Distractions, agendas, false realities, and policies that bring much harm but few benefits

Paul Driessen

The White House has released its latest National Climate Assessment. An 829-page report and 127-page “summary” were quickly followed by press releases, television appearances, interviews and photo ops with tornado victims - all to underscore President Obama’s central claims:

Human-induced climate change, “once considered an issue for the distant future, has moved firmly into the present.” It is “affecting Americans right now,” disrupting their lives. The effects of “are already being felt in every corner of the United States.” Corn producers in Iowa, oyster growers in Washington, maple syrup producers in Vermont, crop-growth cycles in Great Plains states “are all observing climate-related changes that are outside of recent experience.” Extreme weather events “have become more frequent and/or intense.”

It’s pretty scary sounding. It has to be. First, it is designed to distract us from topics that the President and Democrats do not want to talk about: ObamaCare, the IRS scandals, Benghazi, a host of foreign policy failures, still horrid jobless and workforce participation rates, and an abysmal 0.1% first quarter GDP growth rate that hearkens back to the Great Depression.

Second, fear-inducing “climate disruption” claims are needed to justify job-killing, economy-choking policies like the endless delays on the Keystone XL pipeline; still more wind, solar and ethanol mandates, tax breaks and subsidies; and regulatory compliance costs that have reached $1.9 trillion per year nearly one-eighth of the entire US economy.

Third, scary hyperventilating serves to obscure important realities about Earth’s weather and climate, and even in the NCA report itself. Although atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have been rising steadily for decades, contrary to White House claims, average planetary temperatures have not budged for 17 years.

No Category 3-5 hurricane has made landfall in the United States since 2005, the longest such period since at least 1900. Even with the recent Midwestern twisters, US tornado frequency remains very low, and property damage and loss of life from tornadoes have decreased over the past six decades.

Sea levels are rising at a mere seven inches per century. Antarctic sea ice recently reached a new record high. A new report says natural forces could account for as much as half of Arctic warming, and warming and cooling periods have alternated for centuries in the Arctic. Even in early May this year, some 30% of Lake Superior was still ice-covered, which appears to be unprecedented in historical records. Topping it off, a warmer planet and rising CO2 levels improve forest, grassland and crop growth, greening the planet.

Press releases on the NCA report say global temperatures, heat waves, sea levels, storms, droughts and was done by computer models which are based on the false assumption that carbon dioxide now drives climate change, and that powerful natural forces no longer play a role. The models have never been able to predict global temperatures accurately, and the divergence between model predictions and actual measured temperatures gets worse with every passing year. The models cannot even “hindcast” temperatures over the past quarter century, without using fudge factors and other clever tricks.

Moreover, much of the White House and media spin contradicts what the NCA report actually says. For example, it concludes that “there has been no universal trend in the overall extent of drought across the continental U.S. since 1900.” Other trends in severe storms, it states, “are uncertain.”

Climate change, Johnstown Floods, Dust Bowls, extreme weather events and forest fires have been part of Earth and human history forever and no amount of White House spin can alter that fact. To suggest that any changes in weather or climate or any temporary increases in extreme weather events are due to humans is patently absurd. To ignore positive trends and the 17-year absence of warming is abominable.

Fourth, sticking to the “manmade climate disaster” script is essential to protect the turf, reputations, funding and power of climate alarmists and government bureaucrats. The federal government doles out some $2.6 billion annually in grants for climate research but only for work that reflects White House perspectives. Billions more support subsidies and loans for renewable energy programs that represent major revenue streams for companies large and small, and part of that money ends up in campaign war chests for (mostly Democrat) legislators who support the climate regulatory-industrial complex.

None of them is likely to admit any doubts, alter any claims or policies, or reduce their increasingly vitriolic attacks on skeptics of “dangerous manmade global warming.” They do not want to risk being exposed as false prophets and charlatans, or worse. Follow the money.

Last, and most important, climate disruption claims drive a regulatory agenda that few Americans support. Presidential candidate Obama said his goal was “fundamentally transforming” the United States and ensuring that electricity rates “necessarily skyrocket.” On climate change, President Obama has made it clear that he “can’t wait for an increasingly dysfunctional Congress to do its job. Where they won’t act, I will.” His Environmental Protection Agency, Department of the Interior, Department of Energy and other officials have steadfastly implemented his anti-hydrocarbon policies.

Chief Obama science advisor John Holdren famously said: “A massive campaign must be launched to… de-develop the United States ...bringing our economic system (especially patterns of consumption) into line with the realities of ecology and the global resource situation....[Economists] must design a stable, low-consumption economy in which there is a much more equitable [re]distribution of wealth.”

(The President also wants to ensure that neither a Keystone pipeline approval nor a toned-down climate agenda scuttles billionaire Tom Steyer’s $100-million contribution to Democrat congressional candidates.)

