iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-07--Gas Ban Economics 101

Gas Ban Economics 101

Political attempts to curtail gas supply and demand have met with limited success .
Methane rules , drilling restrictions on public land , and opposition to new pipelines have incrementally slowed the growth of natural gas in the United States .
But the radical anti-fossil-fuel lobby and their government allies want much more : moratoriums on new gas service and bans on natural gas usage and appliances .
Bans by municipal jurisdictions with ( presumably ) the legal authority to do so are in the news .
The city of Berkeley initiated municipal efforts in July 2019 to electrify by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Since then , dozens of cities in other jurisdictions , largely in California , and most conspicuously San Francisco , have sought to restrict the use of gas in new buildings .
Some cities have even considered banning or restricting natural gas appliances from existing homes and businesses , as well .
The major purpose of these efforts is to mitigate climate change , however infinitesimal in the whole , by making buildings zero carbon .
A ban is much more drastic than just creating a tax to discourage consumption of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision is still left to consumers on how much of a product to purchase .
A tax can counter a negative externality that is allegedly unaccounted for in the decisions of either suppliers or consumers , such as pollution or second-hand smoke ; a gas ban obliterates consumer choice for meeting space and water heating needs , not to mention a flame for superior cooking and taste .
Such prohibition is contrary to consumer freedom to purchase a desired product ( natural gas or propane ) in place of an inferior one , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sacrificed on the alter of an environmental want that is itself debatable .
( For starters , since U.S. electricity is generated primarily by fossil fuels , the “ emissions elsewhere ” argument comes into play . )
In technical economic terms , a gas ban fails miserably with the benefits virtually zero and the costs likely more than minimal .
The benefit-cost ( B-C ) ratio is close to zero or the C-B ratio is infinite ; or as public policy , a ban is off the charts as being exceptionally bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9 % of carbon-dioxide emissions in the U.S. come from direct use of natural gas in homes and buildings .
The U.S. emits about 15 % of world CO2 emissions .
Thus , converting all buildings to all-electric , and assuming that all electricity is produced from “ clean ” sources ( it is not ) , reduces world-wide emissions less than 1.5 % , which according to climate models , would not have a detectable effect on global climate , temperature , sea level , or otherwise .
A ban can look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a severe problem is receiving immediate , absolute attention .
And a ban is certainly less universal and noticeable than a carbon tax or a budget gap from new taxpayer subsidies .
But at least these two approaches preserve consumers to choose their energy source , rather than precluded from doing so with a ban .
Strange bedfellows ( akin to Baptists and Bootleggers ) support government-promoted electrification : electric utilities and environmentalists , who of course have different objectives .
This represents a particularly strong coalition for electrification to reckon with and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead .
The problem is that vocal minorities who stand to gain economically or ideologically drive government action over the ( relatively unorganized ) majority who individually lose little .
The observation that a gas ban derives primarily from a religious opposition to fossil fuels is credible given the lopsided cost-benefit calculus .
Climate activists regard natural gas as a competitor for renewable energy in power generation and for electricity in end-use applications .
Their position seems to be that “ getting rid of the competitor ” would make it easier to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But is natural gas really bad ?
The good that comes to energy consumers and society from natural gas far exceeds the bad .
What natural gas has going for it is plenty : • Relative cleanliness when compared with other fossil fuels • Promising technological prospects for a more benign environmental footprint in the future • Flexibility in electric power production , one use being a back-up to renewable energy .
It seems absurd to ban or even restrict a product that has done , and expected in the future to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consumers and the economy .
A ban on natural gas is throwing out the baby with the bath water .
Is it only because of special interests that we would even consider prohibiting consumers to choose natural gas as an energy source to meet their space , water heating , and cooking needs .
After all , in most parts of the country where gas is available , it is the most economic and desired source of energy .
Propane , too , has distinct advantages where natural gas lines are not available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symbolic , reflecting a stance of “ we have to do our part ” , or perhaps more accurately “ whatever it takes ” , even if bans resoundingly fail a cost-benefit test .
Good policy balances the economic and environmental consequences in achieving an outcome that is in the public interest .
Because a gas ban–command-and-control policy at its worst–has virtually no effect on global climate and is likely to increase cost and reduce quality for consumers , one would have to look far to find a governmental action that is so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s welfare .
Kenneth W. Costello is a regulatory economist/independent consultant who has worked for the National Regulatory Research Institute , the Illinois Commerce Commission , and Argonne National Laboratory .
He can be reached at costellonewmexico @ gmail.com .

“Strange bedfellows (akin to Baptists and Bootleggers) support government-promoted electrification: electric utilities and environmentalists.” “Because a gas ban has virtually no effect on global climate and is likely to increase energy costs for consumers, one would have to look far to find a governmental action that is so intrusive, imbalanced and detrimental to society’s welfare.”
Political attempts to curtail gas supply and demand have met with limited success. Methane rules, drilling restrictions on public land, and opposition to new pipelines have incrementally slowed the growth of natural gas in the United States. But the radical anti-fossil-fuel lobby and their government allies want much more: moratoriums on new gas service and bans on natural gas usage and appliances.
Bans by municipal jurisdictions with (presumably) the legal authority to do so are in the news. The city of Berkeley initiated municipal efforts in July 2019 to electrify by prohibiting natural gas in their new buildings. Since then, dozens of cities in other jurisdictions, largely in California, and most conspicuously San Francisco, have sought to restrict the use of gas in new buildings.
Some cities have even considered banning or restricting natural gas appliances from existing homes and businesses, as well. The major purpose of these efforts is to mitigate climate change, however infinitesimal in the whole, by making buildings zero carbon.
A ban is much more drastic than just creating a tax to discourage consumption of a product. With a tax, the decision is still left to consumers on how much of a product to purchase. A tax can counter a negative externality that is allegedly unaccounted for in the decisions of either suppliers or consumers, such as pollution or second-hand smoke; a gas ban obliterates consumer choice for meeting space and water heating needs, not to mention a flame for superior cooking and taste.
Such prohibition is contrary to consumer freedom to purchase a desired product (natural gas or propane) in place of an inferior one, namely electricity. Cheapness and quality are sacrificed on the alter of an environmental want that is itself debatable. (For starters, since U.S. electricity is generated primarily by fossil fuels, the “emissions elsewhere” argument comes into play.)
Untenable Justification
In technical economic terms, a gas ban fails miserably with the benefits virtually zero and the costs likely more than minimal. The benefit-cost (B-C) ratio is close to zero or the C-B ratio is infinite; or as public policy, a ban is off the charts as being exceptionally bad.
Here is why: Less than 9% of carbon-dioxide emissions in the U.S. come from direct use of natural gas in homes and buildings. The U.S. emits about 15% of world CO2 emissions. Thus, converting all buildings to all-electric, and assuming that all electricity is produced from “clean” sources (it is not), reduces world-wide emissions less than 1.5%, which according to climate models, would not have a detectable effect on global climate, temperature, sea level, or otherwise.
A ban can look good politically by giving the appearance that a severe problem is receiving immediate, absolute attention. And a ban is certainly less universal and noticeable than a carbon tax or a budget gap from new taxpayer subsidies. But at least these two approaches preserve consumers to choose their energy source, rather than precluded from doing so with a ban.
Strange bedfellows (akin to Baptists and Bootleggers) support government-promoted electrification: electric utilities and environmentalists, who of course have different objectives. This represents a particularly strong coalition for electrification to reckon with and portents its growing popularity in the years ahead. The problem is that vocal minorities who stand to gain economically or ideologically drive government action over the (relatively unorganized) majority who individually lose little.
The observation that a gas ban derives primarily from a religious opposition to fossil fuels is credible given the lopsided cost-benefit calculus. Climate activists regard natural gas as a competitor for renewable energy in power generation and for electricity in end-use applications. Their position seems to be that “getting rid of the competitor” would make it easier to have more renewable energy and clean electricity. But is natural gas really bad?
Bad Motivations against Superior Natural Gas
The good that comes to energy consumers and society from natural gas far exceeds the bad. What natural gas has going for it is plenty:
Abundant domestic availability, Low prices for the foreseeable future Relative cleanliness when compared with other fossil fuels Promising technological prospects for a more benign environmental footprint in the future Flexibility in electric power production, one use being a back-up to renewable energy.
It seems absurd to ban or even restrict a product that has done, and expected in the future to do, so much good for both energy consumers and the economy. A ban on natural gas is throwing out the baby with the bath water.
Conclusion
Is it only because of special interests that we would even consider prohibiting consumers to choose natural gas as an energy source to meet their space, water heating, and cooking needs. After all, in most parts of the country where gas is available, it is the most economic and desired source of energy. Propane, too, has distinct advantages where natural gas lines are not available.
Gas bans are little more than symbolic, reflecting a stance of “we have to do our part”, or perhaps more accurately “whatever it takes”, even if bans resoundingly fail a cost-benefit test.
Good policy balances the economic and environmental consequences in achieving an outcome that is in the public interest. Because a gas ban–command-and-control policy at its worst–has virtually no effect on global climate and is likely to increase cost and reduce quality for consumers, one would have to look far to find a governmental action that is so intrusive, imbalanced and detrimental to society’s welfare.
——————————-
Kenneth W. Costello is a regulatory economist/independent consultant who has worked for the National Regulatory Research Institute, the Illinois Commerce Commission, and Argonne National Laboratory. He can be reached at costellonewmexico@gmail.com.


