The Week That Was: 2014-03-08 (March 8, 2014) Brought to You by SEPP (www.SEPP.org) The Science and Environmental Policy Project
###################################################
Quote of the Week: “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.” Albert Einstein [H/t ICECAP] Number of the Week: 17% & 11%
Challenging the Orthodoxy: Two major papers came out, severely questioning and contradicting the latest work of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), especially the Summary for Policymakers.
One paper “Bounding GHG Climate Sensitivity for Use in Regulatory Decisions’, was produced by The Right Climate Stuff (TRCS) research team – “a volunteer group composed primarily of more than 25 retired NASA Apollo Program veterans, who joined together in February 2012 to perform an objective, independent study of scientific claims of significant Anthropogenic Global Warming (AGW).” They put their distinguished reputations on the line in performing this volunteer work, without compensation from government, private interests, etc. This paper will be discussed below.
The second paper is “A Sensitive Matter: How The IPCC Hid The Good News On Global Warming” by Nicholas Lewis and Marcel Crok with a foreword by Judith Curry. It was published by the Global Warming Policy Foundation. The paper details the enormous disconnect between the Summary for Policymakers and the Scientific Report (WGI) in the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report (AR5). The summary is alarmist, but the scientific report does not justify alarm. This paper will be discussed next week. Patrick Michaels and “Chip” Knappenberger had a two articles discussing the Lewis & Crok report, emphasizing that the IPCC exaggerated the influence of carbon dioxide (CO2) on temperatures; without such exaggeration there would be little cause for alarm about global warming/climate change. See links under Challenging the Orthodoxy.
TRCS: As discussed in the October 5, 2013 TWTW, the IPCC scientific report and summary had many weaknesses, not the least of which was exposed by Nir Shaviv. On his web site, Shaviv produced what he called the most boring graph he ever plotted. Starting with the 1979 Charney report, supported by the US National Research Council, “likely equilibrium range of sensitivity” to a doubling of CO2 remained at 1.5 to 4.5°C, except for a slight narrowing of 2 to 4.5°C in the IPCC’s Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) (2007). AR5 contained the more traditional estimate of 1.5 to 4.5°C. It is incredible that after 35 years of research and tens of billions of dollars spent, the Climate Establishment has not been able to improve on the estimates in the 1979 Charney report.
The current TRCS report contains an analysis of the upper bound, the worst-case scenario, of a temperature increase by 2100, without any regulatory limit on fossil fuel use. The Climate Establishment should have done this decades ago.
The TRCS team analysis is data driven, not model driven. They chose the Hadley Center – Climatic Research Unit (HadCRU4) surface data that goes back to 1850. The satellite data, independently confirmed by weather balloons, is better, but it starts in December 1978, too short for the purpose. The data reveal an approximately 62-year cycle, peaking about 2013. The causes of the cycle are not clear. According to its summary, IPCC estimates are based on warming since 1950, thereby fail to account for this cycle.
The critical estimate of maximum temperature increase by 2100 is 1°C above today’s temperatures, or about 1.8°C increase since 1850, well below the contrived 2°C that IPCC supporters and some politicians claim must be prevented. In short, the demand for drastic, economically destructive emissions controls is not justified. Also, the overall warming trend may be in part due to a rebound from the Little Ice Age, and the total warming to 2100 may be significantly less than 1°C. The 1850 atmospheric CO2 concentration was about that of the pre-industrial concentrations of about 280 parts per million (ppm).
The TRCS team asserts that the IPCC and its followers, calculate the wrong metric, standard of measurement. The team uses transient climate sensitivity (the effect of current atmospheric CO2). The IPCC and its followers use equilibrium climate sensitivity and fail to account for the absorption of CO2 by the biosphere, which is clearly shown by satellite photos over the past three decades.
The TRCS team report contains an extensive discussion on the calculation of the Social Cost of Carbon (SCC) and why the team believes that the current calculations should not be used as a justification for government policies. Further, drawing on their experience from intense, independent examination following the Challenger and Discovery disasters, the team calls for the formation of an independent and objective scientific review board to review the methodologies being used to calculate SCC.
Some may disagree with timing of maximum use of fossil fuels before market-driven transitioning to alternative energy sources. However, that is minor compared with the rigorous effort of trying to put an upper bound on the potential warming from fossil fuel use and associated CO2 emissions. The analysis clearly shows that we have more than sufficient time to get the science of climate change right and that we should not be panicked into adopting dangerous and economically destructive policies.
Why the Climate Establishment has failed to perform such a desperately needed analysis was, perhaps, best answered by Nir Shaviv. “If you have a theory which is correct, then as progressively more data comes in, the agreement becomes better… However, if the basic premises of a theory are wrong, then there is no improved agreement as more data is collected. In fact, it is usually the opposite that takes place, the disagreement increases.”
