climatedepot--2020-04-15--Beware the Left’s ‘Degrowth’ Movement: ‘Reveals the modern left for what it is at its core, anti-gro

Beware the Left’s ‘Degrowth’ Movement: ‘Reveals the modern left for what it is at its core, anti-growth, anti-people, anti-free enterprise & anti-prosperity’

Stephen Moore : `` The degrowth fad -- hopefully it is just that -- also reveals the modern left movement for what it is at its core .
It is anti-growth , anti-people , anti-free enterprise and anti-prosperity .
The entire climate change movement is an assault against cheap and abundant energy and rising living standards .
This raises the question of how we could ever rely on the left to fix our economy , help the poor and make us all more prosperous if their goal is to shrink the economy , not grow it ? ''
It would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the planet is horrified by the death and economic destruction wrought from the COVID-19 pandemic .
But some see the body bags and the shutdown of economic production as a weird kind of blessing in disguise .
These are the proponents of a radical and increasingly chic movement on the left called “ degrowth.
” This is the idea that economic growth and increased prosperity are the root CAUSE of massive ecological destruction and health pandemics .
The agenda is to shut down industrial production and industries like fossil fuels , automobiles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warming .
COVID-19 and the economy lockdown are seen as a kind of test run for the theory .
For example , professor Natasha Chassagne of the University of Tasmania and a disciple of this movement gushes that “ we can draw many lessons and opportunities from the current health crisis when tackling planetary warming.
” A former high-ranking climate adviser to the Obama administration , Jason Bordoff , writes in Foreign Policy magazine that “ COVID-19 may deliver some short-term climate benefits by curbing energy use , or even longer-term benefits if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” but he adds almost regretfully that the “ benefits ” from the pandemic in terms of less carbon emissions are likely to be “ fleeting and negligible.
” Degrowth is defended by its proponents as “ a political , economic and social movement based on ecological economics , anti-consumerism and anti-capitalism.
” The official degrowth website explains that COVID-19 is “ an example of why degrowth is needed ; it shows the unsustainability and fragility of our current way of life .
Additionally , the response to covid-19 has shown that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the state ] has demonstrated an ability to dramatically change the modus operandi in response to a major crisis.
” The philosophy that increased prosperity is the problem and not the solution to our societal problems is not new .
In the 1970s , many on the left embraced the “ limits to growth ” ideology of too many people , too little food and energy , and imminent ecological disaster .
Those ideas were discredited over the ensuing 40 years as innovation and technology , plus a renewed appreciation of economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standards around the globe and massive surpluses of food and energy .
Of course , the origins of the limits to growth and , now , degrowth movements date back to the days of Thomas Robert Malthus , who famously and wrongly predicted that population growth would always outpace food and economic production .
These rotten and dangerous ideas are back in vogue , and the New Yorker magazine recently highlighted the fad on college campuses and in faculty lounges .
It ’ s the latest of leftist extremism — a subversive movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is scary is that many who subscribe to climate change hysteria , as well as the donors who provide the tens of billions of dollars of resources to climate issues , have come to agree that growth is the enemy and that we would all be better off if we were a little poorer .
It is wrong on so many levels one hardly knows where to start .
First , economic freedom and growth go hand in hand and have inarguably positive benefits to the poorest citizens of the world and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have degrowth are much more polluted and have much higher death rates than the United States .
Environmental protection is the ultimate “ superior good.
” The richer a society becomes , the more they spend on clean air , clean water and nature preservation .
The degrowth fad — hopefully it is just that — also reveals the modern left movement for what it is at its core .
It is anti-growth , anti-people , anti-free enterprise and anti-prosperity .
The entire climate change movement is an assault against cheap and abundant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raises the question of how we could ever rely on the left to fix our economy , help the poor and make us all more prosperous if their goal is to shrink the economy , not grow it ?

Thank you for being patient. We are doing some work on the site and will be back shortly.


climatedepot--2020-04-15--Climate activist sees ‘silver lining’ in coronavirus: ‘The machine of capitalism has slowed dramatic

Climate activist sees ‘silver lining’ in coronavirus: ‘The machine of capitalism has slowed dramatically, prompting environmental healing’

Brooke Russell in Santa Barbara Independent : `` The tangibility of COVID-19 is overshadowing the looming existential threat of climate change , an issue that has much higher potential for complete and utter global devastation . ''
... `` Even in the most tragic of times , however , a silver lining ultimately prevails .
As roads empty and people sequester themselves , the machine of capitalism has slowed dramatically , prompting environmental healing . ''
`` While many Americans , as well as people across the globe , maintain a singular focus on the pandemic , the prominent threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Excerpts : …the tangibility of COVID-19 is overshadowing the looming existential threat of climate change , an issue that has much higher potential for complete and utter global devastation .
Even in the most tragic of times , however , a silver lining ultimately prevails .
As roads empty and people sequester themselves , the machine of capitalism has slowed dramatically , prompting environmental healing .
Viral articles detail miracles such as the vacancy of boat traffic in Venice that has prompted dolphins and swans to make an appearance .
Though some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , scientific data and satellites reinforce that COVID-19 has had a positive environmental impact .
In densely populated cities such as Los Angeles , Seattle , and New York , satellite imagery shows a major decrease in emissions .
As people share these feel-good articles on social media and the like , the greater ramifications of these phenomena are still lost on many .
This global pause has served as proof that we do , in fact , have the capacity to halt industries and disastrous environmental practices .
While many are eager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordinary life , the fact of the matter is , our current practices are unsustainable at every level .
As we flatten the curve and society returns to some semblance of normalcy , my hope is that this catastrophe helps us redefine a different future .
COVID-19 is a reminder that whether it ’ s a pandemic or broad sweeping anthropogenic climate change , humans are not immune to catastrophe in the many forms it may assume .
Going back to the way things were , when possible , will be transitioning from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if it ’ s a less obvious one .
While many Americans , as well as people across the globe , maintain a singular focus on the pandemic , the prominent threat of climate change is being overlooked .
Public health is paramount , as the response to COVID-19 has indicated .
Why treat climate change any differently ?


climatedepot--2020-04-15--Social planners, ecologists look to exploit coronavirus as opportunity to ‘permanently’ remove cars

Social planners, ecologists look to exploit coronavirus as opportunity to ‘permanently’ remove cars from the road — Seek ‘to save city dwellers…from the auto-centric culture’ & ‘remake cities’

The Pandemic Could Be an Opportunity to Remake Cities Excerpt : Cities from Bogota to Oakland are closing streets to make room for pedestrians and bikers .
Urbanists think we ’ d be healthier if such changes were permanent… .
The problem with curtailing the supply of open space , though , is that it doesn ’ t reduce demand .
People still need to go outside , some to work , others to play , all to keep their sanity intact .
Now , though , the demand comes chiefly from people on foot , rather than in vehicles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chance to save city dwellers not just from the sweep of a pandemic , but from the auto-centric culture that has dominated urban life for decades .
They want to prioritize the movement of people—pedestrians , cyclists , transit users , and their ilk—over cars .
This isn ’ t just opportunism , a shot at grabbing street space while most cars are parked .
A range of tactics long demanded by urbanists can make life outside more pleasant and practical amidst the Covid-19 pandemic .
And depending on how much life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic has passed , the moves could change cities for the better , and for the long term .


climatedepot--2020-04-15--Virus Crisis Exposes The Hollow Fantasies Of Greta & Extinction Rebellion

`` How glorious it is that the demands of Greta Thunberg and Extinction Rebellion are coming true .
We are putting a significant brake on carbon emissions by strongly limiting the rampant overconsumption of our society ...
The coronavirus outbreak gives us a neat experiment in what happens when humans suddenly dramatically reduce both production and consumption .
And , to put it mildly , most of us are not enjoying it one bit .
That suggests that instead of the hair shirtery favored by the Gretas of this world , our best solution is creating the technologies that allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the planet cool with our doing so ... the currently fashionable claim that we must eviscerate modern society right now and retreat back to a much lower standard of living as our method of reducing those emissions .
For that is what a ‘ zero carbon ’ society by 2030 , or even 2050 is liable to mean in real terms – the guarantee of immediate penury for millions of people . ''
There are few silver linings to the current ghastly pandemic .
But one of the benefits is we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate change and not liking it very much at all .
How glorious it is that the demands of Greta Thunberg and Extinction Rebellion are coming true .
We are putting a significant brake on carbon emissions by strongly limiting the rampant overconsumption of our society .
Granted , no one seems very happy at those carbon dioxide emissions falling by 5 % – or 2.5 billion tonnes – this year , but we can ’ t have everything , can we ?
This gets to the nub of the problem with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well we could reverse the problem if we all agree to become as poor as church mice , or return to being peasants in the fields .
It is the understandable resistance to such reversion which causes the problem itself .
We like being able to heat our food , warm our bodies , travel and generally enjoy civilisation .
That , at this current level of technological advance , means the use of fossil fuels – at the cost of changes to the climate in the future .
The question is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but what ?
The coronavirus outbreak gives us a neat experiment in what happens when humans suddenly dramatically reduce both production and consumption .
And , to put it mildly , most of us are not enjoying it one bit .
That suggests that instead of the hair shirtery favoured by the Gretas of this world , our best solution is creating the technologies that allow us to keep consuming while also keeping the planet cool with our doing so .
This is not particularly controversial stuff .
The economist William Nordhaus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can produce better outcomes with lower consumption .
The same is true of Nicholas Stern , whose name adorns one of the best known reports on the consequences of climate change .
Sure , there are differences between the two approaches .
Stern says do lots now – as a very rough pencil sketch you understand – while Nordhaus says only do what we ’ re ready for .
More specifically , Nordhaus says work with the capital cycle .
Only replace things with the newer non-emitting technology when they are already worn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That would not mean , for example , closing down Germany ’ s nuclear plants when they have decades of useful life left – a policy that has simply made energy more expensive while doing worse than nothing to save the planet .
Instead , things should be shut down when they are no longer functional and replaced with newer , cleaner tech .
The underlying point here is that both Nordhaus and Stern thinking like economists whose aim is to maximise human utility – essentially , the joy of being here and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bourne noted in a recent CapX piece , economists are forever thinking in terms of costs and benefits and trying to balance them out .
They know too that with a great many facets of our lives there is no simple ‘ solution ’ , just a variety of trade-offs that need to be managed .
That ’ s quite a different approach to the currently fashionable claim that we must eviscerate modern society right now and retreat back to a much lower standard of living as our method of reducing those emissions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zero carbon ’ society by 2030 , or even 2050 is liable to mean in real terms – the guarantee of immediate penury for millions of people .
There are few silver linings to the current ghastly pandemic .
But one of the benefits of is we ’ re testing the St Greta method of beating climate change and not liking it very much at all .
Let ’ s hope that means policymakers focus on the technological and economic solutions to climate change , rather than the shrill eschatology of the modern @ @ @


climatedepot--2020-04-15--Watch Al Gore: ‘Scientists have warned us about the coronavirus and they’ve warned us about the clim

