be mean. But when my wife gets home from her rehearsal I’m going to tell her “If I ever believe anything written by Griff again, take me to a doctor IMMEDIATELY and have me checked for Alzheimer’s.”
Griff, both feet in mouth, head up arse.
I can just imagine what a Josh cartoon depicting Griff in the position that you describe would look like. 😉
I’m imagining something like a figure 8.
Not a figure 8, but a Klein bottle–imagine a troll’s head so far up his own ass that he sees teeth.
Kip, essay No Bodies in my ebook Blowing Smoke contains several examples of the sort you seek, from a wide variety of NGO’s plus the Feds. aelie penguins. american pikas, red wolves, bog turtles, Canadian lynx… and more.
ristvan ==> Thanks for the tip …. I am an avid [eBook] reader…I’ll get a copy.
Where can I find your book, restvan? I just got Eaten on B&N, NookBook, $2.99.
PMK
Its available at all the usual outlets. IBooks, Amazon Kindle, B&N Nook… Cheapest is Amazon; it sold well enough that they cut the already low price to undercut iBooks. My publisher was not thrilled.
Got it! I have a Nook eReader because I hate the ads and not a huge fan of Amazon anyway. I paid a higher price, your publisher will rejoice.
PMK
Pamela ==> Blowing Smoke is available from Amazon under this title: “Blowing Smoke: Essays on Energy and Climate” by Rud Istvsan
Obrigada Kip!
PMK
PMK ==> Portuguese or Brazilian?
In my youth I spend several years in Portugal and on the Portuguese island of Madeira.
Portuguese, Porto and environs. I go back January 2. We will retire there in a few years, our favorite European country, dare I say the best? Currently working on a Roadside Geology of Portugal with a dear friend at U of Porto.
Have already downloaded Blowing Smoke and Eaten, lots of reading!
PMK
Hey! I just learned how Portuguese thank you is reflexive and should be based upon the person issuing. And here you are confirming it! Thank ye kindly, or Obrigado
They used to show Song of the South on The Wonderful World of Disney, in the ’60s it was just amusing not hate speech. There may still be a ride at Disney World based on Song of the South but I am now old enough that I no longer have to take kiddos there so haven’t been in over a decade, Praise All Gods Most Fulsomely!
Can I get an Amen? AMEN! Except I know I will be taking my grandkids there before too much longer.
If you take small kiddos to Disney World don’t let them stray off to any bodies of water, the place is now infested with alligators and they recently took a toddler. People think Disney is all fun and animatronics and those gators are not dangerous. They are very dangerous and fearless.
PMK
PMK => I really loved Porto….especially the Old City. I loved being 24 too….
PMK => I really loved Porto….especially the Old City. I loved being 24 too….
I was there in September, after the London conference, took my brother along, his first European vacation, he has not stopped talking about it yet. January is not so nice, rained a lot last year, but we still get good days for field work and eating olives and chourico alongside the Douro…I don’t miss being 24, us Dragons stay young forever….
PMK
ristvan … is it possible that you sell that ebook in PDF format?
No, publisher won’t allow it. But if you download either free iBook or Kindle readers to any tablet (I have both on my iPad as there are technical and history books Amazon has but iBooks doesn’t) you can downlowd and read the published version. It has hotlinks to footnotes and there are some footnote links to web sources. Plus, with those readers you can bookmark, underline, markup, paste a note… all just like a real book. You cannot easily do all that with a ,pdf.
But you can print a PDF, and get it bound, so you can read it easier (since it’s not avail. in paperback). 🙂 Thanks ristvan.
Griff, just cut your feet off
Well, that was entertaining.
Polar bears are dying of hunger do the selfish humans. Take your child to hug a polar bear: SHOW YOU CARE !!
*bows*
Griffmeister,
This could be the flame of all time. You have distinguished yourself. Wonder if you will ever have the nerve to come back. If you do, I will just reply “Climate Otter” each time until you are gone…
Back on topic, I wonder if they will replace that photo with one of a little Dutch girl with her finger in a dyke holding back a “ocean” of CO2?
That just sounds so much more “sciency”, doesn’t it?
/grin
Okay, Griff. Just post an apology and carry on.
I wonder if Griff is a kind of masochist.
