Warren Buffet Doesn't See Increased Weather-Related Insurance Claims

For the last three decades, climate change alarmists have told us that weather-related events -- tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and droughts -- will only get worse and more intense due to global warming.  The implication is that the world is heading for disaster.

The only problem with that claim, is that liberal billionaire, Warren Buffet and his major insurance underwriting activity, isn't seeing the kind of risks that climate alarmists have been claiming.  In a recent interview with CNBC, he said simply: "I have not seen anything yet that would cause me to change the way we look at evaluating quakes, tornadoes, hurricanes by atmosphere. Now, that may happen some day."

Of course, he's right.  We haven't had a major hurricane hit the U.S. in 4001 days. That's almost 11 years.  Also, last year saw far fewer tornadoes than the average of 1,186 for each of the last 20 years. In fact, 2016's 898 tornadoes was a 24% shortfall from the 20-year average.  But, as noted by the following chart, it wasn't just 2016 that had a low tornado count:

We have had low tornado counts in each of the years since 2011 which, to be fair, had the 3rd highest count in the previous 15 years.  We also have to take into consideration, from Buffet's statement, that we have more people and more densely populated areas.  Yet, he sees no alarm bells on weather-related insurance payouts.

This is merely another example of the lack of climate change activity that the alarmists keep warning us about.

References:

Warren Buffett says global warming is not impacting the way Berkshire writes insurance: http://www.cnbc.com/2017/02/27/warren-buffett-global-warming-not-impacting-berkshires-insurance-biz.html

Major hurricane landfall drought continues: 4001 days and counting in updated Pielke graph: https://wattsupwiththat.com/2016/10/07/major-hurricane-landfall-drought-continues-4001-days-and-counting-in-updated-pielke-graph/

Lack of Tornadoes Continues with Only Five Reported in U.S. Since Mid-October: https://www.wunderground.com/news/lack-of-tornadoes-through-mid-november-2016

U.S. Tornado Count at Its Lowest 3-Year Total Since 1950, and Here's Why: https://weather.com/safety/tornado/news/tornado-count-hits-record-lows

Climate Change Alarmists Fret Over the Lack of Media Coverage

In a recent article for Investor's Business Daily, Kerry Jackson speculated that climate alarmists were upset that hurricane Matthew didn't do more damage, and as a result, wasn't able to advance their cause.  In a later article, she also told us that these same people want to change the way hurricanes are measured.   Not just by wind, but by rainfall too.  This was so they could seem more threatening and more frequent.  All of which could signal even more "climate change".

Then, Brad Plummer at Vox.com was dismayed that in the 4 debates -- three presidential and one vice presidential -- the subject wasn't even mentioned.  Additionally, Michael Mann of "hockey stick" temperature projections speculated that the main stream media has been "compromised" and are intentionally ignoring climate change.  Boo hoo!

The simple fact, is that people don't care about it.  It's not an important issue.  Generally, jobs and the economy are the number one concerns. When you look at polling for the top issues on people's minds, climate change hardly ever comes up, and when it does, the percentage of people worried about it are in the single digits.

In my opinion, the main reason that people are turned off by the topic, is that "alarmists" literally blame everything on climate change.  Even wars, and every hurricane and tornado as if they didn't exist before, along with other endless declarations.  People like me, just find this too unbelievable.  Especially, when you consider that many declarations and predictions contradict each other.   Hell, the Green Party candidate, Jill Stein, is running around predicting a 9 foot sea rise by 2050, when in fact, seas are only rising about 14 inches a century. Then, we were told by NASA earlier this year, that the rise in sea levels has slowed because the rains are heavier over land.  Tell that to California and the rest of the Southwest who are in a multi-year drought.

It's not the media that is losing interest.  It's the people who are and the media just plays to the interests of the public.

