MEDIA RELEASE PR37457
Causes of Climate Change not 'Settled': Scientists - UN Challenged to Provide Sound
Evidence for Catastrophic Forecasts
COPENHAGEN, Dec. 8 /CNW-AsiaNet/ --
The International Climate Science Coalition (ICSC - see
leading climate experts from 17 countries who are asking the United Nations and other
supporters of this month's Climate Change Conference to produce convincing OBSERVATIONAL
EVIDENCE for their claims of dangerous human-caused global warming (AGW) and other
changes in climate.
The COPENHAGEN CLIMATE CHALLENGE demands that the UN publicly
substantiate each of ten fundamental assertions that underlie current climate
"With revelations that critical temperature data used by the UN's
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change appear to have been intentionally
distorted to increase warming trends, national representatives to the
Copenhagen Climate Change Conference must demand a thorough re-examination of
the scientific evidence supporting proposed mitigation actions", said
Challenge endorser Dr. Tim Patterson, ICSC Chair and Professor of Earth
Sciences at Carleton University (Ottawa, Canada). "This should not be limited
to simple temperature data auditing but must also include a re-evaluation of
many of the climate-related assertions uncritically accepted by politicians
and media worldwide."
Perhaps most significant among the scientists' challenges was for
proponents of AGW theory to comprehensively substantiate claims that:
- Recent climate change is unusual in comparison with historical
records;
- Human emissions of carbon dioxide and other 'greenhouse gases' (GHG)
are dangerously impacting climate;
- Computer-based models are reliable indicators of future climate.
"The science of climate change is not settled; it is evolving rapidly
with critically important discoveries, many of which contradict IPCC findings,
coming out every month," asserted ICSC science advisor, Dr. Robert M. Carter,
also a Challenge endorser and Professor, Marine Geophysical Laboratory, James
Cook University (Townsville, Australia). "The already weak case for dangerous
man-made global warming is getting weaker still as our understandings advance,
so governments need a several decade long time-out while the science matures
before even considering the possibility of GHG emission restrictions."
"While policies designed to conserve energy, reduce pollution and help
vulnerable peoples adapt to climate change are important to pursue, proposals
to severely curtail GHG emissions in an effort to control climate make no
sense, given the current state of scientific knowledge," concludes Challenge
endorser Dr. Wibjörn Karlén, Professor Emeritus, Physical Geography, Stockholm
University (Uppsala, Sweden). "Instead we need to focus on environmental
issues we know we can positively impact - air, land and water pollution being
primary examples."
The ICSC is an association of scientists, economists and energy and
policy experts working to promote better public understanding of climate
change. ICSC provides an analysis of climate science and policy issues which,
being independent of lobby groups and vested political interests, is an
alternative to advice from the IPCC. ICSC thereby fosters rational,
evidence-based, open discussion about all climate, and climate-related,
issues.
SOURCE: International Climate Science Coalition; ICSC
CONTACT: For further information about the Copenhagen Climate Challenge, visit
Executive Director, International Climate Science Coalition, P.O. Box 23013, Ottawa,
Ontario, K1A 4E2, Canada, Cell phone in Copenhagen until Dec 23: (+ 45) 25560024, Land
phone in Canada after Dec 23: (613) 728-9200, Email:
tom.harris(at)climatescienceinternational.net
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