Thursday
Sep152011
by 
Bishop Hill
Bishop Hill Sceptics in kilts
Sep 15, 2011 Climate: other Mike from the Scottish Sceptic blog is trying to start up a new organisation for sceptics in Scotland, which, I'm sure you will agree, is an excellent idea.
Reader Comments (19)
If I still lived there I would, probably.
Not sure if yet another polarised group is what's needed, though - this debate has far too many advocates of one sort or another already. What's likely to get things moving better is a group committed not to grinding the other side into the dust, but to promote healthy non-antagonistic debate about the science, and not the hype.
The last thing the AGW camp want is the sceptics and lukewarmers actually talking about the real science, agreeing about parts of it, and making progress. Which is why we should do it.
I am Scottish based and I wish the group well but I won't be looking to join. I don't think a group talking to itself is going to change anyone's mind.
I must agree with the previous comments.
I no longer live in Scotland and naturally I wish any group well that aims to get out some of the truths of climate change and counter some of the more extreme misleading statements that emanate from the fanatics.
But any group based solely on residence seems to me to be slicing the cake the wrong way. At the end of the day what will get results will be what you know not where you live.
I am not the kind person who joins groups, but living in Scotland I can very much see the point of this. In Scotland, every political party is signed up to AGW, (UKIP does not have any credible presence in Scotland) and the Parliament has passed a Climate Change Act which signs us up to the most severe CO2 emissions reductions in the world. There's not one person in the Scottish media who questions any aspect or claim in a WWF or Greenpeace press release. Our countryside is already littered with 2GW of large scale wind farms, and at least another 8GW are planned on and off-shore. Power companies and now targetting city centre sites in Leith and Dundee for biomass plants generators. Our school children are routinely indoctrinated by green propaganda. I bet that none of the Scottish Government's Scientific Advisory Committee members know who Svensmark is or have read the Hockey Stick Illusion.
There is a clearly vacuum which is needs to be filled, and a pressure group or informal organisation of any kind which could put the sceptic case, and create some balance and common sense in climate science coverage and policy decision-making would be very welcome. I can't see how it would be worse than the status quo. I might even join!
I should add that afaik Mike Haseler has not set out criteria for membership based on residence - I would hope that the prospective organisation/group is open to all and any with an interest in ensuring a return to sane policies on the AGW, windfarms, biomass and CCS, irrespective of whether they now live in Scotland, or where they are originally from. We're a mongrel nation an a that, and should be proud of it.
Hi, I agree with almost everything everyone said above.
TheBigYinJames ... Agree we don't need another group, but as far as I know we don't have any groups in Scotland pushing at the Scottish parliaments door.
Chris ... you are just the kind of person we need! If it ends up like that, I'll be first to leave.
Mike Jackson ... the "Scottish" is because we in Scotland have a particular problem with our politicians and we need to set up a group to work on the Scottish Parliament. You would be more than welcome to help!
lapogus ... thanks.
Report
First, the name is causing problems. "Sceptic" is not liked, but we don't seem to be able to find anything better. "Global warming", likewise isn't something we want to promote, the poll is useful and, the leaders so far are: "Scottish Global Warming Skeptics" & "Watts up with Scotland"
Mr feeling is that there is moderate support - enough to form a core group to get it going. Would that turn into an active group able to educate our politicians or the public? I don't know.
At this stage, I'm inclined to be cautious and listen to what people have to say ... because as has been said, there's no point forming another talking shop.
However, if there's a general mood to "give it a go", I think the next stage is a meeting. I know there is (potential) support in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Kinross, so unless there is a sudden rush elsewhere, I suggest trying to find a small venue for a small group to sketch out the way forward.
Any suggestions of a cheap/free venue for up to a dozen people in the central belt would be welcome
I am of Scots heritage and have always been surprised by the extent to which Scotland has been caught up with AGW and green energy. I would have thought that with the Scottish tradition of education and engineering that Scotland would be the natural place for a rational, sceptical approach to such issues.
I'm afraid whilst Scotland used ot be an engineering nation, most of that has gone. Most people in Scotland are either politically apathetic or have a genetic tendency to the left. And like all small poorish nations, the AGW-bandwagon means subsidy and guilt money flowing inwards, so it's not surprising the politicos welcome it with open arms. It'll help pay for the social services bill.
If I were in Scotland and a member of this group, I would recommend an annual visit to the statue of David Hume.
The correlation between lefty irresponsible economics and magical thinking and AGW is very interesting.
Off with their heads!
Stopping global warming is just a dream.
All scientists betray. All scientists lose heart.
Playing outlawed tunes on outlawed pipes.
He proposes that you withdraw your attack. In return he grants you title, estates, and this chest of gold which I am to pay to you personally.
As to the name -- something like "Scottish Energy Realists", perhaps?
agree with 'lapogus' comment above
people in every country facing this madness (some ideas are sensible, we all know which) need to be made aware of the future hits they are going to have to accommodate & MSM seem to have no clue or are conveniently forgetting to mention to joe public, so I'll sign up mike.
a scot born 1957 in the Lothian's, seen some bad winters & hot summers & the opposite, now live on isle of man, but same green energy madness is heading our way also.
Chairman Al volunteered “Scottish Climate Observation Team (SCOT)” - vote now!
Slightly OT, but ScottishPower have increased the amount of the energy bill they take for "government obligations":
http://tpdrsl.org/index.php/bloggo/scottishpower-ups-the-ante