You gotta admit, it would take a lot of mental fortitude to go into your enemy’s lair, get the crap beat out of you, and come back for more.
I wouldn’t do it.
There is another possibility, however, maybe Griff is just playing the Devil’s Advocate.
A Devil’s Advocate wouldn’t be affected by being criticized because it’s their job.
Be nice to Griff, folks! This site wd be a bit too serious (on balance) without his thigh-slapping contributions. And, in this particular case, I’ve learnt of Susan Crockford’s credentials, her book (am off to buy it!) and gleaned a lot more about polar-bear matters — all thanks to Griff!
Even Fools can be useful!
as an aside, Susan’s book was my go to Christmas present last year for the faithful – sadly few have managed to read it over the year – I still recommend it highly
Btw, like Kip I hoghly recommend EATEN. So good it is on par with Michal Creighton. So to her distinguished science credentials must be added wonderful sciency fiction novelist.
You guys!
I mosey over for a bit of a break from writing to find my writing the topic of conversation??
I have a blog post planned about this but what the heck – here’s my pre-announcement notice for you loyal supporters.
I will shortly be publishing via Amazon (maybe next Monday week?) two polar bear science books of the sort that folks have been requesting for years.
One is a summary suitable for all ages (aged 7 up) and the other is a fully referenced volume for adults.
Both are short and to the point, in full color.
Sorry they won’t quite be ready for Christmas gift-giving but in lieu, perhaps an Amazon gift card and a recommendation would allow the recipient to purchase when it’s out.
Watch my blog for more details – I’ll get on it.
best regards and thanks for your support – all of you.
And Merry Christmas Griff, may the good cheer of the season help change your attitude.
Susan
Readers => Susan Crockford can be found at the Polar Bear Science blog and apparently at Susan J. Crockford – Scientist, Writer.
You are a class act Susan. I don’t have much time to read books, but I have decided to buy your new one when it comes out. I’m sure both my wife and I will enjoy it.
Oh! My! Goodness!
Right when the fur is flying fast and furious, look who stops in for a visit.
I will look forward to your new books with keen interest.
Merry Christmas, Dr. Crockford.
Thank you for your honest work. Merry Christmas to you!
Susan, any chance of getting the books other than via Amazon?
SeaDog ==> (I do not use the “o” word)….Barnes and Nobel in Nook eBook format. You c an download Nook Reader for Desktops free.
Oldseadog,
I also publish ebooks through Smashwords, which distributes through a variety of other outlets and also offers pdf and Apple formats. I will do the Amazon first though, to get the hard copy out.
Susan
Griff – are you buying the books?
We are waiting for an answer.
Guys, I hate to have to say it, but a blog with the quality and history of this blog, with the awards it has, the quality of analysis provided by both the authors and the commentators, a blog like this deserves a better gadfly than Griff. I’m not saying I expect someone with decades of knowledge and experience, but using a 12 year old like Griff as the blog’s gadfly/opposition, someone who has not yet graduated from middle school, is not reflective of this blog’s quality. So it’s time to fire Griff and hire someone a bit more experienced to act as gadfly in the comments section. Please forward resumes of candidates.
gavin schmidt?
He wouldn’t agree to allow anyone else to post in his threads, if past performance is any indicator.
Gavin may be in need of a new job 🙂
Nick?
I think Griff may be Bill Nye.
LOL
Funny story about “deflategate” today: “Roger Goodell owes Tom Brady an apology by Dan Wetzel. He talks about how, in the Steelers/Giants game last weekend, there were under-inflated balls due to the cold weather and the NFL decided it was no big deal.
In the story, they make a number of comments about the ideal gas law (something I learned in Middle School) such as,
—“Footballs lose air pressure in cold weather. The numbers were explained away by science, not cheating. This was nothing. Nothing happened, nothing at all.”
— “{a year ago}, the league scampered down to test {Patriot’s balls} at halftime. League vice president Troy Vincent, who was in charge of such things, later testified he’d never heard of Ideal Gas Law. As such, when the readings started coming in under 12.5, no one spoke up and said, “Those numbers are explainable.” Instead, they thought anything below 12.5 was cheating and something like 11.4 was significant cheating. Ignorance was bliss.”
