Bad News, Folks: ‘Climate Change’ Is Not Wiping Out Pikas

By William Teach January 8, 2021 – 3:00 pm

They’re actually doing just fine, the cute little buggers

Pikas are adapting to climate change remarkably well, contrary to many predictions

Climate change is harming many special places and iconic species around our planet, from Glacier National Park’s disappearing glaciers to California redwoods scorched by wildfires. But for the animal I study, the American pika (Ochotona princeps), there’s actually some good news: It’s not as threatened by climate change as many studies have warned.

I have studied pikas, small cousins of rabbits, for over 50 years and never tire of watching them. These tailless, egg-shaped balls of fluff live primarily in cool mountainous environments in piles of broken rock, called talus.

During summer, observers can see pikas industriously gathering caches of grass and leaves into haypiles that will serve as their food supply through the winter. Their light brown coats blend well with their surroundings, so they are easiest to spot when they perch on prominent rocks and call to alert other pikas of their presence.

When fellow hikers see me observing pikas in California’s Sierra Nevada, they often tell me they have read that these animals are going extinct. I have collected a stack of press releases that say exactly that. But based on my recent research and a comprehensive review of over 100 peer-reviewed studies, I believe that this interpretation is misleading.

The upshot is they’re not being wiped out by a tiny increase in the global temperatures, something that has occurred multiple times in just the Holocene alone, but blamed on Mankind’s carbon footprint this time. Like most animals, they simply adapt. And we aren’t anywhere near the types of climatic changes, both cold and hot, that have led to previous big extinction events, nor will you driving to get a burger make it happen.

In contrast, most sites where researchers believe that pikas have disappeared are small, isolated and often compromised by human activities, such as grazing by livestock. These sites generally are lower and warmer than sites in pikas’ core range.

So, yes, humans are problematic, but, this is an environmental issue, not anthropogenic climate change.

Funny how all these animals that climate cultists say are doomed end up doing well, right?

Read: Bad News, Folks: ‘Climate Change’ Is Not Wiping Out Pikas »

Posted in Collapsing Science, Global Warming | 3 Comments | Trackback URL

If All You See…

By William Teach January 8, 2021 – 1:00 pm

…is a wonderful low carbon carriage, perfect for replacing fossil fueled travel, you might just be a Warmist

The blog of the day is Flopping Aces, with a post on this being the violence the left asked for.

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Michelle Obama Seems Upset About This Whole “Desecrating The Center Of American Government” Thing

By William Teach January 8, 2021 – 10:30 am

Desecrating is a hell of a word to use, eh?

‘They desecrated the center of American government’: Michelle Obama

Former first lady Michelle Obama responded to Wednesday’s riots at the Capitol in a blistering statement a day later, saying her “heart had fallen harder and faster than I can remember.” (snip)

“In just a few hours, though, my heart had fallen harder and faster than I can remember. Like all of you, I watched as a gang — organized, violent, and mad they’d lost an election — laid siege to the United States Capitol,” she added. “They set up gallows. They proudly waved the traitorous flag of the Confederacy through the halls. They desecrated the center of American government.”

First, I thought it was “just property”? Isn’t that what they told us, that it was just property that could be replaced? Second, desecrate? Most definitions of the word revolve around things that are holy, like graveyards, shrines, temples, churches, and such. Are we actually treating federal buildings like the Capital Building as holy? Was this just a poor choice of words by Michelle, or, does this dovetail perfectly with Democrats belief in Government being super-awesome to the point of being a pseudo-religion, their belief in Statism?

BTW, further in the article, Obama drops some race baiting, claiming that things would be different had the protesters been black people. Because we all saw how they were treated differently. The cops were mostly told to stand down, even in the face of violence.

Read: Michelle Obama Seems Upset About This Whole “Desecrating The Center Of American Government” Thing »

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Your Fault: Cities Are Becoming Ovens From ‘Climate Change’ Or Something

By William Teach January 8, 2021 – 7:10 am

Yeah, yeah, we know all about what you do daily. Taking long showers, using more than two sheets, having sausage with your breakfast, driving your fossil fueled vehicle to work, having a burger for lunch. All your fault!

