iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-04-21--Climate Change Not a Major Factor in Spread of Dengue Fever

Last year , researchers estimated that 60 % of the global population will be at risk for dengue by 2080 , citing climate change as a potential factor in the disease ’ s spread .
We asked Duane J. Gubler , ScD , FAAAS , FIDSA , FASTMH , chair of the Global Dengue & Aedes-Transmitted Diseases Consortium and emeritus professor of emerging infectious diseases at Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore , if climate change impacts the spread and transmission of dengue .
The past 50 years have seen a dramatic global increase in the frequency , magnitude and geographic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zika , yellow fever , West Nile and other mosquito-transmitted diseases .
Climate change is frequently blamed as a major cause of this dramatic emergence of epidemic disease .
Anthropogenic climate change ’ s effect on epidemic vector-borne diseases is a controversial issue , the acceptance of which has benefitted from the adage “ If you repeat something often enough , it becomes fact , whether it is true or not.
” Dengue is the most important arboviral disease of humans , with an estimated 400 million infections occurring annually in 124 countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urban mosquito , is the most important vector .
This mosquito and the closely related but less important species Aedes albopictus have expanded their geographic distribution in the past 30 years .
Historically , the natural geographic boundaries of Aedes-transmitted diseases have been limited by temperature because the activity of mosquitoes , which are cold-blooded animals , is climate sensitive .
Therefore , transmission of Aedes-transmitted viral diseases usually occurs only in tropical and subtropical areas .
Exceptions occurred in the past when A. aegypti infested northern cities during summer months , allowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A. albopictus , which can overwinter in temperate regions , has transmitted small outbreaks in areas of Europe and the United States .
Climate change is frequently listed by WHO and national and international health agencies as one of the major causes of this global emergence and spread of dengue and other Aedes-transmitted viral diseases .
This seems intuitive , but it has been a controversial issue for over 30 years because there are no hard data to support that conclusion — only a correlation of mosquito infestation and limited transmission of dengue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More often cited to support this view are modeling studies that project expanded distribution of the mosquito vectors into temperate regions , and then assume that the presence of the mosquito will result in epidemic disease .
These modeling studies are flawed because they focus only on one variable — temperature — but ignore many other important variables that also have strong influences on the transmission dynamics of these diseases .
Also not mentioned in these studies is that epidemics of these diseases have occurred in temperate regions for over 300 years but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1960s by a combination of improved living standards , good public health and environmental management , even though the mosquito vectors were not eliminated .
On the other hand , there are several observations that suggest other demographic , environmental and societal factors — as opposed to climate change — have been the major drivers of the dramatic emergence and spread of Aedes-borne viral diseases in the past 50 years .
These include the following : – Dengue first began to emerge in the post-World War II era with economic expansion , population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 1950s and 1960s .
A. aegypti was already present , but unplanned urban growth , inadequate housing , water and waste management provided the ideal ecology for the mosquito to proliferate .
– The 1970s and 1980s brought modern transportation and a new and rapid mechanism to transport people , commodities , mosquitoes and viruses among the cities of Asia , and from Asia to the rest of the world .
Both mosquito vectors and viruses began to populate new areas , resulting in epidemic transmission .
– Complacency and apathy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the deterioration of the public health infrastructure to control vector-borne diseases .
The emergence and spread of dengue were ignored , surveillance was poor and control , when it was attempted , failed .
– Aedes-transmitted viral diseases are an urban problem of the tropics and subtropics .
Outbreaks in temperate regions , when they do occur , are small and transient .
– Transmission occurs year-round in the tropics , but peak transmission is seasonal , occurring during the rainy season in most endemic countries .
– The rainy season is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humidity from the preceding hot dry season , allowing increased densities and survival of adult mosquitoes and thus increased probability of transmission .
The post Climate Change Not a Major Factor in Spread of Dengue Fever appeared first on The Global Warming Policy Forum ( GWPF ) .

Last year, researchers estimated that 60% of the global population will be at risk for dengue by 2080, citing climate change as a potential factor in the disease’s spread. We asked Duane J. Gubler, ScD, FAAAS, FIDSA, FASTMH, chair of the Global Dengue & Aedes-Transmitted Diseases Consortium and emeritus professor of emerging infectious diseases at Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore, if climate change impacts the spread and transmission of dengue.
The past 50 years have seen a dramatic global increase in the frequency, magnitude and geographic spread of epidemic dengue, chikungunya, Zika, yellow fever, West Nile and other mosquito-transmitted diseases. Climate change is frequently blamed as a major cause of this dramatic emergence of epidemic disease. Anthropogenic climate change’s effect on epidemic vector-borne diseases is a controversial issue, the acceptance of which has benefitted from the adage “If you repeat something often enough, it becomes fact, whether it is true or not.”
Dengue is the most important arboviral disease of humans, with an estimated 400 million infections occurring annually in 124 countries. Aedes aegypti, a highly domesticated urban mosquito, is the most important vector. This mosquito and the closely related but less important species Aedes albopictus have expanded their geographic distribution in the past 30 years.
Historically, the natural geographic boundaries of Aedes-transmitted diseases have been limited by temperature because the activity of mosquitoes, which are cold-blooded animals, is climate sensitive. Therefore, transmission of Aedes-transmitted viral diseases usually occurs only in tropical and subtropical areas. Exceptions occurred in the past when A. aegypti infested northern cities during summer months, allowing transient epidemic transmission in temperate areas. A. albopictus, which can overwinter in temperate regions, has transmitted small outbreaks in areas of Europe and the United States.
Climate change is frequently listed by WHO and national and international health agencies as one of the major causes of this global emergence and spread of dengue and other Aedes-transmitted viral diseases. This seems intuitive, but it has been a controversial issue for over 30 years because there are no hard data to support that conclusion — only a correlation of mosquito infestation and limited transmission of dengue and chikungunya in some temperate areas. More often cited to support this view are modeling studies that project expanded distribution of the mosquito vectors into temperate regions, and then assume that the presence of the mosquito will result in epidemic disease. These modeling studies are flawed because they focus only on one variable — temperature — but ignore many other important variables that also have strong influences on the transmission dynamics of these diseases. Also not mentioned in these studies is that epidemics of these diseases have occurred in temperate regions for over 300 years but were effectively controlled in the 1950s to 1960s by a combination of improved living standards, good public health and environmental management, even though the mosquito vectors were not eliminated.
On the other hand, there are several observations that suggest other demographic, environmental and societal factors — as opposed to climate change — have been the major drivers of the dramatic emergence and spread of Aedes-borne viral diseases in the past 50 years. These include the following:
– Dengue first began to emerge in the post-World War II era with economic expansion, population growth and unprecedented urban growth in Asia in the 1950s and 1960s. A. aegypti was already present, but unplanned urban growth, inadequate housing, water and waste management provided the ideal ecology for the mosquito to proliferate.
– The 1970s and 1980s brought modern transportation and a new and rapid mechanism to transport people, commodities, mosquitoes and viruses among the cities of Asia, and from Asia to the rest of the world. Both mosquito vectors and viruses began to populate new areas, resulting in epidemic transmission.
– Complacency and apathy during the post-World War II years resulted in the deterioration of the public health infrastructure to control vector-borne diseases. The emergence and spread of dengue were ignored, surveillance was poor and control, when it was attempted, failed.
– Aedes-transmitted viral diseases are an urban problem of the tropics and subtropics. Outbreaks in temperate regions, when they do occur, are small and transient.
– Transmission occurs year-round in the tropics, but peak transmission is seasonal, occurring during the rainy season in most endemic countries.
– The rainy season is usually associated with moderated temperatures and higher humidity from the preceding hot dry season, allowing increased densities and survival of adult mosquitoes and thus increased probability of transmission.
The post Climate Change Not a Major Factor in Spread of Dengue Fever appeared first on The Global Warming Policy Forum (GWPF).
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April 21, 2020 at 12:19PM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-04-22--Cities with worst air pollution have bigger coronavirus outbreaks, say scientists

Correlation is not necessarily causation of course .
People in cities are likely to come into close contact with higher numbers of other potentially-infected people , by the very nature of things .
There ’ s also an attempt to link coronavirus problems to fuel burning in this article : ‘ Long-term exposure to air pollutants from car exhaust fumes or burning fossil fuels can put people at risk of these health conditions , and can also increase the risk of infection by viruses that affect people ’ s airways.
’ – – – Higher air pollution has been linked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University says cities with the worst air have bigger outbreaks of cases , says the Daily Telegraph .
An analysis by the Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit compared regional data on total Covid-19 cases and deaths , against levels of three major air pollutants .
The study used data from seven regions in England , where a minimum of 2,000 infections and 200 deaths are reported from February to April 8 , 2020 , and air pollution records from more than 120 sites in 2018 and 2019 .
Levels of pollutants nitrogen dioxide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes from traffic fumes , were highest in London , the Midlands and the North West and lowest in southern regions of England .
Fatalities of people with the coronavirus , known as Sars-CoV-2 , followed the same trend , the study found , suggesting the higher the pollution levels , the greater number of Covid-19 cases and deaths .
The researchers said their study provided evidence that higher levels of some air pollutants correlate with increased Covid-19 mortality and spread in England .

