Bishop Hill Donna's back
Aug 26, 2010 Blogs Climate: WG2 Donna Laframboise has moved to a shiny new Wordpress blog, and is straight back into the groove with a rather damning look at Alistair Woodward, the man who is in charge of the health chapter of the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report. Some of his publications look, ahem, interesting.
Doctors are told they must “mobilise society” and that they “cannot be inactive observers” because they have a “responsibility to lead.” Inaction, they are advised, would amount to “negligence and malpractice on a global scale.” This is followed by a list of 13 things they should do – sorted into three categories.
The majority of these suggestions (seven) fall into the political category, two more are in the personal category, while another four are categorized as professional. The evidence could not be clearer. This is not a paper about medicine. By the authors’ own admission, nine of their 13 suggested measures are unrelated to doctors’ professional lives.
Business as usual by the looks of it. Read the whole thing.
Reader Comments (32)
There is a major fallacy in physicians advocating action to prevent global warming: Cold weather kills! I specifically wrote a response to the EPA's endangerment proposal concerning this matter. If one examines the US mortality statistics published by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), one finds that during the 4 coldest months of the year (December thru March), an average of 26,400 more people die per month than during the 4 warmest months of the year (June thru September). This effect is largely due to the various flu and other contagious viral diseases that manifest themselves during winter. Viral diseases spread far more effectively during the cold months because of increased availability of virus particles within aerosols originating from sneezing and coughing; there is a published study in the Journal of Virology which shows that the formation of such aerosols is enhanced during cold weather but is extremely limited during hot weather.
The general public knows that every winter is flu season. A physician who advocates cold weather over warm weather might be accused of wanting to drum up business (more people are sick during winter than during the summer). Oh, I forgot; we are talking about a public health physician associated with the IPCC; i.e., a physician bureaucrat who does not actively practice medicine and examine patients.
This disturbing case of brainwashing and manipulation has a parallel post on WUWT where the elderly are to be subjected to similar brainwashing.
Some of the academics funded by the public purse should be locked up. They are dangerous lunatics.
In the UK, we also have medical involvement in climate alarmism through the Project Genie initiative. It is particularly obnoxious because it is targeting children in order to turn them into political tools. Described on its web site as:
' Climate Change poses an immediate and grave threat to our generation- but especially to the next.
PROJECT GENIE is the first programme in the World to put children in charge. It educates and empowers them to produce rapid, meaningful and sustained reductions in energy use- saving money for school and home, whilst also saving the Planet.
PROJECT GENIE is an independent, non-religious not-for-profit organisation. It was founded by Hugh Montgomery- a medical professor, and award-winning children's author, who presented the televised Royal Institution Christmas lectures in 2007. It has since been developed by independent scientists, authors, artists, designers, technologists and teachers.'
While this may go down well in some quarters of the political class, I suspect that in due course, if not already, it will be seen for what it is by many of the children themselves. And they won't like it. Nor should they. Nor should anyone else.
See: http://www.projectgenie.org.uk/
"While this may go down well in some quarters of the political class, I suspect that in due course, if not already, it will be seen for what it is by many of the children themselves. And they won't like it. Nor should they. Nor should anyone else."
Never lose faith in the ability of the next generation to see through the bullshit of the previous one.
Her article is a cracker
Classic Comedy from ClimateResistance, Dr Moffic (psychiatrist) weighs in
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcWn3b3h3sQ
She ought to allow comments really.
It is about time the government decided just exactly who runs this country. At the moment the EU makes 70% of our laws and counting. The IPCC is running our energy policies and now instructing our medicos.
Anyone for revolution?
I'm with you dung. Who decided we should be ruled by unelected imbeciles?
Fairs fair, not all the imbeciles are unelected.
@harold
That is a really illuminating video(Shrink on warming). The shrink (too early to spell the real word) is very strident. Apparently most on this blog are in denial suffering from "anxiety, shame and guilt" - his definition of denial.
His only stated premise for involving his profession is that a warmer world causes more aggression. As a widely travelled follower of history I do not buy that. And how many people go on holiday to relax to a colder place?
He then outlines clear brainwashing techniques that would have Mao nodding appreciatively.
Doesn't he have a problem with one element of his strategy? He wants to brainwash psychiatric students. Surely colleges should be concentrating on giving them the skills to spot brainwashing. not actually using them on them?
Really wierd. Alice through the looking glass stuff.
If Doctor's are going to be politicised then shouldn't they be saying:
"Free medicines for all, irrespective of race, creed or colour?"
