The Week That Was: 2014-01-25 (January 25, 2014) Brought to You by SEPP (www.SEPP.org) The Science and Environmental Policy Project

Quote of the Week: “The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions.” Leonardo da Vinci [H/t Climate Etc.] Number of the Week: 1 in 100,000 over 70 years

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State of the Union: Last week TWTW incorrectly expressed that President Obama’s State of the Union Address would be at 9 pm on Tuesday, January 21. In fact it will be at 9 pm on Tuesday January 28. The later date was somewhat fortunate for Mr. Obama because January 21 was a cold day with blowing snow in Washington. Between 4 to 12 inches accumulated in various parts around the city. Much of the snow remains because, generally, temperatures have been below freezing.

Many speculate that Mr. Obama will announce dramatic executive actions to fight global warming/climate change. If so, such actions will further illustrate that he is an authoritarian executive who has little regard for legislative processes as called for in the Constitution.

Meteorologist Joe D’Aleo of WeatherBell Analytics informed TWTW that on January 28 every state of the union will have freezing temperatures and parts or all of 27 states will be below zero (-18 ºC). The current National Weather Service forecast for Washington is a high of 18ºF (-8 ºC) and a low of 7ºF (-14 ºC). The low temperature will be some 21ºF (12 ºC) below the Washington normal low for mid-January of 28ºF (-2 ºC). Perhaps the nation would be better off if the President declares his climate action plan is working and no new measures are needed. For an overview of what the week will bring see link under Changing Weather.

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EU Retreat? As it appears that President Obama is preparing for war against global warming, it appears that the EU may be considering retreat. The European Commission proposed 2030 climate and energy goals, which indicated priorities may be changing. Competitive and secure energy came first, then low-carbon energy. The goals for renewable energy in 2030 were raised, but after 2020 specific goals will not be binding on individual countries. It is doubtful that the political leadership of many individual states will desire to continue with substantial renewable energy subsidies as consumer electricity prices continue to rise and government budgets are under pressure.

The goals also include reducing CO2 emissions by 40% by 2030, which would require a significant effort from the current goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 20% by 2020, as compared with 1990 levels. How much carbon intensive industry are the EU member states willing to sacrifice or heavily subsidize? Germany, UK, and several other member states recognize that they are in danger of significant de-industrialization as industries are looking elsewhere to expand, given the high costs of electricity and natural gas in Europe.

It will be interesting to see if and how these goals become actual measures. The Economist, which considers CO2 emissions a threat to the planet, is calling for bold action in the direction of cap-and-trade and carbon taxes. It even makes the assertion that electricity prices would fall if renewable subsidies are dropped. There should be interesting battles within the EU as member states face difficult choices, made far more difficult by past commitments to solar and wind power. See links under Questioning European Green and Cap-and-Trade and Carbon Taxes.

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Integrity of Datasets: Steven Goddard reports he discovered a spurious warming in the US data set provided by the US Historical Climatology Network (USHCN) and used by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (NASA-GISS). The finding is not new. It has been reported by Anthony Watts, Joseph D’Aleo and others. In general, version 2 of the data set, reduced historic temperatures making recent temperatures to appear warmer than the past. All this makes announcements of a certain year being the X hottest in the historic record highly questionable. Once a dataset is compromised, can its integrity be restored? See links under Measurement Issues.

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Maximum and Minimum or Average: The report by Steven Goddard prompted Roy Spencer to update his alternative dataset using the U.S. average Integrated Surface Hourly temperature data (48 states) which he adjusts for changes in population density of the area where the report station is located. The adjustment is to compensate for the Urban Heat Island effect (UHI).

Spencer reports that in 2012 he too discovered a spurious warming in the USHCN dataset around 1998. By averaging four readings of temperatures taken at the same time (00, 06, 12, AND 18 UTC) he calculates a warming trend since 1973 – when there was sufficient hourly coverage of the US. After adjusting for population growth, Spencer shows a warming trend significantly less than that of the USHCN. Further, the spurious warming remains even with no population adjustment. Spencer concludes: Clearly, adjustments to surface temperature data are at least as large as the global warming signal being sought. Until a transparent analysis of the USHCN methodology is carried out, and alternative methods and temperature datasets are tested, I can’t bring myself to believe any U.S. government pronouncements regarding record warm temperatures. See link under Challenging the Orthodoxy.

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PDO: In a post on WUWT, Don Easterbrook describes how he developed the association between changes in the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), glacial fluctuations on Mt. Baker in Washington State, and global temperature data. Easterbrook came across a paper by Mantua, et al., on the influence the PDO on salmon populations in the Northeast Pacific. There was an almost exact correspondence between Easterbrook’s findings of glacial fluctuations on Mt Baker.

Using this association, in 1999, Easterbrook predicted a cooling for the next 25 to 30 years, immediately after the hot El Niño year of 1998. It is likely that few in the audience believed him. Later, Joe D’Aleo added the importance of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO). Easterbrook extended the research to GISP2 ice cores from Greenland and found a similar match. Of course, this research is poorly received by the climate establishment and the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

As Easterbrook states, it is important to realize that the PDO is an index, not a measured value of heat. It is based on about a dozen or so parameters that are related to cyclical variations in sea surface temperatures in the NE Pacific. It has two modes, warm and cool, and flips back and forth between them every 25 to 30 years. The question remains if the climate will cool for 20 to 25 years as Easterbrook predicts.

Easterbrook states that it is not clear what drives these oceanic/climatic cycles. The “correlations with various solar parameters appear to be quite good, but the causal mechanism remains unclear.” See link under Challenging the Orthodoxy.

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Communicate with the Public: The climate establishment continues to believe that the growing distrust the public has in global warming/climate change pronouncements is purely a breakdown in communication and not related to the failure of nature to obey human climate models. In discussing the “missing heat,” Judith Curry neatly sums up the issue. Well, if the scientists don’t understand the cause of the pause, and the public is aware of the pause, then exactly what are we to conclude about the public understanding of climate change? Maybe that the public is not sufficiently ‘sophisticated’ to believe climate model projections that are running much warmer than observations for the past decade? See link under Seeking a Common Ground.

