Spanish Summer Belies Climate Change, a New Sceptic, and a 3C Prediction

Yes, I’ve returned from Spain where 2007 was Madrid’s coolest summer since 1997, ranking 37th in the hottest summers since records began 115 years ago, despite predictions that 2007 would be one of the hottest ever. No jelly fish invasion on the Costa Del Sol, and electricity consumption due to air conditioning was down on previous years.

I also discovered a new sceptic called Anton Uriarte, a professor of Physical Geography at the University of the Basque Country. He says climate is always changing and there is no evidence to support the global warming thesis: “It’s just a political thing, and the lies about global warming are contributing to the proliferation of nuclear energy.” He also claims CO2 emission are good, “Far from provoking the so-called greenhouse effect, they stabilise the climate.”

However, a ‘Junta de Andalucia’ study predicts a 3C rise in temperatures in Malaga by 2100, minimum temperature increases will lead to the loss of certain species, and there could be up to 17 per cent less rainfall.

Check back in 2100 to verify these predictions, given that they didn’t get 2007 right!

The Junta also produced a 10 point ‘climate action plan,’ which includes ‘Urban Planning’ where growth is compact rather than spread out, ‘Green Zones,’ ensuring native trees are used to reduce irrigation and increase CO2 absorption, ‘Mobility and Transport,’ promoting short distance maritime transport, HOV lanes for cars, encouraging bio-fuels and more efficient motoring, ‘Renewable Energies,’ such as the installation of solar energy units in urban areas.

Meanwhile, work has started at Malaga Airport on a second ‘jumbo jet’ friendly runway and terminal building, without delay or ‘climate camp,’ to be completed by the end of 2009. Malaga will then deal with 20 million passengers per year, compared to the current 13 million. Just like elsewhere, Spain majors in climate rhetoric, and minors in action due to economic reality.