The Week That Was: 2014-07-19 (July 19, 2014) Brought to You by SEPP (www.SEPP.org) The Science and Environmental Policy Project

Quote of the Week: The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers.[or relies on TV news] Thomas Jefferson [H/t Tim Ball] Number of the Week: +0.69 ºC or +1.24 ºF

THIS WEEK: By Ken Haapala, Executive Vice President, Science and Environmental Policy Project (SEPP)

ICCC-9: The Ninth International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC-9) sponsored by the Heartland Institute continues to garner attention. Roy Spencer, co-developer of the method of measuring atmospheric temperatures via satellites, the most comprehensive temperature record in existence, wrote that it was the most energetic of the Heartland conferences he has attended over the years.

“Clearly, we skeptics feel our point of view is being vindicated, that (1) warming is relatively benign, (2) warming is only partly human-caused, (3) the benefits of more CO2 in the atmosphere appear to greatly outweigh the risks, and (4) there’s little that can be done about reducing CO2 emission anyway, until we have new energy technologies sufficient to meet global energy demand.” He wonders what the size of the conference would have been if it had been government sponsored, and states that the skeptics cannot be ignored any longer. The alarmists pretend that natural causes are cancelling out their projected warming, but ignore that much of 20th century warming may have had natural causes.

On his web site, Alan Carlin posted his remarks upon acceptance of the Climate Science Whistleblower Award. Carlin tried to fight from within the EPA that finding the greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2), endangers human health and welfare (Endangerment Finding). He thought it was based on bad science. He was promptly muzzled. So much for the most transparent Administration ever. This highly questionable finding provides the EPA with the justification to severely regulate power plants, expanding its powers without Congressional action. Carlin states: So what started out as a scientific issue concerning a proposed Endangerment Finding has now escalated into a major legal and even Constitutional issue concerning Presidential powers. The President roams the country calling us “flat-earthers” and science-deniers. Perhaps it is time to characterize his behavior as illegal and even dictatorial.

Already steps towards necessary litigation to stop the EPA regulations are being taken. For example, attorney Lawrence Kogan of the Institute for Trade, Standards, and Sustainable Development informed TWTW that one of the important questions is did the EPA meet the requirements under the Information Quality Act? The litigation that resulted in recent Supreme Court decision permitting EPA regulation of power plants that are regulated under different statutes did not address this issue. Kogan has filed Freedom of Information Act request filed to the EPA addressing this issue see http://nebula.wsimg.com/e155ee64b03ea37237297cdbab7a2854?AccessKeyId=39A2DC689E4CA87C906D&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

For the conference, see links under Challenging the Orthodoxy – ICCC-9

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NIPCC v. IPCC: On Climate Etc. Judith Curry had an interesting post on a review of the sources used by the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change (NIPCC) and the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The review by members of the faculty of University of West-Hungary compares the earlier Climate Change Reconsidered reports by NIPCC with the Fourth Assessment report by IPCC. It finds that the journals referenced are largely the same, but with an important difference – “journals dealing with paleo-issues are more important for the contrarian [NIPCC] report.”

This distinction is critical. The earth’s history shows that climate change is normal and natural, and can be quite abrupt. The NIPCC reports include this. The IPCC reports focus on the later part of the 20th century and into the 21st, as if climate change is something new and unique. If we are to have an understanding of climate change, we must understand the natural causes that have been ongoing for millennia. From a historical standpoint, recent warming is not unprecedented or dangerous, and well within natural variation. We cannot separate the component caused by increased CO2, unless we understand natural variation. The post and the paper are a small step in the right direction. Curry quotes from the paper’s conclusion: But when we take the contrarian arguments seriously, there is a chance to bring together the differing views and knowledge claims of the disputing ‘interpretive communities’. See links under Challenging the Orthodoxy – NIPCC.

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NOAA and AMS: The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the American Meteorological Society (AMS) have released a joint report “State of the Climate in 2013.” Unfortunately, as with many such publications, the alarmist tone in the press releases and the summary overwhelm the solid science in the research. For example: Greenhouse gas emissions, sea levels, global temperatures and super storms all are trending upward, NOAA said. The first and second points ae unquestionable, the next two are refutable.

As discussed in the July 12 TWTW, there is no acceleration in historic sea level trends. There is has been no warming trend for over a decade and no increasing trend in tropical or extra-tropical storms. In the report, John Christy has an excellent discussion on atmospheric temperature trends. Along with Roy Spencer, he developed the method of measuring atmospheric temperatures via satellites. Christy states: “The long-term global trend based on both radiosondes and satellites (starting in 1979) is +0.13 ±0.02ºC per decade.” He finds the trend to be statistically significant. The trend in the critical latitudes between 20º S and 20º N is +0.069 ºC per decade. . [SEPP note: These positive trends quoted may be artifacts, caused by the inclusion of the 1998 Super-El Nino and the 2001-02 temperature jump’]

Based ont the data there is not much to be alarmed about and the warming trend has stopped. Why the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration focuses on land surface records, such as NASA/GISS and NOAA/NCDC which have been questionably manipulated, is known only to them.

The special supplement to the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society features a wrecked vehicle on the front cover. Could this be an illustration of the state of scientific rigor at NOAA and the Society? See links under Lowering Standards and Communicating Better to the Public – Make things up.

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Real Losses Caused by Weather: In January, Munich RE, the world’s largest re-insurance company, issued its report for 2013. The report focused on the heavy losses due to floods in southern and eastern Germany and neighboring states in June, the most insured losses from hail in Germany in July, and most severe human losses caused by typhoon Haiyan, which hit the southern Philippines on November 7.