— “It wasn’t true. Not then and not as a parade of scientists came out screaming that everyone should’ve paid more attention in science class back in high school. Most of the footballs were fine, easily explained away by the weather. … The science is the science. It’s been that way since 1834, when Ideal Gas Law was proven. So, welcome to the 19th Century.”
Long story short, last year Bill Nye made a video about deflategate where he “proved” that Tom Brady cheated. He did the math wrong. That’s right, Bill Nye took a very simple scientific method and got it completely wrong. (Basically, he failed to convert gauge pressure to absolute pressure when he applied the ideal gas law.)
That is the brave scientist of climate change. Don’t let the facts get in the way of a “convenient truth”.
I do worry I am the only dissenting, realist voice here.
where indeed are the others?
Realist voice? The only one here?
You do flatter yourself. Many would say that you would better serve yourself by being honest with yourself. And others.
Griff,
You are here to do one thing only: spread FEAR. You effectively say, “The Ice is melting! The Ice is melting! Be Afraid! Be Afraid! Do Something! Do Something!” You are ultimately a FEAR MONGER.
But every time you post a comment, I see your notion that we should be Afraid is Soundly Refuted.
As a consequence, I am NOT AFRAID of Climate Change, Global Warming, or an impending Environmental Disaster.
And I will fight your kind to the death because I am a FREEDOM MONGER, and Freedom dictates that the Human Race must never be forced to endure an Oppressive Solution to an Imaginary Problem.
Only voice?
Griffy, you think way to highly of yourself.
Regardless, the only resemblance to a realist on your part is that you are both breathing. And I’m making an assumption on your part.
“I do worry I am the only dissenting, realist voice here.”
No, you are the only full-time propagandist here.
Griff,
You must not read many comments here. People who actually work, if that’s the right word, in the climate industry often comment here. Have you really missed their comments?
Ask your other hand.
Griff,
It has long been held as a maxim that only the sane question their sanity. The insane are absolutely convinced that they are sane and it is everyone else that has a problem. What does that imply about you believing that you are the only “realist voice here?”
I’ve been posting here for ten years or so Griff. Good to have another dissenter, it sort of divides the abuse between two of us so makes it more tolerable, (Actually there are a few more, but you have to be pretty brave to pop your head above the parapet with many of the good ‘ole boys on this site !)
Don’t worry too much about it Griff, you aren’t the only Troll on this board
The actual website of the Weizmann Institute doesn’t say anything about “Science for the Benefit of Humanity.” Instead, it presents a straight-forward exposition of the science that’s going on there.
The link in the head-post is to “The American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science,” not the Institute itself. So, the feel-good motto is theirs, not the Weizmann’s.
I did a post-doc at the Wezmann many years ago. Call me biased, but it was a great place, full of hard-working underfunded scientists.
Isn’t underfunded pretty much part of the definition of scientist?
At least that’s what the scientists I know are always saying.
Pat Frank ==> Your point is well taken — and I tried to cover this in my essay:
“the Weizmann Institute of Science, whose motto, proudly displayed on their website, is “Science for the Benefit of Humanity”, have managed to embarrass themselves with a little ad …
This is what happens when the public outreach from scientific organizations is put into the hands of modern college graduates who have been indoctrinated but not educated.
I have no prior experience with the Weizmann Institute before seeing this ad. I can only hope that the ad was produced without their editorial input.”
I have posted a correction to make the difference, however slight, perfectly clear.
They appear to be very closely connected:
About Us:
Our Mission:
Making a Difference – With Your Help
Founded in 1944, the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science has been a driving force throughout the history of the Weizmann Institute – fostering the partnership between science and philanthropy while supporting the Institute’s needs, leading the way in providing resources for continuous development and pioneering projects, and promoting awareness of the vision and accomplishments of its scientists.
The American Committee is not only a national organization, but also a community of dedicated people who share a common mission: advancing the Institute’s goals by becoming partners in the search for answers to the most difficult challenges facing humanity.
The American philanthropic presence is felt wherever you look on the Institute’s campus. Buildings, laboratories, instruments, and educational and research projects owe their existence to the efforts of the American Committee and its loyal supporters. These same donors provide the endowed professorial chairs, scholarships, and other financial assistance that support the scientists, teachers, and students who bring life and meaning to the physical facilities.
