My friends at the @HeartlandInst are trying to find a scientist willing to participate in an "interactive discussion and debate” on these questions: 1/ 
I would never ever agree to participate in this. As an actual scientist, I debate in the peer-reviewed literature. 2/
In a public debate, advocates can use all kinds of rhetorical tricks, as well as outright lies, to advance their cause. There’s no way to counter them in that forum. It is much harder to get away with that crap in papers, which is why so few skeptical papers get published. 3/
But, to help out my good friends at the @HeartlandInst, here are the answers to their questions: 4/
Q1: Does the world really have just 12 years left?
I don’t think this is a good way to describe our situation. Here’s what I’ve written before: 5/
I don’t think this is a good way to describe our situation. Here’s what I’ve written before: 5/
Q2: Will melting glaciers release cataclysmic ancient diseases?
Wait, what? I’ve never seen a credible argument that’s likely to occur. Could it occur? Sure. But I think it’s fair to say that this is not high on my list of worries. 6/
Wait, what? I’ve never seen a credible argument that’s likely to occur. Could it occur? Sure. But I think it’s fair to say that this is not high on my list of worries. 6/
Q3: How have United Nations climate models fared in their temperature predictions?
Models have done a great job. First, here’s Wally Broecker’s prediction from the mid 1970s. 7/
Models have done a great job. First, here’s Wally Broecker’s prediction from the mid 1970s. 7/
Q3 cont'd: More recent comparisons are also terrific: 8/
Q4: How much of the observed warming is caused by people?
Approximately 100% of the recent warming is due to humans. References to supporting evidence can be found in Sect. TS.4.2 of the IPCC AR/5 technical summary (ipcc.ch/site/assets/up…) 9/
Approximately 100% of the recent warming is due to humans. References to supporting evidence can be found in Sect. TS.4.2 of the IPCC AR/5 technical summary (ipcc.ch/site/assets/up…) 9/
Q5: Is climate change making extreme weather events more frequent and severe?
Absolutely! We know with high confidence that extreme temperatures are getting more extreme: 10/
Absolutely! We know with high confidence that extreme temperatures are getting more extreme: 10/
Q5 cont'd: Ditto for extreme precipitation: 11/
Q5 cont'd: And given that humans have increased sea level, that's making storm surge and other extreme sea level events (e.g., king tides) worse. 12/
Q8: What observational evidence would induce you to change your current position?
I would change my view if someone came up with a credible alternative theory that explained observed climate change & that did a better job than mainstream theory. 13/
I would change my view if someone came up with a credible alternative theory that explained observed climate change & that did a better job than mainstream theory. 13/
Q9: Would action by the United States et al. have much impact without reductions from China et al.?
We need a global response to climate change. The US is the economic leader of the world, so so has enormous power in these types of negotiations. 14/
We need a global response to climate change. The US is the economic leader of the world, so so has enormous power in these types of negotiations. 14/
Q9 cont'd: If US moves on climate, then they can push/coerce the rest of world to move. But if the US doesn't move, then other countries will dither.
So US action is key to the necessary global response. 15/
So US action is key to the necessary global response. 15/
Q10: Is it possible for scientists with differing views to cooperate together?
Science is essentially a festival of people constructively disagreeing. Everyone is welcome to join. However, you have to agree to the rules of science if you want to be taken seriously. 16/
Science is essentially a festival of people constructively disagreeing. Everyone is welcome to join. However, you have to agree to the rules of science if you want to be taken seriously. 16/
Q10 cont'd: That means publishing your papers & arguing about the issues in the peer-reviewed literature. If you can’t do that, then don’t expect your ideas to be taken seriously. 17/
I didn’t answer the questions about refugees and food production (Q6 and Q7). Not my area and, frankly, I don’t feel like researching it. I suspect others on twitter can fill you in. 18/
At any rate, this is good news for @HeartlandInst: they no longer have to have their insipid debate. Don't worry, guys, no thanks necessary. 19/
