iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-23--Trump the master persuader

Trump the master persuader

His speech today was partly a description of the finalists for the Oscars of Election Cheating .
It ’ s a worst of the worst list .
He ’ s crafting a narrative for the American people , paving the way for them to accept that he doesn ’ t just have a legal path to victory , but that he was the legitimate winner — by a landslide .
Many Americans will be blindsided if three states decertify the electors and the whole election is suddenly up for grabs .
As Scott Adams would say “ he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this speech he ’ s not only describing real fraud , but carving a path for Biden-voters to walk away from their choice .
A face-saving exit .
In psychology , human brains like to stick with their choices .
Robert Cialdini , the man who wrote “ Influence : The Psychology of Persuasion ” called it the principle of “ Commitment and Consistency ” .
Once we have made a decision — we ’ ll do a lot of rationalization to keep justifying that pick — even when it makes no sense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has to convince Biden voters that not only was Trump the rightful winner , but that Biden was not someone that [ … ]

Donald Trump’s statement for the nation
His speech today was partly a description of the finalists for the Oscars of Election Cheating. It’s a worst of the worst list. He’s crafting a narrative for the American people, paving the way for them to accept that he doesn’t just have a legal path to victory, but that he was the legitimate winner — by a landslide.
Many Americans will be blindsided if three states decertify the electors and the whole election is suddenly up for grabs. As Scott Adams would say “he’s a master persuader” — and in this speech he’s not only describing real fraud, but carving a path for Biden-voters to walk away from their choice. A face-saving exit.
In psychology, human brains like to stick with their choices. Robert Cialdini, the man who wrote “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” called it the principle of “Commitment and Consistency”. Once we have made a decision — we’ll do a lot of rationalization to keep justifying that pick — even when it makes no sense. To get peace or healing, Trump has to convince Biden voters that not only was Trump the rightful winner, but that Biden was not someone that […]
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December 23, 2020 at 12:03PM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-23--China Facing Winter Blackouts

China Facing Winter Blackouts

Speculation online is that the power shortages may be self-inflicted as a result of China ’ s embargo of Australian coal .
( AP pic ) BEIJING : Tens of millions across China are facing power shortages in below-freezing winter temperatures , as three provinces impose curbs on electricity use due to surging demand and a squeezed coal supply .
Residents , factories and businesses in Hunan , Zhejiang and Jiangxi provinces have been ordered to ration electricity with some areas citing a shortfall in coal supplies , according to local media reports and government notices .
China ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driven by energy intensive industries such as construction , heaping pressure on the power grid and coal supplies , said Lauri Myllyvirta , lead analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air .
Earlier this month , Hunan authorities ordered all billboards and outdoor lighting on buildings to power off for long periods each day and a temperature cap on indoor heating at entertainment venues .
Hunan faces a shortfall of 3-4 million kilowatts of electricity this winter , local officials admitted last week , as demand soars due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low as -10°C .
Office workers in provincial capital Changsha complained on social media about being forced to climb dozens of flights of stairs and freezing indoor temperatures as a result of frequent power outages .
“ My office heating has already been stopped , and there were blackouts on Dec 1 , 3 and 5 .
Temperatures will drop to -8°C around New Year ’ s Day , will I freeze to death in Hunan ?
” one Weibo user wrote last week .
Meanwhile in Zhejiang province , factories in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stop operations and streetlights have been turned off at night as part of an emissions-saving drive by the local government , according to media reports and photos circulated on Weibo .
Supply ‘ largely stable ’ China ’ s top economic planner , the National Development and Reform Commission ( NDRC ) , on Monday sought to reassure the public by saying the electricity supply is “ largely stable ” , and pledged to increase generation capacity and coal procurement .
The power crisis points to the challenges fast-growing China faces in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with strict carbon emissions targets promised by its leadership .
China — by far the world ’ s biggest consumer of coal — is pivoting to renewable energy sources to meet a pledge to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2060 .
Speculation has swirled online that the power shortages may be self-inflicted as a result of China ’ s embargo of Australian coal , which has left ships stranded at ports , unable to offload large quantities of coal .
However , Australian coal only made up about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total coal imports of 265 million tonnes , according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics .
“ The Aussie ban only had little impact on China ’ s thermal coal supply , ” said Yan Qin , carbon analyst at financial data service Refinitiv .
“ But China-Australia tensions have caused significant worries in the commodities markets , driving up domestic coal prices.
” I personally doubt if the Australian ban has made much difference .
I suspect that China faces these sort of problems every winter .
But there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only is demand exacerbated in the extremely cold winter months in China , but hydro power is also at its lowest , peaking in summer and autumn .
This is the main reason why power shortages occur .
Obviously the same applies to solar power , which is at its lowest in winter , although this is still so tiny as to be irrelevant .
Perverse though it may appear , generation is at its lowest in Q1 , when demand is at a high .
This is because thermal generation is pretty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , except for Q2 which is probably due to planned maintenance .
Meanwhile wind power varies little , and of course nuclear also runs at full capacity .
( There is a strange spike in solar power in Q4 , which I suspect represents a catching up on smaller generators , who only report annually ) .
Consequently , when hydro power drops off in Q1 , so too does total generation , as there is no slack in the system .
So where does all of this leave us ?
Demand for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Yet it is also a time when hydro and solar power drops off .
Clearly wind power can not be ramped up to meet this extra demand , and neither can nuclear power .
With thermal generation already running flat out , there is no option but to impose these sort of curbs and power shortages .
Moreover if China wants to replace the use of coal for indoor heating with electricity for environmental reasons , this problem will become more acute .
The Chinese government has no choice but to carry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas and oil , to meet this winter demand .
Clearly renewable energy is not up to the job .
If it does not , the CCP will find itself with a revolution on its hands .
via NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT

By Paul Homewood
There’s an interesting story emerging from China:
From the Malaysian news outlet, FMT:
Speculation online is that the power shortages may be self-inflicted as a result of China’s embargo of Australian coal. (AP pic)
.
BEIJING: Tens of millions across China are facing power shortages in below-freezing winter temperatures, as three provinces impose curbs on electricity use due to surging demand and a squeezed coal supply.
Residents, factories and businesses in Hunan, Zhejiang and Jiangxi provinces have been ordered to ration electricity with some areas citing a shortfall in coal supplies, according to local media reports and government notices.
China’s rebound from the Covid-19 pandemic has been driven by energy intensive industries such as construction, heaping pressure on the power grid and coal supplies, said Lauri Myllyvirta, lead analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
Earlier this month, Hunan authorities ordered all billboards and outdoor lighting on buildings to power off for long periods each day and a temperature cap on indoor heating at entertainment venues.
Hunan faces a shortfall of 3-4 million kilowatts of electricity this winter, local officials admitted last week, as demand soars due to unusually cold weather that will hit as low as -10°C.
Office workers in provincial capital Changsha complained on social media about being forced to climb dozens of flights of stairs and freezing indoor temperatures as a result of frequent power outages.
“My office heating has already been stopped, and there were blackouts on Dec 1, 3 and 5. Temperatures will drop to -8°C around New Year’s Day, will I freeze to death in Hunan?” one Weibo user wrote last week.
Meanwhile in Zhejiang province, factories in the manufacturing hub of Yiwu have been told to stop operations and streetlights have been turned off at night as part of an emissions-saving drive by the local government, according to media reports and photos circulated on Weibo.
Supply ‘largely stable’
China’s top economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), on Monday sought to reassure the public by saying the electricity supply is “largely stable”, and pledged to increase generation capacity and coal procurement.
The power crisis points to the challenges fast-growing China faces in balancing the needs of its vast population with strict carbon emissions targets promised by its leadership.
China — by far the world’s biggest consumer of coal — is pivoting to renewable energy sources to meet a pledge to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2060.
Speculation has swirled online that the power shortages may be self-inflicted as a result of China’s embargo of Australian coal, which has left ships stranded at ports, unable to offload large quantities of coal.
However, Australian coal only made up about 3% of last year’s total coal imports of 265 million tonnes, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics.
“The Aussie ban only had little impact on China’s thermal coal supply,” said Yan Qin, carbon analyst at financial data service Refinitiv.
“But China-Australia tensions have caused significant worries in the commodities markets, driving up domestic coal prices.”
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/2020/12/22/tens-of-millions-in-china-facing-winter-power-blackouts-rationing/
I personally doubt if the Australian ban has made much difference. I suspect that China faces these sort of problems every winter.
But there is a back story to this. Not only is demand exacerbated in the extremely cold winter months in China, but hydro power is also at its lowest, peaking in summer and autumn.
This is the main reason why power shortages occur. Obviously the same applies to solar power, which is at its lowest in winter, although this is still so tiny as to be irrelevant.
https://chinaenergyportal.org/en/2019-electricity-other-energy-statistics-preliminary/
Perverse though it may appear, generation is at its lowest in Q1, when demand is at a high. This is because thermal generation is pretty much running at full blast all year, except for Q2 which is probably due to planned maintenance. Meanwhile wind power varies little, and of course nuclear also runs at full capacity. (There is a strange spike in solar power in Q4, which I suspect represents a catching up on smaller generators, who only report annually).
Consequently, when hydro power drops off in Q1, so too does total generation, as there is no slack in the system.
https://chinaenergyportal.org/en/2019-electricity-other-energy-statistics-preliminary/
So where does all of this leave us?
Demand for power is at a high in winter. Yet it is also a time when hydro and solar power drops off. Clearly wind power cannot be ramped up to meet this extra demand, and neither can nuclear power. With thermal generation already running flat out, there is no option but to impose these sort of curbs and power shortages.
Moreover if China wants to replace the use of coal for indoor heating with electricity for environmental reasons, this problem will become more acute.
The Chinese government has no choice but to carry on burning more and more coal, gas and oil, to meet this winter demand. Clearly renewable energy is not up to the job.
If it does not, the CCP will find itself with a revolution on its hands.
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December 23, 2020 at 12:00PM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-23--Breakthrough? Georgia senate committee recommends decertification of Biden electors