See links under Challenging the Orthodoxy, http://www.sciencebits.com/AR5-FirstImpressions, and http://www.sepp.org/twtwfiles/2013/TWTW%2010-5-13.pdf
**************
Arctic Ice Melt: There is little question that the Arctic has been warming for the past three decades. Based on satellite observations, that is the only major region of the earth that has had pronounced warming. An examination of a collection of 27 high-quality proxy data shows that the temperatures of the Atlantic portion of the Arctic may have been as warm or warmer during the Roman Warm Period and the Medieval Warm Period.
Another study suggests that the greater inflow of warmer water from the rivers in the Arctic may be responsible for the late summer ice melt that has been observed in recent years, 2013 excluded. See links under Review of Recent Scientific Articles by NIPCC, Changing Cryosphere http://nsstc.uah.edu/climate/2012/november/trend_Dec78_Nov12_alt.png.
**************
Uncertainty: In Climate Etc., Judith Curry posted her power-point presentation used during her talk “Causes and implications of the pause” at a workshop by American Physical Society, the purpose of which was to explore changing the APS climate change statement. The slides include those showing the significant divergence between model projections and observations. She explores some of the explanations for this divergence. The summary of the major uncertainties is particularly useful, especially the unknowns. If the leadership of APS performed the same analysis as the TRCS team did, the APS climate change statement would be radically altered. See link under Seeking a Common Ground.
**************
Extreme Weather: Last week Secretary of State John Kerry told students and government officials of Indonesia that climate change is a weapon of mass destruction and Indonesia should not use its resources in fostering economic growth. Further, he and President Obama do not have time to talk to global warming skeptics, calling their science shoddy
Not to be outdone, the president’s science advisor, John Holdren attacked Roger Pielke Jr. for his testimony to Congress that climate change has not increased extreme weather. Pielke directly rebutted Holdren’s claims in a letter, in his posts, and in an article he wrote. Further Pielke is a co-author of a new paper based on the financial records of the large re-insurance entity, Munich Re. The bottom line here is that a signal of greenhouse gas emissions cannot be found in the aggregate loss data from Munich Re.
As if to buttress Pielke’s findings, Warren Buffett, whose holding company owns a large insurance company, stated in an interview: “The public has the impression that because there’s been so much talk about climate that events of the last 10 years from an insured standpoint and climate have been unusual,” he continued. “The answer is they haven’t.” “I love apocalyptic predictions” on climate change, Buffett told CNBC on Monday, because they probably do affect rates.
Further, as if to counter the wealthy John Kerry, Pielke has an article on “What Does It Mean to be Anti-Growth?” The reality is that to be anti-growth today is actually to be anti-growth with respect to poor countries…. . So when you encounter an anti-growth advocate, ask him or her, which kind are you, Neo-Malthusian, Peak Earther, or Luddite? See links under Changing Weather and Environmental Industry.
**************
Defense Review: Every four years the US Department of Defense produces its Quadrennial Defense Review. The Chapter on Future Security Environment has an extensive paragraph on the dangers of global warming/climate change: “The pressures caused by climate change will influence resource competition while placing additional burdens on economies, societies, and governance institutions around the world. These effects are threat multipliers that will aggravate stressors abroad such as poverty, environmental degradation, political instability, and social tensions – conditions that can enable terrorist activity and other forms of violence.” The chapter does not mention the possibility of Russia seizing military control of a portion of a European country as it did by seizing control of the Crimea in the Ukraine. See links under Expanding the Orthodoxy.
**************
US Energy: Some commentators have suggested that President Obama use the new-found US energy prowess to counter Russian influence over the Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Many of these commentators seem to have little understanding of the long time-frame involved and the costs of transporting liquefied natural gas, a frequently mentioned fuel. Use of fossil fuels would be contrary to the observed policy of the Administration of suppressing the use of fossil fuels. If Obama did as the commentators suggest, would Security of State Kerry accuse the President of using a weapon of mass destruction? See links under Energy Issues – US.
**************
The Grid Experiment: The North American Electric Reliability Corporation and the California Independent System Operation Corporation have produced a report on issues faced by grid operators when politicians insist that unreliable wind and solar be integrated into the electrical grid. The load must be balanced, or the grid will fail. The operating characteristics of VERs [variable energy resources] —not just the energy or capacity being provided—will fundamentally change the basic composition of essential reliability services. The system must continue to work reliably. California may become a very expensive test site. See link under California Dreaming.
**************
Market Crash: Christopher Monckton has an amusing post on the difference in stock index value of $100 placed in 2002 in “clean” green stocks as compared with “dirty” oil and gas stocks. See link under Energy Issues – Non-US.
