HOW LONG DOES CO2 REMAIN IN THE ATMOSPHERE?

This is a critical question which has a bearing on the degree of warming that could be expected from a given amount of gas emitted, and it is actually the subject of huge controversy (like much associated with global warming). This article gives a good account of it and explains why the IPCC version is not correct.

EU LEADERS PULL BACK FROM THE BRINK ON ENERGY POLICY

This report by the Scientific Alliance spells out the dangers of current policy and looks at the new announcement. Although the language is nuanced, there seems to be a clear change of emphasis, and without the severe penalties the remaining goals look sure not to be achieved.

GRIDWATCH - SEE WHAT ENERGY SOURCES ARE POWERING THE GRID

This website gives the current split between the various energy sources, and it is interesting to see the variation of the wind component.

LINDZEN AND CHOI - CLIMATE SENSITIVITY MUCH LOWER THAN PREDICTED BY THE IPCC

This paper is now over two years old, but it is an absolutely vital contribution to the debate with its ground-breaking conclusion that climate sensitivity is only 0.7C instead of the 1.5 to 5C claimed by the IPCC.

EU TO DITCH BINDING RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGETS

This Telegraph article gives the details of this important U-turn in EU policy. At last the leaders of the EU have realised that the current policies are a failure, and only lead to uncompetitive industry and job losses.

AUSTRALIAN HEATWAVES ARE NOTHING NEW

This is a useful article which puts recent heatwaves down under in context. What we are seeing are extremes of weather, which have occurred in the recent past. We are always being told by climate change "experts" that we should not confuse climate (at least 30 years of data averaged out) with weather which is simply the day to day variation.

LARGE DISCREPANCY FOUND IN USA TEMPERATURE DATA

Here is the detail. It will be interesting to see if the agency responsible acknowledges the error and alters their records.

CLIMATE DATA IN CONFLICT

This piece looks at the paper that compares a number of different data sets that record the temperature records for China. The conclusion seems to be that they simply cannot be trusted as none of them agree. The question is - can we trust the data in other parts of the world?

EARTH IS SLOWLY COOLING SAYS NEW STUDY

This report looks at the new evidence which comes from tree rings, which I personally do not have much faith in as a proxy for temperature, as they can be affected by several other things, such as rainfall, sunshine etc. I merely put it forward as a piece of research, just like Mann's Hockey Stick.

IS THE SUN GOING TO SLEEP?

This short video clip shown on Newsnight explains that the sun is going very quiet and some scientists believe that this could have a profound effect on our weather, causing a mini ice age over the next 20 or 30 years.

PEAK WIND TO COME BEFORE PEAK OIL

This report looks at the predictions made by BP about future energy demand and it basically says that fossil fuels will be the main fuels for the next 20 years at least. This inevitably means that CO2 emissions will continue to rise. This is no surprise to readers of this blog, though it may come as a surprise to the global warming fear mongers.

UK WINS BATTLE TO STOP EU REGULATIONS ON FRACKING

This report explains that the EU has dropped its attempt to bring in regulations to restrict the development of shale gas. This is in large part due to pressure from the UK. This is a set back for the anti-fracking brigade in the UK who will now have to carry on their fight as the wells are drilled.

OBAMA UNDER PESSURE FROM BOTH GREENS AND FOSSIL FUEL LOBBY

This article looks at the pressure President Obama is under from both sides of the climate debate. With mid term elections coming up shortly he seems to be in trouble. 

MORE EVIDENCE OF GOVERNMENT COLLABORATING WITH NGO's

This piece looks at what is going on in the USA, but it is the same in many other nations all over the world. This is why it is going to be so difficult to end this CO2 religion.

IS OPINION ON GLOBAL WARMING SHIFTING IN OZ

This piece suggests that the tide may be turning. The new government is no doubt having some influence, but as the media begins to print more pieces of a sceptic persuasion the idea that the "science is settled" is beginning to crumble.

UN CLIMATE CHIEF BACKS COMMUNISM TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE

Here is the report. It just shows the real attitude of the United Nations leadership, and the direction they would like the nations of the world to take. So now we know. 

ALBEDO CHANGES ARE INCREASING NOT DECREASING

This piece explains that despite a decrease in Arctic ice area, the increase in the Antarctic ice area more than compensates for it. So, logically this extra high albedo ice should reflect more sunlight into space, thus cooling the planet.

