Climate Panel in Crisis

united20nations20un20logoThis is a translation of an article in the Norwegian newspaper Forskning.

By Bjornar Kjensli

A German climate researcher says that people are beginning to lose faith in climate research, pointing to the IPPC as one of the main causes. Norwegian IPCC veterans disagree about what the organization should do about it.

After a winter of setbacks and disclosure of mistakes, many different ideas have been put forward about what can be done about the IPPC and these ideas abound in newspapers and in journals such as Nature and Science. One of the most vociferous critics has been Hans von Storch. He is a professor of meteorology at the University of Hamburg, director of the Institute for Coastal Research at GKSS in Geestacht and was the main author of the chapter on regional climate in Working Group 1 (WG1) of the Third IPCC Assessment Report (AR3), which was published in 2001.

On 22 April 2010 he was in Oslo, where he addressed the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters in a lecture containing a number of objections to the IPCCs current way of working. The presentation of the lecture, you can see here.[link]

Not skeptic but a critic

Von Storch has long been critical of the way the IPCC has dealt with scientific uncertainty, and was himself described in less than flattering terms in some of the disputed emails released from the CRU at the University of East Anglia last November.

The man behind the hockey stick curve, Professor Michael Mann wrote, among other things, in an email to Phil Jones, the head of the University of East Anglia Climate Centre, that “Von Storch is a strange guy”, and that it would not surprise him if he was really a climate skeptic. Von Storch says he has nothing against being a strange guy, but he is not in any doubt that anthropogenic emissions are leading to climate change. He is however very critical of the internal processes of the IPCC and the role of chairman, Rajendra Pachauri.

Read the rest at Bishop Hill.

47 Responses to Climate Panel in Crisis

  1. Cubanshamoo May 7, 2010 at 1:06 am #

    Not only at IPCC things are going very wrong. In USA things are worse:
    So, Lets Recap “2009”………what a year! WOW!!!

    1.The American people inaugurate a half-Arab president with a total of 142 days experience as a U.S. Senator from the most politically corrupt state (city) in America whose governors have been ousted from office. The President’s first official act is to order the close of Gitmo and make sure terrorists civil rights are not violated. (Honest mistake?)

    2.The U.S. Congress rushes to confirm a black Attorney General, Eric Holder, whose law firm we later find out represents seventeen Gitmo Terrorists. (An honest mistake?)

    3.The CIA Boss appointee, Leon Panetta, has absolutely no experience.

    4.We got the second most corrupt American woman (Pelosi is #1) as Secretary of State; bought and paid for. (You can put lipstick on a pig, but it still stinks!)

    5.We got a Tax Cheat for Treasury Secretary who did not properly file his own taxes for 12 years. (He misspoke!)

    6.A Commerce Secretary nominee who withdrew due to corruption charges. (Another honest mistake???)

    7.A Tax cheat nominee for Chief Performance Officer who withdrew under charges. (Hmmm… Another screw-up?)

    8.A Labor Secretary nominee who withdrew under charges of unethical conduct. (Ok, maybe this person was just plain stupid.)

    9.A Secretary HHS nominee (Daschle) who withdrew under charges of cheating on his taxes. (I’m running out of excuses for these idiots!!)

    10.Multiple appointments of former lobbyists after an absolute campaign statement that no lobbyists would be appointed. (Dear God, I am getting a headache!)

  2. Neil F. AGWD/BSD May 7, 2010 at 5:41 am #

    I really don’t know what to say about this. The guy is not a sceptic of AGW, just critical of the IPCC. Being a sceptic of AGW I don’t care what this guy is saying, on the one hand. On the other hand, I feel like I am out of photon torpedoes as I watch the Borg ship regenerate. (That’s a Star Trek TNG reference. If you don’t get it ask a Star Trek nerd.)

  3. Hal Groar May 7, 2010 at 12:47 pm #

    Yeah Neil, this is a dilemma. I don’t think the cliche “an enemy of my enemy is my friend” applies here. I don’t think Van Storch is advocating abolishment of the IPPC. He is trying to move them away from political pressure. I don’t think that qualifies as a skeptic. Which is what he says. I would like to see him go farther and say that the IPPC is a total farce and should not be taken seriously. Just one little step at a time I guess. By the way Neil, I don’t think you have to be a Trekki to understand what you meant. I got it right away!

    • Neil F. AGWD/BSD May 8, 2010 at 2:59 pm #

      Right! Von Storch is a true believer and is trying to “fix” the problem with the IPCC that he percieves which is, IMO, not the problem. I don’t think I need to reitterate my views. Suffice it to say that I think the IPCC should be dissolved permanently.

  4. Dan May 7, 2010 at 12:54 pm #

    Ahem. I think they prefer the term, “trekkER.”