**************
Un-Validated Models: TWTW has been criticized for its negative view of using climate models, which have not been validated, to make predictions far into the future. The negative view is not limited to climate models. For example, some members of SEPP were less than impressed when the White House declared that, based on its models, the “Stimulus Bill” would prevent unemployment from exceeding 8% and it would quickly go down to 6% and soon go as low as 5%. Without the bill, unemployment would reach 9%. The bill was passed, and unemployment went to 10%. After five years of expansionary fiscal and monetary policy, the unemployment rate fell slowly to a rate of 6.7%, in February, 2014. The less formal U6 unemployment rate, which includes those who seek full-time jobs, but can only find part-time jobs, and those who left the work force, stands at 12.6%, which is higher than any value prior to the “Stimulus Bill.” The calculations start in 1994.
There is clearly something wrong the models. One of the major issues is the value of what is called the multiplier. What is the impact of additional government spending? The Congressional Budget Office has estimated the multiplier may range from 0.5 to 2.5. At 0.5, $100 additional spent by government would have a total economic impact of $50, or one-half of the moneys spent. Clearly the failure to validate models has significant consequences. See links under Model Issues.
**************
Number of the Week: 17% and 11%. A study by the Breakthrough Institute reports that for 2012, the total energy output of German wind farms was 17% of nameplate capacity (the frequently touted number used by wind promoters). According to the report, the figures come from Germany’s BdeW utility consortium, which gathers data from all electric utilities. The links are in German. The output for solar for 2012 was 11% of nameplate capacity. If the numbers are correct, then the US EIA should re-visit its estimate of a 34% production capacity for wind. [Note: TWTW does not agree with the report’s claims of adverse health effects of fossil fuels, as they apply to westernized nations using modern power plants.]
###################################################
ARTICLES:
For the numbered articles below please see this week’s TWTW at: http://www.sepp.org. The articles are at the end of the pdf.
1. At Energy Confab, Oil Chiefs Fret Over Costs
An Industry That Once Worried About Supply Now Finds Rising Production Costs a Concern
By Russell Gold, WSJ, Mar 6, 2014
2. EPA Takes First Step to Restrict Pebble Mine Project in Alaska
Alaska Mine Could Also Be One of World’s Largest Copper Sources
By Alicia Mundy, WSJ, Feb 28, 2014
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304026804579411553575928572?mg=reno64-wsj
3. China Sets Targets to Curb Pollution
By Wayne Ma, WSJ, Mar 4, 2014
###################################################
NEWS YOU CAN USE:
Commentary: Is the Sun Rising?
It’s the Sun, Stupid
By Edmund Contoski, American Liberty, Feb 28, 2014
http://www.amlibpub.blogspot.com/2014/02/its-sun-stupid.html
[SEPP Comment: Title may be excessive.]
Climategate Continued
Data and Corrections for Rosenthal et al 2013
By Steve McIntyre, Climate Audit, Mar 2, 2014
http://climateaudit.org/2014/03/02/data-and-corrections-for-rosenthal-et-al-2013/
[SEPP Comment: A different version of Mann’s Nature trick by others.]
Challenging the Orthodoxy
Bounding GHG Climate Sensitivity for Use in Regulatory Decisions, Executive Summary
Lead Author: Harold H. Doiron, Report of the Right Climate Stuff Team, February 2014
Full Report: Bounding GHG Climate Sensitivity for Use in Regulatory Decisions
Lead Author: Harold H. Doiron, Report of the Right Climate Stuff Team, February 2014
http://www.therightclimatestuff.com/BoundingClimateSensitivityForRegDecisions.pdf
A Sensitive Matter: How The IPCC Hid The Good News On Global Warming
By Nicholas Lewis and Marcel Crok, Forward by Judith Curry, GWPF, No Date
http://www.thegwpf.org/content/uploads/2014/02/A-Sensitive-Matter-Foreword-inc.pdf
Global Warming IS REAL, argues sceptic mathematician – it just isn’t THERMAGEDDON
IPCC hid the good news? Let’s find out
By Andrew Orlowski, The Register, Mar 6, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/03/06/global_warming_real_just_not_as_scary_as/
[SEPP Comment: See link immediately above.]
Sherwood’s fabrication [of the Lewis & Crok report]
By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Mar 6, 2014
http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2014/3/6/sherwoods-fabrication.html
Climate Insensitivity: What the IPCC Knew But Didn’t Tell Us
By Patrick J. Michaels and Paul C. “Chip” Knappenberger , CATO. Mar 5, 2014
http://www.cato.org/blog/climate-insensitivity-what-ipcc-knew-didnt-tell-us
Climate Insensitivity: What the IPCC Knew But Didn’t Tell Us Part II
By Patrick J. Michaels and Paul C. “Chip” Knappenberger, CATO. Mar 6, 2014
http://www.cato.org/blog/tags/global-science-report
German Meteorology Professor: Don’t Expect Warming Until Mid Century! … CO2 Models “Have A Fundamental Problem”!