Correlation is not necessarily causation of course. People in cities are likely to come into close contact with higher numbers of other potentially-infected people, by the very nature of things. There’s also an attempt to link coronavirus problems to fuel burning in this article: ‘Long-term exposure to air pollutants from car exhaust fumes or burning fossil fuels can put people at risk of these health conditions, and can also increase the risk of infection by viruses that affect people’s airways.’
– – –
Higher air pollution has been linked to coronavirus as a study by Cambridge University says cities with the worst air have bigger outbreaks of cases, says the Daily Telegraph.
An analysis by the Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit compared regional data on total Covid-19 cases and deaths, against levels of three major air pollutants.
The study used data from seven regions in England, where a minimum of 2,000 infections and 200 deaths are reported from February to April 8, 2020, and air pollution records from more than 120 sites in 2018 and 2019.
Levels of pollutants nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen oxide, much of which comes from traffic fumes, were highest in London, the Midlands and the North West and lowest in southern regions of England.
Fatalities of people with the coronavirus, known as Sars-CoV-2, followed the same trend, the study found, suggesting the higher the pollution levels, the greater number of Covid-19 cases and deaths.
The researchers said their study provided evidence that higher levels of some air pollutants correlate with increased Covid-19 mortality and spread in England.
Continued here.
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April 22, 2020 at 06:30AM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-04-22--This Blog Will Return May 20th

This Blog Will Return May 20th

In the interim , I recommend this brilliant essay on what the coronavirus has taught us .
I ’ m taking some vacation .
The plan is to play lots of piano , spend time in my garden , and smile a lot 🙂 Rusty Guinn has written a powerful analysis of our current situation .
Titled First the People , it explains how the World Health Organization , as well as the US Centers for Disease Control and Federal Drug Administration have badly fumbled the ball .
He observes that the manner in which universities are treating their most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their lofty claims about social justice .
He also vigorously rebukes the media .
With numerous examples , he demonstrates how the mainstream media downplayed the risk of COVID-19 for all of January and the first half of February 2020 .
Even if that meant giving exaggerated voice to every irresponsible New York public health official counseling that fear of gatherings would be worse than the virus .
Even if that meant definitively saying on January 31st that COVID-19 would not become a deadly pandemic…Perhaps you remember February 10th , when the New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Trump ’ s ban on travel from China was “ extreme ” , owing in part to his “ extreme fear of germs.
” Guinn then turns his attention to the conservative press : if you review the unique articles published in January 2020 from every major US outlet , I think that you would probably have gotten the most complete picture from Breitbart .
Yes , that Breitbart .
But after mid-February , when the Trump administration shifted to a posture which sought to minimize the risk of a COVID-19 pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shift their news coverage to recognize it as a more significant risk , the news coverage and opinion content on Breitbart and Fox News shifted dramatically .
Diametrically .
Immediately .
[ original italics ] In other words , the media narrative , on both sides of the aisle , has flipped .
Not because the evidence changed , but because journalists have forgotten that their first duty is to honestly inform the public – not promote a worldview .
In Guinn ’ s words : The institutional failure that has been laid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made some mistakes in its coverage .
It is a media which – across the political spectrum – …acts as if its proper role is to promote…its preferred interpretations of the world , instead of acting as the agent of the people , shedding light on issues that would otherwise be obscured from us by the powerful .
[ original bolding ] In recent weeks , I ’ ve been told by some readers that my coverage of this virus means : -I ’ m a coward , irrationally concerned about my own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a non-story -I ’ m fear mongering -I ’ ve fallen for a hoax -I ’ m a disappointment , since don ’ t I normally critique conventional wisdom ?
It can be a thankless job , charting an independent course .
See you soon 🙂

In the interim, I recommend this brilliant essay on what the coronavirus has taught us.
I’m taking some vacation. The plan is to play lots of piano, spend time in my garden, and smile a lot 🙂
Rusty Guinn has written a powerful analysis of our current situation. Titled First the People, it explains how the World Health Organization, as well as the US Centers for Disease Control and Federal Drug Administration have badly fumbled the ball.
He observes that the manner in which universities are treating their most economically vulnerable employees during this crisis undercuts their lofty claims about social justice.
He also vigorously rebukes the media. With numerous examples, he demonstrates how the mainstream media downplayed
the risk of COVID-19 for all of January and the first half of February 2020. Even if that meant giving exaggerated voice to every irresponsible New York public health official counseling that fear of gatherings would be worse than the virus. Even if that meant definitively saying on January 31st that COVID-19 would not become a deadly pandemic…Perhaps you remember February 10th, when the New York Times gave voice to the claim that Trump’s ban on travel from China was “extreme”, owing in part to his “extreme fear of germs.”
(More than 14,000 people have been killed by the coronavirus in NYC, after officials repeatedly dismissed the threat.)
Guinn then turns his attention to the conservative press:
if you review the unique articles published in January 2020 from every major US outlet, I think that you would probably have gotten the most complete picture from Breitbart. Yes, that Breitbart. But after mid-February, when the Trump administration shifted to a posture which sought to minimize the risk of a COVID-19 pandemic, when most media outlets began to shift their news coverage to recognize it as a more significant risk, the news coverage and opinion content on Breitbart and Fox News shifted dramatically. Diametrically. Immediately. [original italics]
In other words, the media narrative, on both sides of the aisle, has flipped. Not because the evidence changed, but because journalists have forgotten that their first duty is to honestly inform the public – not promote a worldview. In Guinn’s words:
The institutional failure that has been laid bare is not a national press that made some mistakes in its coverage. It is a media which – across the political spectrum – …acts as if its proper role is to promote…its preferred interpretations of the world, instead of acting as the agent of the people, shedding light on issues that would otherwise be obscured from us by the powerful. [original bolding]
Here’s a link to his full essay.
In recent weeks, I’ve been told by some readers that my coverage of this virus means:
-I’m a coward, irrationally concerned about my own personal safety
-I’m wasting time on a non-story
-I’m fear mongering
-I’ve fallen for a hoax
-I’m a disappointment, since don’t I normally critique conventional wisdom?
It can be a thankless job, charting an independent course. See you soon 🙂
.
please consider
supporting this blog
.


Climate Red Shift

“ If the present refuses to get warmer , then the past must become cooler ” NOAA has just replaced @ @ @ @ @ maps with a scarier yellow and red version .
The new version just heated the @ @ @ @ @ they are now keeping an eye on the Greenland coral reefs .
According to NOAA @ @ @ @ @ made the oceans hot .

“If the present refuses to get warmer, then the past must become cooler”
NOAA has just replaced their non-scary blue SST anomaly maps with a scarier yellow and red version.
https://www.ospo.noaa.gov/data/sst/anomaly/2020/anomnight.4.13.2020.gif
The new version just heated the oceans way up, and they are now keeping an eye on the Greenland coral reefs.
ssta.daily.current.png (1787×1085)
According to NOAA, a change in resolution made the oceans hot.
notice – Office of Satellite and Product Operations


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-04-22--EU May Shift Green Deal Funding Into ‘White Deal’ For Pandemic Healthcare Needs

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has floated an idea : why not combine the green deal climate plan with a white deal for healthcare ?
As EU national leaders prepare for a crucial video summit tomorrow on how to respond to the economic crisis caused by Coronavirus , about half the member countries are insisting that the EU Green Deal to fight climate change unveiled in December be the backbone of the strategy .
But given that the immediate healthcare needs of the outbreak are preoccupying most governments at the moment , EU Commission President Ursula von der @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not combine the green deal climate plan with a white deal for healthcare ?
“ Certainly , the reserves in most countries have turned out to be too small in view of this pandemic , ” she told Germany ’ s Focus magazine .
“ The identified deficits teach us that in future we will have to think differently about our health systems .
That also applies to the amount of reserves for paying healthcare workers ” .
The idea has been described as a “ white deal ” by German media in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , although the president has not used the term herself .
Already EU governments have agreed to let countries which use the euro draw up to 2 % of their GDP from the European Stability Mechanism , which has a €500 billion capacity , for healthcare spending .
Like the green deal sets the framework for the huge amount of money ring-fenced for climate spending in the EU budget , so too could a white deal set the framework for the huge amount of healthcare spending now envisaged .
Von der Leyen has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget for 2021-2027 , still not yet agreed , would be the framework for this healthcare spending .
Up till now healthcare policy has been almost entirely the preserve of member states , with little opportunity for the EU to get involved .
European countries have widely divergent healthcare systems , with some like the U.K. and Italy having single payer systems while others have private systems with a public option .
The lack of EU competence over healthcare has inhibited the ability of Brussels to take decisive action during the Coronavirus crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may be time to give more coordinating power over healthcare to Brussels , in order to be better prepared for the next health crisis .
The post EU May Shift Green Deal Funding Into ‘ White Deal ’ For Pandemic Healthcare Needs appeared first on The Global Warming Policy Forum ( GWPF ) .

