Dutch Study Contradicts Climate Change 'Consensus'

The media would have us believe that nearly every scientist on planet Earth agrees that mankind has contributed to global warming, but a new survey reveals over 50% of climate scientists don’t agree with the “consensus” on man-made climate change. 

The survey, conducted by a Dutch government agency, shows that roughly four in ten climate scientists adhere to the “consensus.” That’s less than half. 

When I say “consensus,” I am referring to the frequently cited claim that 97% of climate scientists agree about mankind’s effect on Earth’s climate. If you take a close look at that study, you’ll find that the “97%” refers only to the 20-30% of scientists who wrote about climate change. That’s like saying of the people who purchased Twinkies last week, 97% of them like Twinkies. 

The “97% study” (published in Environmental Research Letters by John Cook) has been widely debunked, but the number 97 stuck. Former President Barack Obama has even referenced it on Twitter.

The Dutch study involved 6,550 scientists in various climate-related fields. Of the 1,868 who responded, only 43% agreed with the statement: “It is extremely likely [95%+ certainty] that more than half of [global warming] from 1951 to 2010 was caused by [human activity].”

One could argue that such a small sample size proves nothing, but those invited to participate were chosen for having published works including the phrase “global climate change” or “global warming.” 

“Finally there is a decent survey on the topic, and it shows that less than half of what we would call ‘climate scientists’ who research the topic and for the most part, publish in the peer reviewed literature, would agree with the IPCC’s main conclusions. Only 43% of climate scientists agree with the IPCC ‘97%’ certainty,” said Australian climate blogger Joanne Nova.

The IPCC, or Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, was founded in 1988. It is the international body responsible for providing policymakers with regular assessments on climate change and advice regarding future risks and mitigation.

As estimated by the Climate Change Business Journal, the global climate change industry is worth about $1.5 trillion. This figure includes carbon consulting, carbon markets, biofuels, renewable technologies, carbon sequestration, eco buildings, and hybrid cars.

“Most industries this size exist because they produce something the market wants,” explains Nova. “They worry that competitors might chip into their market share, but they don’t worry that the market might disappear overnight. Normal industries fear that a ‘bad’ political outcome might reduce profits by ten or twenty percent, and sometimes they donate ‘both ways.’ But the climate industry has literally a trillion on the table that depends on big-government policy and election outcomes.”

In the United States, the climate change consultancy market alone is worth $670 million. Despite President Trump’s best efforts to do away with many of his predecessor’s green initiatives, this number is expected to double by 2020.

Editor’s note: Anyone who actually read (like I did) the report where the supposed 97% of scientists agree, knows it was never true. The 97% was a misinterpretation of the data, perhaps done on purpse.