It ’ s just a subcommittee , but it ’ s the first official document from an elected body that examined the evidence of voter fraud and the six Senators find that the election in Georgia was “ untrustworthy ” .
The Judiciary recommend that the House in Georgia de-certify the Biden electoral college electors due to voter fraud , and because state officials failed to follow state election rules .
As Steve Bannon and Rudy Guiliani describe it , if the lower House in Georgia does that , Arizona is two votes away from decertifying , Wisconsin is on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough electoral college votes to deny Biden the 270 Electoral College votes he needs to have on January 6th .
The election goes to a “ Contingent Election ” which Trump is almost certain to win .
Bannon forecasts : if “ one goes , they all go ” .
If one state braves up enough to decertify , others will step over the line too .
“ Courage is Contagious ” , he says .
The November 3 , 2020 General Election ( the “ Election ” ) was chaotic and any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Subcommittee took evidence from witnesses and received affidavits sworn under oath .
The Subcommittee heard evidence that proper protocols [ … ]

It’s just a subcommittee, but it’s the first official document from an elected body that examined the evidence of voter fraud and the six Senators find that the election in Georgia was “untrustworthy”.
The Judiciary recommend that the House in Georgia de-certify the Biden electoral college electors due to voter fraud, and because state officials failed to follow state election rules. As Steve Bannon and Rudy Guiliani describe it, if the lower House in Georgia does that, Arizona is two votes away from decertifying, Wisconsin is on the verge. Those three states control enough electoral college votes to deny Biden the 270 Electoral College votes he needs to have on January 6th. The election goes to a “Contingent Election” which Trump is almost certain to win. Bannon forecasts: if “one goes, they all go”. If one state braves up enough to decertify, others will step over the line too. “Courage is Contagious”, he says.
II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The November 3, 2020 General Election (the “Election”) was chaotic and any reported results must be viewed as untrustworthy. The Subcommittee took evidence from witnesses and received affidavits sworn under oath. The Subcommittee heard evidence that proper protocols […]
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December 23, 2020 at 11:56AM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-23--Ice Age wolf pup mummy discovered in Yukon permafrost

The ancient wolf pup , perfectly preserved in permafrost , dates from the Ice Age .
Its remains were discovered @ @ @ @ @ 2016 near Dawson City in the Yukon .
It appears that the animal , a @ @ @ @ @ the den she was in collapsed .
They also constitute the oldest ever recorded wolf @ @ @ @ @ light on the evolution of the animal .
A professor of anatomy at Des Moines @ @ @ @ @ Meachen , called the creature : “ the most complete wolf mummy that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Meachen added that the wolf was “ basically 100 per cent intact ” saying that @ @ @ @ @ her eyes .
The exceptional remains will allow an insight into what life was like @ @ @ @ @ ago .
See complete article , including a photo of the pup : https : @ @ @ @ @ Kaiser for this link The post Ice Age wolf pup mummy discovered in Yukon permafrost @ @ @ @ @ Now .

The ancient wolf pup, perfectly preserved in permafrost, dates from the Ice Age. Its remains were discovered by a gold miner in 2016 near Dawson City in the Yukon.
It appears that the animal, a female, died suddenly when the den she was in collapsed.
They also constitute the oldest ever recorded wolf and may help to shed light on the evolution of the animal.
A professor of anatomy at Des Moines University in Iowa, Julie Meachen, called the creature: “the most complete wolf mummy that’s ever been found.” Ms Meachen added that the wolf was “basically 100 per cent intact” saying that the only thing missing are her eyes.
The exceptional remains will allow an insight into what life was like in Canada 2.6 million years ago.
See complete article, including a photo of the pup:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/wolf-mummy-ice-age-canada-permafrost-b1777181.html
Thanks to Dr Klaus Kaiser for this link
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December 23, 2020 at 11:11AM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-23--Why I will not accept Joe Biden as president – Newt Gingrich

“ This extraordinary , coordinated four-year power grab threatens the fabric of our country and the freedom of every American.
” – Newt Gingrich ___________ Why I will not accept Joe Biden as president – Newt Gingrich In an op-ed titled “ Why I will not accept Joe Biden as president , ” former House Speaker Newt Gingrich ( R-Ga. ) writes that his unwillingness to accept the election results rises from an outrage he says he previously hasn ’ t felt .
Gingrich wrote that he does not have “ any interest in pretending that the current result is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ final stroke of a four-year establishment-media power grab.
” In-as-much-as the mainstream media isn ’ t even covering this , I want to give you a few excerpts from Gingrich ’ s op-ed piece : “ My world is the populist rebellion which believes we are being destroyed , our liberties are being cancelled and our religions are under assault .
“ In 2016 , I supported an outsider candidate , who was rough around the edges and in the Andrew Jackson school of controversial assaults on the old order .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ blamed on the Russians .
We now know ( four years later ) Hillary Clinton ’ s own team financed the total lie that fueled this attack .
“ The national liberal media aided and abetted every step of the way .
All this was purely an attempt to cripple the new president .
“ Now , people in my world are told it is time to stop resisting and cooperate with the new president.
” “ The truth of the Hunter Biden story is now becoming impossible to avoid or conceal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ president received at least $ 5 million from an entity controlled by our greatest adversary .
It was a blatant payoff , and most Americans who voted for Mr. Biden never heard of it — or were told before the election it was Russian disinformation .
“ I have no interest in legitimizing the father of a son who Chinese Communist Party members boast about buying .
Nor do I have any interest in pretending that the current result is legitimate or honorable .
It is simply the final stroke of a four-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perpetrated by people who have broken the law , cheated the country of information , and smeared those of us who believe in America over China , history over revisionism , and the liberal ideal of free expression over cancel culture .
“ When I see elite billionaires like Mark Zuckerburg are able to spend $ 400 million to hire city governments to maximize turnout in specifically Democratic districts — without any regard to election spending laws or good governance standards — I fear for the country .
“ Officials in virtually every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laws to send out millions of ballots or ballot applications to every registered voter .
It was all clearly documented in the Texas lawsuit .
“ It ’ s clear that virtually every swing state essentially suspended normal requirements for verifying absentee ballots .
“ Trump supporters think we have been robbed by a ruthless establishment — which is likely to only get more corrupt and aggressive if it gets away with these blatant acts .
“ Tens of millions of Americans are deeply alienated and angry .
I think we are headed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America .
This extraordinary , coordinated four-year power grab threatens the fabric of our country and the freedom of every American .
Read all of this powerful op-ed piece : https : //www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/dec/21/why-i-will-not-accept-joe-biden-as-president/ The post Why I will not accept Joe Biden as president – Newt Gingrich appeared first on Ice Age Now .

