Real Climate Science

At a meeting last week I once again encountered resistance to describing those who refuse to accept the science that suggests a possible catastrophic Global Warming as “Deniers”.    We had a discussion of suggestions:

Skeptics: this term is true of the approach of ALL scientists to ALL proposals. As Carl Sagan said; we greet any idea with skepticism, examine the scientific observations and theory, and accept on this basis. So those who deny the scientific observations are actually the opposite of skeptics (similarly for “critics” & “questioners”).

http://blog.seattlepi.com/

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/cag3/na.html

From 1927 to 1936, summer temperatures in the US warmed at a rate of almost 40 degrees per century, even after USHCN chopped a couple of degrees off the 1930s!

Climate is linear, so we can expect summers over the boiling point in several generations.

Temperatures will cool dramatically in the northern hemisphere over the next six months. There will be lots of snow, and the Arctic will freeze up solid.

This forecast does not apply to the southern hemisphere.

While there is much room for debate, challenging the complex science or its conclusions from any one dimension is unacceptable, whether by focusing on one variable, a limited time window, or via anecdotes, or limited personal observation. I, for one, accept the peer-reviewed science but would not be surprised if forecasts shift a great deal in the years ahead. In view of all of the above, policy makers need to be careful.

Ziggy Switkowski is chancellor of RMIT University

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/

Almost as warm as 1927, 1925 and 1953. Only a degree cooler than 1911.

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/cag3/tx.html

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/cag3/tx.html

The heat is unbearable in Texas, and millions of climate refugees are bee-lining it to Manitoba for the winter.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/

At 0C, a body of fresh water will exist at equilibrium in the three phases solid-liquid-gas, with a vapor pressure of 1/100th of an atmosphere. That is exactly what we measure on Earth. Anyone who has ever had a drink with ice in it, is aware of the fact that the three phases can exist together. Water, ice and vapour condensing on the glass.

If you are above 0C, all the ice will eventually melt. If you are below 0C, all the liquid water will eventually freeze.  Vapour will be present at any temperature above absolute zero. There is only one temperature where you can have all three in equilibrium.

Other gases in the atmosphere increase the total pressure, causing the freezing point to depress by a tiny fraction of a degree. The phase diagram is not an exactly 100% perfect representation of the system because of the presence of other gases – but it is close enough.

Why do dim-witted alarmists keep bringing this up?

Nothing but top-notch science!

Penn State University has now completed its investigation of climate research Michael Mann with respect to “ClimateGate”–and sure enough, it’s an exoneration. My understanding is that the report, which releases at 330 pm today, can be found here.

You’ll recall that Mann had previously been found clean on three other counts; the remaining question being looked into was whether Mann had engaged in any actions that “seriously deviated from accepted practices within the academic community for proposing, conducting, or reporting research or other scholarly activities.”

And now, the answer is no. The ClimateGate vindications just keep on coming….all smoke, no fire, thus far–and probably always.

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/