IPCC chairman Rajendra Pachauri accuses Indian environment ministry of ‘arrogance’ for its report claiming there is no evidence that climate change has shrunk Himalayan glaciers
By Randeep Ramesh
A leading climate scientist today accused the Indian environment ministry of “arrogance” after the release of a government report claiming that there is no evidence climate change has caused “abnormal” shrinking of Himalayan glaciers.
Jairam Ramesh, India’s environment minister, released the controversial report in Delhi, saying it would “challenge the conventional wisdom” about melting ice in the mountains.
Two years ago, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the UN agency which evaluates the risk from global warming, warned the glaciers were receding faster than in any other part of the world and could “disappear altogether by 2035 if not sooner.”
Today Ramesh denied any such risk existed: “There is no conclusive scientific evidence to link global warming with what is happening in the Himalayan glaciers.” The minister added although some glaciers are receding they were doing so at a rate that was not “historically alarming.”
However, Rajendra Pachauri, the chairman of the IPCC, told the Guardian: “We have a very clear idea of what is happening. I don’t know why the minister is supporting this unsubstantiated research. It is an extremely arrogant statement.”
Ramesh said he was prepared to take on “the doomsday scenarios of Al Gore and the IPCC.”
“My concern is that this comes from western scientists … it is high time India makes an investment in understanding what is happening in the Himalayan ecosystem,” he added.
The government report, entitled Himalayan glaciers (pdf), looks at 150 years’ worth of data gathered from the Geological Survey of India from 25 glaciers. It claims to be the first comprehensive study on the region.
Vijay Kumar Raina, the geologist who authored the report, admitted that some “Himalayan glaciers are retreating. But it is nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing to suggest as some have said that they will disappear.”
Read the rest of this article at the Guardian.
Why is it that all the news about global warming is coming out of the UK these days?
I guess only the words of “experts” from the IPCC can be believed. Anyone else is unsubstantial and arrogant. Who does that remind me of? That is the same attitude of someone that posts here frequently, who I will not name to avoid being personal.
Is this what passes for peer review nowadays? No, instead of reviewing the research, and pointing out any flaws, it is just dismissed out of hand and the minister that is supporting it is called arrogant.
I think the IPCC should conduct it’s own study and present it’s findings before shooting off at the mouth. That’s just COMMON SENSE to me.
Totally agree. Stifle them is what they do. Very well, I must say. We must be more diligent in our efforts, not that you have not! I must say Neil, you have a passion/flame that will never burn out. For that, I sincerely respect you.
Thanks Paul. And I appreciate your no-nonsense posts as well.
Keep doing what you do. You do it well. Take care my friend. Remember to vote in 2010. Never forget that.
You guys need to get a room (you’re own chat room, what did you think I meant?)
Yeeah….kaaay
Robby Boy. Go back and call Albert. I’m sure he’s waiting to give you “talking points.” Or, maybe Old George Soros? Who knows anymore after reading your rants. Need I say more? Saul was right and you learned well. You must be buddies, or related? I forgot, that comes from Chicago style. Give us a break.
….Climatecon continues…