Political, economic agendas of nations taint findings, predictions of UN panel

The April 22 Times column "Why won't we change to save our global future?" imagined "countless environmental catastrophes" ahead, based on the latest U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change claims.

The IPCC was initiated in 1988 to investigate problems of man-caused climate change, fostered then and now by political and environmental interests. Previously trivial, climate activity funding has reached about $100 billion since IPCC formation.

The IPCC does no science but uses "experts" chosen by governments to produce reports based on selected climate, environmental and socioeconomic studies. Its recent "Summary for Policymakers" received widespread attention.

The content was secretly negotiated by politicians and bureaucrats from U.N. member nations — not by scientists. Many nations anticipate receiving funds from developed Western countries because of imagined carbon dioxide release "sins." Developing nations such as China and India, two of the three largest "polluters," won't substantially reduce or pay for emissions.

The article stated, "overwhelming scientist evidence exists," while ignoring contrary views of numerous reputable scientists.

This "science is settled" claim is used by "environmental religion" believers, those with political agendas and/or individuals ignorant of continuing strong scientific disagreement about the relative importance of natural climate variability versus man-released greenhouse gases.

Both have impacts, but computer models don't mimic natural changes (among many shortcomings), and they have demonstrated no predictive ability. Yet model outputs, known to substantially overestimate observed warming, are used to evaluate supposed socioeconomic and environmental consequences. Hence, warnings of doom.

Those interested in contrary scientific findings can find comprehensive online reports by the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change. Blogs by professor Judith Curry, Anthony Watts, Jo Nova and others provide numerous relevant studies, including IPCC improprieties.

The author is a retired federal government research meteorologist and university professor.

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