In the Guardian, Graham Readfearn has a strong and snarky debunking of an oped by Maurice Newman, who is the business advisor to the Australian Prime Minister. Newman claims that renewable energy raises costs and kills jobs, but Redfearn reveals the shaky and biased reporting behind this assertion.
For this globe-spanning game of whack-a-myth, Readfearn starts in California by correcting Newman's misrepresentation of California's energy prices. While Newman was techincally correct in saying California has high prices, he wrongly portrays the measly $0.38/month increase from California's Renewable Portfolio Standard as the culprit.
Traveling next to Spain, Readfearn shows how Newman relies on a fossil-fuel funded "study" to claim renewables destroy more jobs than they create (this false claim is strongly rebutted by the US National Renewable Energy Lab). It turns out the methodology of the study Newman cited "does not reflect an employment impact analysis."
So just when you think it can't get any worse, Readfearn takes a metaphorical trip to Scotland, showing how Newman was responsible for a 2011 report "commissioned by the Scottish government." Like the study in Spain, it also finds that renewables (specifically wind) result in job losses. However, the report is considered "misleading" by the same Scottish government that supposedly commissioned it. We say "supposedly" because Readfearn points out that, well, it doesn't look like the Scottish government commissioned the report at all!
Then it's back home to Australia for a nice misquoting, a regurgitation of the pause, disparaging of the IPCC for being too alarmist, and finally a citation of an online poll that was gamed by denier blogs.
Overall it's a pretty damning rebuttal, that, in an ideal world, would demolish any remaining credibility given to this advisor to the Prime Minister.
|
The Climate Action Hub
Building upon the momentum generated by the People's Climate March, The Climate Action Hub focuses the energy and ideas that converged around the 2014 UN Climate Summit to engage civil participation in local, regional and global climate action. The Hub showcases NGOs, eco writers, scientists, bloggers and YOU in a group mission to amplify messaging and promote action on such issues as climate justice, sustainable development and clean energy. It will also serve as a forum for educating and informing the wider public and expand the civil movement to ensure success at the 2015 UNFCCC Paris Climate Summit. Please add any information on climate actions in comments below.
The Climate Action Hub at Daily Kos seeks volunteer ambassadors of climate activism to work on our 'eco swat team' in local communities and here at Daily Kos to disseminate information about the growing role of civil society in climate solutions. Join us here at Daily Kos to contribute your skills and experience. We need all hands on deck!
|