CONSERVATIVES REJECT VIEWS OF ENVIRONMENT SPOKESMAN

Conservative Home is one of the busiest political websites in Britain, and if the views of visitors replying to this post are typical, and my experience suggests they are, then there is clearly a big difference of opinion between politicians and the public. Clearly there is still a long way to go, but, considering the massive propaganda exercise, a lot of GW sceptics remain reassuringly unconvinced.

Happy New Year!

FUTURE ENERGY MUST BE NUCLEAR

Whatever one believes about climate change, it makes sense to use nuclear energy as a major part of our future electricity generating system. The government must make a decision in the next few months and this Telegraph article explains why nuclear is the best option. As usual the reason will be subject to all sorts of "spin" about how it will reduce our CO2 emissions, though it will no doubt be pointed out by the green lobby that concrete manufacture produces a lot of CO2. The main reason is security of supply, with less dependence on imported oil and gas.

ALARMISTS PICK GORE AS THEIR HERO

According to the Telegraph in the latest edition of a green magazine, they have been voting for those who have been the best at furthering their alarmist cause, and guess who was the winner? No, it wasn't Gordon Brown, but Al gore, whose example leaves a lot to be desired, which just goes to show that propaganda wins over facts every time!

I wonder who would take the plaudits in a similar pole for the climate realists? Their name would be on this site's links I am sure. I would give a lot of marks to Steve McIntyre, whose tireless work on temperature revealed that the 1930's were as hot as the 1990's in the USA. For me that was a very significant moment. I would also give a lot to Stuart Dimmock and his successful legal challenge. His backers risked £200,000 in taking the case to the High Court against the whole might of HM Government and the limitless taxpayers purse.

Who would you nominate?

SURFACE WEATHER STATIONS SURVEY

Here is a site dedicated to surveying surface weather stations. If stations are badly sited or not well maintained then the records of temperature will be inaccurate and it is this data throughout the world that forms the basis for the global temperature records on which alarmists believe we face apocalypse. Check the site for yourself and see the examples uncovered so far, and this is in the most advanced nation, the USA. Imagine what the situation may be like in the third world?

ARE OUR CHILDREN BEING TAUGHT FACTS ON G.W?

Since the landmark court case in which a High Court Judge decided that Al Gore's film contained 9 points of exaggeration compared with the most recent IPCC report, schools in England and Wales have been issued with new written guidance. It is extremely difficult to know whether that guidance is being followed. The only people who can verify this are the students themselves. I believe it is important for us to do our best to try to contact students to try to establish whether the court is being obeyed. If anyone reading this can contact a student, please ask them, and get them to send their experiences to the Straight Teaching website.

ANOTHER GREAT WEBSITE

One of my main purposes in having this site is to bring together a wealth of material to show that there is no scientific consensus. Just a look at all the great links on the right proves the point, and here is another, "CO2 Science" which discusses the shortcomings of climate models, the temperature record of the past century, and the medieval warm period which is covered by a whole project among others.

I give you this quote from an article on computer models: "If these wonderful models cannot correctly determine the annual mean vertical profiles of temperature and water vapor in our current atmosphere, why should we believe anything about what they suggest about the future?" Indeed!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

I have not found anything new for today, so please take your pick from all the excellent links.

BALI - A VICTORY FOR COMMON SENSE?

In this article the author argues that the outcome of the Bali talks was not a victory for the global alarmists, but in fact the moment when the USA, Canada, Australia, and a few others finally rejected a system of targets that penalised them unfairly. Time will tell, but we may have an interesting series of negotiations to come.

EU TO ADD £2,000 TO COST OF A CAR

Yet another example of extra costs to the public of the dash to reduce CO2 emissions. This report from the Telegraph explains what is being planned.

ETHANOL AND LIGHT BULBS

By the time the evidence against the CO2 theory becomes overwhelming we will have already made significant and costly changes to our lifestyles. This article from the USA discusses some that are in the forefront, and explains some of the unintended consequences of them

MELANIE PHILLIPS SUMS IT UP VERY WELL

Melanie Phillips sums up the latest reports on G.W. in her Spectator Blog. Let's hope that 2008 sees a downturn in world temperatures, then won't it be fun to watch all the politicians shifting their opinions, hoping we don't notice.