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-07--CNN: Chinese Covid-19 Coverup Documents Leaked

Looks like President Trump was right about China lying about Covid cases .
According to leaked documents revealed by CNN , China grossly underreported the scale of the Covid outbreak in Mainland China .
Leaked documents reveal China ’ s mishandling of the early stages of Covid-19 London — A group of frontline medical workers , likely exhausted , stand huddled together on a video-conference call as China ’ s most powerful man raises his hand in greeting .
It is February 10 in Beijing and President Xi Jinping , who for weeks has been absent from public view , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Wuhan as they battle to contain the spread of a still officially unnamed novel coronavirus.From a secure room about 1,200 kilometers ( 745 miles ) from the epicenter , Xi expressed his condolences to those who have died in the outbreak .
He urged greater public communication , as around the world concerns mounted about the potential threat posed by the new disease.That same day , Chinese authorities reported 2,478 new confirmed cases — raising the total global number to more than 40,000 , with fewer than 400 cases occurring outside of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reveal how official documents circulated internally show that this was only part of the picture.CNN ’ s key findings In a report marked “ internal document , please keep confidential , ” local health authorities in the province of Hubei , where the virus was first detected , list a total of 5,918 newly detected cases on February 10 , more than double the official public number of confirmed cases , breaking down the total into a variety of subcategories .
This larger figure was never fully revealed at that time , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the tumult of the early weeks of the pandemic , to downplay the severity of the outbreak .
Meanwhile the Chinese Communist Party is desperately trying to distract attention from their catastrophic mismanagement of the Covid outbreak ; their persecution of whistleblowers , callous disregard for other nations and authoritarian coverups .
Now they are trying to claim Australia is the source of the Wuhan Covid-19 outbreak .
China claims coronavirus may have started in AUSTRALIA and travelled to Wuhan ’ s wet market via frozen steak exports – and attacks US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials and media are pushing theory coronavirus did not start in China • An article in state-controlled Global Times said it was imported on frozen food • Western scientists say the theory is ‘ highly speculative ’ and unlikely to be true Beijing has claimed that coronavirus may have spawned outside China and travelled to a wet market in Wuhan via frozen food exports from countries including Australia .
An article in the government-controlled Global Times newspaper on Sunday said the idea the virus was imported into the Huanan wet market last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – although it admitted there is no supporting evidence .
Beijing has been pushing the theory since October when experts tracing an outbreak in Qingdao city found living coronavirus samples on packets of imported frozen cod .
Western scientists say the theory is ‘ highly speculative ’ and believe it is much more likely that the disease first passed from animals to humans in the Wuhan area .
China ’ s increasingly absurd quest for someone else to blame , and ongoing failure to come clean on their internal Covid problems , demonstrates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to address the flaws in their system of government which created this catastrophe .
This is not the first time the Chinese communist coverups of disease outbreaks have led to unnecessary deaths .
In 2003 China confessed to covering up a major SARS outbreak .
SARS is a close relative of Covid-19 .
Beijing : The Chinese leadership has taken dramatic action to end a cover-up of the SARS epidemic by revealing 14 new deaths and hundreds of cases , sacking two senior officials and cancelling May Day holidays as the worldwide deathtoll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international criticism of China ’ s handling of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ( SARS ) .
It also came as Hong Kong announced seven new deaths from the disease .
Singapore , with 14 recorded SARS deaths , took the drastic step of ordering 2,400 people to quarantine themselves at home for 10 days because they might have come into contact with a SARS sufferer at a market .
In a statement on Sunday the Chinese health ministry said there were 346 confirmed cases and 402 suspected cases in Beijing alone , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the capital .
The number of cases in Beijing is nine times higher than the previous official figure of 44 cases and four deaths .
The nationwide death toll from SARS has been raised to 79 with 1,814 confirmed cases of the illness .
Shortly after the statement state media reported that Health Minister Zhang Wenkang and Beijing mayor Meng Xuenong were removed from senior positions in the Communist Party , a formal step which will almost certainly see them fired from their government posts .
Why does this keep happening ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is Communists are no good at communicating bad news to the boss .
From the Soviet Chernobyl disaster to SARS in 2003 , and now to Covid-19 , again and again we have seen an utter failure to act rationally , and decision paralysis in the face of unexpected events , until the problem is so severe it can no longer be concealed .
With no free press to smooth the flow of information , it often takes way too long for seriously bad news to filter through to the real decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through , decision makers act in their own personal best interests , often with a callous disregard for the safety of other nations .
This structural Chinese Communist incompetence , with their endemic aversion to releasing bad news , even to their own superiors , and with their serial track record of concealing disease outbreaks instead of trying to contain them , in my opinion is an ongoing threat both to their own people and to the rest of the world .
Next time the ChiComs cover up a disease outbreak , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disease which finally emerges could be far worse than Covid-19 or SARS .

President of China, Xi Jinping arrives in London, 19 October 2015. By Foreign and Commonwealth Office (China State Visit) [CC BY 2.0 or OGL], via Wikimedia Commons
Guest essay by Eric Worrall
Looks like President Trump was right about China lying about Covid cases. According to leaked documents revealed by CNN, China grossly underreported the scale of the Covid outbreak in Mainland China.
The Wuhan files Leaked documents reveal China’s mishandling of the early stages of Covid-19 Exclusive by Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Updated 0839 GMT (1639 HKT) December 1, 2020 London — A group of frontline medical workers, likely exhausted, stand huddled together on a video-conference call as China’s most powerful man raises his hand in greeting. It is February 10 in Beijing and President Xi Jinping, who for weeks has been absent from public view, is addressing hospital staff in the city of Wuhan as they battle to contain the spread of a still officially unnamed novel coronavirus.From a secure room about 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) from the epicenter, Xi expressed his condolences to those who have died in the outbreak. He urged greater public communication, as around the world concerns mounted about the potential threat posed by the new disease.That same day, Chinese authorities reported 2,478 new confirmed cases — raising the total global number to more than 40,000, with fewer than 400 cases occurring outside of mainland China. Yet CNN can now reveal how official documents circulated internally show that this was only part of the picture.CNN’s key findings In a report marked “internal document, please keep confidential,” local health authorities in the province of Hubei, where the virus was first detected, list a total of 5,918 newly detected cases on February 10, more than double the official public number of confirmed cases, breaking down the total into a variety of subcategories. This larger figure was never fully revealed at that time, as China’s accounting system seemed, in the tumult of the early weeks of the pandemic, to downplay the severity of the outbreak. … Read more: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/30/asia/wuhan-china-covid-intl/index.html
Meanwhile the Chinese Communist Party is desperately trying to distract attention from their catastrophic mismanagement of the Covid outbreak; their persecution of whistleblowers, callous disregard for other nations and authoritarian coverups.
Now they are trying to claim Australia is the source of the Wuhan Covid-19 outbreak.
China claims coronavirus may have started in AUSTRALIA and travelled to Wuhan’s wet market via frozen steak exports – and attacks US alliance with insulting new cartoon Beijing officials and media are pushing theory coronavirus did not start in China
An article in state-controlled Global Times said it was imported on frozen food
Article said countries including Australia exported food to Wuhan wet market
Western scientists say the theory is ‘highly speculative’ and unlikely to be true By CHARLIE MOORE, POLITICAL REPORTER FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA PUBLISHED: 11:31 AEDT, 7 December 2020 | UPDATED: 14:02 AEDT, 7 December 2020 Beijing has claimed that coronavirus may have spawned outside China and travelled to a wet market in Wuhan via frozen food exports from countries including Australia. An article in the government-controlled Global Times newspaper on Sunday said the idea the virus was imported into the Huanan wet market last year ‘cannot be ruled out’ – although it admitted there is no supporting evidence. Beijing has been pushing the theory since October when experts tracing an outbreak in Qingdao city found living coronavirus samples on packets of imported frozen cod. Western scientists say the theory is ‘highly speculative’ and believe it is much more likely that the disease first passed from animals to humans in the Wuhan area. … Read more: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9024311/China-claims-coronavirus-started-AUSTRALIA.html
China’s increasingly absurd quest for someone else to blame, and ongoing failure to come clean on their internal Covid problems, demonstrates they have learned nothing and done nothing to address the flaws in their system of government which created this catastrophe.
This is not the first time the Chinese communist coverups of disease outbreaks have led to unnecessary deaths. In 2003 China confessed to covering up a major SARS outbreak. SARS is a close relative of Covid-19.
China confesses to SARS cover-up April 21, 2003 — 10.00am Beijing: The Chinese leadership has taken dramatic action to end a cover-up of the SARS epidemic by revealing 14 new deaths and hundreds of cases, sacking two senior officials and cancelling May Day holidays as the worldwide deathtoll climbed to 204. The move followed international criticism of China’s handling of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). It also came as Hong Kong announced seven new deaths from the disease. Singapore, with 14 recorded SARS deaths, took the drastic step of ordering 2,400 people to quarantine themselves at home for 10 days because they might have come into contact with a SARS sufferer at a market. In a statement on Sunday the Chinese health ministry said there were 346 confirmed cases and 402 suspected cases in Beijing alone, and that 18 people had died from SARS in the capital. The number of cases in Beijing is nine times higher than the previous official figure of 44 cases and four deaths. The nationwide death toll from SARS has been raised to 79 with 1,814 confirmed cases of the illness. Shortly after the statement state media reported that Health Minister Zhang Wenkang and Beijing mayor Meng Xuenong were removed from senior positions in the Communist Party, a formal step which will almost certainly see them fired from their government posts. … Read more: https://www.smh.com.au/national/china-confesses-to-sars-cover-up-20030421-gdgmyx.html
Why does this keep happening?
The fundamental problem, in my opinion, is Communists are no good at communicating bad news to the boss. From the Soviet Chernobyl disaster to SARS in 2003, and now to Covid-19, again and again we have seen an utter failure to act rationally, and decision paralysis in the face of unexpected events, until the problem is so severe it can no longer be concealed. With no free press to smooth the flow of information, it often takes way too long for seriously bad news to filter through to the real decision makers. When the information does get through, decision makers act in their own personal best interests, often with a callous disregard for the safety of other nations.
This structural Chinese Communist incompetence, with their endemic aversion to releasing bad news, even to their own superiors, and with their serial track record of concealing disease outbreaks instead of trying to contain them, in my opinion is an ongoing threat both to their own people and to the rest of the world.
Next time the ChiComs cover up a disease outbreak, and there will be a next time, the disease which finally emerges could be far worse than Covid-19 or SARS.
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iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-07--Propaganda Unplugged: Claims Tasmania’s Power Supply 100% Renewable = 100% Fake News