Bu Horst Malberg, EIKE, Translated by P Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Mar 3, 2014
Defending the Orthodoxy
UN Climate Chief Sees ‘Silver Lining’ in Extreme Weather: Raises Issue to ‘Highest Political Levels’
By Patrick Goodenough, CNS News, Mar 6, 2014 [H/t Timothy Wise]
Who pressed the pause button?
The slowdown in rising temperatures over the past 15 years goes from being unexplained to overexplained.
Editorial, The Economist, Mar 8, 2014 [H/t Power Line]
[SEPP Comment: The editors of the Economist cannot admit there is great uncertainty in the climate science.]
Questioning the Orthodoxy
Lewis and Crok: Climate less sensitive to CO2 than models suggest
By Judith Curry, Climate Etc. Mar 5, 2014
http://judithcurry.com/2014/03/05/lewis-and-crok-climate-less-sensitive-to-co2-than-models-suggest/
IPCC Plays Down Climate Sensitivity
By Graham Lloyd, The Australian, Via GWPF, Mar 7, 2014
http://www.thegwpf.org/ipcc-plays-climate-sensitivity/
The Insiders: Liberals are destroying the planet
By Ed Rogers, Opinion, Post Partisan, Feb 28, 2014 [H/t Timothy Wise]
Our politicians have not made the case for a practical, beneficial, cost-effective, global plan that would address climate change efficiently and effectively.
[SEPP Comment: Introduces the concept of Prudent Rationals.]
Obama Picks Alarmist as Climate Adviser
By Larry Bell, Newsmax, Mar 4 2014
http://www.newsmax.com/LarryBell/Obama-Climate-Adviser-Holdren/2014/03/04/id/555902
Georgia Voices: Global-warming skeptics are winning the debate
Editorial, Augusta Chronicle, Mar 4, 2014 [H/t Bob Carter]
Social Benefits of Carbon
Biospheric Productivity in South America
By Staff Writers, SPPI, Mar 6, 2014
http://scienceandpublicpolicy.org/originals/biospheric_productivity_in_south_america.html
Link to report: Productivity in South America
Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide and Global Change, Mar 5, 2014
http://scienceandpublicpolicy.org/images/stories/papers/originals/biospheric_south_america.pdf
Problems in the Orthodoxy
Globalist eco-progressives getting pretty excited about their prospects for that 2015 global climate treaty
By Erika Johnsen, Hot Air, Mar 1, 2014 [H/t Timothy Wise]
[SEPP Comment: We do not know what is happening, we do not know why it is happening, but we will pass laws to stop it from happening.]
No set targets jeopardize climate deal in 2015
By Laura Barron-Lopez, The Hill, Mar 4, 2014
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/199800-no-set-targets-jeopadizes-climate-deal-in-2015
Seeking a Common Ground
Causes and implications of the pause
My invited talk at the American Physical Society Meeting in Denver.
By Judith Curry, Climate Etc. Mar 4, 2014
http://judithcurry.com/2014/03/04/causes-and-implications-of-the-pause/
Is independent thinking still prized in science? Perhaps not on climate change
By Anthony Sadar, Washington Examiner, Mar 5, 2014
Christy & Emanuel have A Conversation on Climate Change
By Roy Spencer, His Blog, Mar 4, 2014
http://www.drroyspencer.com/2014/03/christy-emanuel-have-a-conversation-on-climate-change/
[SEPP Comment: More to come.]
Review of Recent Scientific Articles by NIPCC
For a full list of articles see www.NIPCCreport.org
Roman and Medieval Warmth in the Arctic Atlantic Region
Reference: Hanhijarvi,S., Tingley, M.P. and Korhola, A. 2013. Pairwise comparisons to reconstruct mean temperature in the Arctic Atlantic Region over the last 2,000 years. Climate Dynamics 41: 2039-2060.
http://nipccreport.org/articles/2014/mar/4mar2014a2.html
Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide: Reducing Its Own Greenhouse Effect
Reference: Shevliakova, E., Stouffer, R.J., Malyshev, S., Krasting, J.P., Hurtt, G.C. and Pacala, S.W. 2013. Historical warming reduced due to enhanced land carbon uptake. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 110: 16,730-16,735.
http://nipccreport.org/articles/2014/mar/4mar2014a3.html
Intertidal Macroalgae and the Threat of Global Warming
Reference: Clark, J.S., Poore, A.G.B., Ralph, P.J. and Doblin, M.A. 2013. Potential for adaptation in response to thermal stress in an intertidal macroalga. Journal of Phycology 49: 630-639.
http://nipccreport.org/articles/2014/mar/4mar2014a4.html
CMIP3 & CMIP5 Models Characterizing Amazonian Precipitation
Reference: Joetzjer, E., Douville, H., Delire, C. and Ciais, P. 2013. Present-day and future Amazonian precipitation in global climate models: CMIP5 versus CMIP3. Climate Dynamics 41: 2921-2936.
http://nipccreport.org/articles/2014/mar/5mar2014a1.html
Model Issues
Obama signs bill funding drought forecast program
By Justin Sink, The Hill, Mar 6, 2014
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/200142-obama-signs-bill-funding-drought-forecast-program
[SEPP Comment: It would be great if NOAA could forecast the weather six months in advance!]
