Anthony Lupo

* Profile image a screenshot of Anthony Lupo speaking at the America First Energy Conference, November 9, 2017 via YouTube.

Anthony Lupo

Credentials

  • Ph.D., Atmospheric Science, Purdue University (1995).1“Anthony R. Lupo” (PDF), CV at the University of Missouri.
  • M.S., Atmospheric Science, Purdue University (1991).2“Anthony R. Lupo” (PDF), CV at the University of Missouri.
  • B.S., Meteorology, State University of New York at Oswego (1988).3“Anthony R. Lupo” (PDF), CV at the University of Missouri.
  • A.S., Mathematics/Science, Cayuga County Community College (1986).4“Anthony R. Lupo” (PDF), CV at the University of Missouri.

Background

Anthony Lupo is a Professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He has also been a speaker at the Heartland Institute‘s International Conference on Climate (ICCC).

According to leaked documents Anthony Lupo receives $750 per month from the Heartland Institute.

Stance on Climate Change

Lupo agrees that temperatures have been rising over the past thirty years, stating that “anyone who denies this [climate change] isn’t a very good scientist.”

But he has also said that “The Earth goes through phases of warming and cooling, and though all the computer models we have show that we are in a warming phase, there is no way to differentiate between a natural warming and one that is human-caused.”5 Michael Amantea, “Effects of Climate Change in Missouri Take Root,” Missourian Online, March 9, 2009.

As an “expert reviewer6Annex III: Reviewers of the IPCC WGI Fourth Assessment Report,” Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Accessed January, 2012. of the most recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Lupo disputed the report’s consensus that “the balance of evidence suggests a discernible human influence on global climate.”7Sure, global warming has skeptics. But how many teach science at Mizzou?“, The Pitch: Kansas City News, March 18, 2008.

Key Quotes

“’In my mind, I hope that I’m keeping those two things separate,’ he says. ‘But I’m a person like anyone else, and I think I wouldn’t be surprised if my thoughts are a little bit colored. But, you know, I try to keep my science independent of my politics as much as possible’.”8Sure, global warming has skeptics. But how many teach science at Mizzou?“, The Pitch: Kansas City News, March 18, 2008.

Key Actions

February 16, 2021

The Independent Institute announced the release of an update to Fred Singer’s book, Hot Talk, Cold Science. “Dr. Singer passed away in April 2020, but not before updating and expanding his much-discussed book with the co-authors, and atmospheric scientist Anthony R. Lupo (University of Missouri) and climatologist David R. Legates (University of Delaware),” the press release noted.9(Press Release). “New Book Explores the Inaccuracies in Historical Climate Data,” The Independent Institute, February 16, 2021. Archived March 31, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/092wD

“In the new edition (twice the size of the previous edition) the authors explore the inaccuracies in historical climate data, the limitations on and failures of climate models, solar variability along with the effects of clouds, ocean currents, and sea levels on global climate, plus factors that could mitigate any human impact on world climate.

“‘Over the years and despite all the invectives poured upon him by climate alarmists, Dr. Singer has stood his ground for scientific integrity and adherence to the scientific method. For that, he is to be greatly commended,’ said climatologist David R. Legates.”

October 2019

Lupo signed the “Realist Catholic Climate Declaration,” drafted by Heartland Institute policy analyst William Briggs, which stated, “the earth’s climate has always changed, is changing now, and will never cease changing. The extent to which man is responsible for climate change is not known, only surmised. There is no earthly force capable of stopping climate change,” and that, “the salvation of souls is of more pressing concern than the air temperature. Pray to God and pray for your neighbor, not to the planet.”10The Declaration,” Realist Catholic Climate Declaration, Archived October 29, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.is/O2m5D 11William Briggs,”The Heartland Institute, Archived October 26, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.vn/bDHXU

The declaration was endorsed by Anthony Watts’ blog Watts Up With That, in a post by Charles Rotter, which stated, “please share this as widely as possible. With the concept of ‘eco-sins’ being bruited, and the return of paganism, this declaration is timely and important.”12 Charles Rotter,“Realist Catholic Climate Change Declaration,” Watts Up with That, October 13, 2019. Archived October 23, 2020. Archive. URL: https://archive.vn/aieXw

According to a post at William Briggs’s website: “This statement is to be in contradistinction to the hyperbolic and inaccurate ‘U.S. Catholic Climate Declaration’,” Briggs wrote of the draft. “The goal is to have something short, sweet, certain, and Catholic.”13Draft Realist Catholic Climate Declaration: Please Share!William M. Briggs, October 7, 2019. Archived October 8, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.vn/yveCN

November 9, 2017

Lupo was a speaker at the Heartland Institute’s “America First Energy Conference” at the Marriott Hotel in Houston, Texas. Lupo’s speech, on the “Climate Science” panel, was titled “Climate, Climate Change, and Climate Modeling”:14ANTHONY LUPO,” America First Energy Conference. Archived November 21, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/wIEXQ

The event description read as follows:15 About,” America First Energy. Archived October 11, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/8bTTJ

“At the America First Energy Conference, we plan to examine—one year and one day after Trump’s shocking Election Day victory—the following:

“Where does Trump’s America First Energy Plan stand?