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The Fingerprint: Benjamin Santer complains that independent bloggers profoundly affected him. It is very difficult to have sympathy for this man who, in a hearing before Congress, bragged he changed wording in the final Summary for Policymakers, and Chapter 8, (on Attribution) of the IPCC Second Assessment Report (AR2 – 1995-96) to asserting a discernible human influence on global warming, after it had undergone peer review. He also bragged he discovered the distinct human fingerprint (a hot spot centered over the tropics at about 33,000 feet) which no one can find. Santer accomplished the latter task by truncating atmospheric temperature data, removing data at the beginning and the end of the dataset. These data contradict Santer’s findings. See link under Defending the Orthodoxy and an article by S. Fred Singer http://www.americanthinker.com/2013/11/ipcc_s_bogus_evidence_for_global_warming.html

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Social Cost of Carbon: Comments on the Social Cost of Carbon (SCC) are due on Monday to the Office of Management and Budget. The concept is a construct of an out-of-control bureaucracy. There are a number of models to calculate SCC, using different discount rate. The higher the rate, the lower the SCC.

The science behind EPAs finding that carbon dioxide emissions endanger human health and welfare and its three lines of evidence is imploding. The climate models simply do not work and greatly overestimate the recent warming [no surface warming for 16 years]. There is no reason to believe the climate models are capable of predicting the future climate.

Perhaps with this in mind, Joseph D’Aleo has an amusing post on one of the social costs of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide. Research funded by the National Institute Drug Abuse has found that Cannabis sativa grows best in atmospheres with high concentrations of carbon dioxide, up to the highest level tested, 750 parts per million. See link under Below the Bottom Line.

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Additions and Corrections: The system used to send out TWTW does not allow certain formatting methods as customarily used. For quotes, italics are used, but long quotes cannot be indented. In last week’s TWTW Judith Curry was quoted extensively regarding Mr. Mann’s accusation that her testimony before the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee was unscientific. Some readers were confused about who was being quoted. We shall make every effort to be clear in the future.

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Number of the Week: 1 in 100,000 over 70 years. Those visiting California for the first time may think it is the most dangerous place on earth for contracting cancer. Retail establishments selling food, groceries, hardware, building products, gasoline etc. are plastered with signs stating: “WARNING: This Area Contains A Chemical Known To The State of California To Cause Cancer.” The standard used to establish this warning is an example of collective chemical phobia: “at least a 1 in 100,000 chance for any person exposed to the product over a period of 70 years contracting cancer.” See Article # 2.

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ARTICLES:

For the numbered articles below please see this week’s TWTW at: www.sepp.org. The articles are at the end of the pdf.

1. The Inventor of the Global Warming Hockey Stick Doubles Down

By S. Fred Singer, American Thinker, Jan 21, 2014

http://www.americanthinker.com/2014/01/the_inventor_of_the_global_warming_hockey_stick_doubles_down.html

Professor Michael Mann, if you see something, say something – or maybe just keep your mouth shut

2. Caution: This Warning May Be Useless

A ‘right to know’ law in California hasn’t helped consumers, but it’s a big burden on business.

By Michael Marlow, WSJ, Jan 20, 2014

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303848104579308393984123358?mod=WSJ_Opinion_LEFTTopOpinion

3. California’s Cap-and-Trade Awakening

A Democrat discovers the economic costs of anticarbon politics.

Editorial, WSJ, Jan 17, 2014

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304549504579320970298575870?mod=djemMER_h

4. California’s Water Fight

By Allysia Finley, WSJ, Jan 23, 2014

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303448204579338643510693788?mod=WSJ_Opinion_LEFTThirdBucket

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NEWS YOU CAN USE:

Commentary: Is the Sun Rising?

BBC runs 6 excellent minutes on quiet sun and past correlation with Little Ice Age

By Alec Rawls, WUWT, Jan 19, 2014

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/01/19/bbc-runs-6-excellent-minutes-on-quiet-sun-and-past-correlation-with-little-ice-age/

[SEPP Comment: Contrary to the report, the cold periods during the Little Ice Age were not confined to Northern Europe.]

Suppressing Scientific Inquiry

Science is not done by peer or pal review, but by evidence and reason

By Jo Nova, Her Blog, Jan 20, 2014

http://joannenova.com.au/2014/01/science-is-not-done-by-peer-or-pal-review-but-by-evidence-and-reason/

Challenging the Orthodoxy

Nothing left to say

By John Brignell, Number Watch, Jan 19, 2014

http://www.numberwatch.co.uk/2014_january.htm#nothing

Cause of ‘the pause’ in global warming

By Don Easterbrook, WUWT, Jan 17, 2014

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/01/17/cause-of-the-pause-in-global-warming/

‘Big Chill’ Expected to Stay Until 2040

Major cooling cycle could match ‘Little Ice Age’

By Staff Writers, Interview of Tim Ball, WND, Radio, Jan 21, 2014

http://www.wnd.com/2014/01/big-chill-expected-to-stay-until-2040/#bXV1Kbu6yeHikqWi.99

U.S. temperatures, 1973-2013: A alternative view

By Roy Spencer, His Blog, Jan 24, 2014

http://www.drroyspencer.com/2014/01/u-s-temperatures-1973-2013-a-alternative-view/

Defending the Orthodoxy

Report: Obama can advance climate agenda without Congress

By Laura Barron-Lopez, The Hill, Jan 21, 2014

http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/196056-clean-energy-experts-obama-can-advance-climate-agenda-without-congress

A united call for action on climate change

By Kofi Annan, Washington Post, Jan 22, 2014 [H/t Dennis Manuta]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/kofi-annan-a-united-call-for-action-on-climate-change/2014/01/22/3694fa0c-82c1-11e3-9dd4-e7278db80d86_story.html?wpisrc=emailtoafriend

[SEPP Comment: A reiteration of unsubstantiated claims.]