The report further sates: Globally, losses from natural catastrophes in 2013 were somewhat more moderate: the direct overall losses of around US$ 125bn and insured losses of around US$ 31bn remained below the average figures of the past ten years (US$ 184bn and US$ 56bn). Regrettably, in a total of 880 natural catastrophes (average of the past ten years: 790), more than 20,000 people were killed. This meant that the death toll was higher than in 2012, but significantly below the average of the past ten years (106,000). One should realize that the average for the past 10 years is skewed somewhat by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami that left about 230,000 dead.

Further, Munich RE has issued its report for the first six months of 2014, finding that the worst losses are due to the harsh winter, not warming. During the first half of the year, 2700 people died as a result of natural catastrophes, which was much lower than is normal during the first six months of a year (10-year average: 53,000). The reports of Munich RE emphasize the importance of adapting to extreme weather events.

On his blog site, Roger Pielke, Jr. used the Munich RE reports to calculate “Global Weather-Related Disaster Losses as a Proportion of Global GDP: 1990-2014.” His calculations do not justify the alarmism accompanying the NOAA and AMS reports. See links under Changing Weather.

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Disclaimer: Perhaps by accident, the Global Warming Policy Foundation web site linked to a press release by Taylor Consulting stating that another Texas shale formation may have more recoverable oil than Eagle Ford and North Dakota’s Bakken combined. Since the formation has not been developed, the claim is speculative. What was more interesting was the disclaimer in the press release, even though release was not an open investment solicitation.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements that include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipate” or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition, description of anyone’s past success, either financial or strategic, is no guarantee of success. This news release speaks as of the date first set forth above and the Company assumes no responsibility to update the information included herein for events occurring after the date hereof.

Perhaps government-funded climate studies and reports on “investments” in schemes to stop climate change should have similar disclaimers. See link under Oil and Natural Gas – the Future or the Past?

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New York Times: John Christy, discussed above, was the subject of an article in the New York Times. Unfortunately, the article contained some less than tasteful comments by scientists who disagree with Christy. To his credit, Kerry Emanuel somewhat apologized on Roger Pielke Jr.’s blog for his comment. One comment is completely unjustified: “John Christy has made a scientific career out of being wrong,” one prominent climate scientist, Benjamin D. Santer of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, wrote in one 2008 email. “He’s not even a third-rate scientist.”

Benjamin Santer was the person who altered key conclusions in the in the Summary of Policymakers of the IPCC Second Assessment Report (AR-2) [1996], after final review to support the phrase the “balance of evidence” shows humans are causing the warming. The AR-2 led to the Kyoto Protocol and a waste of over $100 Billion. Last year, Santer bragged about his role in a Congressional hearing and insisted he discovered the so-called “hot spot” over the tropics. In 2007, Christy co-authored an article along with David Douglass and Fred Singer pointing out errors in Santer’s work and the inability to find the “hot spot” – still missing, though theoretically it should be there if the tropics are warming.

Perhaps, someday even the New York Times will learn that if scientists use slander to defend their position against scientists who use data to question it, the position may be very weak, if not wrong. See links under Challenging the Orthodoxy and Seeking a Common Ground.

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Tax Repeal! After significant political maneuvering, the government of Australia has repealed the despised carbon tax. It is the first developed country to do so. It remains to be seen what bearing this will have on other countries with the tax or similar taxes. But, those who have worked diligently to repeal such an unneeded, and economically destructive energy tax are to be congratulated.

In a significant editing error, one of the articles in the Wall Street Journal (not linked) covering the repeal called the carbon dioxide tax environmentally friendly. The enormous body of research in the environmental benefits of enhanced atmospheric carbon dioxide contradicts such claims.. See Articles #2 and #3, links under Cap-and-Trade and Carbon Taxes, and, especially, Social Benefits of Carbon.

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Number of the Week: +0.69 ºC or +1.24 ºF. As discussed in the above section on NOAA, since satellite measurements started the temperature trend is +0.069 ºC per decade between 20º S and 20º N. Although extrapolation is risky, such a trend would result in an increase in temperatures of +0.69 ºC or +1.24 ºF between 20º S and 20º N by 2113. Such a temperature increase is hardly cause for alarm and does not justify draconian measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. These data-based estimates are far less than the “business of usual” model-based estimates in the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR-5) and the 2014 US National Climate Assessment

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ARTICLES:

For the numbered articles below, please see this week’s TWTW at: www.sepp.org. The articles are at the end of the pdf.

1. The Corruption of Peer Review Is Harming Scientific Credibility

Dubious studies on the danger of hurricane names may be laughable. But bad science can cause bad policy.

By Hank Cambell, WSJ, Jul 13, 2014 [H/t William Readdy]

http://online.wsj.com/articles/hank-campbell-the-corruption-of-peer-review-is-harming-scientific-credibility-1405290747

2. Tony Abbott’s Leadership Lesson

By Mary Kissel, WSJ, Jul 18, 2014

http://online.wsj.com/articles/political-diary-tony-abbotts-leadership-lesson-1405701122?mod=rss_opinion_main&cb=logged0.3007758103776723

3. Australia’s Carbon Tax Message

Tony Abbott shows that climate absolutists have a problem: democracy.

Editorial, WSJ, Jul 17, 2014

http://online.wsj.com/articles/australias-carbon-tax-message-1405616207

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NEWS YOU CAN USE:

Suppressing Scientific Inquiry

Lawson’s climate-sceptic group hit by charity status row

By Roger Harrabin, BBC News, Jul 16, 2014 [H/t Bishop Hill]

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-28321641

[SEPP Comment: Is Greenpeace, with its war on GM foods, a candidate?]

