The current frenzy over global warming has galvanized the public and cost taxpayers billons of dollars in federal expenditures for climate research. It has spawned Hollywood blockbusters and inspired major political movements. It has given a higher calling to celebrities and built a lucrative industry for scores of eager scientists. In short, ending climate change has become a national crusade. And yet, despite this dominant and sprawling campaign, the facts behind global warming remain as confounding as ever. In Climate Confusion, distinguished climatologist Dr. Roy Spencer observes that our obsession with global warming has only clouded the issue. Forsaking blindingly technical statistics and doomsday scenarios, Dr. Spencer explains in simple terms how the climate system really works, why man's role in global warming is more myth than science, and how the global warming hype has corrupted Washington and the scientific community. The reasons, Spencer explains, are numerous: biases in governmental funding of scientific research, our misconceptions about science and basic economics, even our religious beliefs and worldviews. From Al Gore to Leonardo DiCaprio, the climate change industry has given a platform to leading figures from all walks of life, as pandering politicians, demagogues and biased scientists forge a self-interested movement whose proposed policy initiatives could ultimately devastate the economies of those developing countries they purport to aid. Climate Confusion is a much needed wake up call for all of us on planet earth. Dr. Spencer's clear-eyed approach, combined with his sharp wit and intellect, brings transparency and levity to the issue of global warming as he takes on wrong-headed attitudes and misguided beliefs that have led to our state of panic. Climate Confusion lifts the shroud of mystery that has hovered here for far too long and offers an end to this frenzy of misinformation in our lives.
Author(s): Roy Spencer
Edition: Reprint
Publisher: Encounter Books
Year: 2008, 2010
Language: English
Pages: 191
Preface
Prologue
Chapter 1: Global Warming Hysteria
RECORD WEATHER EVENTS
HURRICANES
TORNADOES
MAINSTREAM MEDIA MADNESS
A WEB-BASED TRIP TO THE TWILIGHT ZONE
Chapter 2: Science Isn’t Truth
THE HUMAN SCIENTIST THEORY
UNCERTAINTY IN SCIENCE
Chapter 3: How Weather Works
THE SUN WARMS THE EARTH
INFRARED LIGHT COOLS THE EARTH
THE NATURAL GREENHOUSE EFFECT AND WEATHER
HEAT REMOVAL FROM THE EARTH’S SURFACE
HEAT TRANSPORTED UPWARD IN THE ATMOSPHERE
THE HEAT IS LOST TO OUTER SPACE
ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION SYSTEMS
Chapter 4: How Global Warming (Allegedly) Works
CARBON DIOXIDE CONCENTRATIONS ARE INCREASING
THE CLIMATE RESPONSE TO EXTRA GREENHOUSE GASES
WATER VAPOR INCREASES
CLOUD CHANGES
OTHER CHANGES IN THE CLIMATE SYSTEM
THE OCEANS
A MORE OPTIMISTIC VIEW OF GLOBAL WARMING
THE EARTH’S THERMOSTAT
SO, WHAT DO WE REALLY KNOW ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING?
THE FUTURE OF GLOBAL WARMING RESEARCH
Chapter 5: The Scientists’ Faith, the Environmentalists’ Religion
CLIMATE MODELERS VERSUS METEOROLOGISTS
REAL SCIENTISTS DON’T SAY“IDON’T KNOW”
CLIMATE CHANGE DENIAL
GLOBAL WARMING AS RELIGION
THE GAIA HYPOTHESIS
ENVIRONMENTALISM IN THE CHURCH
Chapter 6: It’s Economics, Stupid
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF WEALTH IS NOT CONSTANT.
PEOPLE GENERATE WEALTH, NOT THE GOVERNMENT.
FREE MARKETS PROVIDE THE MOST PROSPERITY FOR A SOCIETY.
WEALTHIER IS HEALTHIER, SAFER, AND CLEANER.
FROM ECONOMICS TO ENVIRONMENTALISM
IS “BIG OIL” THE ENEMY?
THE ECONOMICS OF POLLUTION
Chapter 7: The Politics of Climate Change
THE RESEARCH PLAYERS
POLITICIANS, CONGRESS, AND THE EPA
THE ENEMY: BIG BUSINESS
Chapter 8: Dumb Global Warming Solutions
DUMB ASSUMPTION #1: WE CAN REDUCE EMISSIONS AND NOT HURT THE ECONOMY
DUMB ASSUMPTION #2: THE PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE
DUMB ASSUMPTION #3: GLOBAL WARMING HURTS THE POOR
THE UNITED NATIONS
THE KYOTO PROTOCOL
U.S. POLICY SOLUTIONS
SILLY SOLUTIONS
SUSTAINABILITY
CONSERVATION
Chapter 9: Less Dumb Global Warming Solutions
NUCLEAR POWER
CLEAN COAL
HYDROGEN POWER
SOLAR AND WIND ENERGY
BIOFUELS
THE FUTURE
Chapter 10: Summary
THE SCIENCE
THE POLITICAL PLAYERS
THE POLICIES
THE PHILOSOPHICAL MOTIVATIONS
THE GOOD NEWS
Epilogue
ILLUSTRATION CREDITS
Index