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has floated an idea: why not combine the green deal climate plan with a white deal for healthcare?
As EU national leaders prepare for a crucial video summit tomorrow on how to respond to the economic crisis caused by Coronavirus, about half the member countries are insisting that the EU Green Deal to fight climate change unveiled in December be the backbone of the strategy.
But given that the immediate healthcare needs of the outbreak are preoccupying most governments at the moment, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has floated an idea: why not combine the green deal climate plan with a white deal for healthcare?
“Certainly, the reserves in most countries have turned out to be too small in view of this pandemic,” she told Germany’s Focus magazine. “The identified deficits teach us that in future we will have to think differently about our health systems. That also applies to the amount of reserves for paying healthcare workers”.
The idea has been described as a “white deal” by German media in reference to the color associated with healthcare, although the president has not used the term herself.
Already EU governments have agreed to let countries which use the euro draw up to 2% of their GDP from the European Stability Mechanism, which has a €500 billion capacity, for healthcare spending. Like the green deal sets the framework for the huge amount of money ring-fenced for climate spending in the EU budget, so too could a white deal set the framework for the huge amount of healthcare spending now envisaged.
Von der Leyen has said the EU’s next long-term budget for 2021-2027, still not yet agreed, would be the framework for this healthcare spending.
Up till now healthcare policy has been almost entirely the preserve of member states, with little opportunity for the EU to get involved. European countries have widely divergent healthcare systems, with some like the U.K. and Italy having single payer systems while others have private systems with a public option. The lack of EU competence over healthcare has inhibited the ability of Brussels to take decisive action during the Coronavirus crisis.
Von der Leyen suggested that it may be time to give more coordinating power over healthcare to Brussels, in order to be better prepared for the next health crisis.
The post EU May Shift Green Deal Funding Into ‘White Deal’ For Pandemic Healthcare Needs appeared first on The Global Warming Policy Forum (GWPF).
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April 22, 2020 at 05:41AM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-04-22--UK Road Plans Must Be Compatible With Paris Agreement-Legal Challenge

Just to update on the legal bid to block the UK ’ s road building programme , I ’ ve got hold of the legal submission from Leigh Day .
These are the relevant sections as far as the Paris Agreement is concerned , although the Net Zero Target is also heavily featured : Even though Paris has no statutory basis in UK law , they argue that government decisions must take it into account .
Moreover they go beyond the Nationally Determined Contribution , which only sets a target for 2030 .
Instead they expect government decisions to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2C and 1.5C , even though Paris contains no agreement as to how this should be achieved and how individual nations should contribute to them .
We must await what the courts decide , a process which could take years .
Given the Heathrow judgement , which found that the government had not taken into account its own firm policy commitments on climate change under the Paris Agreement , the omens are not good .
It does seem strange that the government must take into account its policy commitments ( even when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration ) , when the effect is to stop another of its policy commitments , road building !
via NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT

By Paul Homewood
Just to update on the legal bid to block the UK’s road building programme, I’ve got hold of the legal submission from Leigh Day.
These are the relevant sections as far as the Paris Agreement is concerned, although the Net Zero Target is also heavily featured:
https://transportactionnetwork.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/PAP-Letter-LD-to-DFT-09-04-2020-FINAL-cleaned.pdf
Even though Paris has no statutory basis in UK law, they argue that government decisions must take it into account. Moreover they go beyond the Nationally Determined Contribution, which only sets a target for 2030. Instead they expect government decisions to be compatible with the temperature based goals of 2C and 1.5C, even though Paris contains no agreement as to how this should be achieved and how individual nations should contribute to them.
We must await what the courts decide, a process which could take years. Given the Heathrow judgement, which found that the government had not taken into account its own firm policy commitments on climate change under the Paris Agreement, the omens are not good.
It does seem strange that the government must take into account its policy commitments (even when they were taken on board by a previous administration), when the effect is to stop another of its policy commitments, road building!
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April 22, 2020 at 04:39AM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-04-22--The Conversation: Climate Change Front Line Volunteers Need Better Pay and Conditions

According to The Conversation , the lack of workers organisation in volunteer groups is preventing volunteers from receiving the pay and conditions they deserve .
The green gig economy : precarious workers are on the frontline of climate change fight Politicians and business people are fond of making promises to plant thousands of trees to slow climate change .
But who actually plants those trees , and who tends them as they grow ?
The hard and dirty work of restoring ecosystems will be invaluable in coming decades , to soak up carbon dioxide in the atmosphere , ease the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embattled wildlife .
But this work – where it currently exists – is carried out by people who are often poorly paid , or not compensated at all .
Most often , these aren ’ t recognised workers , but instead , volunteers .
This is not only the case for conservation workers in rural areas of Madagascar and Cambodia , but also in cities where waste collectors and people who recycle electronic waste work in abject poverty .
The situation is more dire for those battling the natural disasters that are proliferating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wildfire season in California was the deadliest in the state ’ s history , but much of the fire fighting relied on 2,000 prison inmates who earned just USD $ 1 a day .
During Australia ’ s “ black summer ” of 2019-20 , Prime Minister Scott Morrison rejected calls for support payments to 195,000 volunteer firefighters because , in his words , “ they want to be there ” .
These workers lack the proper pay and protections of an organised workforce , yet their services are increasingly in demand .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ eco-precariat ” that bears little resemblance to the labour movement that ’ s urgently needed to mitigate the climate and ecological crisis .
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has a point – volunteers are not there for money .
Most of us have done at least some volunteer work in their lifetime .
I never expect pay for my volunteer work .
I have a friend who is a senior volunteer firefighter , it is a big commitment which he takes very seriously .
He saw action in the recent Aussie bushfires .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money as a freelance financial advisor , far more than he could make as a full time firefighter .
If “ green gig ” workers need more money , in my opinion the answer is simple ; they should do a little less volunteering and spend more time making money .
I ’ m grateful for their contribution as volunteers , but nobody expects them to mess up their own life through giving too much of their time to others .
Alternatively they could apply for a permanent job .
A volunteer firefighter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be head of the queue for any firefighter job openings , if they wanted to go full time , at least I hope that is the case .
If volunteers need any other ideas for how to improve their income , they could try talking to their fellow volunteers .
You never know , one of their fellow volunteers might be a talented financial advisor .

Guest essay by Eric Worrall
According to The Conversation, the lack of workers organisation in volunteer groups is preventing volunteers from receiving the pay and conditions they deserve.
The green gig economy: precarious workers are on the frontline of climate change fight April 21, 2020 11.41pm AEST Sango MahantyAssociate Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Benjamin NeimarkSenior Lecturer, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University Politicians and business people are fond of making promises to plant thousands of trees to slow climate change. But who actually plants those trees, and who tends them as they grow? The hard and dirty work of restoring ecosystems will be invaluable in coming decades, to soak up carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, ease the impact of storms and flooding and harbour embattled wildlife. But this work – where it currently exists – is carried out by people who are often poorly paid, or not compensated at all. Most often, these aren’t recognised workers, but instead, volunteers. This is not only the case for conservation workers in rural areas of Madagascar and Cambodia, but also in cities where waste collectors and people who recycle electronic waste work in abject poverty. The situation is more dire for those battling the natural disasters that are proliferating in the warming climate. The 2018 wildfire season in California was the deadliest in the state’s history, but much of the fire fighting relied on 2,000 prison inmates who earned just USD$1 a day. During Australia’s “black summer” of 2019-20, Prime Minister Scott Morrison rejected calls for support payments to 195,000 volunteer firefighters because, in his words, “they want to be there”. … These workers lack the proper pay and protections of an organised workforce, yet their services are increasingly in demand. Collectively, they form an emerging “eco-precariat” that bears little resemblance to the labour movement that’s urgently needed to mitigate the climate and ecological crisis. … Read more: https://theconversation.com/the-green-gig-economy-precarious-workers-are-on-the-frontline-of-climate-change-fight-133392
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has a point – volunteers are not there for money. Most of us have done at least some volunteer work in their lifetime. I never expect pay for my volunteer work.
I have a friend who is a senior volunteer firefighter, it is a big commitment which he takes very seriously. He saw action in the recent Aussie bushfires. But his day job he makes very good money as a freelance financial advisor, far more than he could make as a full time firefighter.
If “green gig” workers need more money, in my opinion the answer is simple; they should do a little less volunteering and spend more time making money. I’m grateful for their contribution as volunteers, but nobody expects them to mess up their own life through giving too much of their time to others.
Alternatively they could apply for a permanent job. A volunteer firefighter with a good track record would surely be head of the queue for any firefighter job openings, if they wanted to go full time, at least I hope that is the case.
If volunteers need any other ideas for how to improve their income, they could try talking to their fellow volunteers. You never know, one of their fellow volunteers might be a talented financial advisor.


