Climate Change
Introduction
It has become about one degree warmer than during the coldest period in the
past ten thousand years. Why should that worry anyone? Nevertheless, the
milder weather has caused concern in political circles and triggered costly
countermeasures.
However, there are independent scientists who regard these fears as unfounded
and the countermeasures as pointless. They point instead to our own solar
system and its position in the cosmos as the true determinant of Earth’s
climate. Unsurprisingly, this worldview appears more plausible and trustworthy
to the thoughtful layperson.
Mostly in order to challenge the notion of scientific consensus, a list of
individuals skeptical of the CO₂ hypothesis is included here. Furthermore, the
positions of the authoritative IPCC and its critics are summarized.
The CO₂ Hypothesis.
The United Nations’ climate panel, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC), considers current climate changes to be man-made, identifying
the cause as the increasing concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere. This
increase is attributed to the fact that the oceans absorb only about half of
the annual CO₂ emissions from fossil fuel combustion. There is a certain
inertia in the transport of CO₂ from surface waters to the deep ocean. This
growing concentration of atmospheric CO₂, according to the IPCC, inhibits the
outward radiation of heat into space, with the effect diminishing
logarithmically as concentrations rise. This process is deemed responsible for
the so-called global warming — which is described as unusual and predominantly
harmful, and therefore something that must be curbed. The CO₂ hypothesis has
taken a firm hold in political systems, the media, and consequently large
segments of the population in the Western world. However, it is no longer part
of U.S. administration policy, which may have a ripple effect elsewhere. In
the United States, it is therefore no longer considered heretical to challenge
the IPCC’s view.
The Solar Hypothesis
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Image: The Sun’s active surface is seen here in extreme ultraviolet light by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory in May 2012. Understanding how the Sun’s output changes on multiple timescales allows scientists to create more accurate models of Earth and its climate. Credit: NASA/Solar Dynamics Observatory
📚 Notable Climate Skeptics: A Biographical Overview
Henrik Svensmark (born 1958) is a Danish physicist and professor in the Division of Solar System Physics at the Danish National Space Institute (DTU Space) in Copenhagen. He is renowned for his research into the influence of cosmic rays on Earth’s climate, proposing that variations in cosmic ray flux, modulated by solar activity, significantly affect cloud formation and, consequently, global temperatures—a theory known as cosmoclimatology.  
Notable Publications:
• Svensmark, H., & Calder, N. (2007). The Chilling Stars: A New Theory of Climate Change. Totem Books. 
This book introduces the cosmoclimatology theory, suggesting that cosmic rays influence cloud cover and thus Earth’s climate. 
• Svensmark, H. (1998). “Influence of Cosmic Rays on Earth’s Climate.” Physical Review Letters, 81(22), 5027–5030. 
In this peer-reviewed article, Svensmark presents evidence linking cosmic ray flux to cloud formation and climate variations. 
• Svensmark, H. (2012). “Evidence of nearby supernovae affecting life on Earth.” Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 
This study explores the potential impact of nearby supernovae on Earth’s climate and biodiversity through changes in cosmic ray flux.
Documentary:
• The Cloud Mystery (2008) 
A documentary film that delves into Svensmark’s theory of cosmoclimatology, examining the role of cosmic rays in climate change.
Ole Humlum is a Danish physical geographer and emeritus professor at the University of Oslo. He has extensively researched periglacial processes and climate variability, with a particular focus on the Arctic regions. Humlum is known for his skepticism regarding the predominant anthropogenic explanations for recent climate change, emphasizing the role of natural variability.
Notable Works:
• The State of the Climate (Annual Reports)
Since 2017, Humlum has authored annual reports for the Global Warming Policy Foundation, analyzing climate trends based on observational data rather than model projections. 
• “The Phase Relation Between Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide and Global Temperature” (2013)
In this study, Humlum and colleagues argue that changes in atmospheric CO₂ levels lag behind temperature changes, suggesting that CO₂ may not be the primary driver of recent warming. 
Online Resource:
• Climate4you
Humlum maintains this website, providing access to climate data and analyses that support his views on natural climate variability. 
The State of the Climate 2024, 10. Final reflections and conclusions:
"... CO2, although being very important for life in my opinion, is not overly important to understand meteorology and climate” Link
Peter Stallinga
Associate Professor at the University of Algarve, Portugal, Stallinga has critically examined the anthropogenic global warming (AGW) theory, focusing on the psychological and sociopolitical aspects ovvf climate science. 
Notable Work:
• Stallinga, P. (2016). The Perception of Anthropogenic Global Warming Modeled by Game Theory Decision Tables. 
Personal communiction 2019: “This problem of AGW (anthropogenic global warming) has already been scientifically debunkedv and it is 100% in the political arena".
Johannes Krüger A Danish geologist and former professor at the University of Copenhagen, Krüger has questioned the prevailing narratives on climate change, emphasizing natural climate variability.  Notable Book: • Krüger, J. (2018). 32 Myter om Klimaet Du Ikke Skal Hoppe På.
