{Disarmed} More Hansen dissent, Sen Menendez and the Goracle and the Weekly Chilling Effect cartoon

Energy and Environment: Around The Interwebs

* Dr. John Theon, who supervised Hansen at NASA, says “add my name to those who disagree that global warming is man made.”

* SPPI: “Warming freezes the Southern Ocean”

* “When Climate Policy Clashes With Trade Policy”

* You probably saw this coming: “After years of battling with a White House that questioned the science behind global warming, Democratic lawmakers see a chance to begin a raft of programs aimed at environmental protection, using economic justifications for efforts like developing low-emission cars.”

* So that’s why the Chinese limit the number of children couples can have …. : Environmentalists warn that “Having More Than 2 Kids Will Destroy Planet”

* Letter: Why assume that more global warming is bad?

* Iain Murray: “EU member states have found it very difficult to reduce emissions, meet renewable energy targets or create lasting green jobs.”

* Al Gore and Venus Envy

Invitations Sen. Menendez Should Have Extended to the “Goracle”

Washington Post’s Dana Milbank offers the play by play of lawmaker awe as the “Goracle” once again graces Capitol hill with his fortune-telling presence. The most astounding take away from the hearing wasn’t the prophetic apocalypse facing humans but the flippant invitation from Senator Menendez to his highness.

“Others sought to buy the Goracle’s favor by offering him gifts. ‘Thank you for your incredible leadership; you make this crystalline for those who don’t either understand it or want to understand it,’ gushed Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), who went on to ask: ‘Will you join me this summer at the Jersey Shore?’

Yes, let’s talk about the end of mankind from breathtaking shores with chardonnay in hand. Here are a few invitations we wish Senator Menendez would have extended to the Goracle:

“Come to factories in New Jersey and explain the sacrifices and job losses workers will have to make under your vision of a cap and trade system?

“Come door to door with me in New Jersey to explain to homeowners why they should pay more electricity and fuel?”

“Come with me to senior centers in New Jersey and explain why they need to be disproportionately impacted as they pay a greater percentage of their limited income on daily staples such as energy and food?”

Hot Hypocrisy

Last week’s New York Times highlights President Obama’s more casual work dress and his desire to keep the oval office nice and balmy..

White House Unbuttons Formal Dress Code

WASHINGTON — The capital flew into a bit of a tizzy when, on his first full day in the White House, President Obama was photographed in the Oval Office without his suit jacket. There was, however, a logical explanation: Mr. Obama, who hates the cold, had cranked up the thermostat. “He’s from Hawaii, O.K.?” said Mr. Obama’s senior adviser, David Axelrod, who occupies the small but strategically located office next door to his boss. “He likes it warm. You could grow orchids in there.”

Is this the same Barack Obama who just last year chided us all for small indulgences like turning up our thermostats?

“We can’t drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times … and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK,” Obama said. “That’s not leadership. That’s not going to happen,” he added. — Barack Obama

“Come with me to the unemployment centers in New Jersey and explain to people why they have not already been hired by the green economy industries already being subsidized, many of whom are going belly up not withstanding government support, in favor of those industries in which they were employed and were not subsidized?”

It’s Planetary Trends, Stupid

Fresh on the heels of news from Pew Research that tackling climate climate change is low on the public’s totem pole comes news from Rasmussen that fewer Americans are buying into the idea of man-made climate change.

Andy Revkin from New York Times reports on DotEarth:

Although the more general issue of protecting the environment ranked higher than climate (named by 41 percent of the poll subjects) that figure was 15 percentage points lower than in the same poll a year ago. Another hint of cooling concerns about climate came Monday in a Rasmussen Reports poll on global warming…

From Rasmussen Reports, Jan. 19:

Forty-four percent (44%) of U.S. voters now say long-term planetary trends are the cause of global warming, compared to 41% who blame it on human activity.

Seven percent (7%) attribute global warming to some other reason, and nine percent (9%) are unsure in a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.

Fifty-nine percent (59%) of Democrats blame global warming on human activity, compared to 21% percent of Republicans. Two-thirds of GOP voters (67%) see long-term planetary trends as the cause versus 23% of Democrats. Voters not affiliated with either party by eight points put the blame on planetary trends.

