FACTSHEET: Patrick J. Michaels
DETAILS
Research Professor of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia
Senior Fellow, Cato Institute.
Visiting Scientist, Marshall Institute.
State Climatologist, Virginia.
Advisor, American Legislative Exchange Council.
Dr. Patrick Michaels is possibly the most prolific and widely-quoted climate change skeptic scientist. He has admitted receiving funding from various fossil fuel industry sources.
His latest book, published in September 2004 by the Cato Institute, is titled: Meltdown: The Predictable Distortion of Global Warming by Scientists, Politicians, and the Media.
Michaels is the Chief Editor for the "World Climate Review," a newsletter on global warming funded by the Western Fuels Association.
Dr. Michaels has acknowledged that 20% of his funding comes from fossil fuel sources: (http://www.mtn.org/~nescncl/complaints/determinations/det_118.html)
Known funding includes $49,000 from German Coal Mining Association, $15,000 from Edison Electric Institute and $40,000 from Cyprus Minerals Company, an early supporter of People for the West, a "wise use" group. He received $63,000 for research on global climate change from Western Fuels Association, above and beyond the undisclosed amount he is paid for the World Climate Report/Review. According to Harper's magazine, Michaels has recieved over $115,000 over the past four years from coal and oil interests.
Michaels wrote "Sound and Fury" and "The Satanic Gases" which were published by Cato Institute.
Dr. Michaels signed the 1995 Leipzig Declaration.
In July of 2006, it was revealed that the Intermountain Rural Electric Association "contributed $100,000 to Dr. Michaels."
(http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/GlobalWarming/story?id=2242565&page=1)
ALEC advisor. http://www.heartland.org/Article.cfm?artId=11310
and
http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=3558
A.B. and S.M. degrees in biological sciences and plant ecology, University of Chicago
Ph.D. in ecological climatology , University of Wisconsin at Madison.
Former President of the American Association of State Climatologists, and Program Chair for the Committee on Applied Meterology of the American Meterological Society.
KEY QUOTES
19 August, 2002
"The Kyoto Treaty would cost a fortune, between 1 and 3 percent of GDP per year. But the amount of warming that it would save would be 0.07 degree Celsius in the next 50 years. That was the argument that killed Kyoto in front of the Bush administration, that it costs a fortune, and it does nothing."
Source: Pat Michaels Is Interviewed for CNN's "Capital Gang" (transcript) 8/19/02
16 October, 2003
"So, once you demonstrate humans are indeed warming the climate, you know the amount of future warming. This is where the greens (and Mr. Lieberman and Mr. McCain) made a major miscalculation: They assumed that once you could demonstrate a human influence on the Earth's surface temperature that people would be panicked into something like Kyoto. But, in reality, people are smart enough to know that a modest warming is a likely benefit, which is why they tend to move South as soon as they can afford it."
Source: "Posturing and Reality on Warming," Washington Times 10/16/03
1 April, 2005
"Southern Greenland, Glacier National Park and the Himalayan glaciers are on their way out, with little or no nudging needed from people. They're relics of the Big Ice Age that ended 11,000 years ago. It's too bad, though, that in the fight to hype global warming, the truth is also rapidly becoming another relic."
Source: Washington Times 04/01/05
19 August, 2004
"So, to all who worry about global warming, to all who think people threatening to blow up millions to get their political way is no big deal by comparison, chill out. The science is settled. The "skeptics," the strange name applied to those whose work shows the planet isn't coming to an end, have won."
Source: Cato Institute website 08/19/04
19 August, 2002
"The Kyoto Treaty would cost a fortune, between 1 and 3 percent of GDP per year. But the amount of warming that it would save would be 0.07 degree Celsius in the next 50 years. That was the argument that killed Kyoto in front of the Bush administration, that it costs a fortune, and it does nothing."
Source: Pat Michaels Is Interviewed for CNN's "Capital Gang" (transcript) 8/19/02
16 October, 2003
"So, once you demonstrate humans are indeed warming the climate, you know the amount of future warming. This is where the greens (and Mr. Lieberman and Mr. McCain) made a major miscalculation: They assumed that once you could demonstrate a human influence on the Earth's surface temperature that people would be panicked into something like Kyoto. But, in reality, people are smart enough to know that a modest warming is a likely benefit, which is why they tend to move South as soon as they can afford it."
Source: "Posturing and Reality on Warming," Washington Times 10/16/03
1 April, 2005
"Southern Greenland, Glacier National Park and the Himalayan glaciers are on their way out, with little or no nudging needed from people. They're relics of the Big Ice Age that ended 11,000 years ago. It's too bad, though, that in the fight to hype global warming, the truth is also rapidly becoming another relic."