400 SCIENTISTS OPPOSE G.W. THEORY

The number of scientists who are questioning the conclusions of the UN IPCC is growing all the time. This report shows the number has now grown to 400. There may be a majority of the world's experts now opposed to what the politicians are doing, and they claim they are acting in response to the "science". Amazing!

ANTARCTIC TEMPERATURES STABLE

Here's an interesting piece of research showing that the average temperature of the whole of the Antarctic has barely changed over the last 30 years, despite the large increase in CO2. I bet this item won't make the news!

GORE A HYPOCRITE?

When you click on this link, you will have to scroll down to see anything. In this piece Marlo Lewis looks at the ex Vice President's lavish lifestyle and asks the question "Is Gore a hypocrite?" The answer he gives could apply to many in the alarmist camp. At the heart of the matter, this is really a question of belief, or faith. How often have we found that the leaders of religious groups have turned out to be people who say one thing and do another?

THE PROBLEMS WITH CARBON TRADING

Neil O'Brien, Director of the Open Europe think tank is interviewed in the USA . Here you can read the transcript or watch the interview. At one point O'Brien says: "if we do get to a serious price [for carbon] you'll see a relocation of aluminum, cement, paper, and pulp, all these things to countries that are just one country outside the E.U." Exactly, and unless the whole world adopts a level playing field, we will simply export our emissions and our jobs.

SCIENTIST URGES IPCC TO TELL TRUTH

Today's post highlights a letter from the Director of The International Arctic Research Centre, Alaska in which he asks the IPCC and the media to stop using images that are perfectly natural and normal to try to frighten the public into believing that the planet is on the edge of disaster. From someone who has great knowledge of the subject his words are very important, but I doubt they will appear on any news bulletin (unlike those of a certain ex Vice-President of the USA). I know whose words I would believe.

CLIMATE TALKS REVIEWED

This article from the National Review Gives a good overview on the politics behind the ongoing world climate talks. In the last paragrph the article says "2007 was roughly the same temperature as 2006, 2005, 2004, and so forth, back to 2000. After rising steadily and noticeably between 1980 and 1998, global temperatures have flattened out for the last decade, even though the climate models say they should be continuing to increase." We can be fairly certain that this will not be the message put out by the mainstream media!

CO2 EMISSIONS COMPARED

Here's an interesting article comparing emissions from various countries, some have signed the Kyoto Treaty, and others not. One thing seems certain, and that is that Kyoto has failed even to deliver its modest target. How much less likely then, that its successor will deliver. The world's leaders are all talk and no delivery, which in this case is probably a good thing, because if they did, they would soon be out of office due to the negative effects on the economy.

GLOBAL CARBON TAX BEING PROPOSED

Many people suspect that behind all the hype on GW lies a hidden agenda, which is to bring about an embryonic world government. Modelled on the development of the EU, this will come about gradually, and to give it a boost it will require impending disasters on a world scale. Goverment, as we all know, does not come cheap, and so the idea of a carbon tax would be an important step on the road to such a goal.

IPCC "CONSENSUS" MYTH EXPOSED

One of the most powerful arguments made by those who propagate the global warming alarmist CO2 theory is "it must be true because 2,500 top scientists all agree that it's true". This is an argument trotted out time after time by politicians. Here is an excellent article which debunks that argument once and for all.

WELL SAID, JOHN REDWOOD MP!

There are many mainstream politicians who are opposed to the direction being taken by the EU and the UN, but unfortunately only a few have the courage to speak out. With developments due to take a serious turn we urgently need more of them to speak up. Here senior Conservative, John Redwood, sets out his views. Well said, John!

ALL CAUSED BY G.W.

For those who like long lists Here, courtesy of a fascinating site called Numberwatch is a complete list of all the things attributed to global warming. Every one of them is linked to a source, though some may not work any more. So, if you have some spare time on your hands, you can spend an odd hour or more checking them all out. You just couldn't make it up! (Though someone did)

U.S. FIGHTS REARGUARD ACTION AT BALI

The U.S. negotiating team are trying hard to fend off the other developed nations who appear to be content to sign a deal which commits them to reduce CO2 emissions by 25 - 40% by 2020, which excludes "developing" nations like China and India. This report in the Telegraph paints the Americans as the "bad guys", but to me they seem to be the only sane people in this barmy conference. For a start there is a massive difference between 25% and 40%, so by giving such a range, it is obvious that it means no one will go beyond the 25%. If the "science" is giving such a range as being required, then that suggests that the "science" is at least a little vague!

