iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-05--Preventing Ecosystem Collapse: Alaska’s Kelp Forests

Over the past few years the media , such as the NY Times , have hyped a coming apocalypse and an existential crisis as ecosystems collapse .
Inside Climate News , one of the more egregious fear mongers suggests “ Global Warming Could Collapse Whole Ecosystems , Maybe Within 10 Years ” .
In contrast , most scientists agree ecosystems are very complex and still not well understood .
By understanding each ecosystem ’ s unique pressures from humans , other organisms and natural climate change , perhaps we can make ecosystems more resilient and prevent the alleged “ crises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conservation of Nature ( IUCN ) , the foremost scientific organization evaluating threats to species and ecosystems , has created the “ Red List of Ecosystems ” that provides assessments that characterize threats to individual ecosystems .
To date , only one ecosystem has collapsed , central Asia ’ s Aral Sea .
It ’ s the world ’ s fourth largest inland water body .
Landlocked , its fate is determined by the balance between inflowing water and evaporation .
But 2000 years of irrigation has disrupted that balance .
Between 1950 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Aral Sea to largely dry up , eliminating most of its species .
The Aral Sea has been sacrificed in order to feed a growing population .
However most other ecosystems have a more optimistic future .
The first IUCN Endangered ecosystem I ’ ll examine in a series of articles is Alaska ’ s giant kelp forests .
The fate of kelp forests is largely determined by the interactions between urchins , otters , humans and killer whales .
Hungry kelp-eating urchins can quickly convert a kelp forest into an urchin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urchins are regulated by their primary predator , sea otters .
Before Alaska ’ s fur trade began in the mid 1700s , otter populations and kelp forests flourished .
One hundred and fifty years later overhunting exterminated or reduced all otter populations , urchins proliferated , and kelp forests declined .
Alarmed , a 1911 international treaty forbade hunting otters .
To further their recovery , otters were re-introduced to islands where they had been eliminated .
With improved human stewardship , otters rebounded to their pre-hunting abundance by 1980 .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But then killer whales began overhunting otters .
Each killer whale population has a specialized feeding strategy .
Some strictly eat fish while others feed on marine mammals .
Some congregate around Alaska ’ s eastern Aleutian Islands near Unimak pass to prey upon migrating gray whale calves .
In the 1980s some killer whales began reducing Steller sea lion and harbor seal populations along Alaska ’ s Aleutian Islands .
An autopsy of one killer whale revealed 14 research tags originally attached to endangered Steller sea lions .
As seal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased their intake of otters , which allowed urchins to again multiply .
Between 1980 and 2000 otter populations declined by 50 % to 80 % and kelp forests declined by 50 % .
Those declines prompted the designation of kelp forests as Endangered and possibly Critically Endangered .
However more recent surveys evoke hope .
Along the coast of Alaska from the peninsula south , otter populations have been steadily increasing at a rate of 12-14 % a year and there , kelp forests dominate .
However depleted otter populations throughout Alaska @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 % of their 1980 abundance .
There , with fewer otters sea urchin barrens became more common .
Although these biological interactions control ecosystem shifts between kelp forests and urchin barrens , climate factors play a role , and in a most positive way .
Otters are limited by ice .
In places like Glacier Bay where ice has retreated , otter habitat is expanding .
Likewise , kelp benefit from less sun-blocking ice while greater concentrations of carbon dioxide enhance photosynthesis and promote more growth .
Life is good .
Jim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State ’ s Sierra Nevada Field Campus , authored Landscapes and Cycles : An Environmentalist ’ s Journey to Climate Skepticism , and a member of the CO2 Coalition