Challenging the Orthodoxy — NIPCC

Exploring controversy: NIPCC versus IPCC

By Judith Curry, Climate Etc. Jul 17, 2014

http://judithcurry.com/2014/07/17/exploring-controversy-nipcc-versus-ipcc/

Link to paper: Reviewing the climate change reviewers: Exploring controversy through report references and citations

By Ferenc Jankó, Norbert Móricz, and Judit Papp Vancsó, Geoforum, Sep 2014

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016718514001389

Challenging the Orthodoxy – ICCC-9

Audio Video Link to the 9th International Conference on Climate Change

Sponsored by the Heartland Institute

http://climateconference.heartland.org/

My Remarks on New Proposed EPA Power Plant Regulations at ICCC9

By Alan Carlin, Carlin Economics and Science, Jul 18, 2014

http://www.carlineconomics.com/archives/1643

Heartland’s 9th International Conference on Climate Change: A Skepticism Tipping Point?

By Roy Spencer, His Blog, Jul 17, 2014

http://www.drroyspencer.com/2014/07/heartlands-9th-international-conference-on-climate-change-a-skepticism-tipping-point/

Heartland Institute conference shows the growing power of climate realism

By Ron Arnold, Washington Examiner, Jul 15, 2014

http://washingtonexaminer.com/heartland-institute-conference-shows-the-growing-power-of-climate-realism/article/2550882?utm_campaign=Washington%20Examiner:%20Opinion%20Digest&utm_source=Washington%20Examiner:%20Opinion%20Digest%20-%2007/16/14&utm_medium=email

Challenging the Orthodoxy

Though Scorned by Colleagues, a Climate-Change Skeptic Is Unbowed

By Michael Wines, NYT, Jul 15, 2014 [H/t Howard Hayden]

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/16/us/skeptic-of-climate-change-john-christy-finds-himself-a-target-of-suspicion.html

Global warming is not settled science: Guest opinion

By Daniel Nebert, MD, Oregon Live, Jul 12, 2014 [H/t Gordon Fulks]

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/07/global_warming_is_not_settled.html#incart_river

German Geologist Sebastian Lüning Slams IPCC Climate Science: “A Lot Of The Claims Are Just Not True” –

By P Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Jul 16, 2014

http://notrickszone.com/2014/07/16/german-geologist-sebastian-luening-slams-ipcc-climate-science-a-lot-of-the-claims-are-just-not-true/

Intellectual and Practical Foolishness: The Precautionary Principle

By Roy Spencer, His Blog, Jul 18, 2014

http://www.drroyspencer.com/2014/07/intellectual-and-practical-foolishness-the-precautionary-principle/

[SEPP Comment: Exploring the difference between theoretical risks and real deaths.]

Macro, Meso, and Micro Climates: The Importance of Trees in Urban Climates

By Tim Ball, WUWT, Jul 16, 2014

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/07/16/macro-meso-and-micro-climates-the-importance-of-trees-in-urban-climates/

There is a reason why climatology evolved as a major part of Physical Geography. Intellectually it requires a generalist discipline, but specialization dominates today’s dissected, fractionalized, academic world. A more archaic term for geography is chorology. It is defined as “the study of causal relations between geographical phenomena occurring within a particular region.”

On Global Warming, Follow the Money

By John Hinderaker, Power Line, Jul 13, 2014 [H/t Timothy Wise]

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2014/07/on-global-warming-follow-the-money.php

[SEPP Comment: A plug for SEPP and its exposure of Federal funding of climate fears.]

Defending the Orthodoxy

Obama bulking up local defenses against climate change impact

By Laura Barron-Lopez, The Hill, Jul 16, 2014

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/212391-obama-bulks-up-local-defenses-against-climate-change

Obama: Climate change is ‘direct threat’ to US

By Laura Barron-Lopez, The Hill, Jul 16, 2014

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/212476-obama-climate-change-is-direct-threat-to-us

Obama Wants Localities to Prepare for Climate Change

The Obama administration is taking action to help state and local governments prepare for climate change and natural disasters.

By Daniel Vock, Governing, Jul 16, 2014 [H/t Timothy Wise]

http://www.governing.com/topics/transportation-infrastructure/gov-obama-resiliency-local.html

Questioning the Orthodoxy

Climate change sceptics ‘must be heard on the BBC’

BBC shouldn’t “squeeze out” climate change sceptics just because scientists say they’re wrong, says editor of Today programme

By Anita Singh, Telegraph, UK, Jul 14, 2014 [H/t GWPF]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/climatechange/10965729/Climate-change-sceptics-must-be-heard-on-the-BBC.html

Evidence and Belief

By Martin Livermore, The Scientific Alliance, Jul 18, 2014

http://scientific-alliance.org/scientific-alliance-newsletter/evidence-and-belief

As the reports make clear, the study was part funded by an organic farming charity (the Sheepdrove Trust) but we should not be too quick to question its credibility on that basis alone.

[SEPP Comment: The source of funding is not sufficient reason to dismiss or accept any scientific report.]

Twelve Urban Myths of Climate Change

By Lord Christopher Monckton, ACSP, Jul 12, 2014

http://theclimatescepticsparty.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/twelve-urban-myths-of-climate-change.html

Influencing Climate Policy on the Back of a Lame Horse

By Paul C. “Chip” Knappenberger and Patrick J. Michaels, CATO, Jul 11, 2014

http://www.cato.org/blog/influencing-climate-policy-back-lame-horse

The little green book

By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Jul 8, 2014

http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2014/7/8/the-little-green-book.html

[SEPP Comment: A brief review of James Delingpole’s new book.]

Today’s Climate Embarrassment

By Steven Hayward, Power Line, Jul 14, 2014

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2014/07/todays-climate-embarrassment-4.php#comments

W Hudson Bay mark-recapture studies of polar bears were invalid, says peer-reviewed study

By Susan Crockfrod, Polar Bear Science, Jul 15, 2014

http://polarbearscience.com/2014/07/15/w-hudson-bay-mark-recapture-studies-of-polar-bears-were-invalid-says-peer-reviewed-study/#more-5554

Social Benefits of Carbon

Growth Response of Grassland Species to Elevated C02 When Water Stressed

By Staff Writers, CO2 Science & SPPI, Jul 15, 2014

http://scienceandpublicpolicy.org/originals/growth_response_of_grassland_species_to_elevated_c02_when_water_stressed.html

Link to report: http://scienceandpublicpolicy.org/images/stories/papers/originals/grassland_response.pdf

Elevated levels of atmospheric CO2 tend to reduce the area of open stomatal pore space on leaf surfaces, thus reducing plant stomatal conductance. This phenomenon, in turn, effectively reduces the amount of water lost to the atmosphere via transpiration.

