Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
in order to reject research submitted for consideration by scientists ques-
tioning the idea of earth surface warming induced by human activities.
Second, some emails apparently evidenced a reluctance to share research
data (and analytical techniques) with certain others seeking to verify inter-
pretations of temperature change based on this data. Third, some emails
appeared to suggest that authors of the IPCC scientific reports 'smoothed
out' contradictions in the available evidence in order to reduce doubt
among politicians and citizens that anthropogenic warming is, in fact, occur-
ring. Importantly, the veracity of the emails was not questioned by the
CRU scientists involved, or by their correspondents elsewhere in the United
Kingdom and overseas. This scandal was quickly followed by a second one:
an error was detected in the IPCC fourth assessment report of 2007. A claim
that Himalayan glaciers would likely all melt away by 2035 was found not
to be supported by any credible scientific research. This suggested poten-
tial sloppiness or a tendency towards exaggeration among the report writing
team. A timeline of both scandals can be found in
Box 8.1
.
BOX 8.1
AFTER TIMELINE
2009
19 November.
Unauthorised release of over 1,000 emails and other
files involving senior CRU scientists.
23 November.
University of East Anglia (UEA) announces an inquiry
to be led by Sir Muir Russell.
1 December.
Professor Phil Jones, whose emails were hacked, steps
down as Director of the CRU.
9-15 December.
International meeting of the political representatives
of countries committed to a global climate change mitigation agree-
ment in Copenhagen. It fails to ramp up transnational efforts to reduce
GHG emissions.
20 December.
Pennsylvania State University announces a review of the
research of Professor Michael Mann, whose email correspondence with
Phil Jones was hacked.
2010
18 January.
It's revealed that a statement about future Himalayan
glacier melting included in the IPCC fourth assessment report (2007)
was baseless.
22 January.
UK House of Commons Select Committee on Science
and Technology (SCST) launches an inquiry into 'Climate-gate'.
10 February.
The Pennsylvania State University inquiry into Mann's
research concludes he's not guilty of any professional wrongdoing.