Bjorn Lomborg
A political scientist and director of the Copenhagen Consensus Center, Lomborg acknowledges climate change but argues against alarmist approaches, advocating for cost-effective solutions.
Notable Books:
• Lomborg, B. (2001). The Skeptical Environmentalist.
• Lomborg, B. (2020). False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet. 
🇳🇴 Norway
Ivar Giaever
Nobel Laureate in Physics (1973) for his work on tunneling phenomena in superconductors, Giaever has expressed skepticism about the consensus on climate change, referring to it as a “new religion.” 
Notable Book:
• Giaever, I. (2016). I Am The Smartest Man I Know: A Nobel Laureate’s Difficult Journey. 
Tom V. Segalstad
Former head of the Geological Museum at the University of Oslo, Segalstad has argued that natural processes, particularly oceanic absorption, play a more significant role in CO₂ levels than human activities.
Harald Yndestad
A professor of system dynamics at Molde University College, Yndestad has researched natural climate cycles, emphasizing the influence of lunar and solar patterns on climate variability.
Sweden.
Lennart Bengtsson
A Swedish meteorologist and former director of the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, Bengtsson has highlighted uncertainties in climate modeling and cautioned against overreliance on predictive models.
🌍 Other Notable Figures
Freeman Dyson (USA/UK)
A theoretical physicist and mathematician, Dyson critiqued the predictive capabilities of climate models and emphasized the complexity of climate systems.
Notable Book:
• Dyson, F. (2018). Maker of Patterns: An Autobiography Through Letters.
Nicola Scafetta (Italy)
A physicist known for his work on astronomical cycles and their potential impact on climate patterns, Scafetta has challenged the extent of human influence on climate change.
Valentina Zharkova (UK)
A solar physicist who has proposed that solar activity cycles significantly influence Earth’s climate, predicting periods of cooling based on solar patterns.
Tim Patterson (Canada)
A paleoclimatologist at Carleton University, Patterson has emphasized natural climate variability over anthropogenic factors in explaining climate changes.
Nir Shaviv (Israel)
An astrophysicist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Shaviv has researched the impact of cosmic rays on climate, suggesting a significant role for solar and galactic factors.
Will Happer (USA)
A physicist at Princeton University, Happer has argued that increased CO₂ levels could be beneficial and has criticized climate alarmism.
Richard Lindzen (USA)
An atmospheric physicist and professor emeritus at MIT, Lindzen has questioned the sensitivity of climate to CO₂ and criticized the consensus on climate change.
Roy Spencer (USA)
A meteorologist and principal research scientist at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Spencer has highlighted discrepancies in climate models and satellite temperature data.
l Myron Ebell (USA)
Director of the Center for Energy and Environment at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, Ebell has been a prominent critic of climate policies and regulations.
Kiminori Itoh (Japan)
An environmental physical chemist, Itoh has expressed skepticism about the severity of climate change impacts projected by mainstream science.
Ian Plimer (Australia)
A geologist and professor emeritus at the University of Melbourne, Plimer has authored books challenging the scientific consensus on climate change.
Notable Book:
• Plimer, I. (2009). Heaven and Earth: Global Warming, the Missing Science.
Michael Crichton (USA)
An author and physician, Crichton explored themes of scientific consensus and environmentalism in his works, often questioning prevailing scientific narratives.
Notable Books:
• Crichton, M. (2004). State of Fear.
• Crichton, M. (1995). The Lost World.
Judith Curry (USA)
A climatologist and former chair of the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Georgia Tech, Curry has discussed uncertainties in climate science and advocated for a more nuanced understanding of climate risks.
Notable Book:
• Curry, J. (2023). Climate Uncertainty and Risk.
John Christy (USA)
A climatologist and professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Christy has focused on satellite temperature measurements and has questioned the accuracy of climate models.
Ted Nordhaus (USA)
Co-founder of the Breakthrough Institute, Nordhaus advocates for pragmatic environmentalism and technological innovation over traditional climate policies.
Michael Shellenberger (USA)
An environmental policy writer and founder of Environmental Progress, Shellenberger has critiqued climate alarmism and promoted nuclear energy as a solution.
Notable Book:
• Shellenberger, M. (2020). Apocalypse Never: Why Environmental Alarmism Hurts Us All.
Daniel Sarewitz (USA)
A professor of science and society at Arizona State University, Sarewitz has examined the interplay between science, policy, and societal values in environmental debates.
Steve Rayner (UK)
A sociologist and director of the Institute for Science, Innovation and Society at the University of Oxford, Rayner has explored the social dimensions of climate change and policy.
Mike Hulme (UK)
A professor of human geography at the University of Cambridge, Hulme has emphasized the cultural and political aspects of climate change discourse.
Notable Book:
• Hulme, M. (2020). Contemporary Climate Change Debates: A Student Primer.
Roger A. Pielke Jr. (USA)
A political scientist and professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, Pielke has focused on science policy and the politicization of climate science.
Notable Book:
• Pielke Jr., R. A. (2007). The Honest Broker: Making Sense of Science in Policy and Politics.
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