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-04-22--Earth Day At 50: None Of The Eco-Doomsday Predictions Have Come True

From predicting ecological collapse and the end of civilization to warnings that the world is running out of oil , all environmental doomsday predictions of the first Earth Day in 1970 have turned out to be flat out wrong .
More than three decades before Greta Thunberg was born — the Swedish environmental activist on climate change — more than 20 million Americans participated in the first Earth Day on April 22 , 1970 .
We now look back at quotes from Earth Day , Then and Now , ” by Ronald Bailey , Reason.com .
May 1 , 2000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earth Day 1970 .
Considering the current doomsday predictions scaremonger activists are verbalizing about global warming that will result in the demise of civilization within the next decade , many of those unscientific 1970 predictions are being reincarnated on today ’ s social and news media outlets .
Many of the same are being regurgitated today , but the best prediction from the first earth day five decades ago , yes 50 years ago , was that the “ the pending ice age as earth had been cooling since 1950 and that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the year 2000 ” .
The 1970 ’ s were a lousy decade .
Embarrassing movies and dreadful music reflected the national doomsday mood following an unpopular war , endless political scandals , and a faltering economy .
The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 — okay , “ celebrated ” doesn ’ t capture the funereal tone of the event .
The events ( organized in part by then hippie and now convicted murderer Ira Einhorn ) predicted death , destruction and disease unless we did exactly as progressives commanded .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and around Earth Day , 1970 : 1 .
“ Civilization will end within 15 or 30 years unless immediate action is taken against problems facing mankind.
” — Harvard biologist George Wald 2 .
“ We are in an environmental crisis which threatens the survival of this nation , and of the world as a suitable place of human habitation.
” — Washington University biologist Barry Commoner 3 .
“ Man must stop pollution and conserve his resources , not merely to enhance existence but to save the race from intolerable deterioration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times editorial 4 .
“ Population will inevitably and completely outstrip whatever small increases in food supplies we make .
The death rate will increase until at least 100-200 million people per year will be starving to death during the next ten years.
” — Stanford University biologist Paul Ehrlich 5 .
“ Most of the people who are going to die in the greatest cataclysm in the history of man have already been born… [ By 1975 ] some experts feel that food shortages will have escalated the present level of world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proportions .
Other experts , more optimistic , think the ultimate food-population collision will not occur until the decade of the 1980s.
” — Paul Ehrlich 6 .
“ It is already too late to avoid mass starvation , ” — Denis Hayes , Chief organizer for Earth Day 7 .
“ Demographers agree almost unanimously on the following grim timetable : by 1975 widespread famines will begin in India ; these will spread by 1990 to include all of India , Pakistan , China and the Near East , Africa .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , South and Central America will exist under famine conditions… .
By the year 2000 , thirty years from now , the entire world , with the exception of Western Europe , North America , and Australia , will be in famine.
” — North Texas State University professor Peter Gunter 8 .
“ In a decade , urban dwellers will have to wear gas masks to survive air pollution… by 1985 air pollution will have reduced the amount of sunlight reaching earth by one half.
” — Life magazine 9 .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s only a matter of time before light will be filtered out of the atmosphere and none of our land will be usable.
” — Ecologist Kenneth Watt 10 .
“ Air pollution…is certainly going to take hundreds of thousands of lives in the next few years alone.
” — Paul Ehrlich 11 .
“ By the year 2000 , if present trends continue , we will be using up crude oil at such a rate… that there won ’ t be any more crude oil .
You ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ‘ Fill ‘ er up , buddy , ’ and he ’ ll say , ‘ I am very sorry , there isn ’ t any.
’ ” — Ecologist Kenneth Watt 12 .
“ [ One ] theory assumes that the earth ’ s cloud cover will continue to thicken as more dust , fumes , and water vapor are belched into the atmosphere by industrial smokestacks and jet planes .
Screened from the sun ’ s heat , the planet will cool , the water vapor will fall and freeze @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be born.
” — Newsweek magazine 13 .
“ The world has been chilling sharply for about twenty years .
If present trends continue , the world will be about four degrees colder for the global mean temperature in 1990 , but eleven degrees colder in the year 2000 .
This is about twice what it would take to put us into an ice age.
” — Kenneth Watt History seems to repeat itself as there will be a disproportionately influential group of doomsters predicting that the future–and the present–never looked so bleak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to critique the 2020 doomsday predictions in the year 2050 and see if they were any better than those from the first Earth Day 50 years ago .
This piece first appeared on CFACT.org .
The post Earth Day At 50 : None Of The Eco-Doomsday Predictions Have Come True appeared first on The Global Warming Policy Forum ( GWPF ) .

From predicting ecological collapse and the end of civilization to warnings that the world is running out of oil, all environmental doomsday predictions of the first Earth Day in 1970 have turned out to be flat out wrong.
More than three decades before Greta Thunberg was born — the Swedish environmental activist on climate change — more than 20 million Americans participated in the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970.
We now look back at quotes from Earth Day, Then and Now,” by Ronald Bailey, Reason.com. May 1, 2000 of the spectacularly wrong apocalyptic predictions from Earth Day 1970.
Considering the current doomsday predictions scaremonger activists are verbalizing about global warming that will result in the demise of civilization within the next decade, many of those unscientific 1970 predictions are being reincarnated on today’s social and news media outlets.
Many of the same are being regurgitated today, but the best prediction from the first earth day five decades ago, yes 50 years ago, was that the “the pending ice age as earth had been cooling since 1950 and that the temperature would be 11 degrees cooler by the year 2000”.
The 1970’s were a lousy decade. Embarrassing movies and dreadful music reflected the national doomsday mood following an unpopular war, endless political scandals, and a faltering economy.
The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 — okay, “celebrated” doesn’t capture the funereal tone of the event. The events (organized in part by then hippie and now convicted murderer Ira Einhorn) predicted death, destruction and disease unless we did exactly as progressives commanded.
Behold the coming apocalypse as predicted on and around Earth Day, 1970:
1. “Civilization will end within 15 or 30 years unless immediate action is taken against problems facing mankind.” — Harvard biologist George Wald 2. “We are in an environmental crisis which threatens the survival of this nation, and of the world as a suitable place of human habitation.” — Washington University biologist Barry Commoner 3. “Man must stop pollution and conserve his resources, not merely to enhance existence but to save the race from intolerable deterioration and possible extinction.” — New York Times editorial 4. “Population will inevitably and completely outstrip whatever small increases in food supplies we make. The death rate will increase until at least 100-200 million people per year will be starving to death during the next ten years.” — Stanford University biologist Paul Ehrlich 5. “Most of the people who are going to die in the greatest cataclysm in the history of man have already been born… [By 1975] some experts feel that food shortages will have escalated the present level of world hunger and starvation into famines of unbelievable proportions. Other experts, more optimistic, think the ultimate food-population collision will not occur until the decade of the 1980s.” — Paul Ehrlich 6. “It is already too late to avoid mass starvation,” — Denis Hayes, Chief organizer for Earth Day 7. “Demographers agree almost unanimously on the following grim timetable: by 1975 widespread famines will begin in India; these will spread by 1990 to include all of India, Pakistan, China and the Near East, Africa. By the year 2000, or conceivably sooner, South and Central America will exist under famine conditions…. By the year 2000, thirty years from now, the entire world, with the exception of Western Europe, North America, and Australia, will be in famine.” — North Texas State University professor Peter Gunter 8. “In a decade, urban dwellers will have to wear gas masks to survive air pollution… by 1985 air pollution will have reduced the amount of sunlight reaching earth by one half.” — Life magazine 9. “At the present rate of nitrogen buildup, it’s only a matter of time before light will be filtered out of the atmosphere and none of our land will be usable.” — Ecologist Kenneth Watt 10. “Air pollution…is certainly going to take hundreds of thousands of lives in the next few years alone.” — Paul Ehrlich 11. “By the year 2000, if present trends continue, we will be using up crude oil at such a rate… that there won’t be any more crude oil. You’ll drive up to the pump and say, ‘Fill ‘er up, buddy,’ and he’ll say, ‘I am very sorry, there isn’t any.’” — Ecologist Kenneth Watt 12. “[One] theory assumes that the earth’s cloud cover will continue to thicken as more dust, fumes, and water vapor are belched into the atmosphere by industrial smokestacks and jet planes. Screened from the sun’s heat, the planet will cool, the water vapor will fall and freeze, and a new Ice Age will be born.” — Newsweek magazine 13. “The world has been chilling sharply for about twenty years. If present trends continue, the world will be about four degrees colder for the global mean temperature in 1990, but eleven degrees colder in the year 2000. This is about twice what it would take to put us into an ice age.” — Kenneth Watt
History seems to repeat itself as there will be a disproportionately influential group of doomsters predicting that the future–and the present–never looked so bleak. I guess we’ll need to critique the 2020 doomsday predictions in the year 2050 and see if they were any better than those from the first Earth Day 50 years ago.
This piece first appeared on CFACT.org.
The post Earth Day At 50: None Of The Eco-Doomsday Predictions Have Come True appeared first on The Global Warming Policy Forum (GWPF).
via The Global Warming Policy Forum (GWPF)
https://ift.tt/34X7DP2
April 22, 2020 at 03:12AM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-04-22--Snap Back From COVID-19 Crisis? Try Snapping Out Out Of The Obsession With Wind & Solar

COVID-19 has left Australia ’ s economy a victim of involuntarily euthanasia ; what ’ s not been wiped out @ @ @ @ @ has been finished off by government enforced lockdowns .
Australia ’ s PM , Scott @ @ @ @ @ enjoying a “ snap back ” , once the restrictions on business and movements are @ @ @ @ @ deliberate destruction [ … ]

COVID-19 has left Australia’s economy a victim of involuntarily euthanasia; what’s not been wiped out by insane renewable energy policies has been finished off by government enforced lockdowns. Australia’s PM, Scott Morrison talks about the economy enjoying a “snap back”, once the restrictions on business and movements are lifted. As if the deliberate destruction […]
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via STOP THESE THINGS
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April 22, 2020 at 02:34AM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-04-22--WHO RUNS THE UK – IS IT THE COURTS OR THE GOVERNMENT?