Watch Al Gore: ‘Scientists have warned us about the coronavirus and they’ve warned us about the climate crisis’ –  ‘Fossil fuels are a pre-existing condition for COVID-19’

Gore : `` The scientists have warned us about the coronavirus and they 've warned us about the climate crisis , and we 've seen the dangers of waiting too late to heed the warnings of the doctors and scientists on this virus , '' Gore told `` Real Time with Bill Maher . ''
Gore added : `` We should not wait any longer to heed their warnings about what we 're doing to radically destabilize the earth 's climate . ''
Al Gore also claimed the use of `` fossil fuels are a pre-existing condition for COVID-19 ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condition that raises the death rate . ''
Host Bill Maher added : `` The air in Los Angeles has not been this good since it belonged to Mexico .
But people will do it [ lockdowns ] for the virus -- they wo n't do it for carbon . ''
Al Gore Says Humans Encroaching on Wildlife , Sees Link to Virus Former Vice President Al Gore says the coronavirus pandemic is another example of politicians ignoring scientific warnings .
“ The scientists have warned us about the coronavirus and they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and we ’ ve seen the dangers of waiting too late to heed the warnings of the doctors and scientists on this virus , ” Gore told “ Real Time with Bill Maher.
” “ We should not wait any longer to heed their warnings about what we ’ re doing to radically destabilize the earth ’ s climate .
And perhaps that connection is obvious , but some things you think are obvious take some time to become obvious to governmental officials.
” Bill Maher question to Gore : “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this good since it belonged to Mexico .
But people will do it [ lockdowns ] for the virus — they won ’ t do it for carbon.
” Al Gore : “ Yeah , it ’ s interesting .
By the way , there is a brand new study out this week that shows that burning fossil fuels and polluting the air with exhaust emissions is in effect a pre-existing condition that raises the death rate from COVID-19.
” Later Gore emphasized , “ Fossil fuels are a pre-existing condition for COVID-19.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who I don ’ t usually quote , said today that this is nature ’ s response — the virus — to climate change he quoted something from he said in Spanish we say “ God always forgives but nature never forgives.
” You see it that this way ?
That this is sort of nature ’ s way of saying you know you can go on killing the earth for just so long before you kill yourself ?
Al Gore : “ Well we ’ ve been encroaching into these wild @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them so that the number of times when human beings come into contact with wild creatures that harbor viruses like the coronavirus — those occasions are increasing so there is that connection .
”


climatedepot--2020-04-15--Newsweek touts ‘CALLS TO ‘FLATTEN THE CURVE’ OF CLIMATE CHANGE POST-CORONAVIRUS’

Newsweek : `` Scientists , activists and religious leaders ranging from Pope Francis to filmmaker Spike Lee are highlighting lockdown reductions in air pollution and nature `` coming alive '' as part of a larger call to permanently change industrial and economic behavior after COVID-19 . ''
Climate Depot response : `` Well if Pope Francis and Spike Lee agree on it , then it must be true . ''
SCIENTISTS CITE POLLUTION DECREASE IN CALLS TO ‘ FLATTEN THE CURVE ’ OF CLIMATE CHANGE POST-CORONAVIRUS Excerpts : Scientists , activists and religious leaders ranging from Pope Francis to filmmaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air pollution and nature “ coming alive ” as part of a larger call to permanently change industrial and economic behavior after COVID-19 .
Pope Francis said last week that the deadly worldwide coronavirus pandemic is one of “ nature ’ s responses ” to humans ’ mistreatment of Planet Earth , telling a Catholic U.K. publication that “ God always forgives , but Nature never forgives.
” This sentiment was echoed by environmental researchers , politicians and activists who are urging world leaders to permanently reduce carbon emissions , air pollution and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flatten the curve ” of climate change .
“ The blissful sight of blue skies and the joy of breathing clean air provides just the contrast to illustrate what we are doing to ourselves the rest of the time , ” Dr. Shashi Tharoor told The Guardian Saturday .
In the northern region of India , a country which placed its 1.4 billion people on lockdown and kept New Delhi ’ s 11 million registered vehicles off the roads , Air Quality Index levels improved to their best in decades .
A pair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientific journal Nature this month on rebuilding damaged ocean ecosystems and global warming , respectively , saw researchers seeking to “ flatten the curve ” of climate change similar to the reversal sought in stemming new COVID-19 cases .
“ Our research shows that rapid action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions this decade will effectively flatten the curve of species at risk .
Similar to the COVID-19 pandemic , early action to limit the risk pays off in a big way .
It does not eliminate all risk from climate change , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposed by a massive amount , ” study co-author Christopher Trisos , of the University of Cape Town told The Guardian last week .
Former Vice President Al Gore , who founded The Climate Reality Project , told HBO host Bill Maher Friday there is a clear connection between COVID-19 and climate change , saying both have served as a wake-up call that government leaders can ’ t simply dismiss dire warnings from scientists .
American filmmaker Spike Lee echoed the thoughts of Pope Francis , telling SiriusXM ’ s The Joe Madison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ changing everything.
” “ But you know why , the reason — how pollution is clearing up .
Skies are clear .
Animals are coming out .
I mean you know , the Earth was angry at us .
People may think I ’ m crazy that I believe it in my heart and soul .
That we had gone too far and Earth said , ‘ Hold up , we got ta change this.
’ We were killing this planet , ” Lee said .


climatedepot--2020-04-15--News outlet that bills itself as ‘fearless journalism’ wimps out & publishes climate nonsense: Claim

News outlet that bills itself as ‘fearless journalism’ wimps out & publishes climate nonsense: Claims ‘Climate Change Won’t Stop for the Coronavirus Pandemic’

ProPublica : `` Cascading catastrophes can compound in effect , kicked off or made worse by climate change , which promises to amplify the harm and make even unrelated crises more painful . ''
`` The next several months could bring hurricanes , floods and fire , on top of the pandemic currently raging through the country .
How do you shelter in place during an evacuation ? ''
Excerpts : The next several months could bring hurricanes , floods and fire , on top of the pandemic currently raging through the country .
How do you shelter in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hurricanes and wildfires that now regularly arrive in the U.S. each spring and summer , after all , are not on hold because we also face a health crisis .
Changes in the climate have made the chance of a natural disaster striking during this pandemic significantly more likely , and its likely impact more severe .
“ Climate change is loading the weather dice against us , ” said Katharine Hayhoe , a professor of public policy and law at Texas Tech University and one of the world ’ s foremost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chance of rolling a double six .
”


climatedepot--2020-04-15--AP publishes a silly story suggesting coronavirus should convince us that there’s a climate crisis,

AP publishes a silly story suggesting coronavirus should convince us that there’s a climate crisis, or something

Excerpt : Ridiculed by some as Chicken Littles , enemies of capitalism or tools of Big Pharma , scientists are — for now — the new rock stars .
They ’ re fixtures on cable news .
Even President Donald Trump , who famously prefers his “ gut ” to expert opinions , accepts tactful corrections from Dr. Anthony Fauci , the government ’ s top infectious disease specialist , who sets off Twitter eruptions when he isn ’ t at daily briefings .
Scientists know this is no time to gloat and they obviously didn ’ t want this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of pandemics and other disasters , particularly involving climate change , have gone unheeded see a “ told-you-so type of moment ” unfolding .
As Texas Tech climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe puts it , “ Every disaster movie starts with a scientist being ignored.
” “ Americans have been subject to a lifetime of anti-scientific , anti-expertise , and anti-government propaganda .
I ’ m not surprised at all that many of us choose to believe the propagandists instead of the scientists , ” says science historian Erik Conway , co-author of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @


climatedepot--2020-04-15--Sen Ted Cruz: ‘Social-distancing restrictions are fine — petty authoritarianism is not’

