Burn oil so we can eat more chocolate

The fake scare of the season — “climate change is impacting chocolate production”.

Chocolate is produced from the beans that grow on cocoa trees. These plants can only grow in a fairly narrow range of conditions, which makes them vulnerable to changes in the environment.

Unfortunately, climate change is threatening some of these key growing regions. According to the IPCC, rising temperatures and a relative reduction in rainfall could make areas like West Africa less suitable for cocoa production in the future. Changes to the climate are also pushing cocoa-growing regions to higher altitudes in some parts of the world, which can make some crops unsustainable.

We can see just how hard cocoa crops have been hit by record heat and 500 billion tons of carbon.

Since 1989 humans have put out more than 50% of all anthropogenic CO2 emissions since homo sapiens went sapien. There is an undeniable trend here.

Happy Easter to everyone.

h/t Dave B

9.6 out of 10 based on 61 ratings

142 comments to Burn oil so we can eat more chocolate

  • #
    Reed Coray

    I’ve been an AGW/climate-change skeptic for a long time in part because it has always seemed to me that a little temperature increase would be a good thing. However, now that AGW/climate-change appears to impact chocolate production, I’ll take another look. For me, a few meters of sea level rise, polar bear extinction, melting glaciers, etc. aren’t a big deal; but if you reduce my supply of chocolate, well now you’ve got my attention and maybe this whole AGW/climate-change thing is important and worth a second look. I’ll get right on it.

    261

    • #
      OriginalSteve

      Ive always considered climate change to be a deluberate unwinnable ” crisis” ( like cholesterol is set up to be ), so that no matter what you did, it coukd never be solved. Further, it seemed that it never jibed with reality. Thirdly, it reeked of social engineering and fearmongering.

      Now ypu see the real end game if global slavery under socialism….

      60

  • #
    RicDre

    “…rising temperatures and a relative reduction in rainfall could make areas like West Africa less suitable for cocoa production in the future.”

    “Could”? At least they are willing to make a real definite statement about the problem. /sarc

    100

    • #
      glen Michel

      We know all about the recondite nature of climate séance and its pertaining to all things chocolate. Thanks to our ABC for the heads up on this one. Independent always.

      71

      • #
        el gordo

        At least they have the honesty to admit that weather forecasting is unpredictable beyond a couple of weeks.

        https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-19/weather-forecasts-and-why-long-range-ones-dont-work/11023750

        Climate forecasting is much easier after the models have been appropriately tweaked.

        50

        • #
          sophocles

          A couple of weeks? That’s giving weather-forecasting more credit than it’s worth. Anything more than three days is losing reliability with 5 days the practical limit.

          The more detail wanted or tried for, the shorter the reliability frame. For long term (up to three months or so), forecasting is very general. Piers Corban is about the most accurate. His accuracy was measured once (can’t remember who by but an ISE (Internet Search Engine) may find it) as at least c. 27% out to three months, which is better than pure chance. That’s pretty good considering the UKMet Office’s Greenhouse (Gas) Model which, while not a total failure at a mere 15%, is significantly less than pure chance. (How much did their latest super computer cost?)

          He has started offering Aus/NZ long term forecasts, now. Might be worth taking a look …

          10

          • #
            sophocles

            Climate forecasting is much easier after the models have been appropriately tweaked.

            No, those models are the same as the UKMet Office’s and will always be poor. Toss ’em out. Greenhouse Gas Models don’t work, so no amount of tweaking will help them work.

            (go to Ben Davidson’s web site and order yourself a copy of The Weatherman’s Guide to the Sun Then you’ll be able to blow the BOM’s feet off with better forecasting! After you’ve read it, of course 🙂 )

            10

      • #
        Bill in Oz

        This ‘scary’ story came from Weatherzone which is owned by Fairfax.

        41

      • #
        Hivemind

        “Independent always”
        That isn’t the ABC slogan. The ABC slogan is “All the socialist propaganda you can get for 8 cents a day”.

        “Independent always” is the Fairfax masthead.
        Independent = not under external control
        = out of control
        = socialists

        Always = a pretentious way to say forever.

        So “Independent always” = pretentious socialists forever.

