Groups Say Scientists Pressured On Warming

Report: Dozens Of Government Scientists Say They Were Told To Play Down Threat

(CBS/AP)  Two private advocacy groups told a congressional hearing Tuesday that climate scientists at seven government agencies say they have been subjected to political pressure aimed at downplaying the threat of global warming.

The groups presented a survey that shows two in five of the 279 climate scientists who responded to a questionnaire complained that some of their scientific papers had been edited in a way that changed their meaning. Nearly half of the 279 said in response to another question that at some point they had been told to delete reference to "global warming" or "climate change" from a report.

The questionnaire was sent by the Union of Concerned Scientists, a private advocacy group. The report also was based on "firsthand experiences" described in interviews with the Government Accountability Project, which helps government whistleblowers, lawmakers were told.

The Democratic chairman of the House panel examining the government's response to climate change said Tuesday there is evidence that senior Bush administration officials sought repeatedly "to mislead the public by injecting doubt into the science of global warming."

Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., said he and the top Republican on his oversight committee, Rep. Tom Davis of Virginia, have sought documents from the administration on climate policy, but repeatedly been rebuffed.

"The committee isn't trying to obtain state secrets or documents that could affect our immediate national security," said Waxman, opening the hearing. "We are simply seeking answers to whether the White House's political staff is inappropriately censoring impartial government scientists."

"We know that the White House possesses documents that contain evidence of an attempt by senior administration officials to mislead the public by injecting doubt into the science of global warming and minimize the potential danger," Waxman said.

The top Republican on the committee criticized the survey (by the Union of Concerned Scientists) and told CBS News, "The survey is what I would call garbage because they pre-selected the number of people that they would survey—probably members who had been disgruntled."

The administration denies it's trying to mislead anyone about global warming, reports CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller.

A spokeswoman for the White House Council on Environmental Quality said the accusation that the administration pressured scientists into downplaying the findings of their research are not true. She said the oversight committee has so far been given 10,000 pages of the documents they've requested and still more will be turned over.

Also Tuesday, Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., sought to gauge her colleague's sentiment on climate change. She opened a meeting where senators were to express their views on global warming in advance of a broader set of hearings on the issue.

Among those scheduled to make comments were two presidential hopefuls — Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Barack Obama, D-Ill. Both lawmakers favor mandatory reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, something opposed by President Bush, who argues such requirements would threaten economic growth.

The intense interest about climate change comes as some 500 climate scientists gather in Paris this week to put the final touches on a United Nations report on how warming, as a result of a growing concentration of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere, is likely to affect sea levels.

They agree sea levels will rise, but not on how much. Whatever the report says when it comes out at week's end, it is likely to influence the climate debate in Congress.

At the Waxman hearing, the two advocacy groups said their research — based on the questionnaires, interviews and documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act — revealed "evidence of widespread interference in climate science in federal agencies."

The groups report described largely anonymous claims by scientists that their findings at times at been misrepresented, that they had been pressured to change findings and had been restricted on what they were allowed to say publicly.

NASA scientist Dr. Drew Shindell said that although he has had concerns about the public affairs policy at NASA in the past, he believes there is a new policy of openness at the space administration and he encourages other agencies who study climate change to adopt similar practices, CBS News reports.

Shindell's major complaint had to do with a press release that NASA issued to advertise a study he did. Initially he said it was titled, "Cool Antarctica May Warm Rapidly." But he says this was watered down by his superiors to read, "Scientists Predict Antarctic Climate Change." He said the new title was a "very milk toast title that didn't inspire any interest."

The Union of Concerned Scientists survey involved scientists across the government from NASA and the Environmental Protection Agency to the department's of Agriculture, Energy, Commerce, Defense and Interior. In all the government employees more than 2,000 scientists who spend at least some of their time on climate issues, the report said.

President Bush mentioned global warming in his recent State of the Union speech – the first time he's done that, CBS News correspondent Bob Fuss reports. But Democrats are ready to do something about it.

Boxer has offered the most aggressive bill, one that is touted as reducing these greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by mid-century.

