My friends at NAS.org have posted on the “Climate Conspiracy” that broke when hackers revealed global warming scientists had apparently manipulated data, organized attacks on skeptics, and much more. Surprise, surprise.

The timing couldn’t be worse for those who would cripple economies with the plaintive cry: “Do as we say or we all die!” Worldwide there is growing skepticism about the benefits of micromanaging every aspect of daily life while measuring “carbon footprints.” The Wall Street Journal even contributed to this Nanny Project with a long piece measuring the carbon footprint of various common products. I was relieved to see that beer had the lowest carbon footprint.

How far have we gone when we decide whether or not it is “good for the planet” to drink beer? Now we must ask: Did German scientists manipulate the beer data to preserve their national beverage? (I’m kidding). It’s a good cause (beer drinking) but who studies this stuff? And when is enough enough?

For more on the “climate conspiracy,” read the following:

“Hacked E-Mail Is New Fodder for Climate Dispute,” by Andrew Revkin (New York Times, November 20, 2009)

“Climategate: the final nail in the coffin of ‘Anthropogenic Global Warming’?”, by James Delingpole (London Telegraph, November 20, 2009)

“CRU Files Betray Climate Alarmists’ Funding Hypocrisy,” by Marc Sheppard (American Thinker, November 22, 2009)

Climate Audit, by Steve McIntyre — this server is slow but it does work.

“The Global Warming Debate, Peer Review and University Science,” by Mitchell Langbert (NAS Blog, November 23, 2009)

Fear not: Our own EPA, under “science president” Obama, has allegedly suppressed an EPA report skeptical of global warming.

This last story on our own home-grown ClimateGate, ends with these quotes:

The revelations could prove embarrassing to Jackson, the EPA administrator, who said in January: “I will ensure EPA’s efforts to address the environmental crises of today are rooted in three fundamental values: science-based policies and programs, adherence to the rule of law, and overwhelming transparency.” Similarly, Mr. Obama claimed that “the days of science taking a back seat to ideology are over… To undermine scientific integrity is to undermine our democracy. It is contrary to our way of life.”

“All this talk from the president and (EPA administrator) Lisa Jackson about integrity, transparency, and increased EPA protection for whistleblowers — you’ve got a bouquet of ironies here,” said Kazman, the CEI attorney.