I have completely and utterly given up trying to predict things, this appears to be conjoined with my loss of appetite for all things climate over the last couple of years.

I think Brexit and Trump have given the hand-wringers something else to cry about, and the less they mention it on TV, the less it irritates me. It used to be a staple of Countryfile and just about every news report, but now it's hardly ever mentioned. No laws are being enacted, nobody is endlessly campaigning for it. It's not trendy any more.

We've won, by dint of them being so flighty and fashion-driven. They've moved onto the next Big Thing Which Threatens Us All. I have no desire or need to contradict my well-meaning by rather stupid friends when they start harping on about global warming, because now they're all talking about how terrible Brexit will be, or how terrible Trump is. I am tempted to contradict them on these too, but I have learned.

This is the way these crazes die. There is no day of awakening, no Nuremburg trial. Nobody ever admits it was all bullcrap until a safe 50 years have passed and people can safely laugh at the idiotic concerns of their forebears. We've won the popular argument by simply still standing here while the pretty people have moved onto newer scares.

Who cares about climate when Trump has tweeted something stupid. If we'd known all those years ago that all we needed to do to win was provide something shinier and newer for them all to be scared of, we could have had this put to bed a long time ago.

As US Climate Science money stops flowing, expect some US Climate Scientists to learn an EU compatible language. English might not be welcome.

You haven't been watching Blue Planet II then ;-) ??

Absolutely not, a hideous expensive publically-funded jamboree made by previously exposed fakers presented by an increasingly doddery, politically right-on non-scientist? I'd rather have the TV off.

But BigYin, there's plastic! In the ocean! Lots of it. You can't actually see it, but it's there and threatens us all!

Or indeed, yesterday's CountryFile, which if memory serves, featured the most recent State of the UK's Birds report including the impact of habitat loss and .... you guessed it.

Apparently Bewick Swans may soon be a rather rare visitor to these shores.

It used to be a staple of Countryfile and just about every news report, but now it's hardly ever mentioned

Ah yes, here we are....

Tom has an exclusive look at a major new report into the effects of climate change on our bird populations,

Did I say "never"? I think i said "hardly ever mentioned"
I see you're as selective in your reading as you ever were in your understanding.

You think you've won a "point" here, which is amusing.

As for a prediction, 2018 will bring the 20th anniversary of the publication of the original Mann-Bradley-Hughes 'hockey stick' study.

So maybe people will stop bellyaching about it and move on.

(Just kidding).

Dec 4, 2017 at 4:30 PM | Phil Clarke

Why should anyone "move on" from the Hockey Stick, while Climate Science is still stuck with it, having made it up and supported it ever since? If Climate Scientists wants to "move on" from the Hockey Stick, they need to learn about honesty and trust in Science.

When German efficiency determines the winning parties from their "recent" election, the EU Green movement will either be very relieved, or in full panic.

I predict more coal mining in Zimbabwe, to power the re-revolution in their economy. The Chinese may develop small scale, coal fired power generation, in modular units that can be transported by ship and truck, for quick assembly on site. This would benefit their home markets, and new overseas dependencies, which may increase in number.

Will the Mark Steyn v Mann court case get to court?

Robert Christopher, that is what Mann is hoping for, and all of Climate Science is praying for, now that faith in St Hillary has been as wasted, as politicians faith in Climate Science.

Trump can't be bothered with Climate Science, so he has pulled funding. Climate Science is dependant on Mann proving himself. Mann can't, so won't try. Climate Science does not know how to adjust its way out.

ps if Climate Science had faith in Mann, they would want him to go to Court. Wouldn't they?

My predictions are that the Tory Party will either become more of an armed camp with rifles pointed inward, or will explode causing maximum damage to everyone. Europe will look on in amazement at what they have wrought, and labour will have lit the blue touchpaper, but will themselves have their "et tu" moment. It will get cooler.

Nope. Thought Not.

Dec 5, 2017 at 9:47 AM | Supertroll

Labour have banned "blue" touchpaper, and will become embroiled in a dispute between Trades Unions, about whether igniting fireworks is "theatrical lighting", or a demonstration of religious hatred against an oppressed minority, that exploits divisions within society leading to children begging on streets in winter.

2018 - Angela Merkel announces she is to step down as leader of the CDU.