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Why is the UK shutting down climate research?
from Mark 3rd February, 2006

Not long ago the UK government's natural environment funding body announced the likely closure of four of the eight ecological research laboratories that do key work on climate change in this country. One of the centres conducted the pioneering work which revealed recently how the warming of the North Sea has led to a catastrophic failure in sea bird breeding. Two hundred staff are expected to lose their jobs as the funding cuts take effect, slashing the UK's scientific output on biodiversity and climate change. The RSPB is among many groups campaigning against the cuts, and you can send comments to the government via their pages. The Conservative leader David Cameron raised the matter with Tony Blair during Prime Minister's questions this week. I think readers will agree that the PM's response was lamentable - Blair refused to answer the question, banging on repeatedly about how saintly the Government is being on climate change. Here's the full exchange, from the official parliamentary journal Hansard.

Mr. David Cameron (Witney) (Con): This week, we heard that the problem of climate change may be even worse than previously thought, and that the Government will not meet their targets. Later this month, the Government plan to close four out of the eight eco laboratories that monitor climate change. What happened to joined-up government?

The Prime Minister: We have set a Kyoto target, which we will meet. It is very tough on CO 2 emissions, as the right hon. Gentleman knows and for all the reasons that he knows. This country is leading the international debate on climate change. As the recent report from the international body on the environment showed, we are now ranked fifth in the world in terms of our environmental record. That is a very good record for this country.

Mr. Cameron: But will the Prime Minister look at the case of the laboratories? The Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the hon. Member for South Dorset (Jim Knight), said in a letter:

"The . . . closure . . . does not make sense, either scientifically or economically, whether considered at a national or a local level."

Is he right?

The Prime Minister: There is a debate, because of the Research Councils UK decision—[Interruption.] It has taken the decision to close the laboratories, and there is of course a debate about whether that is right or not. The basic point about the Government's climate change policy is that we will retain the renewables target and reduce CO 2 emissions in the specified time. However, there is no point in the right hon. Gentleman raising these issues while he remains opposed to the climate change levy. That levy is the only sure way to secure the reductions in CO 2 emissions that we want. I therefore hope that he will change his position on the levy.

Mr. Cameron: It was a simple question: is the Minister right? Sir David Attenborough has called those laboratories world leaders in biodiversity research. They make a crucial contribution to measuring the effects of climate change. I fear that the Prime Minister has not really considered the matter; will he go away and think about it, have a look at the evidence and come back to report to the House next week?

The Prime Minister: I do not agree. The Research Councils UK takes those decisions. The key thing for us if we are to meet our Kyoto targets—[Interruption.] If we are to tackle climate change seriously, we need to do two things. First, this country has to meet its Kyoto targets, and we are meeting them, in part through the climate change levy; the right hon. Gentleman remains opposed to it, but it is that which is helping us deliver on the Kyoto targets. Secondly, we have to build international support for action on climate change, which we are doing. The speech last night by the President of United States shows that there is growing consensus that we need to invest more in renewables and in clean technology, in which regard we are leading the way.

This bleep bleep government .... And another related story which caught my eye the other day is... from Douglas Coker on 3rd February, 2006 at

It's pretty sad That David Cameron seems (that's seems) to be the best hope... How... from Peter on 4th February, 2006 at

Words of wisdom from Jonathan Porrit? "If you consider the way the environmental movement portrays climate change, it's... from Norb on 4th February, 2006 at

I've been saying that all along What we have is a choice between win-win (mitigate GW & help... from Lynn Vincentnathan on 6th February, 2006 at

First time I've agreed with you 100% Apart from our differences over the causes of GW and the best... from Colin on 5th February, 2006 at

Jonathan Porrit Norb, I read this somewhere and Jonathan Porrit was writing about all... from Almuth Ernsting on 5th February, 2006 at

A Journalist Illuminates. "The old economics is dead" That's how Larry Elliott starts his "Economics"... from Douglas Coker on 6th February, 2006 at

Dostoyevsky tells us why we shut down climate science & deny GW I'm teaching "Political & Legal Anthropology" this semester. We had a reading... from Lynn Vincentnathan on 8th February, 2006 at

maybe they've been consulting with this scientist from Russia? Here it comes... Scientist predicts 'mini Ice Age' ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, Feb.... from Jimbo Johnson on 8th February, 2006 at

Maybe he's right, maybe he's wrong, or really wrong We still need to do all we can to reduce GHGs, esp... from Lynn Vincentnathan on 9th February, 2006 at

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The state of the union is... denial
from Mark 2nd February, 2006