Why It Is So Hard to Figure Out What the Stimulus Did
By Staff Writers, NCPA, Feb 26, 2014
Link to report: Why It’s So Hard to Figure Out What the Stimulus Did
By Peter Suderman, Reason.com, Feb 18, 2014
http://reason.com/blog/2014/02/18/why-its-so-hard-to-figure-out-what-the-s
Changing Weather
New Paper on Global Disaster Losses
By Roger Pielke, Jr., His Blog, Mar 3, 2014
http://rogerpielkejr.blogspot.com/2014/03/new-paper-on-global-disaster-losses.html
No climate change impact on insurance biz: Buffett
By: Matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, Mar 3, 2014
http://www.cnbc.com/id/101460458
2nd Coldest U.S. Winter in 35 Years
By Roy Spencer, His Blog, Mar 3, 2014
http://www.drroyspencer.com/2014/03/2nd-coldest-u-s-winter-in-35-years/
[SEPP Comment: Based upon his independent analysis of stations that report every 6 hours, adjusted for the Urban Heat Island effect (changes in population).]
Massive Arctic cold wave descends into southern USA
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Mar 2, 2014
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/03/02/massive-arctic-cold-wave-descends-into-southern-usa/
Great Lakes ice reaches new post 1980 high 91%. – Niagara Falls freezing over
By Staff Writers, ICECAP, Mar 4, 2014
In the UK, it was much wetter in 1929
By Paul Homewood, WUWT, Mar 7, 2014
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/03/07/in-the-uk-it-was-much-wetter-in-1929/
Changing Climate
10,000 years on the Bering land bridge
By Staff Writers, Salt Lake City UT (SPX), Mar 03, 2014
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/10000_years_on_the_Bering_land_bridge_999.html
Dartmouth-led research shows temperature, not snowfall, driving tropical glacier size
By Staff Writers, Hanover NH (SPX), Feb 26, 2014
Furthermore, the ebbs and flows of other glaciers in tropical South America are similar to the Qori Kalis extents, indicating a regionally consistent pattern of past climate conditions. On a global scale, the results suggest that glaciers were larger than present and depositing moraines in both northern and southern hemispheres at about the same time, indicating that the climate mechanisms which caused the late Holocene cooling likely influenced a globally synchronous pattern of cooling.
Changing Cryosphere – Land / Sea Ice
Warm Rivers Play Role in Arctic Sea Ice Melt
By Staff Writers, Pasadena CA (JPL), Mar 06, 2014
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Warm_Rivers_Play_Role_in_Arctic_Sea_Ice_Melt_999.html
New paper finds “remarkable” growth of glaciers on Tibet plateau over past decade “challenging to explain”
By Staff, The Hockey Schtick, Mar 4, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
http://hockeyschtick.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/new-paper-finds-remarkable-growth-of.html
Link to paper: Evaluation of Glacier Changes in High Mountain Asia Based on 10-year GRACE-RL05 Models
By Shuang Yi*, Wenke Sun, Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth, Mar 4, 2014
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2013JB010860/abstract
Agriculture Issues & Fear of Famine
Food in America is more affordable than ever before because the US farm sector keeps getting more and more productive
By Mark Perry, AEIdeas, Mar 4, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
Un-Science or Non-Science?
Climate change causes high, but predictable, extinction risks
By Staff Writers, London, UK (SPX), Mar 04, 2014
[SEPP Comment: Cannot predict the extent of change or direction, but can predict risks? Why is NASA funding this?]
European flood risk could double by 2050
By Staff Writers, Vienna, Austria, (SPX) Mar 05, 2014
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/European_flood_risk_could_double_by_2050_999.html
[SEPP Comment: Two-thirds from socioeconomic growth.]
Global warming felt to deepest reaches of ocean
By Staff Writers, Monteral, Canada (SPX), Mar 05, 2014
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Global_warming_felt_to_deepest_reaches_of_ocean_999.html
[SEPP Comment: Too much speculation!]
Lowering Standards
New Global Warming Report a Disgrace
Royal Society/National Academy of Sciences propaganda would enrage Newton.
By Tom Harris, PJ Media, Mar 2, 2014 [H/t Timothy Wise]
http://pjmedia.com/blog/new-global-warming-report-a-disgrace/
Communicating Better to the Public – Exaggerate, or be Vague?