        20

  • #
    Roy Hogue

    One might ask, what rising temperatures? But of course, that’s not allowed anymore so I won’t ask. I’ll just say, “One might ask, what rising Temperatures?” That should keep me clear of the climate change branch of the PC police.

    140

  • #
    Another Ian

    Try the cartoon at

    “Friday Funny – #Attenbollocks”

    https://wattsupwiththat.com/2019/04/19/friday-funny-attenbollocks/

    But read till you get there!

    The comments start with a resident troll!

    Then later


    HotScot
    April 19, 2019 at 9:44 am

    Anthony Watts

    I though he wrote to you resigning from the site?
    Reply

    Anthony Watts
    April 19, 2019 at 9:51 am

    Well just like his climate predictions, that didn’t come true either.”

    90

  • #
    Yonniestone

    Besides another CAGW own goal, at this time of year they should be focussing all their killjoy moroseness on Easter Eggs and in particular the foil wrapping.

    Made from billet aluminium, rolled with heavy metal machinery and beta rays, kerosene based lubricants used during rolling, annealing or heat treatment used to burn off lubricant, and then factoring in the energy used for production mostly derived from fossil fuels.

    “Quelle Horreur !”

    The true believers should take heed of this devastating information before creating their tin-foil hats to block out evil denialist facts.

    But somehow Papier-mâché vegan friendly hat just doesn’t have the same panache even though its protective properties is ample enough for the contents being protected.

    130

    • #
      Kinky Keith

      🙂

      30

    • #
      OriginalSteve

      How about this – twin gas turbine, quad electric motor CX75 Jaguar concept vehicle….

      https://www.caranddriver.com/photos/g17915395/jaguar-c-x75-concept-gallery/

      “Jag is claiming 0-to-62-mph times of 3.4 seconds for the 3000-pound C-X75, about as quick as a Ferrari 458 Italia, with the quarter-mile accomplished in 10.3 seconds at 156 mph. Under hard acceleration, its runs solely on electricity to 60 mph, then one turbine kicks in to assist up to 120 mph. Beyond that, both turbines assist the C-X75 to its top speed. ”

      Love to have one….

      20

  • #
    Travis T. Jones

    You’re gonna need a lotta magical CO2 induced chocolate to keep warm in SW-WA this Easter …

    Good Friday cold blast in Albany brings April snow to WA for first time in 49 years

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-20/snow-in-albany-western-australia-record/11032616

    “This is the earliest recorded snow event in the state’s history.

    The last recorded fall before this time was April 20 in 1970, according to the Bureau of Meteorology records.”

    Magical, mythical CO2; Is there nothing you can’t do?

    120

    • #
      Graeme No.3

      I have always been interested in Guy Callendar’s change of mind. He wrote the original Climate Warming paper due to CO2 in 1938 for the Royal Society but after the freezing winter in 1962 (worse than in 1947) in the UK he changed his mind. Perhaps that’s why he doesn’t get mentioned by the trolls (along with James Lovelock who also seems to have changed his mind on the effect of CO2).

      Of course they don’t want to bring up the question of whether Northern Hemisphere temperatures have actually risen at all since 1938.

      71

      • #
        Bill in Oz

        Yes you are right about James Lovelock.
        He was the bloke I read in the 1980’s predicting global warming
        And wanting all of us to switch to nuclear power..
        And for that he was banned & shunned by all the Greenists.

        At least Lovelock had the honesty to admit that expensive unreliable ‘renewable’
        Energy would be a disaster.
        In that he was right.

        31

  • #
    • #
      joseph

      “Roughly 850,000 homes — nearly one in 10 — could be “uninsurable” within a few generations unless there are fundamental changes to where and how properties are built, a leading climate analyst says.”

      Could this mean very many great, great, great, great, grandchildren may not be able to insure the mansions on seaside properties that have been bequeathed to them?

      I hope I don’t lose too much sleep . . . . .

      60

      • #
        OriginalSteve

        No…it means the insurance companies become the new rent seekers, as the govt may step in to subsidize ” uninsurable” properties…..

        60

      • #
        David Rohde

        nobody will have homes bequeathed to them because Bill Shorten is apparently bringing in death duties ?

        31

  • #
    Travis T. Jones

    Burn more oil … quickly!

