Eventually, reality intrudes on even the deepest delusion.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has played a major role at COP28.
“The effort, which was initially announced in September during Climate Week, has expanded to 15 signatories, which include additions from Brazil, Canada, South Korea, Bolivia, Germany, Spain, and the United States. ... Research shows that lowering methane emissions can prevent up to 0.3°C of warming by 2050.”
CARB Chair Liane Randolph said: “The science is clear that tackling methane emissions is one of the best investments we can make to fight climate change now and produce benefits in the near future to leave a better planet for generations to come. California is ready to partner with governments across the world to implement actionable and effective solutions.”
But back to Mr. Al Jaber.
After massive attacks, he since has tried to walk back the statement. He’s the head of the United Arab Emirates’ state-owned oil company, Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., which obviously profits from oil and gas production.
But he also said on Nov. 21, “I don’t think [you] will be able to help solve the climate problem by pointing fingers or contributing to the polarization and the divide that is already happening in the world. Show me the solutions. Stop the pointing of fingers. Stop it.”
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres retorted: “The science is clear: The 1.5C limit is only possible if we ultimately stop burning all fossil fuels. Not reduce, not abate. Phase out, with a clear timeframe.”
Notice how all those with a vested interest in the “climate change” narrative always say, “The science is clear”? Which shuts off all debate of the sort democratic societies are supposed to have.
Planes on the Ground
Humorously, as the billionaires and bureaucrats from Europe were about to fly their private jets to balmy, globally warmed Dubai, United Arab Emirates, this happened, as reported by ABC News on Dec. 4:“Freezing rain and cold weather buffeting Germany have been blamed for traffic accidents that left three dead while Munich Airport temporarily suspended flights. ... Flights were also grounded at Munich Airport on Saturday following heavy snowfall in the city and in Germany’s southern state of Bavaria.”
Of course, one snowstorm doesn’t mean much for long-term temperatures. But the global-warming/climate change alarmists are quick to tout every hot summer as evidence that the oceans soon will be boiling over.
The story was this:
“The annual meeting, known as COP28, comes near the end of what scientists forecast will be the hottest year in recorded history. Greenhouse gas emissions, mainly driven by the burning of fossil fuels, have now warmed the planet by about 1.2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. Floods, fires, droughts and storms made worse by climate change are unleashing destruction around the world.”
Note the “recorded history,” assuming the “records” are even true.
“One of the warmest times was during the geologic period known as the Neoproterozoic, between 600 and 800 million years ago. Conditions were also frequently sweltering between 500 million and 250 million years ago. And within the last 100 million years, two major heat spikes occurred: the Cretaceous Hot Greenhouse (about 92 million years ago), and the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (about 56 million years ago).”
China, India Not Going Along
The South China Morning Post reported on Dec. 3:“COP28: China firm on new carbon targets for 2030 and 2035, calls for global effort to cut methane emissions. Beijing ‘attaches great importance’ to Cop28 decision to have 2035 carbon goals laid out within two years, climate envoy Xie Zhenhua says in Dubai. On methane emissions, Xie says China is ‘willing to act’ but still lacks the capabilities, as he calls for global joint efforts.”
You’ll notice that Mr. Xie basically didn’t say anything.
“Global fossil fuel emissions are on track to grow by 1.1 per cent in 2023 compared to last year, hitting a record high mainly driven by China and India, according to projections from the annual Global Carbon Budget.
“Fossil fuel emissions in 2023 are expected to increase by 4 per cent in China, 8.7 per cent in India and 0.5 per cent for the rest of the world, while dropping by 7.4 per cent in the European Union and 3 per cent in the United States, a team of more than 120 researchers from nearly 20 countries estimated in a project steered by the Norway-based Centre for International Climate Research.
“In China, which contributes to almost one-third of global emissions, a strong rise is projected for the volume of emissions from coal at 3.3 per cent, oil at 9.9 per cent and natural gas at 6.5 per cent. The growth this year is partly because of a delayed rebound from 2022 Covid-19 lockdowns, according to the report.”
Conclusion: Deluded California
Despite California always boasting that it’s the “fourth-largest economy” in the world, its 39 million residents make up just 0.5 percent of the world population—and its $3.8 trillion economy is just 4.3 percent of the $88 trillion global economy. Thinking that the rest of the world cares about the Golden State is just a self-delusion.What if those are the best investments and divestment means that the funds decline in value? Well, that’s what increasing taxes is for.