Surely the free and open access to all medicines for any member of the human race would save more lives than the trillions put into global warming?
And if the physicians really wanted it to happen it could happen. They just have to become politicians first. But once they become politicians they fail their Hippocratic oath and god help us all.
@ Jiminy Cricket
"And how many people go on holiday to relax to a colder place?"
Curiously enough I have in the last week met 3 people who have done just that - 2 from Abu Dhabi and one from Sharjah. Mind you, it was to Hong Kong where the Observatory claims that the last 10 years have been the hottest ever and that by the end of the century the rise will be 3.7C. An interesting paper at http://www.cmsjournal.net/qxxb_en/ch/reader/view_abstract.aspx?file_no=20100203&flag=1
And in a similar vein:
Wisdom is not for the old it seems
Mao's red guards will engage with "Climate Roaders" and show us the error of their ways...
"The older age sector", "older people"... Awww bless 'em." Allright dearies? Do not worry about global warming, we got it all sorted. Here are some crisps and a pint, just sit outside the pub, whilst we get on with it..."
Hmmm... human ecologists... doctors... psychiatrists...
The other lead author for this IPCC chapter, Rita Colwell is a true believer as well.
Colwell claims, "Scientists have established a definable relationship between sea surface temperature, sea surface height and cholera epidemics,”
When you look at that claim see here,
http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/itgg.2006.1.3.19
You can't help notice that the statement, "A relationship between the increase in sea-surface temperature and the onset of cholera epidemics has been observed, with the seasonal pattern of cholera 'following' the seasonal rise and fall in sea-surface temperature and height" is not exactly what is represented by the evidence presented in Figure 2 of this paper.
1. Changes is cholera outbreaks both lead and lag changes in sea-surface temperatures and sea-surface height.
2. There is an upward trend in cholera over the period of study but no such trend in changes in sea-surface temperature and changes in sea-surface height.
Conclusion: On the evidence presented there is no robust correlation between cholera epidemics and sea-surface temperarture and sea-surface height. It is not definable.
However, this apparent lack of evidence does not dissuade Rita Colwell. The good prof is currently working on producing a predictive model that will provide forecasting of climatic conditions associated with specific infectious diseases, therefore leading to premptive prescribing of drugs.
No wonder Rita is keen to become part of the IPCC - there is money to be made - big time.
So the next time you come down with montezuma's revenge on your hols, don't blame the dodgy food, the insanitry conditions of the hotel, nor the lack of national infrastructure - you should have cast an eye at the weather forecast before you flew out - Hot, humid and the occasional outbreak of the runs.
@Harold
Ah, thanks for that. What a hoot.
Doctors are great stereotypers, and they love to do it to one another. Hence -- surgeons are frustrated mechanics, gynaecologists are suppressed sex maniacs (most of the time), psychiatrists are borderline lunatics (until they finally cross the line) and pathologists are the eternally baffled.
Umm... I'm a pathologist. :-)
Hmmm... A pathologist climate skeptic, commenting on BH
Now what are the odds of that??
:) :)
@Shub
Ah, well...
Pathologists are perhaps the medical specialists most brought up in the scientific method. We've seen countless biological paradigms rise and fall (one was mine). So we tend to be dubious about everything.
Answer to your question -- odds are pretty short.
Cheers!
Judging by David Archibalds article on Anthony Watts blog, the advice is take two asprin and buy a hot water bottle
LevelGaze
I think I missed the mark slightly with my previous comment.
The odds you refer to,...are not that short. :) :) :)
What was your paradigm - the one that rose and fell?
@Shub
A few decades ago. Like a lot of young researchers I wasted 10 years of my life seeking a cure for cancer. Enzymology. Even had pretty good statistics for the time! Produced a few potentially useful animal models for some obscure congenital storage diseases pari-passu, but nothing much to do with cancer in humans.
A chastening experience, I learned from it. So now I make a living just making diagnoses.
:)
As if the medical establishment weren't compromised enough by the cosy funding of research by drug companies and the lousy stats of imminent paediatricians...this should be easy.
LevelGaze
I suspect you might not fare very well at the gaming table. Perhaps if I changed my screen name to DrDeath ....
P.S. I always thought pathologists were revered because they spoke "the last word".
""And how many people go on holiday to relax to a colder place?""
Every summer we (Vancouver, BC) are invaded by Americans from Arizona who are here to get away from the summer heat. They own condos that they use in summer and sort of use in winter when they stage through Vancouver to go to Whistler.