First, congratulations to George Bush for facing up to the fact that America has an oil addiction problem. Any recovering addict knows that this recognition is the first step. George gets fewer marks for his touted solutions, however. First, he says, we want less oil imported and more produced at home, presumably from places like the Arctic Refuge. That's rather like a drug addict shouting: "Change my dealer. This one's foreign!" He also wants to put more effort into developing carbon-free coal - the methadone option - by pumping CO2 underground and hoping it'll stay there. And he's going to put a couple of billion (a few weeks' of Iraq war spending) into developing new technologies which, in just a few short decades, might deliver a single prototype hydrogen car. That's also only half the $4 billion that Congress just shoved into the oil and gas industry by way of tax breaks and other incentives to drill and mine. And all in a speech which didn't even mention global warming, which officially still doesn't exist. In my view America's addiction isn't just oil: it's to a lifestyle predicated on cheap energy, from drive-thru restaurants and patio heaters to inter-city commuting by plane. No mention in this addict's speech about reducing America's dependence on oil by tightening up fuel economy standards, for example. In desperation, some US activists are petitioning for a separation of oil and state, asking politicians who are serious about kicking the oil habit to begin by pledging to stop receiving campaign contributions from the industry. But oil - like drugs - is a good business to be in these days: Shell just chalked up profits of $22 billion. How about a War on Oil?

Well Said Mark! Yet, sequestering may still be required! Your comments are correct about Bush's flawed strategy and America's lifestyle. Peak... from Dan on 2nd February, 2006 at

Sequestration is one possibility but is not a cure-all Dan, you are right in that we should not completely dismiss sequestration.... from momochan on 2nd February, 2006 at

cost of sequestration Sorry if I have totally misunderstood this. When I read The End... from Almuth Ernsting on 3rd February, 2006 at

Very good points! I think the idea of ocean sequestration may have many problems which... from Dan on 3rd February, 2006 at

carbon sequestration Dan, I know nothing about engineering, but I wonder if you have... from Almuth Ernsting on 3rd February, 2006 at

He's coming around to the oil problem. Hurray that Bush addressed the oil addiction! I hope for national security... from Jimbo Johnson on 2nd February, 2006 at

Good to hear from you again Jimbo Hope you're keeping well. I hope that the comitment GWB gave towards... from Colin on 2nd February, 2006 at

Don't be a stranger, Jimbo I know you like Bush, and I'm really glad he did mention... from Lynn Vincentnathan on 2nd February, 2006 at

US transportation is key to petroleum reduction Finding better ways to use transportation in the US could significantly alter... from Jimbo Johnson on 3rd February, 2006 at

Agreed on the hope. Hurray that Bush addressed the oil addiction! I hope for national security... from Dano on 2nd February, 2006 at

Dangers of pseudo-green fuel oils. Remember coal gas? Well BBC News reported that one option that personally... from jim roland on 3rd February, 2006 at

Some questions. Dan, I agree carbon sequestration needs to be seriously considered. I’m no... from Douglas Coker on 3rd February, 2006 at

biofueld edms Douglas you ask about the biofuel Early Day Motions. Two of the... from Almuth Ernsting on 5th February, 2006 at

Better informed but ... Thanks Almuth. I'm better informed now and clearly the pursuit of large... from Douglas Coker on 5th February, 2006 at

further to biofuels in the EU Douglas, I am quite sure that the MPs who have signed the... from Almuth Ernsting on 5th February, 2006 at

Even better informed ... Thank you Almuth. I'm even better informed now! You do need to... from Douglas Coker on 5th February, 2006 at

The Brazilian connection ... And from today's Sindy. "Tesco already quietly blends 5 per cent of... from Douglas Coker on 5th February, 2006 at

And palm oil on Teeside The Teeside plant is operated by the Biofuels Corporation plc, who began... from jim roland on 5th February, 2006 at

Here are some perceptive comments by Boris Johnson on Lovelock's latest book, which also relate to Mark's offering about the State of the Union... from Norb on 4th February, 2006 at

I like that As Roy Rappaport, an environmental anthropologist said, we should have a religious... from Lynn Vincentnathan on 7th February, 2006 at

Boris Johnson Climate Expert ehhh! Classics scholar, journalist, politician and occasional chair of "Have I Got News... from Douglas Coker on 4th February, 2006 at

Mr. Johnson made no claim of being a climate expert; in fact, if you will read the piece you will see that... from Norb on 4th February, 2006 at

Norb, this is becoming worrying I agree with you again that some of the apocalyptic visions for... from Colin on 5th February, 2006 at

Colin, Thanks for the kind words. Can you give me some reason to believe that the planet will... from Norb on 7th February, 2006 at