Problems in the Orthodoxy

Even The U.N. Climate Group Says No Need To Worry

Editorial, IBD, Jul 11, 2014 [H/t William Readdy]

http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials/071114-708426-un-ipcc-models-say-climate-change-no-danger-this-century.htm?p=full

Seeking a Common Ground

Why scientists should talk to philosophers

By Judith Curry, Climate Etc. Jul 16, 2014

http://judithcurry.com/2014/07/16/why-scientists-should-talk-to-philosophers/

Motivated by policy makers’ needs for quick answers, climate science prematurely went into a ‘calculate and shut up’ mode, with anyone questioning the basic assumptions, climate models, or preferred policies are ostracized by the scientific community (see this recent profile of ‘outcast’ John Christy in the NYTimes). The only way we are going to dig out of this rut is through some fundamental questioning. Here’s to hoping that philosophers and the approaches of philosophy can help kick climate scientists out of their faux comfort zone of consensus and ‘settled science’.

Communicating climate science reconsidered

By Judith Curry, Climate Etc. Jul 13, 2014

http://judithcurry.com/2014/07/13/communicating-climate-science-reconsidered/

‘Scientist’: the evolving story of a word

By Judith Curry, Climate Etc. Jul 15, 014

http://judithcurry.com/2014/07/15/scientist-the-evolving-story-of-a-word/

On academic bullying

By Judith Curry, Climate Etc. July 18, 2014

http://judithcurry.com/2014/07/18/on-academic-bullying/

Guest Post: Kerry Emanuel Clarifies a Recent Quote in the NYT

By Kerry Emanuel, Roger Pielke Jr’s Blog, Jul 17, 2014

http://rogerpielkejr.blogspot.com/2014/07/guest-post-kerry-emanuel-clarifies.html

Review of Recent Scientific Articles by NIPCC

For a full list of articles see www.NIPCCreport.org

A High-Arctic Feedback to Climate Warming (

Reference: Lupascu, M., Welker, J.M., Seibt, U., Maseyk, K., Xu, X. and Czimczik, C.I. 2014. High Arctic wetting reduces permafrost carbon feedbacks to climate warming. Nature Climate Change 4: 51-55.

http://nipccreport.org/articles/2014/jul/8jul2014a1.html

CMIP5 Models Simulating Southeast Pacific Stratocumulus Clouds

Reference: Lin, J.-L., Qian, T. and Shinoda, T. 2014. Stratocumulus clouds in Southeaster Pacific simulated by eight CMIP5-CFMIP global climate models. Journal of Climate 27: 3000-3022.

http://nipccreport.org/articles/2014/jul/8jul2014a3.html

Sadly, these findings represent but one group of global climate model failures to adequately “predict the past,” which adds ever more reasons to not trust the projections of future climate by even the best climate models in use today.

Earth’s Coral Reefs: Probing Their Past to Foretell Their Future

Reference: Pandolfi, J.M. and Kiessling, W. 2014. Gaining insights from past reefs to inform understanding of coral reef response to global climate change. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability 7: 52-58.

http://nipccreport.org/articles/2014/jul/8jul2014a4.html

Earth’s corals are well equipped to deal with climate change; but it is a far different story when it comes to direct attacks on their immediate environs.

Predicting the Unpredictable? … Some Things Just Can’t Be Done

Reference: Dinezio, P. 2014. A high bar for decadal forecasts of El Niño. Nature 507: 437-439.

http://nipccreport.org/articles/2014/jul/15jul2014a1.html

Moving from CMIP3 to CMIP5: How are the Models Progressing?

Reference: Bellenger, H., Guilyardi, E., Leloup, J., Lengaigne, M. and Vialard, J. 2014. ENSO representation in climate models: from CMIP3 to CMIP5. Climate Dynamics 42: 1999-2018.

http://nipccreport.org/articles/2014/jul/16jul2014a3.html

In light of the above, Bellenger et al. conclude that “significant model development work is still needed to correctly represent the basic ENSO characteristics (amplitude, evolution, timescale, seasonal phase lock …) and the fundamental underlying processes such as the atmospheric jerkiness and surface fluxes feedbacks.”

Models v. Observations

Quote of the Week – NOAA: ‘However, we think it’s likely that the atmosphere will get on board soon’

By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Jul 14, 2014

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/07/14/quote-of-the-week-noaa-however-we-think-its-likely-that-the-atmosphere-will-get-on-board-soon/

[SEPP Comment: NOAA’s El Niño forecasting has problems.]

Global Climate Models Fail to Simulate Key Dust Characteristics

African dust plays a key role in cloud formation, hurricanes and other global climate phenomena but models can’t characterize it well

By Staff Writers, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Jul 14, 2014 [H/t WUWT]

https://scripps.ucsd.edu/news/global-climate-models-fail-simulate-key-dust-characteristics

“However, I think we showed (in this study) that the level of inaccuracy was just way beyond what anyone assumed it to be,” said Evan.

[SEPP Comment: More reason why not to believe the 95% certainty in the IPCC science as expressed in the Summary for Policymakers.]

New paper finds a ‘striking mismatch’ between data & models for the present & last interglacial

By Staff Writer, The Hockey Schtick, Jul 17, 2014

http://hockeyschtick.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/new-paper-finds-striking-mismatch.html

Link to paper: Temperature trends during the Present and Last Interglacial periods – a multi-model-data comparison

By Bakker, et al, Quaternary Science Reviews, Sep 1, 2014

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277379114002686

[SEPP Comment: The mismatch is not a surprise.]