All of us—and each of us—must do all that we are able to ensure that the trajectory and pace of modern science never falters. The best of human existence is ahead of us—and science will transport us there. If you would like to receive updates about research breakthroughs at the Weizmann Institute of Science and other news, follow us on Twitter, Like us on Facebook, or sign up to receive e-mails.
So both have been around for quite a while and it appears the “Amierican Committee” is at least a fund-raising arm for the Institute if not more. They list “climate change” as one of the “most challenging problems” facing mankind.
However a quick scan of their achievments in protecting our planet I do not see anything about polar bears.
It may be this was just a cute image grabbed by a web design consultant and accepted uncritically by the Committee.
Thanks, Kip. 🙂
if you can hug a tree you can hug a bear.
I advocate all tree huggers do so.
the bear will hug back, honest.
Panda attacks man who wanted a cuddle”
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-panda-idUSTRE4AN5NF20081124
There was a TV advert about a year ago. It showed a polar bear leaving the Arctic and wandering through the countryside until it came up to a man who owned an electric car. It then reared up on its hind paws and gave him a big hug. The camera did not show what followed, but I’m sure the eco-conscious fellow ended up a No. 2.
Excellent suggestion, maybe we can get them a special group rate up to Churchill for polar bear love.
PMK
Troll? Griffter? Time-waster?
Does this point to an Agent-Provocateur whose job it is to discredit ‘our’ website with sh*t-stirring, debase its demeanour, and shift our focus to troll-hunting, rather than more earnest, relevant and better-directed matters at an intellectual level?
I am not sure what coherent, consistent responses this thinking engenders …. maybe a Mod. replying to Griff — for all to read — something like: “Troll-Alert!” and we can all leave it at that? Ignoring him may be the best response.
To me, it is a pretty good ad. The ad agency knows that if you glance at the ad at all they will have your attention for only a couple of seconds. During those two seconds the ad has to persuade you to click through. The ad can’t bog you down in text to read. So it uses 100% emotion to hook you. Who is against protecting the planet to benefit cute little girls and cute polar bears? Not liberal New York Times readers and not the Weizmann Institute.
Seems like an effective way to reach liberal NYT readers who already may be presupposed to believe that the planet, cute little girls, and polar bears need someone to care about them. And this emotional hook might get them to learn more about the Weizmann Institute and ultimately give them some dough.
Well NYT readers may conclude that polar bears must be saved so little girls can hug them. Others may see the ad and see that the little girl is being offered for lunch.
But if I wanted to really go down the NYT rabbit hole of stupid, I would ask the NYT would anyone be caring about polar bears if they were black? Isn’t there dark toned bears that need saving? Aren’t liberals being racists by focusing only on white bears?
I know, ridiculous questions, but no more ridiculous then the lefts infatuations with polar bears and their fabricated plight.
Alx
My understanding (pretty much confirmed by a bunch of Google results) is polar bears are black – shave off the insulating white hairs…and you have black skin – just like their lips.
Actually a pretty good photoshop. They got the dimensions very close. Polar Bears ARE that big!
According to IUCN/SSC Polar bear specialist group there are 19 distinct polar bear populations: 3 are in decline due to lousy neighbors, 1 is increasing, 6 are stable, and 9 covering over half the area lack useful data. The 9 unknown populations are mostly in Russia which hasn’t bought into the CAGW/disappearing sea ice clap trap.
So the glib observation that when Gore was born there were 7,000 polar bears and only 30,000 are left now might not be exact, but the idea is close enough. I guess “saving” the polar bears beats having real jobs.
Bravo ClimateOtter!
That was one of the best fact based paddlings of a disingenuous, snot nosed troll I have witnessed this year!
Encore! Encore!
Trust me. NOBODY wants to get a good close look at a polar bear.
All,
I have scrolled through the comments looking for Griff’s apology and couldn’t find it. Surely I just overlooked it! I’d appreciate it if someone could point me to the date and time stamp of his apology.
If you look again, you will find that he is actually claiming to have been vindicated.
in re Griff:
Griff has left enough evidence over time for others to build a profile of him and his motives.