In July 2006, 46% of voters said global warming is caused primarily by human activities, while 35% said it is due to long-term planetary trends.





	February 2, 2008 Energy and Environment: Around The Interwebs * Dr. John Theon, who supervised Hansen at NASA, says “add my name to those who disagree that global warming is man made.” * SPPI: “Warming freezes the Southern Ocean” * “When Climate Policy Clashes With Trade Policy” * You probably saw this coming: “After years of battling with a White House that questioned the science behind global warming, Democratic lawmakers see a chance to begin a raft of programs aimed at environmental protection, using economic justifications for efforts like developing low-emission cars.” * So that’s why the Chinese limit the number of children couples can have …. : Environmentalists warn that “Having More Than 2 Kids Will Destroy Planet” * Letter: Why assume that more global warming is bad? * Iain Murray: “EU member states have found it very difficult to reduce emissions, meet renewable energy targets or create lasting green jobs.” * Al Gore and Venus Envy Invitations Sen. Menendez Should Have Extended to the “Goracle” Washington Post’s Dana Milbank offers the play by play of lawmaker awe as the “Goracle” once again graces Capitol hill with his fortune-telling presence. The most astounding take away from the hearing wasn’t the prophetic apocalypse facing humans but the flippant invitation from Senator Menendez to his highness. “Others sought to buy the Goracle’s favor by offering him gifts. ‘Thank you for your incredible leadership; you make this crystalline for those who don’t either understand it or want to understand it,’ gushed Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), who went on to ask: ‘Will you join me this summer at the Jersey Shore?’ Yes, let’s talk about the end of mankind from breathtaking shores with chardonnay in hand. Here are a few invitations we wish Senator Menendez would have extended to the Goracle: “Come to factories in New Jersey and explain the sacrifices and job losses workers will have to make under your vision of a cap and trade system? “Come door to door with me in New Jersey to explain to homeowners why they should pay more electricity and fuel?” “Come with me to senior centers in New Jersey and explain why they need to be disproportionately impacted as they pay a greater percentage of their limited income on daily staples such as energy and food?” Hot Hypocrisy Last week’s New York Times highlights President Obama’s more casual work dress and his desire to keep the oval office nice and balmy.. White House Unbuttons Formal Dress Code WASHINGTON — The capital flew into a bit of a tizzy when, on his first full day in the White House, President Obama was photographed in the Oval Office without his suit jacket. There was, however, a logical explanation: Mr. Obama, who hates the cold, had cranked up the thermostat. “He’s from Hawaii, O.K.?” said Mr. Obama’s senior adviser, David Axelrod, who occupies the small but strategically located office next door to his boss. “He likes it warm. You could grow orchids in there.” Is this the same Barack Obama who just last year chided us all for small indulgences like turning up our thermostats? “We can’t drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times … and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK,” Obama said. “That’s not leadership. That’s not going to happen,” he added. — Barack Obama “Come with me to the unemployment centers in New Jersey and explain to people why they have not already been hired by the green economy industries already being subsidized, many of whom are going belly up not withstanding government support, in favor of those industries in which they were employed and were not subsidized?” It’s Planetary Trends, Stupid Fresh on the heels of news from Pew Research that tackling climate climate change is low on the public’s totem pole comes news from Rasmussen that fewer Americans are buying into the idea of man-made climate change. Andy Revkin from New York Times reports on DotEarth: Although the more general issue of protecting the environment ranked higher than climate (named by 41 percent of the poll subjects) that figure was 15 percentage points lower than in the same poll a year ago. Another hint of cooling concerns about climate came Monday in a Rasmussen Reports poll on global warming… From Rasmussen Reports, Jan. 19: Forty-four percent (44%) of U.S. voters now say long-term planetary trends are the cause of global warming, compared to 41% who blame it on human activity. Seven percent (7%) attribute global warming to some other reason, and nine percent (9%) are unsure in a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Fifty-nine percent (59%) of Democrats blame global warming on human activity, compared to 21% percent of Republicans. Two-thirds of GOP voters (67%) see long-term planetary trends as the cause versus 23% of Democrats. Voters not affiliated with either party by eight points put the blame on planetary trends. In July 2006, 46% of voters said global warming is caused primarily by human activities, while 35% said it is due to long-term planetary trends.