Tasmania ’ s recent announcement that it is being powered 100 % of the time by renewable energy is so much fake news .
Tasmania does , indeed , have enviable hydropower resources , which Tasmania can fairly claim to be a “ renewable energy source ” .
However , Tasmania suffers severe droughts – just like every other part of Australia .
And , when it does , the water eventually runs out .
In which case , the Apple Isle either imports coal-fired power across the Bass Strait from Victoria via an undersea cable or , it does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and ships in hundreds of MWs worth of diesel generators .
There is very little solar power generated in Tasmania – a place renowned for its bitterly cold winters , snow and heavy rainfall .
And it has a trivial 560 MW worth of wind power generation capacity which , of course , produces no power at all for around 60 to 70 % of the time .
So , in reality , any claims being made about Tasmania ’ s renewable energy generation hinges almost entirely on its hydropower resources .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reality behind Tasmania ’ s bogus 100 % renewable energy claims .
Aussie State Tasmania Declares itself 100 % Renewable Energy Watts Up With That ?
Eric Worrall 1 December 2020 100 % renewable , except when Tasmania ’ s politicians run down their hydro dams to critical low levels selling green electrons to the mainland , burn out the undersea inter-connector with excessive current , and have to fire up emergency diesel generators .
Tasmania declares itself 100 per cent powered by renewable electricity Reneweconomy Michael Mazengarb 27 November 2020 The Tasmania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first Australian state , and one of just a handful of jurisdictions worldwide , to be powered entirely by renewable electricity .
In a statement released on Friday , Tasmanian energy minister Guy Barnett said that state had effectively become entirely self-sufficient for supplies of renewable electricity , supplied by the state ’ s wind and hydroelectricity projects .
“ We have reached 100 per cent thanks to our commitment to realising Tasmania ’ s renewable energy potential through our nation-leading energy policies and making Tasmania attractive for industry investment , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State , particularly in our regions , ” Barnett said .
Tasmania has long had one of the greenest supplies of electricity in Australia , with the state ’ s significant hydroelectricity resources supplying the bulk of the state ’ s power .
Tasmania ’ s history with hydroelectricity dates back to 1895 , with the Duck Reach power plant in Launceston becoming the first publicly owned hydroelectric power station in the southern hemisphere.… Reneweconomy What about that burned out interconnector ?
Tasmania ’ s electricity grid is facing its biggest challenge in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fall to its lowest levels ever , bushfires forcing the closure of some power facilities , and a faulty cable cutting the connection between the island and the country ’ s main electricity grid .
The Apple Isle ’ s main source of electricity – hydro power – is being challenged by its driest ever spring , pushing reserves down to just 18.9 per cent .
The lowest level ever is 16.5 per cent , reached in 2007 , but overall storage levels are predicted to fall to a low of 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – if normal rainfall patterns resume .
At current rates , however , some fear they may fall below those levels , although there has been some light rain in recent days .
To make matters worse , the Basslink cable linking the island ’ s grid to the mainland has been cut by technical problems , and will probably remain closed for another two months , while the raging bushfires have threatened power lines and forced the temporary closure of at least four hydro plants … Reneweconomy I guess the lesson is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giant mountainous watershed you can build enough hydro to go 100 % renewable .
So not an option for most parts of the world .
Having said that , even the cold , rainy island state of Tasmania suffers droughts .
If they have drained their dams selling green electrons to the mainland , and the rains fail , all it takes is a little of their regular undersea inter-connector trouble at the wrong time and they ’ re back to expensive diesel power .
So not quite 100 % renewable then .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignoring the fact Tasmania imports a lot of energy intensive goods .
The saddest part of this story , most of the green campaigners who risked their lives opposing bulldozing and flooding pristine wilderness during the 70s and 80s hydro construction projects have pretty much sold out to the idea of big green .
Most of them are now fully on board with concreting the Tasmanian watershed .
Watts Up With That ?

Tasmania’s recent announcement that it is being powered 100% of the time by renewable energy is so much fake news.
Tasmania does, indeed, have enviable hydropower resources, which Tasmania can fairly claim to be a “renewable energy source”.
However, Tasmania suffers severe droughts – just like every other part of Australia. And, when it does, the water eventually runs out. In which case, the Apple Isle either imports coal-fired power across the Bass Strait from Victoria via an undersea cable or, it does what it did a few years ago, and ships in hundreds of MWs worth of diesel generators.
There is very little solar power generated in Tasmania – a place renowned for its bitterly cold winters, snow and heavy rainfall. And it has a trivial 560 MW worth of wind power generation capacity which, of course, produces no power at all for around 60 to 70% of the time. So, in reality, any claims being made about Tasmania’s renewable energy generation hinges almost entirely on its hydropower resources.
Eric Worrall takes a look at the reality behind Tasmania’s bogus 100% renewable energy claims.
Aussie State Tasmania Declares itself 100% Renewable Energy
Watts Up With That?
Eric Worrall
1 December 2020
100% renewable, except when Tasmania’s politicians run down their hydro dams to critical low levels selling green electrons to the mainland, burn out the undersea inter-connector with excessive current, and have to fire up emergency diesel generators.
Tasmania declares itself 100 per cent powered by renewable electricity
Reneweconomy
Michael Mazengarb
27 November 2020
The Tasmania government has declared that it has become the first Australian state, and one of just a handful of jurisdictions worldwide, to be powered entirely by renewable electricity.
In a statement released on Friday, Tasmanian energy minister Guy Barnett said that state had effectively become entirely self-sufficient for supplies of renewable electricity, supplied by the state’s wind and hydroelectricity projects.
“We have reached 100 per cent thanks to our commitment to realising Tasmania’s renewable energy potential through our nation-leading energy policies and making Tasmania attractive for industry investment, which in turn is creating jobs across the State, particularly in our regions,” Barnett said.
Tasmania has long had one of the greenest supplies of electricity in Australia, with the state’s significant hydroelectricity resources supplying the bulk of the state’s power. Tasmania’s history with hydroelectricity dates back to 1895, with the Duck Reach power plant in Launceston becoming the first publicly owned hydroelectric power station in the southern hemisphere.…
Reneweconomy
What about that burned out interconnector?
Tasmania grid struggles with drought, bushfires, lost connection
Reneweconomy
Giles Parkinson
25 January 2016
Tasmania’s electricity grid is facing its biggest challenge in years, with its hydro storage about to fall to its lowest levels ever, bushfires forcing the closure of some power facilities, and a faulty cable cutting the connection between the island and the country’s main electricity grid.
The Apple Isle’s main source of electricity – hydro power – is being challenged by its driest ever spring, pushing reserves down to just 18.9 per cent.
The lowest level ever is 16.5 per cent, reached in 2007, but overall storage levels are predicted to fall to a low of 14 per cent by the end of March – if normal rainfall patterns resume. At current rates, however, some fear they may fall below those levels, although there has been some light rain in recent days.
To make matters worse, the Basslink cable linking the island’s grid to the mainland has been cut by technical problems, and will probably remain closed for another two months, while the raging bushfires have threatened power lines and forced the temporary closure of at least four hydro plants …
Reneweconomy
I guess the lesson is if most of your state is a giant mountainous watershed you can build enough hydro to go 100% renewable. So not an option for most parts of the world.
Having said that, even the cold, rainy island state of Tasmania suffers droughts. If they have drained their dams selling green electrons to the mainland, and the rains fail, all it takes is a little of their regular undersea inter-connector trouble at the wrong time and they’re back to expensive diesel power. So not quite 100% renewable then.
And of course we’re quietly ignoring the fact Tasmania imports a lot of energy intensive goods.
The saddest part of this story, most of the green campaigners who risked their lives opposing bulldozing and flooding pristine wilderness during the 70s and 80s hydro construction projects have pretty much sold out to the idea of big green. Most of them are now fully on board with concreting the Tasmanian watershed.
Watts Up With That?


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-07--Speculation on ice-trapped whales: science-based fiction vs. dishonest science