“This extraordinary, coordinated four-year power grab threatens the fabric of our country and the freedom of every American.”
– Newt Gingrich
___________
Why I will not accept Joe Biden as president – Newt Gingrich
In an op-ed titled “Why I will not accept Joe Biden as president,” former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) writes that his unwillingness to accept the election results rises from an outrage he says he previously hasn’t felt.
Gingrich wrote that he does not have “any interest in pretending that the current result is legitimate or honorable,” calling it a “final stroke of a four-year establishment-media power grab.”
In-as-much-as the mainstream media isn’t even covering this, I want to give you a few excerpts from Gingrich’s op-ed piece:
“My world is the populist rebellion which believes we are being destroyed, our liberties are being cancelled and our religions are under assault.
“In 2016, I supported an outsider candidate, who was rough around the edges and in the Andrew Jackson school of controversial assaults on the old order. When my candidate won, it was blamed on the Russians. We now know (four years later) Hillary Clinton’s own team financed the total lie that fueled this attack.
“The national liberal media aided and abetted every step of the way. All this was purely an attempt to cripple the new president.
“Now, people in my world are told it is time to stop resisting and cooperate with the new president.”
“The truth of the Hunter Biden story is now becoming impossible to avoid or conceal. The family of the Democrat nominee for president received at least $5 million from an entity controlled by our greatest adversary. It was a blatant payoff, and most Americans who voted for Mr. Biden never heard of it — or were told before the election it was Russian disinformation.
“I have no interest in legitimizing the father of a son who Chinese Communist Party members boast about buying. Nor do I have any interest in pretending that the current result is legitimate or honorable. It is simply the final stroke of a four-year establishment-media power grab. It has been perpetrated by people who have broken the law, cheated the country of information, and smeared those of us who believe in America over China, history over revisionism, and the liberal ideal of free expression over cancel culture.
“When I see elite billionaires like Mark Zuckerburg are able to spend $400 million to hire city governments to maximize turnout in specifically Democratic districts — without any regard to election spending laws or good governance standards — I fear for the country.
“Officials in virtually every swing state broke their states’ own laws to send out millions of ballots or ballot applications to every registered voter. It was all clearly documented in the Texas lawsuit.
“It’s clear that virtually every swing state essentially suspended normal requirements for verifying absentee ballots.
“Trump supporters think we have been robbed by a ruthless establishment — which is likely to only get more corrupt and aggressive if it gets away with these blatant acts.
“Tens of millions of Americans are deeply alienated and angry.
I think we are headed toward a serious, bitter struggle in America. This extraordinary, coordinated four-year power grab threatens the fabric of our country and the freedom of every American.
Read all of this powerful op-ed piece:
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/dec/21/why-i-will-not-accept-joe-biden-as-president/
The post Why I will not accept Joe Biden as president – Newt Gingrich appeared first on Ice Age Now.
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December 23, 2020 at 10:50AM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-23--Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

The GWPF team is taking a break over the festive period .
Thank you for your continuing interest and support @ @ @ @ @ back after the Christmas holidays .
Until then , we wish our members and readers @ @ @ @ @ and the New Year .
The post Merry Christmas & Happy New Year !
appeared @ @ @ @ @ Policy Forum ( GWPF ) .

The GWPF team is taking a break over the festive period. Thank you for your continuing interest and support.
We’ll be back after the Christmas holidays. Until then, we wish our members and readers all the best for Christmas and the New Year.
The post Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! appeared first on The Global Warming Policy Forum (GWPF).
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December 23, 2020 at 10:37AM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-24--Warmists agonise over ‘carbon emissions’ from Christmas dinner

Climate obsessives want to award themselves the authority to micromanage every aspect of people ’ s lives , using the feeble excuse of carbon dioxide , a harmless trace gas vital to plants and other vegetation .
This sort of absurdity seems to be mushrooming by the day .
Merry Christmas !
– – – Around 60 % of the climate impact of foods can come from cooking , according to new research , says Energy Live News .
Cooking the traditional Christmas dinner could have a major effect on the environment .
That ’ s according to new research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Food Policy , City , University of London , Dr Christian Reynolds , who claims up to 60 % of the climate impact of foods can come from cooking .
Dr Reynolds ’ research shows that a reduction in meat consumption could make the traditional roast more sustainable .
The production , preparation and consumption of one kilogram of protein from meat products could cause more greenhouse ( GHG ) gas emissions than a passenger flying from London to New York , according to the study .
A kilogram of beef protein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of carbon dioxide while a kilogram of lamb protein can create 749 kilograms of carbon dioxide due to the long oven-roasting cooking times .
The analysis also suggests turkey creates less GHG emissions than other types of meat .

Climate obsessives want to award themselves the authority to micromanage every aspect of people’s lives, using the feeble excuse of carbon dioxide, a harmless trace gas vital to plants and other vegetation. This sort of absurdity seems to be mushrooming by the day. Merry Christmas!
– – –
Around 60% of the climate impact of foods can come from cooking, according to new research, says Energy Live News.
Cooking the traditional Christmas dinner could have a major effect on the environment.
That’s according to new research by the Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Food Policy, City, University of London, Dr Christian Reynolds, who claims up to 60% of the climate impact of foods can come from cooking.
Dr Reynolds’ research shows that a reduction in meat consumption could make the traditional roast more sustainable.
The production, preparation and consumption of one kilogram of protein from meat products could cause more greenhouse (GHG) gas emissions than a passenger flying from London to New York, according to the study.
A kilogram of beef protein can generate the equivalent of 643 kilograms of carbon dioxide while a kilogram of lamb protein can create 749 kilograms of carbon dioxide due to the long oven-roasting cooking times.
The analysis also suggests turkey creates less GHG emissions than other types of meat.
Full article here.
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December 24, 2020 at 04:45AM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-24--China’s Dystopian Lake–Courtesy Of The World’s Lust For Rare Earths

Further to my post on neodymium , it is worth taking a closer look at just why China dominates most of the world ’ s production , their share being estimated at 90 % .
Although neodymium is classified as a “ rare earth ” , there is actually plenty of it about .
The real problem is that extracting and refining it , and other rare earths , is a highly hazardous and toxic process .
Quite simply , few countries , other than China , are prepared to take the environmental hit .
Back in 2015 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where rare earths are mined : Hidden in an unknown corner of Inner Mongolia is a toxic , nightmarish lake created by our thirst for smartphones , consumer gadgets and green tech , discovers Tim Maughan .
From where I ’ m standing , the city-sized Baogang Steel and Rare Earth complex dominates the horizon , its endless cooling towers and chimneys reaching up into grey , washed-out sky .
Between it and me , stretching into the distance , lies an artificial lake filled with a black , barely-liquid , toxic sludge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , churning out a torrent of thick , black , chemical waste from the refineries that surround the lake .
The smell of sulphur and the roar of the pipes invades my senses .
It feels like hell on Earth .
Welcome to Baotou , the largest industrial city in Inner Mongolia .
I ’ m here with a group of architects and designers called the Unknown Fields Division , and this is the final stop on a three-week-long journey up the global supply chain , tracing back the route consumer goods take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , via container ships and factories .
You may not have heard of Baotou , but the mines and factories here help to keep our modern lives ticking .
It is one of the world ’ s biggest suppliers of “ rare earth ” minerals .
These elements can be found in everything from magnets in wind turbines and electric car motors , to the electronic guts of smartphones and flatscreen TVs .
In 2009 China produced 95 % of the world ’ s supply of these elements , and it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ north of Baotou contain 70 % of the world ’ s reserves .
But , as we would discover , at what cost ?
It ’ s well worth reading the whole piece .
But this paragraph sums it up : The intriguing thing about both neodymium and cerium is that while they ’ re called rare earth minerals , they ’ re actually fairly common .
Neodymium is no rarer than copper or nickel and quite evenly distributed throughout the world ’ s crust .
While China produces 90 % of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 % of the world ’ s deposits are located there .
Arguably , what makes it , and cerium , scarce enough to be profitable are the hugely hazardous and toxic process needed to extract them from ore and to refine them into usable products .
For example , cerium is extracted by crushing mineral mixtures and dissolving them in sulphuric and nitric acid , and this has to be done on a huge industrial scale , resulting in a vast amount of poisonous waste as a byproduct .
It could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rare earth market is less about geology and far more about the country ’ s willingness to take an environmental hit that other nations shy away from .
via NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT

