3 Responses to “Cramming for a Column”

1. NewYorkJ says:

   February 9, 2011 at 1:35 pm

   Pielke is putting forth the typical nonsequitur.  Show a graph of falling “GDP-deflated” grain prices over 60 years (largely due to agriculture efficiency improvements, although note the stall since the mid-80’s) and proclaim there’s no climate link to the recent spike, somewhat of a faith-based argument similar to that of Pat Robertson he cites.  He mentions more use of corn for ethanol as a culprit without noting his graph shows a similar price increase for wheat.  He does not care to cite the reasons why, which clearly includes the unprecedented heatwave in Russia.  While I agree with him the link is tenuous and not necessarily the primary driver, no one is saying otherwise.  I find Romm’s column to be considerably more rational than Pielke’s, which is based on a correlation/nonsequitur style of argument.

   Romm:

   Water scarcity, combined with soil erosion, climate change, the diversion of food crops to make biofuels, and a growing population, were all putting unprecedented pressure on the world’s ability to feed itself, according to Brown.

   http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/feb/07/crop-shortages-political-instability

2. Tom Fuller says:

   February 9, 2011 at 1:54 pm

   Romm. Rational. Hmm. Well, anything is possible.

3. Menth says:

   February 12, 2011 at 9:57 am

   “I find Romm’s column to be considerably more rational than Pielke’s, which is based on a correlation/nonsequitur style of argument.”
    
   more rational = more inline with my particular beliefs.