Cliff Mass, the well-known professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Washington and prominent weather and climate analyst, is “adamant that many politicians, activists and scientists are exaggerating the effects of climate change to fit an agenda.” Mass wrote in a recent blog post,
“The media has noted many times that the U.S. in 2011 experienced a record 14 billion-dollar weather disasters–and many of the articles imply or suggest a connection with human-forced global warming…
“But what is so disturbing about all this is that there is very little evidence that these claims are true…. that the extreme events of late are the result of greenhouse gas increases caused by humans…
“It is somewhat embarrassing for me to admit this, but part of the problem is that a small minority of my colleagues–people who should know better– are feeding the extreme-weather/climate hype in the mistaken belief that by doing so they can encourage people to do the right thing–lessen their carbon footprint.”
According to Mass, the latest example of climate change exaggeration is the Washington State’s current “alleged drought.” Crosscut reports,
“The $1.2 billion crop loss that the Washington Department of Agriculture is predicting this year? A crock that the media should research and expose. Predictions by the state Public Lands Commissioner and National Interagency Fire Center that current conditions could create a terrible year for wildfires? Overblown. Governor Jay Inslee’s dire pronouncements regarding a statewide drought emergency? Just part of a history of exaggeration on environmental issues…
“‘Not long ago, politicians were saying snowpack would completely disappear,’ Mass explained via phone. ‘That didn’t turn out to be much of a trend. There was a whole business of exaggerating the disappearing snowpack trend, linking that with global warming. Then there was the coastal ocean acidification issue… The current governor has draped himself in all that stuff.’
“‘There’s a political agenda with all this stuff,’ he added. ‘I don’t have to tell you what it is. You know what it is. Now it’s drought time again.’”
Mass dismisses Washington State’s alleged drought by pointing to normal precipitation levels statewide. Crosscut,
“‘For me, for most people, the word ‘drought’ means a lack of precipitation,’ Mass says. ‘So precipitation is normal, but you’re calling it a drought? Because it’s water instead of snow?’
“What about the fact that roughly 75 percent of Washington is experiencing moderate to severe drought conditions, as classified by the National Drought Monitor? Mass calls that organization ‘completely subjective’ in how it determines those conditions.
“Reservoir levels are alright, the Columbia River is flowing fine and soil moisture is currently near normal, Mass argues. Sure, snowpack is low. But he doesn’t think this will be a problem for farmers, saying the ‘water situation in Yakima is going to prove far better than people are worried about.’”
