1,866
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
m
{{#badges: Climate change |CoalSwarm}}<divstyle="float:right;width:100px;margin:0 0 1em 1em">[[ImageFile:Michaels.jpg|frame|right|alt=Patrick J. Michaels|Source: Cato Institute]] '''Patrick J. Michaels''' (±1942- ), also known as Pat Michaels, is a largely oil-funded [[global warming skeptic]] who argues that [[global warming]] models are fatally flawed and, in any event, we should take no action because new technologies will soon replace those that emit greenhouse gases. Patrick Michaels of the University of Virginia served as an Expert Reviewer to Working Group I of the Fourth Assessment Report of the [[IPCC]]<ref>"[http:/div/www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg1/en/annexessannex-iii.html]"</ref>.
'''Patrick J. Michaels''' (±1942- ), also known as Pat Michaels, is a largely oil-funded [[global warming skeptic]] who argues that [[global warming]] models are fatally flawed and, in any event, we should take no action because new technologies will soon replace those that emit greenhouse gases.
===University of Virginia until late 2007===Michaels was, until late 2007, a Professor of Environmental Science at the [[University of Virginia Department of Environmental Sciences]]. A biographical note at that time described Michaels "research interests" as being "The core issue over the next ten years will not be "How much will the climate warm?" but, rather, "Why did it warm so little?" My research also leads me to believe that the next decade will see the emergence of a paradigm of "robust earth," as opposed to the fashionable "fragility" concept ... It is entirely possible that human influence on the atmosphere is not necessarily deleterious and that it is simply another component of the dynamic planet. Tomorrow's scientific and science-policy leaders will have to recognize this verity in our attempts to maintain a productive and diverse planet."<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20071109231413/http://www.evsc.virginia.edu/faculty/people/michaels.shtml "Research Interests"], University of Virgina, accessed November 2007.</ref> ===1977-late '80s, climate effect on agriculture, forestry, T-storms===Between 1977 and the late 1980's most of Michaels publications related to the impacts of climate variations on the yields of wheat, corn and soybean, the spread of southern pine beetle infestations, gypsy moth research and thunderstorm patterns. During this period most of his funding was from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, the Virginia State Climatology Office. He also undertook work for NASA and the United States Department of Commerce's See [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] on climatology projects.===Mid 1980s, nuclear waste dump siting===From the mid-1980's on, Michaels become involved in more topical projects. In 1986 and 1987 he authored papers and a report on siting considerations for a high-level nuclear waste dump.<ref>Patrick J. Michaels, ''Climatological Considerations for Siting a Crystalline Repository for High-Level Nuclear Waste in the Commonwealth of Virginia'', Report to the Governor's Task Force on the Crystalline Repository Project. 26pp.</ref><ref>Patrick Jcareer history]]. Michaels, "Climate and the Eastern Repository for High Level Nuclear Waste", Proceedings, 5th Conference on Applied Climatology, American Meteorological Society, Baltimore MD, 35-39.</ref><ref>"Climate and the Eastern Repository: A Comparative Study", ''Environmental Management'', Volume 15, pages 627-636.</ref>===1988+ Funding - global warming===In 1988 Michaels became more active in writing on global warming issues. The following including varying (year he was involved in the writing of a technical report the impact of sulfur dioxide emissions in Virginia <ref>Origin and Destination of Pollutant-Bearing Airstreams Impacting and Exiting the Commonwealth of Virginia, Final Report to Virginia Air Pollution Control Board. 131pp. Additional Technical Appendix, 1800pp.</ref>, and the following year was involved in a project funded to the tune of $40,000 &content) statements by the [[Cyprus Minerals]] Company.<ref>Patrick Michaels, "Jet Stream Alterations Induced by Anthropogenerated Sulfur Emissions", for Cyprus Minerals.</ref><ref name="SEJ"/> ===1989+, started as global warming skeptic spokesman=re source of funding==But during 1989 and 1990 it was as a global warming skeptic that Michaels was really making a name for himself.<ref>Patrick Michaels, "Anthropogenic Warming in North Alaska?", ''Journal of Climate'', Volume 1, pages 942-945.</ref><ref>See [[Patrick Michaels, "The Greenhouse Effect: Chicken Little and our Response to 'Global Warming'", ''Journal of Forestry'', Volume 87, pages 35-39J.</ref><ref>Patrick Michaels, "The Science and Politics of Global Change", 7th International Pittsburgh Coal Conference, University of Pittsburgh, Volume 1, page 173-182.</ref><ref>Patrick Michaels, "Crisis in Politics of Global Climate Change Looms on the Horizon", Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy, Volume 4, 14-23.</ref><ref>Patrick Michaels, "The Science and Politics of the Greenhouse Effect: Collision Course? In Environmental Consequences of Energy Production", University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, 1990, pages 115-138.</ref><ref>Patrick Michaels, "The Greenhouse Effect and Global Change: Review and Reappraisal", International Journal of Environmental Studies, 1990, Volume 36, 55funding]] -71.