Ice entrapment of whales is known to happen across the Arctic , including Davis Strait and the Gulf of St. Lawrence .
How common such phenomena were in the past or might be in the future are subjects of conjecture .
However , while speculation is the bread-and-butter of science-based fiction , it is the bane of peer-reviewed science .
I ’ ve written two novels informed by science set a bit in the future ( 2025-2026 ) in Eastern Canada : EATEN was set in Newfoundland and my latest book UPHEAVAL –see a review here – is set in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In UPHEAVAL , one of the issues I explore is ice entrapment of large whales , like North Atlantic right whales .
I speculate in the story whether carcasses of ice-killed whales might provide a powerful enough attraction to lure Davis Strait polar bears down from Labrador and the Strait of Belle Isle into the Gulf of St. Lawrence – and if they did , what might be the repercussions of that shift in distribution .
Here I argue that a novel is the appropriate place for this kind of speculation and researchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a way that conflates a science-informed guess with evidence-based fact risks eroding public trust in science .
Both of my novels are set in regions that few would call ‘ the Arctic ’ yet both have seasonal sea ice and ice-associated marine mammals , including harp seals , polar bears , belugas , and north Atlantic right whales .
There is also a long history of hunting these animals and recent successes in conservation efforts aimed at their recovery have had some unintended consequences .
For example , after decades of over-hunting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in harp seal numbers off Newfoundland and Labrador over the last 30 years that has helped polar bear numbers in Davis Strait to recover from centuries of over-hunting because harp seals are a critical food source for these bears .
EATEN explored the possibilities of what might happen if that food resource suddenly failed .
Similarly , effective conservation of North Atlantic Right whales ( below ) has also resulted in increased numbers after having been over-hunted for centuries .
However , in recent years some have become trapped in the sea ice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died .
The timing and location of some of these ice-entrapment events suggests a few right and blue whales have re-discovered traditional feeding areas in the northern Gulf , along the south shore of Quebec – which we know about because that ’ s where Basque whalers set up hunting operations in 1520-1625 .
The following excerpt ( my bold ) is from a commentary article published in the Halifax ( Nova Scotia ) Chronicle Herald 22 March 2019 ( by Paul Brodie , a former DFO employee specializing in whale research ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to migrating right whales : Early commercial whaling was conducted in the Gulf of St. Lawrence by Basque whalers from 1520 to 1625 , after fishermen returned with news of abundant whale stocks .
Right and bowhead whales , attracted to the northern Gulf by concentrations of zooplankton , were in numbers sufficient to sustain whaling for generations using existing technology .
The present global numbers for right whales may be as high as 20,000 , consisting of several populations that are either stable or increasing .
Of this number , the 425-450 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bay of Fundy/Gulf of Maine appear to be of greatest concern .
Collisions with ships and entanglement in fishing gear were the main causes of mortality .
Numbers of this monitored population have shifted to the Gulf of St. Lawrence , where some 30-40 per cent now reside during the summer .
However , this comes at the cost of an additional source of mortality : that of exposure to shifting pack ice .
Should right whales rediscover the ancient feeding and whaling grounds of the northern Gulf , they will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history of what must amount to hundreds of large whales being ice-trapped and smothered , and more recently in 2015 , at least six blue whales were trapped and died in heavy ice .
In the spring of 2017 , there was record pack ice off Newfoundland and Labrador and Newfoundland , trapping many fishing vessels .
It was well-documented by the media .
There was also a sequence of right whale carcasses in various stages of decomposition , drifting in the ice water to the southern Gulf , probably released as northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Several mortalities were attributed to ship strikes and gear entanglement , and the majority to “ blunt force trauma , ” which can occur when hundreds of square kilometres of wind- and current-driven rafted pack ice ( each square kilometre weighing 500,000 to one million tonnes ) encases and smothers large whales for days or weeks .
Blue whales wintering on the continental shelf begin exploring the entrance to the Gulf of St. Lawrence through the Cabot Strait as early as late March , moving northward along the ice edge as they pass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observation was of two blue whales feeding close to the ice front in the Strait of Belle Isle in April 1967 , which seemed rather perilous should the pack ice shift toward the shore .
In the spring of 2015 , six or more blue whales , as well as humpbacks and sperm whales were lost .
Should right whales occupy their historic northern feeding areas , they would suffer a similar fate .
The year 2017 was one of record pack ice along the Newfoundland and Labrador northern coasts : a year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were discovered in the central and southern Gulf .
Read the whole thing here .
In constructing the storyline for UPHEAVAL , I wondered whether these whale victims of ice entrapment in the Gulf could become an attractant for polar bears , as has been recorded across the Arctic from Wrangel Island to Pond Inlet and Disko Bay , Greenland , amongst others .
I speculated whether carcasses of ice-killed whales might provide a powerful enough attraction to lure Davis Strait polar bears down from Labrador and the Strait of Belle Isle into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they did , what might happen next , especially if the region is hit by a tsunami while it ’ s covered in sea ice .
Speculation such as this is what science-based fiction is all about and is the appropriate forum for this kind of guesswork .
Contrast this with a paper published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal that involved similar levels of imagination but was passed off as ‘ science ’ .
Without any evidence whatsoever , Kristin Laidre , Ian Stirling and others ( Laidre et al .
2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ survived low-ice levels during the Eemian Interglacial and other warm periods by scavenging carcasses of dead whales during the ice-free season – and then used this baseless premise to advance their advocacy opinion that polar bear survival in the future is doomed because of man-made climate change .
Of course , the media ignored the groundless nature of the original premise and presented something that might have occurred in the past as something that definitely happened – see here , here , and here .
In other words , they sold the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guess made by biologists was a scientifically verified fact .
Bottom line : Presenting speculation informed by science as fiction is an appropriate way to explore intriguing scientific questions but passing off such conjecture as evidence-based science is dishonest and risks eroding public trust in science , especially when it ’ s used to advance an agenda .
Laidre , K.L.
, Stirling , I. , Estes , J.A.
, Kochnev , A. and Roberts , J .
2018 .
Historical and potential future importance of large whales as food for polar bears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doi:10.1002/fee.1963

Ice entrapment of whales is known to happen across the Arctic, including Davis Strait and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. How common such phenomena were in the past or might be in the future are subjects of conjecture. However, while speculation is the bread-and-butter of science-based fiction, it is the bane of peer-reviewed science.
I’ve written two novels informed by science set a bit in the future (2025-2026) in Eastern Canada: EATEN was set in Newfoundland and my latest book UPHEAVAL –see a review here – is set in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. In UPHEAVAL, one of the issues I explore is ice entrapment of large whales, like North Atlantic right whales. I speculate in the story whether carcasses of ice-killed whales might provide a powerful enough attraction to lure Davis Strait polar bears down from Labrador and the Strait of Belle Isle into the Gulf of St. Lawrence – and if they did, what might be the repercussions of that shift in distribution.
Here I argue that a novel is the appropriate place for this kind of speculation and researchers who offer such conjecture to the public in a way that conflates a science-informed guess with evidence-based fact risks eroding public trust in science.
Both of my novels are set in regions that few would call ‘the Arctic’ yet both have seasonal sea ice and ice-associated marine mammals, including harp seals, polar bears, belugas, and north Atlantic right whales. There is also a long history of hunting these animals and recent successes in conservation efforts aimed at their recovery have had some unintended consequences. For example, after decades of over-hunting, there has been a huge increase in harp seal numbers off Newfoundland and Labrador over the last 30 years that has helped polar bear numbers in Davis Strait to recover from centuries of over-hunting because harp seals are a critical food source for these bears. EATEN explored the possibilities of what might happen if that food resource suddenly failed.
Similarly, effective conservation of North Atlantic Right whales (below) has also resulted in increased numbers after having been over-hunted for centuries. However, in recent years some have become trapped in the sea ice of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and died. The timing and location of some of these ice-entrapment events suggests a few right and blue whales have re-discovered traditional feeding areas in the northern Gulf, along the south shore of Quebec – which we know about because that’s where Basque whalers set up hunting operations in 1520-1625.
The following excerpt (my bold) is from a commentary article published in the Halifax (Nova Scotia) Chronicle Herald 22 March 2019 (by Paul Brodie, a former DFO employee specializing in whale research), Pack ice could pose new threat to migrating right whales:
Early commercial whaling was conducted in the Gulf of St. Lawrence by Basque whalers from 1520 to 1625, after fishermen returned with news of abundant whale stocks. Right and bowhead whales, attracted to the northern Gulf by concentrations of zooplankton, were in numbers sufficient to sustain whaling for generations using existing technology. … The present global numbers for right whales may be as high as 20,000, consisting of several populations that are either stable or increasing. Of this number, the 425-450 North Atlantic right whales initially summering in the Bay of Fundy/Gulf of Maine appear to be of greatest concern. Collisions with ships and entanglement in fishing gear were the main causes of mortality. Numbers of this monitored population have shifted to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, where some 30-40 per cent now reside during the summer. However, this comes at the cost of an additional source of mortality: that of exposure to shifting pack ice. Should right whales rediscover the ancient feeding and whaling grounds of the northern Gulf, they will be further compromised. There is a long history of what must amount to hundreds of large whales being ice-trapped and smothered, and more recently in 2015, at least six blue whales were trapped and died in heavy ice. In the spring of 2017, there was record pack ice off Newfoundland and Labrador and Newfoundland, trapping many fishing vessels. It was well-documented by the media. There was also a sequence of right whale carcasses in various stages of decomposition, drifting in the ice water to the southern Gulf, probably released as northern pack ice opened up and deteriorated. Several mortalities were attributed to ship strikes and gear entanglement, and the majority to “blunt force trauma,” which can occur when hundreds of square kilometres of wind- and current-driven rafted pack ice (each square kilometre weighing 500,000 to one million tonnes) encases and smothers large whales for days or weeks. … Blue whales wintering on the continental shelf begin exploring the entrance to the Gulf of St. Lawrence through the Cabot Strait as early as late March, moving northward along the ice edge as they pass Port aux Basques. My first direct observation was of two blue whales feeding close to the ice front in the Strait of Belle Isle in April 1967, which seemed rather perilous should the pack ice shift toward the shore. In the spring of 2015, six or more blue whales, as well as humpbacks and sperm whales were lost. Should right whales occupy their historic northern feeding areas, they would suffer a similar fate. The year 2017 was one of record pack ice along the Newfoundland and Labrador northern coasts: a year when at least 12 right whale carcasses were discovered in the central and southern Gulf.
Read the whole thing here.
In constructing the storyline for UPHEAVAL, I wondered whether these whale victims of ice entrapment in the Gulf could become an attractant for polar bears, as has been recorded across the Arctic from Wrangel Island to Pond Inlet and Disko Bay, Greenland, amongst others. I speculated whether carcasses of ice-killed whales might provide a powerful enough attraction to lure Davis Strait polar bears down from Labrador and the Strait of Belle Isle into the Gulf of St. Lawrence – and if they did, what might happen next, especially if the region is hit by a tsunami while it’s covered in sea ice.
Speculation such as this is what science-based fiction is all about and is the appropriate forum for this kind of guesswork.
Contrast this with a paper published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal that involved similar levels of imagination but was passed off as ‘science’. Without any evidence whatsoever, Kristin Laidre, Ian Stirling and others (Laidre et al. 2018) suggested that polar bears ‘likely’ survived low-ice levels during the Eemian Interglacial and other warm periods by scavenging carcasses of dead whales during the ice-free season – and then used this baseless premise to advance their advocacy opinion that polar bear survival in the future is doomed because of man-made climate change.
Of course, the media ignored the groundless nature of the original premise and presented something that might have occurred in the past as something that definitely happened – see here, here, and here. In other words, they sold the general public a lie by suggesting a guess made by biologists was a scientifically verified fact.
Bottom line: Presenting speculation informed by science as fiction is an appropriate way to explore intriguing scientific questions but passing off such conjecture as evidence-based science is dishonest and risks eroding public trust in science, especially when it’s used to advance an agenda.
References
Laidre, K.L., Stirling, I., Estes, J.A., Kochnev, A. and Roberts,J. 2018. Historical and potential future importance of large whales as food for polar bears. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment doi:10.1002/fee.1963
via polarbearscience
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December 7, 2020 at 12:16AM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-07--Tokyo Island Of Hachijojima, Japan Has Seen No Warming Trend Since 1975 For Autumn.