The U.K. government ’ s £28.8 billion plan to expand Britain ’ s road network is set to be challenged by the same legal team which , in February , halted the Department for Transport ’ s plan to expand Heathrow .
The Court of Appeal ruled Heathrow expansion plans were illegal because the Department for Transport had ignored the Paris climate agreement .
Lawyers acting for Transport Action Network ( TAN ) have asked the Department for Transport ( DfT ) and Highways England to scrap their five-year road building plan .
At its launch alongside the budget in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( RIS2 ) was described by Chancellor Rishi Sunak as England ’ s “ largest ever ” roads programme .
A commitment to ramp up spending on mainly strategic roads was a key manifesto pledge in the Conservative party ’ s general election campaign last year .
RIS2 revealed that £25.3 billion would be spent on freeways and A-roads , and £3.5 billion was pledged for major local routes .
TAN claims the plan breaches climate and air quality laws , and they have charged solicitors Leigh Day to act on their behalf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of David Wolfe QC of Matrix chambers and Pete Lockley of 11 KBW , the same legal team that was victorious in the Heathrow case .
TAN director Chris Todd said : “ How can the DfT claim to take climate change seriously when it is set to burn billions on the ‘ largest ever roads programme ’ to make things worse ?
” Full post

The U.K. government’s £28.8 billion plan to expand Britain’s road network is set to be challenged by the same legal team which, in February, halted the Department for Transport’s plan to expand Heathrow.
The Court of Appeal ruled Heathrow expansion plans were illegal because the Department for Transport had ignored the Paris climate agreement.
Lawyers acting for Transport Action Network (TAN) have asked the Department for Transport (DfT) and Highways England to scrap their five-year road building plan.
At its launch alongside the budget in March, the Road Investment Strategy 2 (RIS2) was described by Chancellor Rishi Sunak as England’s “largest ever” roads programme.
A commitment to ramp up spending on mainly strategic roads was a key manifesto pledge in the Conservative party’s general election campaign last year. RIS2 revealed that £25.3 billion would be spent on freeways and A-roads, and £3.5 billion was pledged for major local routes.
TAN claims the plan breaches climate and air quality laws, and they have charged solicitors Leigh Day to act on their behalf. The firm has retained the services of David Wolfe QC of Matrix chambers and Pete Lockley of 11 KBW, the same legal team that was victorious in the Heathrow case.
TAN director Chris Todd said: “How can the DfT claim to take climate change seriously when it is set to burn billions on the ‘largest ever roads programme’ to make things worse?”
Full post


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-04-22--“Happy Earth Day” (Julian Simon’s 25th anniversary essay speaks to us on the 50th)

April 22 [ 1995 ] marks the 25th anniversary of Earth Day .
Now as then its message is spiritually uplifting .
But all reasonable persons who look at the statistical evidence now available must agree that Earth Day ’ s scientific premises are entirely wrong .
During the first great Earth Week in 1970 there was panic .
The public ’ s outlook for the planet was unrelievedly gloomy .
The doomsaying environmentalists–of whom the dominant figure was Paul Ehrlich–raised the alarm : The oceans and the Great Lakes were dying ; impending great famines would be seen on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate would quickly increase due to pollution ; and rising prices of increasingly-scarce raw materials would lead to a reversal in the past centuries ’ progress in the standard of living .
The media trumpeted the bad news in headlines and front-page stories .
Professor Ehrlich was on the Johnny Carson show for an unprecedented full hour—twice .
Classes were given by television to tens of thousands of university students .
It is hard for those who did not experience it to imagine the national excitement then .
Even those who never read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up streams , and the most unrepentant slobs refrained from littering for a few weeks .
Population growth was the great bugaboo .
Every ill was the result of too many people in the U. S. and abroad .
The remedy doomsayers urged was government-coerced birth control , abroad and even at home .
On the evening before Earth Day I spoke on a panel at the jam-packed auditorium at the University of Illinois .
The organizers had invited me for “ balance , ” to show that all points of view would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same ideas that I write today ; some of the very words are the same .
Of the 2,000 persons in attendance , probably fewer than a dozen concluded that anything I said made sense .
A panelist denounced me as a religious nut , attributing to me weird beliefs such as that murder was the equivalent of celibacy .
My ten-minute talk so enraged people that it led to a physical brawl with another professor .
Every statement I made in 1970 about the trends in resource scarcity and environmental cleanliness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prediction has been validated by events .
Yet the environmental organizations and the Clinton administration–especially Vice President Al Gore , the State Department , and the CIA –still take as doctrine exactly the same ideas expressed by the doomsayers in 1970 , despite their being discredited by recent history .
And the press overwhelmingly endorses that viewpoint .
Here are the facts : On average , people throughout the world have been living longer and eating better than ever before .
Fewer people die of famine nowadays than in earlier centuries .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other raw material are lower now than in earlier decades and centuries , indicating a trend of increased natural-resource availability rather than increased scarcity .
The major air and water pollutions in the advanced countries have been lessening rather than worsening .
In short , every single measure of material and environmental welfare in the United States has improved rather than deteriorated .
This is also true of the world taken as a whole .
All the long-run trends point in exactly the opposite direction from the projections of the doomsayers .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , temporary and local exceptions to these broad trends .
But astonishing as it may seem , there are no data showing that conditions are deteriorating .
Rather , all indicators show that the quality of human life has been getting better .
As a result of this evidence of improvement rather than degradation , in the past few years there has been a major shift in scientific opinion away from the views the doomsayers espouse .
There now are dozens of books in print and hundreds of articles in the technical and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the accumulating literature that shows no negative correlation between population growth and economic development , in 1986 the National Academy of Sciences published a report on population growth and economic development prepared by a prestigious scholarly group .
It reversed almost completely the frightening conclusions of the previous 1971 NAS report .
The group found no quantitative statistical evidence of population growth hindering economic progress , though they hedged their qualitative judgment a bit .
The report found benefits of additional people as well as costs .
Even the World Bank , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , reported in 1984 that the world ’ s natural resource situation provides no reason to limit population growth .
A bet between Paul Ehrlich and me epitomizes the matter .
In 1980 , the year after the tenth Earth Day , Ehrlich and two associates wagered with me about future prices of raw materials .
We would assess the trend in $ 1000 worth of copper , chrome , nickel , tin , and tungsten for ten years .
I would win if resources grew more abundant , and they would win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time in 1990 , the year after the twentieth Earth Week , they sent me a check for $ 576.07 .
A single bet proves little , of course .
Hence I have offered to repeat the wager , and I have broadened it as follows : I ’ ll bet a week ’ s or a month ’ s pay that just about any trend pertaining to material human welfare will improve rather than get worse .
You pick the trend–perhaps life expectancy , a price of a natural resource , some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or the number of telephones per person– and you choose the area of the world and the future year the comparison is to be made .
If I win , my winnings go to non-profit research .
I have not been able to close another deal with a prominent academic doomsayer .
They all continue to warn of impending deterioration , but they refuse to follow Professor Ehrlich in putting their money where their mouths are .
Therefore , let ’ s try the chief “ official ” doomsayer , Vice President Al @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Earth in the Balance , that warns about the supposed environmental and resource “ crisis.
” In my judgment , the book is as ignorant and wrongheaded a collection of cliches as anything ever published on the subject .
So how about it , Al ?
Will you accept the offer ?
And how about your boss Bill Clinton , who supports your environmental initiatives ?
Can you bring him in for a piece of the action ?
It is not pleasant to talk rudely like this .
But a challenge wager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And it is very frustrating that after 25 years of the anti-pessimists being proven entirely right , and the doomsayers being proven entirely wrong , their credibility and influence waxes ever greater .
That ’ s the bad news .
The good news is that there is every scientific reason to be joyful about the trends in the condition of the Earth , and hopeful for humanity ’ s future , even if we are falsely told the outlook is grim .
So Happy Earth Day .
Julian Simon is an everyday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his term for energy .
Marian Tupy ’ s HumanProgress.org ( Cato Institute ) applies Simon ’ s worldview to current events .

