To the Sponsor of an Outrageous Presenter on Climate Change Denial
I had the misfortune of attending a lecture at the University of California at Santa Barbara yesterday, in response I wrote this to the director of the Institute on Energy Efficiency, the sponsoring organization. I happen to know Dr. Bowers personally, so this wasn’t an easy letter to send.
Dr. Bowers:
It’s with a profound sense of sadness that I write this to you.
Walter Cunningham’s lecture left me cringing, embarrassed for myself just being there, but more importantly, ashamed for your esteemed institution.
Here’s a man whose principal claim is that climate scientists have abandoned science in favor of politics and popular opinion, but who comes armed with essentially no scientific support for his ridiculous claim.
Also, here’s a man who impugns the integrity of each of the many thousands of the world’s most accomplished professionals who have spent their entire careers studying this quite complex phenomenon. I came very close to standing up and saying, “Your suggestion that the entire world of climate science is corrupt is totally outrageous. I know many of these people personally, and your assertion here is so deeply offensive that I can’t believe I just heard it come out of someone’s mouth, especially at a place like UCSB.” (I thought the better of it; I really didn’t want to make a scene.)
If for whatever reason you want a climate denier on stage, please ask me next time; I’ll find someone who won’t dishonor your wonderful organization.
Dr. Bowers is right about one thing: Some scientists have become very political. But why shouldn’t they? They know that climate change is real and that it has a high likelihood of destroying civilization as we know it. They have decided that unless they become involved in politics nothing will be done to mitigate climate change.
A good example of a climate scientist who has become political is Dr. James Hansen who is trying to make the public more aware of climate change. A google search in his name will show much of what he is doing in that regard.
The fact that they have become political does not mean that they have abandoned science; it merely means that they recognize that their scientific findings are useless unless the findings recognized and become the basis for policy.
I’m sure that we know that. One wonders exactly what is going through Dr. Bower’s mind when he asserts that scientists have, in becoming involved in politics, have abandoned science.
Good point. But it was the speaker who made the assertion, not Dr. Bowers.
P.S.
I realize that it was not Dr. Bower who was directly attacking scientists but one would suppose that unless he actually states disagreement with anyone who delivers lectures attacking scientists, he must agree with them. I have no objection to giving a platform to people with contrary opinions, but when the opinions seem ill-founded, that should be pointed out.
Correct. Or just do a better job selecting a speaker.
Craig,
I may have misunderstood you, if so I apologize.
As I understand the circumstances of your complaint are as follows:
1) You attended a lecture at an academic institution, sponsored by a research institute.
2) You were horrified to discover that the institute had invited an unqualified speaker, worse, an unprincipled rogue, to ” impugn the integrity of each of the many thousands of the world’s most accomplished professionals etc”.
3) In fact, you were so moved by righteous outrage you quite rightly took the time to castigate the Principal of the Institute that invited you for allowing a platform for elderly reprobates like this speaker to voice his ‘ heresy’ . You demanded that Heretic’s like this degenerate “climate Denier” should be silenced from criticizing the great and good. (or whomever to designate to belong to the great and good).
Is that an accurate summary ?
Again I may be wrong, (I didn’t attend the lecture) so please correct me if I have the wrong person, but is the subject of your outrage, Dr Walter Cunningham ((Col, USMCR, Ret.) ?
Is this the same former Astronaut, NASA researcher, physicist, Rand Corp scientist etc ?
The same person who is the recipient of the following honours:
NASA Distinguished Service Medal
NASA Exceptional Service Medal
AIAA Haley Astronautics Award, 1969
UCLA Professional Achievement Award, 1969
Special Trustees Award, National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (Emmy Award), 1969
Medal of Valor, American Legion, 1975
Outstanding American Award.
George Haddaway Award, 2000
Houston Hall of Fame
International Space Hall of Fame, inducted in 1983
U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, inducted in 1997
Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame, inducted in 2003
San Diego Air and Space Hall of Fame.
The same individual who is:
fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, fellow of the American Astronautical Society
Society of Experimental Test Pilots
American Geophysical Union
Explorers Club
Sigma Pi Sigma and Sigma Xi,
Association of Space Explorers,
Houston American Revolution Bicentennial Commission
NASA
UDA Aviation Subcommittee
Houston Chamber of Commerce
Earth Awareness Foundation
National Association of Small Business Investment Companies
etc, etc,
It can’t be the same 83 year old, that you heard speaking.
I have met DR Cunningham on many occasions and found him an entertaining speaker of unsurpassed integrity. I may not always agree with what he says, but then if I don’t want to hear dissenting opinions or challenges to orthodoxy, I attend a Church sermon, not lectures at an academic institution !
Yes, that’s the guy. I can only assume that he was much more impressive as a younger man. But he came across as an eccentric, mean-spirited old fool that day, and I wasn’t the only person in the room who left with that observation, as I learned from discussion afterwards.
He was also grossly unprepared. The only reasons I didn’t call him out on this publicly were a) it would appear that I was bullying a helpless old man, and b) the thing had already spoken for itself.
Well if so, that’s depressing. I suppose old age catches up with everyone.
However, Dr Cunningham is not alone in his criticism of the cult that has arisen around the science of Global Warming/Climate Change and how for some it has become a new religion with all the trappings and doctrines, including ‘High Priests’ and fanatical followers, demanding all “heresy” and debate be silenced.
Nor is he alone among scientists who are dismayed to find themselves subjected to social, funding and political pressure.Once the pressure may have emanated from the right, but know there is even greater pressure for scientists to adhere to Climate change orthodoxy and support the doctrinaire advocacy of the extremists.
With so much money and self-interest at stake, scientists find themselves overshadowed by opportunists and vaguely qualified advocates.
In addition there are the downright dishonest, who sensing a gravy train have arrived for the spoils.
Lastly, convinced researchers and academics who built careers and reputations as global warming/climate change advocates. For these scientists it would be devastating to discover they had made errors.
The pressure on the scientists become enormous. So many “true believers ” not to disappoint.
Very little of this helps to maintain an objective, dispassionate appraisal of the aspects and dynamics of global warming/climate change.
It’s fine to have a controversial or iconoclastic viewpoint. But to stand up in front of a room full of people and assert that a group of respected professionals are criminals–without any supporting facts–is really disgusting behavior.
I was so embarrassed for him and the institution; I was so ashamed that I almost had to leave the auditorium.
Craig,
It’s difficult without hearing Dr Cunningham’s speech to judge exactly what specific allegations he made, and what evidence he offered.
I hope you will forgive me when I say that your version may be just a tad partisan.
In the past I’ve noticed that you have readily defended climate scientists accused of wrong doing, without with studying the evidence.
Perhaps it would be helpful (and fair to Dr Cunningham) if you could recount the specifics of the allegations that so disgusted you ?
Sorry. I don’t have the appetitite for further discussion on this. Next time perhaps I’ll record the talk and publish a transcription.
Olde age is also catching up with me and the speaker was only five years older than I. However, unless someone has obvious brain problems, such as Alzheimer’s, I think that age should not be used as an excuse. Warren Buffet certainly seems competent and he is something like 86.