By Paul Homewood
Further to my post on neodymium, it is worth taking a closer look at just why China dominates most of the world’s production, their share being estimated at 90%.
Although neodymium is classified as a “rare earth”, there is actually plenty of it about. The real problem is that extracting and refining it, and other rare earths, is a highly hazardous and toxic process.
Quite simply, few countries, other than China, are prepared to take the environmental hit.
Back in 2015, the BBC published this account of Baotou, where rare earths are mined:
Hidden in an unknown corner of Inner Mongolia is a toxic, nightmarish lake created by our thirst for smartphones, consumer gadgets and green tech, discovers Tim Maughan.
From where I’m standing, the city-sized Baogang Steel and Rare Earth complex dominates the horizon, its endless cooling towers and chimneys reaching up into grey, washed-out sky. Between it and me, stretching into the distance, lies an artificial lake filled with a black, barely-liquid, toxic sludge.
Dozens of pipes line the shore, churning out a torrent of thick, black, chemical waste from the refineries that surround the lake. The smell of sulphur and the roar of the pipes invades my senses. It feels like hell on Earth.
Welcome to Baotou, the largest industrial city in Inner Mongolia. I’m here with a group of architects and designers called the Unknown Fields Division, and this is the final stop on a three-week-long journey up the global supply chain, tracing back the route consumer goods take from China to our shops and homes, via container ships and factories.
You may not have heard of Baotou, but the mines and factories here help to keep our modern lives ticking. It is one of the world’s biggest suppliers of “rare earth” minerals. These elements can be found in everything from magnets in wind turbines and electric car motors, to the electronic guts of smartphones and flatscreen TVs. In 2009 China produced 95% of the world’s supply of these elements, and it’s estimated that the Bayan Obo mines just north of Baotou contain 70% of the world’s reserves. But, as we would discover, at what cost?
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20150402-the-worst-place-on-earth
It’s well worth reading the whole piece. But this paragraph sums it up:
The intriguing thing about both neodymium and cerium is that while they’re called rare earth minerals, they’re actually fairly common. Neodymium is no rarer than copper or nickel and quite evenly distributed throughout the world’s crust. While China produces 90% of the global market’s neodymium, only 30% of the world’s deposits are located there. Arguably, what makes it, and cerium, scarce enough to be profitable are the hugely hazardous and toxic process needed to extract them from ore and to refine them into usable products. For example, cerium is extracted by crushing mineral mixtures and dissolving them in sulphuric and nitric acid, and this has to be done on a huge industrial scale, resulting in a vast amount of poisonous waste as a byproduct. It could be argued that China’s dominance of the rare earth market is less about geology and far more about the country’s willingness to take an environmental hit that other nations shy away from.
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December 24, 2020 at 04:24AM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-24--A blazar in the early universe

A blazar in the early universe

The supersharp radio “ vision ” of the National Science Foundation ’ s Very Long Baseline Array ( VLBA ) has revealed previously unseen details in a jet of material ejected at three-quarters the speed of light from the core of a galaxy some 12.8 billion light-years from Earth .
The galaxy , dubbed PSO J0309+27 , is a blazar , with its jet pointed toward Earth , and is the brightest radio-emitting blazar yet seen at such a distance .
It also is the second-brightest X-ray emitting blazar at such a distance .
In this image , the brightest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s core , at bottom right .
The jet is propelled by the gravitational energy of a supermassive black hole at the core , and moves outward , toward the upper left .
The jet seen here extends some 1,600 light-years , and shows structure within it .
At this distance , PSO J0309+27 is seen as it was when the universe was less than a billion years old , or just over 7 percent of its current age .
An international team of astronomers led by Cristiana Spingola of the University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in April and May of 2020 .
Their analysis of the object ’ s properties provides support for some theoretical models for why blazars are rare in the early universe .
The researchers reported their results in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics .
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation , operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities , Inc .

Details revealed in galaxy’s jet 12.8 billion light-years from Earth
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Research News
IMAGE: VLBA image of the blazar PSO J0309+27 at a distance of 12.8 billion light-years from Earth. Galaxy’s core is at bottom right, and jet is propelled outward from the core… view more Credit: Spingola et al.; Bill Saxton, NRAO/AUI/NSF.
The supersharp radio “vision” of the National Science Foundation’s Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) has revealed previously unseen details in a jet of material ejected at three-quarters the speed of light from the core of a galaxy some 12.8 billion light-years from Earth. The galaxy, dubbed PSO J0309+27, is a blazar, with its jet pointed toward Earth, and is the brightest radio-emitting blazar yet seen at such a distance. It also is the second-brightest X-ray emitting blazar at such a distance.
In this image, the brightest radio emission comes from the galaxy’s core, at bottom right. The jet is propelled by the gravitational energy of a supermassive black hole at the core, and moves outward, toward the upper left. The jet seen here extends some 1,600 light-years, and shows structure within it.
At this distance, PSO J0309+27 is seen as it was when the universe was less than a billion years old, or just over 7 percent of its current age.
An international team of astronomers led by Cristiana Spingola of the University of Bologna in Italy, observed the galaxy in April and May of 2020. Their analysis of the object’s properties provides support for some theoretical models for why blazars are rare in the early universe. The researchers reported their results in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.
###
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation, operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
CREDIT: Spingola et al.; Bill Saxton, NRAO/AUI/NSF.
From EurekAlert!
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iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-24--New Climate Models (CMIP6) Offer No Improvement, Model Discrepancies As Large As The Last Version (C

New Climate Models (CMIP6) Offer No Improvement, Model Discrepancies As Large As The Last Version (CMIP5)

The “ unsatisfactorily large ” magnitude of the discrepancies between models in estimating the various radiative contributions to Earth ’ s energy imbalance serves to undermine confidence that CO2 ’ s small impact could even be detected amid all the uncertainty .
Scientists have engaged in offering their educated guesses , or estimates , of cloud radiative effects for decades .
In the latest models , CMIP6 , the top of atmosphere ( TOA ) net cloud radiative effects ( CRE ) when considering clouds ’ longwave and shortwave combined impact is somewhere between -17 W/m² and -31 W/m² ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a 24 W/m² spread in CRE modeling .
The discrepancy range between modeled estimates for downward longwave clear-sky radiation is 22.5 W/m² .
This is the component where CO2 ’ s underwhelming 0.2 W/m² per decade impact ( Feldman et al.
, 2015 ) is manifested .
Modeling discrepancies are thus more than 100 times larger than CO2 ’ s forcing contribution over a 10-year period .
Dr. Wild further reports that there is a generalized 10-20 W/m² magnitude modeling discrepancy in the “ global energy balance components ” estimates , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
These spreads in climate modeling are referred to as “ unsatisfactorily large ” and they may preclude accurate representation of the global energy cycle and water cycle .
“ The substantial inter-model spread of 18 Wm−2 in the simulated global mean surface latent heat flux further points to considerable discrepancies not only in the representation of the global energy cycle , but also of the global water cycle in the CMIP6 models.
” So , unfortunately , no real model improvements to energy budget estimates have been realized over the course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have generally not decreased from the previous model generation CMIP5 to the latest model generation CMIP6 .
”

The “unsatisfactorily large” magnitude of the discrepancies between models in estimating the various radiative contributions to Earth’s energy imbalance serves to undermine confidence that CO2’s small impact could even be detected amid all the uncertainty.
Scientists have engaged in offering their educated guesses, or estimates, of cloud radiative effects for decades.
In the latest models, CMIP6, the top of atmosphere (TOA) net cloud radiative effects (CRE) when considering clouds’ longwave and shortwave combined impact is somewhere between -17 W/m² and -31 W/m² (Wild, 2020). That’s a 24 W/m² spread in CRE modeling.
The discrepancy range between modeled estimates for downward longwave clear-sky radiation is 22.5 W/m². This is the component where CO2’s underwhelming 0.2 W/m² per decade impact (Feldman et al., 2015) is manifested. Modeling discrepancies are thus more than 100 times larger than CO2’s forcing contribution over a 10-year period.
Dr. Wild further reports that there is a generalized 10-20 W/m² magnitude modeling discrepancy in the “global energy balance components” estimates, such as latent heat flux (18 W/m²). These spreads in climate modeling are referred to as “unsatisfactorily large” and they may preclude accurate representation of the global energy cycle and water cycle.
“The substantial inter-model spread of 18 Wm−2 in the simulated global mean surface latent heat flux further points to considerable discrepancies not only in the representation of the global energy cycle, but also of the global water cycle in the CMIP6 models.”
So, unfortunately, no real model improvements to energy budget estimates have been realized over the course of decades.
“All these discrepancies have generally not decreased from the previous model generation CMIP5 to the latest model generation CMIP6.”
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December 24, 2020 at 04:06AM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-24--Europe’s wind and e-car industry dependent on China’s magnetic metals