Learning To Distinguish Different Types Of Cold
By Steven Goddard, Real Science, Mar 4, 2014 [H/t ICECAP]
http://stevengoddard.wordpress.com/2014/03/04/learning-to-distinguish-different-types-of-cold/
Link to Voice of Russia: US record cold: if people disturb climate, crazy weather events occur – meteorologist
Interview of Jeff Masters, director of meteorology at the Weather Underground, Voice of Russia, Mar 4, 2014
[SEPP Comment: Distinguishing between natural cold weather, global cooling cold weather, and global warming cold weather, when the temperatures are about the same.]
COLD SHOULDER: ABC, CBS Exclude Scientists Critical of Global Warming for More Than 1,300 Days
By Sean Long, CNS News, Mar 6, 2014
[SEPP Comment: Making the skeptics invisible.]
Time running out for Great Barrier Reef: scientists
By Staff Writers, Sydney (AFP), March 06, 2014
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Time_running_out_for_Great_Barrier_Reef_scientists_999.html
Communicating Better to the Public – Make things up.
The Social Cost of Carbon
By Marlo Lewis, Capital Research Center, Feb, 2014
http://capitalresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/GW1402-final-draft-as-posted-140128.pdf
The Statute of Liberty is threatened by ‘global warming’…again
By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Mar 5, 2014
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/03/05/the-statute-of-liberty-is-threatened-by-global-warming-again/
Link to paper: Loss of cultural world heritage and currently inhabited places to sea-level rise
By Ben Marzeion and Anders Levermann 2014 Environ. Res. Letters, Mar 4, 2014
http://iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/9/3/034001/article
[SEPP Comment: Projecting 2000 years hence.]
Apocalypse Not: The Oscars, The Media And The Myth Of ‘Constant Repetition Of Doomsday Messages’ On Climate
By Joe Romm, Climate Progress, Mar 2, 2014 [H/t Bud Bromley]
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/03/02/3349451/oscars-media-doomsday-climate/#
[SEPP Comment: A constant doomsday message has not been ongoing?]
Communicating Better to the Public – Go Personal.
An Obama Advisor Is Attacking Me for Testifying That Climate Change Hasn’t Increased Extreme Weather
By Roger Pielke, Jr., New Republic, Mar 5, 2014
John Holdren’s Epic Fail
By Roger Pielke Jr., His Blog, Mar 1, 2014
http://rogerpielkejr.blogspot.com/2014/03/john-holdrens-epic-fail.html
Expanding the Orthodoxy
Pentagon warns of climate change ‘threat multipliers’
By Zack Colman, Washington Examiner, Mar 4, 2014
Link to report: Quadrennial Defense Review, 2014
By Staff Writers, Pentagon, 2014
http://www.defense.gov/pubs/2014_Quadrennial_Defense_Review.pdf
Quadrennial Defense Review 2014: Lions and Tigers and ManBearPigs, Oh My!
By Marlo Lewis, Global Warming.org, Mar 7, 2014
Questioning European Green
Denmark’s Energy Minister Rasmus Petersen Plans To Scrap New Windpark Projects, Citing High Electricity Costs!
By P. Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Mar 5, 2014
EU dilemma: Cheap energy or climate action
By Staff Writers, Bloomberg, Mar 5, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
[SEPP Comment: A great example of the logical fallacy of a False Dilemma. What can the EU do to prevent climate change, which has been on-going for hundreds of millions of years?]
Questioning Green Elsewhere
Renewable energy in decline, less than 1% of global energy
By Steve Goreham, Communities Digital News, Mar 1, 2014
De-Growth Advocates Would Take Us Back To Harder Times
Editorial, IBD, Mar 5, 2014
Non-Green Jobs
European chemicals industry could be wiped out in a decade, says Ineos boss
Jim Ratcliffe, the man at the centre of last year’s Grangemouth dispute, writes to EC president warning that 6m jobs are at risk
By Alistair Osborne, Telegraph, UK, Mar 6, 2014 [H/t Anne and Lars Debeil]
The Political Games Continue
House votes to limit environmental reviews
By Pete Kasperowicz, The Hill, Mar 6, 2014
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/200129-house-votes-to-limit-environmental-reviews
[SEPP Comment: Included a provision prohibiting agencies from considering the “social cost of carbon” in project analyses.]
House GOP blocks heart of Obama’s climate platform
By Matthew Daly, AP, Mar 6, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
[SEPP Comment: Carbon capture and storage has gone from commercially available to technically feasible, according to the EPA.]
Litigation Issues
Will the Supreme Court permit EPA climate decisions to stand?