From federal flight restrictions , to shelter-in-place orders , to continued calls for social distancing , the government has taken unprecedented steps to help our nation overcome an unprecedented health crisis .
The government has a crucial role to play as we work together to combat the novel coronavirus .
But elected officials must never forget that we are a free people .
Free people aren ’ t arrested under the guise of protecting public health for playing catch with their children in a nearly empty park .
Yet that ’ s what happened to a man in Colorado who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Free people don ’ t receive $ 227 tickets for driving alone in their cars .
But that ’ s what happened to a woman in Pennsylvania , even though her actions jeopardized absolutely nobody ’ s health .
State and local officials across the country , most of the left , are using the crisis to unleash their inner authoritarians ; their command-and-control instincts have been on full display .
Mayor Bill de Blasio — who has long admired left-wing authoritarians like Che Guevara — threatened religious leaders that their churches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be shuttered “ permanently ” if they continue to meet for services .
Permanently .
Really .
In Louisville , Ky. , and Greenville , Miss.
, Democratic mayors fought to stop individuals from attending church for Lenten and Easter services , even if they remained in their cars to worship .
A court halted the Louisville effort , but Greenville police issued $ 500 tickets to parishioners attending a drive-through service last Wednesday .
These are flagrant abuses of power .
While cities have the authority to prevent large gatherings during a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ban faith communities .
And while public health may require a city to prohibit in-person gatherings , it is an absurdity to apply that ban to First Amendment-protected drive-through church services .
Some officials even have the audacity to use this crisis as a thin excuse to grind old political axes .
In Charlotte , NC , pro-life pregnancy counselors were arrested under the guise of “ public health.
” These counselors — trained to counsel women on alternatives to abortion as part of a federally recognized charity — were outdoors and safely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eyes of the left , they were criminals .
Tellingly , authorities treated abortion clinic workers completely differently .
Despite the fact that they were working in confined spaces and in close contact with one another to perform elective procedures , the abortionists weren ’ t arrested .
They were deemed “ essential.
” But if elective abortion is essential , then peacefully providing counseling to pregnant women on alternatives to abortion must be essential , as well .
Anything less is a plainly unconstitutional double standard .
This crisis has shown us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have seen that Americans of all walks of life are ready and willing to make sacrifices for the public good , to help stop the spread of this virus .
But it has also shown us the character of too many Democratic elected officials , who are using this crisis to subvert the Bill of Rights and rob us of our freedoms .
Stay-at-home orders must not become tools for opportunistic authoritarians .
To be constitutional , these orders must be narrowly tailored to restrain only those activities that pose a significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope that state and local officials will rectify the profoundly destructive , unconstitutional effects of their mandates .
We can and must protect ourselves against disease — we shouldn ’ t have to protect ourselves against tyranny , as well .
Ted Cruz is a US senator from Texas .


climatedepot--2020-04-15--NASA fights campaign to remove 97% climate-change claim as ‘consensus’ challenged

Nothing sends climate skeptics into orbit faster than seeing NASA repeat the 97 % climate-consensus claim , but the effort to have the Obama-era declaration removed from the government website is suffering from a failure to launch .
NASA officials rejected the Competitive Enterprise Institute ’ s July 9 request for correction under the Information Quality Act , concluding that “ changes to the Web site are not needed at this time , ” prompting the free-market group to file an appeal Tuesday .
On its Global Climate Change page , NASA states : “ Multiple studies published in peer-reviewed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more of actively publishing climate scientists agree : Climate-warming trends over the past century are extremely likely due to human activities.
” CEI attorney Devin Watkins , who called the statement “ inaccurate , unreliable , and biased , ” said that NASA has refused to budge even though President Trump has expressed reservations about the consensus argument on anthropogenic global warming .
In 2017 , for example , Mr. Trump told The Associated that “ you have scientists on both sides of the picture.
” “ It ’ s really weird when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to say the 97 % figure is incorrect , but an agency he is responsible for overseeing continues to say on their website that the President is wrong , ” Mr. Watkins said in an email .
In her reply to the CEI , NASA chief information officer Renee P. Wynn said that the Global Climate Change website “ presents the state of scientific knowledge about climate change and honors the role that NASA has played and plays in researching and communicating climate science.
” “ NASA also still finds this information to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not rely on results of a single peer-reviewed publication for facts , which is why a number of peer-reviewed papers are listed on the Web site to capture the robust nature of the scientific debate , ” Ms. Wynn said in the March 11 letter .
Mr. Watkins countered that the “ single sentence response says next to nothing , ” and that instead of giving a point-by-point response as required by Office of Management and Budget rules , “ her denial does not even respond to even a single point of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignores the requirements of reliability and lack of bias , ” said the CEI appeal .
The CEI ’ s original request for correction ran 11 pages , and included specific methodological challenges to the studies cited by NASA , but the NASA response was barely two pages .
The Washington Times has reached out to NASA for comment .
The research papers cited by NASA to bolster the 97 % claim “ don ’ t actually make the claims that NASA ’ s claiming they make , ” in some cases excluding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t have an opinion or say they ’ re uncertain or don ’ t know , ” Mr. Watkins said .
He said the statement was posted by NASA at some point during the Obama administration .
“ I just think there was political pressure to get it added , and no one questioned NASA directly on it at the time , ” he said .
“ As the political winds shifted and the Trump administration came in , I suspect NASA didn ’ t really even look at it.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change has raged since at least 2004 , when Science magazine published an essay by now-Harvard history of science professor Naomi Oreskes , “ The Scientific Consensus on Climate Change.
” She reviewed 928 study abstracts with the words “ climate change ” published in journals from 1993-2003 , concluding that 75 % implicitly or explicitly endorsed the consensus view and 25 % took no position , but “ none of the papers disagreed with the consensus position.
” The 97 % figure took off following a 2013 study led by John Cook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Center for Climate Change Communication at George Mason University , who reviewed peer-reviewed paper abstracts with the words “ global warming ” or “ global climate change ” from 1991-2011 .
“ The first thing we noticed was that a lot of papers don ’ t even bother to mention whether humans are causing global warming or not .
It ’ s like , you look at astronomy papers : Not many of them would bother mentioning that the earth revolves around the sun .
It ’ s established consensus , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 2017 interview .
“ But amongst the papers that did mention it — there were about 4,000 papers amongst the 12,000 papers we looked at — 97.1 % of them endorsed human-caused global warming in their abstract , ” Mr. Cook said .
The pushback was immediate .
PopularTechnology.com interviewed a half-dozen prominent scientists who said the study mischaracterized their work , while other academics , including Richard Tol of the University of Sussex and the University of Delaware ’ s David Legates , published challenges to the study ’ s methodology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s peer-reviewed independent study reevaluating the 64 articles that Cook said explicitly endorsed AGW ( that more than half of the warming was caused by humans ) found that actually only 41 made such claims , ” said the CEI .
The debate has left little room for middle ground .
In 2017 , Yale Climate Communications rated the 97 % figure as “ true , ” while Mr. Tol said in 2014 that it was “ essentially pulled from thin air.
” NASA also cited statements from 18 scientific organizations , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Science , which said in 2014 , “ Based on well-established evidence , about 97 % of climate scientists have concluded that human-caused climate change is happening.
” On the other hand , CEI noted that NASA failed to take into account documents signed by researchers rejecting the climate-catastrophe scenario , such as the Oregon Petition , which has more than 31,000 signatures of self-identified scientists , including more than 9,000 with doctoral degrees .
The SkepticalScience blog , founded by Mr. Cook , slammed the CEI challenge , calling the “ no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most popular climate myths ” perpetrated by “ fossil fuel-funded think tanks.
” “ That so-called ‘ consensus gap ’ between public perception and the reality of expert agreement is largely due to a sustained misinformation campaign , ” said the Aug. 15 post .
At the other end of the spectrum , Climate Depot ’ s Marc Morano , author of “ The Politically Incorrect Guide to Climate Change , ” took a jab at the consensus “ myth , ” saying it was “ about time NASA is forced to confront @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claim.
” “ NASA is likely to fight tooth and nail over this false 97 % claim because NASA has a vested interest in keeping up the ‘ consensus ’ myth , ” Mr. Morano said in an email .
“ Sadly , NASA has long been overrun with many scientists who are willing to bend the truth for the climate cause.
” In its appeal , CEI argued that the decision should be made not by staff but by NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine , a former Republican congressman from Oklahoma , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morano ’ s The Politically Incorrect Guide to Climate Change Book Excerpt – Chapter 3 : “ Pulled from Thin Air ” : The 97 Percent “ Consensus ” ( Page 27 ) In 2014 , UN lead author Richard Tol found : “ The 97 % estimate is bandied about by basically everybody .
I had a close look at what this study really did .
As far as I can see , this estimate just crumbles when you touch it .
None of the statements in the papers are supported by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paper , ” Tol said .
“ But this 97 % is essentially pulled from thin air , it is not based on any credible research whatsoever.
” Tol ’ s research found that only sixty-four papers out of nearly twelve thousand actually supported the alleged “ consensus.
” Tol published his research debunking the 97 percent claim in the journal Energy Policy .


climatedepot--2020-04-15--Still clueless after all these years: Obama’s former UN ‘climate envoy’ Todd Stern touts ‘how to put

Still clueless after all these years: Obama’s former UN ‘climate envoy’ Todd Stern touts ‘how to put climate change at the center of U.S. foreign policy’

Todd Stern on climate change : `` The time to act is now . ''
How to Put Climate Change at the Center of U.S. Foreign Policy  @ johnpodesta  and I wrote this piece for new issue of @ ForeignAffairs .
Ignoring profound science-based global threats is a prescription for disaster .
The time to act is now .
https : //t.co/NqhOcUaMJQ The article in Foreign Affairs is co-authored by John Podesta & Todd Stern ‘ Global warming ’ causes war claims — debunked – ‘ Warm periods are more peaceful than cold ones ’ – Bonus Chapter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Climate Change – Bonus Chapter # 2 from The Politically Incorrect Guide to Climate Change : Excerpt : The climate activists have it backward .
A 2011 study from the Center for Strategic and International Studies titled “ The Climate Wars Myth ” found , “ Since the dawn of civilization , warmer eras have meant fewer wars.
” As author Bruno Tetrais explained , “ History shows that ‘ warm ’ periods are more peaceful than ‘ cold ’ ones… John Horgan , the director of the Center for Science Writings at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ In spite of the recent surge in violence in the Middle East , war-related casualties have fallen over the last half-century , as temperatures have risen… A 2013 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that cold eras were dark times in Eastern Europe .
“ Some of Eastern Europe ’ s greatest wars and plagues over the last millennium coincided with cold periods , ” explained a summary of the study in Science News .


climatedepot--2020-04-15--‘Starve or get sick’: Africa’s coronavirus lockdown dilemma

