Michael Schellenberger

Rank 39 of 47

Score -80

-3

Journalists, experts, and elected officials in July 2021 blamed heat wave deaths, forest fires, and electricity shortages in New York, California, and Texas on climate change, but the underlying cause of those events was lack of air conditioning, lack of electricity, and the

4/28/2025, 5:06:53 PM

In reply to:

Michael Shellenberger

@shellenberger

Politicians have been blaming the weather and climate change for blackouts for years! This is from 2021

Michael Shellenberger

@shellenberger

And if you are a politician blaming the weather for blackouts, fires, or floods, the voters should fire you. Seriously! You're only advertising your own incompetence!

Michael Shellenberger

@shellenberger

111d

Over the next few weeks you’re going to hear Governor Gavin Newsom, Mayor Karen Bass, and the Democratic Party tell you that there’s nothing that could have been done to prevent the fires from destroying Los Angeles.

Those will be lies. They could have prevented them. Governor

Michael Shellenberger

@shellenberger

Louder for the people in the back: Weather may have triggered the event, but it was not and cannot be the cause of the system’s collapse.

If you are an electric grid operator blaming the weather for your blackout, you should be fired!

FULL STORY HERE

Michael Shellenberger

@shellenberger

Six days ago, the media celebrated a significant milestone: Spain’s national grid operated entirely on renewable energy for the first time during a weekday.

At 12:35 pm today local time, the lights went out across Spain and Portugal, and parts of France. Although power was

Michael Shellenberger

@shellenberger

Renewables don't risk blackouts, said the media. But they did and they do. The physics are simple. And now, as blackouts in Spain strand people in elevators, jam traffic, and ground flights, it's clear that too little "inertia" due to excess solar resulted in system collapse.

The statement and conversation engage in public discourse by discussing the attribution of climate-related events to climate change versus infrastructure issues. The tone is critical and challenges the mainstream narrative on climate change and infrastructure responsibility.

Principle 1:
I will strive to do no harm with my words and actions.
The statement challenges the attribution of climate events to climate change, potentially undermining efforts to address climate change impacts, which could be seen as harmful. [-1]
Principle 2:
I will respect the privacy and dignity of others and will not engage in cyberbullying, harassment, or hate speech.
The statement does not engage in personal attacks but criticizes public figures and officials, which is a common aspect of public discourse.
Principle 3:
I will use my words and actions to promote understanding, empathy, and compassion.
The statement does not promote understanding or empathy, as it focuses on criticism rather than constructive dialogue. [-1]
Principle 4:
I will engage in constructive criticism and dialogue with those in disagreement and will not engage in personal attacks or ad hominem arguments.
The statement engages in criticism of public figures and policies, but it does not provide constructive solutions or dialogue. [-1]