| December 18, 2009 |  |
Science Group Urges Rep. Sensenbrenner to Stop Attacking Scientists
Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) posted a question to the National Journal's Copenhagen Insider blog that repeated discredited information about emails stolen from the Climatic Research Unit at East Anglia University. Rep. Sensenbrenner also repeated an attack on the scientists who had their emails stolen, accusing them of engaging in "scientific fascism." Alden Meyer, the Union of Concerned Scientists' Strategy and Policy Director, attempted to set Rep. Sensenbrenner straight on the blog and urged him to stop his attacks on scientists, which he calls "wrong and dangerous."
Meyer's response is cross-posted from the National Journal blog below.
Criticizing Sensenbrenner's Claims
by Alden Meyer, Strategy and Policy Director, Union of Concerned Scientists
Rep. Sensenbrenner's claims about the emails that hackers stole from the Climatic Research Unit (CRU) at East Anglia University don't match the facts.
First, these emails have nothing to do with "climate forecasts." The emails that have received the most attention have to do with past temperature recorded by tree rings. This line of research has little bearing on our understanding of what causes global warming and the amount of future warming we should expect based on continuing to overload our atmosphere with heat-trapping emissions.
Second, "trick" and "hide the decline" are both references to techniques that were published in the open peer-reviewed scientific literature in 1998 and 1997 respectively. They represent valid scientific methods for making temperature records more accurate by 1) adding temperature measurements from meteorological stations to past climate records and 2) isolating the effect of some questionable data from Siberian tree rings that play an overall minor role in past temperature records. A more in-depth explanation, with links to both the scientific papers discussing these techniques is available on UCS's Web site.
This is an excellent example of how cherry-picking phrases from stolen emails tells us nothing.
Third, Rep. Sensenbrenner says this doesn't "undercut all climate science." Let's be clear. The stolen emails don't undercut any climate science. This is a manufactured controversy. Even if CRU didn't exist, there would be solid evidence that human activity is driving global warming and that continuing to dump excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will be dangerous for us and for future generations. In fact, independent past temperature records from NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Japanese Meteorological Society are consistent with CRU's global average temperature record since 1880.
There is no reason to delay acting on climate change in light of these emails. They are a distraction. When we look at the most recent science since the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's 2007 report, we see there is an even more urgent need to act. More carbon dioxide is going into the atmosphere than in previous years, the ocean is absorbing less of it and sea level rise is increasing faster than expected. Delaying our response to climate change would mean more warming, more economic damage from climate change and more difficulty in adequately reducing emissions.
No wonder then that 113 Wisconsin scientists recently wrote a letter (pdf) to Rep. Sensenbrenner's colleagues in the Senate in which they said, "Policymakers have a clear choice: allow climate change to continue on its present path and cause serious longterm damage to Wisconsin's population, natural resources and economy, or embrace an enlightened global warming solutions policy that will protect our air, water, land, and Great Lakes while spurring economic growth at home in Wisconsin."
Finally, Rep. Sensenbrenner should strongly reconsider accusing scientists of “fascism.” Spreading such libel is irresponsible. The scientists involved are simply trying to learn more about the world around us. Attacking them by making false claims about the content of private communications that were illegally obtained and accusing them of things they didn’t do is wrong and dangerous.
The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet's most pressing problems. Joining with citizens across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.