1) It is known that most posts from Griff come from a server owned by Barclay’s, during working hours. Rarely does he post during non- working hours (as Griff.)
2) The only conclusions to be drawn from this fact are
a) He is paid for his efforts by his employers at Barclay’s
b) He is a hopelessly inept and clueless time waster on the company’s dime.
If b), then little can be added to his profile. His own words undermine him.
If a), then his/his company’s motives must be examined through several scenarios:
1) Barclay’s is actively interjecting propaganda into the continuing debate.
2) Barclay’s is actively probing for holes in the defenses of skeptic arguments, looking for any warmist rationalization which might still be useful to their agenda.
3) Barclay’s is running a false flag operation, with main intent to discredit the warmist cause, through Griff’s posting of non- stop and indefensible warmist inanities.
With regard to the known agendas of the warmist coalitions, being an increase of power and wealth to the elite statists who are the progenitors and principal supporters of the entire CAGW mythos, then Barclay’s certainly fits the profile for agenda item 1) and probably 2) also, as well as many that this humble peasant hasn’t thought of yet.
Further, examination of “Barclay’s agenda”, another point could be made:
1) Griff rarely engages in debate after one of his posts and when he does engage, it’s usually only to the extent of another warmist copy/past which might support his previous assertions. This behavior is significant, but motive is not clear to me, at least.
Alan
Griff IS PAID (that’s his motive). Someone sends him the email of the day with the goofy questions & links.
He does seem to be MIA after today’s stupidity.
Not paid, no affiliation or involvement in any political party, environmental group, society, or whatever.
all my own ‘amateur’ (in the not paid sense) opinion.
answer with science and observed fact if you please – don’t play the man
“answer with science and observed fact if you please – don’t play the man”
You mean like knowingly stating that a professional scientist with an international reputation had no knowledge of her field when it was clear that you had visited her site and thus were aware she was?
“answer with science and observed fact”
You first
Alan
WRT # 3 above
3) Barclay’s is running a false flag operation, with main intent to discredit the warmist cause, through Griff’s posting of non- stop and indefensible warmist insanities.
fixed it
Sir, these are attacks of a personal and unfounded nature.
all my remarks are on my own time for my own amusement.
Shame on you!
Griff, you are not actually relevant. Whether paid troll or pathetic true believer doesn’t actually matter much. Examining the aftermath of a the sort petard hoisting you have engaged in is not a personal attack. It is more of a necroscopy.
…sez the guy who goes to a Climate Sewer to get some ammo to assassinate Susan Crockford’s reputation.
“Sir, these are attacks of a personal and unfounded nature.”
Says the propagandist who attempted to malign the reputation of an internationally recognised scientist by deceitfully claiming she was unqualified in her own field, even asserting that you knew more about it than she did?
What a hypocrite you are.
“Sir, these are attacks of a personal and unfounded nature.”
Says the paid disrupter who attempted to malign the reputation of an internationally recognised scientist by deceitfully claiming she was unqualified in her own field, even asserting that you knew more about it than she did?
Griff,
You should go and amuse yourself elsewhere. You provide no points here.
In your critique of Dr Crockford above you quoted the same error prone pseudo-scientists as yourself.
You’re entire life is for your own amusement. You’re like a spoiled little sister, baiting her older brother until he hits you.
Griff’s comment includes:
.
The use of the words “…so far as I know” encapsulates the entire CAGW industry’s view of the world – that of being in no doubt but often wrong – as they make definitive statements about everything but forget that this is based on “so far as I know” with no regard to what they do not know.
Loved the Griff takedowns – a good laugh to start the morning.
Should we coin a new term for incredulity – “Good Griff!”
It was designed to appeal to ‘bleeding hearts’ – people whose cerebral functions occur primarily on an emotional level, devoid of logic. True scientists must function according to the scientific method – objectively and analytically, driven by logic and data rather than emotion.
For years I have suspected that this human dichotomy exists genetically at level comparable to that of subspecies: H. sapiens sapiens v H. sapiens perturbatio.
tadchem,
H. sapiens
permasturbatio.There, FIFY.
