Patrick J. Michaels - career history

Calved from main Patrick J. Michaels page.

University of Virginia until late 2007
Michaels was, until late 2007, a Professor of Environmental Science at the University of Virginia Department of Environmental Sciences. A biographical note at that time described Michaels "research interests" as being "The core issue over the next ten years will not be "How much will the climate warm?" but, rather, "Why did it warm so little?" My research also leads me to believe that the next decade will see the emergence of a paradigm of "robust earth," as opposed to the fashionable "fragility" concept ... It is entirely possible that human influence on the atmosphere is not necessarily deleterious and that it is simply another component of the dynamic planet. Tomorrow's scientific and science-policy leaders will have to recognize this verity in our attempts to maintain a productive and diverse planet."

1977-late '80s, climate effect on agriculture, forestry, T-storms
Between 1977 and the late 1980's most of Michaels publications related to the impacts of climate variations on the yields of wheat, corn and soybean, the spread of southern pine beetle infestations, gypsy moth research and thunderstorm patterns. During this period most of his funding was from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, the Virginia State Climatology Office. He also undertook work for NASA and the United States Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on climatology projects.

Mid 1980s, nuclear waste dump siting
From the mid-1980's on, Michaels become involved in more topical projects. In 1986 and 1987 he authored papers and a report on siting considerations for a high-level nuclear waste dump.

1988+ - global warming
In 1988 Michaels became more active in writing on global warming issues. The following year he was involved in the writing of a technical report the impact of sulfur dioxide emissions in Virginia, and the following year was involved in a project funded to the tune of $40,000 by the Cyprus Minerals Company.

1989+, started as global warming skeptic spokesman
But during 1989 and 1990 it was as a global warming skeptic that Michaels was really making a name for himself. In 1989 Michaels made several appearances before Congressional committees, an appearance at a Brookings Institution event and invitations to speak to a smattering of industry groups. Some of the invitations he accepted were to speak to the Executive Board of the National Coal Association in Phoenix, Arizona, the annual meeting of the Western Fuels Association in Denver and the International Pittsburgh Coal Conference, the Edison Electric Institute and Basin Electric Power Cooperative.

1990+, favored skeptic voice at fossil fuel events
Subsequently, Michaels was a favoured speaker for corporate, think tank and conservative advocacy group events. Between 1990 and 1993, Michaels spoke at events organized by the Consumer Alert, the North Carolina Coal Institute, the Pacific Research Institute, the Kentucky Coal Operators Association, the Chemical Manufacturers Association, the Virginia Coal Council, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, AMAX Energy Corporation, Consolidation Coal Corporation, Cincinnati Gas and Electric, Chief Executive Conference on Global Warming, the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Aerosol Association, the Massie Coal Corporation, the Indiana Coal Mining Institute, the Arizona Electric Power Cooperative, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia Petroleum Council, the Heritage Foundation, the American Legislative Exchange Council, the Wyoming Mining Association, Virginia Power, Amax Energy Corporation, American Electric Power, Alabama Electric Power Cooperative, the American Policy Center, the World Coal Conference, American Public Power Association, American Mining Congress, Maine Conservation Rights Institute, the Federalist Society, the Kentucky Mining Institute, Denver Coal Club and the Ashland Oil Corporation. (See Patrick Michaels speaking engagements for further details).

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