“How much progress has been made in implementing it, and what remains to be done?

“What scientific and economic evidence is there that the plan is putting the nation on the right path for economic growth, environmental protection, or both?”16 About,” America First Energy. Archived October 11, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/8bTTJ

In a fundraising letter obtained by DeSmog, Fred Palmer had promoted the event as having the goal to “review the scientific and economic evidence that exposes the fraud inherent in the Obama-era regulation regime” while discussing “the overwhelming benefits of fossil fuels to us all.”17 October 2017 Fundraising letter by Fred Palmer. On file at Desmog.

Many of the other speakers have regularly spoken at the Heartland Institute’s past ICCCs. Notable speakers listed so far include Joe Bast, Fred Palmer, Roger Bezdek, H. Sterling Burnett, Hal Doiron, Paul Driessen, John Dale Dunn, Myron Ebell, Heartland’s new President Tim Huelskamp, Craig Idso, David Legates, Jay Lehr, Anthony Lupo, Ross McKitrick, Steve Milloy, Todd Myers, John Nothdurt, David Schnare, and numerous others.18 SPEAKERS,” America First Energy. Archived October 10, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/OJWeX

As reported at the Houston Chronicle, speakers notably included two Trump Administration officials: Richard W. Westerdale II of the State Department and Vincent DeVito of the Department of Interior. David Bernhardt, deputy secretary of the Interior Department, was also formerly listed as a Heartland conference speaker, but apparently withdrew.19 James Osborne. “Trump officials to appear at Houston event hosted by climate skeptics,” Houston Chronicle, November 2, 2017. Archived November 20, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/XPtYc

Scott Pruitt also addressed the conference in a recorded video, personally thanking Heartland for “what you’re doing to advance energy” and “for what you’re doing to advance natural resources.20Scott Pruitt,” America First Energy Conference. Archived November 20, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/X4F6m

The Climate Investigations Center put up a parody of the America First Energy conference website, complete with profiles on the individual speakers and highlighting their corporate funding and ties to groups such as the Cooler Heads Coalition (CHC).21 America First Energy Conference Stacked with Climate Change Deniers,” Climate Investigations Center, November 6, 2017. Archived November 20, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/mISrd

January 5, 2017

Anthony Lupo was a signatory to a Cornwall Alliance open letter supporting Scott Pruitt for EPA Administrator under the Trump administration.22Open Letter Supporting Scott Pruitt for EPA Administrator,” Cornwall Alliance, January 5, 2017. Archived January 19, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/xMash

“Mr. Pruitt has also demonstrated understanding of and open-mindedness toward scientific insights crucial to the formulation and implementation of environmental regulation. He is prepared to hear all sides in debates over the risks and benefits of various activities that come under the purview of the EPA,” reads the letter.

On January 12, 2017, Senate Democrats raised conflict of interest concerns regarding Scott Prutt’s fossil fuel ties. Pruitt had spent years working to combat the Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan.23 Ben Jervey. “Mapping EPA Nominee Scott Pruitt’s Many Fossil Fuel Ties,” DeSmog, January 13, 2017.

In an open letter to the Office of Government Ethics, members of the Senate’s environmental panel commented:

“During his tenure as Attorney General of Oklahoma, Mr. Pruitt has blurred the distinction between official and political actions, often at the behest of corporations he will regulate if confirmed to lead EPA,” the letter said. “Public reporting based on documents produced by Freedom of Information Act requests illustrate how Mr. Pruitt and members of his staff have worked closely with fossil fuel lobbyists to craft his office’s official positions.”

Pruitt was further grilled on his fossil fuel ties at his confirmation hearing on January 18.24 Ben Jervey and Steve Horn. “EPA Nominee Scott Pruitt Gets Grilled on Fossil Fuel Ties at Confirmation Hearing,” DeSmog, January 18, 2017.

