45 Scientists on list of ‘500 with Documented Doubts’ Say F-You to Global Warming Deniers [Updated!]

Shock of all shocks! Many of the scientists on the list of ‘500 scientists who don’t believe in global warming’ not only didn’t even know they were on the list, they want everyone to know that they believe the exact opposite. Deniers of global warming have been using this for what seems like ages already, claiming that if so many scientists back up their stance, it gives more credence to the idea that global warming isn’t real. They didn’t bother to fact-check and confirm the list, but DeSmogBlog did, and here’s part of what they found:

I am horrified to find my name on such a list. I have spent the last 20 years arguing the opposite.”
Dr. David Sugden. Professor of Geography, University of Edinburgh

I have NO doubts ..the recent changes in global climate ARE man-induced. I insist that you immediately remove my name from this list since I did not give you permission to put it there.”
Dr. Gregory Cutter, Professor, Department of Ocean, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Old Dominion University

I don’t believe any of my work can be used to support any of the statements listed in the article.”
Dr. Robert Whittaker, Professor of Biogeography, University of Oxford

What makes these findings even more incredible is that so many scientists came forward to deny that they had doubts about global warming within just 24 hours of receiving an email from DeSmogBlog. They’re up to 45 out of 500 – nearly 10%.

What’s really funny about this is, global warming deniers have accused the rest of us of pulling evidence out of our asses saying none of the data we have so far supports the reality of global warming, and here they are with their ‘facts’ being disproven. Great job, DeSmogBlog!

UPDATE: DeSmogBlog got a response from The Heartland Institute, the organization responsible for the inaccurate list of scientists who supposedly don’t believe global warming is real. They’ve withdrawn their claim of having identified 500 scientists with ‘documented doubts’, but won’t apologize! From DeSmogBlog:

Heartland President Joseph Bast rationalizes that aside from the misleading headline, “none of the articles and news releases produced by The Heartland Institute or the Hudson Institute (the original source of the lists) claims that all of the scientists who appear in the lists currently doubt that the modern warming is man-made.”

DeSmogBlog debunks Basts’ lame excuses with a smackdown that can’t really be argued with.  Check it out at DeSmogBlog.

Link [Environmental Graffiti] + [DeSmogBlog]

Photo credit: Flickr user Akuppa

Do We Have a Right to Quick and Easy Flights to Anywhere in the World?

In the last century, we’ve gotten used to a lot of conveniences. Travel is now extremely easy compared to what it used to be; the long, dusty journeys people used to take just to get a short distance are a nearly forgotten memory. We expect to be easily and conveniently able to get wherever we want, NOW.

That’s why recent news about airline woes and how it could cost us has people worried about the future of transportation. From ABC News:

Nightmare Scenario #1: You’ve got your briefcase in hand, boarding pass in pocket, and your carry-on rolling behind you. You head to the airport with confidence. Except — there are no planes there.

Sound crazy? Keep reading.

Nightmare Scenario #2: You jump in a cab, heading to the airport; you know your airline is there, so no worries about any missing planes. The only problem is, your cab ride to the nearest airport with flights takes four hours.

Impossible? Well, in today’s environment, it could happen. Airlines are bailing out of certain cities and routes. Your city could be next.

“Nightmare scenario”. Interesting choice of words. For the first time in decades, cheap and easy flights from your hometown to your destination of choice aren’t a given. Fares are steadily going up, airlines are charging more for services like checking a second bag and fuel costs will continue to make it all even worse. The idea of airlines cutting routes and cities is a frightening one for many people. But, do we as humans have the right to expect the world to be within 45 minutes of our doorstep?

While technology has afforded us that luxury, it has also contributed to the current mess we’re in. All of this rapid transport has a price, as we’re beginning to learn - both in its contribution to global warming, and the reduction of available energy resources. And unless new technology catches up, we’re likely going to have to make some sacrifices. Being a bit more patient will certainly be a virtue in the coming years. For a start, don’t be the asshole that makes a scene and shouts at some unfortunate employee when your flight gets canceled. It’ll make it a lot less painful for all of us.

Link [ABC News]
Photo credit: Flickr user kyle simourd

We Enjoy Modern Carbon-Emitting Life, and Poor Kids Around the World Pay the Price

The rich developed world has yet to reign in the habits that are contributing to global warming, and guess who’s paying the price: the world’s poorest children. As wealthy businesspeople, tycoons, celebrities and other privileged people enjoy large gas-guzzling vehicles, trips on private jets and other non-sustainable penchants, children across the globe are seeing their futures grow more dismal as each day passes.

From Reuters:

The UNICEF report “Our Climate, Our Children, Our Responsibility” measured action on targets set in the Millennium Development Goals to halve child poverty by 2015. It found failure on counts from health to survival, education and sex equality.