A Texan is being heckled in a local bar in Alaska that he couldn’t pass the test to become an Alaskan
He replies that a Texan can pass any test and asks what he has to do
The local say he needs to do three things. 1 Down a fifth of whiskey 2 make love to an Eskimo woman and 3 kill a polar bear
He promptly downs the fifth and runs out the door of the bar. When he comes back later he is bloody and all torn to shreds and asks “Now where is that Eskimo woman I have to kill?”
do not attempt this at home
Kinky Friedman walks into a bar with Commander Cody…
Every comment that Griff makes now on whatever subject will get the response ” what about those bears “?
There’s this book Arctic Dreams – forget the author – which has a chapter on what Darwin has done to adapt the polar bear for survival. Think about the FEET. Think about the TACTICS. Think about THE BLACK NOSE!! It’s a wonderful read.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D668HB4/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
I happen to know Barry Lopez. I drive by his house at least once a year.
He’s an environmentalist, but of the kind who likes animals, especially wolves. I’ve never asked him what he thinks about the sacrifice of millions of birds and bats on the altar of “renewable energy”.
Maybe I should.
Couer,
Are you referring to the story about how polar bears have to walk on three legs while hunting because they have to use one paw to keep their black nose covered so that the seals don’t see them?
IMO, they cover their noses while still-hunting, ie lying in wait near a seal breathing hole.
Dunno about while walking hunting.
Her’s an idea:
Anthony posted a picture from “concerned scientists” at the AGU conference in San Francisco (including at least 1 drunk…).
Couldn’t we get those guys to pose with the cuddly polar bear?
Just a suggestion…
Doesn’t matter if it is the Weizmann Institute or the Committee for the Weizmann Institute. In either case the ad is about the Weizmann Institute in order to garner support for the Weizmann Institute.
That being the case this ad embarrasses the Weizmann Institute.
But who knows this may be a trend. Next astronomers will be drumming up support by showing a little girl picking flowers on the moon. Or biologists asking for support with little girls on unicorns.
Or maybe the Weizmann Institute could stop the madness and denounce this scientifically unsound and overtly political ad.
Why not email them and ask?
I bought and read Susan Crockford”s book, and I’ll tell ya that she didn’t pull any punches.
Yes it sure scared me. I daren’t open the fridge now in case there’s one hiding inside
Griff,
Maybe this is why there aren’t as many Polar bears around.
That’s a big incentive to reduce the population…
Oops! Since rational hunting laws were adopted there are many more Polar Bears.
Please don’t encourage Griff.
But what a cute widdle baby that first bear was.
Someone may mistake that propaganda poster as real news. Fake news is the new term for propaganda.
Bet this is one piece of fake news that Facebook won’t suppress.
But eagles don’t get any slack
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/12/14/final-wind-turbine-rule-permits-thousands-eagle-deaths.html?cq_ck=1481743208977
Notice Griff has gone quiet , do we really need to kick a man when he’s down ? Well in some cases more so when there’s no apology.
I respect anyone who makes a mistake and owns up even possibly in this case .
Robert from oz,
A mistake is generally a one-time event (and decent people do apologize). A pattern of behavior indicates purposeful intent.
Can Griff really be so dense as not to realize that in mere seconds a normal human being could find the good doctor’s scientific qualifications? Just because he’s a lazy slug troll doesn’t mean that other commenters here are too. The fool must have known how easy it would be to show him up for the ueber fool he has the shame and ignominy to be.
Maybe the jejune imbecile really is that dense.
chimp:
http://www.carbonbrief.org/polar-bears-and-climate-change-what-does-the-science-say
“The scientists we spoke to tell us Crockford has never led any research on polar bears, nor has she published any papers on the topic. Amstrup tells Carbon Brief:
“[The GWPF report] is a collection of statements [Crockford] has made and conclusions she has drawn without any support from the refereed literature.”
Derocher points out Crockford’s specialism is not, in fact, in the field of polar bears:
“[Crockford’s] expertise is the archaeology of dead dogs and the identification of animal remains â?¦ In general, her views are tainted by a lack of understanding of polar bear ecology, Arctic marine ecosystem, and sea ice.” “
Griff, your answer to Chimp certainly fits your profile. We’ve repeatedly seen you fall back on ad hominem attacks as your last line of defense. You never have a leg to stand on with any point you make and you know it. Relentless propaganda is your stock in trade.