Global warming hype is challenged again

The science behind global warming theories is again being challenged – this time in the form of scepticism over the 2001 report issued by the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, says Investor's Business Daily.

The report's data indicates that a graphic depiction of temperature measurements over the past 1000 years has taken the form of a hockey stick, where temperatures were relatively stable until the 20th century when they increased dramatically.

But according to astrophysicists Willie Soon and Sallie Baliunas (George C. Marshall Institute):

The data excluded two important events: A "medieval warm period," lasting between the years 800 and 1300, and a "little ice age" which went roughly from 1300 to 1850.

After examining 240 studies measuring climate change over the past 1000 years, researchers Willie Soon and Sallie Baliunas concluded that the 20th century was not unusually warm compared to other periods.

Why bother with such arcane debate, asks IBD? Well, much is at stake here. Just last month, Russia agreed to ratify the Kyoto deal – meaning the global warming treaty will take effect around the world. U.S. companies, with their thousands of affiliates, will feel the pinch. So will U.S. consumers:

The Energy Department estimates Kyoto could force electricity prices up 35 percent by 2025.

Furthermore, Kyoto would cause gasoline prices to jump 19 percent and gobble up about 2 percent of gross domestic product yearly.

Source: Editorial, Broken Stick, Investor's Business Daily, October 19, 2004, Willie Soon and Sallie Baliunas, Lessons and Limits of Climate History: Was the 20th Century Climate Unusual? 2003, George C. Marshall Institute.

For study text http://www.marshall.org/pdf/materials/136.pdf

For more on Global Warming (Science)http://eteam.ncpa.org/policy/Global_Warming/Science/

FMF Policy Bulletin/ 02 November 2004