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Climate change is NOT our fault
Drought damage photo courtesy of Texas Farm Bureau.
Much of current global warming theory is based on distortions of scientific evidence, blind devotion to simple notions and outright greed, according to a speaker at the American Farm Bureau's 91st annual meeting.
Christopher Horner, a fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, contended that the theory suffers from problems with the measurement of the earth temperature and its interpretation.
"The climate has always changed," Horner said. "The question is, how does society respond to it-hysterically or rationally?"
A careful assessment of late 20th century and early 21st century temperature data contradicts global warming theory, he said.
"Between 1985 and 2000 we had the hottest decade in history," he said. "But there was no measurement at Siberian temperature stations." Much of the data collection was concentrated in urban locations in Europe and the United States. The resultant evidence shows an "urban heat island effect," not a comprehensive portrait of the subject.
Late last year, revelations of leaked e-mail correspondence from certain climate scientists posed the likelihood of a more sinister danger associated with global warming theory. The so-called "ClimateGate" episode, Horner claimed, showed that many scientists are more interested in garnering research dollars with little additional investigation than with engaging in independent investigations. The episode "warrants an immediate stay of further steps" in any public policy guided by the theory.
Horner lampooned the reliance members of Congress have placed upon such theory in proposing climate change legislation now under consideration.
"It is all pain, no gain," he said. "It is all empty gesture. It is a rationing scheme under which the state decides how much of something you may use. It will raise the price of energy."
He urged farmers and ranchers to examine critically the "offsets" offered by the legislation. These features of the legislation amount to an "accounting gimmick" that will not aid agricultural producers or most other members of U.S. society. "Your input costs and everybody else's will rise," Horner predicted. "The free lunch is not there and you will be next."
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