    • Hal Groar May 7, 2010 at 3:18 pm #

      My mistake…not up on the Star Trek lingo. I will be more cautious next time.

    • Neil F. AGWD/BSD May 8, 2010 at 8:26 am #

      You’re not a Star Trek nerd are you? It’s ok if you are, I won’t hold it against you. I actually really like Star Trek, but I don’t have the lunch box, own a Star Trek uniform, have Klingon battle cruisers hanginging from my ceiling, speak Klingon, own a set of Vulcan ears, or attend conventions if you know what I mean. But if you do, live long and prosper!!

      • Dan McGrath May 11, 2010 at 9:34 am #

        Who? Me? No. I have lightsabers and a Darth Vader mask. May the force be with you.

        • Neil F. AGWD/BSD May 11, 2010 at 8:13 pm #

          Come on Dan, are Star Wars, and Star Trek mutually exclusive? I actually like both. And Spaceballs. Did you ever see that movie, I forget the name of it, it had Tim Allen, Segourny Weaver, Tony Shalhoub, and Alan Rickman? It was a spoof on Star Trek. What was the name of that movie? Oh yeah, Galaxy Quest! I liked that one too!

      • Neil F. AGWD/BSD May 11, 2010 at 8:15 pm #

        hanginging? Look guys, I made up a new word!!!!

  5. Hal Groar May 8, 2010 at 8:38 pm #

    Neil do you think the primary in Utah and the kicking out of Bennet is going to move the ball forward so to speak? (As far as anti-global warming goes.)

    • Neil F. AGWD/BSD May 8, 2010 at 10:14 pm #

      Sorry Hal, I am unfamilliar with it, and I don’t know what Sen. Bennett’s voting record is. Was he for, or against AGW, and cap and trade? I guess whoever wins the party nomination, and then whoever wins the election, will determine that. I guess I have to say that I don’t know enough about it to comment on it.

  6. Cubanshamoo May 12, 2010 at 6:04 am #

    Nice to breath here. I really don’t miss Rob

    • Neil F. AGWD/BSD May 12, 2010 at 6:24 pm #

      Oh, I’m certain he’ll be back. Just wait.

      • Neil F. AGWD/BSD May 14, 2010 at 9:20 pm #

        Did I nail that or what?

  7. paul wenum May 12, 2010 at 10:31 pm #

    Trust me, he will.

  8. Rob N. Hood May 13, 2010 at 2:08 pm #

    I’m baaaaaaack!

    Here’s a bit o green technology for your approval/criticism. IOW, not all green solutions are bad, in fact, I don’t know a bad one, except for Cap n Trade. but I’m sure you all can correct me on that!

    HONG KONG – Chemical extracts from cigarette butts — so toxic they kill fish — can be used to protect steel pipes from rusting, a study in China has found.

    In a paper published in the American Chemical Society’s bi-weekly journal Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, the scientists in China said they identified nine chemicals after immersing cigarette butts in water.

    They applied the extracts to N80, a type of steel used in oil pipes, and found that they protected the steel from rusting.

    • Neil F. AGWD/BSD May 14, 2010 at 9:30 pm #

      How nice for the Chinese. I have no problem with that. Zip, zero, nada. But is that really “green” technology? A rust inhibitor for steel pipes that carry oil? Derived from cigarrette butts? Let’s see what the online dictionary says.

      “Environmental technology (abbreviated as EnviroTech) or green technology (abbreviated as GreenTech) or clean technology (abbreviated as CleanTech) is the application of the environmental sciences to conserve the natural environment and resources, and to curb the negative impacts of human involvement. Sustainable development is the core of environmental technologies. When applying sustainable development as a solution for environmental issues, the solutions need to be socially equitable, economically viable, and environmentally sound.”

      So, I guess the question is is this socially equitable, economically viable, and environmentally sound?

  9. paul wenum May 13, 2010 at 7:43 pm #

    “Here’s Johnny!” Yes, he’s back. By the way what are you talking about? Let’s send all Butts to the Gulf! BP would be grateful.

  10. cubanshamoo May 14, 2010 at 2:44 am #

    Here is a bit of health knowledge: reading Washington Post and The New York Times kills (or harm very seriously the menthal health of already known) idiots.

  11. Rob N. Hood May 14, 2010 at 7:57 am #

    So criticism it is… that’s a SHOCK.

  12. paul wenum May 14, 2010 at 11:43 pm #

    I knew you could take it. Remember, my skin is three inches thick and I never ever back off when facts are involved in any discussion. Not in my makeup my friend. Must be the Scot in me that always comes out when I sense falsehood.

  13. cubanshamoo May 15, 2010 at 2:59 am #

    You know what? I enjoy this forum for many reasons, one of them is phrases like this of Paul, or other from Neil. The last enjoyment is Rob: corroborating that there are people with his opinion makes me feel intelligent.