While President Uhuru Kenyatta has wielded the threat of a full lockdown to get citizens to comply with the rules , officials admit it is an agonising choice , especially as 60 percent of Nairobi 's residents live in slums .
Women and children fell to the ground , bloodied and trampled in a desperate surge for food being handed out in a Nairobi slum , as police fired teargas and men with sticks beat the hungry .
...
The Kibera slum in Nairobi .
Coronavirus lockdowns will have a devastating impact on Africa ’ s urban poor , say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( AFP ) – Women and children fell to the ground , bloodied and trampled in a desperate surge for food being handed out in a Nairobi slum , as police fired teargas and men with sticks beat the hungry .
As African countries grapple with the coronavirus pandemic , observers warn that the traumatic scenes which played out last Friday will not be the last if governments fail to help millions of urban poor who live hand-to-mouth .
“ I give them ( the government ) one to two weeks before things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , but in terms of hunger , ” said Kennedy Odede , who runs Shining Hope For Communities ( SHOFCO ) , a grassroots movement which works in the Nairobi slum Kibera and other informal settlements in Kenya .
“ If it continues like this , we might be playing with fire.
” Kenya has so far cordoned off the capital and parts of its coastline and imposed a night-time curfew and other social distancing measures .
Many of these restrictions are having a wrenching impact , causing loss of jobs among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Uhuru Kenyatta has wielded the threat of a full lockdown to get citizens to comply with the rules , officials admit it is an agonising choice , especially as 60 percent of Nairobi ’ s residents live in slums .
“ Locking up people in the slums will be the last option .
A lot needs to be done before that , ” a high-ranking security official told AFP on condition of anonymity .
The coronavirus arrived late in Africa , but is slowly taking hold with over 15,000 cases and 800 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the developed world waited weeks to begin taking action , countries in Africa rapidly shut borders and banned mass gatherings .
Mauritius , Rwanda and Tunisia were the first to impose full lockdowns — with Mauritius going so far as to shut supermarkets and bakeries for 10 days .
South Africa is the biggest economy on the continent to completely confine its citizens , while Nigeria imposed lockdowns on Lagos — the continent ’ s largest city — and its capital Abuja , which on Monday were extended for another two weeks @


climatedepot--2020-04-15--Gov. Northam signs ‘energy efficiency law’, Virginia first southern state with ‘100% clean energy st

Gov. Northam signs ‘energy efficiency law’, Virginia first southern state with ‘100% clean energy standard’

RICHMOND , Va. ( WAVY ) — Governor Northam is continuing efforts to make Virginia an energy-efficient state as he signed a bill Sunday making the Commonwealth the first southern state to transition to clean energy by 2050 .
The governor signed the Virginia Clean Economy Act that commits to providing 100 % carbon-free electricity by removing harmful carbon emissions and obtaining clean energy from renewable sources such as solar or wind generation .
Northam announced he is also amending the Clean Energy and Community Flood Preparedness Act that requires Virginia to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limit carbon dioxide from power plants .
The Virginia Clean Economy Act was passed as Delegate Richard C. “ Rip ” Sullivan Jr. ’ s sponsored House Bill 1526 and Senator Jennifer McClellan ’ s sponsored Senate Bill 851 both of which regulate electric utilities .
The Act also covers Executive Order Forty-Three issued by the governor in Septemeber 2019 .
The order expands access to clean energy and the growth of energy-related jobs .
“ These new clean energy laws propel Virginia to leadership among the states in fighting climate change , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advance environmental justice and help create clean energy jobs .
In Virginia , we are proving that a clean environment and a strong economy go hand-in-hand.
” The legislation covers energy efficiency promotions and puts a timeline standard stating that coal-fired plants are to close by 2024 , and Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power will be 100 % carbon-free by 2045 and 2050 , respectively .
Energy companies will pay penalties for not meeting the objectives and the revenue from the penalties will go towards job training and programs in disadvantaged communities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a reduction of energy burned for low-income users and all energy-efficient standards and pilot programs are to be “ in the public interest.
” The statement released says the Act may potentially create thousands of new jobs as Dominion Energy will now be required to hire local workers from “ disadvantaged communities ” and open apprenticeship and job training .


climatedepot--2020-04-15--Blow to the Earth! UN announces that its ‘climate action meetings’ in Caribbean, Africa, Asia & Midd

Blow to the Earth! UN announces that its ‘climate action meetings’ in Caribbean, Africa, Asia & Middle East are ‘postponed’ & ‘virtual’ meetings sought instead

Regional Climate Weeks ( RCWs ) inspire individuals and organizations to become part of the momentum created by the global @ @ @ @ @ It is a unique collaborative platform where both governments and non-governmental organizations stakeholders gather to @ @ @ @ @ climate issues under one umbrella .
Bringing together diverse stakeholders in the public and private @ @ @ @ @ of addressing climate change , is the main goal of the RCWs .
The RCWs @ @ @ @ @ provide space for a grassroots exchange of knowledge and best practices across the region on @ @ @ @ @ Contributions ( NDCs ) , National Adaptation Plans ( NAPs ) , Sustainable Development Goals @ @ @ @ @ Global Climate Action ( GCA ) .
Every year the RCWs are held in the @ @ @ @ @ Latin-America and Caribbean , and Asia-Pacific .
As of 2020 , a RCWs was also @ @ @ @ @ Middle East and Northern African region .


climatedepot--2020-04-15--WHO Official Peddles False Pandemic Link to ‘Climate Change’

World Health Organization ( WHO ) officials are diverting attention away from the real causes of global pandemics , and the Chinese government ’ s culpability in the spread of the Wuhan Covid-19 coronavirus , by launching propaganda falsely linking pandemics to global warming .
In the latest example , WHO researcher Arthur Wyns authored an article in Scientific American falsely claiming climate change may “ make the effects of a current or future pandemic worse.
” Overwhelming scientific evidence , however , shows a warmer climate reduces the likelihood and severity of epidemics and pandemics .
Wyns ’ article @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” dismisses without scientific support the likelihood that warmer temperatures inhibit the spread of coronavirus , just as scientists know warm weather inhibits the spread of influenza .
Transmissible diseases like the flu and the coronavirus , are far more prevalent during the late-fall , winter , and early spring , when the weather is cold and damp , rather than in the summer months when it is warm and dry .
Everyone knows the “ flu season ” runs from fall through early spring .
And colds , while not unheard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer as well .
In fact , cold temperatures kill many more people globally than warm or hot temperatures .
In an article published in the Southern Medical Journal in 2004 , W. R. Keatinge and G. C. Donaldson noted , “ Cold-related deaths are far more numerous than heat-related deaths in the United States , Europe , and almost all countries outside the tropics , and almost all of them are due to common illnesses that are increased by cold.
” More recently in a study published in the Lancet in 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locations in 13 countries , accounting for more than 74 million deaths , and found cold weather , directly or indirectly , killed 1,700 % more people than warm or hot weather .
Wyn also tells tall tales when he writes , “ climate change is causing widespread drought and desertification in much of the world , threatening the availability of water for consumption , food production , personal hygiene , and medical care , including for infectious disease.
” Yet the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ( IPCC ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientific consensus , finds no such link .
As reported in Climate at a Glance : Drought , “ The U.N. IPCC reports with ‘ high confidence ’ that precipitation has increased over mid-latitude land areas of the Northern Hemisphere ( including the United States ) during the past 70 years , while IPCC has “ low confidence ” about any negative trends globally .
( See https : //www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/sites/2/2019/06/SR15_Chapter3_Low_Res.pdf , p .
191 . )
” As reported by Climate Realism , this isn ’ t the first time that a WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change extremism and socialism .
In an address for the radical activist group Extinction Rebellion about coronavirus and climate change , Michael Marmot , a commission chairman at the WHO , praised massive government programs that will “ socialize the economy.
” Blaming pandemics on climate change may take attention away from the Chinese government ’ s culpability in the spread of coronavirus and the WHO ’ s incompetent response to coronavirus , but it advances shameful misinformation that is costing people their lives .


climatedepot--2020-04-14--German Climate Researcher, Geologist: ‘What Climate Scientists Could Learn From Virologists’ –

Corona shows the stark attitude differences between the sciences of climate and virology .
While one arrogantly claims to monopolize the truth , the other acknowledges the great uncertainties .
The corona virus with all the effects is currently pushing all other issues completely to the sidelines .
This also includes the climate topic .
Climate activists like Professor Volker Quaschning or Professor Stefan Rahmstorf know it .
Currently they fear for their livelihoods as they try to resist this with all their might , sometimes with absurd tweets or , as in the case of Professor Stefan Rahmstorf , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Denial of science in times of corona “ .
In his article , Professor Rahmstorf ( Oceanography and Paleoclimatology ! )
also fancies himself a corona expert , and he puts those who do not agree with him in climate research in the same bag with the scientists who are critical of the corona crisis and approach .
This is done completely without any basis because these are two completely different issues .
It is a contemptible attempt to desperately link corona and climate , no matter what .
This is being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue right now .
And before his own issue gets completely washed away , Rahmstorf is stooping to such means to try to get some attention .
This blog here admits that it lacks the expertise to properly judge the corona debate .
But something completely different is crucial here .
Anyone who looks at or listens to the regular statements or podcasts of experts such as Berlin virologist Professor Christian Drosten will see the pleasant difference to climate alarmists like Professors Quaschning or Rahmstorf .
Unlike them , Professor Drosten does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the truth .
On March 20 , 2020 , he explained in his podcast : “ There is no research data on long-range curfews .
Caution is also called for when dealing with numbers.
” … ” Summer can have at least a small effect on the virus.
” This has been the case since the beginning of his podcast series .
Professor Drosten has stated more than once that science does not yet know certain things or that certain findings have since become obsolete .
Imagine if he applied the popular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” to corona in the same way as Professors Rahmstorf or Quaschning do with climate .
Yet , climate models that fail to reflect reality still remain the basis for future scenarios .
They are taken at face value , even though their calibration fail when past data are applied .
And even worse , people are being told that there is a control over the climate that is now being lost .
Is this a lack of knowledge , a lack of respect for nature , or just their own blunt agenda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of the fact that the aforementioned people are sitting in ideological trenches and hurling grenades in the direction of the other side .
This is something you can do in a war , but unfortunately it does not lend to a social discourse .


