## The Week That Was: 01-11 January 2025 (January 11, 2025)**Overall Topic: Climate Change**### First Subtopic: Clarifying a Cloudy Issue**Description:**Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) physicists William van Wijngaarden and William Happer argue that clouds play a significant role in Earth's climate and that their importance is often overlooked by IPCC and its collaborators. They propose a new 2n-stream radiation transfer theory for accurately analyzing how clouds scatter infrared radiation. Experts highlight the value of measurements from regions with different climates to better understand cloud properties and their impact on climate.### Second Subtopic: Methane and Climate**Description:**The same researchers present a report focusing on methane (CH4) and its limited contribution to the radiative forcing of Earth's atmosphere. They suggest the measures proposed to reduce methane emissions may not be justified due to the small warming influence of methane compared to carbon dioxide (CO2). Concerns are raised about potential economic damage from regulations targeting methane emissions.### Third Subtopic: Atmospheric Window**Description:**Japanese researcher Kyoji Kimoto points out that the IPCC climate models may not accurately account for atmospheric windows, specific ranges of frequencies that are mostly transparent to greenhouse gases. This may mean current climate projections may overestimate the impact of greenhouse gases on Earth's temperature.### Fourth Subtopic: Scientific Societies**Description:**Wallace Manheimer analyzes statements from leading scientific societies like the American Physical Society and the American Meteorological Society, arguing that these societies exaggerate evidence and fail to adequately consider uncertainties and scientific skepticism. He urges them to be more balanced and moderate in their climate-related claims.### Fifth Subtopic: CO2 Regulation**Description:**Researchers refute claims that CO2 has been regulating Earth's climate for millions of years. They cite evidence from past geologic eras to show that fluctuations in atmospheric CO2 concentrations do not always correlate with significant climate shifts. They also question how CO2 could be having such a significant impact on climate given its relatively low concentration in the atmosphere.### Sixth Subtopic: Santa Ana Winds**Description:**Experts discuss Santa Ana winds and while they are a recurring natural phenomenon in southern California, government entities have failed to adequately adapt to their impact. Santa Ana winds can cause fierce brush fires due to dry vegetation and high winds, leading to property damage and evacuations. The need for better infrastructure and emergency preparedness in these areas is highlighted.### Seventh Subtopic: Number of the Week: ZERO**Description:**Large organizations like JP Morgan have recently left the Net Zero Banking Alliance, showing a trend away from net-zero investment pledges, especially as the deployment of clean energy technologies lags.### Eighth Subtopic: Challenging the Orthodoxy**Description:**Various articles challenge the mainstream climate change narrative, arguing that the evidence for catastrophic human-induced climate change is lacking. Scientists present evidence that clouds, aerosols, and natural climate variability play a significant role in Earth's temperature, while data from Antarctica contradicts the notion of accelerated ice melting.### Ninth Subtopic: Defending the Orthodoxy**Description:**Articles supporting the mainstream view of climate change claim that current climate models can accurately predict future warming and that humans are the dominant force shaping Earth's climate. They advocate for urgent action to mitigate climate change, emphasizing extreme weather events as evidence of the threat.### Tenth Subtopic: Questioning the Orthodoxy**Description:**Concerns are raised about billion-dollar investments in unproven carbon capture and storage technologies, while some experts emphasize the importance of adaptation and resilience rather than mitigation strategies. The efficacy and social equity implications of carbon pricing are also questioned.### Article #1**Title:** California's Climate Time for Choosing**Summary:**The Editorial Board of the Wall Street Journal argues that California's focus on climate mitigation policies has come at the expense of addressing pressing challenges like water management and adapting to climate change impacts. They emphasize the need for more pragmatic and effective policies that prioritize the well-being of citizens rather than ideological goals. The editorial highlights the failure of government agencies to invest in fire suppression infrastructure and water storage systems, which have contributed to the devastating wildfires in the state.