  14. Rob N. Hood May 15, 2010 at 3:57 pm #

    Funny- I beleive that is the main reason why I’m here. Logically then, one of us MUST be stupid…

    And in my potentially stupid opinion any technology that takes a ubiquitous “hazardous” substance/waste and uses it for a good product is GREEN. I’m so sorry to infringe upon Neil’s dictionary looking-up skills and all, but, just sayin’…

  15. paul wenum May 15, 2010 at 9:24 pm #

    I enjoy the discouse. Differences of opinion is what made and continues to make America the best Republic in the world! As my Grandfather always told me when I was a child, “if everyone agreed we would never talk, would we? Everyone would be the same. For every action there is a reaction. Never forget that. It is those that don’t react and think before speaking are the one’s that will prevail in a debate.” He was an excellent instructor on dealing with his adversary. He could talk them into walking off a cliff.

  16. cubanshamoo May 16, 2010 at 12:18 am #

    Oh yes. That’s a big step forward: a forward step of Rob into a cliff!!!!

  17. Rob N. Hood May 16, 2010 at 7:36 pm #

    Into a cliff… good one.

    Hey, Cuban, are you an ornithologist in the public or private sector?

  18. paul wenum May 16, 2010 at 11:22 pm #

    Both of you, “Never wish ill on another.” Was taught that as well. What goes around comes around.

    • Rob N. Hood May 20, 2010 at 7:51 am #

      I was wishing ill? No I didn’t. Asked a question.

  19. Cubanshamoo May 18, 2010 at 4:05 am #

    I have been trying to participate again and again, but all my posts are blocked. Have a nice time guys and teach Rob as much as you can.

    • Dan McGrath May 18, 2010 at 9:59 am #

      What are you talking about, and why have you posted this duplcate comment on several posts?

  20. paul wenum May 18, 2010 at 9:31 pm #

    Cubanshammo got spammed?

  21. Rob N. Hood May 20, 2010 at 3:58 pm #

    Crummy communist infrastructure. Or maybe his stated job as a Right-wing (chuckle, pardon the Pun) Ornithologist doesn’t pay the bills (oops another Pun!)anymore.

    He never did answer if he was employed publically or privately. I can’t imagine a privately employed Ornithologist. Gee that would mean he’s living off the public dole (tax-payers) !!

    Maybe that was just his “cover” and he’s a CIA plant. Yeah, that must be it. All that fake bad English- a dead give-away. Most foreigners I’ve known know English better than the average American.

  22. paul wenum May 20, 2010 at 9:12 pm #

    You keep on re-confirming why people don’t trust one word you say. Typical Saul statement.

  23. Rob N. Hood May 21, 2010 at 7:12 am #

    It was a joke.

  24. Rob N. Hood May 21, 2010 at 3:10 pm #

    I’m so sorry master if I mislead anyone into thinking I meant any ill will…….!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Thank you sir, may I have another?!

  25. paul wenum May 21, 2010 at 11:21 pm #

    Never chastise another.

    • Rob N. Hood May 27, 2010 at 2:27 pm #

      uhhh… did you just “chastise” me….????!! ummmmm, as they say Paul, never say never.

  26. Rob N. Hood May 22, 2010 at 7:49 am #

    Again- it was a JOKE, a FUNNY…

  27. Rob N. Hood May 23, 2010 at 7:20 am #

    But thank you sir, may I have another?!

  28. paul wenum May 23, 2010 at 10:35 pm #

    I could get very personal with you but I will never ever go there. Ever! Do you have any Soul/Feeling for another??? I sincerely doubt it from what you continue to post. Venom is an understatement and I’m being nice. Can hardly wait for your caustic comments blaming me for as well as others for whatever!

  29. Rob N. Hood May 27, 2010 at 2:25 pm #

    Venom… an understatement…?! Whatever Paul.

  30. paul wenum May 27, 2010 at 10:22 pm #

    Rob, discourse is good, however personal attacks, in my opinion are never warranted. If I have personally attacked you I apologize. As to your comments to others on this site, you should apologize as well or hold your comments to the truth or posting without being personal. There is a difference. Example, 30 years ago an owner of a company gave me a call and read me the riot act. I typed up a lengthy letter thereafter and the President of my company at the time walked by and asked what I was writing. l read it to him and he paused and said, “Put that in your drawer and tomorrow read it again.” I did and it was never mailed! To this day, I have that person as a client. Bottom line, think before you speak/post my friend. By the way, I have told you this before but you never listen.

  31. Rob N. Hood May 29, 2010 at 8:18 pm #

    Pious sermonizing is sometimes basically the same thing as a personal attack. And you “my friend” are guilty of both. Not to mention hyperbole.

  32. paul wenum May 31, 2010 at 9:58 pm #

    Take it for what it is.

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