Mann believes an Obama second term could signal a renewed effort to address the issue, but acknowledges that in the face of fossil fuel groups who are "paying tens of millions of dollars" to lobby against progressive measures, this would cost political capital: "If Romney wins it's clear there will be no progress possible for at least four years", he said.
The barrage of climate denial does seem to be claiming scalps in the USA – notably in the form of budgets for climate research. Extra funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's climate service was blocked this year, while campaigns to extend the Keystone Pipeline and stop what Republican Congressman Fred Upton calls the "War on Coal" have further polarised the debate.
But while Mann appears undeterred, arguing that it is vital to "stand up for science when it is under cynical attack", he says many fellow scientists are not willing to take the flak, a decision that could in the longer term impact international climate policymaking.
"I am worried abut the effects of the attacks and the fear of being attacked," he said.
"I see this with individual scientists, I know this is happening because I talk with colleagues – they are afraid to talk to the media, afraid to weigh in on the side of climate change being a problem, because they know they will immediately be the subject of attack from right-leaning websites, subject to a slew of orchestrated, angry and nasty emails and calls to departments calling on them to be fired".
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1 comment:
Increasingly, Mann sounds like the lone nutter [which he is] crying wolf yet again.
Soon enough Mikey - there won't be a soul listening, so do yourself a favour and STFU.
At least, if you put a sock in it - it will put a stop to your rambling utterances confirming what we all know - you're a flake and a bum scientist.
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