Air Con: The Seriously Inconvenient Truth about Global Warming

New Zealand journalist Ian Wishart has written a truly excellent book, Air Con, on the global warming hoax. Mr. Wishart's book describes most of the science related to the anthropogenic global warming hypothesis in a very readable and accessible manner. Moreover Mr. Wishart's book is extremely well referenced, with references to many scientific articles. Often these articles are found on the internet, with the internet addresses provided by Mr. Wishart. Mr. Wishart demonstrates the false science and data of the global warming alarmists. He describes the thoroughly refuted hockey stick of Michael Mann, the often bogus data offered by sections of NASA, and false statements on the melting of Greenland glaciers among other mendacity. Mr. Wishart uses this false information as a basis of his refutation of the anthropogenic global warming hypothesis. He states: "If data is faked or twisted, and can be proven so, then the credibility of those responsible is in doubt.' Mr. Wishart then dissects the science pertaining to global warming. He begins with an extremely useful section on jargon. This alone can help the average reader see through some climate alarmist obfuscation. His book also includes a very useful summary of the scientific case against the anthropogenic global warming hypothesis. Mr. Wishart spotlights the often false science behind the global warming hoax such as the Mann hockey stick. He examines the strong possible natural causes of the planet warming in the last century such as the fluctuation of the solar magnetic field, and solar irradiance, and the El Nino ocean currents in the Pacific Ocean. He discusses the vertical shift of the continental tectonic plates. Mr. Wishart in great detail relates that current fears about anthropogenic global warming such as sea level rises and polar and Greenland glacier melting are unfounded. He relates the drastic past changes in the earth's climate and temperature from snowball planet to the Cretaceous period hothouse. The recent century warming trend is far from abnormal. He also divulges that the atmospheric carbon dioxide in the recent millenniums of the earth's geological history is actually at a low level, the lowest level since the Permian period 251 million years ago. In the Mesozoic era the carbon dioxide level was 1200 to 1800 ppm (parts per million). Yet life on earth flourished in the dinosaur era. In recent times the earth's climate has also changed without anthropogenic global warming. There were warm periods in the Roman warm era around 500BC and Meieival Optimum around 1000AD with temperatures several degrees above today. Temperatures were degrees lower in the little Ice Age circa 1680AD when crop failure and starvation occurred in Europe. To this reader there are several new discoveries in Mr. Wishart's book I have not found in other books on global warming. Mr. Wishart actually provides some quantitative information on the solar magnetic field. He states this

It would certainly be nice if some of the reviewers who have attacked this book had bothered to read the thing first. As someone who is very interested in the climate change debate, and who has read a lot on the subject both pro and con, I can say that Wishart's book is a great guide for the perplexed - whether they are well-versed on the subject or not. Eschewing both obstruse jargon on the one hand and the purple language of the scare-monger on the other, Wishart's book is a sharp, concise review of the science ... and is a work which, after reading, is something that the owner will beneift from keeping handy as a quick-reference guide to the issue. The book is particularly useful as it debunks not only the scare tactics of the warmenist movement, but also exposes how those pushing the AGW barrow are hardly disinterested parties working for humanity. The question, Cui Bono?, is asked and answered with alacrity.

If you read one book this year, make it this one. And then lend it or recommend it to as many friends as you can. It is a very readable and well-researched overview of the whole global-warming scenario, which demonstrates convincingly that we are all being fed some very misleading information from seemingly-trustworthy sources. The author explains how, and more importantly, why this is happening, and gives a fascinating account of just who stands to benefit from all those carbon taxes that are set to make our lives so much more expensive. He does not deny that the planet may be warming, but points out that climate variation is a natural phenomenon which has always existed, is beyond our control, and is little influenced by our activities. It is, regardless of the topic, a well-written and entertaining book, and I thoroughly recommend it.

Air Con: The Seriously Inconvenient Truth About Global Warming This is the second book of Wishart's that I have read. His background is that of an investigative journalist. He approaches the topic as someone who once was a luke warm advocate of AGW, but along the way became concerned about anomalies in the science and the debate. He quickly declares his hand and is not shy about being very direct in his critique. He cites numerous references to support his views and has extensive coverage of such topics as the greenhouse effect, melting of the ice, rising sea levels, glacial thawing, urban heat islands, polar bears, the sun, etc. It is a book for the lay person rather than the scientist. He presents both sides of the arguments and has clearly done a huge amount of research. Because he has made up his own mind this is reflected in his language and his opinions. Personally, I like Wishart's style. He has a history of sticking his neck out and he can be controversial, but he generally follows the facts, no matter what the reaction (probably as a good journalist should). I found the book to be 'good reading' in that the information is compulsively readable. It helps that I have read quite widely on the topic and was familiar with many of the studies he cited. The part of the book that really surprised me was his discussion around the leading players in the AGW movement. I have tended to ignore the conspiracy aspects of this debate from both ends. Again his investigative journalism background comes to the fore. He endeavours to follow the money and establish who benefits from the potential bonanza to be had in carbon credits. I don't directly have any evidence to support or contradict any of the specific assertions he makes in this segment (such as Soros affiliates funding James Hansen's legal bills, or Al Gores over close relationship with Enron principles), but given his journalistic reputation (very dogged and more right than wrong) I wouldn't dismiss it without considerable thought. He argues quite cogently that there are vast amounts of money at stake and that everything is not as it seems on the face of it. He presents a very strong argument that every person has to come to their own decision, as they are going to pay the price. He is less than complimentary about the IPCC, Gore, Hansen, and some leading institutions, but not unreasonably so (in my view). I like to read both ends of the argument, and this book is a good addition to the topic, no matter what side of the fence you are on. Given that proposed legislation in most western countries will add significant costs to most households the publication is very timely. I couldn't decide whether to give it 4 or 5 stars, but went for 5 because it is a book that aimed to inform the lay person by researching and distilling the state of science and presenting it in a manner readily understood by the averagely intelligent reader. He succeeds in this ambition.