climatedepot--2020-04-14--Ocasio-Cortez On Coronavirus: ‘Environmental Racism’ Is A ‘Pre-Existing Condition’

Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( NY ) claimed in an interview last week about the coronavirus that “ environmental racism ” was a “ pre-existing condition.
” Ocasio-Cortez made the remarks while claiming that racism was to blame for the outbreak being more severe in Democrat-controlled cities like New York City .
“ Inequality , environmental racism , these are pre-existing conditions , and when you have a pandemic – similar to what we saw with Hurricane Maria – when you have a natural disaster or an event like a pandemic hit communities that have already been ravaged by weakened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Ocasio-Cortez said .
“ The South Bronx has one of the highest childhood asthma rates in the country .
When we talk about environmental racism , we ’ re talking about illegal dumping , we ’ re talking about concentrating waste sites , and concentrating highways and trucking zones through the poorest communities in the country and the blackest communities , [ in ] the brownest communities.
” Inequality , environmental racism , these are pre-existing conditions , and when you have a pandemic – similar to what we saw with Hurricane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disaster or an event like a pandemic hit communities that have already been ravaged by weakened healthcare systems , weakened infrastructure .
The South Bronx has one of the highest childhood asthma rates in the country .
When we talk about environmental racism , we ’ re talking about illegal dumping , we ’ re talking about concentrating waste sites , and concentrating highways and trucking zones through the poorest communities in the country , and the blackest communities , [ in ] the brownest communities .
And so we already have an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respiratory illnesses in the Bronx , um , that is largely due to the trucking that comes through here , through the environmental inequalities that come through here , and so when you have the Cross Bronx Expressway , which was a notorious project of racism by Robert Moses – the way that he tried to concentrate and push these communities and design these communities through – when you have the toll of health inequities and on top of that , these are our frontline workers , where you see our frontline workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same places where you are seeing COVID cases spiking .
Black and brown workers are overwhelmingly part of this frontline .
They are the grocery store workers , they are the delivery workers , they are hospital workers , including janitorial staff , and so when you have this pandemic layer on top of it , when you pair that to the unequal access to care , when you pair that with ratios of hospital beds far lower than more affluent communities , this is what you get .
And so when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response it ’ s , you know , I believe that the city is doing absolutely everything that it can , but we also have to acknowledge that there are two entirely different starting lines that these communities are starting with , and so we ’ ve been working very hard , but also , when we don ’ t push for things like rent and more – full rent and mortgage moratoriums , you push these workers to go outside because they feel a pressure to make their rent and they may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may take work under the table in order to make ends meet .
And so without this economic relief , it also adds to the public health issues that we currently face .


climatedepot--2020-04-14--Which is going to die first – corona virus fever or climate change?

“ Now , supposed connections of the CV-19 virus with “ climate change ” are also being proposed .
If there is any credence to that at all , it can only be that the massive misappropriations of some western countries in order to “ save the climate ” are the cause rather than a solution to deaths from viral diseases.
” – Dr. Klaus L.E .
Kaiser _____________ Which is going to die first – corona virus fever or climate change ?
The news is dire and , in some ways getting worse .
There are more reported “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day and , as of late , more “ climate change ” alarmism , sometimes in the same breath .
Government entities around the world have prescribed draconian measures to curtail individual freedoms of all kinds , like assembly and movement , like voicing opinions and more .
All of that solely in the name of fighting the COVID-19 ( CV-19 ) virus .
Universities are closed , many for the entire term .
Most schools are closed as well .
Not to mention concert halls , theaters , and other public events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) “ social ” or “ physical ” distance requirement can not be met .
These rules are ruining the livelihood of many people and the advancement in knowledge and understanding of the younger generation .
This will have long-term detrimental repercussions not just for themselves but for the entire society .
In the agricultural sector , many farms that have relied on the help of experienced seasonal workers to prune fruit trees and plant seedlings are not allowed or are unable to travel to their former destinations .
Even local helpers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pickup truck for a few miles can not do so without breaking the law .
In addition , recent severe frosts over much of eastern Europe have decimated or annihilated this year ’ s expected harvest of tree fruits .
And , even at the nation state level , “ to hell ” with your best friend ’ s purchase order – even if paid in advance .
The new marching orders are claimed to be : We are in this all together — Really ?
To any independent observer , it looks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or as best as one can !
Good riddance to the thought of a “ global family ” of well-minded folks .
When push comes to shove , as currently in vogue , there ’ s “ no holds barred.
” One of the first victims of the new view is , widely observable in my mind , any truthful reporting by the main-stream media ( MSM ) on whatever .
This problem starts already with the terminology used for certain events , for example the term “ case ( s ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for “ climate change ” and “ decarbonisation ” plans of many western societies , all based on the faulty belief of carbon dioxide being a driver of the “ climate , ” those funds would have better gone to beneficial social support rather than to economy destroying programs .
The people who suffer most from such COVID-inspired rules are not the elderly ( who , admittedly , suffer the most deaths ) but the young generations that are already severely short-shrifted in terms of their ability to raise families in the hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That observation leaves me with one crucial question : Cui bono — who benefits from this “ globalist ” scheme ?
Dr. Klaus L.E .
Kaiser is a professional scientist with a Ph.D. in chemistry from the Technical University , Munich , Germany .
He has worked as a research scientist and project chief at Environment Canada ‘ s Canada Centre for Inland Waters for over 30 years and is currently Director of Research at TerraBase Inc .
He is author of nearly 300 publications in scientific journals , government and agency reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ magazines , and newspaper articles .
Dr. Kaiser has been president of the International Association for Great Lakes Research , a peer reviewer of numerous scientific papers for several journals , Editor-in-Chief of the Water Quality Research Journal of Canada for nearly a decade , and an adjunct professor .
He has contributed to a variety of scientific projects and reports and has made many presentations at national and international conferences .
Dr. Kaiser is author of CONVENIENT MYTHS , the green revolution – perceptions , politics , and facts convenientmyths.com Dr. Kaiser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protected ] The post Which is going to die first – corona virus fever or climate change ?
appeared first on Ice Age Now .


climatedepot--2020-04-14--Trump EPA Plans to Retain Current Air Quality Standards in Science-Driven Decision

The Environmental Protection Agency administrator today proposed a rule to retain current national ambient air quality standards ( NAAQS ) for fine ( PM2.5 ) and coarse ( PM10 ) particulate matter .
The Clean Air Act requires EPA to update its NAAQS standards every five years based on the latest science .
“ Administrator Wheeler is pursuing a sensible course , proposing to retain the current particulate matter national air quality standards ( NAAQS ) instead of tighten them .
The proposal is based on the latest peer-reviewed , vetted science and continuing uncertainties about the health risks of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are below the current standards .
“ Air quality should continue to improve under the current standards as newer vehicles and equipment replace older capital stock .
For example , emissions of all six NAAQS-regulated ( “ criteria ” ) air pollutants declined by the following percentages during 2016-2018 : NOX ( 8.7 % ) , PM2.5 ( 1.9 % ) , SO2 ( 7.8 % ) , CO ( 7.2 % ) and VOC ( 3.3 % ) .
“ The Clean Air Act requires EPA to update each NAAQS every five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a key goal of EPA ’ s ‘ back to basics ’ agenda .
When finalized , today ’ s proposal will be the first time in EPA ’ s history that the agency met a statutory deadline for updating a NAAQS .
”


climatedepot--2020-04-14--Green New Deal goes viral, and fails

Green New Deal goes viral, and fails

Proponents of the Green New Deal ( GND ) tell us that increasing human carbon dioxide emissions are fueling a dangerous rise in worldwide temperature .
This temperature rise is then linked to a laundry list of climate-related catastrophes like droughts , floods and fires that are ongoing and only going to get worse unless drastic measures are taken .
Their solution ?
Force consumers and industries away from the consumption of the fossil fuels and toward carbon-free energy sources like wind , solar and geothermal .
Glaringly missing from most of these green proposals is an embrace of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reliable energy – nuclear and hydro-electric projects ( but that is a story for a different day ) .
All the Democratic candidates , including the last man standing – Joe Biden , embraced some version of the GND , only differing in whose proposals would deindustrialize the United States the fastest .
Make no mistake , a deindustrialization of America would be the result of moving our economy away from the affordable , abundant and reliable energy derived from the fossil fuels that power the country .
The overarching goal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to lower atmospheric greenhouse gas by halting these emissions across all sectors of the global economy .
With the economic collapse induced by COVID-19 stay-at home orders across much of the globe , we have been conducting a painful experiment that closely resembles the massive reductions envisioned by the United Nations ’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the many aligned green advocacy groups .
No hard data is yet available on exact numbers of the recent emission reductions , but the reduction will likely be significant from decreased oil demand , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in CO2 emissions from China have been estimated to be as much as 25 % lower in the last month .
According to the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) the primary sources of greenhouse gas in the United States are transportation ( 29 % ) , electricity generation ( 28 % ) and industry ( 22 % ) .
Of these three sectors , electricity generation is likely to be least affected by the shutdown , as more people are staying home and increasing the residential load by cooking , watching Net @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the decline in industrial demand .
Demand is down across the New York Control Area only 2 % to 18 % , while some countries in the EU like Spain , Ireland and France are reporting slight increases in electric demand .
Meanwhile , both the transportation and industrial sectors will likely exhibit quite substantial reductions in CO2 emissions .
Nearly all non-essential travel has been curtailed and many industrial activities have been reduced .
The result has been an unprecedented worldwide lab experiment on how shutting down global CO2 emissions would impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would surmise that the result from the self-imposed lockdown and consequent reduction in CO2 emissions would be a noticeable decline in atmospheric carbon dioxide , or at the very least a reduction in the rate of increase of the gas .
On April 8th , the Mauna Loa Observatory released their report on the previous month ’ s ( March 2020 ) concentration , and the data was shockingly contrary to what I and others had expected .
Not only was there no decrease in the level of atmospheric CO2 , the rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent daily measurement as of the time of this post on April 9th set a new record high concentration ( 417.85 ppm ) .
The lack of an effect whatsoever on global CO2 levels after the huge decline in emissions should be a wakeup call to any of the politicians advancing economically crippling measures like the Green New Deal or the Paris climate accord .
In particular , those Republicans that have recently embraced carbon taxation or Cap and Trade schemes in a misguided attempt to control the uncontrollable ( global temperature ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ article appeared on the Watts Up With That ?
website at https : //wattsupwiththat.com/2020/04/14/green-new-deal-goes-viral-and-fails/


climatedepot--2020-04-14--Corona Exposes Inconvenient Truth: Pollution From Diesel Cars Grossly Over-hyped By German Activists

