Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as
to be purchased at the price of
chains and slavery?

Sixteen scientists write in the WSJ:

A candidate for public office in any contemporary democracy may have to consider what, if anything, to do about “global warming.” Candidates should understand that the oft-repeated claim that nearly all scientists demand that something dramatic be done to stop global warming is not true. In fact, a large and growing number of distinguished scientists and engineers do not agree that drastic actions on global warming are needed.

It’s a fascinating article and I particularly enjoyed being reminded of the words of Nobel Prize-winning physicist Ivar Giaever on his resignation from the APS, “In the APS it is OK to discuss whether the mass of the proton changes over time and how a multi-universe behaves, but the evidence of global warming is incontrovertible?”

No doubt the article will be hysterically contested.

There has been a tremendous turnout today for the debate on fuel prices, with Rob Halfon leading, supported by Fair Fuel UK.

I am delighted so many members are today pressing for lower taxes on behalf of constituents. Fuel taxes are a scandalous cash cow for the Treasury and it is time the motorist received a fair deal. As I replied to the many constituents who first wrote to me about the campaign, a substantial, sustainable cut to fuel duty requires the elimination of the deficit plus cuts to public spending. That is a tough task, but it is right that the Treasury should stop further rises in duty and consider reductions, which might actually result in greater revenues.

Beyond that, the Government needs to explain to people that the Country’s commitment to decarbonising the economy and transport, begun by the last government, would mean profound changes to the way we travel. Just this morning in a Transport Committee seminar, we heard from three groups of witnesses who described various, sometimes crazy, uses of taxpayers’ money to encourage a move to low-carbon transport. For example, a network of recharging points is thought necessary to give people confidence to buy electric cars, even as proponents believe that network would scarcely be used. This policy agenda is risky and expensive for taxpayers. One of my colleagues described the conversation about behaviour change as “totalitarian” and of course he is right that there is today no apparent limit to the scope of government action for our own good.

Finally, I am concerned that the level and volatility of the price of oil may have as much or more to do with the Federal Reserve and Dollar debasement as to do with supply and demand. The following chart shows how the price of oil was low and stable in Dollars and gold until Bretton Woods broke down, after which it remained low and relatively stable in gold but high and volatile in Dollars.

There’s not much the British Government can do about the Fed, but we ought at least to understand the problem before trying to deal with it. Unfortunately, it does look like oil and fuel prices are way too dependent on the actions of a few wise men in the central banks.

It’s wonderful that another petition has been so well supported in debate and I look forward to hearing the Government’s response shortly.

Something to look forward to – a new book on carbon taxes published tomorrow:

The biggest threat to taxpayers right now is expensive new green taxes and subsidies. In the first ever mainstream book on this subject – published Thursday 18 August – TaxPayers’ Alliance Director Matthew Sinclair has exposed how this is the critical new threat to family finances. With rising fuel bills and petrol prices, it will be a defining feature of the political landscape over the coming year

via New book finds green taxes are excessive by over £500 a family | Home | The TaxPayers’ Alliance.

Fascinating:

WASHINGTON — US scientists say the familiar sunspot cycle seems to be entering a hibernation period unseen since the 17th century, a pattern that could have a slight cooling effect on global temperatures.

For years, scientists have been predicting the Sun would by around 2012 move into solar maximum, a period of intense flares and sunspot activity, but lately a curious calm has suggested quite the opposite.

…

Experts are now probing whether this period of inactivity could be a second Maunder Minimum, a 70-year period when hardly any sunspots were observed between 1645-1715 known as the “Little Ice Age.”

“If we are right, this could be the last solar maximum we’ll see for a few decades. That would affect everything from space exploration to Earth’s climate,” said Hill.

Read the rest of the article via AFP: Scientists predict rare ‘hibernation’ of sunspots.

Via What happens when the great fantasies, like wind power or European Union, collide with reality? – Telegraph:

When we embark on a course of action which is unconsciously driven by wishful thinking, all may seem to go well for a time, in what may be called the “dream stage”. But because this make-believe can never be reconciled with reality, it leads to a “frustration stage” as things start to go wrong, prompting a more determined effort to keep the fantasy in being. As reality presses in, it leads to a “nightmare stage” as everything goes wrong, culminating in an “explosion into reality”, when the fantasy finally falls apart.