Although the cover graphic is dramatic fried earth sunnyside up in a cast iron skillet Time s April 2 nd content is much less so. Time s Charles Alexander reports that the two agree that humans influence climate, but that they question how much and how high the temperatures will go. That is the crux of the issue and absolutely is true. But in reporting that Lindzen and Christy are distressed that only the most extreme scenarios have made the headlines, Time proceeds to play up the extreme scenarios.
Martian invasion seem a preferable threat to life on earth.
But, the real April Fools joke appears on the back page where many magazines reserve space for parody. Although the letter is signed by Jimmy Carter, Mikhail Gorbachev, John Glenn, Walter Cronkite, George Soros, J. Craig Venter, Jane Goodall, Edward Wilson, Harrison Ford and Stephen Hawking, we feel it important to note that no one among them ever has published a paper in the refereed scientific literature concerning the science of climate change. As distinguished as each individual is in their field of expertise, none rival Lindzen or Christy when it comes to professional standing in the science of this issue. Virtual Climate Alert draws upon the expertise of Greening Earth Society science advisors and is coordinated by New Hope Environmental Services of Charlottesville, Virginia.