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"The current frenzy over global warming has galvanized the public and cost taxpayers billions of dollars in federal expenditures for climate research. It has spawned Hollywood blockbusters and inspired major political movements. It has given a higher calling to celebrities and built a lucrative industry for scores of eager scientists. In short, ending climate change has become a national crusade." "And yet, despite this dominant and sprawling campaign, the facts behind global warming remain as confounding as ever." In Climate Confusion, distinguished climatologist Dr. Roy Spencer observes that our obsession with global warming has only clouded the issue. Forsaking blindingly technical statistics and doomsday scenarios, Dr. Spencer explains in simple terms how the climate system really works, why man's role in global warming is more myth than science, and how the global warming hype has corrupted Washington and the scientific community.
Ch. 1 Global Warming Hysteria 11
Ch. 2 Science Isn't Truth 35
Ch. 3 How Weather Works 45
Ch. 4 How Global Warming (Allegedly) Works 62
Ch. 5 The Scientists' Faith, the Environmentalists' Religion 85
Ch. 6 It's Economics, Stupid 103
Ch. 7 The Politics of Climate Change 124
Ch. 8 Dumb Global Warming Solutions 139
Ch. 9 Less Dumb Global Warming Solutions 160
Ch. 10 Summary 171
Epilogue 183
Illustration credits 185
Index 187
Anonymous
Posted November 8, 2008
I bought this book originally for myself to help me understand the truth behind all the global warming hype you hear in the media. I am not a scientist by any means but do have interest in what is going on with our climate. This book answered my questions and was very enlightening, and also made me laugh with it's humorous perks. I've since given this book as gifts several times and not a single person has said anything less than then LOVED the book. I'm asked all the time to let friends borrow my copy, I know what I will be giving them for Christmas! This book is a MUST have and great gift idea!!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 30, 2008
In 'Climate Confusion', climate scientist Roy Spencer does a good job of making the case that the science isn't necessarily settled on the issue of humanity's role in influencing global climate by increasing the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels. He explains how little we actually know about one of principal drivers of climate--precipitation, and how efforts to predict future climate through computer modeling is suspect because of the significant gaps in knowledge about the climate system. However, as Mr. Spencer criticizes bureacrats, environmentalists, and politicians, the U.N., etc. for making policy prescriptions to address climate change based on their left leaning political views, he nevertheless has no problem with advocating a response to the issue that is straight out of the playbook of conservative ideology, even going so far as to devote an entire chapter on the virtues of conservative economic policy. He also can barely contain his disdain for government institutions like the EPA and generally regards its work as part of the problem. I beg to differ. Spencer is right to point out the hypocrisy of many celebrity actors/environmentalists who implore us to cut back on our carbon use, as they themselves fly around on private jets. They don't have the moral high ground on this issue, but neither does he. I agree that some environmental groups are indeed too extreme in their oppostion to just about everything, like oil extraction from ANWR, nuclear power, etc., but Mr. Spencer seems to hold them in utter contempt. He likens the banning of DDT to a modern-day holocaust perpertrated by radical environmentalists who are indirectly resonsible for the deaths of millions of Africans. Without question, we can look at whether the ban should be lifted under certain conditions, but this type of inflammatory rhetoric is not worthy of being part of the debate on these important issues. I respect Mr. Spencer's acumen on the subject of the human contribution 'or lack thereof' to global warming and I learned from reading his book. However, I think that his arguments lose some of their impact when they are dressed in his own biases and partisanship.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Dr Roy Spencer is a Principal Research Scientist at the University of Alabama and was formerly a Senior Scientist for Climate Studies at NASA.<BR/><BR/>He says that we should ask ¿ how much of global warming is the result of natural processes? Every scientist-sceptic believes that global warming is a fact, but it is not a fact that is manmade: scientists just do not know how much warming is due to natural climate change.<BR/><BR/>He explains why global warming is unlikely to be a serious threat. The atmospheric CO2 concentration was 320 parts per million in 1960 and 380 in 2005. The rise was one extra molecule for every 100,000 molecules of air, every five years.<BR/><BR/>He advises that we should also ask ¿ how much will any `Green¿ proposal cost? Cutting CO2 would cut the benefits of industry, production, technology and energy use. Isn¿t Gore just another US billionaire telling the rest of us to stay poor?<BR/><BR/>The Kyoto Agreement encourages firms to move to developing countries, which have fewer environmental controls, so the firms can pollute more. Kyoto shifts, not cuts, pollution. <BR/>Kyoto is also causing the destruction of old-growth forests ¿ which do not soak up carbon ¿ because some third world governments cut them down and replace them with plantations that do soak up carbon. Kyoto has also made countries turn farm land over to growing biofuels like ethanol, which are very water-intensive, taking water from crops and people.<BR/>The world has enough coal reserves for 1,000 years or more. We should be building nuclear power stations like France, 75% of whose electricity is nuclear. So we don¿t need `alternative energy resources¿ - the hope of some new non-fossil fuel ¿ which anyway is about as likely as some new alternative range of food. <BR/><BR/>Spencer points out that alarmism can be lethal, for example the ban on DDT has killed millions of Africans. Restoring residual spraying of African homes with DDT would save a million lives a year, but the EU threatens to impose trade sanctions on any country that does so.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 6, 2008
Cliamte Confusion provides a realistic look at the Global Warming Alarmist understanding of climate and the minimal implact that man really has on the world's climate.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 25, 2008
Anyone who is able to open their minds and venture out of their narrow belief system will find Spencer's book a very informed and balanced analysis of this complex issue--complex not just because because of the science, but because of the political and economic aspects of this issue.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 10, 2013
The book is written by a highly qualified atmospheric scientist. He provides many details in real science, not unbased opinion. Yes, our planet is warming, but why? How much is scientifically proven to be caused by man made emissions? How much of global warming is a result of naturally occuring variations in climate that have occured as long as the earth existed. He tries hard to strip away the high charged political agendas and stick to the actual facts as they are understood. The only downside to this book, is he tries to be funny at times and it detracts from the very serious information that's needed to be understood.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Don44
Posted August 3, 2009
Someone stated that he didn't like Dr. Spencer's "conservative" chapter. While he may be a REAL conservative, I don't believe he is promoting any "conservative" government or party. Most so-called "conservative" governments have subscribed to the fraud. But if "Conservative" means looking objectively at the facts, baring the scam being perpetrated, or standing for individual rights, freedoms, and responsibility, then I agree with Dr. Spencer wholeheartedly. Everyone I know who has read the book feels the same way. We are being ripped off by the "global warming/climate change" fraud and Dr. Spencer lucidly presents the facts, most of which can be observed by looking about you, and objective reflection on past climate. Nothing has really changed, except the ongoing NATURAL climate change.