Roland Tichy ’ s site here reports that although car traffic in the German city of Stuttgart has decreased significantly due to COVID-19 , the drop in NO2 content has only been “ slight ” .
So it can not be the evil diesel engine cars that are “ choking ” our cities .
“ The Corona crisis is bringing it to light : car traffic has decreased significantly , but the air quality in city centers has hardly changed , ” Tichy comments .
Recall that a major reduction of diesel engines was supposed to improve air quality .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Institute for the Environment ( LUBW ) , for example , have attributed a large 80 percent share of air pollutants especially to diesel vehicles – so they have to be banned soon .
Yet Tichy notes : “ If this is true , the ‘ shutdown ’ would have to have a drastic effect .
But it does not.
” It turns out that the involuntary “ corona experiment ” with its widespread stop of car traffic has exposed bare the false claim made by environmental activists : Diesel cars are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities .
According to Tichy , the “ Corona Experiment ” exposes just how pointless driving bans issued by the green transport ministers can be .
“ They obviously have no effect on the NO2 concentrations in the air.
” “ The measured values , for example , at the Am Neckartor station in the Stuttgart city center were already below the limit value of 40 µg/m3 in February and March , ” writes Tichy .
“ At that time , traffic was still flowing and ‘ shutdown ’ had not yet been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measurement expert Martin Schraag accuses proponents of car bans of data “ manipulation ” and reminds that today ’ s “ newer vehicles and those retrofitted with software updates hardly emit any exhaust gases .
This should also have been reflected in the results.
” Schraag notes that NO2 values fluctuate strongly and depend heavily on Stuttgart ’ s weather conditions and wintertime heating can be the cause .
“ The weather , if you look at the data , has a decisive influence , ” Tichy comments .
“ The experts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care about these influences and officially know nothing about them .
They still assume that traffic accounts for 80 percent of air pollutants.
” Now they are facing difficulties in explaining the situation .
As Schraag suspects , the 80 percent figure can not be correct if there are significantly fewer cars on the road and yet the values have not changed .
The Bavarian State Office for the Environment also confirmed that the air pollutants in the city of Würzburg – hometown of former NBA superstar Dirk Nowitzski – had hardly changed @ @ @ @ @ @ @


climatedepot--2020-04-14--European politicians, CEOs, lawmakers urge green coronavirus recovery – Seek  ‘transition to a clima

European politicians, CEOs, lawmakers urge green coronavirus recovery – Seek  ‘transition to a climate-neutral economy’

BRUSSELS – European politicians , CEOs , lawmakers and activists called on Tuesday for green investment to restart growth after @ @ @ @ @ fighting climate change and promoting biodiversity would rebuild stronger economies .
“ After the crisis @ @ @ @ @ to rebuild , ” said a joint letter signed by 180 political decision-makers , business @ @ @ @ @ NGOs and think tanks urging a green stimulus for growth .
“ The transition to @ @ @ @ @ protection of biodiversity and the transformation of agri-food systems have the potential to rapidly deliver @ @ @ @ @ to contribute to building more resilient societies.
” Calling fallout from…


climatedepot--2020-04-14--Global Electric Vehicle Sales Expected To Fall 43% In 2020

Sales of global electric vehicle ( EV ) are expected to drop by 43 % this year , as uncertainty @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic affects demand , Kallanish Energy reports .
According to a new research from @ @ @ @ @ for 2020 are projected at 1.3 million , compared with 2.2 million in 2019 .
@ @ @ @ @ to fleet purchasing due to lower oil price and a wait-and-see approach to buying new @ @ @ @ @ Global sales are expected to fall mostly in the second and third quarters , as @ @ @ @ @ the virus and its impact on the economy .
Wood Mackenzie ’ s estimates also @ @ @ @ @ 2020 .
The consulting firm believes China will catch up to 2019 demand by November @ @ @ @ @ do so by December .
Year-on-year demand in the U.S. is projected to lag 2019 @ @ @ @ @ year-end .
The post Global EV Sales Expected To Fall 43 % In 2020 appeared @ @ @ @ @ Policy Forum ( GWPF ) .


climatedepot--2020-04-14--France Faces Climate Shutdown As Green Soviets Demand Ban On Cars, Hypermarkets & 5G

President Macron ’ s attempt to appease yellow-vest protesters has saddled him with radical ecological policy proposals likely to further damage the wobbling French economy .
They stem from his decision to delegate the fight against climate change to 150 members of the public chosen at random .
That group has now come up with a plan to modify the way the French shop , travel and produce food , including the closure of out-of-town hypermarkets to encourage shopping locally , and shelving the 5G network because it uses 30 per cent more electricity than previous iterations .
The panel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cars that emit more than 110g of CO per kilometre by 2025 — far below that emitted by most existing vehicles , in effect outlawing them — and a ban on advertising hoardings to prevent consumers driving long distances to buy products they do not need .
Television , radio , internet and press advertisements for products generating high levels of CO would also be banned , and those that were authorised would have to carry the wording : “ Do you really need this ?
Overconsumption harms the planet.
” The post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Demand Ban On Cars , Hypermarkets & 5G appeared first on The Global Warming Policy Forum ( GWPF ) .


climatedepot--2020-04-14--ALL Quiet On The ‘Climate Emergency’ Front : Healthy Sea-Ice Levels At Both Poles

IN case you hadn ’ t noticed , the COVID19 crisis has been highly successful in drowning out the mainstream media ’ s of mass fear and panic – ClimateChange™ .
PERHAPS the timing is fortunate as recent and prominent climate data hasn ’ t really held up as ammunition-worthy material in support of their “ climate emergency ” nightly narrative , or whatever the latest GretaThunberg™ meme of the day requires .
TWO of the favoured metrics used by CC activists and sycophant mainstream media , in order to push their memes , are conditions applicable to the Arctic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
UNFORTUNATELY for climate ambulance chasers , sea-ice levels for the Arctic and Antarctica are tapping and well within the long-term average respectively .
Completely at odds with ‘ expert ’ and mainstream media predictions and U.N. climate model forecasts .
ACCORDING to NOAA , Antarctic sea-ice coverage in March came in THIS rebound time ( 41 months ) matches nicely the time from the date when a significant portion of sea-ice was blasted away by a “ perfect storm of tropical , polar conditions not due to climate change ” – Malte @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebound from 2016 to present… ACCORDING to NOAA , “ coverage was 11th smallest for March in the 42-year record ” NOTE the complete lack of Arctic melt since 2005 .
In fact , there has been a slight increase in sea-ice growth since 2005 .
WHERE is the acknowledgment from NOAA that there has been *no* Arctic sea-ice melt , at all , since 2005 ?
PERHAPS I prefer a “ glass half full ” approach to climate data analysis , whereas NOAA prefers a “ glass half empty ” when assessing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a critical thinker , can work out why this is the case .
ANTARCTICA has always been a thorn in the side of ClimateChange™ .
It is very much the ‘ inconvenient ’ pole , the naughty child , that has been gaining ice mass and cooling for decades , despite a 20 per cent increase in atmospheric CO2 , and model predictions to the contrary .
THE Arctic , however , has been the veritable whipping-boy for the climate activist movement , as it has seen clear declines in sea-ice levels since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hardly the declines that the mainstream media and ‘ experts ’ made us believe to be true , according to their dire and hyper-alarmist predictions .
HERE is a taste of what the media and ‘ expert ’ s ’ told you about Arctic sea-ice having “ disappeared ” years ago … • “ Could all Arctic ice be gone by 2012 ?
” ( AP 2007 ) • “ Arctic Sea Ice Gone in Summer Within Five Years ?
” ( National Geographic 2007 ) • “ Imagine yourself in a world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no more ice over the Arctic ” – Tim Flannery ( 2008 ) • “ North Pole could be ice-free in 2008 ” – Mark Serreze ( New Scientist 2008 ) • “ Ice-free Arctic in two years heralds methane catastrophe – scientist ” ( The Guardian 2013 ) • “ Next year or the year after , the Arctic will be free of ice ’ ” – Peter Wadhams ( The Guardian 2016 ) CLIMATE DUD-PREDICTIONS : ‘ Ice-Free ’ Arctic Prophesies By The ‘ 97 % Consensus ’ And Compliant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shame ?
Or is their ClimateChange™ ‘ jihad ’ too firmly entrenched for honest science and empirical data to exist , ever ?


climatedepot--2020-04-14--New US Vehicle Emission Rules Will Save Americans’ Lives and Money

