CHICAGO, MAY 16, 2010 – It is frequency asserted that only a small proportion of climate science experts have serious problems with the concept of a carbon dioxide-induced climate crisis. These supposedly ‘outlier’ scientists are often assumed to be almost universally right of center, and/or energy industry funded or to not be leaders in the field.
But the International Climate Science Coalition (ICSC) has found that many highly qualified climate experts of all political persuasions quietly admit to being highly skeptical of the hypothesis that human emissions of carbon dioxide are leading us to catastrophe. While this fact has been partially demonstrated through open letters, petitions and other declarations, these documents have had little impact on government policy for a number of reasons, some of which are that:
- tthe vast majority of physical scientists in the field are not on the endorser lists since they do not want to publicly support statements they regard as promoting a political ideology (left vs. right), commercial interests (e.g. fossil fuels vs. renewables) or commenting on subject matter outside of their specific fields of expertise (e.g. economics or morality).
- they originate with groups generally perceived as having an ideological or economic agenda distinct from pure science.
- endorser professional credentials and their contact coordinates are often not fully specified, making verification and follow-up interviews difficult for journalists.
- endorsement is often limited to citizens of a specific country giving the impression that national interests may be trumping honest scientific assessment.
- and, especially critical: even though public opinion polls indicate that uncertainty about the causes of global warming is rising quickly, most people, journalists included, do not want to give credence to ‘climate skepticism’, for fear of appearing to support their ideological opponents.
The ICSC is addressing this problem by inviting expert support to “The Register of Climate Realists”, a non-political, non-commercial single-topic science statement as follows:
“We, the undersigned, having assessed the relevant scientific evidence, do not find convincing support for the hypothesis that human emissions of carbon dioxide are causing, or will in the foreseeable future cause, dangerous global warming."
This statement says nothing about the economic, moral or social implications of carbon dioxide controls and so should be acceptable to the many pure scientists who have yet to publicly express their views. It is a statement that, once endorsed by thousands of leaders in the field, can be used by public, media and politicians of any political persuasion to justify a transfer of funds from useless carbon dioxide controls to whatever other programs they support – fresh water protection, health care, the space program, education or simply lowering taxes, for example.
The Register will include full professional identification of each signatory along with areas of specialization. For endorsers who are willing to speak with media, politicians and the public, ICSC will also include detailed contact coordinates. ICSC will carefully vet all endorsers, allowing only the most qualified climate scientists to be included. Unless they have previously endorsed public documents asserting the same message as The Register, then no scientists will be listed without their specific approval and any wishing to have their names removed later will be accommodated immediately.
Finally, the coordinating agency, the ICSC, is a single-issue entity that is, and is widely seen to be, neutral politically, philosophically and financially. We critique the comments of those involved in the debate based solely on the scientific accuracy of what they say and our perception of the effectiveness of their strategies, carefully avoiding all ad hominem attacks and other logical fallacies.
If governments are to make sensible climate policy decisions, then society must hear from the many climate experts who do not support political correctness on this issue but who have yet to speak out. The Register of Climate Realists gives these scientists a mechanism to finally, ‘safely’ speak out.
Media who wish to learn more about this project are invited to contact:
Tom Harris, B. Eng., M. Eng. (thermo-fluids)
Executive Director, International Climate Science Coalition
P.O. Box 23013, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 4E2, Canada
Cell phone in Chicago until May 21, 2010: 312-493-5060
Land phone in Canada: (613) 728-9200
Email:
tom.harris@climatescienceinternational.net
The International Climate Science Coalition (ICSC) is an apolitical association of independent scientists, economists and energy and policy experts who have joined together to promote better public understanding of climate change science and policy worldwide. We wish to help create an environment in which a more rational, open discussion about climate issues emerges, thereby helping move the debate away from implementation of costly and ineffectual ‘climate control’ measures.