If it does, the impacts on our lives, livelihoods, liberties and living standards will be enormous
By Paul Driessen, WUWT, Mar 3, 2014
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/03/03/will-the-supreme-court-permit-epa-climate-decisions-to-stand/
Chevron Gets Justice From Environmentalist Frauds
Editorial, IBD, Mar 5, 2014
Den gröna marxismens största nederlag? [Article on Chevron is in English]
By James Delingpole, Anthropocene, Mar 6, 2014 [H/t Anne and Lars Debeil]
http://antropocene.se/2014/march/den-grona-marxismens-storsta-nederlag.html
Cap-and-Trade and Carbon Taxes
Zombie carbon market falls 60%, revived by EU decree – media spins “soaring success”
By Jo Nova, Her Blog, Mar 6, 2014
Subsidies and Mandates Forever
Rep. Camp’s Bold Move: End of the Wind PTC (and other energy subsidies too)
By Lisa Linowes, Wind Action, Mar 3, 2014
Subsidy Hunters: Solar Companies Quit Spain For Britain
By Graham Keeley, The Times, Via GWPF, Mar 3, 2014
http://www.thegwpf.org/subsidy-hunters-solar-companies-quit-spain-britain/
Wind Farm Plans In Tatters After Government Cuts Green Subsidies
By Robert Mendick, Telegraph, UK, Via GWPF, Mar 2, 2014
http://www.thegwpf.org/wind-farm-plans-tatters-government-cuts-green-subsidies/
Economic Opportunities and Rebates
By Donn Dears, Power For USA, Mar 4, 2014
http://dddusmma.wordpress.com/2014/03/04/economic-opportunities-and-rebates/
EPA and other Regulators on the March
EPA’s Climate Regulations Will Harm American Manufacturing
By Nicolas Loris and Filip Jolevski, Heritage Foundation, Mar 4, 2014 [H/t Timothy Wise]
Obama’s budget wish list: Money and manpower for regulations
By Ben Goad, The Hill, Mar 4, 2014
Senate GOPs: Report ‘Will Cast a Shadow’ Over EPA’s Inspector General
In dispute are actions taken by EPA’s Region 6 against a natural gas company after receiving a complaint from a Texas homeowner.
By Bill Straub, PJ Media, Mar 3, 2014
http://pjmedia.com/blog/senate-gops-report-will-cast-a-shadow-over-epas-inspector-general/
[SEPP Comment: More on the EPA’s false claims against hydraulic fracturing.]
EPA announces new sulfur emission limits
By Laura Barron-Lopez, The Hill, Mar 3, 2014
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/199706-epa-finalizes-stricter-sulfur-emissions-rule
Energy Dept. proposes new standards for clothes washers
By Benjamin Goad, The Hill, Mar 3, 2014
Energy Issues – Non-US
Don’t put your pension into Greens, Mrs Worthington…
By Christopher Monckton, WUWT, Mar 6, 2014
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/03/06/dont-put-your-pension-into-greens-mrs-worthington/
Deepening Energy Crisis: Britain Has Become ‘Uninvestable’, Analyst Warns
By Danny Fortson, The Sunday Times, Via GWPF, Mar 2, 2014
http://www.thegwpf.org/deepening-energy-crisis-britain-uninvestable-energy-analyst-warns/
Germany’s Energiewende: A Path to Economic Self-Destruction
By Walter Russell Mead & Staff, American Interest, Feb 27, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
Economics Expert Slams German Feed-In Act, Calling It “An Abuse Of State Power”…”Belongs In The Dustbin”
By P Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Mar 7, 2014
Energy Issues — US
America Has A New Weapon To Use – The E-Bomb
By Fraser Nelson, Telegraph, UK, Mar 6, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
Green Lobby Isolated As U.S. Hopes Shale Boom Can Curb Putin
By Coral Davenport and Steven Erlanger, The New York Times, Via GWPF,
Mar 7, 2014 Via GWPF
http://www.thegwpf.org/green-lobby-isolated-u-s-hopes-shale-boom-curb-putin/
Link to article, U.S. Hopes Boom in Natural Gas Can Curb Putin
By Coral Davenport and Steven Erlanger, The New York Times, Mar 5, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
Obama stands by energy strategy while pushing climate change fund
By Laura Barron-Lopez, The Hill, Mar 4, 2014
Energy Security in the Age of Putin
By Steven Hayward, Power Line, Mar 5, 2014
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2014/03/energy-security-in-the-age-of-putin.php
Link to report Index of U.S. Energy Security Risk
By Staff Writers, US Chamber of Commerce, 2013
http://www.energyxxi.org/2013-us-index-of-energy-security-risk
End of Civilization as We Know It
By Donn Dears, Power For USA, Mar 7, 2014
http://dddusmma.wordpress.com/2014/03/07/end-of-civilization-as-we-know-it/
Oil and Natural Gas – the Future or the Past?
