Customer Reviews

The Bad Science and Bad Policy of Obama's Global Warming Agenda (Encounter Broadsides)

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In one of the more delightful innovations in book publishing, Encounter books is now presenting a series of "broadsides," pamphlets with the look and feel of 18th century political tracts but addressing modern issues. As someone who spent a considerable portion of his life reading 18th century tracts, I appreciate the effort. Eighteenth century title pages differ from modern ones in that they tend to lay out the contents of the whole book, and this Encounter piece is no different. Prominent research scientist and climate expert Roy Spencer essentially divides this book into two parts; one dealing with the bad policy of climate "science" and the other dealing with the "science" itself.

Spencer rightly, in my mind, devotes more time to the policy side of the debate. The "science" portion has already been pretty much completely discredited by the release of the East Anglia CRU emails and code. Nonetheless, Spencer does sift through some of the "conclusions" found in the IPCC reports for lay readers who may still think that these documents actually are mere summaries of the current research. He notes (correctly) that the editors of the IPCC reports are for the most part politicians, bureaucrats and a few activist scientists who tend to "extrapolate well beyond what the science can actually support."(p.19) He also dissects the claim that carbon dioxide is the only "known" source of the recent warming by noting that, for the most part, other solutions to warming and cooling episodes simply have not been studied, most notably cloud cover. In part, this is due to the lack of resources, until recently, to make such a study. The bottom line is that the science is far more equivocable than most politicans imply when they discuss the need to control climate change.

And it is the solutions these politicians support that truly merits critical attention. Spencer examines both the cap and trade proposals and the carbon tax proposal and finds each wanting, though he correctly notes that the former is far more destructive to the economy than the latter. He brings up a point seldom recognized by those who pretend we can legislate technological advances into existance. One of the first things that companies cut when they face difficult economic times is research and development. So carbon caps, far from promoting technological change, will likely hinder it. And of course in some areas, significant change is unlikely in any event. Solar power tries to capture the diffuse energy from the sun, as opposed to using the concentrated solar energy found in fossil fuels. But solar energy as such simply cannot provide the power we need. Nuclear power can, but here the problem is government regulations, not free markets, that are hindering the development of a relatively carbon free power source. The Obama administration is doing little to change this situation.

In the final analysis, this little book does what any broadside should do. It summarizes the issues quickly and accurately for a lay audience. Those who want to learn more about the subject should look to Spencer's more detailed book, Climate Confusion but in this pamphlet you will find far more useful information than you are likely to get in a year's worth of articles in the NY or LA Times. A very worthwhile read.

Dr. Roy W. Spencer is one of the most famous questioners of the doom and destruction school of global warming. He is meteorologist who questions the leftist consensus--as opposed to scientific consensus--that man is to blame for global warming. It is important to note that he does not question that some level of warming has occurred but holds that its amount "will be barely measurable in comparison to natural climate variability." The arguments he puts forth in this brief work (38 pages) provide sound instruction. He points out that most forms of energy on earth in one way or another derive from the sun which means that fossil fuels are merely another form of solar energy. Spencer's deconstruction of cap-and-scam schemes was particularly valuable. What's essential, both for our nation and the environment, is that we pursue free market solutions as they are the only ones that have ever been effective. The Bad Science and Bad Policy of Obama's Global Warming is an outstanding and very quick read.

The book could have been twice as long and not covered everything. It does show how politics is starting to run science. It will open some peoples eyes to the JUNK science being used to gain support for political involvement in every aspect of your life. It is a short quick read. It's not too expensive. Pass it on to those you know that are buying all this "Man Made Global Warming" junk science. Maybe we can open their eyes before it's too late.

The content is okay but not new. It has all been said better in the author's earlier books. I expected from the date that there would be some new commentary on President Obama's unfortunate dependence on bad advice from his science adviser.Earlier works by Spencer are well done and should be read by people who want some good skepticism directed at Alarmist Global Warming.

This was an interesting, and easy to read small book that highlights some of the issues surrounding Gullible Warming and why there is no problem.

Dr. Roy Spencer is the best climate scientist in the world, and a very good writer also. This short book is very much worth its price.

Had to read this for college...as an example of the ridiculous bunk that's out there. Annoying that I actually spent money on it since it's a collection of distortions. All bias, no fact.