As I wrote here , Hachijojima where almost a rural area has seen no warming trend for September since 1915 @ @ @ @ @ temperature , the island shows no warming trend since 1948 to 2019 .
Looking at @ @ @ @ @ the station has had no warming trend for 45 years .
When I show such @ @ @ @ @ get upset .
They really love the man-made global warming myth , I know .

As I wrote here, Hachijojima where almost a rural area has seen no warming trend for September since 1915.
For the mean annual temperature, the island shows no warming trend since 1948 to 2019.
Looking at the data for autumn, the station has had no warming trend for 45 years.
▲ Data Source
When I show such data, some climate alarmists get upset. They really love the man-made global warming myth, I know.


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-07--Claim: The climate changed rapidly alongside sea ice decline in the north

Researchers from the Niels Bohr Institute , University of Copenhagen have , in collaboration with Norwegian researchers in the ERC Synergy project , ICE2ICE , shown that abrupt climate change occurred as a result of widespread decrease of sea ice .
This scientific breakthrough concludes a long-lasting debate on the mechanisms causing abrupt climate change during the glacial period .
It also documents that the cause of the swiftness and extent of sudden climate change must be found in the oceans .
Scientific evidence for abrupt climate change in the past finally achieved During the last glacial period , app @ @ @ @ @ @ @ northern hemisphere was covered in glacial ice and extensive sea ice , covering the Nordic seas .
The cold glacial climate was interrupted by periods of fast warmup of up to 16.5 degrees Celsius over the Greenland ice sheet , the so called Dansgaard Oeschger events ( D-O ) .
These rapid glacial climate fluctuations were discovered in the Greenland ice core drillings decades ago , but the cause of them have been hotly contested .
D-O events are of particular significance today as the rate of warming seems to be very much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of the Arctic nowadays .
The new results show that the abrupt climate change in the past was closely linked to the quick and extensive decline in sea ice cover in the Nordic seas .
Very important knowledge as sea ice is presently decreasing each year .
“ Our , up until now , most extensive and detailed reconstruction of sea ice documents the importance of the rapid decrease of sea ice cover and the connected feedback mechanisms causing abrupt climate change ” , says Henrik Sadatzki , first author of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data were combined in order to achieve the result The Norwegian researchers investigated two sediment cores from the Norwegian sea and the Danish researchers investigated an ice core from East Greenland for changes in the sea ice cover .
Both sediment and ice cores were meticulously dated and further linked to one another through several volcanic layers of ash ( tephra ) identified in both .
Past sea ice cover was reconstructed in the marine cores by observing the relation between specific organic molecules produced by algea living in sea ice and others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the Renland ice core from East Greenland the researchers looked at the content of Bromin .
This content is connected to newly formed sea ice , since Bromin contents increase when sea ice is formed .
A robust chronology and sea ice information in both sediment cores and the ice core could be established and used to investigate the extent of the sea ice changes in the Nordic seas during the last glacial period .
“ We have investigated how the sea ice cover changed during the last glacial period in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With the high resolution in our data sets we are able to see that the Nordic seas , during the rapid climate changes in the glacial period , change from being covered in ice all year round to having seasonal ice cover .
This is knowledge we can apply in our improved understanding of how the sea ice decline we observe today may impact the climate in the Arctic ” , says Helle Astrid Kjær , Associate professor at the Ice , Climate and Geophysics section at the Niels Bohr Institute .
Sea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the climate today can change abruptly The data the group of researchers present shows that the Nordic seas were covered by extensive sea ice in cold periods , while warmer periods are characterized by reduced , seasonal sea ice , as well as rather open ice free oceans .
“ Our records show that the extensive decline in sea ice could have happened during a period of 250 years or less , simultaneously with a phase in which the water in the oceans to the north mixed with the Nordic sea , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in atmospheric warming ” , says Henrik Sadatzki .
As the Nordic seas changed abruptly from ice covered to open sea , the energy from the warmer ocean water was released to the cold atmosphere , leading to amplification of sudden warming of the climate .
The result of the study documents that sea ice is a “ tipping element ” in the tightly coupled ocean-ice-climate system .
This is particularly relevant today , as the still more open ocean to the north can lead to similar abrupt climate change .

UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN
Research News
IMAGE: “WE HAVE INVESTIGATED HOW THE SEA ICE COVER CHANGED DURING THE LAST GLACIAL PERIOD IN BOTH MARINE CORES AND ICE CORES, ” SAYS HELLE ASTRID KJÆR, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT THE NIELS… view more CREDIT: UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN
Researchers from the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen have, in collaboration with Norwegian researchers in the ERC Synergy project, ICE2ICE, shown that abrupt climate change occurred as a result of widespread decrease of sea ice. This scientific breakthrough concludes a long-lasting debate on the mechanisms causing abrupt climate change during the glacial period. It also documents that the cause of the swiftness and extent of sudden climate change must be found in the oceans.
Scientific evidence for abrupt climate change in the past finally achieved
During the last glacial period, app. 10,000 – 110,000 years ago the northern hemisphere was covered in glacial ice and extensive sea ice, covering the Nordic seas. The cold glacial climate was interrupted by periods of fast warmup of up to 16.5 degrees Celsius over the Greenland ice sheet, the so called Dansgaard Oeschger events (D-O).
These rapid glacial climate fluctuations were discovered in the Greenland ice core drillings decades ago, but the cause of them have been hotly contested. D-O events are of particular significance today as the rate of warming seems to be very much like what can be observed in large parts of the Arctic nowadays. The new results show that the abrupt climate change in the past was closely linked to the quick and extensive decline in sea ice cover in the Nordic seas. Very important knowledge as sea ice is presently decreasing each year.
“Our, up until now, most extensive and detailed reconstruction of sea ice documents the importance of the rapid decrease of sea ice cover and the connected feedback mechanisms causing abrupt climate change”, says Henrik Sadatzki, first author of the study.
Sediment core and ice core data were combined in order to achieve the result
The Norwegian researchers investigated two sediment cores from the Norwegian sea and the Danish researchers investigated an ice core from East Greenland for changes in the sea ice cover. Both sediment and ice cores were meticulously dated and further linked to one another through several volcanic layers of ash (tephra) identified in both.
Past sea ice cover was reconstructed in the marine cores by observing the relation between specific organic molecules produced by algea living in sea ice and others by algea living in ice free waters. In the Renland ice core from East Greenland the researchers looked at the content of Bromin. This content is connected to newly formed sea ice, since Bromin contents increase when sea ice is formed. A robust chronology and sea ice information in both sediment cores and the ice core could be established and used to investigate the extent of the sea ice changes in the Nordic seas during the last glacial period.
“We have investigated how the sea ice cover changed during the last glacial period in both marine cores and ice cores. With the high resolution in our data sets we are able to see that the Nordic seas, during the rapid climate changes in the glacial period, change from being covered in ice all year round to having seasonal ice cover. This is knowledge we can apply in our improved understanding of how the sea ice decline we observe today may impact the climate in the Arctic”, says Helle Astrid Kjær, Associate professor at the Ice, Climate and Geophysics section at the Niels Bohr Institute.
Sea ice changes in the past show how the climate today can change abruptly
The data the group of researchers present shows that the Nordic seas were covered by extensive sea ice in cold periods, while warmer periods are characterized by reduced, seasonal sea ice, as well as rather open ice free oceans. “Our records show that the extensive decline in sea ice could have happened during a period of 250 years or less, simultaneously with a phase in which the water in the oceans to the north mixed with the Nordic sea, and that this situation led to sudden changes in atmospheric warming”, says Henrik Sadatzki.
As the Nordic seas changed abruptly from ice covered to open sea, the energy from the warmer ocean water was released to the cold atmosphere, leading to amplification of sudden warming of the climate. The result of the study documents that sea ice is a “tipping element” in the tightly coupled ocean-ice-climate system. This is particularly relevant today, as the still more open ocean to the north can lead to similar abrupt climate change.
###
From EurekAlert!
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iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-07--Did Microsoft betray the US for an employee’s visa?!

