Global Warming, Energy
Environment, Science

The advocates of a US federal carbon tax are in an awkward position. They have stressed to the public that the majority of natural scientists believe human-caused carbon emissions are at least partially responsible for the rise in global temperatures over the last century, and that any physicist or climatologist who denies this is outside “the consensus.” They think this is sufficient to prove that a US carbon tax is therefore a wise policy move. Unfortunately for them, “the consensus” in the economics literature shows that this conclusion is far more dubious.

Air quality in the United States is getting cleaner, but sadly many Americans believe the opposite. In order to explain the reality of America’s improving environmental quality, Steven Hayward has spent years compiling environmental data with his Almanac of Environmental Trends. Recently he released an update using data from the Environmental Protection Agency to chronicle the astonishing reductions in air pollution in the last few years alone.

Anyone can do this experiment and prove that carbon dioxide (CO2) increases the pH of natural water systems.

This week the editorial board demanded that Obama should live up to his SOTU speech and part the seas and stop global warming. I was planning on writing this week about Agenda 21 and its 1992 proposals for storm water. Let’s see what we can do here with the 2 concepts.

Europe’s heads of State and government want to promote shale gas and to reduce energy prices. They would rather promote competition than stop global warming.—Christopher Ziedler, Der Tagesspiegel, 22 May 2013

A Climate Depot Special Report debunking a global warming/tornado connection

Morano Statement: “U.S.  Senators Boxer and Whitehouse and other global warming activists have descended into buffoonery trying to exploit a natural disaster in Oklahoma. Have you no sense of decency, Senators? At long last, have you left no sense of decency or understanding of science?”

The European Union, which has spearheaded efforts to curb global warming, is set to adopt a change of focus in response to concerns over costs and the impact on companies in economically depressed Europe. Under the change, the European Union will prioritize the supply of energy at affordable prices over cutting greenhouse gas emissions which impose burdens on industries, in a turnaround of the region’s energy policy, an EU official said Saturday. EU leaders will decide on the shift in energy policy at a meeting Wednesday. The change reflects requests from businesses in the 27-member zone amid the prolonged economic slump triggered by the eurozone sovereign debt crisis, the official said.—Kyodo News International, 18 May 2013

The leader of the Scottish ­Government review of landownership yesterday pledged to examine ways of redistributing the cash wealthy lairds make from wind farms to benefit the less-advantaged. Alison Elliot, chair of the Land Reform Review Group (LRRG), said the issue would be investigated amid concerns that aristo­crats are benefiting from the renewables revolution while the poor grapple with fuel ­poverty.—Tom Peterkin, The Scotsman, 16 May 2013

Most of us have moments when we could really use a hug – when we’re sad, lonely, scared or stressed. The therapeutic value of a good squeeze for emotional wellbeing is well documented.

ACS Macro Letters

Amid concerns over the potential health effects of existing flame retardants for home furniture, fabrics and other material, scientists are reporting development of an “exceptionally” effective new retardant that appears safer and more environmentally friendly. Their report on the first-of-its-kind coating, ideal for the polyurethane foam in couches and bedding that causes many fire deaths, appears in ACS Macro Letters.