The Week That Was: January 25, 2025 - Climate Change Hype vs. Scientific Reality

The Greenhouse Effect: Misunderstood and Misrepresented

The climate change debate often centers around the greenhouse effect. But how well do we truly understand it? Renowned AMO physicist William Happer argues that the public has been deeply misled. He asserts that, despite popular portrayals of polluted cityscapes, the major greenhouse gas, water vapor (and clouds), is invisible, while others like carbon dioxide are minor players in influencing temperature.

Happer emphasizes that atmospheric and oceanic convection, not radiation, are the primary drivers of heat transfer from the equator to the poles. The greenhouse effect, where gases delay radiation to space, becomes significant at higher altitudes, not at the surface where temperatures are measured for climate models. This fundamental difference casts doubt on the validity of using surface temperatures as the primary metric for climate change.

Contrary to alarming claims, Happer's research suggests that doubling CO2 would have a negligible impact on global temperatures, a mere 1% reduction in radiation to space. He points out that CO2 is largely saturated, meaning it has already exerted most of its warming potential.

"So, the takeaway message is that policies that slow CO2 emissions are based on flawed computer models which exaggerate warming... More CO2 actually benefits the world," Happer contends. He highlights the "global greening" phenomenon, where increased CO2 levels promote plant growth, crucial for sustaining life on Earth.

"The Earth would be an ice cube if it were not for water vapor and CO2." - William Happer

Challenging the EPA's "Endangerment Finding"

The EPA's classification of essential-for-life gases like carbon dioxide and water vapor as pollutants is a contentious issue. This "Endangerment Finding," based on projections from flawed climate models, has far-reaching policy implications. The Trump administration's move to reopen this finding is a crucial step toward grounding climate policy in scientific evidence rather than speculation.

The finding relies on surface-air temperatures, neglecting the atmospheric level where the greenhouse effect actually operates. Furthermore, the CO2 Coalition emphasizes the vital role of carbon dioxide in supporting plant life, the foundation of the food chain. As John Tyndall eloquently stated in 1875, removing water vapor would devastate plant life.

Attorney Francis Menton, who has challenged the Endangerment Finding in court, stresses the importance of its reconsideration. He argues it provides a loophole for activist judges to block deregulation efforts, hindering progress on sound energy policies.

The Paris Agreement: A Treaty in Disguise?

The Trump administration's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement reignites the debate over its status as an executive agreement rather than a treaty. Sidestepping Senate approval, the Obama administration's initial entry into the agreement raises constitutional questions. While proponents lamented the withdrawal, Michael Bloomberg's offer to cover the UN's lost funding underscores the financial motivations behind the agreement.

To rectify this constitutional ambiguity, the Trump administration should submit the agreement for Senate ratification, ensuring its adherence to established legal processes.

Other Key Developments

Several other important developments punctuate this week's climate news. The Trump administration's ban on offshore wind turbines clashes with the Biden administration's ban on offshore drilling, setting up a "Battle of the Bans." Victor Davis Hanson criticizes California's political leadership for prioritizing "feel-good" goals over public safety, a trend mirrored in other jurisdictions.

Patrick Brown raises concerns about the increasing prevalence of extreme weather attribution studies, which often lack scientific rigor. The Supreme Court's decision to limit the Chevron Deference, granting less authority to agencies in interpreting ambiguous statutes, is a step towards mitigating bureaucratic overreach.