Source: Washington Times 04/01/05
19 August, 2004
"So, to all who worry about global warming, to all who think people threatening to blow up millions to get their political way is no big deal by comparison, chill out. The science is settled. The "skeptics," the strange name applied to those whose work shows the planet isn't coming to an end, have won."
Source: Cato Institute website 08/19/04
A doubling of CO2 in the atmosphere will create a tremendous greening of planet Earth
Source: "Staking the Globe"
QUOTES
19 August, 2002
"Well, you know, most of my funding, the vast majority, comes from taxpayer-supported entities. I would make the argument that if funding colors research, I should be certainly biased more towards the taxpayers, of which I am one, than towards industry. But the fact of the matter is, numbers are objective."
Source: Pat Michaels Is Interviewed for CNN's "Capital Gang" (transcript) 8/19/02
28 January, 2004
"In politics, timing is everything, Howard Dean being a wonderful example. So is Al Gore, who chose to give a completely paranoid speech about global warming in New York two weeks ago, on a day when the temperature was 22 degrees below normal. In a remarkably Dean-like rant to the Democratic organization MoveOn, he said that the reason Americans reject his vision of climate-Armageddon has more to do with what he called 'a massive and
well-organized campaign of disinformation' on the part of me and my few friends than it does with the thermometer. When it comes to disinformation about climate change, Al Gore's got competition in the principal beneficiary of Howard Dean's rhetorical largesse, John Kerry."
Source: "Kerry is even more skewed than Gore was on global warming," NH Union Leader 1/28/04
7 November, 2004
" The fact is that Kilimanjaro's glaciers vary greatly, with or without global warming.
And there are dozens of other stories where scientists exaggerate global warming, ignore its positive aspects, and where the media only report the bad news."
Source: Apple Daily 11/3/04
19 August, 2002
"Well, you know, most of my funding, the vast majority, comes from taxpayer-supported entities. I would make the argument that if funding colors research, I should be certainly biased more towards the taxpayers, of which I am one, than towards industry. But the fact of the matter is, numbers are objective."
Source: Pat Michaels Is Interviewed for CNN's "Capital Gang" (transcript) 8/19/02
28 January, 2004
"In politics, timing is everything, Howard Dean being a wonderful example. So is Al Gore, who chose to give a completely paranoid speech about global warming in New York two weeks ago, on a day when the temperature was 22 degrees below normal. In a remarkably Dean-like rant to the Democratic organization MoveOn, he said that the reason Americans reject his vision of climate-Armageddon has more to do with what he called 'a massive and
well-organized campaign of disinformation' on the part of me and my few friends than it does with the thermometer. When it comes to disinformation about climate change, Al Gore's got competition in the principal beneficiary of Howard Dean's rhetorical largesse, John Kerry."
Source: "Kerry is even more skewed than Gore was on global warming," NH Union Leader 1/28/04
7 November, 2004
" The fact is that Kilimanjaro's glaciers vary greatly, with or without global warming.
And there are dozens of other stories where scientists exaggerate global warming, ignore its positive aspects, and where the media only report the bad news."
Source: Apple Daily 11/3/04
KEY DEEDS
19 August, 2002
Appeared on CNN's "Capital Gang", arguing against the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. Michaels also argued that global warming, if it is happening, could be beneficial.
Source: Pat Michaels Is Interviewed for CNN's "Capital Gang" (transcript) 8/19/02
31 December, 1998
Published a study entitled "Long Hot Year: Latest Science Debunks Global Warming Hysteria" through the Cato Institute's "Policy Analysis" series.
Source: "Long Hot Year:Latest Science Debunks Global Warming Hysteria," Cato Policy Analysis No. 329
29 July, 1998
Testifed before the House Committee on Small Business, arguing that there wasn't scientific evidenc to support the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol.
Source: Transcript, Patrick Michaels' testimony before House Small Business Committee 7/29/98
6 October, 1999
Testified before House Subcommittee on National Economic Growth, Natural Resources and Regulatory affairs, arguing against the classification of carbon dioxide as a pollutant.
Source: Transcript, Patrick Michaels' testimony before House Committee on Energy and Environment 10/6/99
1 February, 2006
In February of 2006, Michaels recieved at least $100,000 in funding from Intermountain Rural Electric Association.
Source: ABC News Story (2006)
8 March, 2007
Appeared in documentary "The Great Global Warming Swindle"
Source: The Great Global Warming Swindle (Documentary)
2 May, 2007
Appeared on Glenn Beck's May 2, 2007 special "Exposed: The Climate of Fear"
Source: CNN, Glenn Beck special "Exposed: The Climate of Fear," May 2, 2007
19 August, 2002
Appeared on CNN's "Capital Gang", arguing against the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. Michaels also argued that global warming, if it is happening, could be beneficial.