Some notable signatories of the Cornwall Alliance letter, as of January 5, 2017, included:

August 2016

Anthony Lupo is listed as a “Founding Member” of group named Climate Exit (Clexit) led by climate change denier Christopher Monckton. According to Clexit’s founding statement (PDF), “The world must abandon this suicidal Global Warming crusade. Man does not and cannot control the climate.”25The Clexit Committee comprises” (PDF), Clexit.net. Archived.pdf on file at Desmog. 26 “After Brexit, Clexit” (PDF), Clexit.net. Archived .pdf on file at Desmog.

DeSmog reports on how the group grew in the wake of the UK’s decision to leave the EU. A key member of Clexit’s “60 well-informed science, business and economic leaders” is Hugh Morgan, a former board member of the Reserve Bank of Australia and former CEO of Western Mining Corporation with close ties to Australia’s Liberal party.27 Graham Readfearn. “After Brexit, Climate Science Denialists Form New Group to Call for a Clexit,” Desmog, August 3, 2016. 28Hugh Morgan AO,” Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Archived February 22, 2002. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/1ObOB

According to Clexit’s founding statement:

“If the Paris climate accord is ratified, or enforced locally by compliant governments, it will strangle the leading economies of the world with pointless carbon taxes and costly climate and energy policies, all with no sound basis in evidence or science […]”29 “After Brexit, Clexit” (PDF), Clexit.net. Archived .pdf on file at Desmog.

June 10, 2016

Anthony Lupo was a signatory to a Cornwall Alliance open letter written by Calvin Beisner and addressed to U.S. attorneys general about climate change.30 E. Calvin Beisner. “Open Letter to Attorneys General about Climate Change,” Cornwall Alliance, June 10, 2016. Archived June 24, 2016. WebCite URL: http://www.webcitation.org/6iVmM7y0O

The letter responds to recent investigations by U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch and members of Attorneys General United for Clean Power into what ExxonMobil knew about climate change and when, started by a coalition of attorneys general in the US.31 David Hasemyer. “Climate Fraud Investigation of Exxon Draws Attention of 17 Attorneys General,” InsideClimate News, March 30, 2016. Archived June 24, 2016. WebCite URL: http://www.webcitation.org/6iVncbdxJ 32 Ben Jervey. “State Investigations Into What Exxon Knew Double, and Exxon Gets Defensive,” Desmog, April 1, 2016.

Calvin Beisner writes that the attorneys generals’ actions are “a dead giveaway that you’re ignorant about climate science and related climate and energy policy.”33 Ben Jervey. “State Investigations Into What Exxon Knew Double, and Exxon Gets Defensive,” Desmog, April 1, 2016.

“[U]nlike in the case of tobacco’s health risks, there are innumerable and enormous holes in the case (not for human contribution to global warming but) for manmade global warming dangerous enough to justify spending trillions of dollars reinventing the world’s energy system to mitigate it, particularly when competing use of those trillions might bring far greater benefit,” Beisner addresses the attorneys general. And you, intelligent and learned all, are ignorant of those enormous holes.”34 Ben Jervey. “State Investigations Into What Exxon Knew Double, and Exxon Gets Defensive,” Desmog, April 1, 2016.

The Cornwall Alliance lists the following signatories to its open letter:35 Ben Jervey. “State Investigations Into What Exxon Knew Double, and Exxon Gets Defensive,” Desmog, April 1, 2016.

July 7–9, 2014

Anthony Lupo was a speaker at the Heartland Institute’s Ninth International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC9) in Las Vegas, Nevada.36Return of Climate Denial-a-Palooza: Heartland Institute Hitches Anti-Science Wagon to Vegas FreedomFest,” DeSmog, July 7, 2014. Archived July 14, 2014.

DeSmog has done in-depth research on the other speakers and sponsors from Heartland’s ICCC9, which can be found here.

May 21–23, 2012

Anthony Lupo was a speaker at the Heartland Institute‘s 7th International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC7).37Anthony Lupo, ICCC7,” International Conferences on Climate Change. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/qjOoz

DeSmog researched the co-sponsors behind Heartland’s ICCC7 and found that they had collectively received over $67 million from ExxonMobil, the Koch Brothers and the conservative Scaife family foundations.

May 27, 2011

Anthony Lupo was one of fourteen Amici, described as “well-qualified climate scientists,” who claimed that the “EPA’s endangerment finding is not ‘rational’ and therefore arbitrary and capricious.”38 COALITION FOR RESPONSIBLE REGULATION, INC., ET AL. (Petitioners) v. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND LISA P. JACKSON, ADMINISTRATOR, Respondents (PDF). Retrieved from World Climate Report. Archived.pdf on file at Desmog.