    While climate bedwetters rave ‘hottest year’…

    … NOAA projects U.S. summer to be 9% COOLER than 2018 and 3% COOLER than average of past 10 summers.

    https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=39132

    61

  • #
    scaper...

    Why are the media and their fellow travelers still saying that Australia contributes 1.3% of world emissions?

    That was the figure quoted in 2011. With China alone, increasing theirs by more than Australia in one year and not including the rest of the world’s increases, I doubt that Australia’s contribution would exceed 1%. In fact, a quick estimation would come closer to 0.6%.

    All the climate action for nothing. Australia…the dumb country!

    121

    • #
      Bobl

      I might also point out that Australian annual carbon sinking has increased by at least 2GT per annum since Kyoto. Since our emission is 550MT we are emitting -1.5GT (absorbing China’s emission) I’m still waiting on my cheque from president Xi

      Science just doesn’t come into this bed-wetting exercise.

      81

      • #
        scaper...

        What about the Hadley Cell? I was under the impression what gets emitted in the northern hemisphere pretty much stays there.

        30

    • #
      Dennis

      Once upon a time representatives were elected to look after the best interests of their constituents, and to govern from local, state and federal government for the people who elected them.

      My how times have changed.

      With apologies to the few who are first and foremost elected public servants, and those who are appointed employees in the public service, who do care.

      60

  • #
    George4

    Cocoa tree – a tropical plant that thrives in the warmest regions and grows better with higher CO2 – I won’t lose any sleep over the future of chocolat.

    100

  • #
    George4

    There is more than ample habitat suitable for Cocoa trees.
    I really believe those habitats would expand with a warmer climate.

    Cocoa growing in North Queensland.

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-07/chocolate-dreams:-far-north-queenslands-cocoa/10348624

    Harvesting is labour intensive so it is just a matter of if the price is right the supply can always match demand.

    80

  • #
    Peter Fitzroy

    Is the increase due to higher CO2, as porsted as an undeniable trend? Or is it from efficiencies in farming? Or is it because demand has grown the acreage under cultivation?

    The answer, of course is that more inefficient, child labour intensive, forest destroying farms have been established to support obesity in the west

    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1573521415000160

    I would suggest a boycott of Nestle, and all of it’s brands, in favour of more sustainably produced chocolate like that sold by Aldi.

    Any effect of CO2 on Cocoa production would be a rounding error.

    311

    • #
      robert rosicka

      Ohh the hypocrisy, using child labour for chocolate growing is reprehensible but using child labour to mine Cobolt for electric cars is to be applauded!

      130

      • #
        Peter Fitzroy

        Hunh – logically I’m against all child labour, whereas by your comment you are in favour of it. What are you saying really?

        312

        • #
          Annie

          Are you being deliberately obtuse Peter F?

          101

          • #
            Peter Fitzroy

            Annie – Where did I ever say that I support child labour in any context. Robert’s logical fallacy is clear in his comment.

            39

            • #
              Annie

              Pot, kettle? You seemed to be deliberately skewing what Robert said?
              I did not say that you support child labour either.

              31

              • #
                Peter Fitzroy

                Am I? Robert “using child labour for chocolate growing is reprehensible but using child labour to mine Cobolt for electric cars is to be applauded!”

                Now how would you interpret that. I had already said “of course is that more inefficient, child labour intensive, forest destroying farms have been established to support obesity in the west” Which makes my point clear. Can you see the breakdown in logic there?

                25

              • #
                AndyG55

                I can see the breakdown in logic in your every post, Fitz.

                You accept child exploitation if its in “your cause”, ie AGW propaganda…

                But you don’t accept family businesses using their children to help with a work on family owned farms.

                I think everyone has got your jist !!

                31

          • #
            el gordo

            Annie best avoid the ad hom logical fallacy.

            54

        • #
          el gordo

          Forced labor in West Africa was common place in the late 1800s and the Portuguese tried to stamp it out, but there were too many government officials willing to turn a blind eye.

          Slave labour has become a thing of the past, the children work for economic necessity and hundreds of thousands are ’employed’. Its a third world country so we should expect economic exploitation.