Source: Pat Michaels Is Interviewed for CNN's "Capital Gang" (transcript) 8/19/02
31 December, 1998
Published a study entitled "Long Hot Year: Latest Science Debunks Global Warming Hysteria" through the Cato Institute's "Policy Analysis" series.
Source: "Long Hot Year:Latest Science Debunks Global Warming Hysteria," Cato Policy Analysis No. 329
29 July, 1998
Testifed before the House Committee on Small Business, arguing that there wasn't scientific evidenc to support the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol.
Source: Transcript, Patrick Michaels' testimony before House Small Business Committee 7/29/98
6 October, 1999
Testified before House Subcommittee on National Economic Growth, Natural Resources and Regulatory affairs, arguing against the classification of carbon dioxide as a pollutant.
Source: Transcript, Patrick Michaels' testimony before House Committee on Energy and Environment 10/6/99
1 February, 2006
In February of 2006, Michaels recieved at least $100,000 in funding from Intermountain Rural Electric Association.
Source: ABC News Story (2006)
KEY EVENTS
Countdown to Kyoto
The relationship of Patrick J. Michaels to the event: Attendee
NCPA Earth Day Briefing on Global Warming: 'What Do We Really Know vs. What We Are Told'
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=123-04202004
The relationship of Patrick J. Michaels to the event: Speaker
Global Warming: The State of the Debate
http://www.cato.org/events/gw031212.html
The relationship of Patrick J. Michaels to the event: Speaker
The Impacts of Global Warming: Why the Alarmist View is Wrong
http://www.globalwarming.org/article.php?uid=632
The relationship of Patrick J. Michaels to the event: Speaker
Countdown to Kyoto
The relationship of Patrick J. Michaels to the event: Attendee
NCPA Earth Day Briefing on Global Warming: 'What Do We Really Know vs. What We Are Told'
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=123-04202004
The relationship of Patrick J. Michaels to the event: Speaker
Global Warming: The State of the Debate
http://www.cato.org/events/gw031212.html
The relationship of Patrick J. Michaels to the event: Speaker
The Impacts of Global Warming: Why the Alarmist View is Wrong
http://www.globalwarming.org/article.php?uid=632
The relationship of Patrick J. Michaels to the event: Speaker
ORGANIZATIONS
Cato Institute
Source: Cato Institute website 4/04
Independent Commission on Environmental Education
Source: CLEAR d-base
American Council on Science and Health
Source: ACSH website 4/04
The Advancement of Sound Science Coalition
Source: CLEAR d-base
American Policy Center
Source: CLEAR d-base
Consumer Alert
Source: Consumer Alert Website
George C. Marshall Institute
Source: Marshall Institute Webpage (2006)
CFACT - Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow
Source: Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow CFACT Website 5/03
Weidenbaum Center on the Economy, Government, and Public Policy
Source: Weidenbaum Center website 4/04
Heritage Foundation
Source: Heritage Foundation "Policy Experts" website
Cooler Heads Coalition
Source: Cooler Heads Coalition website 5/04
Tech Central Science Foundation or Tech Central Station
Source: Tech Central Station Bio - Michaels
World Climate Report
Source: World Climate Report website
Greening Earth Society
Source: "The Greening Continues"
Virginia Institute for Public Policy
Source:
CFACT - Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow
Source: Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow CFACT Website 5/06
American Spectator Foundation
Source: Columnists for The American Spectator
Western Fuels
Source: Gelpspan, "The Heat is On,"
Greening Earth Society
Source: Gelpspan, "The Heat is On,"
Competitive Enterprise Institute
Source: CEI Website (2006)
Heartland Institute
Source: Heartland Institute - HeartlandGlobalWarming.org
SOURCES
CLEAR d-base
CLEAR d-base
CLEAR d-base
CLEAR d-base
Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow CFACT Website 5/03
Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow CFACT
http://www.cfact.org
Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow CFACT Website 5/03
Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow CFACT
http://www.cfact.org
Consumer Alert Website
http://www.consumeralert.org/StaffAdvisors.htm
Consumer Alert Website
http://www.consumeralert.org/StaffAdvisors.htm
Weidenbaum Center website 4/04
http://wc.wustl.edu/index.html
Weidenbaum Center website 4/04
http://wc.wustl.edu/index.html
Cato Institute website 4/04
http://www.cato.org
Cato Institute website 4/04
http://www.cato.org
Pat Michaels Is Interviewed for CNN's "Capital Gang" (transcript) 8/19/02
http://www.cato.org/research/articles/michaels-020819.html
