Crichton makes what is arguably the most egregious scientific mistake ever made in the central plot point of a techno-thriller. The flak I received from Deniers over a recent post — and new research — inspired me to remind everyone that the best-selling author who has become a hero to Deniers — even bringing his trash talk against U.S. climate scientists to a Senate hearing — doesn’t seem to know the first thing about global warming impacts.

I am not talking about the incessant misrepresentation of the science of global warming throughout his mistake-riddled book, State of Fear (see here and here). No, I am talking about the central plot point in the book’s climax.

One of Crichton’s main goals in the book is to undermine the case that global warming causes abrupt climate change and extreme weather events. In his story, a mainstream environmental group is plotting to create extreme weather events that will cause the deaths of thousands of people timed to coincide with a conference on abrupt climate change in order to trick the public into accepting global warming as truth. In a bizarre coincidence, the book’s climax has the evil environmentalists carefully plan a seismic tsunami-just weeks before an actual tsunami devastated Southeast Asia.

But the truth is stronger than fiction. Seismic tsunamis are caused by earth tremors. They are not caused by global warming! Any climate scientist knows that. This is a stunning blunder by Crichton, calling into question his claim to have any understanding of global warming.

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A couple of recent commenters repeat the myth:

1. I am still waiting to hear one of their Bishops or Priests explain how man is causing the global warming we are seeing on other planets in the system.

2. I thought that in 2005 NASA determined all the planets in our solar system are getting warmer from increased solar radiation.

Heck, even conservative savior Fred Thompson repeats the myth.

Since the myth won’t die, progressives need to be armed with the facts. I am no Bishop or Priest, but here goes:

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Author and Center for American Progress senior fellow Joseph Romm says if aggressive action on climate change is not taken soon, the effects on the planet will be dire. In his new book, “Hell and High Water: Global Warming — the Solution and the Politics — and What We Should Do,” Romm explains why he thinks a state of “planetary purgatory” is inevitable. During today’s OnPoint, Romm, a former Department of Energy official under President Clinton, discusses what he believes to be the most viable solutions for addressing and stopping the effects of climate change. Romm also challenges media coverage of global warming, saying too much attention has been paid to climate change skeptics

You can see the interview here (although I don’t know how many days it will be available there). You can read the transcript here.

Huge solar power park to rise in Mojave Desert – MSNBC. Solar thermal power is making a comeback. The Mojave Solar Park will generate 553 megawatts of power using 1.2 million mirrors.

California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard Takes Shape – Environment News Service. This is a very informative article on California’s plan to “reduce carbon dioxide emissions from fuels by 10 percent by 2020.”

Solar IPOs shine – CNNmoney.com. “Since the start of the year, the 17-company solar component in the Wilder Hill Global Innovation index has soared 75 percent.”

Toyota Builds on Streak of Record Earnings - New York Times. “Toyota said it saw brisk sales during the April-June quarter in the United States, where high pump prices raised the popularity of high-mileage vehicles like Toyota’s Prius, a gasoline-electric hybrid, and RAV4, a small sports utility vehicle.”