Measurement Issues

Satellites reveal possible catastrophic flooding months in advance

By Staff Writers, Irvine CA (SPX) Jul 14, 2014

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Satellites_reveal_possible_catastrophic_flooding_months_in_advance_999.html

[SEPP Comment: Provided heavy rains come.]

Was the Hottest Day Ever in Australia not in a desert, but in far south Albany?!

By Jo Nova, Her Blog, Jul 18, 2014

http://joannenova.com.au/2014/07/was-the-hottest-day-ever-in-australia-not-in-a-desert-but-in-far-south-albany/#more-37189

Changing Weather

Munich Re Report: Top 2014 Weather Catastrophe Losses Due To Cold-Related Events, “Record Harsh Winter”! –

By P. Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Jul 15, 2014

http://notrickszone.com/2014/07/15/munich-re-report-top-2014-weather-catastrophe-losses-due-to-cold-related-events-record-harsh-winter/

Link to report press release: Comparatively few major natural catastrophe losses in first half-year

By Staff Writers, Munich RE, Jul 19, 2014

http://www.munichre.com/en/media-relations/publications/press-releases/2014/2014-07-09-press-release/index.html

Updated: Global Weather Disasters and Global GDP

By Roger Pielke Jr, His Blog, Jul 16, 2014

http://rogerpielkejr.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/updated-global-weather-disasters-and.html

Overall picture of natural catastrophes in 2013 dominated by weather extremes in Europe and Supertyphoon Haiyan

Press Release by Staff Writers, Munich RE, Jan 7, 2014

http://www.munichre.com/en/media-relations/publications/press-releases/2014/2014-01-07-press-release/index.html?QUERYSTRING

Updated Normalized Disaster Losses in Australia: 1966-2013

By Roger Pielke Jr., His Blog, Jul 15, 2014

http://rogerpielkejr.blogspot.com/2014/07/updated-normalized-disaster-losses-in.html

Polar Vortex summer version prelude to brutal winter and potential major energy issues

By Joseph D’Aleo, ICECAP, Jul 12, 2014

http://icecap.us/index.php/go/joes-blog/polar_vortex_summer_version_prelude_to_brutal_winter_and_potential_major_en/

[SEPP Comment: A winter to remember?]

Polar Vortices Everywhere! Central Russia Hit By Mid Summer “Freak…Abnormal Snowstorm…Snowdrifts”!

By P Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Jul 14, 2014

http://notrickszone.com/2014/07/14/polar-vortices-everywhere-central-russia-hit-by-mid-summer-freak-abnormal-snowstorm-snowdrifts/

El Niño 2014: Climate Alarmists Disappointed

By Steve Davidson, Communities Digital News, Jul 11, 2014 [H/t GWPF]

http://www.commdiginews.com/news-2/el-nino-2014-climate-alarmists-disappointed-21377/

Texas Drought on the Decline

By Sierra Rayne, American Thinker, Jul 16, 2014

http://americanthinker.com/2014/07/texas_drought_on_the_decline.html

NYT Failing to Explain California’s Drought Accurately

By Sierra Rayne, American Thinker, Jul 13, 2014 [H/t Timothy Wise]

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2014/07/nyt_failing_to_explain_californias_drought_accurately.html

Changing Seas

A Drop in the Ocean

Scientist pioneered tracer to reveal hidden ocean flows

By David Pacchioli, Oceanus, Jul 18, 2014

http://www.whoi.edu/oceanus/feature/a-drop-in-the-ocean

2014 Global SST Not Looking Like a Record…So Far

By Roy Spencer, His Blog, Jul 18, 2014

http://www.drroyspencer.com/2014/07/2014-global-sst-not-looking-like-a-record-so-far/

More Heat about Ocean Heat – another nail in the AGW coffin

By Anthony Cox, CSP, Jul 15, 2014

http://theclimatescepticsparty.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/more-heat-about-ocean-heat-another-nail.html

Comprehensive EIKE Review Of Sea Level Rise Shows TOPEX/POSEIDON/JASON Results Are Inflated, Faulty

By P Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Jul 9, 2014

http://notrickszone.com/2014/07/09/comprehensive-eike-review-of-sea-level-rise-shows-topexposeidonjason-results-are-inflated-faulty/

Latest NOAA mean sea level trend data through 2013 confirms lack of sea level rise acceleration

By Larry Hamlin, WUWT, Jul 16, 2014

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/07/16/latest-noaa-mean-sea-level-trend-data-through-2013-confirms-lack-of-sea-level-rise-acceleration-2/

Changing Earth

Rainwater discovered at new depths

By Staff Writers, Southampton, UK (SPX), Jul 16, 2014

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Rainwater_discovered_at_new_depths_999.html

Agriculture Issues & Fear of Famine

NASA’s Aquarius Returns Global Maps of Soil Moisture

By Maria-Jose Vinas, Washington DC (SPX), Jul 11, 2014

http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/NASAs_Aquarius_Returns_Global_Maps_of_Soil_Moisture_999.html

Un-Science or Non-Science?

Claim: Australia drying caused by greenhouse gases

By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Jul 13, 2014

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/07/13/claim-australia-drying-caused-by-greenhouse-gases/

Precipitation may be key in bird adaptation to climate change

By Staff Writers, Corvallis OR (SPX), Jul 14, 2014

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Precipitation_not_warming_temperatures_may_be_key_in_bird_adaptation_to_climate_change_999.html

Their model found that models including precipitation were most successful at predicting bird population trends.

