Sunlight on Climate Change - Book Review - RB

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Photo by Lysle Barmby.

Ron Barmby is a Professional Engineer with both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees.

His career has taken him to over 40 countries on five continents investigating geosciences and working with local cultures. His most recent adventures included running the Boston marathon twice, climbing Kilimanjaro, and crossing Canada by motorcycle.

A proud twelfth generation Canadian, Ron and his wife, Lysle, divide their time between Celista, British Columbia and Calgary, Alberta.

ABOUT THE BOOK Sunlight on Climate Change explains in understandable terms the science of how both natural and human-caused global warming work.

1

It describes how expensive and doubtful strategies, adopted by governments to comply with the goals of the Paris Agreement, have caused and will continue to cause increased human emissions of carbon dioxide, contribute to unhealthy air quality and significantly increase food costs for the very poor. It explores why declarations of a climate emergency are based on a political agenda, not scientific facts, and invites the reader to reconsider this belief system in the light of science.

Carbon dioxide has physical limitations as a greenhouse gas; global warming began a prolonged pause in 1998.

Choosing classical science over politicized pseudo-science is not denial, it is heresy.

REVIEWS 4.7/5 67 Goodreads/Amazon Reviews with an average rating of 4.7 Exceptional. This book explains the various climate mechanisms as well as I have read in any other book or article. The author uses great analogies to clarify his points and doesn’t labour with heavy science. Highly recommended.

Garry Anderson Brunei Goodreads Review Best book I’ve read in ages. Should be mandatory reading by all government leaders.

Brock Pullen Ontario, Canada Goodreads Review

Whether you’re new to climate science or consider yourself an expert, Sunshine is the disinfectant you need to clean up one of the most politicized subjects in modern times. It explains in easy-to-understand chapters everything you ever wanted to know about

2

climate change but were afraid to ask. I considered myself a bit of an armchair expert on climate change so this was the perfect refresher course. I also learned quite a few new things. For newbies, this is a must. It’s also not political, but scientific.

He explains CO2’s minute role in the carbon cycle and how exactly it interacts with photons, the outsized role of the IPCC, and the absurdity of the phrases “settled science” and “consensus science.” Both are anathema to science, as most of you were taught in HS and/or college. But unlike a textbook, Sunshine is an enjoyable read. It’s informative without being hectoring. It’s science-based without being geeky.

Barmby also dissects the so-called climate crisis (there isn’t one, not by a long shot), and shoots so many holes into the theory of global warming it looks like a global pincushion.

He also shows how activist scientists are intentionally misleading people and rewriting climate history on Earth. Anyone can do it: simply change the dates that history officially began and you can create any chart you want. Does anyone think the Earth only started producing weather in 1979? How does NASA/NOAA get away with rewriting temperature data, which are then adopted by the official meteorology organizations around the world?

But honest scientists who aren’t reliant on grants and funds and awards are still plugging along and producing non-alarmist studies that never make the news (they don’t report the planes that land safely, remember?).

If you get your news from the big 3 networks or the sundry cable news outlets (aside from a few lesser-alarmist outlets), then you probably think the End Times is around the corner. That’s because before the climate change fever took hold, we used to call weather events the “weather.”

We’ve all seen it: in the summer when a hurricane strikes, it’s called climate change. In the winter when a blizzard strikes, it’s called weather. Sunshine clears all this up and more and reassures the reader that the apocalypse isn’t around the corner or even the end of the century. If you know or have a child that is terrified or anxious about climate change, have them read this book. I’d say someone 13 years or older could easily grasp

3

much of the content. Or give this as a gift to yourself for your sanity and erudition. You won’t be disappointed!

PS: I got this as a gift and it’s now one of my go-to books on climate change (aka global warming).

Tomfromboston Massachusetts, USA Amazon Review

This is an excellent book for anybody – like me – who is confused or worried by the Climate Change rhetoric constantly shouted at us. The author, Ron Barmby, is a Canadian engineer with 40 years’ experience in geosciences all over the world. He regards himself not as a Denier but rather as a Heretic in what has become the Climate Change religion.

