Nicola Scafetta

Credentials

•  Ph.D., Physics, University of North Texas. [1]

Background 

Nicola Scafetta is a research scientist at Duke University Physics Department. He is known for proposing a phenomenological theory of climate change, claiming that oscillations induced by solar changes and other astronomical influences can affect climate.

According to his theory, which he presented to the EPA in a presentation titled "Climate Change and its Causes, a Discussion about some Key Issues [1]," we would be facing an imminent cooling period. [2]

However, Scafetta's theory has been disputed by other scientists [2]. [3]

Stance on Climate Change 

"At least 60% of the warming of the Earth observed since 1970 appears to be induced by natural cycles which are present in the solar system." [4]

Key Quotes 

"If climate is as sensitive to solar changes as the above phenomenological findings suggest, the current anthropogenic contribution to global warming is significantly overestimated." [5]

Key Deeds 

June 2011

Scafetta was a speaker [3] at the Heartland Institute's [4] Sixth International Conference on Climate Change [5].  [6]

February 26, 2009

When the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency called for alternative views on climate change, three skeptics presented: Richard Lindzen [6], Jean Lind and Nicola Scafetta.

In his presentation [1], Scafetta suggests that "a significant portion of climate change is natural and linked to changes of solar activity."and also discusses "the possibility of an imminent global cooling." [2]

His findings have circulated through the skeptical science community, and on skeptical blogs such as WUWT (Watts Up With That) [7]. 

December 2006

Scafetta was the co-author of "Phenomenological solar signature in 400 years of reconstructed Northern Hemisphere temperature [8]," a paper widely quoted by climate skeptics [9].

Many researchers (PDF [10]) in the field have viewed Scafetta's claims as being incorrect, and his papers have also been debunked by scientists at RealClimate [11]. [7]

It appears that Scafetta refused to release the code [9] to the software he used in this study. This meant that his results could not be replicated by climate scientists. [8]

Affiliations 

• Science and Public Policy Institute (SPPI) [12] — Scafetta published his paper, "Climate Change and Its Causes" (PDF [13]) with SPPI.

Publications

May of Scafetta's skeptical opinion articles and publications were published by organizations known for doubting the existence of climate change (including the Heartland Institute [4], and the Science and Public Policy Institute [14]).

Sample publications include: 

Resources

1. "Nicola Scafetta, PhD" (PDF [17]), Duke University. Accessed February, 2012.

2. "Climate Science Seminar: Climate Change and Its Causes: A Discussion about Some Key Issues [1]," National Center for Environmental Economics. Presented February 26, 2009.

3. Lisa Zygo. "Scientists find errors in hypothesis linking solar flares to global temperature [18]," Physorg.com, April 7, 2010. Archived February 10, 2012, with WebCite.

4. "Nicola Scafetta, PhD [19]," Profile at Duke University. Accessed February, 2012. Archived February 10, 2012 [20], with WebCite.

5. Nicola Scafetta and Bruce J. West. "Is climate sensitive to solar variability?" (PDF [16]), Physics Today (Opinion), March 2008.

6. "Nicola Scafetta [3]," International Conference on Climate Change (climateconference.heartland.org). Accessed February 10, 2012.

7. "A phenomenological sequel [11]," RealClimate, November 27, 2007.

8. Michael Le Page. "Sceptical climate researcher won't divulge key program, [9]" New Scientist, December 18, 2009. Archived February 10, 2012 [21], with WebCite.

9. ExxonSecrets Factsheet: Nicola Scafetta [22].