</ref><ref>Patrick Michaels, includes "Climatic Change and Climatic Uncertainty: A Regional Perspectiveexpert witness", Proceedings, 21st meeting, Advisory Committee on Water Data stint for Public Use, U.S. Geological Survey, New Orleans, LA, 36-59.</ref> In 1989 Michaels made several appearances before Congressional committees, an appearance at a [[Brookings Institution]] event and invitations to speak to a smattering of 2007 Vermont auto industry groups. Some of the invitations he accepted were to speak to the Executive Board of the [[National Coal Association]] in Phoenix, Arizona, the annual meeting of the [[Western Fuels Association]] in Denver and the International Pittsburgh Coal Conference, the [[Edison Electric Institute]] and [[Basin Electric Power Cooperative]].<ref name="SEJ"/>===1990+, favored skeptic voice at fossil fuel events===Subsequently, Michaels was a favoured speaker for corporate, think tank and conservative advocacy group events. Between 1990 and 1993, Michaels spoke at events organized by the [[Consumer Alert]], the [[North Carolina Coal Institute]], the [[Pacific Research Institute]], the [[Kentucky Coal Operators Association]], the [[Chemical Manufacturers Association]], the [[Virginia Coal Council]], the [[National Rural Electric Cooperative Association]], AMAX Energy Corporation, [[Consolidation Coal Corporation]], [[Cincinnati Gas and Electric]], [[Chief Executive Conference on Global Warming]], the [[National Association of Manufacturers]], the [[National Aerosol Association]], the [[Massie Coal Corporation]], the [[Indiana Coal Mining Institute]], the [[Arizona Electric Power Cooperative]], the [[U.S. Chamber of Commerce]], the [[Virginia Petroleum Council]], the [[Heritage Foundation]], the [[American Legislative Exchange Council]], the [[Wyoming Mining Association]], [[Virginia Power]], [[Amax Energy Corporation]], [[American Electric Power]], [[Alabama Electric Power Cooperative]], the [[American Policy Center]], the [[World Coal Conference]], [[American Public Power Association]], [[American Mining Congress]], [[Maine Conservation Rights Institute]], the [[Federalist Society]], the [[Kentucky Mining Institute]], [[Denver Coal Club]] and the [[Ashland Oil Corporation]].<ref name="SEJ"/> (See [[Patrick Michaels speaking engagements]] for further details).lawsuit''
===1990s - Western Fuels Association and others===In a July 2010 Wall Street Journal article entitled "The Climategate Whitewash Continues" Pat Michaelssaid "It' prominence also led s impossible to new funding from fossil fuel interests. In 1991-92 an anonymous donor made of grant of $50,000 to Michaels for his work on climate change, the Edison Electric Institute paid $25,000 between 1992 and 1995 for a literature review of climate change and updatesfind anything wrong if you really aren't looking. Western Fuels Association contributed $63,000 for "research on global climate change" and between 1994 $98,000 from Gesamtverband des Deutschen Stenkohlenbergbaus in Germany.<ref name=>"SEJ[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704075604575356611173414140.html]"</ref>
====1994 - founded New Hope Environmental Services====As In a 1992 opinion column, Michaels' corporate funding was taking offwrote of government agencies that they "exist to perpetuate themselves, in 1994 he founded and is to expand their territory and their political influence. Government agencies behave just like people. The agency goals cannot be accomplished without the sole owner largesse of [[New Hope Environmental Services]], Congress. Thus begins a peculiar back-scratching in which refers to itself political patrons define a particular problem as The Most Important in History. The agency responds by testifying that the end is near unless a few billion is spent pronto-and then it probably will be even worse than we thought. Such issues and constituencies include the ozone "an advocacy science consulting firmhole"(NASA, NSF, EPA); global warming (NASA, NSF, DOE, EPA); sexually transmitted diseases (National Institutes of Health, NSF); or roughage shortages (NIH, U.S. Department of Agriculture). Aside from publishing the [[World Climate Report]], The list is as infinite as is the firm boasts that its staff often provide testimony to Congress and commentary on climate issues predilection for Homo sapiens to media outletshave nightmares."<ref name="NH">Patrick J. Michaels, [http://wwwlegacy.library.nhesucsf.comedu/tid/ pmc52c00/pdf?search=%22patrick%20j%20michaels%22 "New Hope Environmental ServicesGive Industry a Bigger Role (Title incomplete"], New Hope Environmental Services website''Roanoke Times'', accessed May 2009December 29, 1992.</ref>.===Controversies and criticisms===