Lowering Standards

The Warming State of the Climate in 2013

By Andrew Revkin, NYT, Jul 17, 2014

http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/07/17/the-warming-state-of-the-climate-in-2013/?_php=true&_type=blogs&partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0

Link to: State of the Climate in 2013, Highlights

By Blunden, J., and D. S. Arndt, Eds., American Meteorological Society, July 2014 Released With NOAA

http://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/state-climate-2013-highlights

“425 authors, 57 countries, a 24 year tradition”

NOAA: Climate change is getting worse

By Laura Barron-Lopez, The Hill, Jul 14, 2014

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/212577-noaa-climate-change-is-getting-worse

Corruption Of Academic Journals For Profit and Climate Change Propaganda

By Tim Ball, A Different Perspective, Jul 16, 2014

http://drtimball.com/2014/corruption-of-academic-journals-for-profit-and-climate-change-propaganda/

The BBC and balance

The broadcaster bowing to pressure from green activists

By Matt Ridley, Rational Optimist, Jul 9, 2014

http://www.rationaloptimist.com/blog/the-bbc-and-balance.aspx

Don’t silence Lord Lawson: We can’t leave climate change policy to the scientists

By Ryan Bourne, City A.M. Jul 14, 2014 [H/t GWPF]

http://www.cityam.com/1405359599/don-t-silence-lord-lawson-we-can-t-leave-climate-change-policy-scientists

Communicating Better to the Public – Exaggerate, or be Vague?

A Climate of Censorship at The Age

By John McLean, Quadrant, Jul 10, 2014

http://quadrant.org.au/opinion/doomed-planet/2010/03/bob-carter-john-mclean/

How Media Bias Censors the Debate on Climate Change

By Liz Peek, The Fiscal Times, Jul 16, 2014 [H/t GWPF]

http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Columns/2014/07/16/How-Media-Bias-Censors-Debate-Climate-Change

North Carolina Outlaws Alarmist Planning Advice -Restricts SLR planning input to maximum timeframe of 30 years

By Eric Worrall, WUWT, Jul 12, 2014

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/07/12/north-carolina-outlaws-alarmist-planning-advice-restricts-slr-planning-input-to-maximum-timeframe-of-30-years/

[SEPP Comment: Climate scientists losing credibility!]

Stealth bombs? Killer plagues? Don’t panic, just follow the money

Politicians and scientists have a vested interest in propagating panic: it’s the one superbug there’s no known antidote for

By Simon Jenkins, The Guardian, UK, Jul 3, 2014 [H/t GWPF]

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/03/what-next-from-david-cameron-factory-of-fear

Communicating Better to the Public – Make things up.

Report: Climate changing more rapidly than at any point on record

By Sid Perkins, Science Mag, Jul 17, 2014

http://news.sciencemag.org/climate/2014/07/report-climate-changing-more-rapidly-any-point-record

NOAA: Climate change is getting worse

By Laura Barron-Lopez, The Hill, Jul 14, 2014

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/212577-noaa-climate-change-is-getting-worse

Communicating Better to the Public – Use Propaganda on Children

Groups push for climate science in classrooms

By Laura Barron-Lopez, The Hill, Jul 11, 2104

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/211989-groups-push-for-climate-science-in-classrooms

Expanding the Orthodoxy

Big Insurance Getting Set To Use Junk Science To Gouge The Poor…”Climate Liability” Insurance

By P Gosslin, No Tricks Zone, Jul 13, 2014

http://notrickszone.com/2014/07/13/big-insurance-geting-set-to-use-junk-science-to-gouge-the-little-guys-climate-liability-insurance/

Climate change sceptics ‘must be heard on the BBC’

BBC shouldn’t “squeeze out” climate change sceptics just because scientists say they’re wrong, says editor of Today programme

By Anita Singh, Telegraph, UK, Jul 14, 2014 [H/t GWPF]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/climatechange/10965729/Climate-change-sceptics-must-be-heard-on-the-BBC.html

Questioning European Green

Winds of Vanity

By Bjorn Lomborg, Project Syndicate, Jul 16, 2014

http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/bj-rn-lomborg-exposes-the-flawed-logic-underlying-copenhagen-s-quest-for-carbon-neutrality

[SEPP Comment: Politicians can be forever delusional about costs of their pet plans.]

Britain ‘faces blackouts’ unless green balance improves, leading engineer warns

By Tom Bawden, Independent, UK, Jul 13, 0214

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/britain-faces-blackouts-unless-green-balance-improves-leading-engineer-warns-9602512.html

Expert commission

By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Jul 12, 2014

http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2014/7/12/expert-commission.html

[SEPP Comment: Flights of fantasy about providing electricity in Scotland.]

Proposals to fight climate change will trigger ‘astronomical costs’, campaigners warn

By John Ingram, Express, UK, Jul 15, 2014

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/489028/Proposals-to-fight-climate-change-will-trigger-astronomical-costs

Green Jobs

Australia’s renewable energy industry grinds to a halt

By Peter Hannan, Sidney Morning News, Jul 16, 2014

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/australias-renewable-energy-industry-grinds-to-a-halt-20140716-ztio2.html

The Political Games Continue

Tom Steyer And The Profits Of Climate Doom

Editorial, IBD, Jul 16, 2014

http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials/071614-709068-how-climate-change-changed-tom-steyer.htm

Cap-and-Trade and Carbon Taxes

A small but significant battle win in the war against the AGW hoax.