[It] is very frustrating that after 25 years of the anti-pessimists being proven entirely right, and the doomsayers being proven entirely wrong, their credibility and influence waxes ever greater. That’s the bad news. The good news is that there is every scientific reason to be joyful about the trends in the condition of the Earth, and hopeful for humanity’s future, even if we are falsely told the outlook is grim. So Happy Earth Day.” (- Julian Simon, 1995)
April
22 [1995] marks the 25th anniversary of Earth Day. Now as then its message is
spiritually uplifting. But all reasonable persons who look at the statistical
evidence now available must agree that Earth Day’s scientific premises are
entirely wrong.
During
the first great Earth Week in 1970 there was panic. The public’s outlook for
the planet was unrelievedly gloomy. The doomsaying environmentalists–of whom
the dominant figure was Paul Ehrlich–raised the alarm: The oceans and the Great
Lakes were dying; impending great famines would be seen on television starting
in 1975; the death rate would quickly increase due to pollution; and rising
prices of increasingly-scarce raw materials would lead to a reversal in the
past centuries’ progress in the standard of living.
The media trumpeted the bad news in headlines and front-page stories. Professor Ehrlich was on the Johnny Carson show for an unprecedented full hour—twice. Classes were given by television to tens of thousands of university students.
It
is hard for those who did not experience it to imagine the national excitement
then. Even those who never read a newspaper joined in efforts to clean up
streams, and the most unrepentant slobs refrained from littering for a few
weeks. Population growth was the great bugaboo.
Every
ill was the result of too many people in the U. S. and abroad. The remedy
doomsayers urged was government-coerced birth control, abroad and even at home.
On
the evening before Earth Day I spoke on a panel at the jam-packed auditorium at
the University of Illinois. The organizers had invited me for “balance,” to
show that all points of view would be heard. I spoke then exactly the same
ideas that I write today; some of the very words are the same.
Of
the 2,000 persons in attendance, probably fewer than a dozen concluded that
anything I said made sense. A panelist denounced me as a religious nut,
attributing to me weird beliefs such as that murder was the equivalent of
celibacy. My ten-minute talk so enraged people that it led to a physical brawl
with another professor.
Every
statement I made in 1970 about the trends in resource scarcity and
environmental cleanliness turned out to be correct. Every prediction has been
validated by events. Yet the environmental organizations and the Clinton
administration–especially Vice President Al Gore, the State Department, and the
CIA –still take as doctrine exactly the same ideas expressed by the doomsayers
in 1970, despite their being discredited by recent history. And the press
overwhelmingly endorses that viewpoint.
Here
are the facts: On average, people throughout the world have been living longer
and eating better than ever before. Fewer people die of famine nowadays than in
earlier centuries. The real prices of food and of every other raw material are
lower now than in earlier decades and centuries, indicating a trend of
increased natural-resource availability rather than increased scarcity. The
major air and water pollutions in the advanced countries have been lessening rather
than worsening.
In
short, every single measure of material and environmental welfare in the United
States has improved rather than deteriorated. This is also true of the world
taken as a whole. All the long-run trends point in exactly the opposite direction
from the projections of the doomsayers. There have been, and always will be,
temporary and local exceptions to these broad trends. But astonishing as it may
seem, there are no data showing that conditions are deteriorating.
Rather,
all indicators show that the quality of human life has been getting better. As
a result of this evidence of improvement rather than degradation, in the past
few years there has been a major shift in scientific opinion away from the
views the doomsayers espouse. There now are dozens of books in print and
hundreds of articles in the technical and popular literature reporting these
facts.
Responding
to the accumulating literature that shows no negative correlation between
population growth and economic development, in 1986 the National Academy of
Sciences published a report on population growth and economic development
prepared by a prestigious scholarly group. It reversed almost completely the
frightening conclusions of the previous 1971 NAS report. The group found no
quantitative statistical evidence of population growth hindering economic
progress, though they hedged their qualitative judgment a bit. The report found
benefits of additional people as well as costs. Even the World Bank, the
greatest institutional worrier about population growth, reported in 1984 that
the world’s natural resource situation provides no reason to limit population
growth.
A
bet between Paul Ehrlich and me epitomizes the matter. In 1980, the year after
the tenth Earth Day, Ehrlich and two associates wagered with me about future
prices of raw materials. We would assess the trend in $1000 worth of copper,
chrome, nickel, tin, and tungsten for ten years. I would win if resources grew
more abundant, and they would win if resources became scarcer. At settling time
in 1990, the year after the twentieth Earth Week, they sent me a check for
$576.07.
A
single bet proves little, of course. Hence I have offered to repeat the wager,
and I have broadened it as follows: I’ll bet a week’s or a month’s pay that
just about any trend pertaining to material human welfare will improve rather
than get worse. You pick the trend–perhaps life expectancy, a price of a
natural resource, some measure of air or water pollution, or the number of
telephones per person– and you choose the area of the world and the future year
the comparison is to be made. If I win, my winnings go to non-profit research.
I
have not been able to close another deal with a prominent academic doomsayer.
They all continue to warn of impending deterioration, but they refuse to follow
Professor Ehrlich in putting their money where their mouths are. Therefore,
let’s try the chief “official” doomsayer, Vice President Al Gore. He wrote a
best-selling book, Earth in the Balance, that warns about the supposed
environmental and resource “crisis.” In my judgment, the book is as ignorant
and wrongheaded a collection of cliches as anything ever published on the
subject.
So
how about it, Al? Will you accept the offer? And how about your boss Bill
Clinton, who supports your environmental initiatives? Can you bring him in for
a piece of the action?
It
is not pleasant to talk rudely like this. But a challenge wager is the last
refuge of the frustrated. And it is very frustrating that after 25 years of the
anti-pessimists being proven entirely right, and the doomsayers being proven
entirely wrong, their credibility and influence waxes ever greater.
That’s the bad news. The good news is that there is every scientific reason to be joyful about the trends in the condition of the Earth, and hopeful for humanity’s future, even if we are falsely told the outlook is grim. So Happy Earth Day.
——————
Julian Simon is an everyday inspiration at MasterResource, which is named for his term for energy. Marian Tupy’s HumanProgress.org (Cato Institute) applies Simon’s worldview to current events.


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-04-22--Not Running Out of Oil, or Sunshine

Not Running Out of Oil, or Sunshine

I remember through the 1970s , we were meant to run out of oil , soon .
In fact , as long as I can remember we have been running out of oil , soon .
Instead , oversupply is such that the benchmark for US oil fell below zero for the first time ever a couple of days ago .
That is , the share market suggested oil couldn ’ t even be given away because it was in such oversupply .
There is no shortage of oil despite more than 7.6 billion people on planet Earth , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prices have collapsed , because despite all the pumping from ‘ Mother Earth ’ since I was a child , there is still more .
Because of the pandemic , global demand , not supply , has fallen dramatically .
In fact , the worldwide supply glut has created a worldwide shortage of storage space for oil .
Oil futures collapsed to below zero for the first time ever Yet still we have movies by famous Americans claiming an imminent shortage because : That ’ s according to the latest Michael Moore movie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , released earlier this week , which was about the same time oil couldn ’ t be given away .
The movie is long and bit tedious and laments our so-called ‘ addiction ’ to not only oil , but also coal .
Yet it is different , because it also effectively shows up ‘ renewables ’ as something of a scam , if their objective is long term energy security and sustainability .
Surprisingly for Moore , the movie looks beyond the popular to explain that whether solar panels or wind turbines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fuel ’ infrastructure .
In the movie , Moore interviews a technician who explains how silicon is mined and then processed in very hot furnaces with coal .
And that this is what solar panels are actually made of – silicon and coal !
The qualities of cement and steel consumed in the construction of a single wind turbine are also detailed .
The movies also shows us electric vehicles fuelled by a power grid based on 95 % coal .
So , is electricity from coal better than oil , and how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either of them ?
Since I was a kid these documentaries have explained we are running out of both .
I am also reminded of how the prices of various natural resources has tended down over the past few decades .
It was in the early 1980s that Julian Simon famously betted Paul Ehrlich that the price of Cooper , chromium , nickel , tin and tungsten would fall .
And they have .
Julian Simon explains why in his book The Ultimate Resource published in 1981 .
Yet back in the early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conventional wisdom has claimed we would all be undone by resource scarcity .
Simon explains that our notions of increasing resource-scarcity ignores the long-term declines in wage-adjusted raw material prices because of innovation .
Another book , ‘ The Future and Its Enemies ’ written by Virgina Postrel and published in 1999 puts more context around the notion of innovation .
Interestingly Postrel explains why government regulation may only be a problem when it limits innovation .
Further , Postrel suggests notions of ‘ left ’ and ‘ right ’ in politics are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more significant battles will be between the values of a type of person she refers to as the ‘ dynamists ’ versus the ‘ statists ’ .
Quoting from an interview some time ago : In the book , I talk about the sort of core values of dynamists versus stasists .
The core values of dynamists are – it ’ s really about learning .
It ’ s about discovery .
The idea is we don ’ t really know the best way of doing whatever , and that requires a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , competition , criticism .
It ’ s a messy process , but it ’ s the process through which we discover better ways of doing things , whether that ’ s in business , technology , or the way we live our everyday lives .
On the stasis side , there ’ s sort of two competing or two complementary ideas rather .
One is the ideal of stability – that the good society is the society that doesn ’ t change .
And the other , which I associate with sort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of control – that someone needs to be in charge to set us on the right path and to decide centrally what that will be .
How might this pandemic show the need for regulation and cohesion , while allowing innovation ?
That oil prices are at unprecedented lows must be upsetting established world orders ?
I hope so .
Then again , I ’ m a dynamist .
It is a fact that there has never been so many people on planet Earth and that we live during a time of great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times perhaps provide unique opportunities for both Postrel ’ s dynamists and also the technocratic stasis .
In Australia and around the world , how much have our values changed in just the last two months ?
And yet we have perhaps more social cohesion , at least here in Australia ?
And many are looking for new rules of engagement , to provide some certainty .
As long as the rules created by the technocrats are clear , and there is still incentive , there is perhaps potential for great innovation : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this pandemic .
It should be possible through trial and error , spontaneous adjustment , and adaptation – even if we can ’ t travel , or party , or watch sport .
In fact , there may be more time for thinking .
It is a fact that we can still innovate for a new and different future , and that the best things in life will still be free , even if the movie-makers keep telling us that we are running out of oil , soon .
And in Noosa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still shining , and it shines for everyone .