Natural gas industry buoyed by advancing technology
By Timothy Puko, TribLive, [Pittsburg] Mar 1, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
http://triblive.com/business/headlines/5681030-74/gas-drilling-wells#axzz2unRNogYO
[SEPP Comment: Only part of the stunning technological advancements in the oil and gas industry.]
Nuclear Energy and Fears
Commercial operation at Hongyanhe 2
By Staff Writers, WNN, Feb 28, 2014
http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-Commercial-operation-at-Hongyanhe-2-2802144.html
Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Solar and Wind
Germany’s Green Energy Bust
Energiewende by the Numbers
By Will Boisvert, Breakthrough Institute, Jul 30, 2013
http://thebreakthrough.org/index.php/programs/energy-and-climate/germanys-green-energy-bust
Has Renewable Energy Peaked?
By John Hinderaker, Power Line, Mar 2, 2014 [H/t Timothy Wise]
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2014/03/has-renewable-energy-peaked.php
O&M offshore plays larger role as climate change takes a toll
By Jason Deign, Wind Energy Update, Mar 3, 2014
[SEPP Comment: Who would have thought that maintenance would be difficulty in the stormy sea? Blame the stormy seas and the salt water corrosion on climate change.]
BrightSource’s Desmond says Ivanpah facility a model for future projects
Transcript by Staff Writers, EETV, Mar 5, 2014
http://www.eenews.net/tv/videos/1794/transcript
[SEPP Comment: No discussion of costs.]
Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Energy — Other
Geothermal offers cost-effective alternative to volatile fuel prices and propane shortages
By Staff Writers, Fort Wayne IN (SPX), Mar 06, 2014
Homeowners who install a geothermal system prior to Dec. 31, 2016, can take advantage of a federal renewable energy tax credit that offers a tax incentive of 30 percent of the installed cost of the system. This credit can be used in combination with utility rebates and state tax incentives, where available, to make geothermal systems more affordable than ever.
[SEPP Comment: If the system is so good, why does it need subsidies?]
The value of biomass
By Martin Livermore, Scientific Alliance, Mar 7, 2014
http://scientific-alliance.org/scientific-alliance-newsletter/value-biomass
Link to paper: Potential greenhouse gas benefits of transatlantic wood pellet trade
By Puneet Dwivedi, et al., Environmental Research Letters, Feb 18, 2014
http://iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/9/2/024007/article
California Dreaming
Energy Running Out of California
By Joel Kotkin, Orange County Register, Mar 4, 2014
http://www.joelkotkin.com/content/00875-energy-running-out-california
Maintaining Bulk Power System Reliability While Integrating Variable Energy Resources CAISO Approach.
By Staff Writers, NERC & CAISO, Nov 2013 [H/t Kevon Martis, Master Resource]
http://www.nerc.com/pa/RAPA/ra/Reliability%20Assessments%20DL/NERC-CAISO_VG_Assessment_Final.pdf
Environmental Industry
What Does It Mean to be Anti-Growth?
By Roger Pielke, Jr., Earth Island Journal, No Date
http://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/eij/article/pielke/
Not even climate change will kill off capitalism
As long as the conditions for investment and profit remain, the system will adapt. Which is why we need a revolution
By Razmig Keucheyan, Guardian, UK, Mar 6, 2014 [H/t GWPF]
Other Scientific News
Large mammals were the architects in prehistoric ecosystems
By Staff Writers. Aarhus, Denmark (SPX), Mar 05, 2014
Microbes, How Low Can You Go?
By Aaron L. Gronstal for Astrobiology Magazine, Moffett Field CA (SPX), Mar 04, 2014
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Microbes_How_Low_Can_You_Go_999.html
Other News that May Be of Interest
China’s premier ‘declares war’ on pollution
By Staff Writers, Beijing (AFP), March 05, 2014
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Chinas_premier_declares_war_on_pollution_999.html
It’s all water over the dam – but how and when it falls has huge impact on salmon
By Tom Rickey for PNNL News, Richland WA (SPX), Mar 05, 2014
################################################
BELOW THE BOTTOM LINE:
Climate change threatens Chipotle’s guacamole
By Laura Barron-Lopez, The Hill, Mar 5, 2014
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/199941-climate-change-threatens-chipotles-guacamole
[SEPP Comment: Apparently, the owners of the restaurant chain believed the climate prophets who claimed that the price of avocados will increase by 40%.]
US researchers propose Earth’s infrared radiation as renewable energy source
By Staff Writers, Boston (XNA), Mar 06, 2014
[SEPP Comment: Is it not greenhouse gases capturing the earth’s infrared radiation that causes the greenhouse effect?]
ExxonMobil chief, neighbors sue over fracking concerns
By Staff Writers, New York (AFP), Feb 27, 2014
http://www.oilgasdaily.com/reports/ExxonMobil_chief_neighbors_sue_over_fracking_concerns_999.html
###################################################