Climate Change Is Turning Cities Into Ovens
A new model estimates that by 2100, cities across the world could warm as much as 4.4 degrees Celsius. It’s a deadly consequence of the heat-island effect.

Whoa, whoa, is the Cult of Climastrology attempting to hijack the Urban Heat Island effect, the notion that urban areas will be warmer than the surrounding countryside simply because all that metal, glass, concrete, and so forth hold more heat? Yes, that is anthropogenic, but, it is not global

WHICHEVER SIDE OF the subjective city-versus-rural debate you’re on, the objective laws of thermodynamics dictate that cities lose on at least one front: They tend to get insufferably hotter, more so than surrounding rural areas. That’s thanks to the urban heat-island effect, in which buildings and roads readily absorb the sun’s energy and release it well into the night. The greenery of rural areas, by contrast, provides shade and cools the air by releasing water.

Climate change is making the urban heat-island effect all the more dire in cities across the world, and it’s only going to get worse. Like, way worse. An international team of researchers has used a new modeling technique to estimate that by the year 2100, the world’s cities could warm by as much as 4.4 degrees Celsius on average. For perspective, that figure obliterates the Paris agreement’s optimistic goal for a global average temperature rise of 1.5 degrees C from preindustrial levels. In fact, the team’s figure more than doubles the agreement’s hard goal of limiting that global rise to no more than 2 degrees C.

That would mean a rise of 7.92 Fahrenheit in Big Cities. Oh, right, in 2100, so, if we implement taxes and control your life and choices, we can stop that

Mora likens the simultaneous risks of climate change and the heat-island effect to having to battle two foes at once. “Dealing with climate change is like getting into a fight with Mike Tyson,” he says. “With the heat-island effect that these guys just documented here, that is now like bringing Jackie Chan on top of Mike Tyson. So now you gotta face those two guys—there is just no way for people to cope with this.”

With the arrival of the Biden administration, the US could even revive the New Deal’s Civilian Conservation Corps, putting people back to work greening up cities. That’ll be especially critical in communities of color and low-income neighborhoods, which tend to be less green and thus more likely to suffer from the heat-island effect, a consequence of racist housing policies.

Why not just tear most of them down to minimize the UHI? Go back to living in huts.

Read: Your Fault: Cities Are Becoming Ovens From ‘Climate Change’ Or Something »

Posted in AGW Scaremongering, Global Warming | 4 Comments | Trackback URL

Are You Ready For New Lockdown With New COVID Strains?

By William Teach January 8, 2021 – 6:56 am

Real concern or just looking for more reasons to continue controlling citizens around the world?

New COVID ‘Super Strains’ Could Disrupt Life Again

After 10 months of masks, social distancing, virtual school, fear for vulnerable loved ones, and loneliness, this is the news no one wanted to hear: The virus that causes COVID-19 has changed — once again — in ways that make it more contagious.

At least one new “super strain” of the virus is already in the U.S. Another highly contagious strain from South Africa could be on its way. As bad as things are now, experts believe these new strains are not responsible for the spike in cases seen in many states as people fall ill after holiday travel.

The strains are about 50% more contagious than the virus that has been most widely circulating in the United States, though it doesn’t seem to be more fatal for any one person who catches it.

While that may seem reassuring, it could be disastrous on a wider scale. One public health expert believes the virus is changing itself to adapt and infect more people.

Another, Adam Kucharski, PhD, an associate professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine who specializes in the math of infectious disease outbreaks, says the math shows the infectious strain will be more deadly.

So, what could happen?

Already, one new “super strain” of the virus is driving an alarming surge of COVID cases in Great Britain. On Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson — who had resisted tougher control measures for weeks — reluctantly ordered strict new lockdown measures in that country, following close behind similar moves in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Defending his actions against the economic harm they would cause, he said he had no choice but to lock down again as new cases threatened to overwhelm hospitals.