By Jim Steele
What’s Natural?
Over the past few years the media, such as the NY Times, have hyped a coming apocalypse and an existential crisis as ecosystems collapse. Inside Climate News, one of the more egregious fear mongers suggests “Global Warming Could Collapse Whole Ecosystems, Maybe Within 10 Years”. In contrast, most scientists agree ecosystems are very complex and still not well understood. By understanding each ecosystem’s unique pressures from humans, other organisms and natural climate change, perhaps we can make ecosystems more resilient and prevent the alleged “crises”.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the foremost scientific organization evaluating threats to species and ecosystems, has created the “Red List of Ecosystems” that provides assessments that characterize threats to individual ecosystems. To date, only one ecosystem has collapsed, central Asia’s Aral Sea. It’s the world’s fourth largest inland water body. Landlocked, its fate is determined by the balance between inflowing water and evaporation. But 2000 years of irrigation has disrupted that balance. Between 1950 and 2007, irrigation nearly quadrupled causing the Aral Sea to largely dry up, eliminating most of its species. The Aral Sea has been sacrificed in order to feed a growing population. However most other ecosystems have a more optimistic future.
The first IUCN Endangered ecosystem I’ll examine in a series of articles is Alaska’s giant kelp forests. The fate of kelp forests is largely determined by the interactions between urchins, otters, humans and killer whales. Hungry kelp-eating urchins can quickly convert a kelp forest into an urchin barren stripped of kelp. However, urchins are regulated by their primary predator, sea otters. Before Alaska’s fur trade began in the mid 1700s, otter populations and kelp forests flourished. One hundred and fifty years later overhunting exterminated or reduced all otter populations, urchins proliferated, and kelp forests declined. Alarmed, a 1911 international treaty forbade hunting otters. To further their recovery, otters were re-introduced to islands where they had been eliminated. With improved human stewardship, otters rebounded to their pre-hunting abundance by 1980. With fewer urchins, kelp forests flourished again. But then killer whales began overhunting otters.
Each killer whale population has a specialized feeding strategy. Some strictly eat fish while others feed on marine mammals. Some congregate around Alaska’s eastern Aleutian Islands near Unimak pass to prey upon migrating gray whale calves. In the 1980s some killer whales began reducing Steller sea lion and harbor seal populations along Alaska’s Aleutian Islands. An autopsy of one killer whale revealed 14 research tags originally attached to endangered Steller sea lions. As seal and sea lion populations declined, killer whales increased their intake of otters, which allowed urchins to again multiply.
Between 1980 and 2000 otter populations declined by 50% to 80% and kelp forests declined by 50%. Those declines prompted the designation of kelp forests as Endangered and possibly Critically Endangered. However more recent surveys evoke hope. Along the coast of Alaska from the peninsula south, otter populations have been steadily increasing at a rate of 12-14% a year and there, kelp forests dominate. However depleted otter populations throughout Alaska’s Aleutian Islands still remain at 50% of their 1980 abundance. There, with fewer otters sea urchin barrens became more common.
Range of Alaska’s kelp forests: From the Aleutian Islands in the west to southeast Alaska.
Although these biological interactions control ecosystem shifts between kelp forests and urchin barrens, climate factors play a role, and in a most positive way. Otters are limited by ice. In places like Glacier Bay where ice has retreated, otter habitat is expanding. Likewise, kelp benefit from less sun-blocking ice while greater concentrations of carbon dioxide enhance photosynthesis and promote more growth. Life is good.
Jim Steele is Director emeritus of San Francisco State’s Sierra Nevada Field Campus, authored Landscapes and Cycles: An Environmentalist’s Journey to Climate Skepticism, and a member of the CO2 Coalition
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iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-06--Analysts Find Thousands Of Illegal Ballots in Georgia – Video

They filed a suit yesterday containing about 500 pages .
Those 500 pages show the names , addresses , dates @ @ @ @ @ of people who cast illegal ballots or in whose names illegal ballots were cast .
@ @ @ @ @ anomalies , such as fake addresses .
One America ’ s Chanel Rion has more @ @ @ @ @ 5 Dec 2020 – Mal Brainerd , founder of Voter Integrity Project , says his @ @ @ @ @ found more than 22,000 such voter anomalies , which is more than the margin of @ @ @ @ @ This bolsters the Trump legal team ’ s case against the election , and should @ @ @ @ @ walking out of that state any time soon with the electors in their pocket .
@ @ @ @ @ Of Illegal Ballots in Georgia – Video appeared first on Ice Age Now .

They filed a suit yesterday containing about 500 pages. Those 500 pages show the names, addresses, dates of birth and voter IDs of people who cast illegal ballots or in whose names illegal ballots were cast.
The analysts also found other anomalies, such as fake addresses.
One America’s Chanel Rion has more from Atlanta.
Saturday, 5 Dec 2020 – Mal Brainerd, founder of Voter Integrity Project, says his group of analysts has already found more than 22,000 such voter anomalies, which is more than the margin of victory in the state.
This bolsters the Trump legal team’s case against the election, and should put the brakes on anyone walking out of that state any time soon with the electors in their pocket.
The post Analysts Find Thousands Of Illegal Ballots in Georgia – Video appeared first on Ice Age Now.
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December 5, 2020 at 06:44PM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-06--Fauci : Case Count To Decline After Election Day

I asked my doctor when Coronavirus will end .
He said : “ How should I know , I am @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Fauci says COVID-18 will start declining right after inauguration day on January 20th .
@ @ @ @ @ When He Thinks … Continue reading →

I asked my doctor when Coronavirus will end. He said : “How should I know, I am not a politician?” Dr. Fauci says COVID-18 will start declining right after inauguration day on January 20th. Fauci’s Timeline for When He Thinks … Continue reading →
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December 5, 2020 at 05:59PM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-05--Climate Report: $100-150 Trillion over 30 Years to Fix Global Warming

Let me check , I ’ m sure I ’ ve got some spare change in my pocket somewhere… A report estimates that trillions will be needed to transform the global economy Shifting the global economy to low-carbon mode will require an estimated US $ 100-trillion to US $ 150-trillion worth of investment over the next 30 years , according to a new report .
Industry trade group Global Financial Markets Association ( GFMA ) published a report , along with Boston Consulting Group , that examines the emerging climate finance market .
To generate this sort of investment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fully price in emissions , ” it suggested .
Given the scale of the challenge , the report called for coordinated action by the government and the private sector to significantly grow the climate finance market , with a view to developing the financial and risk management tools that are needed to catalyze investment .
“ The unprecedented call to action aims to help mitigate substantial mis-pricing and potential financial stability risks which would undermine the long-run ability of the financial system to direct finance to fully support the Paris-aligned transition , @ @ @ @ @

