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Thu, 2010-02-25 11:18Kevin Grandia
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Common Sense and the Attack on the IPCC

When all logic leaves an argument, which is something that seems to happen on a daily basis in politics, it is good to step back and lay things out in black and white. Give some perspective to a situation to show just how ridiculous the situation has become.

The unprecedented attack on the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) has reached new heights with Republican Senator James Inhofe now calling for criminal investigations into the work of prominent climate change scientists.

Inhofe makes some very broad claims, based on a very narrow band of evidence, saying that, "the Minority Staff believes the emails and accompanying documents seriously compromise the IPCC-based "consensus" and its central conclusion that anthropogenic emissions are inexorably leading to environmental catastrophes."

Inhofe is claiming that based on statements made in 3 emails, by a single person, he has enough evidence to now claim that decades of research by thousands of scientists is "seriously compromised." Like I said, politics and logic rarely go had-in-hand.

To lay out in black and white, below I have compiled a list of the scientific references used in just two of the forty four chapters of the last IPCC report. There are thousands of papers, by thousands of scientists, over decades that make up this body of research.

Even if the so-called "climate gate" turned out to be the scandal Inhofe wants it to be, you could throw out that research and there would still remain thousands of papers, by thousands of scientists.

Take a quick look below at the list and you'll see what I mean. That is, of course, if you're willing to allow common sense back into the conversation on the subject of climate change.

Read more: Common Sense and the Attack on the IPCC
Wed, 2010-02-24 16:23Kevin Grandia
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Lou Dobbs thinks Jim Inhofe deserves a round of applause

Not surprising, but all the same ridiculous.

Lou "Mr. Independent" Dobbs said on his show today that Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) deserves a round of applause as a man "utterly vindicated" for his stand against climate change science. 

Here's the catch Lou, tell me where the facts surrounding the science of climate change have changed? Where is the science refuting the multiple lines of evidence all showing a dramatic rise in temperatures over the last decade in relation to the continued burning of greenhouse gas intensive fuels like oil and coal. 

The only applause Inhofe deserves is from the oil and gas lobby who have donated so much money to his coffers over the years.

Watch it:

Read more: Lou Dobbs thinks Jim Inhofe deserves a round of applause
Fri, 2010-02-12 12:48Kevin Grandia
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Climate Cover Up still Rocking the Charts on Amazon

It seems so long ago that Climate Cover Up was released, but it has only been 4 months. It is still topping the chart on Amazon in both Canada and the United States.

The sales rankings change hourly, but I just took a look and saw that on Amazon Canada, Climate Cover Up is still the top selling public policy book:

Read more: Climate Cover Up still Rocking the Charts on Amazon
Wed, 2010-02-03 17:34Kevin Grandia
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Comments on DeSmogBlog now tightly moderated

People have been emailing over the last few weeks about DeSmogBlog's comment section.

Most are wondering why their comments are not posting even if they're registered as a user. A few, from people I am sure you can guess, are accusing us of censorship, and a few more (sure you can guess those too) are saying its indicative of a drop in visitors.

Of course, the conspiracy theorists in the latter two categories are wrong as they usually are.

The truth of the matter is that the comment sections on DeSmog were turning into useless flame wars that did little to advance the dialogue we want to have here on the site. So, for the time being comments will remain tightly moderated and we will turn them back on to allow registered users to post directly to the site after an adequate cool down period.

We are also developing new functions that will hopefully help the community self-moderate the comments.

So stay tuned.

Read more: Comments on DeSmogBlog now tightly moderated
Wed, 2010-02-03 09:53Kevin Grandia
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Breaking: Penn State inquiry finds no evidence for allegations against Michael Mann

Penn State University has concluded that there is no evidence to substantiate the claims made against climate scientist Dr. Michael Mann surrounding the emails stolen from the Climate Research Unit at East Anglia University.

An inquiry panel was set up earlier this year to look at allegations made by right-wing bloggers and media outlets against Penn State University climate scientist, Dr. Michael Mann, relating to the contents of emails stolen from the Climate Research Unit at the University of East Anglia in London.

On all 4 of the allegations made against Dr. Mann the panel has concluded that there is no evidence to substantiate the claims. 

However, the panel has recommended that the allegation that Dr. Mann "engaged in, directly or indirectly, any actions that seriously deviated from accepted practices within the academic community for proposing, conducting or reporting research or other scholarly activities," be further investigated.

Dr. Mann issued a statement today on the findings, saying that:

"I am very pleased that, after a thorough review, the independent Penn State committee found no evidence to substantiate the allegations against me.

Three of the four allegations have been dismissed completely. Even though no evidence to substantiate the fourth allegation was found, the University administrators thought it best to convene a separate committee of distinguished scientists to resolve any remaining questions about academic procedures.

This is very much the vindication I expected since I am confident I have done nothing wrong.

I fully support the additional inquiry which may be the best way to remove any lingering doubts. I intend to cooperate fully in this matter – as I have since the beginning of the process."

The full report of the inquiry panel can be found here: Concerning the Allegations of Research Misconduct Against Dr. Michael E. Mann

Read more: Breaking: Penn State inquiry finds no evidence for allegations against Michael Mann
Tue, 2010-02-02 12:57Kevin Grandia
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Monbiot rips Plimer and Plimer blames DeSmogBlog

In late December, Guardian columnist George Monbiot squared off on ABC Australia with the climate-change expert wannabe, Ian Plimer.

Monbiot rips Plimer, and it's very amusing to watch Plimer pretend he's an expert in climate science, despite the fact  that he has no academic background in climate change research and is on the board of directors of no less than three very large mining companies.

Regardless, I hadn't had a chance to see the entire video and just had a chance to watch it in it's entirety. Nobody had told me that near the end of the debate Plimer smears and lies about DeSmogBlog, saying that:

"Why does Mr. Monbiot use blog sites, where the bloggers are paid to smear scientists, this is DeSmogBlog which is paid for by the Suzuki Foundation."

Sorry, Plimer, we don't smear scientists, we simply point out the lack of expertise and fossil fuel industry ties of people like you who are spreading misinformation about the realities of climate change.

DeSmogBlog has never received a single penny from the Suzuki Foundation and Monbiot has never "used" DeSmogBlog.

Here's the last 3rd of the debate, Plimer lies about DeSmogBlog at the 7 minute mark:

Read more: Monbiot rips Plimer and Plimer blames DeSmogBlog

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