Writing ====In 2011: Rep. Waxman calls for inquiry, re possibly misleading testimony on industry ties, funding sources====On January 25, 2011, Rep. [[Henry Waxman]] sent a letter to Rep. [[Fred Upton]] seeking to call in Harpers Magazine in 1995Michaels for questioning about his science and funding. In the letter, author Ross Gelbspan noted Waxman wrote that "Pat Michaels has received more than $115,000 over testified before the last four years from coal Energy and energy interests. Commerce Committee in February 2009 "that widely accepted scientific data had 'overestimated'World Climate Reviewglobal warming and that regulation enacted in response to that data could have 'a very counterproductive effect.', a quarterly he founded that routinely debunks Among the scientists who testified before this Committee on the issue of climate concernschange in the last Congress, Pat Michaels was funded by Western Fuelsthe only one to dismiss the need to act on climate change ... Dr. Michaels may have provided misleading information about the sources of his funding and his ties to industries opposed to regulation of emissions responsible for climate change."<refname=kd>Ross Gelbspan, "[http://dieoffwww.huffingtonpost.orgcom/kert-davies/page82rep-waxman-presses-for-in_b_813251.htm The heat is html "Rep. Waxman Presses for Inquiry on: The warming of the world's climate sparks a blaze of denialGlobal Warming Denier Pat Michaels"]"HuffPo, ''Harpers Magazine''Jan. 25, December 19952011.</ref> ====Formerly visible funding became hiddenIn 2010: Assertion in climate testimony that humans caused less than half 1950+ warming (termed "not credible")====One substantial benefit Climate scientist Benjamin Santer noted that in having created New Hope Environmental Services was that corporate funders could route financial support for Michaels work via ' Congressional testimony of November 2010, Michaels had claimed human GHG emissions caused less then half the firm which was under no obligation to disclose who its clients were. After its was createdwarming (since 1950), further corporate funding but that this assertion was noticeably absent from Michaels university curriculum vitae.not credible:<ref name="SEJ"/> {{cite web|publisher=Warming101 blog|title===Other funding===Michaels continued to attract public funding for projects, such as $195,000 from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality for Ben Santer clarifies his "research on science and policy on global warming...legitimate debate..." He also gained $98,000 statement from the Cato Institute to underwrite the the production of last fall''The Satanic Gases: Clearing the Air about Global Warming'', a book he co-authored with [[Robert C. Balling, Jr.]]<ref name="SEJ"/>s climate testimony|url===2006, $100,000 from Intermountain Rural Electric Association===A furor was raised when it was revealed in 2006 that, at customer expense, Patrick Michaels was quietly paid $100,000 by an electric utility, [[Intermountain Rural Electric Association]] (IREA), which burns coal to help confuse the issue of global warming. In a nine-page [http://wwwwarming101.sourcewatchblogspot.orgcom/images2011/b05/b0/Ireaben-santer-clarifies-his-legitimate.pdf memo], the general manager of the Coloradohtml|accessdate=2011-05-28|author=Anna Haynes|date=2011-based IREA co05-operative, Stanley Lewandowski Jr., railed against the the scientific consensus supporting the need to curb greenhouse gases. The memo, which was circulated in mid25|quote=(2011-05-July 2006 to more than 900 members of the [[National Rural Electric Cooperative Association]], was leaked to 25 correspondence)}}<i/ref>ABC News</iblockquote>".. "We decided to support Dr. [[Professor Patrick Michaels]] and his group (New Hope Environmental Services, Inc.in Congressional testimony of November 2010) ... In February claimed that human-caused changes in greenhouse gases explain less than half of this year, IREA alone contributed $100,000 to Drthe post-1950 warming. This claim [by Michaels] is not credible." Lewandowski also wrote that IREA had rattled the tin for Michaels amongst other groups and "have obtained additional contributions and pledges for Dr. Michaels group." The memo also reports on others campaigning against taking action to limit climate change. "The [[Competitive Enterprise Institute]] (CEI) has been running two ads in ten states that were financed arrives at this incorrect result by [[General Motors]] and completely ignoring the [[Ford]] Motor Company,cooling effects of sulfate aerosol particles." he wrote.<ref/blockquote>Clayton Sandell and Bill Blakemore, [http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/GlobalWarming/story?id===2242565&page=1 In2009: Cato Institute "ABC News Reporting Cited As Evidence In Congressional Hearing On Global Warmingjust not true"]ad, ''ABC News'' August 3, 2006and WSJ Op-ed misdirection re von Storch resignation=========Dec.</ref> <ref>Stanley R. Lewandowksi, [http2009://achangeinthewind.typepad.com/achangeinthewind/files/lewandowski_memo.pdf Wall Street Journal "Memotip of iceberg"]op-ed misrepresentation, Intermountain Rural Electric Association, July 17, 2006.</ref> =and silence==Statement denying industry influence===Asked about his funding on ''CNN'' in August 2002 Michaels rejected the suggestion that industry funding influenced his work. "Well, you know, most of my funding, the vast majority, comes from taxpayerAn op-supported entities. I would make the argument that if funding colors research, I should be certainly biased more towards the taxpayers, of which I am one, than towards industry. But the fact of the matter is, numbers are objective," he said.ed<ref>Kate O'Beirne, [{{cite web|publisher=WSJ.com|title=How to Manufacture a Climate Consensus|url=http://wwwonline.catowsj.orgcom/researcharticle/articles/michaels-020819SB10001424052748704398304574598230426037244.html Interview with Patrick Michaels], "Capital Gang", CNN, August 19, 2002.