Forgot to add internalizing all external harms Oil & other companies should also pay for all harm done, including... from Lynn Vincentnathan on 7th February, 2006 at

Then how about we take away all oil/coal subsidies & tax-breaks that would help reduce consumption & spur invention. I too think the... from Lynn Vincentnathan on 7th February, 2006 at

Stop the gag on climate scientists Here's a site that will help you write a letter to NASA... from Lynn Vincentnathan on 7th February, 2006 at

Cornucopians and CO2 I think I'm right in saying there is not an excess of... from Douglas Coker on 8th February, 2006 at

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NASA: 2005 is hottest ever
from Mark 27th January, 2006

2005 was the warmest year ever recorded, according to climatologists at NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies. This contradicts earlier statements from other bodies who identified 2005 as only the second-warmest. Apparently the inclusion of data from the Arctic - which saw particularly high temperatures in 2005 - swung the balance. This knocks 1998, previously the hottest ever, into second place. 1998 was particularly warm because of heat released from the ocean by a major El Nino, and it is significant to note, as NASA does, "that global warmth has returned to about the level of 1998 without the help of an El Nino". Global temperatures have now risen 0.6C since the 1970s alone, and 0.8C during the past century. The scientists also note that earlier cooling trends in areas like eastern Canada have disappeared - everywhere is now warming at the same time. Moreover, the most intense warming is happening far from the main centres of human habitation (principally Alaska and Siberia), showing that any urban heat island effect is negligible. Given that the proxy records extending temperatures back more than a thousand years are more or less universally accepted within the scientific community, this means that 2005 is the "warmest in the last several thousand years", according to NASA's Drew Shindell, quoted by Reuters. If you want to scare yourself, watch the movie of temperature changes decade-by-decade during the last 100 years, and see how rapidly the map turns red during the 1990s.

Now what will Crichton do that all his cooling places (which he used to argue against GW)... from Lynn Vincentnathan on 29th January, 2006 at

title unknown " that all his cooling places (which he used to argue against... from on 3rd February, 2006 at

An Exxon cartoon for all to enjoy! This was sent to me by a good friend. I think we... from Dan on 2nd February, 2006 at

Very good!! Yes, very good Dan - thank you. I'll forward. And Shell have... from Douglas Coker on 2nd February, 2006 at

This will not last forever! As prices go higher, so does conservation and energy efficiency. Also, alternative... from Dan on 2nd February, 2006 at

is this announcement from James Hansen? I saw where James Hansen of Goddard Institute within NASA says that... from momochan on 29th January, 2006 at

2005 not the hottest GISS is the only temperature record that shows 2005 to be the... from on 6th February, 2006 at

Hansen and the RWOS The Republican War on Science continues. See this from Chris Mooney http://scienceblogs.com/intersection/2006/01/the_big_climate_news_1.php#more... from Douglas Coker on 30th January, 2006 at

Concentrating solar power Dear Mark and everyone reading this blog, This is slightly off the... from Gerry Wolff on 30th January, 2006 at

Concentrating solar power Great message of Gerry Wolff! As my Dutch is much better than... from Theo Mullert on 6th February, 2006 at

Postscript: the Government's consultation on energy policy I forgot to mention that, if you have not done it already,... from Gerry Wolff on 31st January, 2006 at

energy paper consultation Gerry, I am afraid that the link to the energy white paper... from Almuth Ernsting on 1st February, 2006 at

The link does work! The link does work. You have to be careful not to include... from Gerry Wolff on 6th February, 2006 at

Energy Efficiency, Wind, Wave, Tidal Energy for the UK I think that if the only other viable choice over a nuclear... from Dan on 30th January, 2006 at

Exporting UK Ocean Energy! Why Not? I forgot to include an idea not suitable for the UK but... from Dan on 30th January, 2006 at

Excellent proposal Gerry! I would urge all UK readers of this blog to support this... from Colin on 30th January, 2006 at

BBC on Greenland The BBC, to their credit, have chosen to highlight the summary report... from Douglas Coker on 30th January, 2006 at

Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change An accessible, free, 22 page summary of the "Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change"... from Douglas Coker on 31st January, 2006 at

Where's Norbert? Is he on holiday? Has he realised how silly he is and... from Paul Kingsnorth on 1st February, 2006 at

Norbert and Karl Marx He (Norbert that is) has been working up a new way to... from Douglas Coker on 6th February, 2006 at

GW isn't happening, or is not a matter of concern, because Pres. Bush didn't even mention it in his State of the... from Lynn Vincentnathan on 1st February, 2006 at

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...continued on the main blog page.