Ross McKitrick: This scientist proved climate change isn’t causing extreme weather — so politicians attacked

Hurricanes have not been proven to be more frequent or more dangerous than in the past. NOAA / AFP / Getty Images

It is worth noting that Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, during this week expressed that the federal carbon tax will help protect Canadians from extreme weather. In fact, according to him, it has established itself as a key pillar in the climate policy of his government. In this way Trudeau indicated, “Extreme weather events are extraordinarily expensive for Canadians, our communities and our economy,” he said, citing the recent tornadoes in Ottawa and wildfires in Western Canada. “That’s why we need to act”.

It is necessary to indicate that many scientists have the facts and in the same way, they know the truth they remain silent. However, while members of the media can agree on such claims, the evidence paints a different story.

Now, it is necessary to talk about Roger Pielke Jr., who is a scientist at the University of Colorado at Boulder who, until a few years ago, conducted world-leading research on climate change and extreme weather.

Findings that are worth checking carefully

Notably, Pielke found convincing evidence that climate change was not leading to higher rates of climate-related damage worldwide, once corrected to increase population and wealth. It also helped to convene important academic panels to examine the evidence and communicate the almost unanimous scientific consensus on this topic to those responsible for policy making.

Despite his important findings, due to his efforts, Pielke was subjected to a fierce and well-financed smear campaign, backed by, among others, the Obama White House and the main Democratic congressmen, which culminated with his decision in 2015 to abandon the field.

Thus, it is clear that there is no solid connection between climate change and the main indicators of extreme climate, despite Trudeau’s claims to the contrary. The continued affirmation of such a link is the disinformation used for political and rhetorical purposes. In this way, it is considered that powerful people get away with it because very few people know what the numbers show. Many scientists who know better are silent. And the few who reject propaganda, such as Roger Pielke Jr., are on the receiving end of abuses and attacks that threaten their career, even though they have all the science in their corner. In such a way something has become terrifying and extreme, but it is not the weather.

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Source: Ross McKitrick | Financial Post