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Climate change scientists fight back; defend global warming findings
by Jaspreet Virk - May 7, 2010 - comments
The team, which consists of leading scientists from around the world, will conduct an independent review to determine whether the climate change scientists manipulated data to fit their theory that humans are responsible for global warming.
After the hacked climate change e-mail controversy last November, and political assaults at scientists, more than 250 climate change scientists came forward Thursday, defending their research and claiming that the world is destined for a catastrophe if efforts in tackling climate change are delayed.
The hundreds of emails hacked from a British university and posted online raised questions about the authenticity of the data provided by the scientists at the Climatic Research Unit (CRU) of the University of East Anglia.
In fact, the email controversy has eroded public confidence in IPCC.
Restoring public confidence
In a move to assure the public that the climate change findings published by the IPCC, stating that the temperatures across the world are rising as a consequence of global warming, are true, the scientists issued a letter.
The open letter, signed by 11 Nobel laureates, and published in the May 7 issue of the journal Science, reads, “When someone says that society should wait until scientists are absolutely certain before taking any action, it is the same as saying society should never take action."
"For a problem as potentially catastrophic as climate change, taking no action poses a dangerous risk for our planet," it stated.
It further mentioned that they are deeply disturbed by the political debates, casting doubt on their finding regarding climate change.
“When someone says that society should wait until scientists are absolutely certain before taking any action, it is the same as saying society should never take action," the open letter, signed by 11 Nobel laureates, and published in the May 7 issue of the journal Science, reads
Climate change panel’s work under review
At a time when the scientists are trying to fight back, a 12-member committee has been formed to review the work of the IPCC.
The team, which consists of leading scientists from around the world, will conduct an independent review to determine whether the climate change scientists manipulated data to fit their theory that humans are responsible for global warming.
The committee will be chaired by Harold T. Shapiro, an economist and former president of Princeton University and the University of Michigan.
The InterAcademy Council's (IAC) website reads that the committee will review IPCC’s “data quality assurance and control,” “literature,” quoted in the reports, and all “IPCC processes, including management functions and communication strategies.”
The peer review report, stating committee’s findings and recommendations, is expected to be delivered by the IAC by Aug. 30.