Once again, most children will stay home for school, and people have been asked not to leave home except to do a very limited number of essential tasks, like seeking health care or going grocery shopping.

What happens next? Time will tell. Could it be overblown, a conspiracy theory to think the bigwigs want to keep this going for their own purposes?

Garcetti says L.A. will keep using COVID-19 diagnostic tests that were subject of FDA advisory

Drive-thru and walk-up coronavirus testing sites in Los Angeles will continue using the same diagnostic tests after federal regulators earlier in the week issued a warning about their rate of false results, Mayor Eric Garcetti said.

The Curative oral swab tests used at L.A. city testing sites carry a risk of false negatives, especially when it’s used on people not experiencing symptoms, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a safety communication Monday.

The FDA says the tests could lead to infected people having a false sense of security, increasing the risk of spread. People who don’t believe they’re sick could also be delayed in seeking treatment.

Why continue to use it, if it doesn’t really work well? But, see, Garcetti is using science “But in a COVID-19 briefing Thursday evening, Garcetti said he still trusts the tests “deeply.”” See? Science.

Read: Are You Ready For New Lockdown With New COVID Strains? »

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Climate Change (scam) Can Be Solved Without Gender And Racial Equality Or Something

By William Teach January 7, 2021 – 3:00 pm

Remember, this is all about the Science, you guys!

How Racial and Gender Equality are Critical for Building Climate Resilience

As we gear up for what will be the most crucial decade for climate action, I reflect on a year that turned everyone’s lives upside down. The year 2020 will be remembered for multiple, overlapping crises—the lives and jobs lost to the COVID-19 pandemic, the on-going racial justice crisis, highlighted by the Black Lives Matter protests and various hurricanes along the Atlantic Coast.

In writing this, I reflect on what this moment means for me as a resilience planner and what thoughts to take forward into the coming year. (snip through idiocy)

Last year’s events provided a stark reminder of the inextricable link between the climate crisis and racial injustice. It is clear that Women and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) bear every crisis’s largest burdens. Going forward, it is critical to involve these groups if we are to develop effective solutions. Here is more on how addressing racial and gender inequality can lead to a healthy and safe future for all:

As I mentioned above, the climate crisis and racial injustice are inextricably linked; and we have seen that BIPOC have been much more severely impacted by COVID-19 and climate change than white communities.

Redlining practices instituted by the federal and local governments in the early to mid-twentieth century prevented Black homeowners from accessing mortgages, which led to decades of community disinvestment. These communities have also had far more exposure to polluted and hazardous sites and much less access to resources to upgrade and repair their homes. It is no coincidence that Black children are twice as likely to have asthma than white children[1] or that predominantly BIPOC neighborhoods are more vulnerable to storms and hurricanes. Racist planning practices are embedded in our cities and institutions and continue to cast a shadow over these communities as many wrongs remain unaddressed.

Wait, so all these “put in a box rather than being thought of as individuals” are in danger because of Democratic Party housing and urban practices? Huh? This is all just more proof that the climate crisis is all about politics and little about science.

Meanwhile

Climate crisis will cause falling humidity in global cities – study

Urban regions around the world are likely to see a near-universal decrease in humidity as the climate changes, a study has found.

The research suggests that building green infrastructure and increasing urban vegetation might be a safe bet for cities looking to mitigate rising temperatures.

I’d think that all the Warmists in Big Cities giving up their own use of fossil fueled vehicles, going meatless at meals, turning their AC up to 80 and heat down to 60, city government putting limiters on their showers to no more than 3 minutes, restricting the number of flushes per day, and more, would be better. Seriously, where are they going to put this urban vegetation?

Jaguar savagely killing ocelot at a watering hole in Guatemala could be sign of climate change

Brutal moment a jaguar kills an ocelot at a watering hole in Guatemala in ‘over-competition’ for water caused by climate change

A deadly animal attack in the Guatemalan rainforest is being blamed on climate change that is causing animals to compete for water.