Microsoft , Google , Facebook , and Twitter consider themselves supranational corporations .
When they speak of “ securing democracy , ” they mean removal of Trump , or “ prevention of another Trump situation.
” They have no problem in colluding with the Russian government and acting under its direction in the US .
“ Perhaps not surprisingly , the Russian government was less than enthusiastic about the tech sector ’ s stronger public stance .
In November 2018 , a Microsoft employee in Redmond applied for a visa to attend an AI conference in Moscow .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian embassy in Washington , DC , for a “ visa interview.
” As he walked into the interview room , a consular official handed him an envelope and politely asked him to read the two documents inside .
The official then asked our employee to take the documents back to Redmond to hand them over to Microsoft executives .
The interview ended less than five minutes after it had begun , and the employee ’ s visa was granted .
I soon received an email with the two documents attached .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of official Russian news stories .
Both were reports detailing my statements made that August , noting the Russian government ’ s disagreement with my characterizations .
As one report concluded , “ The Russian authorities have repeatedly refuted any accusations of interference in elections abroad , including through hacker attacks.
” Russia ’ s message to Microsoft reflected the bind that many American tech firms now confront .
On the one hand , US politicians understandably push us to take strong stances against foreign hacking .
But on the other , these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies themselves.
” – Smith , Brad ; Browne , Carol Ann .
Tools and Weapons ( p. 86-87 ) , 2018 In response to that , Microsoft changed the description of what they call Strontium from “ widely associated with the Russian government ” to “ operating from the territory of Russia.
” Microsoft betrayed the US for what ?
For an employee ’ s visa ?
!
Here , betrayal means violation of 18 U.S. Code § 951 “ acting in the US as an agent of a foreign government without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rather than treason .
In exchange for visas for employees visiting conferences in Moscow , Microsoft executives ordered their employees to disinform the US cybersecurity experts , government agencies , and Microsoft customers about an important cybersecurity issue .
This admission is unique .
They really imagine themselves above the law .
What they call Strontium is not a group of people , but an imaginary entity out of the conspiracy theory propagated by the Democratic party , Crowdstrike , and Spygate perpetrators .
The logical fallacy is treating multiple unrelated actors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a single entity .
Microsoft ’ s assertions about “ Strontium ” were incorrect both before and after its executives started to act as Kremlin agents in the US .
But “ before ” , they might have been mistaken , and the mistake could be corrected .
The “ after ” assertion became vague , and hard to correct .
Further , the change put the Microsoft employees , partners , customers , cybersecurity community etc .
on notice that challenging this assertion is dangerous .
See also Microsoft Self Exposed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MSFT are Foreign Agents & Collusive Monopoly .

Microsoft, Google, Facebook, and Twitter consider themselves supranational corporations. When they speak of “securing democracy,” they mean removal of Trump, or “prevention of another Trump situation.” They have no problem in colluding with the Russian government and acting under its direction in the US.
“Perhaps not surprisingly, the Russian government was less than enthusiastic about the tech sector’s stronger public stance. In November 2018, a Microsoft employee in Redmond applied for a visa to attend an AI conference in Moscow. He was summoned more than two thousand miles to the Russian embassy in Washington, DC, for a “visa interview.” As he walked into the interview room, a consular official handed him an envelope and politely asked him to read the two documents inside. The official then asked our employee to take the documents back to Redmond to hand them over to Microsoft executives. The interview ended less than five minutes after it had begun, and the employee’s visa was granted. I soon received an email with the two documents attached. They were printed copies of English-language versions of official Russian news stories. Both were reports detailing my statements made that August, noting the Russian government’s disagreement with my characterizations. As one report concluded, “The Russian authorities have repeatedly refuted any accusations of interference in elections abroad, including through hacker attacks.” Russia’s message to Microsoft reflected the bind that many American tech firms now confront. On the one hand, US politicians understandably push us to take strong stances against foreign hacking. But on the other, these steps lead to foreign pressure on the companies themselves.” – Smith, Brad; Browne, Carol Ann. Tools and Weapons (p. 86-87), 2018
In response to that, Microsoft changed the description of what they call Strontium from “widely associated with the Russian government” to “operating from the territory of Russia.” Microsoft betrayed the US for what? For an employee’s visa?!
Here, betrayal means violation of 18 U.S. Code § 951 “acting in the US as an agent of a foreign government without prior notification to the Attorney General”, rather than treason. In exchange for visas for employees visiting conferences in Moscow, Microsoft executives ordered their employees to disinform the US cybersecurity experts, government agencies, and Microsoft customers about an important cybersecurity issue. This admission is unique. They really imagine themselves above the law.
What they call Strontium is not a group of people, but an imaginary entity out of the conspiracy theory propagated by the Democratic party, Crowdstrike, and Spygate perpetrators. The logical fallacy is treating multiple unrelated actors (cyber-criminals in this case) as a single entity.
Microsoft’s assertions about “Strontium” were incorrect both before and after its executives started to act as Kremlin agents in the US. But “before”, they might have been mistaken, and the mistake could be corrected. The “after” assertion became vague, and hard to correct. Further, the change put the Microsoft employees, partners, customers, cybersecurity community etc. on notice that challenging this assertion is dangerous.
See also Microsoft Self Exposed and GOOG, FB, TWTR, & MSFT are Foreign Agents & Collusive Monopoly.
via Science Defies Politics
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December 6, 2020 at 07:40PM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-08--Arizona Legislative Leaders call for audit of Maricopa County election software and equipment

“ A significant number of voters believe that fraud occurred and with the number of irregularities it is easy to @ @ @ @ @ are the allegations made surrounding the vendor Dominion.
” Arizona ’ s legislative leaders are @ @ @ @ @ audit of Maricopa County ’ s Dominion election software and equipment .
“ Senate President @ @ @ @ @ the House Rusty Bowers today called an independent audit of the Dominion software and equipment @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 General Election .
The two leaders , along with incoming Senate Government Chair @ @ @ @ @ Leader Warren Petersen , had numerous phone calls with members of the Maricopa County Board @ @ @ @ @ press release from the Arizona Legislature said .
“ A significant number of voters believe @ @ @ @ @ the number of irregularities it is easy to understand why .
Especially concerning are the @ @ @ @ @ Dominion.
” Thanks to Jimmy Walter for this link The post Arizona Legislative Leaders call @ @ @ @ @ election software and equipment appeared first on Ice Age Now .

“A significant number of voters believe that fraud occurred and with the number of irregularities it is easy to understand why. Especially concerning are the allegations made surrounding the vendor Dominion.”
______________
Arizona’s legislative leaders are now calling for an independent audit of Maricopa County’s Dominion election software and equipment.
“Senate President Karen Fann and Speaker of the House Rusty Bowers today called an independent audit of the Dominion software and equipment used by Maricopa County in the 2020 General Election. The two leaders, along with incoming Senate Government Chair Michelle Ugenti-Rita and House Majority Leader Warren Petersen, had numerous phone calls with members of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors,” a press release from the Arizona Legislature said.
“A significant number of voters believe that fraud occurred and with the number of irregularities it is easy to understand why. Especially concerning are the allegations made surrounding the vendor Dominion.”
.
Thanks to Jimmy Walter for this link
The post Arizona Legislative Leaders call for audit of Maricopa County election software and equipment appeared first on Ice Age Now.
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December 7, 2020 at 07:15PM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-07--Newly discovered Greenland (mantle) plume drives thermal activities in the Arctic

A team of researchers understands more about the melting of the Greenland ice sheet .
They discovered a flow of hot rocks , known as a mantle plume , rising from the core-mantle boundary beneath central Greenland that melts the ice from below .
The results of their two-part study were published in the Journal of Geophysical Research .
“ Knowledge about the Greenland plume will bolster our understanding of volcanic activities in these regions and the problematic issue of global sea-level rising caused by the melting of the Greenland ice sheet , ” said Dr. Genti Toyokuni , co-author @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region is awash with geothermal activity .
Iceland and Jan Mayen contain active volcanoes with their own distinct mantle plumes , whilst Svalbard – a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean – is a geothermal area .
However , the origin of these activities and their interconnectedness has largely been unexplored .
The research team discovered that the Greenland plume rose from the core-mantle boundary to the mantle transition zone beneath Greenland .
The plume also has two branches in the lower mantle that feed into other plumes in the region , supplying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jan Mayen and the geothermal area in Svalbard .
Their findings were based on measurements of the 3-D seismic velocity structure of the crust and whole mantle beneath these regions .
To obtain the measurements , they used seismic topography .
Numerous seismic wave arrival times were inverted to obtain 3-D images of the underground structure .
The method works similarly to a CT scan of the human body .
Toyokuni was able to utilize seismographs he installed on the Greenland ice sheet as part of the Greenland Ice Sheet Monitoring Network .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sees the collaboration of researchers from 11 countries .
The US-Japan joint team is primarily responsible for the construction and maintenance of the three seismic stations on the ice sheet .
Looking ahead , Toyokuni hopes to explore the thermal process in more detail .
“ This study revealed the larger picture , so examining the plumes at a more localized level will reveal more information .
”

TOHOKU UNIVERSITY
Research News
IMAGE: A SEISMIC STATION ON THE GREENLAND ICE SHEET INSTALLED BY AUTHORS. SNOW ACCUMULATION IN ONE YEAR IS ~1.5 M, AND THE SOLAR PANELS ARE BURIED IN THE SNOW. SNOW REMOVAL… view more CREDIT: GENTI TOYOKUNI
A team of researchers understands more about the melting of the Greenland ice sheet. They discovered a flow of hot rocks, known as a mantle plume, rising from the core-mantle boundary beneath central Greenland that melts the ice from below.
The results of their two-part study were published in the Journal of Geophysical Research.
“Knowledge about the Greenland plume will bolster our understanding of volcanic activities in these regions and the problematic issue of global sea-level rising caused by the melting of the Greenland ice sheet,” said Dr. Genti Toyokuni, co-author of the studies.
The North Atlantic region is awash with geothermal activity. Iceland and Jan Mayen contain active volcanoes with their own distinct mantle plumes, whilst Svalbard – a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean – is a geothermal area. However, the origin of these activities and their interconnectedness has largely been unexplored.
The research team discovered that the Greenland plume rose from the core-mantle boundary to the mantle transition zone beneath Greenland. The plume also has two branches in the lower mantle that feed into other plumes in the region, supplying heat to active regions in Iceland and Jan Mayen and the geothermal area in Svalbard.
Their findings were based on measurements of the 3-D seismic velocity structure of the crust and whole mantle beneath these regions. To obtain the measurements, they used seismic topography. Numerous seismic wave arrival times were inverted to obtain 3-D images of the underground structure. The method works similarly to a CT scan of the human body.
Toyokuni was able to utilize seismographs he installed on the Greenland ice sheet as part of the Greenland Ice Sheet Monitoring Network. Set up in 2009, the project sees the collaboration of researchers from 11 countries. The US-Japan joint team is primarily responsible for the construction and maintenance of the three seismic stations on the ice sheet.
Looking ahead, Toyokuni hopes to explore the thermal process in more detail. “This study revealed the larger picture, so examining the plumes at a more localized level will reveal more information.”
###
From EurekAlert!
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iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-07--Dominion Voting and Democrat Counties Self-Audited