Former Colo. Gov. Ritter pitches emissions plan based on executive agency action

Transcript by Staff Writers, EETV, Jan 22, 2014

http://www.eenews.net/tv/videos/1769/transcript

‘Neglected Topic’ Winner: Climate Change

By Nicholas Kristof, NYT, Jan 19, 2014 [H/t Timothy Wise]

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/19/opinion/sunday/kristof-neglected-topic-winner-climate-change.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

[SEPP Comment: The gray lady is becoming a supermarket tabloid for the wealthy.]

How climate blogging ‘profoundly affected’ Ben Santer

By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Jan 18, 2014

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/01/18/how-climate-blogging-profoundly-affected-ben-santer/

Questioning the Orthodoxy

Chill Out

By John Stossel, Townhall, Jan 22, 2014

http://townhall.com/columnists/johnstossel/2014/01/22/chill-out-n1782430?utm_source=thdailypm&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nl_pm

It could be that climate change just isn’t worth worrying about

By Tim Worstall, Adam Smith Institute, Jan 18, 2014

http://www.adamsmith.org/blog/energy-environment/it-could-be-that-climate-change-just-isnt-worth-worrying-about

Miss Global Warming Yet? If Not, Just Wait And You Might

By Larry Bell, Forbes, Jan 21, 2014

http://www.forbes.com/sites/larrybell/2014/01/21/miss-global-warming-yet-if-not-just-wait-and-you-might/

Social Benefits of Carbon

Large, older trees keep growing at a faster rate

By Deann Gayman for UNL News, Lincoln NB (SPX), Jan 21, 2014

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Large_older_trees_keep_growing_at_a_faster_rate_999.html

Problems in the Orthodoxy

Next 15 years vital for taming warming: UN panel

By Staff Writers, Paris (AFP), Jan 17, 2014

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Next_15_years_vital_for_taming_warming_UN_panel_999.html

[SEPP Comment: Some of the draft conclusions on the final volume of AR5 due out in April 2014. Previous reports called the last 10 years vital.]

Seeking a Common Ground

The logic (?) of the IPCC’s attribution statement

By Judith Curry, Climate Etc. Jan 23, 2014

http://judithcurry.com/2014/01/23/the-logic-of-the-ipccs-attribution-statement/

The Scientific Method and Climate Science

By Vincent Gray, WUWT, Jan 21, 2014

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/01/21/the-scientific-method-and-climate-science/

Questions from Congress, Part 2: Responses to Rep. Suzanne Bonamici

By Roger Pielke Jr. His Blog Jan 24, 2014

http://rogerpielkejr.blogspot.com/2014/01/questions-from-congress-part-2.html

Questions from Congress, Part 1: Responses to Representative Lamar Smith

By Roger Pielke Jr. His Blog, Jan 24, 2014

http://rogerpielkejr.blogspot.com/2014/01/questions-from-congress-part-1.html

The case of the missing heat

By Judith Curry, Climate Etc. Jan 20, 2014

http://judithcurry.com/2014/01/20/the-case-of-the-missing-heat/

Review of Recent Scientific Articles by NIPCC

For a full list of articles see www.NIPCCreport.org

Two Decades of Global Dryland Vegetation Change

Reference: Andela, N., Liu, Y.Y., van Dijk, A.I.J.M., de Jeu, R.A.M. and McVicar, T.R. 2013. Global changes in dryland vegetation dynamics (1988-2008) assessed by satellite remote sensing: comparing a new passive microwave vegetation density record with reflective greenness data. Biogeosciences 10: 6657-6676.

http://nipccreport.org/articles/2014/jan/21jan2014a1.html

The Top Ten Problems of the New-and-Improved ECHAM6 Model

Reference: Stevens, B., Giorgetta, M., Esch, M., Mauritsen, T., Crueger, T., Rast, S., Salzmann, M., Schmidt, H., Bader, J., Block, K., Brokopf, R., Fast, I., Kinne, S., Kornblueh, L., Lohmann, U., Pincus, R., Reichler, T. and Roeckner, E. 2013. Atmospheric component of the MPI-M System Model: ECHAM6. Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems 5: 146-172.

http://nipccreport.org/articles/2014/jan/21jan2014a2.html

Modelling Thermal Characteristics of the Cold Point-Tropopause

Reference: Kim, J., Grise, K.M. and Son, S.-W. 2013. Thermal characteristics of the cold-point tropopause region in CMIP5 models. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres 118: 8827-8841.

http://nipccreport.org/articles/2014/jan/21jan2014a3.html

The “Best Available Tools” for Predicting Climate Change

Reference: Siam, M.S., Demory, M.-E. and Eltahir, E.A.B. 2013. Hydrological cycles over the Congo and Upper Blue Nile basins: Evaluation of general circulation model simulations and reanalysis products. Journal of Climate 26: 8881-8894.

http://nipccreport.org/articles/2014/jan/22jan2014a4.html

Models v. Observations

New study says ‘robust modeling’ predicted Antarctic sea ice to decrease, but the ice defies modeling

By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Jan 23, 2014

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/01/23/new-study-says-climate-models-robustly-predicted-antarctic-sea-ice-to-decrease-but-the-ice-defies-modeling/

Link to paper: Climate System Response to Stratospheric Ozone Depletion and Recovery

By Michael Previdi and Lorenzo M. Polvani, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society, Jan 20, 2014

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/qj.2330/abstract

Models Issues

The empty set

By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Jan 21, 2014

http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2014/1/21/the-empty-set.html

So the answer is that there are NO MODELS at the intersection of “best lower-tropospheric mixing” and “best simulation of extreme rainfall etc”.