Got that? A bigger predator kills a smaller one, and this is suddenly your fault for that burger you ate the other day.

Read: Climate Change (scam) Can Be Solved Without Gender And Racial Equality Or Something »

Posted in AGW Idiocy, Global Warming | 8 Comments | Trackback URL

If All You See…

By William Teach January 7, 2021 – 1:00 pm

…is an evil fossil fueled vehicle causing fields to dry out, you might just be a Warmist

The blog of the day is Datechguys’s Blog, with a post on being shocked, very shocked.

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CDC: The Vaccines Are Actually Pretty Safe, Folks

By William Teach January 7, 2021 – 10:30 am

There are mostly three types of news articles you see on the vaccines. The first is that rollout is slow, with the media blasting Republicans in charge and covering for Democrats in charge. The second is the distribution, especially when older folks are being left out. The third is about someone having an allergic reaction, which is hyped bigly, right?

CDC: With nearly 5 million Americans vaccinated, just 29 have had confirmed allergic reactions

The odds of a severe allergic reaction after COVID-19 vaccination are looking quite slim.

According to the first data released on allergic reactions after vaccination from the US Centers and Disease Control, only 29 cases of confirmed anaphylaxis have been reported among the 5 million Americans who have so far received shots from Moderna or Pfizer.

“Our vaccine safety systems haven’t picked up any worrisome signals,” the CDC’s Nancy Messonnier said on a call with reporters on Wednesday. “This means that right now, the known and potential benefits of the current COVID-19 vaccines outweigh the known and potential risks of getting COVID-19.”

The CDC is keeping track of bad vaccine reactions in a few different ways. One is a new texting system they’re using to ask patients about symptoms, after they receive their first (of two) shots. This new self-reporting goes hand in hand with the existing Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS), which is co-managed by the CDC and FDA.

This doesn’t mean people won’t have regular allergy reactions, just few will have the really bad ones causing anaphylaxis. Eating scallops can cause that for me. The CDC is suggesting that people talk to the ones giving the vaccine, and hang around for 30 minutes if concerned.

Among the 21 people who had anaphylaxis after those initial shots in December, four had a past history of allergies to sulfa drugs, and two had egg allergies. Four patients had no history of allergies at all, and the majority had never had an anaphylactic reaction to anything before, making it tough to draw firm conclusions about what might’ve caused these occurrences.

Most of the reactions happened within 15 minutes after vaccination, which is why the CDC is recommending that providers have epinephrine at the ready (for treating allergic reactions) on site with vaccines.

Anaphylaxis is higher than with the regular flu shot, but, if you’re concerned, hang out. It’s worth it.

Read: CDC: The Vaccines Are Actually Pretty Safe, Folks »

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Dem Georgia Senate Wins Could Push Through China Joe’s Climate Agenda Or Something

By William Teach January 7, 2021 – 8:19 am

Of course, this all depends on the challenges to the results in the Georgia senate races. And for Democrats to get rid of the filibuster for everything. And the poor optics of Vice President Kamala Harris voting with the Democrats on every bit of legislation, which, while Constitutional, the optics of the Executive Branch being the deciding vote in the Legislative Branch will not be a good one

Control of Senate allows Democrats to act on Biden’s climate change agenda

Without a GOP-controlled Senate, Biden has greater leeway to pass climate change legislation. The former vice president’s climate action pledge includes an ambitious $2 trillion economic plan that would accelerate a clean-energy transition, cut carbon emissions from the electricity sector by 2035 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

The goals of Biden’s climate plan are in line with targets set by other major economies including China and the European Union. However, many of the policies would have been blocked by a Republican-controlled Senate.

The $2 trillion plan will still be a tough sell even as Democrats take over the White House and Senate. But experts are optimistic for some broader bipartisan-backed climate legislation to pass in upcoming years.

“Democratic control of the Senate means funding for climate action and the energy transition through appropriations, policy advances through the reconciliation process, political support and messaging from Congressional leadership, and potentially, if one is being highly optimistic, big ticket climate legislation with some level of bipartisan support,” said Michael Burger, head of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University.