We all know about how China controls most of the world ’ s supply of cobalt , but it seems we must also add neodymium to the list : The green energy industry , in particular the wind energy sector , has become increasingly dependent on China for vital magnetic metals , writes Stefan Hajek in WirtschaftsWoche Online .
Wind farms are set to play an ever larger role in the world ’ s future energy supply .
Offshore wind power capacity in the EU alone is expected to increase 25-fold by 2050 .
Magnetic metals such as neodymium are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as for every modern electric motor , including those used in almost every electric car and plug-in hybrid .
That ’ s leading to a bottleneck in two main sectors of the energy transition that very few political leaders and industry executives have addressed , Hajek notes .
The extraction and processing of neodymium almost entirely in the hands of one country , China .
The country already used its market power once before , in 2009 , and paralysed entire industries worldwide with an export boycott on rare earths for computers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this again in other industries in view of its ongoing trade conflicts with the US , which he says are not expected to ease under President-elect Joe Biden .
“ This time there is even more at stake than in 2009 , ” Hajek writes .
“ Without a sufficient supply of magnetic metals , climate protection will be much more difficult , protracted and much more expensive , ” says Oliver Gutfleisch , professor of Functional Materials at the Technical University of Darmstadt .
“ The energy transition is also a material @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without certain raw materials .
That is often overlooked.
” Bernd Schäfer and Andreas Klossek , who head the EU ’ s European Innovation and Technology ( EIT ) Raw Materials think tank , are sounding the alarm despite the fact that companies have not yet had any problems getting magnets .
The US Geological Survey agency expects the demand for permanent magnets to double by 2029 .
`` 90 percent of e-cars and all hybrid cars have electric motors with permanent magnets , '' says Klossek .
“ We expect a supply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ores required from 2030 onwards.
” When you get into bed with a tiger , don ’ t expect to wake up the next morning !
via NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT

By Paul Homewood
We all know about how China controls most of the world’s supply of cobalt, but it seems we must also add neodymium to the list:
The green energy industry, in particular the wind energy sector, has become increasingly dependent on China for vital magnetic metals, writes Stefan Hajek in WirtschaftsWoche Online. Wind farms are set to play an ever larger role in the world’s future energy supply. Offshore wind power capacity in the EU alone is expected to increase 25-fold by 2050.
Magnetic metals such as neodymium are an essential component for wind turbines as well as for every modern electric motor, including those used in almost every electric car and plug-in hybrid. That’s leading to a bottleneck in two main sectors of the energy transition that very few political leaders and industry executives have addressed, Hajek notes. The extraction and processing of neodymium almost entirely in the hands of one country, China. The country already used its market power once before, in 2009, and paralysed entire industries worldwide with an export boycott on rare earths for computers.
Hajek warns that China could do this again in other industries in view of its ongoing trade conflicts with the US, which he says are not expected to ease under President-elect Joe Biden. “This time there is even more at stake than in 2009,” Hajek writes. “Without a sufficient supply of magnetic metals, climate protection will be much more difficult, protracted and much more expensive,” says Oliver Gutfleisch, professor of Functional Materials at the Technical University of Darmstadt. “The energy transition is also a material transition — it doesn’t work without certain raw materials. That is often overlooked.”
Bernd Schäfer and Andreas Klossek, who head the EU’s European Innovation and Technology (EIT) Raw Materials think tank, are sounding the alarm despite the fact that companies have not yet had any problems getting magnets. The US Geological Survey agency expects the demand for permanent magnets to double by 2029. "90 percent of e-cars and all hybrid cars have electric motors with permanent magnets," says Klossek. “We expect a supply shortfall of 65,000 tonnes per year for the ores required from 2030 onwards.”
https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/europes-wind-and-e-car-industry-dependent-chinas-magnetic-metals
When you get into bed with a tiger, don’t expect to wake up the next morning!
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December 24, 2020 at 04:00AM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-24--THE HUGE COST OF DECARBONISING HOUSING

THE HUGE COST OF DECARBONISING HOUSING

This article summarises the two main ways of achieving this and comes to the conclusion that it is unaffordable at @ @ @ @ @ will the public be told before it is too late ?

This article summarises the two main ways of achieving this and comes to the conclusion that it is unaffordable at £46,000 per household. But will the public be told before it is too late?
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December 24, 2020 at 02:00AM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-24--Aussie Doctor Urges a “Bipartisan” Response to Climate Change

According to gastroenterologist and chief editor of the Australian Medical Journal Professor Talley , politicians of all sides should do what they are told on climate policy , just as they follow the advice of doctors when dealing with the Covid-19 Pandemic .
But Talley appears to shy away from offering specific policy advice , other than demanding the government set up a new committee .
Climate change demands same leadership as COVID-19 , and Australia is failing A leading Australian medical clinician and researcher has called on the Federal Government and the health sector to commit to showing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shown during the COVID-19 public health crisis .
Neurogastroenterologist and Editor-in-Chief of the Medical Journal of Australia said in an editorial , published today , that Australia ’ s response to COVID-19 had been “ strong and effective.
” “ Key to this success was the valuing by governments of science and data to guide decision making .
“ This bipartisan , science-based approach is a model for the future management of climate change , if implemented alongside an appropriate national plan.
” Professor Talley called on the Federal Government to establish a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Australian Department of Health to develop a National Plan for Health and Climate Change with real-time monitoring .
Which scientists ’ advice should politicians follow ?
Because there is significant disagreement in the scientific community about how we should respond to the climate crisis .
Dr. Ken Caldeira , Dr. Kerry Emanuel , Dr. James Hansen and Dr. Tom Wigley , arguably the most senior climate scientists in the world , say we should go all out building nuclear power plants .
Renewables alone they say are not enough to save the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Talley mean we should follow their advice and build nuclear power plants ?
Or should we follow the advice of the Union of Concerned Scientists , and treat nuclear power as a “ false solution ” to the climate crisis ?
Consider the USGS ( United States Geographical Survey ) advice on climate models .
According to the USGS ( h/t Dr. Willie Soon ) ; … A climate scenario describes a plausible future outcome associated with a specific set of societal actions that captures the relationships between human choices , greenhouse gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concentrations in the atmosphere , and consequent climate change as simulated by global climate models .
Because scenarios are developed n a risk-based framework with a high degree of uncertainty about future societal developments , the primary scenarios used in policymaking contexts are usually not assigned a formal likelihood of occurrence ( that is , each scenario is considered to be a “ plausible ” outcome without assuming the “ likelihood ” of the outcome ) .
In the near term ( years to one to two decades in the future ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of uncertainty in climate projections .
For time periods approximately 30 to 50 years out , scientific uncertainty about the climate system is the largest source of uncertainty in climate projections .
Beyond 50 years , human decisions that affect global greenhouse gas emissions are the largest source of uncertainty .
So policy makers should treat any climate model as if it could happen , but bear in mind that poorly quantified sources of natural variability could overwhelm projected warming up to 50 years into the future , and cause something completely different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which scientists are not prepared to own are supposed to be the basis of policy decisions which could affect the lives of billions .
It is easy to demand in general terms that politicians should follow the advice of climate scientists , if you hold back from providing specific suggestions about which group of climate scientists politicians should actually listen to .

Guest essay by Eric Worrall
According to gastroenterologist and chief editor of the Australian Medical Journal Professor Talley, politicians of all sides should do what they are told on climate policy, just as they follow the advice of doctors when dealing with the Covid-19 Pandemic. But Talley appears to shy away from offering specific policy advice, other than demanding the government set up a new committee.
Climate change demands same leadership as COVID-19, and Australia is failing by Medical Journal of Australia
DECEMBER 23, 2020 A leading Australian medical clinician and researcher has called on the Federal Government and the health sector to commit to showing the same leadership on climate change as was shown during the COVID-19 public health crisis. Neurogastroenterologist and Editor-in-Chief of the Medical Journal of Australia said in an editorial, published today, that Australia’s response to COVID-19 had been “strong and effective.” “Key to this success was the valuing by governments of science and data to guide decision making. “This bipartisan, science-based approach is a model for the future management of climate change, if implemented alongside an appropriate national plan.” … Professor Talley called on the Federal Government to establish a National Health and Climate Change Centre within the Australian Department of Health to develop a National Plan for Health and Climate Change with real-time monitoring. … Read more: https://phys.org/news/2020-12-climate-demands-leadership-covid-australia.html
Which scientists’ advice should politicians follow? Because there is significant disagreement in the scientific community about how we should respond to the climate crisis.
Dr. Ken Caldeira, Dr. Kerry Emanuel, Dr. James Hansen and Dr. Tom Wigley, arguably the most senior climate scientists in the world, say we should go all out building nuclear power plants. Renewables alone they say are not enough to save the world from climate change.
Does Professor Talley mean we should follow their advice and build nuclear power plants?
Or should we follow the advice of the Union of Concerned Scientists, and treat nuclear power as a “false solution” to the climate crisis?
Consider the USGS (United States Geographical Survey) advice on climate models.
According to the USGS (h/t Dr. Willie Soon);
… A climate scenario describes a plausible future outcome associated with a specific set of societal actions that captures the relationships between human choices, greenhouse gas and particulate matter emissions, greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, and consequent climate change as simulated by global climate models. Because scenarios are developed n a risk-based framework with a high degree of uncertainty about future societal developments, the primary scenarios used in policymaking contexts are usually not assigned a formal likelihood of occurrence (that is, each scenario is considered to be a “plausible” outcome without assuming the “likelihood” of the outcome). … In the near term (years to one to two decades in the future), natural climate variability is the largest source of uncertainty in climate projections. For time periods approximately 30 to 50 years out, scientific uncertainty about the climate system is the largest source of uncertainty in climate projections. Beyond 50 years, human decisions that affect global greenhouse gas emissions are the largest source of uncertainty. … Read more: https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2020/1058/ofr20201058.pdf
So policy makers should treat any climate model as if it could happen, but bear in mind that poorly quantified sources of natural variability could overwhelm projected warming up to 50 years into the future, and cause something completely different to happen.
Yet these wild guesses which scientists are not prepared to own are supposed to be the basis of policy decisions which could affect the lives of billions.
It is easy to demand in general terms that politicians should follow the advice of climate scientists, if you hold back from providing specific suggestions about which group of climate scientists politicians should actually listen to.
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iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-24--“Climate of Oppression” -Friends of Science Society’s AGM

