Part 1 of "Ew, I just stepped in a Heartland study!"

A headline on Utah's KCPW public radio exclaims "Conservative Think Tank Says Global Warming Needs More Study," originates from a news release issued by a group calling themselves the "Sutherland Institute."

Sutherland president Paul T. Mero argues that there is so much uncertainty surrounding the science of climate change that it is just too early for government to form any public policy.

Mero and his Institute are touting a "study" (pdf) released earlier this year by their "sister" think tank, the dubious Heartland Institute as evidence of their conclusion.

Of course anything coming out of the Heartland Institute is questionable, however, Mero assures us all that "For skeptics, we went out of our way to include a special analysis of the methodology used to create this study. This report is an honest reflection of the international scientific community…"

Right. This "study" by the Heartland Institute, that is now being distributed to 10,000 Utahns, has so many holes I've decided to do a series of posts today highlighting its many subtle (and some not-so-subtle) little tricks and turns.

I've decided to call the series: "Ew, I just stepped in a Heartland study!"