Obama and McCain are sponsoring a bill along with Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, an independent who usually votes Democratic, that would cut emissions by two-thirds by 2050. Another bill, offered by Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., would halt the growth of carbon emissions by 2030 and then is expected to lead to reductions.

All three would require mandatory caps on greenhouse gas releases from power plants, cars and other sources. They also would have various forms of an emissions trading system to reduce the economic cost.

[bluestardad]

Make the Congress and the Administration define who the enemy is in Iraq. The Neocons cannot tell you who we are sending our troops to fight. It is a sure bet that the Chicken Hawks are not going to go fight. Saudis are aiding the Sunnis and Iran is aiding the Shiites and the 12 former members of Saddam%u2019s regime are running scared hiding in caves! So how do we tell our troops to fire upon? Why is America even there? OK here is your chance, don%u2019t just set in front of your computer and complain spouting meaningless rants of sludge, do something about it! This is the contact address for your Senator! Send them a message of your opinion. All Class Two Senators are up for Reelection in 2008. Be respectful even if they do not deserve it because their office does! http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

[edjohn66]

Does this all come as a surprise to ANYONE? The Republicans are the kings of misinformation and misdirection. Just look at Iraq. So how is anyone surprised that two oil men would trash science that was detremental to their own personal interests?

Shame on all of us that voted for Bush & Co. We all KNEW who they were and what they were capable of, especially in 2004.

[randalds]

This has been the most anti-science administration since the early 1900's. Not surprising considering the moron in the White House asserts that the "jury is still out" on evolution. These bozo's still think the universe was created in a single day, with the earth and everything on it created in 5 more. Next they'll go back to insisting the earth is flat and that the Sun revolves around it instead of the other way around. They aren't smart enough to understand science, so they fear and hate it. Classic.

[nothappyatall]

No kidding edjohn66, the Bush regime has poo poo'd this problem for years and talks about voluntary reductions in greenhouse gases amounting to a tiny fraction of percentages by something like 2030- by then it's WAY too late, I believe it already IS too late since all of these gases continue to rise in the atmosphere for many years, so zero emmissions today will still see a rise of temperatures as well as depleting of the ozone concentration.

There is no ozone HOLE, that is a misnomer, it is a reduced concentration in an area.

[ghosttownsky]

Is it better to error on the side of predicting greater risks or on the side of minimizing possible consequences? It seems like the best approach is to present the range of predictions along with the consequences. We don%u2019t want sugarcoated reports like usually come out of this administration.

I believe ice melts caused by global warming would likely follow an exponential path rather than a straight-line. The question is, to what degree is it exponential.

[nothappyatall]

" just when did global warming becoming a "hot" issue?? The talk of global warming has been around for decades. In the 70's we were.."

janem4- when satellite images started showing HUGE losses of ancient ice shelf at the poles, and the mountains that were formerly covered year 'round in snow going bare for the first time in recorded history, when huge ancient glaciers started showing rapid melting away revealing the ground they covered.
There are many old photos taken in the 20's and 30's etc showing snow capped mountains that had always been covered in snow year 'round, comparing the old photos with today's you see the dramatic differences.
Whether Canada emits more gasses than we do doesn't matter, we share the SAME planet.

The fact is the changes have been rapid and dramatic in RECENT years, and the images from space as well as comparing today's visuals with older photos PROVES it.

What is NOT proven is the actual exact CAUSE(s), so the theory is just that- theory, we could be in a slight change of an orbital cycle that causes ice ages and warming to begin with, something could have altered that just enough to affect it- like a kid's spinning top given a little nudge. This planet's seasons come entirely from the slight TILT and wobble changing the sun's angle, any slight change of THAT could cause a big environmental change.
many things could change that minutely- plate shifting- earthquakes, meterorite strike, a large tsunami with all that water moving suddenly.

[randalds]

I believe it already IS too late since all of these gases continue to rise in the atmosphere for many years, so zero emmissions today will still see a rise of temperatures as well as depleting of the ozone concentration.

There is no ozone HOLE, that is a misnomer, it is a reduced concentration in an area.