Friends of Science Society held its Annual General Meeting on Dec. 10 , 2020 .
Due to pandemic restrictions on @ @ @ @ @ number of individuals were in attendance in accordance … Continue reading The post `` Climate @ @ @ @ @ Science Society ’ s AGM first appeared on Friends of Science Calgary .

Friends of Science Society held its Annual General Meeting on Dec. 10, 2020. Due to pandemic restrictions on public gatherings, the minimum number of individuals were in attendance in accordance … Continue reading
The post "Climate of Oppression" -Friends of Science Society’s AGM first appeared on Friends of Science Calgary.
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December 23, 2020 at 09:49PM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-24--Contrast Between New York And Florida

Contrast Between New York And Florida

Of all the states , the one most comparable to New York by demographics is Florida .
These two states are close not only in overall population , but also in relative numbers of immigrants and of minority groups .
As to population , as recently as 2013 , New York had slightly more population than Florida ( both around 19.6 million ) , but since then Florida has been growing rapidly , while New York has been shrinking slowly .
Pending release of final 2020 Census numbers , estimates put Florida ’ s current population at about 21.8 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 19.4 million .
Despite being , at least for now , relatively close in population and other demographics , New York and Florida could not be more different in their approaches to public policy .
In Florida , Republicans have controlled the legislature ( both houses ) since 1997 , and the governorship since 1999 .
Florida exemplifies the low tax , low spend , low regulation approach to state government .
New York is firmly in control of the progressive left , and exemplifies high taxes , high spending , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different results .
For today I ’ ll focus mainly on the policy response to the Covid-19 virus .
On this subject , the differences in policy mostly concern regulation , rather than taxing and spending .
Yesterday , I had a roundup of the current onerous regulatory response to the virus in New York .
By contrast , Florida , led by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis , has been very much at the opposite end of the regulatory response spectrum .
As to results , here ’ s the bottom line : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decline caused by intentional government suppression of the economy has been much , much less severe in Florida than New York ; but just as important , Florida has also experienced , and continues to experience , superior health results to New York .
In other words , Florida stands as a clear demonstration that all of New York ’ s behavioral mandates ( e.g.
, masks ) and intentional destruction of small business have had no measurable effect whatsoever in decreasing spread of the virus or in improving health results .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York City , restaurant dining has been severely restricted for months under fluctuating directives , and as of last week , by order of the Governor , all indoor restaurant dining has been shut down entirely , with no indication of when it may re-open .
Theaters , concerts and performance venues are all shuttered , and it appears they will remain so at least until the Spring .
Although not mentioned in yesterday ’ s post , since April 17 we have had a state-wide mandate for mask-wearing covering “ anyone over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a public place.
” Florida at first imposed some substantial restrictions on restaurants and other indoor businesses , but began loosening them in early June , when , for example , bars and movie theaters were allowed to reopen .
On September 28 Governor DeSantis issued an executive order rescinding almost all of the remaining restrictions .
At a news briefing that day , DeSantis was quoted as saying “ Every business has the right to operate , ” and “ We ’ re not closing anything going forward.
” WebMD summarized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that time : Businesses that have used remote work protocols can return to unrestricted staffing at their offices .
Employees can resume non-essential travel .
Theme parks can return to normal operations , and gyms can operate at full capacity .
Bars and clubs can operate at full capacity but with “ limited social distancing protocols.
” In Florida today , theaters are open , concerts are happening , and the iconic theme parks are accepting visitors ( if on a somewhat restricted basis ) .
As to masks , Florida never imposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it up to each county to make its own decision .
Twenty-two counties imposed mask mandates for at least some period of time , but 45 never did .
Townhall on December 21 has a long piece ( mostly based on a paywalled study of the data at Rational Ground ) giving the results .
Those results are totally devastating to any claim of effectiveness of mask mandates .
From Town Hall ( with internal quote from Rational Ground ) : If masks did even close to as advertised , one would expect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be absolute dumpster fires next to the counties that implemented mandates , right ?
At the very least , the numbers should favor the masked areas by more than a percentage point or two .
So , how did it go ?
Yep , it was the Mask Cult ’ s worse nightmare : “ When counties DID have a mandate in effect , there were 667,239 cases over 3,137 days with an average of 23 cases per 100,000 per day .
When counties DID NOT have a countywide order , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an average of 22 cases per 100,000 per day.
” In short , the mask-free counties actually had better health results than the counties with mask mandates .
As part of his September 28 directives , Governor DeSantis announced that he would not enforce any fines or penalties for failure to wear masks .
So let ’ s compare health and economic results as between Florida and New York .
First , health : • Florida .
Deaths per million population , pandemic inception to date ( figures from Worldometers.info as of December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last 10 days , most recent first , from Dec 21 back to Dec 12 : 106 , 86 , 69 , 108 , 102 , 112 , 89 , 137 , 81 , 71 — total of 961 over that 10 day period .
• New York .
Deaths per million population , pandemic inception to date : 1,886 ( almost double Florida ’ s rate — and Florida has far more elderly people ) .
Deaths within last 10 days , most recent first from Dec 21 to Dec 12 : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 156 , 112 , 126 , 120 , 87 , 79 — total of 1160 over the ten days , or more than 20 % more than Florida , even though Florida has more than 10 % more population .
If New York ’ s elected leaders have anything to show for turning this city into a ghost town , you sure can ’ t find it in those statistics .
Now , as to economic statistics : • Florida .
Unemployment rate for November ( most recent available ) : 6.4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % ) • New York .
Unemployment rate for New York State for November : 8.4 % ; for New York City , 12.1 % .
Clearly , New York City is bearing the brunt of the forced closures of the restaurant and entertainment industries .
For New York City , that extra almost 6 % people unemployed by forced government action , as compared to Florida , represents about 200,000 people , most of them from the lower end of the income distribution .
I suppose you could kind of , sort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of work if you could show some kind of health benefit from the decrees .
But there is no health benefit to be shown .
New York ’ s health results are demonstrably worse than those of Florida .
The virus does its own thing , despite our dictators ’ desperate need to show that they are “ doing something , ” however meaningless the “ something ” may be .
In other comparisons of public policy metrics between the two states , Florida ’ s annual state government budget is about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s is $ 177 billion .
How could that possibly be , when Florida has 10 % more people ?
New York City spends almost $ 29,000 per student on K-12 education , while Florida spends less than $ 10,000 — and Florida gets somewhat better results on the NAEP national tests .
And of course , New York has some of the highest income tax rates in the country , and yet has a legislature desperate to raise more revenue by hiking rates even higher ; while Florida has no income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have sufficient money to go around .
Florida shows us all what basic competent state government looks like .
The extreme lack of competence in New York is simply shocking .

