ROBERT MENDICK, LONDON
The Age, November 30, 2009LEADING British scientists at the University of East Anglia, who were accused of manipulating climate change data, have agreed to publish their figures in full.
The U-turn by the university follows a week of controversy after the emergence of hundreds of leaked emails, ''stolen'' by hackers and published online, triggered claims that the academics had massaged statistics.
In a statement welcomed by climate change sceptics, the university said it would make all the data accessible as soon as possible, once its Climatic Research Unit (CRU) had negotiated its release from a range of non-publication agreements.
The full data, when disclosed, is certain to be scrutinised by both sides in the fierce debate.
A man with training in electrical engineering dating back more than 40 years emerged from the leaked emails as a leading climate sceptic trying to bring down the scientific establishment on global warming.
David Holland, who describes himself as a David taking on the Goliath that is the prevailing scientific consensus, is seeking prosecutions against some of Britain's most eminent academics for allegedly holding back information in breach of disclosure laws.
Mr Holland complained to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) after the leaked emails included several freedom-of-information requests he had submitted to the CRU, and scientists' private responses to them.
Within hours, a senior complaints officer in the ICO wrote back by email: ''I have started to examine the issues that you have raised in your letter and I am currently liaising with colleagues in our Enforcement and Data Protection teams as to what steps to take next.''
The official also promised to investigate other universities linked to the CRU, which is one of the world's leading authorities on temperature levels and has helped to prove that man-made global warming not only exists but will have catastrophic consequences if not tackled urgently.
Mr Holland is convinced the threat has been greatly exaggerated.
Mr Holland, who graduated with an external degree in electrical engineering from London University in 1966, said: ''These guys called climate scientists have not done any more physics or chemistry than I did.''
Professor Trevor Davies, the university's pro-vice-chancellor, research enterprise and engagement, said: ''CRU's full data will be published in the interests of research transparency when we have the necessary agreements.''
TELEGRAPH
No comments:
Post a Comment