According to the petitioners, representing the Coalition for Responsible Regulation, Inc.:39 COALITION FOR RESPONSIBLE REGULATION, INC., ET AL. (Petitioners) v. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND LISA P. JACKSON, ADMINISTRATOR, Respondents (PDF). Retrieved from World Climate Report. Archived.pdf on file at Desmog.

“[T]he Earth’s climate is not changing in an unusual or anomalous fashion. The EPA relied on instrumental data that were adjusted to exaggerate the increase in global temperatures.”40 COALITION FOR RESPONSIBLE REGULATION, INC., ET AL. (Petitioners) v. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND LISA P. JACKSON, ADMINISTRATOR, Respondents (PDF). Retrieved from World Climate Report. Archived.pdf on file at Desmog.

Petitioners listed were:

June 2009

Anthony R. Lupo was a contributing author (chapter six) to the Heartland Institute’s report, “Climate Change Reconsidered: The Report of the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change (NIPCC).” The report was edited by fellow skeptics Craig Idso and S. Fred Singer.

According to a description of the book at Amazon, “Chapter 6 investigates and debunks the widespread fears that global warming might cause more extreme weather.”

March 2009

Anthony R. Lupo was a speaker at the Heartland Institute‘s 2009 International Conference on Climate Change. 412009 International Conference on Climate Change,” The Heartland Institute, February 1, 2009. Republished by Instituto Liberdade. Lupo’s speech was titled “Inter-Annual Temperature Variations”:42Anthony Lupo, ICCC2,” International Conferences on Climate Change. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/5ulDN

2005

Sent a letter to the The Kansas City Star in 2005 where he said that while “the climate is warming,” the hot and dry conditions the region was experiencing were “not unprecedented.”43Sure, global warming has skeptics. But how many teach science at Mizzou?“, The Pitch: Kansas City News, March 18, 2008.

2000

Lupo sent a letter to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, noting that oceanographer Roger Reville was urging that we study the impacts of global warming before making drastic measures to counter it.44Sure, global warming has skeptics. But how many teach science at Mizzou?“, The Pitch: Kansas City News, March 18, 2008.

Don Wuebbles, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Illinois, pointed out in a rebuttal letter that Reville wasn’t in a position to make “recent statements” on climate change, having died in 1991.

1998

Back in 1998, he wrote a letter to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that claimed: “There is no scientific consensus whether global warming is a fact and is occurring.”

In another 1998 letter, this one to the Columbia Daily Tribune, he wrote that skeptics outnumbered believers of man-made climate change. Lupo says today that the numbers have shifted, but that in 1998 the statement was “probably true.” But this wasn’t the case, as by 1995, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change had concluded that “the balance of evidence suggests a discernible human influence on global climate.”45Sure, global warming has skeptics. But how many teach science at Mizzou?“, The Pitch: Kansas City News, March 18, 2008.

Nov 16, 2004

Lupo was a signatory to a letter to senator John McCain (R-AZ).

According to the press release, “The signers of the letter point out that sediment and ice core samples show that the arctic has experienced past warming that can not be attributed to greenhouse gas concentrations.”46Climate Experts Respond to Arctic Climate Impact Assessment,” PR Newswire, November 16, 2004. Republished by the Frontier Center for Public Policy, November 20, 2004. Archived January 24, 2016.

Affiliations

Publications

The following is a sample of Lupo’s publications relating to climate. His full CV is available on his website.

  • Lupo, A.R. (Contributing Author Ch 6 only), 2009: Heartland Institute, 2009: Climate Change Reconsidered: The Report of the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change (NIPCC), edited by Craig Idso and S. Fred Singer.
  • Lupo, A.R., 2008. “Reply to: ‘In Defense of a Theory of Anthropogenic Global warming.’ Journal of Missouri Medicine, 105:3, 186.
  • Lupo, A.R., 2008. “Anthropogenic Global Warming: A Skeptical point of view.” Journal of Missouri Medicine, 105:2, 22-26.
  • J.C. Hagen, and A.R. Lupo, 2008. “Rebuttal Global Warming Landers.” American Medical News, in press.
  • Hussain, A., and A.R. Lupo, 2009: Scale and Stability Analysis of Selected Atmospheric Blocking Events. The 21st Conference on Global Climate Change. 89th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society. 14 – 19 January, 2009, Phoenix, AZ.
  • Limpert, G.L., B.L. Perrin, and A.R. Lupo, 2009. “Simulating the effects of climate change on parameters for tropical cyclone development in the Atlantic basin.” The 21st Conference on Global Climate Change. 89th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society. 14 – 19 January, 2009, Phoenix, AZ

Other Resources

Resources

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