Reposted from the MANHATTAN CONTRARIAN
December 22, 2020 / Francis Menton
Of all the states, the one most comparable to New York by demographics is Florida. These two states are close not only in overall population, but also in relative numbers of immigrants and of minority groups. As to population, as recently as 2013, New York had slightly more population than Florida (both around 19.6 million), but since then Florida has been growing rapidly, while New York has been shrinking slowly. Pending release of final 2020 Census numbers, estimates put Florida’s current population at about 21.8 million, and New York’s at about 19.4 million.
Despite being, at least for now, relatively close in population and other demographics, New York and Florida could not be more different in their approaches to public policy. In Florida, Republicans have controlled the legislature (both houses) since 1997, and the governorship since 1999. Florida exemplifies the low tax, low spend, low regulation approach to state government. New York is firmly in control of the progressive left, and exemplifies high taxes, high spending, and high regulation.
Different policies lead to different results. For today I’ll focus mainly on the policy response to the Covid-19 virus. On this subject, the differences in policy mostly concern regulation, rather than taxing and spending.
Yesterday, I had a roundup of the current onerous regulatory response to the virus in New York. By contrast, Florida, led by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, has been very much at the opposite end of the regulatory response spectrum. As to results, here’s the bottom line: As one would expect, the economic decline caused by intentional government suppression of the economy has been much, much less severe in Florida than New York; but just as important, Florida has also experienced, and continues to experience, superior health results to New York. In other words, Florida stands as a clear demonstration that all of New York’s behavioral mandates (e.g., masks) and intentional destruction of small business have had no measurable effect whatsoever in decreasing spread of the virus or in improving health results.
As per my review yesterday, in New York City, restaurant dining has been severely restricted for months under fluctuating directives, and as of last week, by order of the Governor, all indoor restaurant dining has been shut down entirely, with no indication of when it may re-open. Theaters, concerts and performance venues are all shuttered, and it appears they will remain so at least until the Spring. Although not mentioned in yesterday’s post, since April 17 we have had a state-wide mandate for mask-wearing covering “anyone over the age of 2” when “in a public place.”
Florida at first imposed some substantial restrictions on restaurants and other indoor businesses, but began loosening them in early June, when, for example, bars and movie theaters were allowed to reopen. On September 28 Governor DeSantis issued an executive order rescinding almost all of the remaining restrictions. At a news briefing that day, DeSantis was quoted as saying “Every business has the right to operate,” and “We’re not closing anything going forward.” WebMD summarized Florida’s provisions going forward from that time:
Businesses that have used remote work protocols can return to unrestricted staffing at their offices. Employees can resume non-essential travel. Theme parks can return to normal operations, and gyms can operate at full capacity. Bars and clubs can operate at full capacity but with “limited social distancing protocols.”
In Florida today, theaters are open, concerts are happening, and the iconic theme parks are accepting visitors (if on a somewhat restricted basis).
As to masks, Florida never imposed a state-wide mandate, but instead left it up to each county to make its own decision. Twenty-two counties imposed mask mandates for at least some period of time, but 45 never did. Townhall on December 21 has a long piece (mostly based on a paywalled study of the data at Rational Ground) giving the results. Those results are totally devastating to any claim of effectiveness of mask mandates. From Town Hall (with internal quote from Rational Ground):
If masks did even close to as advertised, one would expect to see the counties that went maskless to be absolute dumpster fires next to the counties that implemented mandates, right? At the very least, the numbers should favor the masked areas by more than a percentage point or two. So, how did it go? Yep, it was the Mask Cult’s worse nightmare: “When counties DID have a mandate in effect, there were 667,239 cases over 3,137 days with an average of 23 cases per 100,000 per day. When counties DID NOT have a countywide order, there were 438,687 cases over 12,139 days with an average of 22 cases per 100,000 per day.”
In short, the mask-free counties actually had better health results than the counties with mask mandates.
As part of his September 28 directives, Governor DeSantis announced that he would not enforce any fines or penalties for failure to wear masks.
So let’s compare health and economic results as between Florida and New York. First, health:
Florida . Deaths per million population, pandemic inception to date (figures from Worldometers.info as of December 22): 966. Deaths within last 10 days, most recent first, from Dec 21 back to Dec 12: 106, 86, 69, 108, 102, 112, 89, 137, 81, 71 — total of 961 over that 10 day period.
. Deaths per million population, pandemic inception to date (figures from Worldometers.info as of December 22): 966. Deaths within last 10 days, most recent first, from Dec 21 back to Dec 12: 106, 86, 69, 108, 102, 112, 89, 137, 81, 71 — total of 961 over that 10 day period. New York. Deaths per million population, pandemic inception to date: 1,886 (almost double Florida’s rate — and Florida has far more elderly people). Deaths within last 10 days, most recent first from Dec 21 to Dec 12: 179, 95, 85, 121, 156, 112, 126, 120, 87, 79 — total of 1160 over the ten days, or more than 20% more than Florida, even though Florida has more than 10% more population.
If New York’s elected leaders have anything to show for turning this city into a ghost town, you sure can’t find it in those statistics.
Now, as to economic statistics:
Florida. Unemployment rate for November (most recent available): 6.4% (versus national rate of 6.7%)
Unemployment rate for November (most recent available): 6.4% (versus national rate of 6.7%) New York. Unemployment rate for New York State for November: 8.4%; for New York City, 12.1%. Clearly, New York City is bearing the brunt of the forced closures of the restaurant and entertainment industries.
For New York City, that extra almost 6% people unemployed by forced government action, as compared to Florida, represents about 200,000 people, most of them from the lower end of the income distribution. I suppose you could kind of, sort of justify intentionally putting all those people out of work if you could show some kind of health benefit from the decrees. But there is no health benefit to be shown. New York’s health results are demonstrably worse than those of Florida. The virus does its own thing, despite our dictators’ desperate need to show that they are “doing something,” however meaningless the “something” may be.
In other comparisons of public policy metrics between the two states, Florida’s annual state government budget is about $92 billion, while New York’s is $177 billion. How could that possibly be, when Florida has 10% more people? New York City spends almost $29,000 per student on K-12 education, while Florida spends less than $10,000 — and Florida gets somewhat better results on the NAEP national tests. And of course, New York has some of the highest income tax rates in the country, and yet has a legislature desperate to raise more revenue by hiking rates even higher; while Florida has no income tax at all and yet seems to have sufficient money to go around.
Florida shows us all what basic competent state government looks like. The extreme lack of competence in New York is simply shocking.
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iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-24--A video to bridge the divide? The Plot to Steal America

What we really need is a short video that even Democrats could watch — something that can work towards restoring the national conversation — instead of having two separate realities .
Man In America have made a mini Documentary “ The Plot to Steal America ” .
The first 9 minutes , which Donald Trump just tweeted , is one of the best short form hooks to get the attention of the average voter and introduce them to both the dire state of the US election and also the media .
The second half of the video leaps a bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with not enough convincing explanation to justify the ambitious narrative .
Perhaps it is aimed at the patriots out there who are already on side .
As if to answer this , in their second video , Man in America talk about CCP influence , and they do spell it out .
This is the best coverage of the Chinese Professor of Renmin University : His advice is the same — switch to new social media alternatives .
Gab .
Parler .
BitChute etc .
Craft those new lines of communication .
Big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We can ’ t let them succeed .

What we really need is a short video that even Democrats could watch — something that can work towards restoring the national conversation — instead of having two separate realities.
Man In America have made a mini Documentary “The Plot to Steal America”. The first 9 minutes, which Donald Trump just tweeted, is one of the best short form hooks to get the attention of the average voter and introduce them to both the dire state of the US election and also the media.
The second half of the video leaps a bit too quickly into the Communist Goals, with not enough convincing explanation to justify the ambitious narrative. Perhaps it is aimed at the patriots out there who are already on side.
As if to answer this, in their second video, Man in America talk about CCP influence, and they do spell it out.
This is the best coverage of the Chinese Professor of Renmin University:
…
His advice is the same — switch to new social media alternatives. Gab. Parler. BitChute etc.
Craft those new lines of communication. Big Tech are trying to cut them off. We can’t let them succeed.
Rating: 10.0/10 (4 votes […]
Rating: 10.0/10 (4 votes cast)
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December 24, 2020 at 12:57PM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-24--Iced Covered Wind Turbines Hamper China’s Efforts to Retire Coal

As China struggles with a surge in energy demand brought on by their economic recovery and a cold snap , the reputation of wind power has suffered a blow , as freezing temperatures covered wind turbines in Hunan with ice .
BEIJING/YIWU , CHINA ( REUTERS ) – China ’ s harsh winter and stunning manufacturing recovery this year have pushed up electricity demand across the country ’ s industrial belt , complicating Beijing ’ s drive to cut businesses ’ power usage and their reliance on polluting coal-fired energy .
The surge in demand also comes as the cold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fill the gap left by a severe coal shortage , raising doubts about the reliability of cleaner sources to power the world ’ s second-largest economy during critical periods .
Coal supplies , meanwhile , are tight despite record domestic output in November as a runaway economic recovery sucks up power .
To address localised power shortages , Beijing has urged coal miners to ramp up output and energy firms to diversify gas sources .
It has also allowed customs to clear imported coal that had built up at ports during the summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporting local producers .
While Australian coal has reportedly been excluded from customs clearances , it accounts for less than 3 per cent of China ’ s total thermal coal usage .
In the southern provinces of Jiangxi and Hunan , which rely heavily on hydro and renewables , demand this season overwhelmed supply , with coal plants unable to fill the gap after local miners were shut due to environmental and safety reasons and national curbs on output earlier this year , crimping supply .
In Hunan , wind turbines were frozen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that brought ice and snow .