The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient ( SAFE ) Vehicles Rule will cut the average price of new vehicles by $ 1,000 without compromising the rigorous environmental standards that have made America a world leader in clean air .
In a time when millions have been laid off in the wake of the coronavirus and too many families are struggling to make ends meet , the Trump administration ’ s new vehicle emission standards are a step in the right direction that America needs .
During my nearly two decades of working with the trucking industry , I learned that regulations like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cost of getting goods from warehouses and factories to stores .
Those costs are ultimately passed along to all of us in the form of higher prices .
Heavy-handed emissions regulations have the same unintended consequence on passenger cars .
Increasing fuel economy may seem like a noble idea — and it ’ s an idea many support — but it ends up tying manufacturers ’ hands and driving prices up .
Manufacturers are forced to produce cars most customers don ’ t want , in order to make their fleets meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cars they make .
Car prices have been rising significantly faster than income in recent years , thanks in large part to these constantly escalating regulations .
Rather than take out hefty loans for more expensive vehicles , many people choose to keep their old cars longer .
The average American drives a car that ’ s nearly 12 years old , the highest since researchers began tracking this data in 2002 .
Though continuing to drive an old car that still runs might be the frugal choice — and many families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older vehicles also come with serious safety risks .
Given the new safety features and better overall design of new cars , the SAFE Rule is projected to save 3,300 lives over the next 10 years and keep 46,000 people out of the hospital following a crash—all because they were able to afford a newer car that was previously out of reach .
Even before the coronavirus struck our economy , far too many families were trapped in what public policy experts call “ energy poverty , ” meaning the inability to comfortably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , including electricity and natural gas bills as well as gasoline .
The post New US Vehicle Emission Rules Will Save Americans ’ Lives and Money appeared first on The Global Warming Policy Forum ( GWPF ) .


climatedepot--2020-04-14--‘ARCTIC APRIL’ GRIPS NORTH AMERICA BREAKING HUNDREDS OF ALL-TIME COLD RECORDS

Record cold and snowfall hit many parts of North America over the Easter weekend , continuing what has so far been a largely Arctic April .
Records were toppled across many U.S. states , with Montana , Iowa , South Dakota , and Colorado seemingly worst hit .
A winter storm system moved through Iowa on Sunday delivering between three inches and a foot to the majority of locations — several northern Iowa towns saw their all-time records tumble : The 3.7 inches reported at Sioux Gateway Airport broke the record for April 12th ; it also made it the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4.7 inches during Easter 1929 .
The town of Ringsted in Emmet County ( also Iowa ) came in with a record-busting 11 inches .
Robert “ Lightning ” Petersen was the man to logged the new record — he uses his back yard to park measuring equipment to keep track of snowfall , and rainfall .
He works in concert with the National Weather Service out of Johnston .
When the snow fell on Easter Sunday , he checked his 12-inch gauge and was shocked to discover the almost 1 foot total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flabbergasted because it was not a blizzard activity during the day , ” said Petersen .
“ But holy smokes , when I got that gauge up on the deck , it was plum full .
I thought it can ’ t be .
I must be seeing things.
” According to the National Weather Service ( NWS ) , other Eastern snowfall records tumbled in Rock Valley ( 7 inches ) , Hull ( 6.5 inches ) , and Rock Rapids ( 8.3 inches ) .
Nearby Sioux Falls , South Dakota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the most snowfall on any date in the city going back to 1893 .
Denver ’ s Monday morning low temperature of 16F broke the city ’ s record for coldest April 13 ever , with snow expected throughout the week .
The cold record , which was set at Denver International Airport –the official recording site for Denver– eclipsed the previous record of 17F set way back in 1933 , the NWS confirmed in a Tweet : The all-time record for ‘ coldest high temperature ’ also fell on Monday — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ousted by a full two degrees : Trawling through the NWS Boulder ’ s Twitter feed , this snowfall nugget also emerged : Boulder has already had 134.3″ of snow this season — the 5th largest accumulation on record : The story was all-too similar in and around Rochester , MN .
It was an Easter snowstorm residents of southeast Minnesota will be talking about for some time , reads a krocnews.com article .
Rochester ’ s official total at the city airport was 7.5 inches .
That pipped the previous record for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also made it the city ’ s 4th snowiest April day of all-time .
The NWS reported even heavier falls in Elgin ( 10.8 inches ) , Wabasha ( 10 inches ) , and the Oronoco area ( 9.7 inches ) .
Winter is also proving hard to shake in Wyoming .
A long-standing weather station southeast of Gillette observed a low of 4F on Monday morning , according to NWS meteorologist Matt Bunkers .
That low smashed the previous all-time daily record low of 9F set in 1997 , in books dating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bunkers said dipping 5 degrees below a previous record , especially in the month of April , is “ interesting to witness ” .
Looking forward , he added that winter will hold a tight grasp on the region throughout the week .
Monday night ’ s low is projected to be 8F , with area thermometers not expected to top 40F until Saturday .
In addition , heavy snow was headed Gillette ’ s way over the Easter weekend , triggering a level 1 Snow Emergency : There was also numerous cold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The city of Kamloops , British Columbia suffered -3.9C on Sunday morning , tying the coldest ever recorded temperature on April 12 which was set back in 1971 .
“ We had a pretty significant cold front go through the province this weekend , ” said Environment Canada meteorologist Lisa Erven .
“ There was even some low elevation snow fall.
” The COLD TIMES are returning , the lower latitudes ( where us humans reside ) are REFREEZING ; in line with historically low solar activity , cloud-nucleating Cosmic Rays , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NASA agrees , in part at least , with their forecast for this upcoming solar cycle ( 25 ) revealing it will be “ the weakest of the past 200 years , ” with the agency correlating previous solar shutdowns to prolonged periods of global cooling here .
Don ’ t fall for bogus warm-mongering political agendas — our future is one of ever-descending COLD & CROP LOSS .
Prepare accordingly — learn the facts , relocate if need be , and GROW YOUR OWN .
Social Media channels are restricting Electroverse ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to receive new post notifications by email ( the box is located in the sidebar > > > or scroll down if on mobile ) .
And/or become a Patron , by clicking here : patreon.com/join/electroverse The site receives ZERO funding , and never has .
Any way you can , help us spread the message so others can survive and thrive in the coming times .


climatedepot--2020-04-13--UK Guardian activists hope Coronavirus lockdown becomes climate lockdown: ‘What was once impossible

UK Guardian activists hope Coronavirus lockdown becomes climate lockdown: ‘What was once impossible (socialist, reckless) now turns out not to be, at all’

UK Guardian editorial : `` The brakes placed on economic activities of many kinds , worldwide , have led to carbon emission cuts that would previously have been unthinkable : 18 % in China between February and March ; between 40 % and 60 % over recent weeks in Europe .
Habits and behaviours once regarded as sacrosanct have been turned on their heads : road traffic in the UK has fallen by 70 % .
Global air traffic has halved . ''
... `` Huge political shifts are under way , with fiscally conservative governments such as Boris Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unprecedented extent .
What was once impossible ( socialist , reckless ) now turns out not to be , at all .
Could the renewed shock of human vulnerability in the face of Covid-19 make way for an increased willingness to face other perils , climate chaos among them ? ''
... `` But with the postponement of crucial UN biodiversity and climate conferences , it has never been more important to keep up the pressure .
There is no exit strategy from our planet . ''
The Guardian view on the climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ falls in emissions have been the pandemic ’ s immediate effect .
But what ’ s needed is a green recovery So far , discussions of a coronavirus exit strategy have mainly focused on the steps that could bring an end to the lockdown .
In the short term , both in the UK and elsewhere , there is nothing more desirable than letting people resume their lives , once it is safe to do so .
But the speed of the “ return to normal ” is not the only thing that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world ’ s leaders manage the colossal economic and political shocks caused by the virus is also of the utmost importance .
And at the top of their list of priorities , alongside human welfare , must be the biosphere and its future .
It ’ s too soon to say with any confidence what impact coronavirus will have on the climate emergency .
The brakes placed on economic activities of many kinds , worldwide , have led to carbon emission cuts that would previously have been unthinkable : 18 % in China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % and 60 % over recent weeks in Europe .
Habits and behaviours once regarded as sacrosanct have been turned on their heads : road traffic in the UK has fallen by 70 % .
Global air traffic has halved .
Meanwhile , a much-needed spotlight has been thrown on humans ’ troubling relationship to wildlife , with some experts arguing that the degradation of the natural world and exploitation of other species is among the pandemic ’ s causes .
In human terms , the economic contraction precipitated by the virus – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead to a severe depression – is sure to be brutal .
No one , and least of all an elected government , would have chosen to limit emissions in this way .
But if further savage waves of destruction to people ’ s livelihoods are to be avoided , rather than simply stored up or ignored until they become unignorable , just as coronavirus was , every possible effort must now be made to ensure that the recovery , when it comes , is as green as possible ; that any and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ energy and zero- or low-carbon infrastructure and transport .
The urgency and desperation surrounding all such efforts are likely to militate against progressive measures .
Already , governments are coming under huge pressure to bail out oil and gas companies ( in the US and Canada this has already begun ) .
But while in the short term the low oil price , which is also the result of a price war being waged by Saudi Arabia and Russia , could have the damaging effect of making oil more competitive against renewables , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide an opportunity that must be seized by all who oppose the continued dominance of fossil fuels .


climatedepot--2020-04-13--New Studies: Europe Is No Warmer Today Than It Was During Medieval Times

Two new papers use tree ring proxy evidence to suggest modern European temperatures are neither unusual nor higher than they @ @ @ @ @ Period .
Esper et al .
( 2020 ) have produced a new temperature reconstruction @ @ @ @ @ past reconstructions for Northern and Central Europe .
They find “ the warmest 30-year period @ @ @ @ @ high Medieval times ( 876–905 CE=+0.78 °C w.r.t .
1961–1990 ) and has been slightly @ @ @ @ @ from 1985–2014 ( +0.71 °C ) “ .
The proxy evidence and instrumental record also @ @ @ @ @ obvious net warming in Southern Europe since the 1940s .
Past reconstructions for Northern and @ @ @ @ @ unusual warming has occurred over the last century , with as-warm or warmer temperatures during @ @ @ @ @ al.
, 2020 cite tree ring temperature studies from Scandinavia , Scotland , Continental Europe @ @ @ @ @ also show the 1930s and 1940s were as-warm or warmer than recent decades .