Bipartisan climate legislation could address policies that target wind and solar energy, carbon capture and tax incentives for clean energy, among other things.

“For years people have been talking about Republicans in the Senate who favor climate action waiting for the opportunity to make a jailbreak from the party’s anti-climate, anti-environmental agenda,” Burger said. “Here’s the time to make the break.”

Any Republican who crosses over and votes with the Democrats on climate scam legislation will be primaried, and primaried hard, especially after all the election shenanigans from the Democrats that gave China Joe the win. Anyhow, if Democrats are super interested in passing legislation that is going to harm the economy, they’ll have to get rid of the filibuster. Do they have the cajones to do that? We’ll see. They should remember that they won’t be in control of Senate forever.

Read: Dem Georgia Senate Wins Could Push Through China Joe’s Climate Agenda Or Something »

Posted in AGW Socialism, Democrats, Global Warming, Joe Biden | 8 Comments | Trackback URL

Defund The Police Party Vows To Investigate Capital Police Response

By William Teach January 7, 2021 – 8:03 am

Sure, not every elected Democratic Party federal official was/is for defunding the police. Most of them just kept their mouths shut to make sure no one knew what they really believed. Most of them did take the side of the violent BLM/Antifa folks. And wanted all sorts of hardcore reforms on police officers. When stuff was happening Over There. But, since Crazy happened in D.C.? Now they want better from the police in a crazy situation

Lawmakers vow to investigate police after Capitol breach

Lawmakers are vowing an investigation into how law enforcement handled Wednesday’s violent breach at the Capitol, questioning whether a lack of preparedness allowed a mob to occupy and vandalize the building.

U.S. Capitol Police, who are charged with protecting Congress, turned to other law enforcement for help with the mob that overwhelmed the complex and sent lawmakers into hiding. Both law enforcement and Trump supporters deployed chemical irritants during the hourslong occupation of the complex before it was cleared Wednesday evening. (snip)

Police said 52 people were arrested as of Wednesday night, including 26 on the Capitol grounds. Fourteen police officers were injured, Contee said.

Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., chairwoman of the House Administration Committee, said the breach “raises grave security concerns,″ adding that her committee will work with House and Senate leaders to review the police response — and its preparedness.

Lofgren was hardcore on all sorts of police “reform” bills (because she thinks all cops are racists), but, also voted for one granting more money for hiring officers, to be fair. But, she previously blasted officers in Portland, the ones who were getting assaulted and having the federal courthouse firebombed, reposting a Vice story about “people being kidnapped off the streets.” You know, arrested for criminal activity.

Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., a former police chief, said it was “painfully obvious” that Capitol police “were not prepared for today. I certainly thought that we would have had a stronger show of force, that there would have been steps taken in the very beginning to make sure that there was a designated area for the protesters in a safe distance from the Capitol.”

Why? It was mostly peaceful. Demings had ties to the BLM/Antifa nutters, and ties to lots of defund the police wackos, before changing her tune for political expediency. Maybe as a former chief she does care. She stood with the people who wanted to do that.

Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif., said she was outraged to see accounts on social media of a Capitol Police officer posing for a photo with a protester. “Would you take a selfie with someone who was robbing a bank?” she asked. “I can’t imagine if a couple of thousand of (Black Lives Matters) protesters had descended on the Capitol … that there would be 13 people arrested.”

Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, suggested there could be leadership changes at the Capitol police.

I can’t find anywhere where Bass was outraged about so many local police departments being stood down while BLM/Antifa riots raged in their cities. Nor about the few who were arrested being released right away and never prosecuted. And, Bass is not a big fan of the term “defund the police”, just what it stands for by a different name. Ryan isn’t much better.

I suggest we disarm all the cops in D.C. Every branch, from the Capital Police to Sheriffs to Washington Metro to Secret Service. Especially the ones who protect Congress. Because Dems want to disarm citizens. And cut the number of those protecting congress by half. Because that’s what Dems want…..what? Oh, only for Other People? Huh.

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