Guest essay by Eric Worrall
As China struggles with a surge in energy demand brought on by their economic recovery and a cold snap, the reputation of wind power has suffered a blow, as freezing temperatures covered wind turbines in Hunan with ice.
China’s winter chills clean energy transition as factories fire up
PUBLISHED 4 HOURS AGO
BEIJING/YIWU, CHINA (REUTERS) – China’s harsh winter and stunning manufacturing recovery this year have pushed up electricity demand across the country’s industrial belt, complicating Beijing’s drive to cut businesses’ power usage and their reliance on polluting coal-fired energy.
The surge in demand also comes as the cold hampers the ability of renewable energy to fill the gap left by a severe coal shortage, raising doubts about the reliability of cleaner sources to power the world’s second-largest economy during critical periods.
…
Coal supplies, meanwhile, are tight despite record domestic output in November as a runaway economic recovery sucks up power.
…
To address localised power shortages, Beijing has urged coal miners to ramp up output and energy firms to diversify gas sources. It has also allowed customs to clear imported coal that had built up at ports during the summer due to unofficial import quotas aimed at supporting local producers.
While Australian coal has reportedly been excluded from customs clearances, it accounts for less than 3 per cent of China’s total thermal coal usage.
…
In the southern provinces of Jiangxi and Hunan, which rely heavily on hydro and renewables, demand this season overwhelmed supply, with coal plants unable to fill the gap after local miners were shut due to environmental and safety reasons and national curbs on output earlier this year, crimping supply.
In Hunan, wind turbines were frozen by an early cold snap this month that brought ice and snow.
…


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-24--Rare blizzard warning for Twin Cities – Video

Both Ramsey & Hennepin counties were included in yesterday ’ s blizzard warning .
The last blizzard warning that included @ @ @ @ @ two years ago , on April 14th , 2018 .
The one before that was @ @ @ @ @ in 1991 .
The 8.7 inches of snow that fell on Wednesday easily beat the @ @ @ @ @ of 6.2 inches set on 23 Dec 1996 .
Thanks to Clay Olson for this @ @ @ @ @ warning for Twin Cities – Video appeared first on Ice Age Now .

Plus, record snowfall.
Both Ramsey & Hennepin counties were included in yesterday’s blizzard warning.
The last blizzard warning that included the Twin Cities canme just two years ago, on April 14th, 2018. The one before that was the famous Halloween blizzard back in 1991.
The 8.7 inches of snow that fell on Wednesday easily beat the previous record for the date of 6.2 inches set on 23 Dec 1996.
https://www.kare11.com/article/weather/weather-minds/rare-blizzard-warnings-for-twin-cities-wednesday/
Thanks to Clay Olson for this link
The post Rare blizzard warning for Twin Cities – Video appeared first on Ice Age Now.
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December 24, 2020 at 12:09PM


I am outraged

I am outraged at the outright and blatant corruption in this election .
_____________ I am outraged at the outright and blatant corruption in this election .
I am outraged at how the media has ignored and covered up that corruption .
I am outraged at the attempts to steal this election , not only from President Trump , but from the American people .
I am outraged that 477 counties think they have the right to lord it over all 3,006 counties in the United States .
President Trump has labeled this election as ‘ outright fraud .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assault and siege , ” said President Trump .
I am outraged that the media keeps calling President Trumps accusations of fraud “ baseless , ” saying that there is no evidence of widespread fraud .
“ Nevada sent out millions of ballots to ‘ voters , ’ “ Whether they were dead or alive , ” said President Trump .
“ Wisconsin sent absentee ballot-request forms to all voters , said Trump .
“ This opened the flood gates to massive fraud.
” “ Pennsylvania , Michigan , Nevada , Georgia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed almost anyone to get an absentee ballot and cast their ballot without showing any ID .
The voting took place on the honor system , no identification of any kind was required.
” “ The only conceivable reason why you would block common-sense to verify legal eligibility for voting , is you are trying to encourage , enable , solicit , or carry out fraud , ” the President said .
“ It ’ s a widely known fact that the voter rolls are packed with people who are not eligible to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have moved out of their state , and even are non-citizens of our country.
” “ Dozens of counties in the key swing states have more registered voters on the rolls than they have voting-age citizens , including 67 counties in Michigan.
” “ All of this is evidence , ” said President Trump .
“ In Wisconsin , the State ’ s Board of Elections could not confirm the residency of more than 100,000 people , but repeatedly refused to remove those names from its voter rolls before the election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ In some cases , poll watchers were locked out of the building .
“ In other cases , people who came to vote , people who were happy to be exercising their right to vote , and went up to vote , were told that they can ’ t vote .
“ I ’ m sorry , they were told , I ’ m sorry , you have already voted , by mail-in ballot .
Congratulations .
We received a ballot , so you can no longer vote.
” “ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all over the country.
” “ Many people received two , three , and even four ballots .
They were sent to dead people by the thousands .
In fact dead people – and we have many examples – filled out ballots , made applications , and then voted.
” “ Millions of votes were cast illegally in the swing states alone .
And if that ’ s the case , the results in the swing states must be overturned , and overturned immediately.
” And finally , as I said earlier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have the right to lord it over all 3,006 counties in the United States .
Even with the “ votes in question ” Trump won 2,496 of those counties .
This is exactly why our Founding Fathers created the Electoral College , so that a handful of highly populated areas would not be able to establish a dictatorship over the entire country .
It is time for the electors to step and do the right thing .
The post I am outraged appeared first on Ice Age Now .

I am outraged at the outright and blatant corruption in this election.
_____________
I am outraged
Robert Felix
I am outraged at the outright and blatant corruption in this election.
I am outraged at how the media has ignored and covered up that corruption.
I am outraged at the attempts to steal this election, not only from President Trump, but from the American people.
I am outraged that 477 counties think they have the right to lord it over all 3,006 counties in the United States.
President Trump has labeled this election as ‘outright fraud.
“Our election system is now under coordinated assault and siege,” said President Trump.
I am outraged that the media keeps calling President Trumps accusations of fraud “baseless,” saying that there is no evidence of widespread fraud.
“Nevada sent out millions of ballots to ‘voters,’ “Whether they were dead or alive,” said President Trump.
No evidence?
“Wisconsin sent absentee ballot-request forms to all voters, said Trump. “This opened the flood gates to massive fraud.”
No evidence?
“Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada, Georgia, Arizona, and most other states, allowed almost anyone to get an absentee ballot and cast their ballot without showing any ID. The voting took place on the honor system, no identification of any kind was required.”
No evidence?
“The only conceivable reason why you would block common-sense to verify legal eligibility for voting, is you are trying to encourage, enable, solicit, or carry out fraud,” the President said.
“It’s a widely known fact that the voter rolls are packed with people who are not eligible to vote, including those who are deceased, have moved out of their state, and even are non-citizens of our country.”
No evidence?
“Dozens of counties in the key swing states have more registered voters on the rolls than they have voting-age citizens, including 67 counties in Michigan.”
“All of this is evidence,” said President Trump.
“In Wisconsin, the State’s Board of Elections could not confirm the residency of more than 100,000 people, but repeatedly refused to remove those names from its voter rolls before the election. They knew why. Nobody else did.”
No evidence?
“In some cases, poll watchers were locked out of the building.
“In other cases, people who came to vote, people who were happy to be exercising their right to vote, and went up to vote, were told that they can’t vote. “I’m sorry, they were told, I’m sorry, you have already voted, by mail-in ballot. Congratulations. We received a ballot, so you can no longer vote.”
“This happened tens of thousands of times, all over the country.”
No evidence?
“Many people received two, three, and even four ballots. They were sent to dead people by the thousands. In fact dead people – and we have many examples – filled out ballots, made applications, and then voted.”
No evidence?
“Millions of votes were cast illegally in the swing states alone. And if that’s the case, the results in the swing states must be overturned, and overturned immediately.”
And finally, as I said earlier, I am outraged that 477 counties think they have the right to lord it over all 3,006 counties in the United States. Even with the “votes in question” Trump won 2,496 of those counties.
This is exactly why our Founding Fathers created the Electoral College, so that a handful of highly populated areas would not be able to establish a dictatorship over the entire country.
It is time for the electors to step and do the right thing.
Stop the dictatorship!
# # #
The post I am outraged appeared first on Ice Age Now.
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December 24, 2020 at 11:41AM