In my opinion, the damage has been done, the wounds too deep, the patient should be allowed to assume room temperature.
Amy Ridenhour of the National Center Blog however is willing to give the IPCC a chance… with conditions:
In the wake of admissions the IPCC knew all along it was putting bogus science in its 2007 Assessment Report, that the false prediction was included specifically for its “impact on policymakers and politicians,” and that this allegedly was covered up as long as it was because the IPCC chairman was raising money for his personal pursuits based on the prediction, the IPCC must immediately take three steps to restore its credibility. If it does not, the Obama Administration should use its influence to have it shut down.
To restore its credibility, the IPCC should:
1) Return its half of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize and replace its current leadership;
2) Adopt and enforce a strict conflict-of-interest policy;
3) Adopt an uncompromising transparency policy, which includes the release of all data, all emails, all meeting minutes, all drafts and all other documentation related to the development of assessment reports and all other policy pronouncements, in the past and from this date forward.
Step one would signal to the world that the IPCC is serious about reform.
Step two would reduce, though not eliminate, the temptation faced by IPCC personnel to tailor conclusions to moneymaking, career or fundraising opportunities for themselves or affiliated businesses or institutions.
Step three would be a constant reminder to IPCC personnel that their work genuinely will be peer-reviewed, in a universal sense, which is as it should be given the gravity of the IPCC’s work.
On condition 1, I think Al Gore should return his half as well… but I suspect the chances of that are about as high as the IPCC returning theirs.
Zip. Zilch. Zero.
Time will inevitably tell the tale but the pressure on these people needs to remain high… for as long as it takes… for they have done serious damage to the credibility of science… to the detriment of us all.
Crossposted(*).
