Category Archives: Climate Change Politics

What is so Special about 2 degrees C in the Climate Change Debate?

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Blair

In my last post I promised to take a bit of time to discuss the 2o C target. You would expect that such an important target was picked through the use of a detailed scientific process with input from the brightest … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Change, Climate Change Politics | 6 Comments

Does the climate change debate need a reset? – on name calling in the climate change debate

Posted on January 14, 2015 by Blair

The purpose of this post is to address an area I think is incredibly badly served in the climate change debate and damages all resultant policy debates: it is the topic of name-calling. It is a common ploy in debating … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Change, Climate Change Politics | 22 Comments

On “Trust” and the Role of Renewable Energy Sources in “Climate Science”

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Blair

 Over the course of the last few weeks, my readings into the field of climate change have strayed from the technical end of the spectrum to the “discussion” end of the spectrum more than usual. Certainly, I have tried to … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Change, Climate Change Politics, Renewable Energy | 11 Comments

The implication of "Professionalism" in Climate Change discussions.

Posted on January 11, 2015 by Blair

 I had a fascinating discussion today with an anonymous academic who reports himself (my bias? the commentor may be female but for the purposes of this discussion I will use male pronouns) as being “a professional and active scientist who … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Change, Climate Change Politics | 43 Comments

On Appeals to Authority, “Climategate” and the Wizard of Oz: a Personal Journey from "Trust Me" to "Show Me"

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Blair

In the comments section of an earlier posting I have been in discussion with a prominent former modeller (Dr. Michael Tobis) and the author of a blog on climate science (…and Then There’s Physics). My initial posting included the following … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Change, Climate Change Politics | 81 Comments

Climate Science: The “pause”, the “warmest year”, the “picnic” and where do we go from here?

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Blair

Those of you who have been following me from the beginning know that this is not a climate science blog. To this point most of my posts have involved energy use, energy supply and renewable energy. I started this blog … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Change, Climate Change Politics | 8 Comments

Does the Climate Change Debate Come Down to Trust Me versus Show Me? – Further thoughts on Error Avoidance

Posted on January 6, 2015 by Blair

Author’s Note: This post represents a follow-up to an earlier post on Type I and Type II Error Avoidance and its Possible Role in the Climate Change Debate. For those of you returning to this posting you will note that … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Change, Climate Change Politics | 33 Comments

Type I and Type II Error Avoidance and its Possible Role in the Climate Change Debate

Posted on January 5, 2015 by Blair

As I mention in my “about me” section, I have been reading the climate change literature since the early 1990’s. In doing so I have developed my personal views on the topic that are loosely defined as those of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Change, Climate Change Politics | 23 Comments