Consider this article in @FT claiming that “hurricane frequency is on the rise,” based on NOAA data.
But NOAA says “After adjusting for a likely under-count of hurricanes in the pre-satellite era there is essentially no long-term trend in hurricane counts.” pic.twitter.com/A3BGOu9XBy
— Michael Shellenberger (@ShellenbergerMD) October 2, 2022
In other words, the graphic @FT chose to show of apparently rising hurricane frequency is, in reality, a graphic showing improved hurricane detection thanks to satellites.
What are the chances that FT reporter @Aime_Williams didn’t know this? I would guess close to zero.
— Michael Shellenberger (@ShellenbergerMD) October 2, 2022
What about intensity? Same story. Writes NOAA, “after adjusting for changes in observing capabilities (limited ship observations) in the pre-satellite era, there is no significant long-term trend (since the 1880s) in the proportion of hurricanes that become major hurricanes.“
— Michael Shellenberger (@ShellenbergerMD) October 2, 2022
Against the best-available science, the news media unleashed a hurricane of misinformation using the exact same manipulation of data as @Aime_Williams. @FT
The quantity of pseudoscience & journalistic irresponsibility is breathtaking. pic.twitter.com/6QDFa8igvi
— Michael Shellenberger (@ShellenbergerMD) October 2, 2022
To the extent the cost of hurricanes is rising it’s due entirely to greater wealth in harm’s way. Consider how much more developed Miami Beach is today compared to a century ago. Once you adjust for rising wealth, there is no trend of rising costs. pic.twitter.com/UMuuaxKP73
— Michael Shellenberger (@ShellenbergerMD) October 2, 2022
This is not complicated. The information is not hidden away somewhere. NOAA even boldfaces its key conclusion.
Journalists know this. They’ve been covering this for decades. It’s clear that they are actively trying to mislead the public.https://t.co/7XFSeY4ypA pic.twitter.com/cXJcLrH7HT
— Michael Shellenberger (@ShellenbergerMD) October 2, 2022
Further reading and please follow @RogerPielkeJr @RyanMaue @BjornLomborg https://t.co/gJCSER7EyV
— Michael Shellenberger (@ShellenbergerMD) October 2, 2022
I pushed back against misinformation on hurricanes and climate change in Congress last month at a hearing on… climate change misinformation https://t.co/LMtDtMeZNi
— Michael Shellenberger (@ShellenbergerMD) October 2, 2022
Egregious misinformation by the @nytimes pic.twitter.com/k5YQalwyCo
— Michael Shellenberger (@ShellenbergerMD) October 2, 2022