Fulton County , the largest and heavily Democrat county in Georgia , which gave ~400 thousands votes for Biden , hired the far left VotingWorks to provide it audit services .
To do that , VotingWorks partnered with a Canadian firm SecurityCompass .
That means that a ) VotingWorks did not have ability to do the work for which it was hired and b ) another foreign company took part in our Presidential elections .
In the recount , a Dominion Voting server crashed .
The Georgia officials blamed a Fulton county worker , who allegedly “ ignored basic instructions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said when they ‘ cut a corner ’ by using the express server , a Dominion employee told them they couldn ’ t do that because it would crash the server .
Instead , Fulton officials decided to put the database on that server.
” They let it slip that a Dominion Voting representative stood by the county employee , telling him/her what to do .
“ A security measure flagged the process because timestamps were off , causing the server to crash and ultimately making it impossible to get the database , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the security measure cause the server to crash ?
It should have made a an error record in the log , refuse to proceed , and displayed an error dialog .
“ Because of this decision , Sterling said they are going to be forced to scan ballots again – which is more work , more manpower , and more time.
” Wait a minute – the recount was supposed to be manual .
Why the Dominion software and ballots scanning were involved at all ?
Fake recount !
From the horse ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ founder of VotingWorks , BA1 , BA2 ) : The re-count , “ certified ” by GA government today , and sometimes called 2nd or even 3rd re-count , consisted of re-scanning ballots .
It was expected to give the same result that the first count , the one with the fake flooding , counting ballots by Democrats in the absence of Republicans , and a mysterious suitcases of ballots .
In Georgia , recount can be done only after the results certification .
What is sometimes reported as the first recount , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fulton county election commission “ certified ” the alleged results by a split vote 3:2 ( 2 ) .
The Republican-led Georgia government entrusted the recounts to Democrat-dominated Fulton county , essentially allowing it to inspect itself .
Even in the light of the split decision , they simply accepted the majority opinion !
They also defended Fulton county when its Democrat ballot counters sent Republicans away , then continued “ counting , ” and brought out a suitcase with additional ballots .
Another software piece involved in the recount was ElectioNet Suite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a group providing services to governments , which likely means being on the lash of Democrats .
I strongly suspect that GA Governor Kemp and SOS Raffensperger are being blackmailed .

Fulton County, the largest and heavily Democrat county in Georgia, which gave ~400 thousands votes for Biden, hired the far left VotingWorks to provide it audit services. To do that, VotingWorks partnered with a Canadian firm SecurityCompass. That means that a) VotingWorks did not have ability to do the work for which it was hired and b) another foreign company took part in our Presidential elections.
In the recount, a Dominion Voting server crashed. The Georgia officials blamed a Fulton county worker, who allegedly “ignored basic instructions” (1).
“Sterling said when they ‘cut a corner’ by using the express server, a Dominion employee told them they couldn’t do that because it would crash the server. Instead, Fulton officials decided to put the database on that server.”
They let it slip that a Dominion Voting representative stood by the county employee, telling him/her what to do.
“A security measure flagged the process because timestamps were off, causing the server to crash and ultimately making it impossible to get the database, he said.”
WTF? Why does the security measure cause the server to crash? It should have made a an error record in the log, refuse to proceed, and displayed an error dialog.
“Because of this decision, Sterling said they are going to be forced to scan ballots again – which is more work, more manpower, and more time.”
Wait a minute – the recount was supposed to be manual. Why the Dominion software and ballots scanning were involved at all? Fake recount!
From the horse’s mouth (Ben Adida, a founder of VotingWorks, BA1, BA2):
The re-count, “certified” by GA government today, and sometimes called 2nd or even 3rd re-count, consisted of re-scanning ballots. It was expected to give the same result that the first count, the one with the fake flooding, counting ballots by Democrats in the absence of Republicans, and a mysterious suitcases of ballots. In Georgia, recount can be done only after the results certification.
What is sometimes reported as the first recount, was an enlarged risk limiting audit.
Fulton county election commission “certified” the alleged results by a split vote 3:2 (2). The Republican-led Georgia government entrusted the recounts to Democrat-dominated Fulton county, essentially allowing it to inspect itself. Even in the light of the split decision, they simply accepted the majority opinion!
They also defended Fulton county when its Democrat ballot counters sent Republicans away, then continued “counting,” and brought out a suitcase with additional ballots.
Another software piece involved in the recount was ElectioNet Suite from PCC Technology. It is part of a group providing services to governments, which likely means being on the lash of Democrats.
I strongly suspect that GA Governor Kemp and SOS Raffensperger are being blackmailed.
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December 7, 2020 at 04:15PM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-07--HUGE WINNING… EPA will not tighten PM2.5 air quality standards

JunkScience.com and friends — including Steve Milloy , Jim Enstrom , Stan Young , John Dunn and others — have @ @ @ @ @ years to achieve this result .
A Biden administration will undoubtedly try to overturn this @ @ @ @ @ have to continue fighting the PM2.5 fraudsters .
Meantime , this is a BIG win @ @ @ @ @ Fact Sheet ( PDF | Web ) Federal Register notice ( Web | PDF ) @ @ @ @

JunkScience.com and friends — including Steve Milloy, Jim Enstrom, Stan Young, John Dunn and others — have worked for more than 20 years to achieve this result. A Biden administration will undoubtedly try to overturn this decision. So we will have to continue fighting the PM2.5 fraudsters. Meantime, this is a BIG win. More info: EPA Fact Sheet (PDF | Web) Federal Register notice (Web | PDF) EPA PM web page


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-07--It’s the science that’s rotten, not the Reef

From The Australian : “ It is remarkable that the world has been convinced that one of its most pristine @ @ @ @ @ legs .
The science behind this claim is wrong… but no one wants to remedy @ @ @ @

From The Australian: “It is remarkable that the world has been convinced that one of its most pristine ecosystems is on its last legs. The science behind this claim is wrong… but no one wants to remedy the problem.”


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-07--Yes, HCQ Works Against Covid19

Yes, HCQ Works Against Covid19

100 % offor early , PrEP , or PEP treatment report positive effects , the probability of this happening for an ineffective treatment is 0.00098 .
There is evidence of .
89 % of prospective studies report positive effects , and only 76 % of retrospective studies do .
Significantly more studies in North America report negative results compared to the rest of the world , p = 0.0005 .
We analyze all significant studies concerning the use of HCQ ( or CQ ) for COVID-19 , showing the effect size and associated p value for results comparing to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are detailed in Appendix 1 .
Typical meta analyses involve subjective selection criteria , effect extraction rules , and bias evaluation , requiring an understanding of the criteria and the accuracy of the evaluations .
However , the volume of studies presents an opportunity for a simple and transparent analysis aimed at detecting efficacy .
If treatment was not effective , the observed effects would be randomly distributed ( or more likely to be negative if treatment is harmful ) .
We can compute the probability that the observed percentage of positive results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to chance with an ineffective treatment ( the probability of > = k heads in n coin tosses , or the one-sided sign test / binomial test ) .
Analysis of publication bias is important and adjustments may be needed if there is a bias toward publishing positive results .
For HCQ , we find evidence of a bias toward publishing negative results .
Figure 2 shows stages of possible treatment for COVID-19 .
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis ( PrEP ) refers to regularly taking medication before being infected , in order to prevent or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PEP ) , medication is taken after exposure but before symptoms appear .
Early Treatment refers to treatment immediately or soon after symptoms appear , while Late Treatment refers to more delayed treatment .
We also note a bias towards publishing negative results by certain journals and press organizations , with scientists reporting difficulty publishing positive results [ Boulware , Meneguesso ] .
Although 124 studies show positive results , The New York Times , for example , has only written articles for studies that claim HCQ is not effective [ The New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( B ) , The New York Times ( C ) ] .
As of September 10 , 2020 , The New York Times still claims that there is clear evidence that HCQ is not effective for COVID-19 [ The New York Times ( D ) ] .
As of October 9 , 2020 , the United States National Institutes of Health recommends against HCQ for both hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients [ United States National Institutes of Health ] .
Treatment details .
We focus here on the question of whether HCQ is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ differences exist based on treatment stage , with early treatment showing the greatest effectiveness .
100 % of early treatment studies report a positive effect , with an estimated reduction of 65 % in the effect measured ( death , hospitalization , etc . )
in the random effects meta-analysis , RR 0.35 [ 0.27-0.46 ] .
Many factors are likely to influence the degree of effectiveness , including the dosing regimen , concomitant medications such as zinc or azithromycin , precise treatment delay , the initial viral load of patients , and @ @ @ @

