Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
specialists seeking to double-check existing evidence or computer models.
Notable here is the massive Berkeley Earth Surface Temperature Project
examines patterns detectable in the mass of temperature data available for
the previous 1,000 years or so.
These suggestions mean that climate scientists could usefully enlarge the
epistemic field in which they perform 'boundary work' and secure their own
epistemic identities. But they don't amount to a proposal for new gover-
nance arrangements designed to let people like you and me monitor or
assess the nitty-gritty of research: most of us simply lack the wherewithal
to perform this role.
Box 8.2
itemises some of the proposals about how
to alter the self-governance of climate science made in some of the official
'post-gate' inquiries. They're all consistent with arguments made in this sub-
section that current self-governance and communication practices could be
improved rather than replaced.
BOX 8.2
SUGGESTIONS OF THE 'POST-GATE' INQUIRIES
•
Recommendation of the UK House of Commons Science and Technology
Select Committee
, March 2010. In a press release Committee Chair,
MP Phil Willis summarised the findings as follows:
Climate science is a matter of global importance. On the basis of
the science, governments across the world will be spending tril-
lions of pounds on climate change mitigation. The quality of the
science therefore has to be irreproachable. What this inquiry has
revealed is that climate scientists need to take steps to make avail-
able all the data that support their work and full methodological
workings, including their computer codes.
i
nquiries/uea/,
accessed 30 October 2012).
•
Observation of the Oxburgh Inquiry
, April 2010. The report noted
that 'there were important and unresolved questions that related
to the availability of environmental data-sets
...
this is unfortu-
nate and seems inconsistent with policies of open access
...
'
SAP;
5, accessed 30 October 2012).
•
Recommendation of the Muir Russell Inquiry
, July 2010. The report
suggested that in future 'the CRU should make available sufficient