Measurement Issues

HadCRUT 2013

By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Jan 24, 2014

http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2014/1/24/hadcrut-2013.html

The HadCRUT global temperature anomaly for 2013 is 0.486. If so it should be outside the 5-95% bands on Ed Hawkins’ famous graph.

That will be more standstill then.

It looks like the 8th warmest year since HADCRUT began and the 8th coldest year in this millenium. Catastrophe looms. Comment By Phillip Bratby

NASA and NOAA Confirm Global Temperature Standstill Continues

By David Whitehouse, GWPF, Jan 21, 2014

http://www.thegwpf.org/nasa-noaa-confirm-global-temperature-standstill-continues/

Given that the IPCC estimates that the average decadal increase in global surface temperature is 0.2 deg C, the world is now 0.3 deg C cooler than it should have been.

Phil Jones 2012 video: Talks about adjusting SST data up ~.3-.5C after WWII

By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Jan 17, 2014

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/01/17/phil-jones-2012-video-talks-about-adjusting-sst-data-up-3-5c-after-wwii/

[SEPP Comment: Adjusting sea surface temperatures to make them consistent with land air-surface temperatures?]

Just Hit The NOAA Motherlode

By Steven Goddard, Real Science, Jan 19, 2014

http://stevengoddard.wordpress.com/2014/01/19/just-hit-the-noaa-motherlode/

[SEPP Comment: Similar to the link immediately below.]

New study shows half of the global warming in the USA is artificial

By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Jul 29, 2012

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2012/07/29/press-release-2/

New paper asks: ‘Would the ‘real’ temperature dataset please stand up?’; finds ‘We have no ability to know’ the true temperature data

By Staff Writer, The Hockey Schtick, Jan 19, 2014 [H/t GWPF]

http://hockeyschtick.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/new-paper-asks-would-real-temperature.html

Changing Weather

And you thought it was cold earlier this month

By Joseph D’Aleo, ICECAP, Jan 24, 2014

http://icecap.us/index.php/go/joes-blog/you_thought_it_was_cold_earlier_this_month1/

Australian heatwaves are nothing new

By Viv Forbes, WUWT, Jan 20, 2014

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/01/20/australian-heatwaves-are-nothing-new/

Air pollution boosts NW Pacific cyclones: study

By Staff Writers, Paris (AFP), Jan 21, 2014

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Air_pollution_boosts_NW_Pacific_cyclones_study_999.html

[SEPP Comment: Relatively short periods and unrelated to CO2. Much of the pollution can be controlled using commercially available equipment. No link to study.]

Arctic cyclones more common than previously thought

By Pam Frost Gorder for OSC News, Columbus OH (SPX), Jan 20, 2014

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Arctic_cyclones_more_common_than_previously_thought_999.html

[SEPP Comment: Previously thought by whom?]

California declares drought emergency

By Staff Writers, Los Angeles (AFP), Jan 17, 2014

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/California_declares_drought_emergency_999.html

Changing Seas

German Review: Sea Level Rise Way Below Projections – No Hard Basis For Claims Of Accelerating Rise

IPCC 1990: “No convincing evidence that sea level rise accelerated in the 20th century”

By Sebastian Lüning and Fritz Vahrenholt, Translated by P. Gosselin, No Tricks Zone, Jan 23, 2014

http://notrickszone.com/2014/01/23/german-review-sea-level-rise-way-below-projections-no-hard-basis-for-claims-of-accelerating-rise/

[SEPP Comment: Post glacial sea level rise tapered off about 4000 years ago. Except for the Little Ice Age it has been modest since.]

Ocean heat content uncertainties

By Judith Curry, Climate etc. Jan 21, 2014

http://judithcurry.com/2014/01/21/ocean-heat-content-uncertainties/

[SEPP Comment: Technical analysis of available data questioning claims that the global warming is hiding in the deep ocean.]

Changing Cryosphere – Land / Sea Ice

Antarctica Has Sea Ice Rabbit Ears, a V for Victory or Maybe It’s a Peace Sign?…

By Justthefacts. WUWT, Jan 19, 2014

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/01/19/antarctica-has-sea-ice-rabbit-ears-a-v-for-victory-or-maybe-its-a-peace-sign/

1932 Shock News : Melting Polar Ice Caps To Drown The Planet

By Steven Goddard, Real Science, Jan 24, 2014

http://stevengoddard.wordpress.com/2014/01/24/1932-shock-news-melting-polar-ice-caps-to-drown-the-planet/

[SEPP Comment: Straight from the New York Times.]

Changing Earth

Study: Changing Land-use Not Global Warming to Blame for Increased Flood Risk

By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Jan 23, 2014

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/01/23/changing-landscapes-not-global-warming-to-blame-for-increased-flood-risk/

Link to paper: Flood risk and climate change: global and regional perspectives

By Kundzewicz, et al. Hydrological Sciences Journal, Dec 20, 2013

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02626667.2013.857411#.UuEn1RAo6po

[SEPP Comment: Not a surprise for those who are familiar with changing land use.]

Agriculture Issues & Fear of Famine

Soil Microbes Alter DNA in Response to Warming

By Brett Israel for GT News, Atlanta GA (SPX), Jan 21, 2014

http://www.seeddaily.com/reports/Soil_Microbes_Alter_DNA_in_Response_to_Warming_999.html

Un-Science or Non-Science?

Be prepared: ‘Extreme’ El Niño events to double, study says

By John Roach, NBC News, Science, Jan 19, 2014 [Clyde Spencer]

http://www.nbcnews.com/science/be-prepared-extreme-el-nino-events-double-study-says-2D11947406

Get used to heat waves: Extreme El Nino events to double

By Staff Writers, Sydney, Australia (SPX), Jan 22, 2014

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Get_used_to_heat_waves_Extreme_El_Nino_events_to_double_999.html

Lowering Standards

How the American Meteorological Society Justified Publishing Half Truths

By Jim Steele, WUWT, Jan 21, 2014

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/01/21/how-the-american-meteorological-society-justified-publishing-half-truths/

The Zero-Emissions Imperative

By Angel Gurría, Secretary-General of the OECD, Project Syndicate, Jan 24, 2014

http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/angel-gurr-a-says-that-nothing-short-of-a-post-carbon-economy-by-the-second-half-of-this-century-can-stop-catastrophic-climate-change

[SEPP Comment: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has outlived its mission and its usefulness. Among other things, the author fails to identify the nations that give the major fossil-fuel subsidies are petro-states such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, and OECD member Russia.]