I remember through the 1970s, we were meant to run out of oil, soon. In fact, as long as I can remember we have been running out of oil, soon.
Instead, oversupply is such that the benchmark for US oil fell below zero for the first time ever a couple of days ago. That is, the share market suggested oil couldn’t even be given away because it was in such oversupply.
There is no shortage of oil despite more than 7.6 billion people on planet Earth, and so many vehicles powered by oil.
Prices have collapsed, because despite all the pumping from ‘Mother Earth’ since I was a child, there is still more. Because of the pandemic, global demand, not supply, has fallen dramatically. In fact, the worldwide supply glut has created a worldwide shortage of storage space for oil.
The headlines read:
Oil futures collapsed to below zero for the first time ever
Oil plunges for a second day
Yet still we have movies by famous Americans claiming an imminent shortage because:
Too many human beings are using too much, too fast …
That’s according to the latest Michael Moore movie entitled ‘Planet of the Humans’, released earlier this week, which was about the same time oil couldn’t be given away.
The movie is long and bit tedious and laments our so-called ‘addiction’ to not only oil, but also coal. Yet it is different, because it also effectively shows up ‘renewables’ as something of a scam, if their objective is long term energy security and sustainability.
Surprisingly for Moore, the movie looks beyond the popular to explain that whether solar panels or wind turbines: both are built using ‘fossil fuel’ infrastructure.
In the movie, Moore interviews a technician who explains how silicon is mined and then processed in very hot furnaces with coal. And that this is what solar panels are actually made of – silicon and coal!
The qualities of cement and steel consumed in the construction of a single wind turbine are also detailed.
The movies also shows us electric vehicles fuelled by a power grid based on 95% coal.
So, is electricity from coal better than oil, and how could we possibly still have any of either of them? Since I was a kid these documentaries have explained we are running out of both.
I am also reminded of how the prices of various natural resources has tended down over the past few decades. It was in the early 1980s that Julian Simon famously betted Paul Ehrlich that the price of Cooper, chromium, nickel, tin and tungsten would fall. And they have.
Julian Simon explains why in his book The Ultimate Resource published in 1981. Yet back in the early 1980s, and still today, the conventional wisdom has claimed we would all be undone by resource scarcity. Simon explains that our notions of increasing resource-scarcity ignores the long-term declines in wage-adjusted raw material prices because of innovation.
Another book, ‘The Future and Its Enemies’ written by Virgina Postrel and published in 1999 puts more context around the notion of innovation. Interestingly Postrel explains why government regulation may only be a problem when it limits innovation. Further, Postrel suggests notions of ‘left’ and ‘right’ in politics are some what meaningless. She suggests the more significant battles will be between the values of a type of person she refers to as the ‘dynamists’ versus the ‘statists’. Quoting from an interview some time ago:
In the book, I talk about the sort of core values of dynamists versus stasists. The core values of dynamists are – it’s really about learning. It’s about discovery. The idea is we don’t really know the best way of doing whatever, and that requires a lot of experimentation, trial and error learning, competition, criticism. It’s a messy process, but it’s the process through which we discover better ways of doing things, whether that’s in business, technology, or the way we live our everyday lives. On the stasis side, there’s sort of two competing or two complementary ideas rather. One is the ideal of stability – that the good society is the society that doesn’t change. And the other, which I associate with sort of technocratic stasis, is the idea of control – that someone needs to be in charge to set us on the right path and to decide centrally what that will be.
How might this pandemic show the need for regulation and cohesion, while allowing innovation?
That oil prices are at unprecedented lows must be upsetting established world orders? I hope so. Then again, I’m a dynamist.
It is a fact that there has never been so many people on planet Earth and that we live during a time of great wealth but also great uncertainty. Our times perhaps provide unique opportunities for both Postrel’s dynamists and also the technocratic stasis.
In Australia and around the world, how much have our values changed in just the last two months? And yet we have perhaps more social cohesion, at least here in Australia? And many are looking for new rules of engagement, to provide some certainty.
As long as the rules created by the technocrats are clear, and there is still incentive, there is perhaps potential for great innovation: for us to innovate our way out of this pandemic. It should be possible through trial and error, spontaneous adjustment, and adaptation – even if we can’t travel, or party, or watch sport. In fact, there may be more time for thinking.
It is a fact that we can still innovate for a new and different future, and that the best things in life will still be free, even if the movie-makers keep telling us that we are running out of oil, soon. And in Noosa where I live, the sun is still shining, and it shines for everyone.


Ice-Free Arctic Update

No , this is not from The Onion .
Scientists Are Stuck on an Ice-Locked Ship in the Arctic Due @ @ @ @

No, this is not from The Onion. Scientists Are Stuck on an Ice-Locked Ship in the Arctic Due to Coronavirus – VICE
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April 22, 2020 at 05:43PM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-04-22--Solar Cycle 25 Has Started

Solar Cycle 25 Has Started

The heliospheric current sheet has flattened meaning that Solar Cycle 24 is over and we are now in Solar Cycle 25 .
The solar cycle isn ’ t over until the heliospheric current sheet has flattened .
The data is provided by the Wilcox Solar Observatory at Stanford University .
There were no observations from about 19 December to 5 February ; so the values in between have been interpolated from the rotations before and after .
As measured in Carrington rotations , averaging 27.23 days , Solar Cycle 24 was of average length .
On the basis of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11.1 years long – which is the average solar cycle length .
What this figure shows is that there has been a permanent shift down in the Sun ’ s magnetic flux into the New Cold Period .
The breakover was most probably in 2005 when the Ap Index suddenly dropped to solar-minimum type levels just above the Modern Warm Period activity floor .
Then there was another sudden break down in 2008 with the absolute low in 2009 .
More than anything else , it is the variation in the Sun ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s climate on decadal time scales .
Higher magnetic flux pushes cosmic rays away from the inner planets of the solar system .
The Ap Index averaged 13.6 from 1964 to the end of Solar Cycle 24 .
It averaged 8.1 over Solar Cycle 24 .
If the 11 year lag in terrestrial response to solar input holds , then the much-anticipated solar-driven cooling should start now .
As Figure 6 show , the F10.7 flux equates to the sunspot area of the Sun .
The change in character from the Little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is quite evident in the hemispheric sunspot area data .
Apart from the much lower amplitude , there was far more asymmetry between the northern and southern solar hemispheres in the Little Ice Age than in the Modern Warm Period .
Solar Cycle 24 returned to the sunspot area amplitudes of the late Little Ice Age and has north-south asymmetry similar to that of Solar Cycle 12 from 1878 to 1890 .
Now that the solar minimum is in , the peak in neutron count should be one year from now .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be close to the amplitude of the 23/24 minimum .
As with Figure 5 , this figure shows the result of the sudden step down of the Sun ’ s magnetic activity in 2005 .
The Sun has entered a new regime of activity with the New Cold Period .
This figure is from the Wilcox Solar Observatory .
The solar polar field strength at solar minimum is the most accurate predictor of the amplitude of the following solar cycle .
Figure 10 indicates that the amplitude of Solar Cycle 25 will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The New Cold Period continues .
David Archibald is the author of The Anticancer Garden in Australia

Guest post by David Archibald
The heliospheric current sheet has flattened meaning that Solar Cycle 24 is over and we are now in Solar Cycle 25.
Figure 1: Heliospheric current sheet tilt angle 1976 -2020
The solar cycle isn’t over until the heliospheric current sheet has flattened. The data is provided by the Wilcox Solar Observatory at Stanford University. There were no observations from about 19 December to 5 February; so the values in between have been interpolated from the rotations before and after.
Figure 2: Heliospheric current sheet tilt angle aligned on solar cycle minimum
As measured in Carrington rotations, averaging 27.23 days, Solar Cycle 24 was of average length.
Figure 3: F10.7 flux aligned on solar minimum
On the basis of the F10.7 flux, Solar Cycle 24 was 11.1 years long – which is the average solar cycle length.
Figure 4: Ap Index 1932 – 2020
What this figure shows is that there has been a permanent shift down in the Sun’s magnetic flux into the New Cold Period. The breakover was most probably in 2005 when the Ap Index suddenly dropped to solar-minimum type levels just above the Modern Warm Period activity floor. Then there was another sudden break down in 2008 with the absolute low in 2009.
Figure 5: F10.7 Flux and Ap Index 1964 – 2020
More than anything else, it is the variation in the Sun’s magnetic flux that changes the Earth’s climate on decadal time scales. Higher magnetic flux pushes cosmic rays away from the inner planets of the solar system. The Ap Index averaged 13.6 from 1964 to the end of Solar Cycle 24. It averaged 8.1 over Solar Cycle 24. If the 11 year lag in terrestrial response to solar input holds, then the much-anticipated solar-driven cooling should start now.
Figure 6: Hemispheric aunspot area and F10.7 flux 1985 – 2020
As Figure 6 show, the F10.7 flux equates to the sunspot area of the Sun.
Figure 7: Sunspot Area 1874 – 2020
The change in character from the Little Ice Age to the Modern Warm Period is quite evident in the hemispheric sunspot area data. Apart from the much lower amplitude, there was far more asymmetry between the northern and southern solar hemispheres in the Little Ice Age than in the Modern Warm Period. Solar Cycle 24 returned to the sunspot area amplitudes of the late Little Ice Age and has north-south asymmetry similar to that of Solar Cycle 12 from 1878 to 1890.
Figure 8: Oulu Neutron Count 1964 – 2020
Now that the solar minimum is in, the peak in neutron count should be one year from now. The amplitude of the peak is likely to be close to the amplitude of the 23/24 minimum.
Figure 9: F10.7 flux and Oulu neutron count
As with Figure 5, this figure shows the result of the sudden step down of the Sun’s magnetic activity in 2005. The Sun has entered a new regime of activity with the New Cold Period.
Figure 10: Solar polar field strength 1975 – 2020
This figure is from the Wilcox Solar Observatory. The solar polar field strength at solar minimum is the most accurate predictor of the amplitude of the following solar cycle. Figure 10 indicates that the amplitude of Solar Cycle 25 will be close to that of Solar Cycle 24. The New Cold Period continues.
David Archibald is the author of The Anticancer Garden in Australia


