By Paul Homewood
Today’s bilge from the Guardian:
The economic damage wrought by climate change is six times worse than previously thought, with global heating set to shrink wealth at a rate consistent with the level of financial losses of a continuing permanent war, research has found.
A 1C increase in global temperature leads to a 12% decline in world gross domestic product (GDP), the researchers found, a far higher estimate than that of previous analyses. The world has already warmed by more than 1C (1.8F) since pre-industrial times and many climate scientists predict a 3C (5.4F) rise will occur by the end of this century due to the ongoing burning of fossil fuels, a scenario that the new working paper, yet to be peer-reviewed, states will come with an enormous economic cost.
Labour and Unite go to war over oil
By Paul Homewood
h/t Paul Kolk
There is nothing new about battles between the unions and a Labour government. But could a Starmer government be upset by a growing union rebellion from an unexpected quarter? In a move which has been remarkably underreported in England, the union Unite has launched a campaign against Labour’s policy of refusing licences for new oil and gas extraction in the North Sea.
By Paul Homewood
Today’s misinformation from Reuters, who once upon a time used to be a trusted source of news:
Wind farms have been the primary source of electricity in the United Kingdom for the past two consecutive quarters, marking the longest stretch on record that renewable energy has surpassed fossil fuels in U.K. electricity generation.
Total electricity generation from wind sources during the first three months of 2024 was 25.3 terawatt hours (TWh), compared to 23.6 TWh from all fossil fuel sources, according to data from energy think tank Ember.
Wind power accounted for an average of 39.4% of total electricity during the first quarter of 2024, compared to 36.2% from fossil fuels.
Wind output also exceeded fossil fuel-powered output during the final quarter of 2023, marking the first time that wind power has generated more electricity than fossil fuel plants in the U.K. for consecutive quarters.
When combined with output from solar farms, total electricity output from renewable sources in the U.K. was 27.1 TWh during Q1 2024, the highest quarterly total ever for the U.K. and a record 42.2% share of total electricity generation.
By Paul Homewood
Net Zero Watch has called on Lord Callanan to come clean about the costs of renewable energy. The demand came after the minister’s refusal to address a question posed by Lord Frost in the House of Lords.
In oral questions on Thursday, Lord Frost noted Whitehall claims that renewables are half the cost of gas-fired electricity, and asked for an explanation of why subsidies were still required, and why the strike prices on offer to windfarms this year are twice what Lord Callanan says they need to make a profit. As Hansard shows, Lord Callanan failed to answer the question, simply reiterating his false claims about levelized costs.[i]
Net Zero Watch director Andrew Montford said:
If wind power is as cheap as Lord Callanan claims, then no subsidies are necessary. He can’t have it both ways. It’s painfully obvious that he is trying to hide the truth from the public. This can’t go on.
During the subsequent discussion, Lord Callanan told Lord Howell that the levelised cost figures he was quoting “take account of other system costs”.[ii] This is incorrect.
Notes
[i] https://www.theyworkforyou.com/lords/?id=2024-05-16a.685.0
[ii] https://www.theyworkforyou.com/lords/?id=2024-05-16a.684.4#g687.0
BBC Complaint–Ozone Hole
By Paul Homewood
You will recall this BBC article from last month:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-68906013
I complained to the BBC at the time, pointing out that the study did not state that the bushfires were either unprecedented or fuelled by climate change. Nor is there any evidence to that effect.
The study also stated that the main factors involved in ozone loss in recent years were natural ones such as the polar vortex, La Nina and the Hunga Tonga eruption. The BBC report did not even mention the first two, and only mentioned “volcanic eruptions” in passing at the end of the report.
The BBC has responded. As is always the case they fail to answer any of my points:
Lord Callanan Misleads Parliament
By Paul Homewood
h/t Dennis Ambler
There was an interesting debate in the House of Lords yesterday, triggered by a question by Lord Frost to Lord Callanan, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the DESNZ:
BBC Wake Up To EV Reality
By Paul Homewood
h/t Devoncamel
Even the BBC is starting to get it!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-69022771
If it’s a choice between climate targets and our economy, there is only one choice.
By Paul Homewood
Told you so!!
Car salesmen face a shortage of petrol vehicles under Rishi Sunak’s net zero crackdown, one of Britain’s biggest dealership chains has warned.
Vertu Motors said sales of electric cars had “stalled” in the UK, raising the risk that manufacturers will miss sales targets mandated by law.
Under the zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) mandate, 22pc of carmakers’ sales must be electric this year with the target rising annually until it reaches 80pc in 2030.
Compulsory smart meters crucial to fight ‘real and growing risk’ of drought, experts warn
By Paul Homewood
h/t Paul Kolk
Smart water meters must be made compulsory across all households to protect the UK against climate change, the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) has warned.
A Mild April
By Paul Homewood
April was the 32nd warmest in England this year in figures going back to 1884, based on Daily Max temperatures.
In reality, as the graph shows all to clearly, April weather is highly variable here, with average temperatures running anywhere between 9C and 17C. Although last month was closed to the 1991-2020 average, this does not tell the whole story.
NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT 