Posted on 09/03/2013 1:27:30 PM PDT by neverdem
It’s the coolest summer in a century, or at least the government is reporting the fewest number of 100 degree days at U.S. HCN (Historical Climatology Network) stations. Yet I’m sure that somewhere someone is arguing that this is a result of man-made global warming — or, er, climate change. For years, global warming alarmists have claimed that any unusual or unpleasant weather is the result of global warming, even as, inconveniently, global temperatures seem to have plateaued or fallen over the last 15 years, contrary to global warming theory.
The science is settled, alarmists like to insist. But science is never settled; scientific theories are by definition falsifiable and sometimes are falsified. Recently Interior Secretary Sally Jewell assured an audience of DOI employees that everyone there believed in global warming. This is an exhortation more appropriate for a religious service than a regulatory agency meeting. For many global warming has become a substitute for religious, with rituals (recycling), festivals (Earth Day) and even indulgences (carbon offsets for Al Gore’s private jet travel). Sally Jewell’s exhortation was just another form of worship.
Does this mean that global warming theories have been conclusively refuted? No. There’s a difference between weather (short-term) and climate (long-term). If carbon dioxide emissions were the only factor affecting climate, then global warming alarmist theories would indubitably be correct. But other factors seem to affect climate as well — like the sun, clouds, oceans and the interactions between them and other factors. Scientists don’t fully understand how these factors interact. It makes sense for policymakers and citizens to keep an eye out for possible climate change and to think about how to mitigate any negative effects. But for the moment let’s appreciate this summer’s moderate temperatures.
Kinda like the Democrats’ “Peace Bombs”.
Some people simply can’t be embarrassed.
It’s all the pollution that’s blocking out the sun’s radiation. At least that’s what they said back in the 1970s as what was going to cause the coming Ice Age.
We’ve had a very cool summer, and there have been no hurricanes in the Atlantic and not even a tropical depression in the Gulf. We due for a brutally cold winter. And probably a string of several. Why? Because the naturally occurring climate cycles say so. Good thing we closed down all those coal-fired electrical plants. Can’t wait to see the Super Bowl in Jersey buried in a 12” blizzard.
I really respected Michael Barone until he came out for sodomite “marriage”.
Stupid un-predictable climate change. The climate ain’t cooperating worth a damn. For instance the Yosemite fire. Caused by spontaneous combustion? Or pot growers.
Global warming is hot. No it’s cool.
Confusing eh? LOL!
Good thing we closed down all those coal-fired electrical plants.
The peons from the $2000 seats will be storming the suites LOL.
That would be called “Unexpected”. I never hear what they expect before the unexpected announcement.
I’ve been a huge Pournelle fan for 35+ years. Niven too, but Pournelle does political commentary too.
No fools! Obama’s policies have cooled the earth and lowered the ocean levels, doncha know?
Two bits we still will still see a, “Warmest year on record” headline before 2013 is over.
Keep in mind that every time they set up a new weather station, it will by definition have a "warmest year on record."
The Boston Globe revelled in the Burning Man Festival. It was global warming in it’s finest hour.
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