By Geoff Brown, CSP, Jul 19, 2014

http://theclimatescepticsparty.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/a-small-but-significant-battle-win-in.html#more

Australia’s Tony Abbott has made history by abolishing the hated carbon tax

By Tom Switzer, Spectator, UK, Jul 17, 2014 [H/t GWPF]

http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/tom-switzer/2014/07/tony-abbott-makes-history-by-abolishing-the-hated-carbon-tax/

Finally! Carbon Tax Gone – Australia gets rid of a price on carbon

By Jo Nova, Her Blog, Jul 17, 2014

http://joannenova.com.au/2014/07/carbon-tax-gone-australia-first-country-to-get-rid-of-a-price-on-carbon/

Carbon Tax Torn Asunder Down Under

By Walter Russell Mead, American Interest, Jul 17, 2014 [H/t GWPF]

http://www.the-american-interest.com/blog/2014/07/17/carbon-tax-torn-asunder-down-under/

EPA and other Regulators on the March

The EPA doesn’t consider our economy

By Harry C. Alford, The Hill, Jul 17, 2014

http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/energy-environment/212512-the-epa-doesnt-consider-our-economy

Asthma Reduction: The Joker Card of EPA’s CO2 Power Grab (Part 2)

By James Rust, Master Resource, Jul 10, 2014

http://www.masterresource.org/2014/07/asthma-epa-co2-power-grab/#more-31069

Link to White House Report: “The Health Impacts of Climate Change On Americans,”

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/the_health_impacts_of_climate_change_on_americans_.pdf

EPA’s CO2 Power Grab: Economic Consequences (Part 3)

By James Rust, Master Resource, Jul 11, 2014

http://www.masterresource.org/2014/07/epas-co2-power-grab-economic-consequences-part-3/

Message to EPA—“You Have Done Enough” Let Them Know Your Thoughts

By James H. Rust, Somewhat Reasonable, Jul 17, 2014

http://blog.heartland.org/2014/07/message-to-epa-you-have-done-enough-let-them-know-your-thoughts/

Delegating the Delegation, or Outsourcing Regulation

By Steven Hayward, Power Line, Jul 16, 2014

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2014/07/delegating-the-delegation-or-outsourcing-regulation.php

EPA, Pentagon vehicle freeze could jeopardize wildfire assistance

By Laura Barron-Lopez, The Hill, Jul 11, 2014

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/212003-epa-pentagon-agreement-may-jeopardize-wildfire-assistance

[SEPP Comment: Current Pentagon thinking: regulate first, think about consequences to public safety later – if at all.]

Senators join in EPA ‘secret science’ charge

By Timothy Cama, The Hill, Jul 17, 2014

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/212550-senators-join-in-epa-secret-science-charge

EPA sidesteps sequestration review in letter to science panel

Jean Chemnick, E&E reporter, Jul 15, 2014

http://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2014/07/15/stories/1060002908

Link to letter from EPA to Science Advisory Board:

http://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/sabproduct.nsf/6646907111A3A35385257C70006F5F22/%24File/EPA-SAB-14-003_Response_07-01-2014.pdf

EPA has no business garnishing wages without due process: Examiner Editorial

Editorial, Washington Examiner, Jul 12, 2014

http://washingtonexaminer.com/epa-has-no-business-garnishing-wages-without-due-process-examiner-editorial/article/2550765?utm_campaign=Washington%20Examiner:%20Opinion%20Digest&utm_source=Washington%20Examiner:%20Opinion%20Digest%20-%2007/14/14&utm_medium=email

EPA seeks to restrict Pebble Mine project to protect salmon habitat

By Timothy Cama, The Hill, Jul 18, 2014

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/212647-epa-proposes-limits-on-mine-to-protect-salmon

Murkowski blasts EPA on Pebble Mine restrictions

By Timothy Cama, The Hill, Jul 18, 2014

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/212675-murkowski-blasts-epa-on-pebble-mine-restrictions

Energy Issues – Non-US

Renewable Energy Growth in Perspective

By Roger Andres, Energy Matters, Jul 14, 2014 [H/t Climate Depot]

http://euanmearns.com/renewable-energy-growth-in-perspective/

Energy-Wasting Internet…IEA Describes “Range Of Policy Options” For Curbing Wasted Power

By P. Gosslin, No Tricks Zone, Jul 10, 2014

Link to report: More Data, Less Energy: Making Network Standby More Efficient in Billions of Connected Devices, –

By Staff Writers, IEA, Jul 2, 2014

http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/MoreData_LessEnergy.pdf

Gas is greenest in the short term

By Bjorn Lomborg, The Australian, Jul 12, 2014

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/gas-is-greenest-in-the-short-term/story-fni1hfs5-1226986166242

[SEPP Comment: May be behind a paywall $$$]

Energy Issues — US

Save The Grid

By Donn Dears, Power For USA, Jul 18, 2014

https://dddusmma.wordpress.com/2014/07/18/save-the-grid/

[SEPP Comment: Probably few people are more destructive than well-intentioned, ignorant politicians out to save the world.]

Study: States can handle EPA power plant rules

By Timothy Cama, The Hill, Jul 14, 2014

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/212165-study-states-can-handle-epa-power-plant-rules

Link to the report: EPA’s Clean Power Plan: States’ Tools for Reducing Costs and Increasing Benefits to Consumers

By Paul Hibbard, Andrea Okie, Susan Tierney, Analysis Group, jUl 2014

http://www.analysisgroup.com/uploadedFiles/Publishing/Articles/Analysis_Group_EPA_Clean_Power_Plan_Report.pdf

[SEPP Comment: Minimizes costs, particularly the unreliability of solar and wind and assumes highly questionable EPA benefits are real!]

Natural gas boom hasn’t made US energy secure, warns IEA chief

By Timothy Cama, IEA, Jul 14, 2014

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/212126-iea-chief-us-may-not-be-energy-secure

[SEPP Comment: More nonsense from the IEA chief. Considers energy security as a subset of climate stability. “Action must be taken now to stop making things worse … in terms of [greenhouse gas] emissions and to build up the resilience of the energy system to limit the impact and costs of climate change,” she said.]

Coal Stockpiles Fall to Lowest Level Since 2006

By Aaron Larson, Power News, Jul 14, 2014

http://www.powermag.com/coal-stockpiles-fall-to-lowest-level-since-2006/

Link to report: Quarterly Coal Report January – March 2014

By Staff Writers, EIA, June eo14

http://www.eia.gov/coal/production/quarterly/pdf/qcr.pdf

[SEPP Comment: The report illustrates a resilience of coal-fired power plants over gas. The potential generation from coal can be stored on-site. Natural gas is stored elsewhere and can be subject to other demand limitations. Of course, solar and wind cannot be feasibly stored.]