Pat Michaels Is Interviewed for CNN's "Capital Gang" (transcript) 8/19/02
http://www.cato.org/research/articles/michaels-020819.html
"Posturing and Reality on Warming," Washington Times 10/16/03
http://www.cato.org/research/articles/michaels-031016.html
"Posturing and Reality on Warming," Washington Times 10/16/03
http://www.cato.org/research/articles/michaels-031016.html
"Long Hot Year:Latest Science Debunks Global Warming Hysteria," Cato Policy Analysis No. 329
http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-329es.html
"Long Hot Year:Latest Science Debunks Global Warming Hysteria," Cato Policy Analysis No. 329
http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-329es.html
Transcript, Patrick Michaels' testimony before House Small Business Committee 7/29/98
Transcript, Patrick Michaels' testimony before House Small Business Committee 7/29/98
Transcript, Patrick Michaels' testimony before House Committee on Energy and Environment 10/6/99
Transcript, Patrick Michaels' testimony before House Committee on Energy and Environment 10/6/99
ACSH website 4/04
http://www.acsh.org/
ACSH website 4/04
http://www.acsh.org/
Heritage Foundation "Policy Experts" website
http://www.policyexperts.org
Heritage Foundation "Policy Experts" website
http://www.policyexperts.org
Cooler Heads Coalition website 5/04
http://www.globalwarming.org
Cooler Heads Coalition website 5/04
http://www.globalwarming.org
"Kerry is even more skewed than Gore was on global warming," NH Union Leader 1/28/04
Commentary by Dr. Patrick Michaels
http://www.theunionleader.com/articles_showa.html?article=32422
"Kerry is even more skewed than Gore was on global warming," NH Union Leader 1/28/04
Commentary by Dr. Patrick Michaels
http://www.theunionleader.com/articles_showa.html?article=32422
World Climate Report website
http://www.co2andclimate.org/climate/editors/editors.htm
World Climate Report website
http://www.co2andclimate.org/climate/editors/editors.htm
http://gcep.stanford.edu/sponsors_exxonmobil.html
http://gcep.stanford.edu/sponsors_exxonmobil.html
Tech Central Station Bio - Michaels
http://www.techcentralstation.com/biomichaelspatrick.html
Tech Central Station Bio - Michaels
http://www.techcentralstation.com/biomichaelspatrick.html
Washington Times 04/01/05
Himalayan Snow Job
by Patrick J. Michaels
April 1, 2005
http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=3729
Washington Times 04/01/05
Himalayan Snow Job
by Patrick J. Michaels
April 1, 2005
http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=3729
Apple Daily 11/3/04
Is Global Warming Always Bad?
by Patrick J. Michaels
November 3, 2004
http://www.cato.org/dailys/11-07-04.html
Apple Daily 11/3/04
Is Global Warming Always Bad?
by Patrick J. Michaels
November 3, 2004
http://www.cato.org/dailys/11-07-04.html
Cato Institute website 08/19/04
August 19, 2004
Meltdown for Global Warming Science
by Patrick J. Michaels, S. Fred Singer and David H. Douglass
http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=2789
Cato Institute website 08/19/04
August 19, 2004
Meltdown for Global Warming Science
by Patrick J. Michaels, S. Fred Singer and David H. Douglass
http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=2789
Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow CFACT Website 5/06
www.CFACT.org
Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow CFACT Website 5/06
www.CFACT.org
Columnists for The American Spectator
http://www.spectator.org/dsp_contributors.asp
Columnists for The American Spectator
http://www.spectator.org/dsp_contributors.asp
Gelpspan, "The Heat is On,"
Published by Addison Wesley Longman, May 1997
Gelpspan, "The Heat is On,"
Published by Addison Wesley Longman, May 1997
CEI Website (2006)
http://www.cei.org/dyn/view_expert.cfm?expert=101
CEI Website (2006)
http://www.cei.org/dyn/view_expert.cfm?expert=101
Marshall Institute Webpage (2006)
http://www.marshall.org/article.php?id=145
Marshall Institute Webpage (2006)
http://www.marshall.org/article.php?id=145
ABC News Story (2006)
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/GlobalWarming/story?id=2242565&page=1
ABC News Story (2006)
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/GlobalWarming/story?id=2242565&page=1
The Great Global Warming Swindle (Documentary)
http://www.channel4.com/science/microsites/G/great_global_warming_swindle/index.html
Heartland Institute - HeartlandGlobalWarming.org
http://www.globalwarmingheartland.org/
CNN, Glenn Beck special "Exposed: The Climate of Fear," May 2, 2007
http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/beck.climateoffear/
"Staking the Globe"
documentary describing the interests that deny global warming
"The Greening Continues"
documentary by Western Fuels and Greening Earth Society