Guest essay by Eric Worrall
Let me check, I’m sure I’ve got some spare change in my pocket somewhere…
Funding the fight against global warming
A report estimates that trillions will be needed to transform the global economy
By: James Langton
December 4, 2020 15:41
Shifting the global economy to low-carbon mode will require an estimated US$100-trillion to US$150-trillion worth of investment over the next 30 years, according to a new report.
Industry trade group Global Financial Markets Association (GFMA) published a report, along with Boston Consulting Group, that examines the emerging climate finance market.
…
To generate this sort of investment, “the price of carbon must rise to fully price in emissions,” it suggested.
…
Given the scale of the challenge, the report called for coordinated action by the government and the private sector to significantly grow the climate finance market, with a view to developing the financial and risk management tools that are needed to catalyze investment.
“The unprecedented call to action aims to help mitigate substantial mis-pricing and potential financial stability risks which would undermine the long-run ability of the financial system to direct finance to fully support the Paris-aligned transition,” the GFMA said.
…


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-05--Stranded in snowbound SUV for two days in SW Wash

Deputies say they found a pair of travelers Tuesday after they had been stuck in the snow on a rural @ @ @ @ @ .
Andy Nguyen , 28 , and Heidi Tran , 26 , left Seattle on @ @ @ @ @ to a rental cabin in the Glenwood area .
When they didn ’ t arrive @ @ @ @ @ members called the Skamania County Sheriff ’ s Office on the morning of December 1 @ @ @ @ @ .
I ’ m sure Andy and Heidi will be glad to know that snow @ @ @ @ @ of the past .
Thanks to Oly for this link The post Stranded in snowbound @ @ @ @ @ SW Wash appeared first on Ice Age Now .

Deputies say they found a pair of travelers Tuesday after they had been stuck in the snow on a rural forest road for two days.
Andy Nguyen, 28, and Heidi Tran, 26, left Seattle on Sunday morning on a trip to a rental cabin in the Glenwood area. When they didn’t arrive at the cabin, family members called the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office on the morning of December 1 to report them as missing.
I’m sure Andy and Heidi will be glad to know that snow will soon be a thing of the past.
See entire article:
https://komonews.com/news/local/travelers-spend-two-days-in-snowbound-suv-before-being-rescued-in-sw-wash
Thanks to Oly for this link
The post Stranded in snowbound SUV for two days in SW Wash appeared first on Ice Age Now.
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December 5, 2020 at 02:36PM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-05--Seattle mayor wants to ban gas heat in new commercial, apartment buildings

4 Dec 2020 – Seattle should ban natural gas heat in some new buildings in its quest to combat climate change , said Durkan .
Emissions from buildings are significant , says a new report the mayor released Thursday .
Durkan wants to limit natural gas heat in new commercial buildings and large apartment buildings by updating the city ’ s energy codes for construction projects .
The changes would require such buildings to use efficient electric systems instead .
( Since when is electric more efficient than gas ? )
“ We are facing a climate disaster , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , describing building electrification as “ an important step ” toward curbing climate change .
“ It is up to Seattle and other cities to make the bold changes necessary to lower our greenhouse gas emissions.
” ( What “ climate disaster ” ? )
Environmentalists are hailing Durkan ’ s proposal , though some are criticizing the move as too meek .
The natural gas industry could object , but the labor movement is on board .
Seattle ’ s interim goal on the way to carbon neutrality is a 58 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s only 15 years away . )
See all of this article by Seattle Times staff reporter Daniel Beekman : https : //www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/amid-increased-emissions-seattle-mayor-wants-to-ban-gas-heat-in-new-commercial-apartment-buildings/ The post Seattle mayor wants to ban gas heat in new commercial , apartment buildings appeared first on Ice Age Now .

“We are facing a climate disaster,” said Mayor Jenny Durkan.
4 Dec 2020 – Seattle should ban natural gas heat in some new buildings in its quest to combat climate change, said Durkan.
Emissions from buildings are significant, says a new report the mayor released Thursday.
Durkan wants to limit natural gas heat in new commercial buildings and large apartment buildings by updating the city’s energy codes for construction projects. The changes would require such buildings to use efficient electric systems instead. (Since when is electric more efficient than gas?)
“We are facing a climate disaster,” the mayor said in a news release, describing building electrification as “an important step” toward curbing climate change. “It is up to Seattle and other cities to make the bold changes necessary to lower our greenhouse gas emissions.” (What “climate disaster”?)
Environmentalists are hailing Durkan’s proposal, though some are criticizing the move as too meek. The natural gas industry could object, but the labor movement is on board.
Seattle’s interim goal on the way to carbon neutrality is a 58% reduction in emissions by 2035. (That’s only 15 years away.)
See all of this article by Seattle Times staff reporter Daniel Beekman:
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/amid-increased-emissions-seattle-mayor-wants-to-ban-gas-heat-in-new-commercial-apartment-buildings/
The post Seattle mayor wants to ban gas heat in new commercial, apartment buildings appeared first on Ice Age Now.
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December 5, 2020 at 01:39PM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-05--Government sets up secret ‘green nudge unit’ to persuade Britons to install smart meters, drive less