The World Economic Forum gets hijacked by climate alarmism

By Christopher Monckton, WUWT, Jan 24, 2014

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/01/24/the-world-economic-forum-gets-hijacked-by-climate-alarmism/

Climate Comedy?

Apology As Antarctica Rescue Bill Tops $2.4m

By Graham Lloyd, The Australian, Via GWPF, Jan 23, 2014

http://www.thegwpf.org/apology-antarctica-rescue-bill-tops-2-4m/

New Details on the Ship of Fools

By Steve McIntyre, Climate Audit, Jan 21, 2014

http://climateaudit.org/2014/01/21/new-details-on-the-ship-of-fools/

Guess who won an award for understanding Natural Phenomena?

By Jo Nova, Her Blog, Jan 21, 2014

http://joannenova.com.au/2014/01/guess-who-won-an-award-for-understanding-natural-phenomenon/

Communicating Better to the Public – Exaggerate, or be Vague?

Claim: Analysis indicates that North and tropical Atlantic warming affects Antarctic climate

By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Jan 24, 2014

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/01/24/claim-analysis-indicates-that-north-and-tropical-atlantic-warming-affects-antarctic-climate/

[SEPP Comment: The AMO may impact on the Antarctic Peninsula. But contrary to the article, the warming is not occurring on the main part of the continent.]

The water cycle amplifies abrupt climate change

By Staff Writers, Potsdam, Germany (SPX), Jan 21, 2014

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/The_water_cycle_amplifies_abrupt_climate_change_999.html

Link to paper: Delayed hydrological response to Greenland cooling at the onset of the Younger Dryas in western Europe

By Rach, Brauer, Wilkes, Sachse, Nature Geoscience, Jan 19, 2014

http://www.nature.com/ngeo/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/ngeo2053.html

[SEPP Comment: What an abuse of the findings of the paper as stated in the abstract!!]

Massive Antarctic glacier uncontrollably retreating, study suggests

By Laura Poppick, NBC News, Jan 16, 2014 [H/t Clyde Spencer]

http://www.nbcnews.com/science/massive-antarctic-glacier-uncontrollably-retreating-study-suggests-2D11942467

‘Modest’ EU climate targets criticized

Planned greenhouse-gas cuts for 2030 might not be enough to avoid disastrous temperature rises.

By Quirin Schiermeier, Nature, Jan 22, 2014

http://www.nature.com/news/modest-eu-climate-targets-criticized-1.14573?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Weekly+Carbon+Briefing&utm_campaign=ab55f52a9b-Carbon_Brief_Weekly_18_7_137_18_2013&utm_term=0_3ff5ea836a-ab55f52a9b-215218249

Communicating Better to the Public – Make things up.

NASA Finds 2013 Sustained Long-Term Climate Warming Trend

By Staff Writers, Washington DC (SPX), Jan 23, 2014

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/NASA_Finds_2013_Sustained_Long_Term_Climate_Warming_Trend_999.html

“Long-term trends in surface temperatures are unusual and 2013 adds to the evidence for ongoing climate change,” GISS climatologist Gavin Schmidt said.

[SEPP Comment: No trend is now a trend!]

Photo shopped

By Andrew Montford, Bishop Hill, Jan 21, 2014

http://bishophill.squarespace.com/blog/2014/1/21/photo-shopped.html

Amstrup repeats starving polar bear nonsense, features “Ursus bogus

By Susan Crockford, Polar Bear Science, Jan 21, 2014

http://polarbearscience.com/2014/01/21/amstrup-repeats-starving-polar-bear-nonsense-features-ursus-bogus/

Bushfire predictions in 2070 are nonsense on stilts. Models can’t predict rainfall

By Jo Nova, Her Blog, Jan 24, 2014

http://joannenova.com.au/2014/01/bushfire-predictions-in-2070-are-nonsense-on-stilts-models-cant-predict-rainfall/

Climate change could jeopardize future Winter Olympic games

By Laura Barron-Lopez, The Hill, Jan 24, 2014

http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/196307-climate-change-could-jeopardize-future-winter-olympics

[SEPP Comment:”If the globe continues to warm at its current rate…” The current rate is zero, all sorts of disasters will happen.]

Neil Young’s Hiroshima – Exhibit #10 in the Drama Queen Files

By Donna Laframboise, NFC, Jan 20, 2014

http://nofrakkingconsensus.com/2014/01/20/neil-youngs-hiroshima-exhibit-10-in-the-drama-queen-files/

Communicating Better to the Public – Go Personal.

The Temperature Standstill And Its Dismissal

By David Whitehouse, GWPF, Jan 22, 2014

http://www.thegwpf.org/temperature-standstill-dismissal/

[SEPP Comment: According to Professor Lowe, climate scientists quoted in last week’s Nature magazine essay on the pause are deniers!]

Expanding the Orthodoxy

NASA: Cracked Sea Ice Stirs Up Arctic Mercury Concern

By Carol Rasmussen for Earth Science News, Pasadena CA (JPL), Jan 22, 2014

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/NASA_Cracked_Sea_Ice_Stirs_Up_Arctic_Mercury_Concern_999.html

[SEPP Comment: Will this hypothesis survive?]

Questioning European Green

Back from the brink?

By Martin Livermore, Scientific Alliance, Jan 24, 2014

http://scientific-alliance.org/scientific-alliance-newsletter/back-brink

Will the EU’s decision to dilute green energy targets significantly help European business?