</ref> |accessdate===2010 2011-10- 40% from oil industry===13{{#evp:youtube|fguJod_voPc|author=Pat Michaels admits: '40 percent' of funding comes from big oil|right|210date=2009-12-17}}In an August 2010 interview with CNN</ref> by Michaels in the December 17, Michaels estimated 2009 Wall Street Journal argued that about 40% the climate science consensus was illusory. Among his arguments was a selective recounting of his funding came from the oil industry.Climate Research episode<refname="stormytimes">Brad Johnson, [{{cite web |author=Clare Goodess |publisher=SGR |title=Stormy Times for Climate Research |url=http://thinkprogresswww.sgr.org.uk/2010climate/08/16/oilStormyTimes_NL28.htm |date=2003-fueled11 |accessdate=2009-pat12-michaels/ Cato’s Pat Michaels admits 40 percent 26 |quote=...Hans von Storch and I were also aware of funding comes from big oil]three earlier Climate Research papers about which people had raised concerns over the review process. In all these cases, August 16, 2010de Freitas had had editorial responsibility.}}</ref> ===Work for the auto industry, trial-related funding disclosure fear=== In 2007 : Michaels was retained by Green Mountain Chrysler Plymouth Dodge Jeep, Green Mountain Ford Mercury, Joe Tornabene's GMC, noted that the [[Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers]], the [[DaimlerChyrsler]] Corporation and [[General Motors]] Corporation as an "expert witnessskeptic" in a case where the auto manufacturers and dealers were suing George Crombiepaper appeared, the Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources and others in a bid to prevent the state regulating greenhouse gaseswhereupon "Messrs. In the process of the discovery of documents Jones and during his deposition Michaels provided details of Mann"New Hope's funding sources and threatened to boycott the amount of their fundingjournal; then half its editorial board resigned." However, this information was not publicly available This recounting is chronologically accurate but treated as confidential information. However, in late 2006 Greenpeace filed a motion seeking access to details of causally misleading; the funders resignations had been "because of Michaels firm.<ref name="PMAffadavit"/> In an affidavit Michaels stated that "as the case moved closer to trial, I learned in conversations with plaintiff's counsel that New Hope's confidential information might not remain confidential if I testified at trial. Consequently, insufficient quality control on or around April 7a bad paper — a skeptic’s paper, 2007, I informed plaintiffs counsel that I would not testify at trial. My sole reason in doing so was concern that my trial testimony would result in the loss of confidentiality for the New Hope information."<ref name="PMAffadavit"/>{{cite web|publisher=The Way Things Break|title=Pat Michaels affidavit stated that "large companies are understandably adverse to negative publicity. Thus, lying in the global warming controversy has created an environment in which companies who wish to support New Hope's research and advocacy about global warming science are increasingly willing to do so only if their support remains confidential."<ref nameWall Street Journal|url="PMAffadavit"http://> Michaels complained that "public disclosure of a company's funding of New Hope and its employees has already caused considerable financial loss to New Hopethingsbreak.wordpress. For example, in 2006 [[Tricom/2009/12/18/pat-michaels-State Generation & Transmission Association]], Inc., an electric utility, had requested that its support of $50,000 to New Hope be held confidential. After this support was inadvertently made public by another New Hope client, Trilying-State informed me that it would no longer support New Hope because of adverse publicity. Also, in 2006, when a $100,000 contract between New Hope and electric utility [[Intermountain Rural Electric Association]] to synthesize and research new findings on global warming became public knowledge, a public campaign was initiated to change -the composition of the board of directors so that there would be no additional funding. That campaign was successful-wall-street-journal/#comment-3556|accessdate=2011-10-13|author=Things Break (pseudonym)|date=2009-12-18}}</ref>, as Intermountain has not provided further funding."<ref name="PMAffadavitstormytimes"/>
===Michaels-McKitrick Climate paper basic error===Michaels "coIn 2003 [[Peter Gleick]], a conservation analyst and president of the Oakland-operated with based [[Ross McKitrickPacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment and Security]] , said "Pat Michaels is not one of the nation's leading researchers on another paper that managed climate change. On the contrary, he is one of a very small minority of nay-sayers who continue to "prove" that global warming wasn't happening by mixing up degrees with radians]dispute the facts and science about climate change in the face of compelling, overwhelming, and growing evidence."<ref>Tim LambertSeth Slabaugh, [http://scienceblogswww.pacinst.comorg/deltoidclimate_change/2004/08/mckitrick6star_press.php html "McKitrick screws up yet againGlobal warming speaker under fire"], ''DeltoidStar Press''(Muncie, IN), November 18, 2003.</ref> Michaels responded by threatening to sue. (Michaels had gotten another scientist to withdraw similar remarks.)<ref>[http://www.pacinst.org/press_center/censorship/ "Science, Climate Change, August 26and Censorship: The Pacific Institute, 2004Patrick Michaels, and the science of climate change"], Pacific Institute, undated but approx late 2003.</ref>But Gleick stood by his statement and others have joined him.