This agenda translates into greater government control over energy production and use, job creation and economic growth, and people’s lives, livelihoods, living standards, liberties, health and welfare. It means fewer opportunities and lower standards of living for poor and middle class working Americans. It means greater power and control for politicians, bureaucrats, activists and judges but with little or no accountability for mistakes made, damage done or penalties deliberately exacted on innocent people.
A strong economy, modern technologies, and abundant, reliable, affordable energy are absolutely essential if we are to adapt to future climate changes, whatever their cause and survive the heat waves, cold winters, floods, droughts and vicious weather events that will most certainly continue coming.

The Obama agenda will reduce our capacity to adapt, survive and thrive. It will leave more millions jobless, and reduce the ability of families to heat and cool their homes properly, assure nutritious meals, pay their rent or mortgage, and pursue their American dreams.

America’s minority and blue collar families will suffer - while Washington, DC power brokers and lobbyists will continue to enjoy standards of living, housing booms and luxury cars unknown in the nation’s heartland. Think Hunger Games or the Politburo and nomenklatura of Soviet Russia.

Worst, it will all be for nothing, even if carbon dioxide does exert a stronger influence on Earth’s climate than actual evidence suggests. While the United States slashes its hydrocarbon use, job creation, economic growth and international competitiveness, China, India, Brazil, Indonesia and Spain, Germany, France and Great Britain are all increasing their coal use ... and CO2 emissions.

President Obama and White House advisor John Podesta are convinced that Congress and the American people have no power or ability to derail the Administration’s determination to unilaterally impose costly policies to combat “dangerous manmade climate disruption” - and that the courts will do nothing to curb their executive orders, regulatory fiats and economic disruption.

If they are right, we are in for some very rough times and it becomes even more critical that voters learn the facts and eject Harry Reid and his Senate majority, to restore some semblance of checks and balances.

Paul Driessen is senior policy analyst for the Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow (www.CFACT.org) and author of Eco-Imperialism: Green power - Black death.

A team of 14 scientists rebutted these scare points raised by the UCS - see our press release and detailed rebuttal. A similar effort, taking a different approach than other rebuttals is being made for the equally flawed NCA report - to be posted this weekend.

UNH UCS REBUTTAL

CLAIMS MADE:

(1) “The resulting reports detail how the state has been getting warmer and wetter over the last century, how the rate of change has increased over the last four decades, and how those trends will likely continue over the 21st century.”

(2) “Annual average precipitation may increase 14 to 20 percent across the state. Precipitation events that drop more than four inches of precipitation in 48 hours are projected to increase two to three fold.”

(3) “More frequent extreme precipitation events combined with development in our watersheds will likely lead to more frequent and larger flooding events.”

(4) “Average annual temperatures may rise as much as 4 to 9 degrees Fahrenheit across the state.”

(5) “Summer temperatures may experience the most dramatic change, up 11 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. The frequency of extreme heat days is projected to increase dramatically, and the hottest days will be hotter, impacting human health, infrastructure, and the electrical grid.”

(6) “Extreme cold temperatures may occur less frequently, and extreme cold days may be warmer than in the past.”

(7) “Warming winters will reduce opportunities for snow- and ice-related recreation (and related economic activity).”

(8) “The growing season may get longer, which may provide opportunities for farmers to grow new crops. However, many existing crops will likely experience yield losses associated with increased frequency of high temperature stress, an increase in soil erosion and crop failure resulting from more frequent extreme precipitation events, inadequate winter chill period for optimum fruiting, and increased pressure from invasive weeds, insects, or disease.”

(9) “We’ve already bought several decades of climate change because of all the CO2 in the atmosphere. But the most effective way to deal with change in the climate is to reduce carbon pollution.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 29, 2014

PRESS RELEASE

UNH and Union of Concerned Scientist Report is Wrong on the Facts

14 Prominent Scientists and Academics Refute Claims with Historical Data

CONCORD, NH - Today a group of prominent scientists and meteorologists called into question the findings of a recent study by the Union of Concerned Scientists and the University of New Hampshire, “Climate Change in New Hampshire: Past, Present, and Future.”

“It is disappointing that New Hampshire’s leading University has chosen to publish a report which is not grounded on actual facts, but on conjecture,” stated Joe D’Aleo. ‘The authors have based all of their findings on the failed climate models. Scientists like Dr. John Christy and Dr. Judith Curry have written extensively on the failure of the climate models and how the projections fall below accepted levels of scientific significance. UNH and the UCS blindly hold to the model forecasts for their projections, despite the models incredibly poor track record.

Citing data from numerous national and global climate resources, the group identified nine specific claims that actual data refutes. This includes claims about extreme weather, changes in New Hampshire’s temperatures, reduction in our snowfall and changes in our agricultural production. All of these claims are contradicted by the facts.

“We cannot understand how scientists can use these flawed models as the basis for their projections,” continued Mr. D’Aleo. “Just as concerning is how these scientists do not provide policy makers and elected officials a fair and unbiased representation of what is going on with our weather and climate. Our brief report can provide decision makers with a better understanding of our climate through actual data instead of the conjecture provided by UNH and the UCS.”

