Religion Dispatches posted Jacob J. Erickson’s interesting article “Falling in Love with the Earth: Francis’ Faithful Ecology,” about a week ago, and one follower, “Whiskyjack,” chastened Catholic Republican Presidential candidates for hypocrisy on the grounds that they accept his authority on abortion and homosexuality but not on climate change. I replied: Catholic dogma holds that papal authority is only in matters of faith (doctrine) and morals. It doesn't extend to science, economics, or … [Read more...]
Archives for June 2015
Estimates of climate sensitivity falling
Just came across this, and it's stunning. Those who charge CAGW skeptics with being anti-science need to take a look at this and consider carefully: Who's been trending right about how much warming comes from adding CO2 to the atmosphere? For in-depth discussion, see Nicholas Lewis, "Pitfalls in climate sensitivity estimation," Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. Featured image from https://landshape.wordpress.com/2015/06/20/6921/. … [Read more...]
Speaking for Western Conservative Summit
Flying off to Denver today to attend, exhibit at, and speak on protecting the poor from climate-change madness for the Western Conservative Summit. Hope to see you there! Featured Image Courtesy of aeypix/freedigitalphotos.net. … [Read more...]
Bandow: Papal encyclical forgets the ecological benefits of market economies
Christian economist Doug Bandow, a long-time friend, has published three thoughtful responses to Laudato Si, Pope Francis's encyclical on the environment. One is "In Calling on Government, Laudato Si Underestimates Power of the the Market." It is, as usual, clear and concise. This excerpt is particularly important: ... the Pontiff’s own goals conflict. For instance, he speaks movingly of the dignity of work and its importance for all, including the poor. These jobs—especially better ones, of … [Read more...]
Jesus and Environmental Sin
The Patriarch of Rome, Pope Francis, recently published a highly anticipated Encyclical Letter on the environment entitled “Laudato Si: On Care for our Common Home” Much attention has been spent on the Patriarch’s view that climate change is at least partly the fault of human activity (para 23). But I would like to focus on a statement made in paragraph 8, in which the Pope quotes Patriarch Bartholomew who said “inasmuch as we all generate small ecological damage,” we are called to acknowledge … [Read more...]
Tomorrowland: Even the Best and Brightest Can’t Fix the World
Did Hollywood just figure out the solution to our world’s problems? A week or two ago, I went to see Disney’s latest self-described “epic” sci-fi film, Tomorrowland. To be completely transparent, I didn’t go because I was hooked by the trailer—I wasn’t. Rather, I went because it promised to be an intriguing movie about ideas, worldviews and solving humanity’s problems—and it sure was! Without focusing too much on criticizing the story, plot, and characters of the film (and giving away … [Read more...]
What’s more infallible? The Pope or the climate models?
Max Planck Society Confirms “The Pause”
This just in: The Max Planck Society has just published a piece confirming the reality of the great global warming pause. H/t to Pierre Gosselin and his NoTricksZone blog. … [Read more...]
Is Pope Francis a Chemist?
In expectation of the release of an encyclical on environmental stewardship, some people have claimed that Pope Francis has a degree, even a master’s degree, in chemistry, qualifying him to understand the scientific issues of climate change. Not so, according to the National Catholic Reporter. Actually, Francis graduated, at age 19, “with a título in chemistry from the Escuela Técnica Industrial No. 12*, which is a state-run technical secondary school,” and “the título really represents … [Read more...]
Physicist Gordon Fulks discusses the Left’s politicization of science and paganization of religion
Just received this from Gordon J. Fulks (Ph.D., Physics), of the University of Chicago Laboratory for Astrophysics, Mission Research Corporation, Corbett, OR, via email, and he permitted me to publish it here on our blog. It's right on target. Politics has clearly compromised science via billions of dollars going to those scientists willing to play along. Now politicians are targeting traditional religions by drawing in those who are their ideological brothers. It is surprising that the Pope … [Read more...]