===Statements by Michaels===In August 2004Dr. [[John Holdren]] of Harvard University told the [[U.S. Senate Republican Policy Committee]], "Michaels told ''Business Week'' "We know how much is another of the planet is going to warmhandful of US climate-change contrarians... It is a small amountHe has published little if anything of distinction in the professional literature, being noted rather for his shrill op-ed pieces and we can't do anything about itindiscriminate denunciations of virtually every finding of mainstream climate science."<ref>John Carey and Sarah R. ShapiroHoldren, [http://wwwstephenschneider.businessweekstanford.comedu/magazinePublications/contentPDF_Papers/04_33/b3896001_mz001HoldrenRPCClimateComments.htm pdf "Global WarmingThe Shaky Science Behind the Climate Change Sense of the Congress Resolution"], ''Businessweek''US Senate Republican Policy Committee, August 16June 2, 20042003.</ref>
In a Wall Street Journal An article entitled "The Climategate Whitewash Continues" Pat Michaels said "Itin the journal ''Social Epistemology's impossible to find anything wrong if you really aren't looking."<ref>concluded "[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704075604575356611173414140.htmlthe observations upon which PM [Patrick Michaels]"</ref> ===2009 Cato Institute ad and RealClimate rebuttal===In March 2009, Michaels, under draws his case are not good enough to bear the auspices weight of the Cato Institute, circulated a draft advertisement that stated: "Surface temperature changes over the past century have been episodic and modest and there has been no net global warming for over a decade now ... The computer models forecasting rapid temperature change abjectly fail argument he wishes to explain recent climate behaviormake."<ref>Cato InstituteSimon Shackley, [http://www.realclimatepitt.orgedu/%7Egordonm/docsPubdeb/cato_adShackley.pdf "With all due respect Mr.President, that is not true."], ''Real Climate'', March 2009.</ref> The ad statements were analyzed and criticized in detail at Commentary on the RealClimate blog.<ref> [http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2009/03/with-all-due-respect "With all due respect…"], ''RealClimate'', March 24, 2009.</ref> In support of the statements, [[Chip Knappenberger]] of [[World Climate Report]] referred readers to recent testimony by Michaels to the House of Representatives Energy debate between James Hansen and Environment sub-committee<ref>[http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20090212/testimony_michaels.pdf "Testimony of Patrick J. Michaels"], House of Representatives Subcommittee on Energy and Environment of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, February 12, 2009.</ref> That too was responded to at length by Gavin Schmidt of RealClimate.org.<ref>Gavin Schmidt, [http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2009/03/michaels-new-graph "Michaels’ new graphNovember 1998"], ''RealClimateSocial Epistemology'', March 262000, 2009vol.</ref> In a 1992 opinion column, Michaels wrote of government agencies that they "exist to perpetuate themselves14, and to expand their territory and their political influence. Government agencies behave just like peoplenos. The agency goals cannot be accomplished without the largesse of Congress. Thus begins a peculiar back-scratching in which political patrons define a particular problem as The Most Important in History. The agency responds by testifying that the end is near unless a few billion is spent pronto-and then it probably will be even worse than we thought. Such issues and constituencies include the ozone "hole" (NASA, NSF, EPA); global warming (NASA, NSF, DOE, EPA); sexually transmitted diseases (National Institutes of Health, NSF); or roughage shortages (NIH, U.S. Department of Agriculture). The list is as infinite as is the predilection for Homo sapiens to have nightmares."<ref>Patrick J. Michaels, [http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/pmc52c002/pdf?search=%22patrick%20j%20michaels%22 "Give Industry a Bigger Role (Title incomplete"]3, ''Roanoke Times'', December 29, 1992pages 181–186.</ref>===Criticism of Michaels===
====2003+, Gleick and suit threat====
But [[Peter Gleick]], a conservation analyst and president of the Oakland-based [[Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment and Security]], said "Pat Michaels is not one of the nation's leading researchers on climate change. On the contrary, he is one of a very small minority of nay-sayers who continue to dispute the facts and science about climate change in the face of compelling, overwhelming, and growing evidence."<ref>Seth Slabaugh, [http://www.pacinst.org/climate_change/star_press.html "Global warming speaker under fire"], ''Star Press'' (Muncie, IN), November 18, 2003.</ref> Michaels responded by threatening to sue. (Michaels had gotten another scientist to withdraw similar remarks.)<ref>[http://www.pacinst.org/press_center/censorship/ "Science, Climate Change, and Censorship: The Pacific Institute, Patrick Michaels, and the science of climate change"], Pacific Institute, undated but approx late 2003.</ref> But Gleick stood by his statement and others have joined him.