Washington’s Control of Energy

Hunt for oil and gas to begin off East Coast

By Laura Barron-Lopez, The Hill, Jul 18, 2014

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/212686-feds-greenlight-air-gun-testing-off-east-coast

Oil and Natural Gas – the Future or the Past?

TAYO: Texas Shale Boom Could Be Nation’s Biggest Ever

Press Release, By Staff Writers, TAYO, in WSJ, Jul 16, 2014 [H/t GWPF]

http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20140716-905430.html

[SEPP Comment: May be behind a paywall $$$]

U.S. shale threatens French chemical makers

By Staff Writers, Rubber News.com, Jul 14, 2014 [H/t GWPF]

http://www.rubbernews.com/article/20140714/NEWS/140719979/u-s-shale-threatens-french-chemical-makers#

Return of King Coal?

Despite rising emission, India’s coal use soars

By Cuckoo Paul, Forbes, India, Jul 11, 2014 [H/t GWPF]

http://forbesindia.com/article/checkin/despite-rising-emission-indias-coal-use-soars/38164/1

Oil Spills, Gas Leaks & Consequences

Google project maps natural gas leaks under city streets

By Laura Barron-Lopez, The Hill, Jul 16, 2014

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/212404-google-project-maps-natural-gas-leaks-under-city-streets

Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Solar and Wind

Solar Thermal Electric Generation: Still Not Cheap, Not Green?

By Marlo Lewis, Global Warming.org, Jul 14, 2014

http://www.globalwarming.org/2014/07/14/solar-thermal-electric-generation-still-not-cheap-not-green/

Offshore wind to bring $3.4 billion to British economy

By Daniel J. Graeber, London (UPI), Jul 16, 2013

http://www.winddaily.com/reports/Offshore_wind_to_bring_34_billion_to_British_economy_999.html

[SEPP Comment: At what costs to the consumer?]

The Voice of Dead Eagles at Shiloh IV (Part III)

By Jim Wiegand, Master Resource, Jul 18, 2014

http://www.masterresource.org/2014/07/voice-dead-eagles-iii/#more-31223

New study uses blizzard to measure wind turbine airflow

By Staff Writers, Minneapolis MN (SPX), Jul 14, 2014

http://www.winddaily.com/reports/New_study_uses_blizzard_to_measure_wind_turbine_airflow_999.html

Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Vehicles

Electric Vehicle Update

By Donn Dears, Power For USA, Jul 15, 2014

https://dddusmma.wordpress.com/2014/07/15/electric-vehicle-update-3/

Natural Gas Vehicles 2014: Caution, not Government Subsidies

By Allen Brooks, Master Resource, Jul 8, 2014

http://www.masterresource.org/2014/07/natural-gas-versus-oil-transportation/#more-31052

The law of unintended consequences in action: Imagine replacing all CO2 emissions with H2O emissions

By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Jul 14, 2014

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/07/14/the-law-of-unintended-consequences-in-action-imagine-replacing-all-co2-emissions-with-h2o-emissions/

Environmental Industry

Energy-Starved ‘Planet Of The Apes’ What Greens Want

Editorial, IBD, Jul 14, 2014 [H/t Timothy Wise]

http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials/071414-708669-dawn-of-the-planet-of-the-apes-is-metaphor-for-green-war-against-energy.htm?p=full

Greenpeace Showcases its Anti-Human Side

By Paul Driessen, Townhall, Jul 15, 2014

http://townhall.com/columnists/pauldriessen/2014/07/15/greenpeace-showcases-its-antihuman-side-n1862066

The Greens’ Bid to Control Agriculture

By Ron Boswell, Quadrant, Jul 14, 2014

http://quadrant.org.au/magazine/2014/07-08/greens-audacious-bid-control-agriculture/

Primary industries are under threat from an alliance of environmental zealots and corporations buckling in the face of orchestrated protests, PR campaigns and legal harassment. The stakes are huge: effective control of worldwide agriculture

The ‘War on Meat’ Will Make the ‘War on Coal’ Look Tame

By Ronald Bailey, Reason.com, Jul 11, 2014 [H/t Climate Depot]

http://reason.com/blog/2014/07/11/the-war-on-meat-will-make-the-war-on-coa

Other Scientific News

Apollo And Modern America’s Can’t-Do Spirit

Editorial, IBD, Jul 18, 2014

http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials/071814-709541-apollo-45-moon-landing-anniversary-and-cant-do-spirit-in-america.htm?p=full

Moonwalker Buzz Aldrin says U.S. taking giant leap backward

By Phillip Swarts, Washington Times, Jul 13, 2014

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jul/13/astronaut-buzz-aldrin-presses-need-for-space-explo/

Other News that May Be of Interest

Are Healthy Buildings Built On Lies?

By Josh Bloom, Science 2.0, Jul 14, 2014

http://www.science20.com/pfired_but_still_kicking/are_healthy_buildings_built_on_lies-140516

The Liberating Theory of Resourceship

By Robert Bradley Jr., Master Resource, Jul 15, 2014

http://www.masterresource.org/2014/07/liberating-resourceship/#more-31113

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BELOW THE BOTTOM LINE:

Fewer bees or just more Bee-S?

By Staff Writers, ACSH, Jul 15, 2014

http://acsh.org/2014/07/fewer-bees-just-bee-s/

Wine corks may owe quality to gene activity

By Discovery that distinguishes superior stoppers could help reverse global downturn

By Niskan Akpan, Science News, Jul 16, 2014 [H/t WUWT]

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/wine-corks-may-owe-quality-gene-activity

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