As he says, the climate is changing, always has done and always will. He acknowledges that humanity must be influencing it to some – probably quite small – extent, as do all other animals and plants. But he then shows very clearly that many times in the pre-industrial past the climate has been considerably warmer even than the current alarmist projections.

Chapter 1 is a very amusing and informative mock-legal trial of carbon dioxide where the Prosecution case is set out asking the Jurors (readers) to convict the gas for the damage it is said to be causing, while the Defence presents the case that far from causing damage, carbon dioxide is vital to all life on Earth.

Later chapters set out very clearly how the relevant statistics have been cherry-picked and manipulated to back up the apocalypse scenario. And the famous 97% of scientists said to agree with the IPCC “faith” is shown to be totally erroneous.

Tony Budd The United Kingdom Goodreads Review

4

This book provides a well-articulated challenge to the global warming narrative. The author lays out his arguments professionally and diplomatically with good charts and visuals. If the global warming proponents are certain of their position (e.g., claims that 97% of scientists agree), then they shouldn’t fear contrary points of view. The vehemency by which they often react against books such as this belies their own doubts.

Due to the topic I need to add this caution…Whatever an author’s position is on this or any other subject: Don’t censor them! You read it or don’t read it. The choice is yours and should be yours alone.

Joseph G Doser, Jr. USA Amazon Review

This is a must read in my opinion- and an enjoyable one. Ron Barmby clearly and simply takes us through history and science to explain climate change and opens our eyes to the truth about the highly politicized idea that CO2 emissions are to blame, while also sharing with us his ideas on what is actually happening. Bravo Ron, you have taken on Goliath with wit, humour, and a heck of a lot of facts that can’t be ignored. This is one book I’ll be sharing with everyone I know.

Mary-Anne British Columbia, Canada Goodreads Review

Ron Barmby took this reader on a journey which challenged all of my firmly held, but I must admit, unexamined, beliefs about climate change and global warming.

5

I found myself constantly googling the facts he presented and being shocked at their truth. As I consider myself a fairly well-informed person, my shock was not only at how ill-informed I was, but how easily I had accepted the status quo.

As he took me through, piece by piece, and destroyed ideas I had accepted as sacrosanct I realized how seldom I, and I am sure many of us, have taken a serious look at arguments that disagree with our point of view.

But, while much of Barmby’s opinion about climate change is readily apparent, he is not a preacher. Barmby uses science and historical data to take a thorough look at climate change, its causes and impacts. I sometimes got lost in the numbers, but he does his best to avoid this and makes good use of lay language, along with gentle building blocks to explain the science, from interplanetary to molecular. In addition, he guides us through the cooling and warming trends that our planet has experienced throughout its long history. With this information in hand he then asks the two questions central to his book.

Is climate change caused by humans, or not?

And secondly, is climate change catastrophic, or not?

In order to answer these questions, he takes us on a deep dive (but shallow enough that this arts major could understand!) into the evidence behind the commonly held belief that climate change is human caused, and also into the politics behind the propagation of this evidence.

In my lifetime, (I am in my 60s) I have seen the weather change in a way that would suggest that the planet is indeed warming, or at least in my corner of it. I have seen a baseball diamond in Nicaragua covered in water, the lamppost behind second base out in the ocean and I have watched familiar glaciers recede. So, I have taken for granted that climate change is here and if 97% of scientists agree that CO2 is causing it, who am I to argue? Let’s get rid of the CO2.

But, as Barmby argues, when do 97% of scientists agree on anything? Be critical he asks, think for yourself, ask questions and think some more.

6

Barmby’s book has certainly got me thinking, and if Sunlight on Climate Change does nothing more than make the reader think critically, he has accomplished a great deal.

Claudette British Columbia, Canada Goodreads Review

This book really examines the climate change debate in a way that challenges the “hype” of our day. The book is packed with science, but has a lightness about it and it doesn’t get too “in the weeds”. It was a good read and would recommend!