Yes — By James Sproule, NO By Benny Peiser, City A.M., Jan 23, 2014 [H/t GWPF]

http://www.cityam.com/debate/1390438696/will-eu-s-decision-dilute-green-energy-targets-significantly-help-european

Don’t miss the EU transformation on renewable energy

By Jo Nova, Her Blog, Jan 24, 2014

http://joannenova.com.au/2014/01/dont-miss-the-eu-transformation-on-renewable-energy/#more-33007

[SEPP Comment: Excerpts from different sources.]

EU energy costs widen over trade partners

By Pilita Clark and Christian Oliver, Financial Times, Jan 20, 2014

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/2d259852-8201-11e3-87d5-00144feab7de.html?siteedition=uk#axzz2r4R6JltN

EU: Re-Industrialization More Important Than Climate Change

By Florian Eder, Die Welt, Translation Philipp Mueller, GWPF, Jan 20, 2014

http://www.thegwpf.org/eu-re-industrialization-important-climate-change/

EU scraps targets forcing Britain to build wind farms: UK free to go nuclear and use fracking

By Ben Spencer, Mail, UK, Jan 22, 2014 [H/t Jan 22, 2014

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2544315/EU-scraps-targets-forcing-Britain-build-wind-farms-UK-free-nuclear-use-fracking.html

EU sets out leaner 2030 climate and energy vision

By Charlie Dunmore, Reuters, Jan 22, 2014

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/01/22/us-eu-climate-idUKBREA0L0V120140122

Energy Bills To Hit £1,500 As Green Taxes Double

By Tim Webb, The Times, Via GWPF, Jan 22, 2014

http://www.thegwpf.org/energy-bills-hit-1500-green-taxes-double/

EU could cut emissions by 40 percent at moderate cost

By Staff Writers, Potsdam, Germany (SPX), Jan 20, 2014

http://www.energy-daily.com/reports/EU_could_cut_emissions_by_40_percent_at_moderate_cost_999.html

Link to article: Beyond 2020 – Strategies and costs for transforming the European energy system.

By Knopf, et al, Climate Change Economics, No Date

http://www.worldscientific.com/doi/pdf/10.1142/S2010007813400010

“Still, most model calculations optimizing the change of the electricity system project energy from biomass to expand threefold, and from wind even sevenfold by 2050.” This would have to be reflected in a potential future EU target on renewable energy.

[SEPP Comment: Massive expansion of electricity from wind, which is unreliable and needs back-up. This will be at moderate cost?]

Europe’s New Emissions Goals

By Roger Pielke Jr, His Blog, Jan 22, 2014

http://rogerpielkejr.blogspot.com/2014/01/europes-new-emissions-goals.html

The graph indicates that achieving a non-nuclear, renewables-based energy system in Germany, while also reducing emissions to 40% below 1990 levels, will remain a formidable challenge. For now, Germany is building more coal plants and moving away from that 2030 target.

“The Road To De-Industrialisation”: Steel Industry Slams Proposed Energy & Climate Targets

By Staff Writers, Steel Times International, Jan 22, 2014 [H/t GWPF]

http://www.steeltimesint.com/news/view/the-road-to-de-industrialisation-eurofer-slams-eu-commission-energy-and-cli

UK must cut green goals back in line with Europe’s, manufacturers say

European Commission proposes 40pc cut in carbon emissions by 2030 and scraps legally-binding renewable energy targets

By Emily Gosden, Telegraph, UK, Jan 22, 2014 [H/t GWPF]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/10590895/UK-must-cut-green-goals-back-in-line-with-Europes-manufacturers-say.html

Questioning Green Elsewhere

Warmists Pivot to Climate Adaptation

By Peter Wilson, American Thinker, Jan 22, 2014

http://www.americanthinker.com/2014/01/warmists_pivot_to_climate_adaptation.html

[SEPP Comment: Contrary to the article, Bjorn Lomborg is not a skeptic of the concept humans are causing significant global warming.]

Funding Issues

Government Money for Innovations

By Donn Dears, Power For USA, Jan 21, 2014

http://dddusmma.wordpress.com/2014/01/21/government-money-for-innovations/

[SEPP Comment: Innovation is not the final goal, it may be a means of improving human welfare.]

DOE loan program chief Davidson discusses new round of clean tech funding

Transcript by Staff Writers, EETV, Jan 23, 2014

http://www.eenews.net/tv/videos/1770/transcript

[SEPP Comment: Another $8 Billion on top of $16 Billion from the Stimulus Bill and $8 Billion in advanced auto. What is the rate of return on the investment (ROI) on the DOE portfolio?]

Litigation Issues

Future of US Arctic operations in question after court ruling

By Laura Barron-Lopez, The Hill, Jan 22, 2014

http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/196175-future-of-us-arctic-operations-in-question-after-court-decision

[SEPP Comment: The amount of economically recoverable oil may have been greatly underestimated, requiring a new environmental review – more government control!]

Cap-and-Trade and Carbon Taxes

European climate policy: Worse than useless

Current policies are a mess. Here’s how to fix them

Editorial, The Economist, Jan 25, 2014

http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21595002-current-policies-are-mess-heres-how-fix-them-worse-useless?fsrc=nlw%7Chig%7C1-23-2014%7C7609132%7C152586780%7CNA

The 20 largest European energy utilities have lost a jaw-dropping €500 billion in market value since 2008

Subsidies and Mandates Forever

Colorado Consumers Paying Steep Price for Renewable Power Mandates

By James Taylor, Environment & Climate News, Jan 15, 2014

http://news.heartland.org/newspaper-article/2014/01/23/colorado-consumers-paying-steep-price-renewable-power-mandates

Energy Tax Reform: Scrap the Baucus Proposal (Part IV: Negative Wealth Effects)

By Glenn Schleede, Master Resource, Jan 22, 2014

http://www.masterresource.org/2014/01/backus-energy-tax-reform-4/#more-29375

EPA and other Regulators on the March

Dirty Science in EPA’s War on Coal

By Larry Bell, News Max, Jan 21, 2014

http://www.newsmax.com/LarryBell/EPA-War-Coal-Obama/2014/01/21/id/548112

EPA Administrator Says Coal Rules Necessary Because of ‘Devastating Impacts on the Planet’

But Gina McCarthy tells GOP lawmakers she can’t answer climate-change questions: “I just look at what the climate scientists tell me.”