If China and India are exempt, then in effect we are simply exporting our emissions (and our jobs and wealth!) to the east, with little or no reduction in overall CO2. These alarmists cannot have it both ways - either we must drastically reduce CO2 across the whole world or we are simply engaging in some sort of world social engineering project. To me it looks much more like the latter.

Finally, those who have seen the article - doesn't Hilary Benn look ridiculous holding a placard and joining the demonstration, supposedly trying to influence his fellow delegates to sign up. Anything for a photo-opportunity.

And then there's this; Friends of the Earth executive director Tony Juniper said: "The US are behaving like first class passengers on a jumbo jet who believe an emergency in economy class does not affect them". - But if the passengers in economy are the cause of the problem too, then not giving them the same rules is useless.

OPEN LETTER TO U.N. 100 SCIENTISTS SIGN

A new letter from 100 scientists sets out an alternative agenda to the severe cuts proposed by the alarmists at the Bali conference on climate change.

SCIENTISTS AT BALI CONFERENCE URGE "TAKE NO ACTION"

A group of scientists attending the lavish Bali conference on global warming told delegates that doing nothing was the best option. See the report here. This report is packed with further information and links to other material that is well worth reading.

POPE CONDEMNS CLIMATE CHANGE SCAREMONGERS

In this article from today's Mail the Pope makes a sensible contribution. If only more leaders would speak out we might not be in this mess.

WHOSE CO2 IS IT?

Statistics always leave room for argument as to their reliability. This article in the Telegraph highlights just what arguments will be made over CO2 emissions. It ought to be obvious that if we stop making things, our emissions go down, but when we import them the emissions are down to the other country that made them. This new report wants the other countries emissions to be down to us. With that logic China will be able to right off all its exported goods CO2 to us. The hard-line greens are determined to force us to cut our standard of living.

TILTING AT WINDMILLS

Here is an excellent article illustrating with clarity the insanity of relying on wind power for 20% of our electricity. Yet that is what our government is determined to do. Of course they will not be in power when the lights go out!

COUNCILS UNDER PRESSURE

Unless you are a local councillor, you have probably never heard of the Loal Government Association (LGA). It was set up in 1997, supposedly to provide a voice for local government, but what has happened is that, in my opinion, it has been used as a vehicle in order to push an agenda. The taxpayer funds a glossy weekly magazine which is sent to every councillor in the country. It is also available online.

In the latest issue you can see how the "climate change" issue is being pushed. Look at the example of "smarter travel" being pushed. 24 employees telling residents how to travel - the nanny state is growing into an interfering busybody. What you won't find from the LGA is any reference to any doubt about the cause of climate change. This is the message coming from government all the time.

As a councillor myself I can only use my vote and very limited influence to try to prevent my own local authority from spending money on such schemes.

GREENS ARE LIKE CND

When I read about more people marching* in support of "stopping global warming" my first reaction was one of disappointment and resignation. Then I recalled the CND marches back in the sixties. The CND could put thousands of supporters on the streets in several countries. Like today's GW alarmists, they believe passionately in their cause. They also believed in unilateral cuts, just as CND believed in unilateral disarmament. They are idealists who are sincere, but their idea is unworkable, because it goes against human nature. Just as the world can never rid itself of nuclear weapons, because we cannot trust each other, the same is true of emitting carbon dioxide. I find it hard to believe that western governments are unilaterally going to commit to anything that leads to their nations living standards being cut, while those in the developing nations continue to improve. Once any serious economic downturn became apparent, the government would be booted out.
*Further reports (thanks to Tom Nelson) suggest the numbers have been exaggerated by the BBC (nothing unexpected here then!)

NEW REPORT BY INTERNATIONAL BODY

Most international reports on climate change are from the alarmist camp, so it makes a refreshing change to read one which talks common sense. It just reinforces the point we make on this site, that there is no consensus, and governments need to listen to the voice of common sense; not just the doom merchants.