          60

          • #
            Peter Fitzroy

            yep, but here I can exercise choice and only buy ethically sourced products. El gordo, is exploitation ever justified? Just asking.

            38

            • #
              AndyG55

              “I’m against all child labour”

              But you condone the child exploitation by the climate change scammers, don’t you.

              Exploitation is never justified, right fitz !!

              62

              • #
                Peter Fitzroy

                Andy, you are making the same logical error as Robert. For the third time, I do not support child exploitation. I would like to see it eliminated.

                26

              • #
                el gordo

                ‘…. is exploitation ever justified? Just asking.’

                No.

                A boycott might work if it goes viral, enough to create an impact and bring about stricter regulation on pay and conditions.

                40

              • #
                Peter Fitzroy

                That is what I am saying, do not buy Nestle, but look for ethically produced chocolate.

                24

              • #
                el gordo

                Yeah but I’m not doing any hand wringing, being a Lindt fancier.

                The biggest threat to cocoa is naturally occurring drought.

                https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0200454

                30

              • #
                AndyG55

                But you condone the child exploitation by the climate change scammers, don’t you.

                Exploitation is never justified, right fitz !!

                You never said one word against the use of children to push the AGW scam.

                Or the indoctrination of lies and deceit.

                You really are a total hypocrite. !!

                31

              • #
                AndyG55

                Not a logical error on my behalf, at all..

                A massive error on not your behalf,

                exposing that you DO accept child exploitation,

                so long as it is in the right “cause”

                21

              • #
                AndyG55

                typo error correction….

                A massive error on not your behalf,

                You really should look at yourself before attempting to take a moral stance on anything, Fitz.

                21

              • #
                Peter Fitzroy

                Andy are you saying that those young western child protesters are doing it so they can survive, are you saying that those western children forgo other alternatives like education? It is a false equivalence.

                25

              • #
                AndyG55

                So, you are saying that not only you CONDONE this child exploitation in your cause, you actually want it to continue.

                It is the lack of real education that allows them to be indoctrinated and then USED.

                More than a bit like you.

                No, it is NOT a false equivalence at all.

                It is still child exploitation, just of the mind.

                And that is particularly IMMORAL.

                No wonder you condone it.

                21

              • #
                robert rosicka

                Ok been busy and internet is under one download and about two for upload most of the time so have to wait for it to speed up before I can use it .
                Now Putz you rightly were against child labour for chocolate growing yet you freely support the push to EV’s , solar and wind power and aren’t those batteries just the best thing since sliced bread hey ?
                Never once have I seen a post from you criticising any of the above for the use of child mined cobalt.
                Which means you’re a hypocrite but that’s nothing new really .

                40

    • #
      Travis T. Jones

      “[Global warming] and increased land use for food crops will negatively affect the cocoa output in the long run.”

      Of course it will. Only on planet Itsacon.

      Meanwhile … on planet Earth:

      Origin of chocolate shifts 1,400 miles and 1,500 years

      Cacao was in use in South America centuries before its exploitation by civilisations in Mexico and Central America, experts say.

      “It is used by people in this area more than 5,000 years ago – way earlier than we have ever found in Mesoamerica and Central America,” said Prof Michael Blake, a co-author of the research from the University of British Columbia in Canada.

      Writing in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, Blake and colleagues describe how they made the discovery at a site in the highlands of Ecuador called Santa Ana-La Florida.

      Thought to have been lived in between about 5,500 and 3,300 years ago, the site caused a stir when discovered in 2002 because it revealed a previously unknown ancient society now called the Mayo Chinchipe culture.

      https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/oct/29/origin-of-chocolate-shifts-1400-miles-and-1500-years-cacao-ecuador?CMP=share_btn_tw

      Perhaps they had a carbon (sic) tax for 6,000+ years, and we just forgot.

      60

    • #
      el gordo

      ‘Any effect of CO2 on Cocoa production would be a rounding error.’

      You might need to expand on that point.

      30

      • #
        Peter Fitzroy

        As long as other nutrients are not limiting (lack of water, for example), CO2 increases will be mirrored in plant production. But as the link shows the explanation for the increase in cocoa production is more acreage planted with cocoa plants. Second point is that CO2 has increased by about 80-100 ppm of a base of 280-300 ppm, or about a 1/4. Cocoa production has doubled in that time, but according to NSW Forestry Corporation we have not seen similar production increases in their plantations, so CO2 is only a minor player.