By Rodrigo Sermeno, PJ Media, Jan 20, 2014

http://pjmedia.com/blog/epa-administrator-says-coal-rules-necessary-because-of-devastating-impacts-on-the-planet/

Global Warming Fraud Exposed – Under Oath!!

By Staff Writers, Turner Radio Network, Jan 22, 2014 [H/t Bob Dillon]

http://www.turnerradionetwork.com/news/211-global-warming-fraud-exposed-under-oath

A New Year’s Gift from the Department of Energy

By James Broughel, Mercatus Center, Jan 2, 2014

http://neighborhoodeffects.mercatus.org/2014/01/02/a-new-years-gift-from-the-department-of-energy/

Coal leaders: Obama’s ‘social cost of carbon’ flawed

By Tim Devaney, The Hill, Jan 22, 2014

http://thehill.com/blogs/regwatch/energy-environment/196165-coal-leaders-obamas-social-cost-of-carbon-flawed

Link to study: The Social Costs of Carbon? No, the Social Benefits of Carbon

By Staff Writers, Management Information Services, Inc. Jan 2014

http://www.americaspower.org/sites/default/files/Social_Cost_of_Carbon.pdf

The EPA’s Agenda: Undermine Capitalism and America

By Alan Caruba, Warning Signs, Jan 23, 2014

http://factsnotfantasy.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-epas-agenda-undermine-capitalism.html

Energy Issues – Non-US

Alberta premier to challenge Gore on oil sands ‘myths’

By Laura Barron-Lopez, The Hill, Jan 21, 2014

http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/195995-alberta-premier-to-take-on-al-gore-over-oil-sands-myths

Canada: From Energy Supplier to Competitor?

By Geoffrey Styles, Energy Tribune, Jan 23, 2014

http://www.energytribune.com/79912/canada-from-energy-supplier-to-competitor#sthash.j26PAvBH.dpbs

Germany’s energy revolution on verge of collapse

By Fred Pearce, New Scientist, Jan 22, 2014

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn24914-germanys-energy-revolution-on-verge-of-collapse.html#.UuFFiBAo6po

High energy prices hold Europe back

US gains huge competitive advantage from EU muddle

Editorial, Financial Times, Jan 21, 2014 [H/t GWPF]

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/3bda00a2-8299-11e3-8119-00144feab7de.html?siteedition=intl#axzz2r4R6JltN

Soaring electricity prices zap struggling Spaniards

By Staff Writers, Madrid (AFP), Jan 19, 2014

http://www.energy-daily.com/reports/Soaring_electricity_prices_zap_struggling_Spaniards_999.html

Energy Issues — US

Climate-Change Busyness

The president’s initiatives yield higher energy costs and no environmental benefit.

By Nicolas Loris, National Review, Jan 17, 2014 [H/t Timothy Wise]

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/368717/climate-change-busyness-nicolas-loris

[SEPP Comment: Ideology replacing concern for the economy in an authoritarian government.]

Energy Efficiency Commonsense

By Donn Dears, Power For USA, Jan 24, 2014

http://dddusmma.wordpress.com/2014/01/24/energy-efficiency-commonsense/

[SEPP Comment: Addressing a maxim that is not true.]

NTSB warns of ‘major loss of life’ without tougher regs on trains carrying crude

By Keith Laing, The Hill, Jan 23, 2014

http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/196231-ntsb-warns-of-major-loss-of-life-in-oil-train-crashes

Washington’s Control of Energy

Canadian foreign minister demands Keystone decision

By Staff Writers, Washington (AFP) Jan 16, 2014

http://www.energy-daily.com/reports/Canadian_foreign_minister_demands_Keystone_decision_999.html

Keystone Cop-Out

Obama should give Canada an answer, already.

By Charles Krauthammer, National Review, Jan 23, 2014

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/369312/keystone-cop-out-charles-krauthammer

TransCanada calls Keystone XL ‘safest pipeline to date’

By Laura Barron-Lopez, The Hill, Jan 22, 2014

http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/196133-transcanada-calls-keystone-xl-safest-pipeline-to-date

Federal Oil Lands Lockdown: Disingenuous Obama at Work

By Paul Driessen, Master Resource, Jan 24, 2014

http://www.masterresource.org/2014/01/federal-oil-lands-lockdown-disingenuous-obama-at-work/#more-29437

Oil and Natural Gas – the Future or the Past?

Russia Wakes Up and Smells the Shale

By Staff Writers, American Interest, Jan 19, 2014 [H/t GWPF]

http://www.the-american-interest.com/blog/2014/01/19/russia-wakes-up-and-smells-the-shale/

Azle Residents Take Their Earthquake Concerns to Austin

By Staff Writer, CBS, DFW, Jan 20, 2014 [H/t Paul Sheridan]

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2014/01/20/azle-residents-take-their-earthquake-concerns-to-austin/

[SEPP Comment: No discussion of actual measurements.]

Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Solar and Wind

Winds Hit 115 mph in the Columbia Gorge

By Cliff Mass Weather Blog, Jan 21, 2014

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2014/01/winds-hit-115-mph-in-columbia-gorge.html

[SEPP Comment: From Jan 18 to Jan 25, wind produced virtually no electrical power. The installed wind capacity is 4515 MW as of April 10, 2013]

http://transmission.bpa.gov/Business/Operations/Wind/baltwg.aspx

[Graph last viewed on Jan 25, 2014 17:01 local times]

Breezes That Will Never Beat The Heat

By Ray Evans and Tom Quirk, Quadrant, Jan 21, 2014

http://quadrant.org.au/opinion/doomed-planet/2014/01/breezes-will-never-beat-heat/

[SEPP Comment: Wind turbines do not do well on frigid winter nights in eastern US either.]