====2003, John Holdren====
Dr. [[John Holdren]] of Harvard University told the [[U.S. Senate Republican Policy Committee]], "Michaels is another of the handful of US climate-change contrarians... He has published little if anything of distinction in the professional literature, being noted rather for his shrill op-ed pieces and indiscriminate denunciations of virtually every finding of mainstream climate science."<ref>John Holdren, [http://stephenschneider.stanford.edu/Publications/PDF_Papers/HoldrenRPCClimateComments.pdf "The Shaky Science Behind the Climate Change Sense of the Congress Resolution"], US Senate Republican Policy Committee, June 2, 2003.</ref>
====2000, Social Epistemology====
An article in the journal ''Social Epistemology'' concluded "...the observations upon which PM [Patrick Michaels] draws his case are not good enough to bear the weight of the argument he wishes to make."<ref>Simon Shackley, [http://www.pitt.edu/%7Egordonm/Pubdeb/Shackley.pdf "Commentary on the debate between James Hansen and Patrick Michaels, November 1998"], ''Social Epistemology'', 2000, vol. 14, nos. 2/3, pages 181–186.</ref>
====2001, IPCC's Tom Wigley====
:"Lindzen' s hypothesis that any warming would create more rain which would cool and dry the uper troposphere did offer a mechanism for balancing the effect of increased greenhouse gases. However, the data supporting this hypothesis is weak, and even Lindzen has stopped presenting it as an alternative to the conventional model of climate change."<ref name=GCC6">Global Climate Coalition, [http://www.sourcewatch.org/images/8/82/GCC_Primer_Draft.pdf "Primer on Climate Change Science· Final Draft"], January 18, 1996, pages 16-17.</ref> == Books by Michaels==
*[[New Hope Environmental Services]]
Undo GEM redirect
==New Hope Environmental Services "advocacy science" consulting firm==
Michaels is Editor of the ''[[World Climate Report]]'', a blog published by the "advocacy science consulting firm" [[New Hope Environmental Services]]<ref>[http://www.nhes.com/ "New Hope Environmental Services"], New Hope Environmental Services website, accessed May 2009.</ref>, which he founded and runs.
===Mission===
In an affidavit in a Vermont court case, Michaels described his firm's "mission" as being to "publicize findings on climate change and scientific and social perspectives that may not otherwise appear in the popular literature or media. This entails both response research and public commentary."<ref name="PMAffadavit">Dr. Patrick J. Michaels, [httphttps://www.sourcewatch.org/images/e/e5/GreenMtDoc521-3.pdf "Affidavit of Dr. Patrick J. Michaels"], United States District Court for the District of Vermont, Green Mountain Chrysler et al. v. Crombie et al., Docket No. 02:05-CV-302, July 6, 2007.(Pdf)</ref> In effect, New Hope Environmental Services is a PR firm.
===Clientele===
Michaels' firm does not disclose who its clients are, but leaked documents have revealed that several were power utilities which operate coal power stations. On a 2007 academic CV, Michaels disclosed that prior to creating his firm he had received funding from the [[Edison Electric Institute]] and the [[Western Fuels Association]]. He has also been a frequent speaker with leading coal and energy companies as well as coal and other industry lobby groups.<ref name="SEJ">[http://www.sej.org/initiatives/climate-change/patrick-michaels-cv-plain-text-file-climate-change-guideskeptics-and-cont "Patrick Michaels CV Plain Text File-Climate Change Guide/Skeptics and Contrarians"], Society of Environmental Journalists, accessed May 2009.</ref>
''(For more information, see [[Patrick J. Michaels - career history]] and [[Patrick J. Michaels - funding]].)''
==Other affiliations==
== History - from the Halls of Academe To the Speaker Circuit==
==Funding historyClimate change - playing down importance=====Climate views===In August 2004, Michaels told ''Business Week'' "We know how much the planet is going to warm. It is a small amount, and we can't do anything about it."<ref>John Carey and Sarah R. Shapiro, [http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_33/b3896001_mz001.htm "Global Warming"], ''Businessweek'', August 16, 2004.</ref>
Multiple emails sent to Michaels argued that asking whether he'd been aware this was why the Greenpeace motion seeking disclosure should be rejected as it would "result in New Hope losing clients. I am doubtful that New Hope will continue to stay in business as an effective consultancy ... This is precisely why I did not testify at trial. Although this resulted in a short-term loss of income to meeditors resigned, it assured before he composed the longWall Street Journal op-term viability of New Hope. Besides modest speaking feesed, New Hope is my sole source of income beyond a negotiated retirement package from the University of Virginia. Thus, the Greenpeace motion, if granted, would imnperil my livelihood. Hew Hope also employs the services of other scientists who receive all or did not elicit a substantial part of their incomes from New Hope. Their livelihoods are also threatened by the Greenpeace motionresponse."<ref name="PMAffadavit"/> (On its websiteEmails from ahaynes, New Hope Environmental Services does not list its staff. However, the ''World Climate Report'' blog lists its staff, as of May 2009 on a webpage dated March 2005, <ref>[http://www.worldclimatereport.com/index.php/personnel/ "Staff"], ''World Climate Report'' (blog), March 15, 2005.</ref> as comprising Michaels, [[Robert C. Balling, Jr.]], [[Robert E. Davis]] and [[Paul C. Knappenberger]].)====Auto industry hired Christy instead====In Michaels' place, the auto industry groups hired [[John R. Christy]] as their expert witness.<ref>[http://ag.ca.gov/globalwarming/pdf/Vermont_trial_order.pdf Green Mountain Chrysler Plymouth Dodge Jeep et al vs George Crombie], Case No. 2:05-cv-302, September 12, 2007, page 44.2010</ref>
