Paul commented on Luc's question: “Thanks SM. I hadn't mentioned Ian Enting here, but slide 92 of my linked presentation includes some of his comments on Plimer from an article in The Conversation of 23rd June 2011.”
Paul commented on Luc's question: “Also James, I think we need to make it clear to others that Prof Lambeck (President of the Australian Academy of Sciences) was talking about the book of climate denialist Prof Ian Plimer when he said (directly from my slides) "Heaven and Earth is not a work of science. It is an opinion piece of an author who happens to be a scientist." I also quoted Michael Ashley, Professor of Astrophysics at UNSW: "The arguments that Plimer advances in 503 pages and 2,311 footnotes . . . are nonsense. The book is largely a collection of contrarian ideas and...”
Paul commented on Luc's question: “James, the sun warms the earth every day. The problem is that increased concentrations of greenhouse gases are causing more of that heat to be retained in the atmosphere than would otherwise be the case. You mentioned models. James Hansen relies on ice core data first, satellite data second and modelling third. Ice core data show that the concentrations of CO2 are now more than 30% higher than they've been at any time in the past million years prior to the industrial revolution. When Robert Manne talks about an argument of almost embarrassing...”
Paul commented on Luc's question: “James, some of my thoughts on the science and denialism are outlined in this presentation: http://www.slideshare.net/fullscreen/paulmahony101/climate-change-tipping-points-and-their-implications/1. I concur with Robert Manne (slide 8): "I now find it difficult to understand how a person of reasonable intelligence is unable to accept the reality and the urgency of the looming climate crisis. . . . the problem is the unwillingness or incapacity to accept the truth of an argument of almost embarrassing simplicity." Slide 84 refers to a study...”
Paul commented on Luc's question: “These two links complete the response: http://neven1.typepad.com/blog/2012/09/models-are-improving-but-can-they-catch-up.html; http://climatecrocks.com/2011/09/09/graph-of-the-day-arctic-ice-melt-how-much-faster-than-predicted/”
Paul commented on Luc's question: “Correction: "They based the chart . . . "”
Paul commented on Luc's question: “Earlier sources are shown in the first link. They are based the chart on Stroeve et al. http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2007/2007GL029703.shtml. Here are some of my thoughts on ideology in relation to climate change if you're interested: http://vivalavegan.net/community/articles/358-relax-have-a-cigarette-and-forget-about-climate-change.html ”
Paul commented on Luc's question: “Part 2: The linked chart was included in Romm, J. “An Illustrated Guide to the Science of Global Warming Impacts: How We Know Inaction Is the Gravest Threat Humanity Faces”, Climate Progress, 14 Oct, 2012 http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2012/10/14/1009121/science-of-global-warming-impacts-guide/”
Paul commented on Luc's question: “I don't know what Our Say are up to, but I'll try responding in two or three parts to see if that works. Freeman Dyson may be driven by ideology just as much as you suggest James Hansen is. In my opinion, Hansen is driven by science and concern for the planet and its inhabitants. Here's an example of reality versus predictions (Arctic summer sea ice): http://neven1.typepad.com/.a/6a0133f03a1e37970b017744cf5360970d-pi”
Paul commented on Luc's question: “James, I'm reposting as my original response did not appear. Freeman Dyson may be driven by ideology just as much as you suggest James Hansen is. In my opinion, Hansen is driven by science and concern for the planet and its inhabitants. Here's an example of reality versus predictions (Arctic summer sea ice): http://neven1.typepad.com/.a/6a0133f03a1e37970b017744cf5360970d-pi . This was included in Romm, J. “An Illustrated Guide to the Science of Global Warming Impacts: How We Know Inaction Is the Gravest Threat Humanity Faces”, Climate...”
Paul commented on Luc's question: “James, I've posted a response but it is not appearing. I'll wait to see if it is just a moderator issue. If it does not appear, I'll repost in a modified form. It has a number of links, which may be part of the problem.”
Paul commented on Luc's question: “James, I'm reposting as my original response did not appear. Freeman Dyson may be driven by ideology just as much as you suggest James Hansen is. In my opinion, Hansen is driven by science and concern for the planet and its inhabitants. Here's an example of reality versus predictions (Arctic summer sea ice): http://neven1.typepad.com/.a/6a0133f03a1e37970b017744cf5360970d-pi [Source: Cited in Romm, J. “An Illustrated Guide to the Science of Global Warming Impacts: How We Know Inaction Is the Gravest Threat Humanity Faces”, Climate Progress...”
Paul commented on Luc's question: “Here's an example of reality vs predictions (summer Arctic sea ice): http://tinyurl.com/cwzb9vk. [Souce: Cited in Romm, J. “An Illustrated Guide to the Science of Global Warming Impacts: How We Know Inaction Is the Gravest Threat Humanity Faces”, Climate Progress, 14 Oct, 2012 http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2012/10/14/1009121/science-of-global-warming-impacts-guide/. Originally from http://neven1.typepad.com/blog/2012/09/models-are-improving-but-can-they-catch-up.html, adapted from http://climatecrocks...”
Paul commented on Luc's question: “The process involved in humans eating legumes does not compare with the process of enteric fermentation that occurs in the digestive systems of ruminant animals, whereby they release methane, primarily through belching. It is a critical problem that must not be taken lightly.”
Paul commented on Luc's question: “Dr James Hansen, Director, Goddard Institute for Space Studies, NASA interviewed on Late Night Live, ABC Radio National.), 8th March, 2010 and replayed 8th July, 2010: "There’s no disagreement about the physics of radiative transfer and the fact that adding infra red absorbing gases to the atmosphere is going to make the atmosphere more opaque in the thermal spectrum, in the long waves. That will reduce heat radiation to space and if you reduce the radiation to space, given the fact that the amount of energy coming from the sun is...”
Paul commented on Luc's question: “Stevie's right when she says that these issues are not personal when they affect others to the extent they do. I could say that I should have the right to go through red lights, but would that be the best thing for others? Freedom of choice is one of the main arguments run by climate denialists. Many of the same people also used that argument against the USA EPA when it dared to challenge passive smoking. Some of the history is here if anyone is interested: http://tinyurl.com/c3jl33c As to prior predictions of disaster, a key problem with...”
Paul commented on Luc's question: “The price of meat should be much higher than it is. It should be heavily taxed in order to bring some of those environmental costs that are currently externalised, into the transaction. That would cause the direct consumers to pay, rather than the rest of us. Exempting agriculture from the carbon tax was a huge mistake. The decision was, very likely, heavily influenced by lobbying from the livestock sector. But then, a carbon tax that is only targeting a 5% reduction in emissions is hardly worth the effort, especially when massive compensation...”