        46

        • #
          el gordo

          Good argument, but I think you are wrong about CO2 being only a bit player.

          50

        • #
          Dave

          Peter you state:

          “NSW Forestry Corporation we have not seen similar production increases in their plantations”

          Please tell me how many cocoa plantations are run by NSW Forestry?

          ANSWER: NIL

          80

          • #
            Peter Fitzroy

            If C3 plants are to benefit from a global rise in CO2 then you should expect to see similar production increases world wide. NSW Forestry does not show this, and these are forests managed without extra additives like fertiliser. Does that make it clear?

            35

            • #
              AndyG55

              There have been large yield increases of C3 crops worldwide, Fitz.

              Seems you are wrong again.

              NSW Forestry does not grow any crops, and cocoa is NOT grown in NSW

              so what the **** are you blathering about. !

              This is about managed crops, so why the childish red herring DISTRACTION attempt.

              51

              • #
                Peter Fitzroy

                Your first point, how can you know that those yield increases are not due to fertiliser, and/or elevated temperature and/or better varieties and/or better management. On your second point, a plantation is a crop.

                27

              • #
                AndyG55

                Monocultures always require extra nutrients.

                Its all about getting the proper balance for the plants.

                NSW Forestry should know that.

                Every pine species tested shows growth increases under increased CO2

                Why do you bring your ignorance into every discussion, Fitz?

                51

              • #
                Peter Fitzroy

                Andy, as you demand of me, do you have empirical evidence?

                06

              • #
                AndyG55

                Every one of those pine species listed in that link has a link to EMPIRICAL SCIENCE.. You have NONE

                Seems you are incapable of following simple links.

                You have been totally incapable of presenting ANY scientific evidence for warming by atmospheric CO2.

                You know that, so stop the childish attempts at distraction and avoidance.

                30

            • #
              Peter Fitzroy

              Andy they are controlled experiments, Lab stuff. According to your demands, it has to be a ecosystem sized experiment, and although UWS has started one, it is years away from completion.

              15

              • #
                AndyG55

                DENIAL of actual science.

                Why aren’t I surprised,

                Now do you have any actual empirical evidence that increased atmospheric CO2 is anything but totally beneficial to all life on Earth

                Odd that you think farming is not a controlled science.

                But that is the renowned Fitz ignorance at work.

                30

    • #

      Peter, what caused the increase in crops? All of the above. It shows that increasing CO2 has done no harm and probably caused a boom. Why do you think market gardeners pump in CO2 pollution to greenhouses — probably because it isn’t pollution and it increases crop yield by 30 -40%.

      82

      • #
        AndyG55

        Fitz has yet to show one single downside of increased atmospheric CO2 that he can back up with any actual measurement or real science.

        Its all just failed models and science fantasy.

        REALITY is that an increase in atmospheric CO2 levels is totally and provably beneficial in basically every way.

        31

      • #
        Peter Fitzroy

        Leave pollution value of CO2 aside for the moment. All those references from CO2 Science remove any limiting factors (like water, trace elements etc). So although the CO2 is a growth enhancer, it can only do so when fertilisers, etc are optimised – which is why I referenced the production of plantation forests where they do not have increased growth rates.

        Now back to the CO2 pollution question. At levels over 1000 PPM, studies show that participants complain of headaches, and the deleterious effects get worse as the level increases. Of course we are not there yet. However, as the level of CO2 increases it will have a differential effect on the species mix which currently makes up our biome. As an example, at 800 PPM tree ferns are particularly advantaged, which was good for the production of peat and eventually coal, but less good for roses (for example).

        Lastly the libertarian argument, if you want to add CO2 into my air, then you should pay me for it, as dumping it into the air is a benefit to you, but not to me. The market gardeners must have already set a price for CO2, so it can be traded

        05

        • #
          AndyG55

          “Leave pollution value of CO2 aside for the moment”

          There is NO pollution value to atmospheric CO2.. Stop you childish trolling on things you know you are totally unable to back up with any actual science.