===2011==March 2009: Cato Institute ad, Rep. Waxman calls for inquiry into Michaelsand RealClimate rebuttal=====On January 25In March 2009, 2011Michaels, Rep. under the auspices of the [[Henry WaxmanCato Institute]] sent , circulated a draft advertisement that stated: "Surface temperature changes over the past century have been episodic and modest and there has been no net global warming for over a letter decade now ... The computer models forecasting rapid temperature change abjectly fail to Repexplain recent climate behavior. "<ref>Cato Institute, [[Fred Upton]] seeking to call in Michaels for questioning about his science and fundinghttp://www.realclimate.org/docs/cato_ad.pdf "With all due respect Mr. In the letterPresident, Waxman wrote that Pat Michaels testified before the Energy is not true."], ''Real Climate'', March 2009.</ref> The ad statements were analyzed and Commerce Committee criticized in February detail at the RealClimate blog.<ref> [http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2009 /03/with-all-due-respect "With all due respect…"that widely accepted scientific data had ], ''overestimatedRealClimate' global warming and that regulation enacted in response to that data could have 'a very counterproductive effect, March 24, 2009.' Among the scientists who testified before this Committee on the issue </ref>======Followup to Cato ad: RealClimate rebuttal of Feb 2009 Michaels testimony======In support of climate change in the last Congressstatements, Pat [[Chip Knappenberger]] of [[World Climate Report]] referred readers to recent (Feb.) testimony by Michaels was the only one to dismiss the need to act on climate change House of Representatives Energy and Environment sub-committee<ref>[http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20090212/testimony_michaels. Drpdf "Testimony of Patrick J. Michaels may have provided misleading information about "], House of Representatives Subcommittee on Energy and Environment of the sources of his funding Committee on Energy and his ties to industries opposed Commerce, February 12, 2009.</ref> That too was responded to regulation at length by Gavin Schmidt of emissions responsible for climate changeRealClimate.org."<ref name=kd>Gavin Schmidt, [http://www.huffingtonpostrealclimate.org/index.comphp/archives/kert-davies2009/03/rep-waxman-pressesmichaels-fornew-in_b_813251.html graph "Rep. Waxman Presses for Inquiry on Global Warming Denier Pat MichaelsMichaels’ new graph"] HuffPo, Jan. 25''RealClimate'', March 26, 20112009.</ref> ==2006-7, Controversy over Michaels Use of "State Climatologist for Virginia" Title==
====In 2006-7: Use of "State Climatologist for Virginia" Title====
While Michaels referred to himself as the State Climatologist for Virginia, in August 2006 the Governor, [[Timothy M. Kaine]], clarified that the appointment was one by the University for its accredited climatology office but not an appointment by the state administration. "The Code of Virginia does not provide for the governor to appoint a state climatologist. My office has been unable to find evidence that any governor since 1980 has made such an appointment," Hanley wrote. While Michaels had been appointed to the position in 1980 by the then Governor John Dalton, in 2000 the American Association of State Climatologists assumed responsibility for certifying climatologists. "Therefore, it is the prerogative of the university to make that appointment," Hanley wrote.<ref>Aaron Kessler, [http://www.tjcenter.org/2007/04/10/censuring-the-censors/ State: Climatologist appointed by university: Michaels no longer Virginia official"], ''Daily Progress'', August 19, 2006. (Scroll down).</ref>
When Michaels left the university in September 2007, UVa professor James N. Galloway explained that Michaels' "utility industry funding, private research and controversial views on global warming made him a lightning rod on climate change issues," and "left the [climatologist's] office too politicized."<ref>[http://www.heatisonline.org/contentserver/objecthandlers/index.cfm?ID=6633&Method=Full "Michaels Out As Virginia State Climatologist: Controversial state climatologist steps down"], ''Newport News (Va.) Daily Press'', September 27, 2007. (This is an Associated Press story.)</ref>
== ==In 2004: Michaels on climate change -McKitrick Climate paper basic error====Michaels "co-operated with [[Ross McKitrick]] on another paper that managed to "prove" that global warming wasn't happening by mixing up degrees with radians."<ref>Tim Lambert, [http://scienceblogs.com/deltoid/2004/08/mckitrick6.php "McKitrick screws up yet again"], ''Deltoid'', August 26, 2004.</ref>
====In 2000-2003: Gleick and suit threat, Holdren, Social Epistemology, IPCC's Wigley====
Dr. [[Tom Wigley]], lead author of parts of the report of the [[Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change]] and one of the world's leading climate scientists, was quoted by Ross Gelbspan as stating that "Michaels' statements on [the subject of computer models] are a catalog of misrepresentation and misinterpretation… Many of the supposedly factual statements made in Michaels' testimony are either inaccurate or are seriously misleading."<ref>Ross Gelbspan, [http://www.heatisonline.org/contentserver/objecthandlers/index.cfm?ID=4473&Method=Full "Global Warmers"], ''The Nation'', March 20, 2001.</ref>