Shelley MacDonald Ontario, Canada Goodreads Review

I hope your jaw is in good shape as it’s sure to drop repeatedly while reading this book.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve read, heard, talked about (blindly and ill informed albeit) human involvement in climate change. When I finished reading Sunlight on Climate Change, I couldn’t help feeling that I had been a part of a big con staged by politicians and the media alike. Thanks to Ron, I know now both groups chose to selectively disclose facts to form mine, and in large part, societies opinions on man made climate change.

This book is so important in my opinion to assist in changing the global warming/climate change narrative that has been driven politically through fear mongering. “Maybe ask them to stop scaring our children.” I hope everyone reads it so we can change the political environment and prevent wasting hundreds of billions of dollars over the next generation or two fighting something that simply isn’t necessary fighting.

7

Mr. Barmby really lets us in on the larger misinformation theme in society today.

Misinformation seems to be everywhere in varying degrees. Ron did his part enlightening all of us that read his book and I will do mine by sharing his title with everyone I know.

Kent California, USA Goodreads Review Sunlight on Climate Change is an exposé that liberates an easy to comprehend message that should invoke discussions at all levels. In an era where factual clarity and truth can take some effort to uncover, Ron Barmby shines a brilliant light on the real relationship between CO2 and global warming. He masterfully dismantles elements of the published findings of the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and systematically delivers a shocking revelation. This book could easily be the genesis for policy adjustments aimed at the rational redistribution of capital.

Glen Thorne British Columbia, Canada Goodreads Review

Highly Recommend! My mind is blown!! Ron Barmby nails it with science and facts and does so in a clever court case where we the Jury witness the hypocrisy of politicians, environmental lobbyists, and pseudo scientists that use disinformation to push a false agenda. Thank you Ron for enlightening the world to the real issues and science regarding climate change. Everyone should read this book to simply understand this complex topic. The more informed we are the better equipped we will be to deal with such socially charged topics that not only impact our economies and way of life, but our worldview and how to responsibly approach the stewardship of our amazing planet.

Drew McIntosh

8

Alberta, Canada Goodreads Review

What a riveting book!

I accidentally stumbled upon it just hours after it published and was intrigued. The author masterfully laid out in layman’s terms the intricacies of global warming, and did it in a most entertaining way. I am not science or math oriented, but was easily able to understand the underlying science and theories behind the changing climate of earth.

The importance of a book like this is far reaching. The facts and global politics that the author lays out are disturbing and make one question the motives of the players involved in the doomsday predictions of human caused global warming.

Thank you for breaking it all down and breathing some hope and common sense into the science behind global warming.

If you read only one book this year, this is the one to read.

KWTracey Maryland, USA Goodreads Review

9

Artwork by Jane Everett; www.janeeverett.ca REVIEWS 4.7/5

10

67 Goodreads/Amazon Reviews with an average rating of 4.7 Exceptional. This book explains the various climate mechanisms as well as I have read in any other book or article. The author uses great analogies to clarify his points and doesn’t labour with heavy science. Highly recommended.

Garry Anderson Brunei Goodreads Review Best book I’ve read in ages. Should be mandatory reading by all government leaders.

Brock Pullen Ontario, Canada Goodreads Review

Whether you’re new to climate science or consider yourself an expert, Sunshine is the disinfectant you need to clean up one of the most politicized subjects in modern times. It explains in easy-to-understand chapters everything you ever wanted to know about climate change but were afraid to ask. I considered myself a bit of an armchair expert on climate change so this was the perfect refresher course. I also learned quite a few new things. For newbies, this is a must. It’s also not political, but scientific.

He explains CO2’s minute role in the carbon cycle and how exactly it interacts with photons, the outsized role of the IPCC, and the absurdity of the phrases “settled science” and “consensus science.” Both are anathema to science, as most of you were taught in HS and/or college. But unlike a textbook, Sunshine is an enjoyable read. It’s informative without being hectoring. It’s science-based without being geeky.

Barmby also dissects the so-called climate crisis (there isn’t one, not by a long shot), and shoots so many holes into the theory of global warming it looks like a global pincushion.