          “it can only do so when fertilisers, etc are optimised”

          Any farer knows about keeping a BALANCE in the soil. stop your ignorant trolling.

          “At levels over 1000 PPM”

          Rubbish, that is to do with acclimatisation, just like altitude and oxygen

          submariners have upward of 5000ppm with no side effects.

          “will have a differential effect on the species mix which currently makes up our biome”

          roflmao.. That is why greenhouse growers use 1000ppm +

          Added CO2 in the air is most definitely a benefit to YOU and to all life on this Earth.

          You SHOULD be paying those who produce it, by the coal fired power stations give it FOR FREE.

          Roses LUV that extra CO2 !!

          “Since the rose is an ornamental C3 plant, photosynthesis requires 800–1000 μmol mol–1 CO2 to reach normal saturation “

          Oops, fitz is WRONG again, in every point in his post.. so funny .. 98% !!

          30

          • #
            sophocles

            So pFitz wants fertilizers “optimized?” The optimum level for atmospheric CO2 (a plant fertilizer!) seems to be c. 1000ppmv (800ppmv – 1200ppmv.) That’s what all our food plants evolved for and seem to do best at.

            So let’s all go burn some more coal. Our food needs it!

            10

        • #
          AndyG55

          “Leave pollution value of CO2 aside for the moment.”

          ZERO EVIDENCE fitz.

          CO2 is not a pollutant, it is a totally necessary part of the planet’s atmosphere,

          and is currently a quite low levels compared to what is required for optimum plant growth.

          30

        • #
          AndyG55

          Grow is about a balance of nutrients.

          Sorry your low-level biology education didn’t teach you that.

          Never the less, plants still benefit from increased atmospheric CO2.

          30

        • #
          AndyG55

          “”At levels over 1000 PPM, studies show that participants complain of headaches””

          That is acclimatisation, just like oxygen at altitude

          Submariners get used to 5000+ppm without issues.

          The CO2 in a closed bedroom is likely to be around 2000ppm, nobody suffers. !

          You are mis-informed, as always, fitz.

          You spend your life that way, and are content to remain thus.

          30

        • #
        • #
          AndyG55

          ” is a benefit to you, but not to me”

          Added CO2 in the air is most definitely a benefit to you and to all life on this Earth.

          You should be paying those who release it, but the coal fired power stations give it for free.

          Show some gratitude for once in your miserable existence.

          20

    • #
      Bill in Oz

      Ahhhhhhh !
      You ‘porsted’ Fitz !
      Yes that’s what you do all the time “PORST”
      A new word to describe crap posts
      At which you are the champion..

      31

  • #
    Serp

    Scott Adams in his “Trump Solves Climate Change” video is maintaining that using the new cheap nuclear power that is becoming available it is feasible inexpensively to extract and overall reduce carbon dioxide from the atmosphere should its level become problematic; somebody needs to give him a quick primer on chemical equilibrium and the impossibility of exhausting the carbon dioxide content of the oceans. At 8’13″/30’54” I switched it off life being too short to hear out his ignorant rigmarole.

    20

  • #

    As long as it is not halal Cadbury

    70

  • #
    pat

    14 Apr: Tasmania Examiner: Tasmanian grape growers predict record harvest in 2019 after ideal conditions and further expansion of vineyards in Tamar Valley
    by Adam Holmes
    Wine growing in the Tamar Valley has never been better, she says, assisted by strong spring rainfall followed by a warm dry summer and autumn providing ideal conditions for fruit to ripen for the 2019 vintage…

    “All the feedback we’re getting is that there’ll be further investment in grapes and the wine sector because we can get access to water, and our climate and environment are ideal.”…
    https://www.examiner.com.au/story/6043466/tasmanian-grape-growers-predict-record-harvest-in-2019/

    50

  • #
    pat

    14 Apr: Forbes: Record Global Wine Harvest In 2018, Stable Consumption
    by Per and Britt Karlsson
    Wine production reached a record volume of 293 million hectolitres globally, recovering from a very small production in 2017. Europe is still by far the dominant producer with close to 70% of the total. The leading countries are Italy, France, Spain and the USA. The global vineyard surface area did not change with Spain having the biggest plantings, followed by China and France…
    This is the biggest wine harvest in 15 years, since 2004/2005…