====In 1995, industry : Industry scientists considered : Michaels' temperature record objections unconvincingnot cogent== An internal 1995 document (pdf) of the [[Global Climate Coalition]] (GCC) -- an industry front group that disbanded in 2002 -- reviewed some of the "contrarian" arguments used by Patrick Michaels, [[Robert Jastrow]], [[Richard Lindzen]] and other climate change skeptics. The document, which was obtained as part of a court action against the automobile industry<ref>Andrew C. Revkin, [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/24/science/earth/24deny.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1&am "Industry Ignored Its Scientists on Climate"], ''New York Times'', April 23, 2009.</ref> concluded that of the arguments reviewed:
An internal 1995 document (pdf) of the [[Global Climate Coalition]] (GCC) -- an industry front group that disbanded in 2002 -- reviewed some of the "contrarian" arguments used by Patrick Michaels and other climate change skeptics.<ref>Andrew C. Revkin, [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/24/science/earth/24deny.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1&am "Industry Ignored Its Scientists on Climate"], ''New York Times'', April 23, 2009.</ref> The document concluded that::...contrarian theories raise interesting questions about our total understanding of climate processes, but they do not offer convincing arguments against the conventional model of greenhouse gas emission-induced climate change. Jastrow's hypothesis about the role of solar variability and ... Michaels' questions about the temperature record are not convincing arguments against any conclusion that we are currently experiencing warming as the result of greenhouse gas emissions. However, neither solar variability nor ...[And] anomalies in the temperature record [do not] offer a mechanism for off-setting the much larger rise in temperature which might occur if the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases were to double or quadruple."<ref name=GCC6">Global Climate Coalition, [https://www.sourcewatch.org/images/8/82/GCC_Primer_Draft.pdf "Primer on Climate Change Science· Final Draft"], January 18, 1996, pages 16-17.</ref>
* Patrick J. Michaels, [http://www.catostore.org/index.asp?fa=ProductDetails&pid=144088 ''Sound and Fury: The Science and Politics of Global Warming''], [[Cato Institute]], October 1992. ISBN 0932790895
* Patrick J. Michaels and [[Paul C. Knappenberger]], [http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/lca04a99/pdf?search=%22patrick%20j%20michaels%22 ''The Satanic Gases''], Cato Institute, May 15, 2000. ISBN 1882577922
{{reflist|2}}
===Related SourceWatch articles===
*[[Patrick J. Michaels - career history]]
*[[Patrick J. Michaels - funding]]
*[[Patrick J. Michaels - his articles and papers]]
*[[Patrick J. Michaels - his testimony]]
*[[New Hope Environmental Services]]
*[[Climate change sceptics]]
===External resources===
* {{cite web
|publisher=DeSmogBlog
|url=http://www.desmogblog.com/skeptics-prefer-pal-review-over-peer-review-chris-de-freitas-pat-michaels-and-their-pals-1997-2003
|title=Skeptics Prefer Pal Review Over Peer Review: Chris de Freitas, Pat Michaels And Their Pals, 1997-2003
|author=John R. Mashey
|date=2011-11-30
}}
* [http://www.sej.org/initiatives/climate-change/patrick-michaels-cv-plain-text-file-climate-change-guideskeptics-and-cont "Patrick Michaels CV Plain Text File-Climate Change Guide/Skeptics and Contrarians"], Society of Environmental Journalists, accessed May 2009.
* [http://www.cato.org/people/patrick-michaels "Patrick J. Michaels: Senior Fellow in Environmental Studies"], Cato Institute, accessed March 2009
* John Carey, "[http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_33/b3896001_mz001.htm Global Warming]", ''Business Week'', August 16, 2004.
* [[Joel Achenbach]], "[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/23/AR2006052301305.html The Tempest:] As evidence mounts that humans are causing dangerous changes in Earth's climate, a handful of skeptics are providing some serious blowback", ''The Washington Post Magazine'', May 28, 2006.
* Stanley Lewandowski Jr. "[httphttps://www.sourcewatch.org/images/b/b0/Irea.pdf Memo Intermountain Rural Electric Association memo]", July 17, 2006. (This leaked memo describes IMEA's funding Michaels to the tune of $100,000 in February 2006.) (1MB PDF)
* Clayton Sandell and Bill Blakemore, "[http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/print?id=2242565 Making Money by Feeding Confusion Over Global Warming: Electric Utility Pays $100,000 to Global Warming Naysayer]", ''ABC News'', July 27, 2006.
* [http://www.pacinst.org/press_center/censorship/ Science, Climate Change, and Censorship: The Pacific Institute, Patrick Michaels, and the science of climate change]", Pacific Institute, undated, accessed July 2006.
[[Category:Leipzig Declaration signers|Michaels]]
[[Category:Global warming skeptics|Michaels, Patrick]]
[[Category:Climate change]]
[[Category:Science]]
[[categoryCategory:Secrecy]][[categoryCategory:Coal Issues]][[Category:Public relations professionals]]
[[Category:Speaker at the Heartland Institute's Third International Conference on Climate Change]]