He also shows how activist scientists are intentionally misleading people and rewriting climate history on Earth. Anyone can do it: simply change the dates that history officially began and you can create any chart you want. Does anyone think the Earth

11

only started producing weather in 1979? How does NASA/NOAA get away with rewriting temperature data, which are then adopted by the official meteorology organizations around the world?

But honest scientists who aren’t reliant on grants and funds and awards are still plugging along and producing non-alarmist studies that never make the news (they don’t report the planes that land safely, remember?).

If you get your news from the big 3 networks or the sundry cable news outlets (aside from a few lesser-alarmist outlets), then you probably think the End Times is around the corner. That’s because before the climate change fever took hold, we used to call weather events the “weather.”

We’ve all seen it: in the summer when a hurricane strikes, it’s called climate change. In the winter when a blizzard strikes, it’s called weather. Sunshine clears all this up and more and reassures the reader that the apocalypse isn’t around the corner or even the end of the century. If you know or have a child that is terrified or anxious about climate change, have them read this book. I’d say someone 13 years or older could easily grasp much of the content. Or give this as a gift to yourself for your sanity and erudition. You won’t be disappointed!

PS: I got this as a gift and it’s now one of my go-to books on climate change (aka global warming).

Tomfromboston Massachusetts, USA Amazon Review

This is an excellent book for anybody – like me – who is confused or worried by the Climate Change rhetoric constantly shouted at us. The author, Ron Barmby, is a Canadian engineer with 40 years’ experience in geosciences all over the world. He regards himself not as a Denier but rather as a Heretic in what has become the Climate Change religion.

12

As he says, the climate is changing, always has done and always will. He acknowledges that humanity must be influencing it to some – probably quite small – extent, as do all other animals and plants. But he then shows very clearly that many times in the pre-industrial past the climate has been considerably warmer even than the current alarmist projections.

Chapter 1 is a very amusing and informative mock-legal trial of carbon dioxide where the Prosecution case is set out asking the Jurors (readers) to convict the gas for the damage it is said to be causing, while the Defence presents the case that far from causing damage, carbon dioxide is vital to all life on Earth.

Later chapters set out very clearly how the relevant statistics have been cherry-picked and manipulated to back up the apocalypse scenario. And the famous 97% of scientists said to agree with the IPCC “faith” is shown to be totally erroneous.

Tony Budd The United Kingdom Goodreads Review

This book provides a well-articulated challenge to the global warming narrative. The author lays out his arguments professionally and diplomatically with good charts and visuals. If the global warming proponents are certain of their position (e.g., claims that 97% of scientists agree), then they shouldn’t fear contrary points of view. The vehemency by which they often react against books such as this belies their own doubts.

Due to the topic I need to add this caution…Whatever an author’s position is on this or any other subject: Don’t censor them! You read it or don’t read it. The choice is yours and should be yours alone.

Joseph G Doser, Jr. USA Amazon Review

13

This is a must read in my opinion- and an enjoyable one. Ron Barmby clearly and simply takes us through history and science to explain climate change and opens our eyes to the truth about the highly politicized idea that CO2 emissions are to blame, while also sharing with us his ideas on what is actually happening. Bravo Ron, you have taken on Goliath with wit, humour, and a heck of a lot of facts that can’t be ignored. This is one book I’ll be sharing with everyone I know.

Mary-Anne British Columbia, Canada Goodreads Review

Ron Barmby took this reader on a journey which challenged all of my firmly held, but I must admit, unexamined, beliefs about climate change and global warming.

I found myself constantly googling the facts he presented and being shocked at their truth. As I consider myself a fairly well-informed person, my shock was not only at how ill-informed I was, but how easily I had accepted the status quo.

As he took me through, piece by piece, and destroyed ideas I had accepted as sacrosanct I realized how seldom I, and I am sure many of us, have taken a serious look at arguments that disagree with our point of view.

But, while much of Barmby’s opinion about climate change is readily apparent, he is not a preacher. Barmby uses science and historical data to take a thorough look at climate change, its causes and impacts. I sometimes got lost in the numbers, but he does his best to avoid this and makes good use of lay language, along with gentle building blocks to explain the science, from interplanetary to molecular. In addition, he guides us through the cooling and warming trends that our planet has experienced throughout its long history. With this information in hand he then asks the two questions central to his book.