    The three biggest wine producers, Italy, France and Spain all made big harvests, each of them increased the production with between 22% and 26%…
    The value of exports has grown from 13.4 billion euro in 2000 to 31.3 billion euro in 2018, an increase of 134%, more than double…
    https://www.forbes.com/sites/karlsson/2019/04/14/record-global-wine-harvest-in-2018-stable-consumption/

    20

  • #
    pat

    Too much a good thing?: Record wine grape harvest in California’s top regions make way for brand-builders
    North Bay Business Journal – 15 Apr 2019

    SA almond growers cracking into new international markets
    Adelaide Advertiser-14 Apr 2019
    Prices were boosted by the low US dollar, and the industry was also poised for a record harvest this year…

    Lithuanian grain market anticipates record harvest this year
    Baltic Times-11 Apr 2019

    Russia’s Grain Union flags possibility of record grain crop in 2019
    Agriculture.com-28 Mar 2019

    WA hemp growers poised for record harvest
    The West Australian-5 Mar 2019

    30

  • #
    pat

    behind paywall:

    Manufacturing sector sheds 18000 jobs under Palaszczuk Government
    Courier Mail – 20 Apr 2019
    MORE than 18000 manufacturing jobs have been wiped out under the Palaszczuk Government with the sector now employing its lowest number of workers since 1990s recession…
    “Our comparative advantage is being able to dig stuff out of the ground and grow stuff out of the ground,” he said…

    Queenslanders love mines, reject ALP’s carbon Bill
    WarwickDailyNews – 20 Apr 2019

    Townsville industry: Townsville’s leaders unite for Adani
    Daiy Telegraph – 20 Apr 2019
    ADANI’S Carmichael coal mine would unlock “the largest proposed coal basin” in the world, potentially paving the way for more than a dozen mines proposed in ..

    50

    • #
      AndyG55

      “Townsville’s leaders unite for Adani”

      They need to get together and blockade the activists.

      Give them a taste of their own medicine.

      Some possibilities….

      1. Refuse the sale of food or petrol.

      2. Refuse accommodation.

      3. Block access.

      4. Block communications and the news media.

      5. If the activists attach themselves to something, build a secure safety fence around them and leave them there.

      50

      • #
        glen Michel

        Piano wire for MC riders.Hang on I ride A MC..

        02

      • #
        Mary E

        AndyG55 – your #5 there is an awesome idea.

        5. If the activists attach themselves to something, build a secure safety fence around them and leave them there.

        They could sustainably sustain themselves on the weeds and grasses that grow where they are standing, and any insects that happen to pass by. It is, after all, what most are suggesting the rest of us do…

        30

        • #
          AndyG55

          Thanks Mary,

          Always open to other ideas 😉

          When those vegans were being a nuisance in Melbourne, I was thinking someone ought to go to the nearest maccas, buy a dozen or so cheap burgers, and offer them to the vegans. 😉

          21

  • #
    • #
      robert rosicka

      Last protestor that interfered with a track in Queensland copped a ten grand fine .

      60

    • #
      OriginalSteve

      Trains are pretty powerful…they could shunt it out of the way….

      20

      • #
        sophocles

        Not a good idea to try: the tracks are not invulnerable and track damage could be severe.
        Loco bogies could be damaged to the extent of derailment.

        20

  • #
    Mal

    Good article in icecap.us April 19th titled Climate Change And the 10 warning signs of a cult
    The Climate Change believers meet all 10 ctiteria

    This is no longer about science
    It’s all about politics
    The UN is setting itself up as a non elected world government to impose their view upon the world
    It all about power,control and greed.
    Climate pseudo science is just a vehicle for them to claim some crediy to support their world takeover

    The propganda Through the mass media has fallen in line

    This blog site likes to challenge the “science”
    It’s pointless when dealing with cults.

    Its now all about the politics and fighting the propaganda war.

    70

  • #
    Dennis

    Will the convoy heading to the Adani Mine site target Coober Pedy afterwards?

