William Kininmonth

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Oct142020

Apocalypse Never: Why environmental alarmism hurts us all

Energy & Environment, Music Cinema & BooksOctober 14, 2020

APOCALYPSE NEVER: Why Environmental Alarmism Hurts Us All by Michael ShellenbergerHarperCollins, New YorkHardcover: 432 pagesPrice: AUD$59.99 Reviewed by Bill Kininmonth The emergence of Extinction Rebellion has lifted environmental alarmism to a new level of public confrontation. It is not, however, as if the movement has been able to call on a massive number of active supporters, as did the “Ban the Bomb” and anti-Vietnam War marches of the 1970s. Extinction Rebellion groups often number from hundreds to a few thousand, yet they are able to close city thoroughfares and disrupt communities. It is civil disobedience and wilful disrespect for the…

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Nov162019

CLIMATE SCIENCE V XR Is a tipping point close or is the emergency contrived?

Science & TechnologyNovember 16, 2019

The emergence of the Extinction Rebellion phenomenon over recent months has seen community disruption in many Western cities, heralded by a generally fawning and uncritical media. The tolerance of Western democracies has made it possible for a few determined protestors to close thoroughfares and, with their extraordinary claims of a global climate and ecological emergency, get broad media coverage. In their doomsday predictions, the activists confuse real environmental issues with issues that are largely imagined, or an exaggerated extrapolation from recent trends. For example, air pollution is a major contributor to ill health and death, but it will not be…

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May42019

ENVIRONMENT Ocean is a brake on the climate

Energy & EnvironmentMay 4, 2019

Is it necessary to rely on scientists (the “experts”) when it comes to understanding climate change? We all learn the basics of climate in school: Earth is round so most of the Sun’s radiation is received over the tropics; some of the energy is absorbed and carried to polar regions by currents in the atmosphere and oceans; Earth remains in energy balance and its climate is stable because the excess solar energy absorbed over the tropics matches the excess infrared radiation energy emitted to space from the polar regions. However, the scientists tell us that the climate system is not…

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Jul12017

ELECTRICITY Blueprint author did not ask about the weather

Energy & EnvironmentJuly 1, 2017

Blueprint for the Future, Chief Scientist Alan Finkel’s report into the future security of the National Electricity Market, claims four key outcomes: increased security; future reliability; rewarding consumers; and lower emissions. The central theme is Australia’s continuing commitment to the Paris Accord. This commitment requires a cut in greenhouse gas emissions (that is, carbon dioxide) of 26 to 28 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030. Surprisingly, and without policy direction, Dr Finkel extends the target to zero emissions by the second half of the century. The blueprint does not deal with the appropriateness of the Paris Accord as a…

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