China sets duties on US solar materials

By Staff Writers, Reuters, Jan 20, 2014 [H/t GWPF]

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/838522.shtml#.Ut7rsBAo6pp

[SEPP Comment: Solar wars?]

Green energy giant runs out of cash

German wind energy giant Prokon filed for insolvency on Wednesday, leaving tens of thousands of investors worried about their money. The company advertised itself as a safe bet offering eight percent returns.

By Staff Writers, The Local, Jan 23, 2014

http://www.thelocal.de/20140123/german-green-energy-giant-prokon-insolvent

Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Energy — Other

Boeing Finds Significant Potential in “Green Diesel” as a Sustainable Jet Fuel

By Staff Writers, Seattle WA (SPX), Jan 17, 2014

http://www.biofueldaily.com/reports/Boeing_Finds_Significant_Potential_in_Green_Diesel_as_a_Sustainable_Jet_Fuel_999.html

[SEPP Comment: Competitive with government incentives? What is the cost without government incentives?]

The Ethanol Mandate: Don’t Tweak, Abolish (a costly fuel without a public purpose

By James Griffin, Master Resource, Jan 23, 2014

http://www.masterresource.org/2014/01/ethanol-mandate-abolish/#more-29424

Alternative, Green (“Clean”) Vehicles

Study: Electric vehicles have little impact on US pollutant emissions

By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Jan 21, 2014

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/01/21/study-electric-vehicles-have-little-impact-on-us-pollutant-emissions/

Another factor is that passenger vehicles make up a relatively small share of total emissions, limiting the potential impact of EDVs in the first place. For example, passenger vehicles make up only 20 percent of carbon dioxide emissions.

Carbon Schemes

DOE Formally Commits $1B to FutureGen 2.0 CCS Project

By Sonal Patel, Power Magazine, Jan 23, 2014

http://www.powermag.com/doe-formally-commits-1b-to-futuregen-2-0-ccs-project/?hq_e=el&hq_m=2819287&hq_l=7&hq_v=5e660500d0

[SEPP Comment: Is this an example of a commercially available product? Why does it need more money?]

Health, Energy, and Climate

Excess Winter Deaths in England and Wales

By Euan Mearns, Energy Matters, Jan 17, 2014 [H/t GWPF]

http://euanmearns.com/excess-winter-deaths-in-the-england-and-wales/

[SEPP Comment: Declining with prosperity.]

Latest buzz on bee colony collapse disorder: a virus, NOT a pesticide, is the problem

By Staff Writers, ACSH, Jan 22, 2014

http://acsh.org/2014/01/latest-buzz-bee-colony-collapse-disorder-virus-pesticide-problem/

Environmental Industry

Global warmists aim to disempower America

By Ron Arnold, Washington Examiner, Jan 23, 2014

http://washingtonexaminer.com/global-warmists-aim-to-disempower-america/article/2542789?utm_source=Washington%20Examiner:%20Opinion%20Digest%20Reoccurring%20-%2001/24/2014&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Washington%20Examiner:%20Opinion%20Digest

Sold Up the River

By Ron Pike, Quadrant, Jan 23, 2014

http://quadrant.org.au/opinion/qed/2014/01/sold-river/

Other Scientific News

Realtime global wind, temperature, cloud, rain, pressure map

By Luboš Motl, Reference Frame, Jan 23, 2014

http://motls.blogspot.com/2014/01/realtime-global-wind-temperature-cloud.html

Link to global wind map by Cameron Beccario

http://earth.nullschool.net/

A Decade in the Dust

By Aaron L. Gronstal for ASTOR, Moffett Field CA (SPX), Jan 19, 2014

http://www.marsdaily.com/reports/A_Decade_in_the_Dust_999.html

Other News that May Be of Interest

Literacy and Academic Freedom at UNC

By Roger Pielke Jr, The Least Thing, Jan 21, 2013

http://leastthing.blogspot.com/2014/01/literacy-and-academic-freedom-at-unc.html

Japan researchers use cosmic rays to see nuclear fuel

By Staff Writers, Tokyo (AFP), Jan 23, 2014

http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Japan_researchers_use_cosmic_rays_to_see_nuclear_fuel_999.html

UM Study Finds Wolf Predation of Cattle Affects Calf Weight in Montana

By Staff Writers, Missoula MT (SPX), Jan 24, 2014

http://www.terradaily.com/reports/UM_Study_Finds_Wolf_Predation_of_Cattle_Affects_Calf_Weight_in_Montana_999.html

[SEPP Comment: Who would have thought? Certainly those in the Federal government who insisted on the re-induction of wolves in Montana.]

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BELOW THE BOTTOM LINE:

Climate Craziness of the week: Guardian’s Damian Carrington ‘glass half full’ moment

By Anthony Watts, WUWT, Jan 22, 2014

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/01/22/climate-craziness-of-the-week-guardians-damian-carrington-glass-half-full-moment/

“The atmosphere right now is half-full of carbon dioxide”.

[SEPP Comment: At about 4 molecules per 10,000?]

Superbowl, Cannabis and CO2

By Joseph D’Aleo, ICECAP, Jan 22, 2014

http://icecap.us/index.php/go/political-climate/superbowl_cannabis_and_co21/

[SEPP Comment: How to logically defeat your cannabis smoking global warming friends.]

Has Polar Vortex/Brutal Winter Affected Northern Virginia Real Estate Market?

By Ritu Desal, Samson Properties, Jan 22, 2014

http://www.enovahomes.com/blogs/nova_market/archive/2014/01/22/has-polar-vortex-brutal-winter-affected-northern-virginia-real-estate-market.aspx

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