“It is clear that a failure to address climate change is a failure to protect children,” said UNICEF UK director David Bull. “Those who have contributed least to climate change — the world’s poorest children — are suffering the most.”

The report said climate change could add 40,000-160,000 extra child deaths a year in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa through lower economic growth.

Of course, the richest of the rich aren’t the only ones to blame – we as a society are. The western civilized world continues to flourish at the expense of those less fortunate. The United States and China are at the top of the list, producing far more carbon emissions than other countries and showing no real signs of stopping. While the U.S. is starting to take measures that may help decrease carbon output in the future, China has yet to address the problem, and recent reports show that it’s only going to get worse.

Some of the great times that lie ahead for the poor include climate-change worsened malaria, less food and water to go around and an increase in natural disasters. Naturally, these things will affect the entire world, but as always, the poor will bear the brunt of it, being unable to properly prepare and react.

Since most Americans avoid world news and turn the channel when those Sally Struthers ‘feed the children’ commercials come on, it’s doubtful that this prediction will do any good toward reigning in the excessive lifestyle that has helped create this mess.

Link [Reuters]

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

Britain’s Armed Forces Could Run on Algae, Weeds & Solar Power

In a story that brilliantly illustrates the untapped potential that lies all around us, the Times Online writes about alternative energy sources currently being considered by the British Army. In an effort to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, scientists are working hard at new innovations, and some of them are truly amazing.

The Times Online has it:

Possible innovations include unmanned attack aircraft powered by the sun. They would fire missiles fuelled with hydrogen produced by feeding algae to microbes.

Tanks could be electrically powered or run on fuel produced from oil squeezed out of weeds so hardy they can grow in the desert.

Ships could run completely on electricity produced from generators powered by synthetic fuels made from grass.

The environmental requirements of the army, navy and air force will be presented this week to specially vetted defence and research companies.

These ideas aren’t likely to become a reality for a decade or two, but the fact that they’re working so hard at ideas like this is so encouraging. The need to ‘go green’ is all the more important to the British Armed Forces, as their fuel bill is currently £400m annually – double what it was four years ago. The Ministry of Defence is currently working on a range of sophisticated green technology plans that won’t be revealed to the public for a while; the plans are currently being made available for viewing only to select companies and researchers.

Link [Times Online]

Photo credit: Flickr user elroySF

Rock Port, Missouri Proves that Wind Power Really Works

Wind turbines haven’t just provided Rock Port, Missouri with 100% of their power. They’ve provided an extra 23% on top of that – enough to sell some to other cities.

Rock Port, Missouri, is a small city of 1,300 people, and they just made history by being the first city in the US to be 100% powered by the wind, also making them #1 in the US for percentage of renewable energy. The Loess Hills Wind Farm, built by the Wind Capital Group, employing 500 workers from 20 states for about a year, is expected to produce about 16 million kilowatt hours annually, while Rock Port only uses 13 million. The excess wind power will be sold to other communities in the area.

They’ve provided a great example for the rest of the nation. It’s time to start doing this in more cities. Of course, there are always those people that will complain that wind turbines are ‘ugly’ – the whole Not in My Backyard thing. Personally, I think they’re beautiful because of what they stand for: renewable energy. Doesn’t that mean more than having ‘eyesores’ in your city?

Link [Treehugger]

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

Airlines Slowing Down, Lightening Their Loads to Save Fuel

Would you care if you got to your destination 2 minutes later than usual? Airlines are starting to bet that you won’t even notice, and slowing down slightly will end up saving them big bucks in fuel. Belgium’s Brussels Airlines is the first to try it, slowing their speed by about 10 kilometers per hour and lightening each plane’s load by using lighter seat covers, bringing less water on board for toilet flushing and possibly getting rid of the ashtrays, all of which can add up pretty quickly.

From BBC News:

The airline said slowing its planes by about 10km/h would cut its annual fuel bill by 1m euros ($1.6m; £800,000) and add a minute or two to flight times.

The measures will also reduce the airline’s emissions of global warming greenhouse gases, a spokesman said.
Oil prices have risen steeply recently, adding hugely to airlines’ costs.

Brussels Airlines is looking at nearly 100 ways of cutting fuel use, including more efficient fuel use and reducing weight on its planes.

Undoubtedly these changes are due to strain on the airline’s finances rather than concerns about the environment, but in this case, who cares? What matters is, they’ll result in a huge reduction in fuel use, and if more airlines follow, we could see some dramatic effects. This is exactly the way more companies need to start thinking. Leave it to Europe to pioneer such a simple yet smart concept.

Link [BBC News] via [The Road to the Horizon]