The role of narrative in politics is so well known that I wonder why it’s not discussed more in the context of climate and energy policy. So this interview with Michael Jones, a political scientist who is studying how stories shape public policy is interesting. He reminds us of an obvious human trait: I think…Continue Reading…
UPDATE: In the comment thread, a science journalist living in Pakistan weighs in with additional perspective. In an essential post examining some of the underlying causes of the recent horrendous floods in Pakistan, Judith Curry and Peter Webster note: Most of the response of the climate research community to this catastrophe has focused on the…Continue Reading…
Politics is the gruel that feeds The Daily Show and The Colbert Report with endless material. But science often finds its way onto both shows as well. In an interesting post, Matthew Nisbet wonders, to what effect? He asks what evidence is there for the potential of these programs””rich with satire and built on comedy””to…Continue Reading…
I continue to marvel at the parallels between WUWT and Climate Progress. Let’s examine recent comment threads from both blogs, in which the majority of commenters impugned the motives and character of their respective targets. Exhibit A is the festival of insults and accusations that Anthony Watts allows in this thread about Bill McKibben. But…Continue Reading…
The American Scholar is on a roll with provocative climate change-related essays in consecutive issues. The summer issue has a brilliant coverline, “The Earth Doesn’t Care if You Drive a Hybrid,” touting this essay by Stanford physicist Robert Laughlin. People on opposite ends of the climate debate will likely find much to agree and disagree…Continue Reading…
We all know rational, intelligent people that honestly believe the most absurd things. I know someone who thinks she was abducted by aliens. On a related note, I also know someone who swears he saw a UFO in Miami Beach. And he was with his mother, who saw it too. I know another person who…Continue Reading…
Well, I’m not gone yet. I just read this op-ed in today’s NYT by Thomas Homer-Dixon, which is related to, um, a certain controversial post. Count Homer-Dixon among those who believe it will take a major, unequivocal climate shock to spur worldwide action on global warming. Meanwhile, he writes: Policy makers need to accept that…Continue Reading…
What does the rancorous climate change debate have in common with the rancorous debate over a proposed mosque in lower Manhattan? Nothing, really. But I’m going to make some comparisons anyway, because as readers of this blog know, I aim to break down divisions. So there was an excellent NYT op-ed several days ago by…Continue Reading…
If Judith Curry, a climate researcher at Georgia Tech, ever found herself marooned on an island, where the other inhabitants included a tribe of climate skeptics led by Anthony Watts and another tribe of climate scientists led by Gavin Schmidt (whose enforcer, despite being a physicist, was Joe Romm), she’d probably end up living alone…Continue Reading…
I think Tom Yulsman has been covering climate change as long as Andy Revkin (which means several decades). So I’m digging this new radio gig he’s added to his portfolio. (Tom, in addition to being a co-director at the University of Colorado’s Center for Environmental Journalism, is a long-time friend and colleague.) Check out the…Continue Reading…