References:

Are Global Warming Alarmists Disappointed Hurricane Matthew Wasn't Worse?  http://www.investors.com/politics/commentary/are-global-warming-alarmists-disappointed-hurricane-matthew-wasnt-worse/

Warming Alarmists Redefine What A Hurricane Is So We'll Have More Of Them: http://www.investors.com/politics/commentary/warming-alarmists-redefine-what-a-hurricane-is-so-well-have-more-of-them/

That's 4 straight debates without a single question on climate change. Good job, everyone: http://www.vox.com/2016/10/19/13342250/presidential-debates-climate-change

Mann on the Lack of MSM Climate Coverage: “One has to wonder if television networks are compromised…”  https://wattsupwiththat.com/2016/10/19/mann-on-the-lack-of-msm-climate-coverage-one-has-to-wonder-if-television-networks-are-compromised/

Polls: Priorities: http://www.pollingreport.com/prioriti.htm

Could climate change lead to a WAR? Global warming will increase the risk of armed conflict between ethnic groups: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3707108/Could-climate-change-lead-WAR-Global-warming-increase-risk-armed-conflict-ethnic-groups.html

Jill Stein just went way overboard on sea level rise: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/08/17/jill-stein-just-went-overboard-on-sea-level-rise/?utm_term=.9e8aeaf48736

NASA, University Study Shows Rising Seas Slowed by Increasing Water on Land: http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-university-study-shows-rising-seas-slowed-by-increasing-water-on-land

Scientists Finally Admit Climate Models Are Failing To Predict Global Warming: http://dailycaller.com/2016/02/26/scientists-finally-admit-climate-models-are-failing-to-predict-global-warming/

In Frustration, Climate Change Proponents Resort To Childish Tactics

From early on, children learn that they can use name-calling and bullying to diminish an opponent.  So, the smart boy in the class -- the one who may not do well in sports -- is belittled by some dumb bully calling him a "girlie guy" or some other name he perceives as insulting.

Hopefully, as adults, we learn that this is no longer effective when someone else questions your work; such as a scientific paper, a business proposal, or some new legislation.  Your retort must be, instead, logical and convincing. Yet, the climate change proponents of today have decided to revert to these childish defenses in order to diminish the opponents by calling them "Climate Deniers"; itself a form of name calling.

Recently, Secretary of State John Kerry compared "climate deniers" to members of the new "Flat Earth Society." Prince Charles said deniers where a "headless chicken brigade."  Not to be outdone, Al Gore compared them to racists, homophobes, smokers, and drunks; and one only wonders why he stopped there.

Then, there are the bullies.  The President's own Organizing for Action (OFA) group has a website where every member of Congress who is a known "climate denier" is listed.  In Britain, the Green Party is proposing they should lose their government jobs. Then, there's climate scientist Michael Mann who was at the heart of the so-called ClimageGate scandal.  He's suing people like Mark Steyn for  publicly questioning his scientific work.  Of course, if he wins, this will make any denier think twice about making statements that would question any scientific climate change findings.  But, the ultimate in bullying is being floated by a professor with the Rochester Institute of Technology by the name of Lawrence Torcello who is proposing that deniers be silenced through imprisonment because they are threatening public safety. 

Quite simply, all this shows is that the climate change movement is losing in the court of public opinion.  All their wild predictions are simply not happening. In terms of priorities, fighting climate change is either at the bottom or close to the bottom of what Americans believe we, as a country, should be spending our time on.  Thus, the only defense tactics left are the childish ones.

References:

Secretary of State Kerry lashes out at climate change skeptics: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/02/16/secretary-state-kerry-lashes-out-at-climate-change-skeptics/

Prince Charles: climate change deniers are 'headless chickens': http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-charles/10610108/Prince-Charles-climate-change-deniers-are-headless-chickens.html

Al Gore Compares Climate Change Deniers To Racists And Drunks: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/08/22/al-gore-climate-change_n_3795247.html

Call Out the Climate Change Deniers: http://ofa.barackobama.com/climate-deniers/#/

Greens call for clear-out of 'climate change deniers': http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-26187711

Mann vs. Steyn: The Trial of the Century: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2014/02/12/mann_vs_steyn_the_trial_of_the_century__121528.html
Professor Calls For Climate Change ‘Deniers’ To Be Imprisoned: http://www.economicpolicyjournal.com/2014/03/professor-calls-for-climate-change.html

Gallup: Climate Change Not a Top Worry in U.S.: http://www.gallup.com/poll/167843/climate-change-not-top-worry.aspx