The Government has established an environmental ‘ nudge unit ’ to work out how to persuade people into green behaviours such as driving less and cutting down on meat .
The team was set up in April this year because of a recognition that the next phase of decarbonising will require much more personal behaviour change .
The 45 per cent cut in emissions already achieved since 1990 has come mostly from the phase-out of coal and its replacement with renewable energy such as offshore wind .
Boris Johnson on Friday set the UK one of the world ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 68 per cent within the next decade , up from a previous target of 61 per cent .
The new ‘ behaviour change and public engagement team ’ , which is working from inside the Business , Energy and Industrial Strategy department , is focused on how to get public buy-in for further emissions cuts , which will be targeted at what we eat and how we travel and heat our homes .
BEIS will also work to ensure that green policies do not unfairly impact one area of society .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how much reaching net zero will cost , but the NAO said it could ultimately reach hundreds of billions .
The cost of inaction would be far greater .
The head of the unit is Gervase Poulden , a former environmental journalist and committed vegan .
Its existence was revealed in a report this week from the National Audit Office , which warned that the UK faced a “ colossal challenge ” in reaching its legally binding goal to be net zero by 2050 .
The Government ’ s policies have so far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ green plan unveiled last month would leave emissions at 5 per cent below even the previous reduction target , according to analysis by energy consultancy Aurora .
One of the trickiest areas will be to improve energy efficiency and switch heating systems in the UK ’ s draughty homes .
Installing a heat pump is expected to cost between £8000 and £17000 .
A £2bn Green Homes Grant to encourage insulation measures has so far had fewer than 300 successful applicants .
The widespread uptake of smart meters will also be needed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cars .
The 10-point plan included the ban of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 but experts , including figures from the car industry , this week warned there would also need to be a significant reduction in the amount of traffic on the roads .
Dr Steve Melia , senior lecturer in transport and planning at the University of the West of England told MPs on the Environmental Audit Committee that `` if we are going to achieve these carbon budgets , we ’ ve got to be significantly reducing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of between 20-60 per cent reduction .
Konstanze Scharring , director of policy and government affairs at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders was asked whether traffic level reductions would be necessary .
She said : `` I think absolutely we need to look at all methods of reducing the impact of road transport.
” Meanwhile , the NAO reported that there was an increasing recognition in Government that consumers would have to reduce their meat and dairy consumption .
Agriculture in the UK accounts for around 10 per cent of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ land will be needed for carbon sequestration including tree planting .
Ministers are also planning to outlaw deforestation in British supply chains , in the hopes of reducing the amount of imported meat that is detrimental to the environment .
Environmental Audit Committee Chairman , Rt Hon Philip Dunne MP , said “ we will all be required to play our part ” , including walking and cycling , recycling and home insulation .
“ But this may not be enough , and the Government must be realistic over what is possible – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improving energy efficiency in homes that appear to be underestimated by Government .
“ The Government must send clear signals to business and consumers how it sees the path to net-zero that we can all get behind .
We are already on course to fail the fourth and fifth carbon budgets , highlighting current low-carbon policies are not yet delivering.
” Government sets up secret ‘ green nudge unit ’ to persuade Britons to install smart meters , drive less and cut down on meat Tip for Boris – the British public don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they should do , and the Nurse Nanny approach has usually failed in the past .
Thanks to the NAO though for having the gumption to point out that this will cost hundreds of billions at the very least .
But where on earth do they work out that the cost of inaction will be far greater ?
Whatever the UK does will have no effect whatsoever on climate change .
via NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT

By Paul Homewood
h/t Patsy Lacey
The Government has established an environmental ‘nudge unit’ to work out how to persuade people into green behaviours such as driving less and cutting down on meat.
The team was set up in April this year because of a recognition that the next phase of decarbonising will require much more personal behaviour change.
The 45 per cent cut in emissions already achieved since 1990 has come mostly from the phase-out of coal and its replacement with renewable energy such as offshore wind.
Boris Johnson on Friday set the UK one of the world’s most ambitious targets to cut emissions, by 68 per cent within the next decade, up from a previous target of 61 per cent.
We’ve set a new target to cut emissions by at least 68% by 2030.
The fight against climate change is a global challenge and the UK is leading by example.
https://t.co/D9y3OfTK5H pic.twitter.com/kpZ2dRb2xm — Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) December 4, 2020
The new ‘behaviour change and public engagement team’, which is working from inside the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy department, is focused on how to get public buy-in for further emissions cuts, which will be targeted at what we eat and how we travel and heat our homes.
BEIS will also work to ensure that green policies do not unfairly impact one area of society.
The Government has not made any calculations for how much reaching net zero will cost, but the NAO said it could ultimately reach hundreds of billions. The cost of inaction would be far greater .
The head of the unit is Gervase Poulden, a former environmental journalist and committed vegan.
Its existence was revealed in a report this week from the National Audit Office, which warned that the UK faced a “colossal challenge” in reaching its legally binding goal to be net zero by 2050.
The Government’s policies have so far been dismissed as inadequate. The 10-point green plan unveiled last month would leave emissions at 5 per cent below even the previous reduction target, according to analysis by energy consultancy Aurora.
One of the trickiest areas will be to improve energy efficiency and switch heating systems in the UK’s draughty homes.
Installing a heat pump is expected to cost between £8000 and £17000. A £2bn Green Homes Grant to encourage insulation measures has so far had fewer than 300 successful applicants.
The widespread uptake of smart meters will also be needed to help handle increased electricity demand from heating and cars.
The 10-point plan included the ban of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 but experts, including figures from the car industry, this week warned there would also need to be a significant reduction in the amount of traffic on the roads.
Dr Steve Melia, senior lecturer in transport and planning at the University of the West of England told MPs on the Environmental Audit Committee that "if we are going to achieve these carbon budgets, we’ve got to be significantly reducing traffic."
He pointed to targets of between 20-60 per cent reduction.
Konstanze Scharring, director of policy and government affairs at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders was asked whether traffic level reductions would be necessary.
She said: "I think absolutely we need to look at all methods of reducing the impact of road transport.”
Meanwhile, the NAO reported that there was an increasing recognition in Government that consumers would have to reduce their meat and dairy consumption.
Agriculture in the UK accounts for around 10 per cent of the annual emissions, and significant amounts of land will be needed for carbon sequestration including tree planting.
Ministers are also planning to outlaw deforestation in British supply chains, in the hopes of reducing the amount of imported meat that is detrimental to the environment.
Environmental Audit Committee Chairman, Rt Hon Philip Dunne MP, said “we will all be required to play our part”, including walking and cycling, recycling and home insulation.
“But this may not be enough, and the Government must be realistic over what is possible – and the cost of measures such as improving energy efficiency in homes that appear to be underestimated by Government.
“The Government must send clear signals to business and consumers how it sees the path to net-zero that we can all get behind. We are already on course to fail the fourth and fifth carbon budgets, highlighting current low-carbon policies are not yet delivering.”
Government sets up secret ‘green nudge unit’ to persuade Britons to install smart meters, drive less and cut down on meat
Tip for Boris – the British public don’t like being lectured about what they should do, and the Nurse Nanny approach has usually failed in the past.
Thanks to the NAO though for having the gumption to point out that this will cost hundreds of billions at the very least. But where on earth do they work out that the cost of inaction will be far greater? Whatever the UK does will have no effect whatsoever on climate change.
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December 5, 2020 at 12:24PM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-05--Lancing the Lancet’s global-warming pustule

