Climate Science Under Scrutiny: A Week of Challenging the Orthodoxy

The Nature of Climate Science: A Tribute to Ray Bates

Richard Lindzen's tribute to the late Ray Bates highlighted the politicization of climate science, emphasizing the dominance of a narrative riddled with errors. Lindzen, echoing Bates, pointed out the disproportionate focus on the tropics' radiative properties while neglecting the crucial role of extratropical hydrodynamics.

Lindzen expressed hope for the future under the new US administration, suggesting a return to scientific inquiry rather than political narratives. He proposed a traditional "A Team – B Team" exercise to expose flaws in current climate policy, acknowledging the challenge of communicating complex scientific concepts to the public.

"Prediction is very difficult, especially if it’s about the future!" – Niels Bohr

Unmasking the "Noble Lie" in Climate Reporting

Physicist David Whitehouse criticized the uncritical reporting of climate attribution studies, exemplified by the LA wildfires coverage. He questioned the World Weather Attribution group's (WWA) methods, emphasizing their lack of peer review and focus on generating headlines rather than scientific rigor.

Whitehouse exposed the "noble lie" – the acceptance of untruths for a perceived greater good – prevalent in climate reporting, advocating for greater journalistic scrutiny and scientific integrity.

He urged readers to reconsider media reports in light of these manipulative practices, highlighting the public's right to accurate and unbiased information.

Challenging the "IgNoble Lie" Down Under

Australian scientist Jennifer Marohasy criticized a senior manager at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority for advocating a low-carbon economy, seemingly oblivious to the reef's composition of limestone, a vast carbon deposit.

Marohasy emphasized the irony of targeting carbon dioxide, crucial for life and effectively hoarded by corals, while the Great Barrier Reef thrives in the warmest part of the ocean.

“Number of the Week: About 12 percent carbon.” - Jennifer Marohasy

Plate Tectonics: A Driving Force Behind Climate Change

Andy May revisited the importance of plate tectonics in explaining Earth's climate history, building upon the work of Westerhold et al. and Tom Gallagher. He presented compelling evidence linking continental drift and ocean currents to long-term temperature changes over millions of years.

May highlighted the Milankovitch cycles' influence on shorter-term climate fluctuations, advocating for a comprehensive approach considering multiple factors beyond carbon dioxide.

SEPP's April Fools Award – The Jackson

The annual SEPP's April Fools Award – The Jackson – calls for nominations. Last year's winner, the US National Science Teaching Association, was recognized for banning the CO2 Coalition from its meeting for highlighting the essential role of CO2 in photosynthesis.

Additional Insights and Commentary

This week's commentary also covered various topics, including the US military's shift away from climate change initiatives, the debate surrounding California's car rules, and the challenges of the energy transition. Expert quotes and thought-provoking analyses provided a diverse range of perspectives on the complex interplay of science, policy, and public perception.