UAE | Environment

UN climate chief rules out conspiracy behind debate

UN's climate change body's chief Pachauri says whole system cannot be blamed

By Rayeesa Absal, Staff Reporter, Gulf News
Published: 00:00 December 13, 2009

Image Credit: Reuters
People in giant panda suits and mimes dance before a march to the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009 in Copenhagen yesterday.

Abu Dhabi: There is no conspiracy behind climate change and its anticipated impact, the UN's climate change body's chief has said.

In an interview with Gulf News, Dr Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC), said: "In every field of endeavour, there might be a few ‘black sheep' who deviate from ethical practices. But that does not mean the whole system can be labelled as being dishonest or fraudulent on the basis of one particular incident, even if it was true."

He was reacting to a scandal that erupted last month after leaked e-mails exchanged between scientists at UK's renowned University of East Anglia (UEA) apparently suggested that scientists manipulated data to exaggerate the impact of global warming.

The incident created an uproar, ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, with climate change sceptics using it to support their point.

Exaggeration

"Why is there any need to exaggerate the effects of climate change when the reality itself is so stark?" Pachauri asks. He was in the capital shortly before heading to the Copenhagen conference.

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The scandal broke on November 19 when hundreds of UEA's internal e-mails were hacked and posted in the public domain. "We are living in an age when there is no chance someone can get away with any make believe, at least not for long," he said.

Investigations are ongoing to verify the truth behind the e-mails and to find those who hacked the university's server. The e-mails also suggested the scientists were able to prevent publishing of works they did not agree with in the IPCC's fourth assessment report in 2007.

Defending IPCC, widely regarded as the leading authority in the world on climate change, Pachauri said: "I m not aware of the actions of individuals. But IPCC is an extremely transparent body. Everything we do is in the public domain. Those we deploy to carry out assessments are selected from a long list of people nominated by governments based on their individual backgrounds, experience and expertise. "At every stage of the draft of any report IPCC produces we carry out detailed peer reviews. Each of these comments is put up on the website after which the authors decide on accepting or rejecting the reviews. Again, reason has to be shown for rejecting a comment," he said.

New research suggests the earth is heading towards six degrees temperature rise by the end of the century.

Do you consider climate change to be a real threat? How damaging will the email controversy be to those who support action against global warming? What steps do you take to maintain a 'green' lifestyle?

Comments (3)

Added 18:36 December 13, 2009

The emails just reinforces what a lot of skeptics were saying anyway. The peer review process appears to be political, not objective. The refusal to release raw data suggests that the data is open to alternative interpretation besides possibly being illegal under the British Freedom of Information act. The 'hide the decline' email suggests that information is systematically presented in a misleading way.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 09:58 December 13, 2009

There is one very good reason why I definitely know for sure, that all this global warming stuff is 100% fake. The fact that 2 or so weeks ago, UK PM Gordon Brown actually actually had to speak to the press that it actually does exist. Ordinarily no world leader would even bother responding to any allegation if everything was all above board. Why does it continue? Answer = imagine if it were proved that it was all fake. Suddenly there would be worldwide global anarchy. Even worst, worldwide governments would instantly lose billions in taxes which were placed on everyone. This isn't star trek, there is no need to look for alternative science fiction sources of energy. Oridinary people who believe in Global Warming feel we are to blame. We've been alive for a few decades only. The change is weather and global temperatures maybe natural, an act of god. Who are we to say, or suggest other things are to blame.

Isham Malehi, London, United Kingdom

Added 04:22 December 13, 2009

The whole program is nothing more than an Elitist Globalist Fraud Designed to help them take control of the world! They think they are smarter than the rest of us! Their arrogance displays their SHAM and Racketeering! Check out the Copenhagen Document leaks, this knowledge may save your life! Request that PM Harper DOES NOT sign the Copenhagen Treaty, thereby causing Canadians to lose their Sovereignty and Freedom.

Anonymous, Windsor, Canada