G.W. TO REDUCE 'FLU

We seldom hear of any advantage of a slightly warmer climate, but here is an article which mentions one.

SEA LEVEL DATA DISPUTE

Here is an interesting blog. In this article some important sea level data is being disputed. Like so much information on our climate there does not seem to be any consensus.

EU FUNDS GREEN ALARMISTS

Here is an extraordinary story of millions of pounds of our taxes being squandered by the EU to fund green lobby groups like WWF to lobby the EU. Isn't this a case of politicians funding those who they agree with? Where is the balance?

SAVE THE RAIN FORESTS - GIVE 'EM THE MONEY!

This article in today's Telegraph quotes from a report by the WWF which warns of the massive destruction of the rain forests. While not doubting the importance of these massive areas, the solution to the problem offered by the report is missing the point altogether.

The report says, "At the international negotiations currently underway in Bali, governments must agree a process which results in ambitious global emission reduction targets beyond the current phase of Kyoto which ends in 2012. Crucially this must include a strategy to reduce emissions from forests and help break the cycle of deforestation."

They go on to say "All opportunities to govern Amazon frontier expansion must be seized. One of the most promising approaches to the large-scale conservation of Amazon forests is to compensate tropical nations for their reductions in heat-trapping gas emissions from tropical forests."

Here we see the real agenda which is for us to subsidise these nations. These rain forests are important for a whole host of reasons, and the nations that have them need to preserve them in their own interests. The destruction of these forests is being blamed on climate change which is allegedly down to CO2 emissions, when the real blame lies with their destruction for profit and the failure of the governments in the third world to protect them. Giving them bigger handouts is unlikely to be effective.

WARMING NOT GLOBAL

There never has been such a thing as "global warming". This is a catch-phrase that has simply been dreamt up by a spin-doctor. While some parts are warming, others experience cooling. Look at this report from Montreal for example.

IS THE SUN COOLING?

This article in the Independent shows how complex our climate is, and how foolish we would be to rely on one unproven fad (that CO2 drives the climate) and ignore what is staring us in the face - the sun.

ADAPT OR DIE

Another scary prediction by an international organisation has hit the news. Like a lot of such predictions it makes bleak reading, and yet the message is not one of prevention, but of adaptation. This is a sensible approach. We cannot predict the future, but we do know that sea levels are likely to carry on rising, as this has been going on for centuries at about 7 inches a century. We also know that in some places the land is sinking, for example in southern England it has been sinking at about 24 inches a century. Obviously these changes need to be factored in when planning for sea defences.

COMMON SENSE FROM THE USA

This report from the USA shows what the UK government should be doing with our "Climate Change" bill, that is if we have any MPs with the guts to stand up to the alarmist consensus here. Unless they do we are consigned to an expensive and restricted future.

ANOTHER SCARE STORY!

This story in today's Telegraph confirms what we already knew; that if CO2 is the cause of GW then it is no use half the world cutting back if the other half is left to carry on regardless. If you believe that CO2 causes GW then we're all doomed! Lucky, then, that there is plenty of good scientific evidence that it doesn't! It's such a miserable life being an alarmist.

SHOULD WE LAUGH OR CRY?

Just take a look at this report about the latest lavish conference on the climate; and that's before taking into account all the hot air from the meeting!

DOWNING STREET PETITION

Here is a link to a petition which our UK visitors might care to sign. I doubt it will have any effect on the Prime Minister, but on the other hand at least it will let him know that not everyone is of the same view.

THE COST OF RATIONING CARBON UNDER KYOTO

this report shows the cost of carbon trading to those nations who signed the Kyoto Treaty and have not made the requisite CO2 emission cuts, (due to economic growth, for example). The actual costs will be born by the workers and taxpayers of the nations. They are already paying a real price now, for an unproven "benefit" at some unspecified time in the future. It is the nearest thing to a penance in the modern world. The developing nations and the USA have so far escaped.

POLAR BEARS DOING O.K.

Here is a report on eureferendum blog showing how our big furry friends are coping well with climate change after all. Alarmists can relax, unlike the baby seals. Isn't nature cruel?