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Posted March 24, 2008
Yet another scientist who dares to speak out on the hysteria of man-made global warming. The book draws upon FACTS and not just opinions as other so-called scientists spew out. More and more scientists are coming out of the closet and denying the hysteria, and it's refreshing to finally see it. If you're caught up in the 'Gore' hype that has no scientific basis, this book will offer you facts that you will never see in the media. I will read this book again, and pass it along. A MUST read!
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Posted March 25, 2008
Wow. A treasure-trove of facts you won't hear from the Mainstream Media! MUST reading.
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Posted March 24, 2008
Dr. Spencer, a renouned climatologist, presents the facts of the components of our atmosphere and how it behaves. This is a must-read book for those wanting to know the side of the contentious global warming controversy that is not presented in the mainstream media.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 24, 2008
110% in agreesment with the previous reviewer. . . . A concise and understandable version of what is a very scientific subject. It's a must read for anyone who wants to know and understand the truth from a real climate scientist.
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Posted March 24, 2008
Finally a response to the steady drumbeat of pseudo scientists telling us the world is coming to an end. This is an intelligently written and at times humorous look at what is happening with the world's climate. This is a must read to balance out the biased hysterics being broadcast in most media circles today.
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Posted March 24, 2008
This is a very good book that is easy to read and understand. I bought into the hype about the next ice age in 1975 and am very hesitant to jump on the band wagon about global warming today. The information in the book is easy to verify and reference sources listed appear to be credible. Global warming is a hot political topic and to make an informed decision requires looking at both sides of the argument. With this book and others will help you ask questions before coming to a conclusion. Regardless of your current position on Global Warming I would recommend this book for yourself, family and friends.
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Posted March 25, 2008
This might be a hard pill to swallow for some, but science is not ruled by popular consensus. You can cobble together 10,000 scientists who agree that the sun revolves around the earth. That wouldn't make it so. This is not to say Dr. Spencer is the new Galileo, but if we're going to have a serious debate on global warming - and, with all due respect, Mr. Gore, we DO need to vet this issue - we should consider dissenting views. If these global warming alarmists are so certain that climate change is primarily man made, that this threat is apocalyptic and imminent - then address Dr. Spencer's arguments. Why not put the ad hominem attacks aside and make a real case? The most important question, for me, is how will global warming policies hurt the world's impoverished citizens? Let's consider the costs and benefits before we wildly, and emotionally, overreact to what my or may not be happening in the atmosphere. If you have any questions about climate change or are concerned over how well man-made policy can actually deal with vast environmental issues, then I highly recommend this book. As far as I am concerned the REAL debate over climate change has only just begun. Climate Confusion, and Dr. Spencer, are invaluable additions in this ONGIONG conversation. 5 stars.
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Posted March 25, 2008
Dr. Spencer has done a brilliant job of writing 'Climate Confusion'. The book is informative and witty. I've read it 3 times. Dr. Spencer has written a full disclosure of his research on his web site. He's not in the pocket of Big Oil and he's certainly not a Flat Earther. He's a scientist with integrity that feels the importance of educating society about the truth of Climate Change. Hopefully teachers and students will use this as a tool to learn about climate and not rely on the entertainment industry to do the teaching.
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Posted March 25, 2008
This book does a very good job of explaining how and why the ridiculous assertions that man can somehow control naturally occuring climate change are bogus, and based on false, faulty, and extremely sparse simulation models that have already been proven incorrect.
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Posted March 25, 2008
Notice the first reviewer, 'A reviewer, An Enviromental Scientist' in other words, 'Someone who live's off of other peoples money' and this person would not give his or her name. Excellent book! This is a book for people who want to put the hype in perspective. Buy it if you can handle the truth.
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Posted December 23, 2009
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Posted August 30, 2009
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Posted July 1, 2009
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Overview
"The current frenzy over global warming has galvanized the public and cost taxpayers billions of dollars in federal expenditures for climate research. It has spawned Hollywood blockbusters and inspired major political movements. It has given a higher calling to celebrities and built a lucrative industry for scores of eager scientists. In short, ending climate change has become a national crusade." "And yet, despite this dominant and sprawling campaign, the facts behind global warming remain as confounding as ever." In Climate Confusion,