Good points SOG.

It is interesting that this thread has not been bombed with “scientific links” (so far). I can’t find any other CAGW topic thread on OLO that has ever been science free. What are we to make of that?

Are we to conclude that by drawing attention to the fact that the former CAGW movement is no longer persuaded by their own science then there is no case just the residual alarmism?

If so this throws some very interesting light on the current hype from some of our MSM and in particular our public broadcasters. We have to wonder who they are trying to convince. Do they think they will gain converts by running heightened alarmist programs off the back of our bushfires?

If this thread tells us anything it is that all that remains is the “public alarm machine”, the alarmists know this and are cranking it up for all they are worth.

The salespeople (commentariat) are still spruiking the Datsun 120Y, the designer is in remorse, the car yard is empty, the manufacturer is broke and the banks have pulled their line of credit.

This thread tells us for certain that the warmists accept that the mantra they have been given and in which they still believe, has failed to persuade even those who sold it to them but they cannot escape from the mantra they have adopted.

As with all cults, they are difficult to escape from. There are many web sites dedicated to helping those involved with cults, one is interestingly called “The skeptic Tank”. They have this to say;

“People vulnerable to cults are typically those confused, fearful, guilt ridden or suffer self doubt, there seems little opportunity for them to find the “courage to walk away”.

They offer a package called “Walk Away”. This, it seems is the only escape from cults and it primarily requires courage. It seems that unless society is able to provide a “Walk Away Package” for warmers there is little hope for them as indicated by the research

SOG, you also mentioned wind turbines in your post; I thought you and OLOers might be interested in a very comprehensive study for the European Renewable Energy Foundation by Gordon Hughes, I think you can get it at:

www.ref.org.uk

The study covers UK and Denmark wind turbine performance over time and some of the conclusions are staggering.

“The normalized load factor for UK onshore wind farms declines from a peak of about 24% at age 1 to 15% at age 10 and 11% at age 15”.

The economics for wind farms are based upon a 25 years life cycle for 24% load factor but the real empirical data tells us that even at 15 years old we get only 11%. This will effectively double the cost of wind generated electricity. Add to that the cost of spinning backup from conventional power generation to support this lost efficiency and it we face the prospect crippling our future economies.

In addition to this there are 14,000 rusting and tethered turbines that we cannot afford to decommission, which currently litter some our planets’ most pristine landscapes and we leave a legacy of crippling national costs that will bring our grandchildren to tears of despair. Well done the warmers.

A bit off topic but good food for thought.