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RMAG members: The message below is the exact text of a letter to the United Nations that some of our members, and other Earth Scientists, wrote to garner support from the Earth Science community.
Each RMAG member has the option of sending this letter, or a personalized letter, to Mr. Harris. It is also your option to offer a different opinion. Dr. Harris' email address is: tom.harris@climatescienceinternational.net
Please note that the RMAG does not endorse the opinions in this letter. If other 'scripted' letters are sent to RMAG they will be considered for posting on this site, also.
c/o Dr. Tom Harris
Executive Director
International Climate Science Coalition (ICSC)
P.O. Box 23013
Ottawa, Ontario
K2A 4E2
Canada
Secretary-General of the United Nations
Dear Secretary-General:
Climate change science is in a period of ‘negative discovery’ - the more we learn about this exceptionally complex and rapidly evolving field the more we realize how little we know. Truly, the science is NOT settled.
Therefore, there is no sound reason to impose expensive and restrictive public policy decisions on the peoples of the world without first providing convincing evidence that human activities are causing dangerous climate change beyond that resulting from natural causes. Before any precipitate action is taken, we must have solid observational data demonstrating that recent changes in climate differ substantially from changes observed in the past and are well in excess of normal variations caused by solar cycles, ocean currents, weather cycles (El Niño, etc.), changes in the Earth's orbital parameters and other natural phenomena.
We the undersigned, being qualified in climate-related scientific disciplines, challenge the UNFCCC and other supporters of the United Nations Climate Change Conference to produce convincing OBSERVATIONAL EVIDENCE for their claims of dangerous human-caused global warming and other changes in climate. Projections of possible future scenarios from unproven computer models of climate are not acceptable substitutes for real world data obtained through unbiased and rigorous scientific investigation.
Specifically, we challenge supporters of the hypothesis of dangerous human-caused climate change to demonstrate that:
1. Variations in global climate in the last hundred years are significantly outside the natural range experienced in previous centuries;
2. Humanity’s emissions of carbon dioxide and other ‘greenhouse gases’ (GHG) are having a dangerous impact on global climate;
3. Computer-based models can meaningfully replicate the impact of all of the natural factors that may significantly influence climate;
4. Sea levels are rising dangerously at a rate that has accelerated with increasing human GHG emissions, thereby threatening small islands and coastal communities;
5. The incidences of malaria and other infectious diseases are now increasing due to recent climate changes;
6. Human society and natural ecosystems cannot adapt to foreseeable climate change as they have done in the past;
7. Worldwide glacier retreat, and sea ice melting in polar regions, is unusual and related to increases in human GHG emissions;
8. Polar bears and other Arctic and Antarctic wildlife are unable to adapt to anticipated local climate change effects, independent of the causes of those changes;
9. Hurricanes, other tropical cyclones and associated extreme weather events are increasing in severity and frequency;
10. Data recorded by ground-based stations are a reliable indicator of global surface temperature trends.
It is not the responsibility of ‘climate realist’ scientists to prove that dangerous human-caused climate change is not happening. Rather, it is those who propose that it is, and promote massive investments to solve the supposed ‘crisis, who have the obligation to convincingly demonstrate that recent changes are not mostly natural and, if we do not reduce GHG emissions, catastrophe will consequently ensue. To date, they have utterly failed to do so.
Very Sincerely Yours.
Below we have posted responses or differing opinions to the letter above from our members.
c/o Dr. Tom Harris
Executive Director
International Climate Science Coalition (ICSC)
P.O. Box 23013
Ottawa, Ontario
K2A 4E2
Canada
1 December 2009
Dear Dr. Harris,
Climate change is the issue of our time.
Geological Science allows us to determine that we have solid data demonstrating that recent changes in climate differ significantly from changes observed in the past and are in excess of normal variations caused by solar cycles, ocean currents, weather cycles (El Niño, etc.), changes in the Earth's orbital parameters and other known natural phenomena.
1. Variations in global climate in the last hundred years are significantly outside the range experienced in previous centuries and Earth’s warming has been measured worldwide on land, at sea, and from space;
2. Humanity’s emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are having a measurable impact on global climate;
3. Computer models can replicate the impact of natural factors that influence climate and these models suggest that manmade factors are having an increasing impact on Earth’s climate;
4. Sea level is rising at a rate of about 3 mm per year thereby threatening small islands and coastal communities;
5. Ecosystem changes are measurable and plants and animals are modifying their behavior and distribution ranges to accommodate recent climate changes;
6. Humanity with its population in the billions will be hard pressed to adapt to foreseeable climate changes;
7. Worldwide glacier retreat and polar ice melting is unusual and related to global warming;
Human-caused climate change is happening and scientists and governments carry a responsibility to share this knowledge with the populace and to help us collectively find cost-effective solutions to ensure a sustainable World for our children and their progeny.
Thank you for your help in this matter.
Sincerely yours,
Bob Raynolds
Research Associate
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