climatedepot--2020-04-13--Japan minister: UN Paris accord under threat if coronavirus trumps ‘climate change’

TOKYO ( Reuters ) – Japanese Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi warned on Monday that the Paris climate accord could face death if steps to fight global warming were put on the backburner to facilitate the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic .
Many economists and policymakers are forecasting a steep global recession this year as countries are forced into lockdowns to contain the spread of the coronavirus , curtailing business activity in a major blow to jobs and incomes .
“ It would virtually mean the death of the Paris accord if we gave priority unconditionally to economic recovery , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told Reuters in an interview .
Under the landmark 2015 Paris accord , nearly 200 nations agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a bid to prevent catastrophic planetary warming .
“ No one at the environment ministry disagrees that the economy is important .
We just would like to behave in a way that ensures the environment will never be left behind , ” said Koizumi .
Japan last month submitted to the United Nations its closely watched target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a five-year review .
The goal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year ending March 2031 from levels seen in fiscal 2013 was unchanged from five years ago , disappointing climate change campaigners , although the country said it will pursue effort for further cuts .
Koizumi , who turns 39 on Tuesday , said in the interview that he aims to submit a more aggressive target by the next climate summit due to take place in Glasgow next year .
The conference , known as COP26 , was originally scheduled for November , but has been postponed to 2021 because of the coronavirus outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) as a positive development and will strive to create a situation where we can take part in COP26 with our heads held high , ” Koizumi said .


climatedepot--2020-04-13--Fred Singer RIP: Man’made climate change fears are ‘nonsense’

The first time I laid eyes on climate science pioneer Fred Singer was in a scenic elevator at the Marriot Marquis in NYC , in March of 2008 .
The hotel was hosting the premiere International Conference on Climate Change ( ICCC ) , and I was there to cover the event for American Thinker .
Dr. Singer was there not only to dazzle the crowd of noted skeptical climate scientists , economists and policy experts from around the world , but also to launch his new Non-IPCC report , a rebuttal to the agenda-driven propaganda of the then recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We had exchanged a few emails prior to this chance encounter , but most were quick fact-checks or update-requests relating to article research .
So I was more than a bit surprised when this science legend gave my press-badge the once-over , then smiled and said , “ So you ’ re Marc from American Thinker… nice to finally meet you , Marc.
” My struggle for a warm-yet-clever response lasted all of two heartbeats as the elevator door whooshed open , and out stepped the man whose climate knowledge I revered most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you at lunch , ” his words barely made it through the closing doors .
I knew he was referring to that day ’ s upcoming plenary lunch session at which he would officially debut what would become the climate-skeptics ’ bible .
Singer was editor and lead author of Nature , Not Human Activity , Rules the Climate [ PDF ] , subtitled Summary for Policymakers of the Report of the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change .
The NIPCC had been established in 2007 by Singer ’ s Science and Environmental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekly newsletters remain aggregators of “ The Week That Was ” in non-agenda-driven science .
Throughout their many revisions , the NIPCC reports continue to distinguish themselves from the IPCC in that they are not pre-programmed to “ support the hypotheses of anthropogenic global warming ( AGW ) and the control of greenhouse gases.
” Instead , they remain a non-political authoritative rebuttal to the multi-government-controlled IPCC ’ s “ errors and outright falsehoods ” regarding warming ’ s measurement , likely drivers , and overall impact .
Although I never caught up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that day , our paths would cross again many times .
Over the next few years , we ’ d see each other at various ICCC venues and we ’ d exchange emails now and then when he ’ d happily reply to any research questions I asked .
He was , after all , not only the most-prominent scientist in the world bravely speaking out against the scourge of climate alarmism , but also the most easily accessible .
And what an amazing backstory .
Singer fled Nazi-occupied Austria as a boy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the U.S. Navy during WWII , earned his PhD in physics from Princeton University in 1948 , designed satellites in the 1950s and became the first director of the U.S. weather-satellite program in the early 1960s .
Over the course of his storied career , Singer published more than 200 peer-reviewed scientific papers .
Indeed , the volume and breadth of his contributions and accomplishments are nothing short of astounding and far too numerous to consolidate in one space , although his longtime friends and NIPCC publishers over at the Heartland Institute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This one blows me away : Imagine that !
And that such a mind was so quickly ( and wrongfully ) dismissed by climate alarmists as belonging to an “ oil shill ” .
What nonsense .
Singer wrote about his amazing GTR journeys in his 2015 AT piece “ Einstein , Your GPS ( and Me ) .
” It ’ s a captivating read , indeed .
Still , it was unquestionably Singer ’ s relentless work as the world-renowned “ skeptical ” scientist which rocketed him to either fame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politics .
By the time I met him via email in 2006 , Singer had already achieved a lifetime of successes as a climatologist , having established SEPP in 1990 and waged intellectual battle with the IPCC since its 2nd Assessment Report ( AR2 ) in 1995 , both in writing and at the many lectures he ’ s given over the years .
Two recurring themes in Singer ’ s prose and presentations were that climate sensitivity to CO is much lower than IPCC estimates ( read his October 2014 AT piece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that the UN climate models don ’ t match observed temperatures , mostly due to their ignorance of negative feedbacks ( see 2016 ’ s “ Climate Change : The Burden of Proof ” ) .
Singer often challenged the IPCC for proof of its claim that AGW was 90-99 % certain , and to respond to the many “ disputed and unsolved problems.
” These include the true figure for climate sensitivity , whether water vapor and clouds represent positive or negative feedback , the impacts of natural forcings ( internal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , atmospheric CO2 residence time and the rate of sea level rise ( SLR ) , which Singer often stated ( including in last year ’ s AT piece on the subject ) has been an unalarmingly constant 7 inches per century for 3000 years .
In his 2006 ( coauthored ) book , Unstoppable Global Warming — Every 1500 Years , evidence is presented which supports fluctuations in solar energy causing the title .
The book describes how the frequency of the cycle originally emerged from a 1983 study of ice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then verified by analysis of an ice core from Antarctica ’ s Vostok Glacier — at the other end of the world , which showed the same 1,500-year cycle through its 400,000-year length .
These 1,500-year cycles analyzed include the Little Ice Age of 1300-1850 and the modern warm period which started around 1850 and we experience to this day .
Singer ’ s conclusion ?
Once you recognize that we ’ re dealing with natural and not human forces , all the “ to-do ” about AGW is “ nonsense.
” Attempts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pollutant — are pointless , very expensive and completely ineffective .
They ’ ll have no effect on the climate and in fact will have little effect on the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere .
Besides , “ a moderate warming trend ” will have “ beneficial effects for humanity and wildlife.
” He was Scientist , Speaker , Author , Co-Author and Editor Singer ’ s unique , soft-spoken wit was imbued in his writing , as in this example from 2007 where , in his characteristic good-humored fashion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ typical mistake of confusing cause and effect : In that same piece , Singer also dismissed the canard of “ consensus ” in climate science : This emphasis on contrarian individual thought over groupthink was a repeating peeve of Singer ’ s .
After day 1 of ICCC2 back in 2009 , the NYT ’ s Andrew Revkin did a trash-piece titled , “ Skeptics Dispute Climate Worries and Each Other.
” Revkin played the old divide et impera card — characterizing scientific points of debate as “ internal rifts ” within skeptics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ division ” and “ dissent ” to imply disruptive disunity throughout .
And he highlighted Singer ’ s derogation of the single GHG-theory dissenting “ Slayer ” present .
The piece evoked a bit of angst among conference-goers the next morning .
Not Singer .
When asked , his response was characteristically simple and delivered with his trademark smile : “ There ’ s disagreement among skeptics — and that is good.
” This was a position I ’ d relish just one year later .
In early 2010 , Fred approached me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of course , all hands were excited about just what a score this would represent for the site .
And I was presented the honor and privilege of “ editing ” an S. Fred Singer piece prior to submission , which seemed a dream-come-true – at first .
But , as providence would have it , a “ disagreement ” threatened to turn the dream into a nightmare .
For the first time since undertaking his tutelage , fate had chosen this , of all times , for me to take issue with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The details are inconsequential , but suffice to say , there was a controversial slogan arising from the Climategate affair , the meaning of which the doctor and I fervently disagreed upon .
And while this putative “ detail ” was mentioned almost casually in Singer ’ s piece , its alternate represented the very heart of many of my recent AT pieces , including an article mentioned in the Climategate emails .
But Singer was , understandably , implacable in his position .
What a quandary I was in !
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denigrate not only countless hours of work but also my credibility on the subject .
But how could a software engineer/data analyst possibly overrule the position of an exalted legend in the climate field on a matter relating to climate science ?
This could have easily become my worst experience ever at AT .
But it wasn ’ t .
It wasn ’ t because rather than pull rank , Singer mercifully suggested a compromise in his wording , and , in doing so , let me off the hook .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his mind , but rather to demonstrate best the man ’ s gentle nature , the strength of his intellect notwithstanding .
That was Fred .
Later that year , when I mentioned in an email that WaPo had referred to him as “ aging ” in a recent hit-piece , he quickly responded with his typical good humor , “ but very gracefully , I should note.
” I could easily envision his smile as I read his words , despite my anger at WaPo for obnoxiously claiming that “ very few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as ‘ renowned ’ for his climate research , ” words which the venerated climatologist simply shrugged off .
And rightly so .
Fred Singer was nothing short of a giant in his field and exuded the confidence which came with knowing it .
But , at the same time , he was a modest , soft-spoken man , one whose wisdom and kindness enriched all he met .
Life has taken me in other directions since meeting one of my heroes on that March morning a dozen years ago in a scenic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have passed since last we spoke .
But I ’ ll never forget that day .
Nor everything Fred taught me before and since .
Siegfried Frederick Singer passed away in his sleep on April 6 , 2020 at the age of 95 .
And this is my long goodbye to a great man whose legend and teachings will surely live on .