•
100% offor early, PrEP, or PEP treatment report positive effects, the probability of this happening for an ineffective treatment is 0.00098.
•
There is evidence of. 89% of prospective studies report positive effects, and only 76% of retrospective studies do.
• Significantly more studies in North America report negative results compared to the rest of the world, p = 0.0005.
We analyze all significant studies concerning the use of HCQ (or CQ) for COVID-19, showing the effect size and associated p value for results comparing to a control group. Methods and study results are detailed in Appendix 1. Typical meta analyses involve subjective selection criteria, effect extraction rules, and bias evaluation, requiring an understanding of the criteria and the accuracy of the evaluations. However, the volume of studies presents an opportunity for a simple and transparent analysis aimed at detecting efficacy. If treatment was not effective, the observed effects would be randomly distributed (or more likely to be negative if treatment is harmful). We can compute the probability that the observed percentage of positive results (or higher) could occur due to chance with an ineffective treatment (the probability of >= k heads in n coin tosses, or the one-sided sign test / binomial test). Analysis of publication bias is important and adjustments may be needed if there is a bias toward publishing positive results. For HCQ, we find evidence of a bias toward publishing negative results. Figure 2 shows stages of possible treatment for COVID-19. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) refers to regularly taking medication before being infected, in order to prevent or minimize infection. In Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), medication is taken after exposure but before symptoms appear. Early Treatment refers to treatment immediately or soon after symptoms appear, while Late Treatment refers to more delayed treatment.
We also note a bias towards publishing negative results by certain journals and press organizations, with scientists reporting difficulty publishing positive results [Boulware, Meneguesso]. Although 124 studies show positive results, The New York Times, for example, has only written articles for studies that claim HCQ is not effective [The New York Times, The New York Times (B), The New York Times (C)]. As of September 10, 2020, The New York Times still claims that there is clear evidence that HCQ is not effective for COVID-19 [The New York Times (D)]. As of October 9, 2020, the United States National Institutes of Health recommends against HCQ for both hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients [United States National Institutes of Health].
Treatment details. We focus here on the question of whether HCQ is effective or not for COVID-19. Significant differences exist based on treatment stage, with early treatment showing the greatest effectiveness. 100% of early treatment studies report a positive effect, with an estimated reduction of 65% in the effect measured (death, hospitalization, etc.) in the random effects meta-analysis, RR 0.35 [0.27-0.46]. Many factors are likely to influence the degree of effectiveness, including the dosing regimen, concomitant medications such as zinc or azithromycin, precise treatment delay, the initial viral load of patients, and current patient conditions.


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-07--Pollster: By all cruicial metrics of polling Trump would be winner. Numbers don’t add up.

No incumbent President has ever increased his vote and lost the election .
Indeed Obama didn ’ t win more votes in 2012 he lost three and a half million votes , but still won reelection in 2012 .
Yet somehow Trump improved his vote by 20 % or 11 million votes , more than any candidate in history , but still lost .
These types of claims may not launch Supreme Court cases , but they fire up the Court of Public Opinion ( share them around ) .
The highly suspicious odds practically glow with gamma rays when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to leave , and democrats that count secret suitcases of ballots hidden under the tablecloth .
Trump had the best win with minorities for a Republican since Richard Nixon in 1960 .
Must be a racist .
Pollster claims that Biden ’ s victory defied crucial ‘ metrics ’ that have a ’ 100 % accuracy rate in predicting the winner ’ and says anyone who viewed the results ‘ objectively ’ would conclude Trump triumphed He told Mark Levin of Fox News that with the election results , ‘ something very strange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t add up.
’ There are a dozen or more ways to [ … ]

It’s a miracle on Election Day!
No incumbent President has ever increased his vote and lost the election. Indeed Obama didn’t win more votes in 2012 he lost three and a half million votes, but still won reelection in 2012. Yet somehow Trump improved his vote by 20% or 11 million votes, more than any candidate in history, but still lost. These types of claims may not launch Supreme Court cases, but they fire up the Court of Public Opinion (share them around). The highly suspicious odds practically glow with gamma rays when combined with lies that trick poll watchers to leave, and democrats that count secret suitcases of ballots hidden under the tablecloth.
Trump had the best win with minorities for a Republican since Richard Nixon in 1960. Must be a racist.
Pollster claims that Biden’s victory defied crucial ‘metrics’ that have a ’100% accuracy rate in predicting the winner’ and says anyone who viewed the results ‘objectively’ would conclude Trump triumphed
DailyMailOnline
He told Mark Levin of Fox News that with the election results, ‘something very strange has happened because the numbers just don’t add up.’
There are a dozen or more ways to […]
Rating: 10.0/10 (5 votes cast)
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December 7, 2020 at 01:02PM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-07--Fund Manager Advises on Navigating New Zealand’s Uncertain Climate Emergency Investment Landscape

Coming soon to the USA ?
Pathfinder Ethical Investment Fund manager John Berry advising on what sectors to avoid to protect your money from New Zealand ’ s Climate Emergency .
But the reality is there is likely now no safety from damaging political interference , even if your interest is green energy .
OPINION : This week , our government announced a climate emergency , following the lead of the UK , France , Canada and Argentina .
This reinforces our target to be carbon neutral by 2050 and supports our Paris accord commitments .
Declaring a climate emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on corporate operations and profitability .
The most widely used tool for investing responsibly is exclusions .
This means avoiding investments that cause harm , and is typically applied to weapons , gambling and alcohol companies .
But simply avoiding companies will not bring change .
For this reason , exclusions do not go far enough .
A positive lens to investing can be applied by using environmental , social and governance ( ESG ) factors to assess companies alongside traditional financial metrics .
There ’ s plenty of research globally showing this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performing portfolios .
A final strategy for responsible investors concerned about climate change is to narrow the investment universe only to positive themes that benefit our planet .
These themes could include water companies , forestry and renewable energy like wind and solar manufacturers .
John Berry is co-founder of ethical investment manager Pathfinder Asset Management , and ethical KiwiSaver provider CareSaver .
What a nasty uncertain regulatory for New Zealand investors .
At any moment oil companies or airlines could be slammed with punitive taxes , under the aegis of addressing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when unfashionable but vital business sectors begin to collapse under the weight of punitive regulations , they could also receive surprise government handouts to enable them continue operating .
Australia is already in the midst of experiencing this sorry mess .
When vital coal power plants started closing thanks to a hostile business environment maintained through successive administrations , the Australian government panicked and started signing murky support deals which likely included substantial cash subsidies to keep ageing coal plants operating – Australia still needs the power they produce .
But you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to save your investment , or being continued for a predictable period – so those decrepit coal plants are likely being run into the ground with minimal maintenance .
Nobody is interested in replacing them with new plants .
“ Ethical ” green investments are no better .
Even if you stick to Berry ’ s advice and invest in wind farms or solar plants , the subsidies your investment needs to be profitable only exist at the pleasure of politicians and bureaucrats .
As Green investors in Spain learned in 2010 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the government runs out of money .
Even fostering a special relationship with government won ’ t necessarily provide protection ; plenty of very large investors , regardless of what relationships they thought they had , were badly caught out when Spain abruptly broke all their agreements and slashed renewable energy subsidies .
The unpredictable investment landscape created by New Zealand ’ s climate emergency declaration amounts to a substantial reason not to invest in New Zealand , even if your interest is green energy .
Politicians have effectively seized control of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capital of New Zealand investors is now effectively under the control of politicians and bureaucrats .
Profits now exist at the whim of social justice warriors .
History suggests fair treatment of investors will be at the bottom of a very long list of SJW concerns .

New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern. By Newzild – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, link
Guest essay by Eric Worrall
Coming soon to the USA? Pathfinder Ethical Investment Fund manager John Berry advising on what sectors to avoid to protect your money from New Zealand’s Climate Emergency. But the reality is there is likely now no safety from damaging political interference, even if your interest is green energy.
Monday thoughts: Investors can’t afford to ignore climate change John Berry
05:00, Dec 07 2020 OPINION: This week, our government announced a climate emergency, following the lead of the UK, France, Canada and Argentina. This reinforces our target to be carbon neutral by 2050 and supports our Paris accord commitments. Declaring a climate emergency challenges investors by highlighting the future impact on corporate operations and profitability. … The most widely used tool for investing responsibly is exclusions. This means avoiding investments that cause harm, and is typically applied to weapons, gambling and alcohol companies. … But simply avoiding companies will not bring change. For this reason, exclusions do not go far enough. A positive lens to investing can be applied by using environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors to assess companies alongside traditional financial metrics. There’s plenty of research globally showing this analysis helps create lower risk, better performing portfolios. … A final strategy for responsible investors concerned about climate change is to narrow the investment universe only to positive themes that benefit our planet. These themes could include water companies, forestry and renewable energy like wind and solar manufacturers. … John Berry is co-founder of ethical investment manager Pathfinder Asset Management, and ethical KiwiSaver provider CareSaver. Read more: https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/opinion-analysis/300176326/monday-thoughts-investors-cant-afford-to-ignore-climate-change
What a nasty uncertain regulatory for New Zealand investors.
At any moment oil companies or airlines could be slammed with punitive taxes, under the aegis of addressing the climate emergency. But history suggests that when unfashionable but vital business sectors begin to collapse under the weight of punitive regulations, they could also receive surprise government handouts to enable them continue operating.
Australia is already in the midst of experiencing this sorry mess. When vital coal power plants started closing thanks to a hostile business environment maintained through successive administrations, the Australian government panicked and started signing murky support deals which likely included substantial cash subsidies to keep ageing coal plants operating – Australia still needs the power they produce.
But you cannot rely on handouts arriving in time to save your investment, or being continued for a predictable period – so those decrepit coal plants are likely being run into the ground with minimal maintenance. Nobody is interested in replacing them with new plants.
“Ethical” green investments are no better. Even if you stick to Berry’s advice and invest in wind farms or solar plants, the subsidies your investment needs to be profitable only exist at the pleasure of politicians and bureaucrats. As Green investors in Spain learned in 2010, such subsidies can be withdrawn without warning if the government runs out of money.
Even fostering a special relationship with government won’t necessarily provide protection; plenty of very large investors, regardless of what relationships they thought they had, were badly caught out when Spain abruptly broke all their agreements and slashed renewable energy subsidies.
The unpredictable investment landscape created by New Zealand’s climate emergency declaration amounts to a substantial reason not to invest in New Zealand, even if your interest is green energy. Politicians have effectively seized control of the formerly free market. The investment capital of New Zealand investors is now effectively under the control of politicians and bureaucrats. Profits now exist at the whim of social justice warriors.
History suggests fair treatment of investors will be at the bottom of a very long list of SJW concerns.
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