Is climate change caused by humans, or not?

14

And secondly, is climate change catastrophic, or not?

In order to answer these questions, he takes us on a deep dive (but shallow enough that this arts major could understand!) into the evidence behind the commonly held belief that climate change is human caused, and also into the politics behind the propagation of this evidence.

In my lifetime, (I am in my 60s) I have seen the weather change in a way that would suggest that the planet is indeed warming, or at least in my corner of it. I have seen a baseball diamond in Nicaragua covered in water, the lamppost behind second base out in the ocean and I have watched familiar glaciers recede. So, I have taken for granted that climate change is here and if 97% of scientists agree that CO2 is causing it, who am I to argue? Let’s get rid of the CO2.

But, as Barmby argues, when do 97% of scientists agree on anything? Be critical he asks, think for yourself, ask questions and think some more.

Barmby’s book has certainly got me thinking, and if Sunlight on Climate Change does nothing more than make the reader think critically, he has accomplished a great deal.

Claudette British Columbia, Canada Goodreads Review

This book really examines the climate change debate in a way that challenges the “hype” of our day. The book is packed with science, but has a lightness about it and it doesn’t get too “in the weeds”. It was a good read and would recommend!

Shelley MacDonald Ontario, Canada Goodreads Review

I hope your jaw is in good shape as it’s sure to drop repeatedly while reading this book. For as long as I can remember, I’ve read, heard, talked about (blindly and ill informed albeit)

15

human involvement in climate change. When I finished reading Sunlight on Climate Change, I couldn’t help feeling that I had been a part of a big con staged by politicians and the media alike. Thanks to Ron, I know now both groups chose to selectively disclose facts to form mine, and in large part, societies opinions on man made climate change.

This book is so important in my opinion to assist in changing the global warming/climate change narrative that has been driven politically through fear mongering. “Maybe ask them to stop scaring our children.” I hope everyone reads it so we can change the political environment and prevent wasting hundreds of billions of dollars over the next generation or two fighting something that simply isn’t necessary fighting.

Mr. Barmby really lets us in on the larger misinformation theme in society today.

Misinformation seems to be everywhere in varying degrees. Ron did his part enlightening all of us that read his book and I will do mine by sharing his title with everyone I know.

Kent California, USA Goodreads Review Sunlight on Climate Change is an exposé that liberates an easy to comprehend message that should invoke discussions at all levels. In an era where factual clarity and truth can take some effort to uncover, Ron Barmby shines a brilliant light on the real relationship between CO2 and global warming. He masterfully dismantles elements of the published findings of the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and systematically delivers a shocking revelation. This book could easily be the genesis for policy adjustments aimed at the rational redistribution of capital.

Glen Thorne British Columbia, Canada Goodreads Review

16

Highly Recommend! My mind is blown!! Ron Barmby nails it with science and facts and does so in a clever court case where we the Jury witness the hypocrisy of politicians, environmental lobbyists, and pseudo scientists that use disinformation to push a false agenda. Thank you Ron for enlightening the world to the real issues and science regarding climate change. Everyone should read this book to simply understand this complex topic. The more informed we are the better equipped we will be to deal with such socially charged topics that not only impact our economies and way of life, but our worldview and how to responsibly approach the stewardship of our amazing planet.

Drew McIntosh Alberta, Canada Goodreads Review

What a riveting book!

I accidentally stumbled upon it just hours after it published and was intrigued. The author masterfully laid out in layman’s terms the intricacies of global warming, and did it in a most entertaining way. I am not science or math oriented, but was easily able to understand the underlying science and theories behind the changing climate of earth. The importance of a book like this is far reaching. The facts and global politics that the author lays out are disturbing and make one question the motives of the players involved in the doomsday predictions of human caused global warming.

Thank you for breaking it all down and breathing some hope and common sense into the science behind global warming.

If you read only one book this year, this is the one to read.

KWTracey

17

Maryland, USA Goodreads Review

18