In a column in the Winnipeg Sun (found on CNews), Tom Brodbeck states that there are "many credible scientists with alternative views" on climate change. He gives two examples. The problem is that both of them are connected to energy industry lobbyists:
Brodbeck says: "Tim Patterson is an earth sciences professor at Carlton University in Ottawa. He says he doesn't accept the idea that man-made greenhouse gases are causing the Earth to warm."
According to deSmogBlog, Dr. Patterson is connected to the Natural Resources Stewardship Project, who's stated purpose on their web site is to "Have a measurable impact on the public's understanding of climate change, with a target of significantly lessening support for implementation of CO2 controls."
This group was apparently created by many of the former Friends of Science, and is controlled by energy industry lobbyists.
His other "find" is Dr. Madhav Khandekar, who is also apparently connected with the NRSP, and who finds the IPCC report to be "a bit too simplistic".
Again, deSmogBlog says that Dr. Khandekar is an " expert adviser and contributor to oil backed spin machine Envirotruth".
Mr. Brodbeck rejects the words of David Suzuki, as if he was just some crank, and doesn't seem to consider the overwhelming majority of IPCC scientists to be worthy of his time. Instead he would have us spend more time listening to these guys. Well, if they have evidence that the climate is not changing, or that we are not responsible - let's hear it. I certainly didn't find any in this column. And let's have full disclosure of their affiliations and funding sources as well.
2 comments:
Since 2002 and following, this was the roster of Friends of Science:
Who are the Friends of Science?
sunset.jpg (128749 bytes) Ah, the SUN - the source of radiant energy which along with the atmospheric blanket of clouds and water vapour provides us with the livable planet Earth. (And don't forget the water, that covers over 70% of our planet!)
(Click on the image to enlarge it.)
The Friends of Science members and correspondents come from across Canada and include professionals and laymen who are interested in science and in the role it plays in political decision making.
Executive Officers of the Friends of Science are:
Arthur M. Patterson, B.A.Sc., P.Geol., President
Gordon C. Wells, B.Sc., P.Geol., Vice-President
Charles Simpson, Secretary
H. Graham Donoghue, B.A.Sc., P.Eng., Treasurer
Professional Contacts
Individuals from the Friends of Science have had extensive discussions and correspondence with the following:
Dr. Tim Ball Prof. Climatology, U. of Winnipeg, U. of Victoria (ret)
Dr. Chris de Freitas Assoc. Prof. of Geography & Environmental Science, U. of Auckland
Dr. R. McKitrick Assoc. Prof. of Economics, U. of Guelph
Dr. T. Patterson Prof. of Geology, Carleton U.
It is still on-line. By 2006, it was the same:
SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD
Dr. Tim Ball, Retired Professor of Climatology; Consultant
Dr. Sallie Baliunas, Research scientist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Dr. Chris de Freitas, Associate Professor of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Auckland
Dr. Madhav Khandekar, Meteorologist retired, formerly with Environment Canada
Dr. Tad Murty, Adjunct Professor in the Departments of Earth Sciences in The University of Ottawa
Dr. Tim Patterson, Professor of Geology and Paleoclimatology, Carleton University
You are correct. FoS is (unfortunately) still around, and is supported by many of the same people found on the NRSP web site.
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