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-04-22--More concerned about the economy than about the virus

“ Anyone who personally feels fear of the virus because they believe or have been told they have a greater risk should be encouraged to stay home… and supported in their decision to do that… but lets not destroy the country in the process.
” – Jean S More concerned about the economy than about the virus For better or worse I am retired ( age 69 ) and living in Arizona .
I do have some health issues ( disabled due to arthritis ) and a lot of allergies , but I am personally much more concerned about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and for good reason .
The facts : in my state as of this morning there were a total of 187 covid-19 deaths ( 3.7 % ) out of 5,064 known cases .
In contrast , the total number of unemployed is almost 420,000 … and I believe that is a lot more troubling .
In my county ( Pima ) the case fatality ratio is a higher ( 6.2 % ) than the state in general but exactly the same as the global total .
However , that is understandable because there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people here… .
and a number of large nursing homes .
The town I live in has about 70 % of the population over 65 , tho a bit hard to be sure of the demographics because there are a lot of “ snowbirds ” – including many from other countries ( mostly Canada ) .
Locally there have been a total of 58 corvid-19 deaths ( 6.2 % ) out of 941known cases .
My overall take on this – we do need to reopen the economy !
Maybe they need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities , but not necessarily the same in all places .
I want politics OUT of these decisions , and especially hate people like Pelosi ( who ’ s been televised showing off her stash of gourmet ice cream filled freezer ) using the crisis to play politics .
Anyone who personally feels fear of the virus because they believe or have been told they have a greater risk should be encouraged to stay home… and supported in their decision to do that… but lets not destroy the country in the process .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ personally recommend the following ( I have been diagnosed with anxiety disorder , so I certainly understand fear , but it is important to learn to deal with it ) .
Try counting your blessings ; and I mean that literally .
First thing in the morning , go write down every single positive thing you can think of you have in your life .
The smallest things count as well as big things .
I suspect this will help you a lot , I know it helps me .
For example , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaining about the fact that I have pain most days , or that all my relatives are at least 3000 miles away and I haven ’ t lived here long enough to make any friends… and all the things I do to try to meet people have been prohibited .
But I hate whining.. and the other day I realized I woke up happy ( after a grumpy day or two ) .
I think my improved attitude was due in part because I like the fact that people are finally no longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controls ( like Michigan for example , where the governor has prohibited the sale of seeds ! )
.
Also … the sun was shining ( most days ) , the weather has been mild and pleasant , I have a lot of large pots I ’ m growing things in and my little garden is doing well ( I even had a few corn stalks that sprouted already… good for here since we ’ ll be getting temps in the 90s later this week ) .
I also saw some interesting critters… @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resting on top of my patio wall , I saw a new type of lizards I ’ d never seen before , and I saw a few butterflies , and a good load of bees so my planting local native pollinators seems to be working .
What ’ s not to love about that ?
I also got to go on a bit of a drive when I went to pick up some groceries and I plan on going on another drive today , along the more scenic roads .
Probably not even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may stop by the post office and check my box… or gas up so I chat for a few minutes to the person who fills my gas ( I use full service , because it ’ s very hard for me to pump gas ) .
The post More concerned about the economy than about the virus appeared first on Ice Age Now .

“Anyone who personally feels fear of the virus because they believe or have been told they have a greater risk should be encouraged to stay home… and supported in their decision to do that… but lets not destroy the country in the process.”
– Jean S
______________
More concerned about the economy than about the virus
Jean S
For better or worse I am retired (age 69) and living in Arizona. I do have some health issues (disabled due to arthritis) and a lot of allergies, but I am personally much more concerned about the economy than I am about the virus… and for good reason.
The facts: in my state as of this morning there were a total of 187 covid-19 deaths (3.7%) out of 5,064 known cases. In contrast, the total number of unemployed is almost 420,000 … and I believe that is a lot more troubling.
In my county (Pima) the case fatality ratio is a higher (6.2%) than the state in general but exactly the same as the global total. However, that is understandable because there are a lot of retired and older people here…. and a number of large nursing homes. The town I live in has about 70% of the population over 65, tho a bit hard to be sure of the demographics because there are a lot of “snowbirds” – including many from other countries (mostly Canada). Locally there have been a total of 58 corvid-19 deaths (6.2%) out of 941known cases.
My overall take on this – we do need to reopen the economy! Maybe they need to be slower about that in the big cities, but not necessarily the same in all places. I want politics OUT of these decisions, and especially hate people like Pelosi (who’s been televised showing off her stash of gourmet ice cream filled freezer) using the crisis to play politics.
Anyone who personally feels fear of the virus because they believe or have been told they have a greater risk should be encouraged to stay home… and supported in their decision to do that… but lets not destroy the country in the process.
If you are fearful, I can personally recommend the following (I have been diagnosed with anxiety disorder, so I certainly understand fear, but it is important to learn to deal with it). Try counting your blessings; and I mean that literally. First thing in the morning, go write down every single positive thing you can think of you have in your life. The smallest things count as well as big things. I suspect this will help you a lot, I know it helps me.
For example, I could spend my time whining and complaining about the fact that I have pain most days, or that all my relatives are at least 3000 miles away and I haven’t lived here long enough to make any friends… and all the things I do to try to meet people have been prohibited. But I hate whining.. and the other day I realized I woke up happy (after a grumpy day or two). I think my improved attitude was due in part because I like the fact that people are finally no longer acting like sheep and dare protesting unreasonable controls (like Michigan for example, where the governor has prohibited the sale of seeds!). Also … the sun was shining (most days), the weather has been mild and pleasant, I have a lot of large pots I’m growing things in and my little garden is doing well (I even had a few corn stalks that sprouted already… good for here since we’ll be getting temps in the 90s later this week). I also saw some interesting critters…. an “endangered” quail was resting on top of my patio wall, I saw a new type of lizards I’d never seen before, and I saw a few butterflies, and a good load of bees so my planting local native pollinators seems to be working. What’s not to love about that?
I also got to go on a bit of a drive when I went to pick up some groceries and I plan on going on another drive today, along the more scenic roads. Probably not even getting out of the car… tho I may stop by the post office and check my box… or gas up so I chat for a few minutes to the person who fills my gas (I use full service, because it’s very hard for me to pump gas).
The post More concerned about the economy than about the virus appeared first on Ice Age Now.
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April 22, 2020 at 12:57PM


Working from home

Suppose you died of alcoholism , a long term condition .
You would become a covid statistic if you drank @ @ @ @ @ – Whiskey Drinker Thanks to Laurel for this photo The post Working from home appeared @ @ @ @ @ .

Suppose you died of alcoholism, a long term condition. You would become a covid statistic if you drank yourself to death today.
– Whiskey Drinker
Thanks to Laurel for this photo
The post Working from home appeared first on Ice Age Now.
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April 22, 2020 at 12:50PM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-04-22--Renault Zoe- Joke Of The Year

Renault Zoe- Joke Of The Year

I think it ’ s time we all deserved a good laugh – we need it !
Last Saturday the @ @ @ @ @ Zoe electric car .
After reviewing the car , he relates his charging experience : @ @ @ @ @ in a supermarket carpark overnight , assuming there is a space available , walk half @ @ @ @ @ your car still has four wheels the next morning .
Or , you can sit @ @ @ @ @ hours at a public charging point , with a queue of angry drivers building up @ @ @ @ @ you can take it to Jack ’ s !
And the price ?
Well , @ @ @ @ @ on the buyer .
£29 grand for a Mickey Mouse car , the sort you @ @ @ @ @ price with a proper engine in it .
And that includes the government discount of @ @ @ @ @ price is £32620 .
And this is what the government wants to force on us @ @ @ @ @ OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT

By Paul Homewood
I think it’s time we all deserved a good laugh – we need it!
Last Saturday the Daily Express reviewed the Renault Zoe electric car.
Colin Goodwin begins:
After reviewing the car, he relates his charging experience:
So you can leave it in a supermarket carpark overnight, assuming there is a space available, walk half a mile home and hope your car still has four wheels the next morning.
Or, you can sit in the car for four hours at a public charging point, with a queue of angry drivers building up behind you.
Or, you can take it to Jack’s!
What an absolute joke.
And the price? Well, that’s a joke on the buyer.
£29 grand for a Mickey Mouse car, the sort you could buy for half the price with a proper engine in it. And that includes the government discount of £3500, so the real price is £32620.
And this is what the government wants to force on us.
via NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT
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April 22, 2020 at 12:09PM