While the wider world is just beginning to realize that the subfield of paleoclimatology is in shambles (and has been for the last decade), scientists in related disciplines are increasingly fighting back against the shoddy work and orthodoxy that was foisted on them.
A small group, including several prominent physicists, are asking the American Physical Society to rescind its political statement on climate change (tip to Bishop Hill):
Dear fellow member of the American Physical Society:
This is a matter of great importance to the integrity of the Society. It is being sent to a random fraction of the membership, so we hope you will pass it on.
By now everyone has heard of what has come to be known as ClimateGate, which was and is an international scientific fraud, the worst any of us have seen in our cumulative 223 years of APS membership. For those who have missed the news we recommend the excellent summary article by Richard Lindzen in the November 30 edition of the Wall Street journal, entitled “The Climate Science isn’t Settled,” for a balanced account of the situation. It was written by a scientist of unquestioned authority and integrity. A copy can be found among the items at http://tinyurl.com/lg266u, and a visit to http://www.ClimateDepot.com can fill in the details of the scandal, while adding spice.
What has this to do with APS? In 2007 the APS Council adopted a Statement on global warming (also reproduced at the tinyurl site mentioned above) that was based largely on the scientific work that is now revealed to have been corrupted. (The principals in this escapade have not denied what they did, but have sought to dismiss it by saying that it is normal practice among scientists. You know and we know that that is simply untrue. Physicists are not expected to cheat.)
We have asked the APS management to put the 2007 Statement on ice until the extent to which it is tainted can be determined, but that has not been done. We have also asked that the membership be consulted on this point, but that too has not been done.
None of us would use corrupted science in our own work, nor would we sign off on a thesis by a student who did so. This is not only a matter of science, it is a matter of integrity, and the integrity of the APS is now at stake. That is why we are taking the unusual step of communicating directly with at least a fraction of the membership.
If you believe that the APS should withdraw a Policy Statement that is based on admittedly corrupted science, and should then undertake to clarify the real state of the art in the best tradition of a learned society, please send a note to the incoming President of the APS ccallan@princeton.edu, with the single word YES in the subject line. That will make it easier for him to count.
Bob Austin, Professor of Physics, Princeton
Hal Lewis, emeritus Professor of Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara
Will Happer, Professor of Physics, Princeton
Larry Gould, Professor of Physics, Hartford
Roger Cohen, former Manager, Strategic Planning, ExxonMobil
ClimateGate/Copenhagen roundup Dec. 7 « Spin, strangeness, and charm says:
[...] Physicists petition the American Physical Society (APS) to rescind its statement on global warming as being “based on cheating and corrupted work” [...]
December 7, 2009, 7:43 amDaily Pundit » Hope - And Change says:
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December 7, 2009, 8:12 amGet the Scientific Mojo Back « Daniel McAndrew for U.S. Senate says:
[...] December 7, 2009 · Leave a Comment Physicists ask APS to rescind its Global Warming Statement. [...]
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[...] While the primary people in the ClimateGate scandal and their media allies are continuing their efforts to downplay the importance of their scientific fraud other scientists are recognizing the gravity of this situation and are pushing for action in their own fields. From Jim Lindgren at The Volokh Conspiracy: [...]
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Steve Woodruff, John Curran and Mike McCartney, Eugene Volokh. Eugene Volokh said: Physicists Ask American Physical Society to Rescind Its Statement on Global Warming Because It Was Based on “Ch.. http://bit.ly/4NIJZ0 [...]
December 7, 2009, 9:07 amCopenhagen climate conference’s big carbon bill | Kyle Wingfield says:
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December 7, 2009, 10:31 amClimategate VC Links: « Daniel Joseph Smith says:
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December 7, 2009, 10:42 amCognitive Dissonance & Obama’s Powergrab » The Anchoress | A First Things Blog says:
[...] has taken complete control of the world’s most sinful nation! Related: American Physicists: Deplore corrupted science of Global Warming Althouse: Al Gore is tryin’ real hard to be the shepherd Even the UN: Understands Was Russia [...]
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December 7, 2009, 8:28 pmThe Progressive Mind » The Volokh Conspiracy » Blog Archive » Physicists Ask American Physical Society to Rescind Its Statement on Global Warming Because It Was Based on “Cheat[ing]” and “Corrupted” Work says:
[...] The Volokh Conspiracy » Blog Archive » Physicists Ask American Physical Society to Rescind Its Sta.... December 7th, 2009 | Category: Uncategorized | Leave a comment | [...]
December 7, 2009, 10:57 pmGenrewonk » When science becomes politicized it stops being science. says:
[...] Scientific research is based on the idea of review, so others can reproduce your results. Peer review should not be about insuring a pre-determined outcome. It certainly shouldn’t be about intimidation of reporters. Is shouldn’t be about politicians defining what the “real science” is. Especially when they’re repeatedly wrong about it. Who really should be angry? Scientists. [...]
December 8, 2009, 8:00 amPhysicists Ask American Physical Society to Rescind Its Statement on Global Warming Because It Was Based on “Cheat[ing]” and “Corrupted” Work « The Invisible Opportunity: Hidden Truths Revealed says:
[...] Source: The Volokh Conspiracy [...]
December 8, 2009, 10:51 am