The Lancet , once a respected medico-scientific journal and now just another me-too mouthpiece for theusual suspects , ran an editorial this week on climate change – on which subject it has neither expertise nor a missio canonica to pronounce .
Here is a letter to the editor in response : Sir , – Your notion of a “ climate crisis ” ( editorial , December 2 ) , though fashionable among the classe politique , is misplaced .
That notion sprang from an elementary error of physics perpetrated in the 1980s by climate scientists who had borrowed feedback formulism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physics , without quite understanding it .
Interdisciplinary compartmentalization delayed its identification until now .
After correcting the error , anthropogenic global warming will be only one-third of current midrange projections , well within natural variability and net-beneficial to life and health .
CO fertilization ( for CO is plant food ) has assisted in steadily increasing crop yields – this year ’ s global harvest has set yet another record – and in improving drought resistance ( Hao et al.
, 2014 ) and greening the planet .
Your suggestion that warmer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life , particularly among the world ’ s fast-declining population of poor people , is fashionable but misplaced .
Cold is a bigger killer than warmth .
Research conducted three years ago for the European Commission found that , for this reason , even if there were 5.4 C° global warming from 2020-2080 , there would be 100,000 more Europeans than with no warming at all .
However , now that nearly all major banks – citing “ global warming ” as their pretext – refuse to lend to developing countries for coal-fired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to abandon the poor are below ) , a billion people lack the capacity to turn on a 60 W lightbulb for just four hours a day ( the International Energy Agency ’ s scarcely generous definition of “ access to electricity ” ) .
According to the WHO , 4 million annually die of particulate pollution from smoke in cooking fires because they lack domestic electrical power and , for the same lack , 500,000 women die in childbirth .
These are just two of the many causes of death from lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of millions annually .
The chief reason why so many can not turn on a light is not global warming but misconceived policies intended to address what is in reality a non-problem .
More than 90 % of all new greenhouse-gas emissions ( BP Annual Review of Energy , 2019 ) are in nations exempt from the Paris agreement , which , after correction of the error of physics , is in any event supererogatory .
You have said China must do more , but China – though it has its own space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military force – is exempt from Paris on the ground that it is a “ developing country ” .
It is not required to forswear its sins of emission .
Your advocacy of “ low-carbon diets ” is fashionable but misplaced .
Like it or not , we have evolved over 2 million years to eat meat , which can provide all necessary energy , nutrients and vitamins .
Yet ill-informed official guidelines on both sides of the Atlantic recommend low-fat , high-carbohydrate diets .
Those recommendations have demonstrably been the chief cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in both the UK and the USA .
They were abandoned by court order a decade ago in Sweden at the instance of a brave doctor whom the medical authorities had attempted to prosecute because she cured all her diabetes patients by ignoring the guidelines and recommending a high-fat , low-carb diet .
Your advocacy of “ renewable ” energy is fashionable but misplaced .
Using 14th-century technology to address a 21st-century non-problem would be silly enough in itself .
What is worse , however , is that “ renewables ” have not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have also added to CO emissions .
The chief reason for this apparent paradox is that the more windmills and solar panels are connected to the grid the more grossly-inefficient , CO -emitting spinning reserve must be maintained in the often vain hope of preventing blackouts when the wind stops or the night falls .
Besides , the trillions that have been squandered on fashionable but misguided attempts to abate greenhouse-gas emissions have made no difference at all .
The radiative forcing from anthropogenic greenhouse gases has increased in a fashion very close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line above ) for 40 years .
With respect , The Lancet should study more science and economics , however unfashionable , and peddle less totalitarian politics , however fashionable and profitable – and deadly .

