Activists Journalism
Have you noticed how in almost every issue of the Herald Journal that there is a story about the effects of global warming, excuse me climate change. Last week there was first a story about how the arctic ices thinning presents a danger to the future of Polar Bears. Of course, they failed to mention that Polar Bear populations are at an all time high. Somehow this species managed to survive the Medieval Warming Period (which had temperatures estimated to be at least 20 F warming than today). Next there was a blurb about how satellites indicate that the Arctic Ice Sheet is the thinnest that it has been since they have been measuring it. You had to read the article very carefully to learn that they have only been measuring this with satellites since 1975. During the 1930’s the arctic’s ice was as thin as or even thinner than today and Polar Bears survived that too. Then there was an article about how historians are going back into the records which indicate that during the time frame 1300-1850 A.D. or so temperatures were much colder. Londoner’s were even able to ice skate on the Thames. Vikings were forced to abonden their Greenland and Icelandic villages. etc What they evidently do not realize that this information actually hurts the IPCC claims of human caused global warming (HCGW). Why, because Michael Mann’s et al famous hockey stick doesn’t show either the medieval warming period or the little ice age (also called the maunder minimum). Actually there were probably three different periods where the temperatures were below normal.
Because the famous hockey stick diagram didn’t indicate the either the medieval warming period or the little ice age occurred, supporters of HCGW had to say the these were only local phenomenon instead of world wide events. There are numerous sources of proof that these things did occur worldwide, but this isn’t the focus of this article. It is an indication that many reporters do not even understand what they are writing about. This article is how today’s journalists are motivated by the current green fashion. They even have there own organization called the “Society of Environmental Journalists.” This who discussion is highly relevant in that much higher taxes, a reduced standard of living and just about every other facet of your life is being determined by well meaning zealots who want to control how you live. Because the Logan City Council didn’t agree in invest in IPP phase #3 we do not have a guaranteed source for electricity to support Logan’s inevitable growth. That most assuredly will mean much higher rates than we are paying now, possibly two to three times what were currently paying. The City Council is also busily engaged in slowly introducing “New Urbanism” into the coming master plan. They want to increase the density of Logan (to prevent urban sprawl). They will also be looking for ways to curb personal vehicle use.
Maybe, these are all noble pursuits. What I object too, is the secrecy in which this is being done. Because of the alarmism of so called climate change or other environmental concerns, people who think that they know far better than you how you should live your life are busy making secret plans. This is no different than socialism.
Peace |