Patrick J. Michaels - career history

From SourceWatch
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Calved from main Patrick J. Michaels page.

Career history - from the Halls of Academe To the Speaker Circuit

University of Virginia until late 2007

Michaels was, until late 2007, a Professor of Environmental Science at the University of Virginia Department of Environmental Sciences. A biographical note at that time described Michaels "research interests" as being "The core issue over the next ten years will not be "How much will the climate warm?" but, rather, "Why did it warm so little?" My research also leads me to believe that the next decade will see the emergence of a paradigm of "robust earth," as opposed to the fashionable "fragility" concept ... It is entirely possible that human influence on the atmosphere is not necessarily deleterious and that it is simply another component of the dynamic planet. Tomorrow's scientific and science-policy leaders will have to recognize this verity in our attempts to maintain a productive and diverse planet."[1]

1977-late '80s, climate effect on agriculture, forestry, T-storms

Between 1977 and the late 1980's most of Michaels publications related to the impacts of climate variations on the yields of wheat, corn and soybean, the spread of southern pine beetle infestations, gypsy moth research and thunderstorm patterns. During this period most of his funding was from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, the Virginia State Climatology Office. He also undertook work for NASA and the United States Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on climatology projects.

Mid 1980s, nuclear waste dump siting

From the mid-1980's on, Michaels become involved in more topical projects. In 1986 and 1987 he authored papers and a report on siting considerations for a high-level nuclear waste dump.[2][3][4]

1988+ - global warming

In 1988 Michaels became more active in writing on global warming issues. The following year he was involved in the writing of a technical report the impact of sulfur dioxide emissions in Virginia [5], and the following year was involved in a project funded to the tune of $40,000 by the Cyprus Minerals Company.[6][7]

1989+, started as global warming skeptic spokesman

But during 1989 and 1990 it was as a global warming skeptic that Michaels was really making a name for himself.[8][9][10][11][12][13][14] In 1989 Michaels made several appearances before Congressional committees, an appearance at a Brookings Institution event and invitations to speak to a smattering of industry groups. Some of the invitations he accepted were to speak to the Executive Board of the National Coal Association in Phoenix, Arizona, the annual meeting of the Western Fuels Association in Denver and the International Pittsburgh Coal Conference, the Edison Electric Institute and Basin Electric Power Cooperative.[7]

1990+, favored skeptic voice at fossil fuel events

Subsequently, Michaels was a favoured speaker for corporate, think tank and conservative advocacy group events. Between 1990 and 1993, Michaels spoke at events organized by the Consumer Alert, the North Carolina Coal Institute, the Pacific Research Institute, the Kentucky Coal Operators Association, the Chemical Manufacturers Association, the Virginia Coal Council, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, AMAX Energy Corporation, Consolidation Coal Corporation, Cincinnati Gas and Electric, Chief Executive Conference on Global Warming, the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Aerosol Association, the Massie Coal Corporation, the Indiana Coal Mining Institute, the Arizona Electric Power Cooperative, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia Petroleum Council, the Heritage Foundation, the American Legislative Exchange Council, the Wyoming Mining Association, Virginia Power, Amax Energy Corporation, American Electric Power, Alabama Electric Power Cooperative, the American Policy Center, the World Coal Conference, American Public Power Association, American Mining Congress, Maine Conservation Rights Institute, the Federalist Society, the Kentucky Mining Institute, Denver Coal Club and the Ashland Oil Corporation.[7] (See Patrick Michaels speaking engagements for further details).


Articles and resources

References

  1. "Research Interests", University of Virginia, accessed November 2007.
  2. Patrick J. Michaels, Climatological Considerations for Siting a Crystalline Repository for High-Level Nuclear Waste in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Report to the Governor's Task Force on the Crystalline Repository Project. 26pp.
  3. Patrick J. Michaels, "Climate and the Eastern Repository for High Level Nuclear Waste", Proceedings, 5th Conference on Applied Climatology, American Meteorological Society, Baltimore MD, 35-39.
  4. "Climate and the Eastern Repository: A Comparative Study", Environmental Management, Volume 15, pages 627-636.
  5. Origin and Destination of Pollutant-Bearing Airstreams Impacting and Exiting the Commonwealth of Virginia, Final Report to Virginia Air Pollution Control Board. 131pp. Additional Technical Appendix, 1800pp.
  6. Patrick Michaels, "Jet Stream Alterations Induced by Anthropogenerated Sulfur Emissions", for Cyprus Minerals.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Patrick Michaels CV Plain Text File-Climate Change Guide/Skeptics and Contrarians", Society of Environmental Journalists, accessed May 2009.
  8. Patrick Michaels, "Anthropogenic Warming in North Alaska?", Journal of Climate, Volume 1, pages 942-945.
  9. Patrick Michaels, "The Greenhouse Effect: Chicken Little and our Response to 'Global Warming'", Journal of Forestry, Volume 87, pages 35-39.
  10. Patrick Michaels, "The Science and Politics of Global Change", 7th International Pittsburgh Coal Conference, University of Pittsburgh, Volume 1, page 173-182.
  11. Patrick Michaels, "Crisis in Politics of Global Climate Change Looms on the Horizon", Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy, Volume 4, 14-23.
  12. Patrick Michaels, "The Science and Politics of the Greenhouse Effect: Collision Course? In Environmental Consequences of Energy Production", University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, 1990, pages 115-138.
  13. Patrick Michaels, "The Greenhouse Effect and Global Change: Review and Reappraisal", International Journal of Environmental Studies, 1990, Volume 36, 55-71.
  14. Patrick Michaels, "Climatic Change and Climatic Uncertainty: A Regional Perspective", Proceedings, 21st meeting, Advisory Committee on Water Data for Public Use, U.S. Geological Survey, New Orleans, LA, 36-59.

Related SourceWatch articles

External resources

External articles