See full report here

See also my weekly Weather Whys and Climate Wise local story “Sitting on the world’s greatest supply of gas and oil, we may face shortages because of green energy policies”. I heard from a Canadian today, electricity bills in Ontario, where policies enacted by Maurice Strong who pushed for the IPCC and one world government has sent their energy costs sky high reaching $1000/month. Ontario also banned the use of wood and wood pellet stoves. Here in this country, hyper hypocrite, Tom Steyer, who made his billions trading coal, is offering millions in support for democrats who will fight the Keystone pipeline or rail or truck transport of the oil we need. Meanwhile Harry is obsessed with the Koch brothers and fear over the loss of his Senate leadership but defends his billionaires in Nevada and the Soros family as well meaning when their goal is to destroy our economy and wrestle more control and ultimately achieve their long time goal of one world government.

People are beginning to wake up. We need your help. Art Horn has a program to open eyes and minds and has ben invited to talk to some high schools here in the state, but they don’t have the budget to pay expenses. Please donate even small amounts so we can have him come and speak to maybe several hundred young people (teachers and others on the outside will be invited) later this month. He has to travel 4 hours and set aside forensic and other work for the day which p[ay his bills. Thanks.

A few years back, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) added another woe to the already-long list of alleged negative consequences of global warming: airplane turbulence.

In an interview with the Detroit News, Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow said:

Climate change is very real. Global warming creates volatility and I feel it when I’m flying. The storms are more volatile.

Anyone else out there “feeling” global warming, or do we merely need to pass an anti-turbulence tax to satisfy the good Senator?  As Detroit News contributor Henry Payne noted: “And there are sea monsters in Lake Michigan. I can feel them when I’m boating.”

During an August 10 private meeting with the Detroit News editorial board, Stabenow explained her support for carbon dioxide restrictions designed to fight global warming. “Climate change is very real,” argued Stabenow. “Global warming creates volatility. I feel it when I’m flying. The storms are more volatile. We are paying the price in more hurricanes and tornadoes.”

Contradicting Stabenow’s claims, however, the U.S. National Weather Service reports the number of F2 or stronger tornadoes has been declining since the early 1970s and 2013 had 142 fewer tornadoes reported than an year on record. Florida State University scientists report global hurricane activity is at its lowest level in at least 30 years.

Fast forward to 2014:

The satellite images viewed by President Obama before a meeting with eight Western governors were stark, showing how snowpack in California’s mountains had shrunk by 86 percent in a single year.

“It was a ‘Houston, we have a problem’ moment,” recalled White House counselor John D. Podesta, one of two aides who briefed the president that February day. Obama mentioned the images several times as he warned the governors that political leaders had no choice but to cope with global warming’s impact.

The senate and the administration is filled with scientific illiterates and dangerous agenda driven politicians like Podesta.

This report in the Washington Post is a lead in to the US Climate Assessment Report to be issued tomorrow trying to energize the unwise and potentially deadly environmental agenda pushed by environMENTALists and the Hollywood elite ignorati.

After years of putting other policy priorities first - and dismaying many liberal allies in the process - Obama is now getting into the weeds on climate change and considers it one of the key components of his legacy, according to aides and advisers.

He is regularly briefed on scientific reports on the issue, including a national climate assessment that he will help showcase Tuesday. He is using his executive authority to cut greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and other sources, and is moving ahead with stricter fuel-efficiency standards for the heaviest trucks.

And while he routinely brings up climate change in closed-door meetings with world leaders, according to his aides, he also discusses it in his private life, talking about global warming’s implications with his teenage daughters.

“This is really real for him, in terms of what he’s leaving,” said Cecilia Munoz, who directs the White House Domestic Policy Council and has helped coordinate federal investment in climate-resilient infrastructure projects. “This is personal for him.”

It’s a notable transformation for a politician who as a senator talked in grand terms about the need to combat global warming but adopted a much more constrained approach in the run-up to his 2012 reelection. Environmentalists also remain anxious about Obama’s delay in making a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline, one of the movement’s signature issues.

Coal and gas industry officials say they are increasingly alarmed by Obama’s focus on climate change, saying administration policies are unrealistic and do not recognize how hydraulic fracturing has transformed the ability to extract oil and gas from the ground.

“They want a complete transformation from the hydrocarbon molecule to the electron, and their refusal to accept reality continues to frustrate me,” said Charles T. Drevna, president of the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers. “So my question is, why are we doing this? Is it because he promised to do it when he came into office? Is it because he’s got a large donor out there dangling a lot of money? Is it because he really believes it and is passionate about doing it? Or is it all of the above?”

Read more here.

In 2010/11, near record or record western snowpack lasted well into the summer. They would have been seeing widespread white if he had flown then. Its called weather. Snows improved in March and April in the west. Precipitation in the Sierra is down 38% for the season but is likely to recover with El Nino the next year.

Meanwhile ice on the Great Lakes is setting all-time records for this time of year and globally sea ice is at a new record.