UK GREEN PARTY LEADER FLOUNDERS IN TV DISCUSSION

This clip from a recent Daily Politics show is of an interview of the leader of the UK Green Party leader, a woman called Natalie Bennett who, from her accident seems to have spent a lot of time in Australia. (The only Green MP is Caroline Lucas who seems to have relinquished her position as party leader in order to give her more time to man the picket lines on anti-fracking demos.) The interviewer is the redoubtable Andrew Neil, with the other guest on this segment being the excellent Matt Ridley. Bennett seems to have learnt two things, one being that 97% of scientists agree that global warming is real and the other that "urgent action is needed to save the planet". No matter what the question, one or both of these answers was required. Her problem is that the evidence seems to conflict with her belief and parroting these phrases cannot change the facts.

Many readers will remember Andrew Neil's robust questioning of Ed Davey, the Climate Change Minister a little while back.

ALARMIST REPORT CLAIMS "SEA LEVELS TO RISE 8 FOOT"

Here is the report in my local paper. It is typical of the way journalists publish stories without including any evidence for them. The account even contradicts itself. At one point it says:

"The scientists and oceanographers reveal sea level changes have rapidly increased above natural standards since the industrial revolution."

A little later it says: "They concluded the sea-level was “just within” natural expectations, but was still quite fast by natural standards."

In the same paper there is an editorial comment headed "Can we prevent an 8 foot sea level rise?" It looks remarkably like naked propaganda. I wonder why the paper wants to take this stance.

To read the history of sea level click here. 

CHINA APPROVES MASSIVE NEW COAL CAPACITY

This article gives the details. It certainly is a big increase on the 2012 figure and dwarfs the puny emission cuts being made, at great cost, here in the UK

WIND FARMS TO BE PAID BILLIONS TO DO NOTHING

I know it sounds unbelievable, but I did mean to write BILLIONS, it is not one of my typos. Read it for yourself here. However you look at this, it is a colossal waste of money and we will all be paying the price for this.

 

GEO-ENGINEERING AS A MEANS OF CONTROLLING THE EARTH'S TEMPERATURE

This radio programme looks at the idea of using geo-engineering to prevent the planet from warming. It is being researched as a serious option if needed. The programme discusses the alternatives and the ethics of deliberately seeking to alter the climate. I suspect it would lead to a whole new area of argument if it was carried out. Some nations would benefit while others would not. One can imagine different nations seeking to gain an advantage by carrying out their own experiments.

SUPERVOLCANO COULD GO OFF WITHOUT A TRIGGER

This article gives the details. An eruption of this size would instantly put an end to any pretence that global warming was a problem, just as a man would quit worrying about his hair loss when having a heart attack.  

WIND TURBINES - THE HIDDEN TIME BOMB

This article looks at the serious problem concerning wind turbine gearboxes. I hope for all our sakes that the government have looked at this seriously. If not, our electricity bills look like they could be even more expensive.

CLIMATE PRAT AWARDS 2013 - THE RESULTS

Here are the results of the poll for the Climate Prat of the Year 2013. Some readers may have voted when the link was posted earlier in the year Here

UK FOREIGN OFFICE FUNDS CLIMATE PROPAGANDA TARGETTING CHILDREN

Here is the detail of an attempt at scaring the young into believing the planet is doomed. It is shocking to find that it is partly funded by the UK government. What a waste of taxpayers' money.

FREE ONLINE CLIMATE COURSE

Here is a link for those who are interested. Of course the thing is being run by those in the alarmist camp, so you must be prepared to listen to their version of events. I have signed up in order to take part in discourse with the "other side", but I look forward to the challenge.

SUN GOING INTO COOL MODE

Here are the details of our sun's latest progress as it has now fully reversed its magnetic poles. It will be very interesting to see if our planet's surface temperatures track the sun or CO2 levels more closely. 

JUDITH CURRY INTERVIEW

Here is an interview with climate scientist Judith Curry, who is known for her willingness to speak out even if she does not agree with the global warming mantra, one of the few working scientists to do so.

LITHODID CRABS - ARE THEY THE NEW POSTERCHILD FOR CLIMATE ALARM?

Here is the background to this unlikely scenario. They're not quite as cuddly as polar bears, but some are claiming that they are invading the Antarctic. The report, however is reassuring, so don't have nightmares. (It would make a good horror movie though!)

THAWING PERMAFROST WOULD NOT LEAD TO INCREASE IN CO2

This research contradicts some theories, that thawing permafrost in a warming world would cause extra CO2 to escape into the atmosphere. Not that there seems to be much warming at present, but it is comforting to know that another myth has been busted. Happy New Year to all readers of this blog.