By Christopher Monckton of Brenchley
The Lancet, once a respected medico-scientific journal and now just another me-too mouthpiece for theusual suspects, ran an editorial this week on climate change – on which subject it has neither expertise nor a missio canonica to pronounce. Here is a letter to the editor in response:
Sir, – Your notion of a “climate crisis” (editorial, December 2), though fashionable among the classe politique, is misplaced. That notion sprang from an elementary error of physics perpetrated in the 1980s by climate scientists who had borrowed feedback formulism from control theory, another branch of physics, without quite understanding it. Interdisciplinary compartmentalization delayed its identification until now.
After correcting the error, anthropogenic global warming will be only one-third of current midrange projections, well within natural variability and net-beneficial to life and health. CO 2 fertilization (for CO 2 is plant food) has assisted in steadily increasing crop yields – this year’s global harvest has set yet another record – and in improving drought resistance (Hao et al., 2014) and greening the planet.
Your suggestion that warmer worldwide weather has caused net loss of life, particularly among the world’s fast-declining population of poor people, is fashionable but misplaced. Cold is a bigger killer than warmth. Research conducted three years ago for the European Commission found that, for this reason, even if there were 5.4 C° global warming from 2020-2080, there would be 100,000 more Europeans than with no warming at all.
However, now that nearly all major banks – citing “global warming” as their pretext – refuse to lend to developing countries for coal-fired electricity (dates from which they decided to abandon the poor are below), a billion people lack the capacity to turn on a 60 W lightbulb for just four hours a day (the International Energy Agency’s scarcely generous definition of “access to electricity”).
According to the WHO, 4 million annually die of particulate pollution from smoke in cooking fires because they lack domestic electrical power and, for the same lack, 500,000 women die in childbirth. These are just two of the many causes of death from lack of access to electricity that kill tens of millions annually. The chief reason why so many cannot turn on a light is not global warming but misconceived policies intended to address what is in reality a non-problem.
More than 90% of all new greenhouse-gas emissions (BP Annual Review of Energy, 2019) are in nations exempt from the Paris agreement, which, after correction of the error of physics, is in any event supererogatory.
You have said China must do more, but China – though it has its own space programme and continues to occupy Tibet by military force – is exempt from Paris on the ground that it is a “developing country”. It is not required to forswear its sins of emission.
Your advocacy of “low-carbon diets” is fashionable but misplaced. Like it or not, we have evolved over 2 million years to eat meat, which can provide all necessary energy, nutrients and vitamins. Yet ill-informed official guidelines on both sides of the Atlantic recommend low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets. Those recommendations have demonstrably been the chief cause of the surge in obesity and diabetes in both the UK and the USA. They were abandoned by court order a decade ago in Sweden at the instance of a brave doctor whom the medical authorities had attempted to prosecute because she cured all her diabetes patients by ignoring the guidelines and recommending a high-fat, low-carb diet.
Your advocacy of “renewable” energy is fashionable but misplaced. Using 14th-century technology to address a 21st-century non-problem would be silly enough in itself. What is worse, however, is that “renewables” have not only quadrupled the price of electricity but have also added to CO 2 emissions. The chief reason for this apparent paradox is that the more windmills and solar panels are connected to the grid the more grossly-inefficient, CO 2 -emitting spinning reserve must be maintained in the often vain hope of preventing blackouts when the wind stops or the night falls.
Besides, the trillions that have been squandered on fashionable but misguided attempts to abate greenhouse-gas emissions have made no difference at all. The radiative forcing from anthropogenic greenhouse gases has increased in a fashion very close to a straight line (the dotted line above) for 40 years.
With respect, The Lancet should study more science and economics, however unfashionable, and peddle less totalitarian politics, however fashionable and profitable – and deadly.
Yours faithfully,
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iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-05--Pennsylvania Case Heads To Supreme Court: Were the votes unlawful?

It appears the Trump team have finally got a case through to the Supreme Court .
News of this is minimal , practically skeletal .
Biden supporters ( also known as “ the media ” ) may not want to mention anything that isn ’ t a Trump loss .
And everyone else is not sure if the deadline matters .
The Supreme Court has given people til Dec 9 to respond , but the electoral college has a “ safe harbor ” deadline of Dec 8 .
Sidney Powell says with fraud cases the deadline doesn ’ t matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like a fraud case .
Here ’ s the Supreme Court docket which has a link to the Amicus Brief Document .
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. issued a schedule for the case that appeared to foreclose any chance of the justices weighing in before the Electoral College vote had been finalized .
Alito , who handles emergency matters arising out of Pennsylvania for the court , gave state officials until Dec. 9 to file their reply — one day after the federal deadline for locking the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Case Heads To Supreme Court : Were the votes unlawful ?

It appears the Trump team have finally got a case through to the Supreme Court. News of this is minimal, practically skeletal. Biden supporters (also known as “the media”) may not want to mention anything that isn’t a Trump loss. And everyone else is not sure if the deadline matters. The Supreme Court has given people til Dec 9 to respond, but the electoral college has a “safe harbor” deadline of Dec 8.
Sidney Powell says with fraud cases the deadline doesn’t matter. But this doesn’t look like a fraud case. Here’s the Supreme Court docket which has a link to the Amicus Brief Document.
Philadelphia Inquirer:
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. issued a schedule for the case that appeared to foreclose any chance of the justices weighing in before the Electoral College vote had been finalized. Alito, who handles emergency matters arising out of Pennsylvania for the court, gave state officials until Dec. 9 to file their reply — one day after the federal deadline for locking the state’s slate of electors in place.
Pennsylvania Case Heads To Supreme Court: Were the votes unlawful?
One America News Network I gather Senator Kelly is challenging Act 77 […]
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December 5, 2020 at 11:32AM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-05--Nor’easter to dump up 17 inches of snow on Northeast

Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories have been issued for parts of Connecticut , Massachusetts , Vermont , Rhode @ @ @ @ @ Maine .
The heaviest snow will likely fall between Worcester , Massachusetts and Caribou , @ @ @ @ @ 12 inches is forecast .
Over a foot of snow is possible in some areas @ @ @ @ @ Snow could be heavy at times , falling at a rate of 2 inches per @ @ @ @ @ high as 43 mph .
Chance of precipitation is 100 % .
Total daytime snow @ @ @ @ @ , 8 , 10 , even 17 inches of snow possible in some locations .
@ @ @ @ @ by late afternoon ( Saturday ) as the potential exists for heavy snowfall rates leading @ @ @ @ @ said the National Weather Service office in Portland , Maine .
Go to https : @ @ @ @ @ your location on the map for a more detailed forecast The post Nor ’ easter @ @ @ @ @ of snow on Northeast appeared first on Ice Age Now .

Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories have been issued for parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine.
The heaviest snow will likely fall between Worcester, Massachusetts and Caribou, Maine, where 8 to 12 inches is forecast. Over a foot of snow is possible in some areas, especially in Maine.
Snow could be heavy at times, falling at a rate of 2 inches per hour. Wind gusts as high as 43 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 4, 6, 8, 10, even 17 inches of snow possible in some locations.
“Travel is not advised by late afternoon (Saturday) as the potential exists for heavy snowfall rates leading to dangerous conditions,” said the National Weather Service office in Portland, Maine.
Go to https://forecast.weather.gov/, then click on your location on the map for a more detailed forecast
See also:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/first-noreaster-of-the-season-could-turn-into-a-bomb-cyclone-in-new-england/ar-BB1bEo0B
The post Nor’easter to dump up 17 inches of snow on Northeast appeared first on Ice Age Now.
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December 5, 2020 at 11:31AM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-05--New Climate Theory – Jupiter Herding Micrometeors Towards Earth?

New theory suggests Earth ’ s 60‐Year climate cycle may be driven by planetary oscillations directing micrometeors toward Earth , creating more dust – which change cloud cover .
A paper published in Geophysical Research Letters claims there is increasing evidence that Earth ’ s 60-year climate cycle may be driven by planetary oscillations .
They claim a 60-year climate cycle is found in the Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation , aurora sightings , rainfall , and ocean climatic records .
“ …the orbital eccentricity of Jupiter presents prominent oscillations with a period of quasi 60 years due to its gravitational coupling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the planetary system modulates the interplanetary dust falling on Earth and modifying the cloud coverage .
The orbital eccentricity of Jupiter presents a strong 60‐year oscillation that is well correlated with several climatic records and with the 60‐year oscillation found in long meteorite fall records since the 7th century .
Since meteorite falls are the most macroscopic aspect of infalling space dust , we conclude that the interplanetary dust should modulate the formation of the clouds and , thus , drive climate changes.
” A 60‐Year Cycle in the Meteorite Fall Frequency Suggests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earth ’ s Climate Driven by Planetary Oscillations One of the most famous climate oscillations has a period of about 60 years .
Although this oscillation might emerge from internal variability , increasing evidence points toward a solar or astronomical origin , as also argued herein .
We highlight that the orbital eccentricity of Jupiter presents prominent oscillations with a period of quasi 60 years due to its gravitational coupling with Saturn .
This oscillation is found to be well correlated with quite a number of climatic records and also with a 60‐year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relative to the periods 619–1943 CE .
Since meteorite falls are the most macroscopic aspect of incoming space dust and their motion is mostly regulated by Jupiter , we propose that the interplanetary dust influx also presents a 60‐year cycle and could be forcing the climate to oscillate in a similar manner by modulating the formation of the clouds and , therefore , the Earth ’ s albedo .
All data are available from references and public domain repositories : Figure 1 uses the ephemerides data of the orbit of Jupiter available , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ web interface ( https : //ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/horizons.cgi ) ; Figure 2 uses the temperature reconstruction of Ljungqvist ( 2010 , https : //www.ncdc.noaa.gov/paleo-search/study/9924 ) ; Figure 3 uses the HadCRUT4 record ( Morice et al.
, 2012 , https : //www.metoffice.gov.uk/hadobs/hadcrut4/ ) , the Indian summer monsoon record ( Agnihotri & Dutta , 2003 ; Sontakke et al.
, 1993 ) ( http : //iridl.ldeo.columbia.edu/SOURCES/.Indices/.india/index.html ) ; and the G. Bulloides abundance variations data by Black et al .
( 1999 , https : //www.ncdc.noaa.gov/paleo-search/study/2532 ) ; Figures 4 and 5 use the record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 619 to 1943 published in Yu et al .
( 1983 ) .
A caveat : In the past , I have dismissed much of Scafetta ’ s work as being little more than “ cyclomania ” , i.e .
finding spurious cyclic correlations in data where there really isn ’ t any .
That said , there is a bit of plausibility in this idea that the gravitation of Jupiter might herd more micrometeors into Earths orbital path , and it is plausible that with more meteor dust in Earth ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nuclei .
Changes in cloud cover would modulate sunlight over time , and thus climatic records .
Or , it may be just another spurious correlation .
Either way , I thought it was worth discussing .
– Anthony