Reverse snow birds . . . quite common actually.
August in the Carolina hills is the preferred South Florida escape - colder there.
Wikipedia at its most Wikipediotic:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dentistry_and_the_environment
('People who practice dentistry are known as dentists.' Who knew?)
Transition Towns at their most Totnestic:
http://transitiontowns.org/TransitionNetwork/PeakOilDentistry
('There is a deafening silence from the world of dentistry on the subject of Peak Oil.' Another TT page has the splendid title, 'Peak Oil and Dentistry – the Final Taboo'.)
Then there's my all-time favourite peak oil and dentistry article (no longer online): 'Back in 1945, VE Day in Europe was a watershed for teeth.' Thanks to oil-fuelled prosperity, teeth have been going downhill ever since and this has ensured that 'the dentist has been one of the successful careers of the pre-peak oil era. ... That is about to change. A recent study of medieval skulls in Scotland demonstrated the high quality of their dentures. The reason being that their diet was not of the hedonistic variety available today. Going further back in time, we read in the Bible about how the "whiteness of teeth" was a sign of Divine Judgement via famine. Teeth are going to be that bit whiter going down the Hubbert slope and that bit better in quality. You can bet your eyeteeth on that.'
Jiminy Cricket: Wisdom is not for the old it seems
Here's the (extended) 12 point programme:
1. Abandon old stereotypes
2. Get to know your target audience
3. Use trusted brands
4. Use peer to peer communication
5. Use positive messages
6. Use the right “frames”
7. Show real life examples
8. Develop an inclusive dialogue
9. Maximise participation
10. Ensure the setting is right for change
11. Give the old farts a large bung
12. Patronise them to death
@DrCrinum
Actually, I did once have a colleague Called Dr Death. But he spelled it De'Ath. Nice bloke, too.
Believe it or not...
@DrCrinum
Oh, and I don't understand your reference to gaming tables. Is this some devilish gambit? :)
LevelGaze
My comment about gaming tables was in reference to your comment "odds are pretty short" in response to Shub.
"Pathologists are perhaps the medical specialists most brought up in the scientific method. We've seen countless biological paradigms rise and fall (one was mine). So we tend to be dubious about everything.
Answer to your question -- odds are pretty short."
You see, I am a pathologist too, although I became one later in life than most. I was originally a research physicist in the Air Force and assigned to work at a medical facility conducting applied research on visual problems pilots might encounter from nuclear flashes, photoflash bombs and lasers. The medical doctors received all of the recognition for the work, the promotions, and extra pay, while my colleagues and I performed most of the work. So one day I decided: "If you can't beat them, join them." I did just that and went to medical school.
Transitions Towns again,
----------------------
Heres a good idea, in you are in the AGW Masters degree industry..
Perform a survey about locals (henley) attitudes to windturbines, by sending
a survey to the email lists of local AGW activists (in Henley) that are
supporting/sponsoring the renewable energy Masters students carry out the survey!!!!!!!
Not going to capture many oppsed that way are you...
(I signed up, don't think they equated my email adress to the person that
was very unpopular at their meeting - I am a concerned local, not a gate
crasher)
Barry
Survey expied now.....
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ixxx xxxxxxxxx.transition@gmail.com>
To: <xxxxxxxxxxxx@reading.ac.uk>
Sent: Monday, August 23, 2010 4:48 PM
Subject: Wind Turbine in Henley: Brief Survey
> Some members of Henley in Transiton are supporting four students at
> Reading University studying for a Masters in Renewable Energy. One of
> these, xxxx xxxxx, would appreciate some feedback from people who live
> in and around Henley.
>
> Here is his request:
>
> Dear Sir/Madam,
>
> My name is xxxx xxxxxx and I am a student from the University of
> Reading studying a Masters in Renewable Energy. My dissertation is
> investigating the feasibility of siting a wind turbine within the
> local area of Henley. A small part of this project is ascertaining the
> attitudes of the local population to a turbine construction.
>
> I have created a very brief online survey that consists of 10 multiple
> choice questions, which require no personal information such as name
> or address. I would greatly appreciate any responses - I need as many
> as possible by Thursday morning. It is available from:
>
> http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QKWVQRJ
>
> If you have any queries regarding this survey please do not hesitate to
> contact me. Thank you in advance.
>
> Regards,
> xxxx xxxxxx
>
>
> xxxxxxxxxx@reading.ac.uk
@DRCrinum
Fascinating CV! If you want to swap notes I'm at malmc_y@yahoo.com