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-02/coober-pedy-fears-for-water-supply-amid-oil-gas-drilling/9493640

    30

    • #

      Is Coober Pedy in a marginal seat…

      51

      • #
        Bill in Oz

        No but if they go there there is avery god chance that tey will gtet lost or rained in for a few weeks
        🙂

        30

        • #
          robert rosicka

          From what I seen while there most of the locals weren’t happy with their new green and expensive electricity supply .

          21

          • #
            sophocles

            Robert Rosika @ #21.1.1.1

            most of the locals weren’t happy with their new green and expensive electricity supply .

            Those installing solar panels will be even less happy. Heat waves are, as alleged and broadcast by the greens, supposed to become more common. Solar panels aren’t at all efficient over 40° C and their inverters and other electronic equipment stop functioning about those temperatures too.

            According to Dr Joel H Glass, in this op-ed the new(er) panels ex China are unrecyclable. Ok. He points out that countries turning to solar panels which have an absolute life-time of about 25 years will have to build new mountain ranges as Germany had to do during the rebuilding of their destroyed cities after WW2.

            He points out that wind turbines have similar temperature problems, around 40°C and, if the greenies are right and we get more and stronger winds, wind velocity problems. Shredding their blades could be dangerous!

            20

  • #
    Ross

    Is climate change alarmism a cult? Judge for yourself based on the normal indicators for a cult :

    https://medium.com/@hwater84/climate-change-and-the-ten-warning-signs-for-cults-56c181db82c1

    30

  • #

    Just in case the seas are actually rising, Eat More Chocolate.

    20

  • #
    pat

    no choccies for the kiddies:

    10 Apr: CarbonBrief: Analysis: Why children must emit eight times less CO2 than their grandparents
    by Zeke Hausfather
    The idea for this analysis was first proposed to Carbon Brief by Dr Ben Caldecott at the University of Oxford. The methodology used – and its limitations – are explained in detail at the end of this article. Carbon Brief is now working to further develop the analysis with Dr Caldecott and his colleagues…
    https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-why-children-must-emit-eight-times-less-co2-than-their-grandparents

    10 Apr: CarbonBrief: Eating more offal could help cut meat emissions by ‘14%’
    by Daisy Dunne
    Choosing more meat by-products, such as liver, sweetbreads and tripe, could help to reduce livestock emissions by as much as 14%, according to a new analysis…
    https://www.carbonbrief.org/eating-more-offal-could-help-cut-meat-emissions-by-14-per-cent

    00

    • #
      AndyG55

      “cut meat emissions by ‘14%’”

      If burning wood pellets in Drax power station is considered “carbon neutral”

      Then a cow is most certainly “carbon neutral”

      A cow cannot put out, be it by farts, belches or meat, more “carbon” than it takes in.

      31

    • #
      AndyG55

      “by Daisy Dunne”

      I expect Daisy to henceforth eat only offal, tripe, liver as her source of meat protein.

      bon appetite, daisy dear. !!

      31

    • #
      sophocles

      What a huge saving in total CO2 emissions that will cause! Utterly negligible!
      Therefore pointless.

      10

  • #
    pat

    behind paywall:

    Shorten backs climate change ‘investments’
    The Australian-2 hours ago
    Bill Shorten has tried to flip the script on the cost of his climate change policies, describing them as investments instead…

    19 Apr: Forbes: Climate Change: The Greatest Opportunity Of All Time
    by Erik Kobayashi-Solomon
    What a wonderful opportunity climate change represents for intelligent investors and entrepreneurs!…
    https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkobayashisolomon/2019/04/19/climate-change-the-greatest-opportunity-of-all-time/#35941c582488

    re the Forbes’ writer: Erik Kobayashi-Solomon is the founder of IOI Capital, the manager of a private investment partnership dedicated to investing in public and private companies focusing on ways to help civilization mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change. My expertise in valuing private and publicly-traded companies has been sought out by top institutions, including the World Bank, and I have appeared on national TV programs such as The Nightly Business Report and in the international media. In 2014, I published The Intelligent Option Investor: Applying Value Investing to the World of Options…

    00

  • #
    Andrew McRae

    Just a reminder that this End-of-the-Twirl™, Cocoapalypse Now, climate chocolate shortage story seems to re-occur nearly every year. You had a story on this back in 2015 and I also commented on it when it was in the news back in 2014.

    41