New theory suggests Earth’s 60‐Year climate cycle may be driven by planetary oscillations directing micrometeors toward Earth, creating more dust – which change cloud cover.
A paper published in Geophysical Research Letters claims there is increasing evidence that Earth’s 60-year climate cycle may be driven by planetary oscillations. They claim a 60-year climate cycle is found in the Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation, aurora sightings, rainfall, and ocean climatic records.
The paper says:
“…the orbital eccentricity of Jupiter presents prominent oscillations with a period of quasi 60 years due to its gravitational coupling with Saturn.” The authors propose that the planetary system modulates the interplanetary dust falling on Earth and modifying the cloud coverage. The orbital eccentricity of Jupiter presents a strong 60‐year oscillation that is well correlated with several climatic records and with the 60‐year oscillation found in long meteorite fall records since the 7th century. Since meteorite falls are the most macroscopic aspect of infalling space dust, we conclude that the interplanetary dust should modulate the formation of the clouds and, thus, drive climate changes.”
The paper and abstract:
A 60‐Year Cycle in the Meteorite Fall Frequency Suggests a Possible Interplanetary Dust Forcing of the Earth’s Climate Driven by Planetary Oscillations
Nicola Scafetta Franco Milani Antonio Bianchini First published: 14 September 2020 https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL089954
Abstract
One of the most famous climate oscillations has a period of about 60 years. Although this oscillation might emerge from internal variability, increasing evidence points toward a solar or astronomical origin, as also argued herein. We highlight that the orbital eccentricity of Jupiter presents prominent oscillations with a period of quasi 60 years due to its gravitational coupling with Saturn. This oscillation is found to be well correlated with quite a number of climatic records and also with a 60‐year oscillation present in long meteorite fall records relative to the periods 619–1943 CE. Since meteorite falls are the most macroscopic aspect of incoming space dust and their motion is mostly regulated by Jupiter, we propose that the interplanetary dust influx also presents a 60‐year cycle and could be forcing the climate to oscillate in a similar manner by modulating the formation of the clouds and, therefore, the Earth’s albedo.
Data Availability Statement
All data are available from references and public domain repositories: Figure 1 uses the ephemerides data of the orbit of Jupiter available, for example, from the NASA HORIZONS web interface (https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/horizons.cgi); Figure 2 uses the temperature reconstruction of Ljungqvist (2010, https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/paleo-search/study/9924); Figure 3 uses the HadCRUT4 record (Morice et al., 2012, https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/hadobs/hadcrut4/), the Indian summer monsoon record (Agnihotri & Dutta, 2003; Sontakke et al., 1993) (http://iridl.ldeo.columbia.edu/SOURCES/.Indices/.india/index.html); and the G. Bulloides abundance variations data by Black et al. (1999, https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/paleo-search/study/2532); Figures 4 and 5 use the record of meteorite fall in China from AD 619 to 1943 published in Yu et al. (1983).
A caveat: In the past, I have dismissed much of Scafetta’s work as being little more than “cyclomania”, i.e. finding spurious cyclic correlations in data where there really isn’t any.
That said, there is a bit of plausibility in this idea that the gravitation of Jupiter might herd more micrometeors into Earths orbital path, and it is plausible that with more meteor dust in Earth’s atmosphere, that could form more cloud nuclei. Changes in cloud cover would modulate sunlight over time, and thus climatic records.
Or, it may be just another spurious correlation. Either way, I thought it was worth discussing. – Anthony
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iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-12-06--Guiliani on Georgia: It’s a bank heist pulled off in the middle of the night…

Rudy Guiliani goes through the smoking gun evidence of crimes in Georgia .
Bt the most important five minutes is the last where he serves up a savage message to the Republican state governors and representatives .
Yesterday the Pennsylvania representatives caved in and indicated they would not overturn the crooked election results .
Later , after being called “ cowards and traitors ” by Trump , 60 of them put together a plea to Congress to fix things .
They know what they should have done .
“ “ For these reasons , ” they wrote to the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the undersigned members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly urge you to object … to the Electoral College votes received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
” ” It is the duty of the State legislators to get the election results right .
They can do it at any time .
So hopefully this is just part of the process in psyching themselves up to do the right thing .
Trumps team have put in 700 Afadavits so far .
Rudy Guiliani names and explains the layout of the room .
What seems most surprising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the observers are supposed to stay at a table on the far [ … ]

Rudy Guiliani goes through the smoking gun evidence of crimes in Georgia. Bt the most important five minutes is the last where he serves up a savage message to the Republican state governors and representatives. Yesterday the Pennsylvania representatives caved in and indicated they would not overturn the crooked election results. Later, after being called “cowards and traitors” by Trump, 60 of them put together a plea to Congress to fix things. They know what they should have done.
““For these reasons,” they wrote to the state’s congressional delegation, “We the undersigned members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly urge you to object … to the Electoral College votes received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.””
It is the duty of the State legislators to get the election results right. They can do it at any time. So hopefully this is just part of the process in psyching themselves up to do the right thing. Trumps team have put in 700 Afadavits so far.
“They’ve debunked the theory…”
Rudy Guiliani names and explains the layout of the room. What seems most surprising to an Australian (me) is that the observers are supposed to stay at a table on the far […]
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December 6, 2020 at 05:34AM