Posted by newster1 at 01:30 PM : Jan 30, 2007

I agree. While we certainly still should do what we can to cut the gasses now, we shouldn't fool ourselves into thinking that the damage hasn't already been done. We need to concentrate on how we're going to deal with the major changes in weather and the massive coastal flooding that it's already too late to prevent. Obviously in the US FEMA isn't up to the task and I believe that eventually we'll have to create a whole new cabinet level department to deal with it. Funded along the levels of todays Defense Department. Wherever the new national capital is located after D.C. goes under water that is.

[skyk-2009]

janem4. You are one of those folks who seems content to just bury your head in the sand. Global warming has been a topic of concern and discussion within the scientific community but the problem is with the NeoCon's and the Religious Reich! They have had control of things in Washington for a long time and have been successful in keeping Scientist quite and their findings away from We the People.

[rf35]

As for greenhouse gases, Canada emits more than us. Look it up for yourselves.
Posted by janem4 at 12:31 PM : Jan 30, 2007

So you%u2019re saying that because Canada (for whom we cannot pass laws) emits more greenhouse gasses that the United States (for whom we can pass laws), we should do nothing? What twist in logic brings you to that conclusion. If Canada legalized rape would you push for it to be legalized here, too? Because that%u2019s what both countries pretty much have going on; legal environmental rape.

As for that part about the 70%u2019s ice age, science has grown a bit in the last few decades. My home desktop is more powerful that the computers they were using to run climate models. 30+ extra years of satellite data, ice cores, and plain old direct observation helped, too. In the 90%u2019s, America was more concerned with what Clinton had going on between his legs that with the environment. The Kyoto Protocols and America%u2019s refusal to ratify the Accord are one of the things that brought global warming to the attention of the US.

[getcentered]

"We know that the White House possesses documents that contain evidence of an attempt by senior administration officials to mislead the public by injecting doubt into the science of global warming and minimize the potential danger," Waxman said.

DUDE! We know the White House misleads the public. Not only on issues of science but on almost any issue. The White House represents absolute ignorance or absolute evil.

If it were legal, I'd KICK the teeth out of the mouths of every fool in the White House and any of their blind followers.

[getcentered]

janem4:
"As for greenhouse gases, Canada emits more than us. Look it up for yourselves."

Canada?

Jane, you are absolutely wrong. Please turn off the Fox news or the Right-Wing radio and come back to earth. Open your eyes to the insurmountable amount of evidence that a global climate change is under way. Sure our leaders should have been paying attention in the 70's back when the movement got legs, but because our leaders didn't do anything about it then doesn't mean we should ignore this problem now.

[dallison7]

DEAR NEOCONS,

HOW CAN DESTROYING THE ENVIORNMENT BE THE GODLIKE THING TO DO?

[huskerarmy]

But of course global warming is just another left wing liberal media and academia conspiracy designed to bring down our benevolant, big brother plutocracy.

[huskerarmy]

That's tongue in cheek of course. My sister and brother-in-law are scientists... of course I believe global warming is real. It's more real than many of us want to admit.

[huskerarmy]

Janem4 doesn't have to worry about such things because God and the plutocrats will take care of us. Science, smiance... believe what you want. Jane and her ilk are contented to believe that kids rode to school on dinasaurs 6,000 years ago.

[dallison7]

Why wasn't it so popular back in the 90's when we didn't sign the Kyoto Accord?
As for greenhouse gases, Canada emits more than us. Look it up for yourselves.
Posted by janem4 at 12:31 PM : Jan 30, 2007

It wasn't "we" that didn't sign the Kyoto Accord... It was Bush!!

[bigwhtpony]

Yeah, they were edited because they tried to pass their JUNK SCIENCE off as factual. Maybe if Al Gore stopped opening his pie hole, the earth would begin to cool off a little.

[bigwhtpony]

Actually, it was CLINTON, not Bush. He had the chance to sign it first but didn't because it exempted China. Now everyone blames Bush for not signing it.

More liberal, left wing, socialist propoganda.

[randalds]

Actually, it was CLINTON, not Bush. He had the chance to sign it first but didn't because it exempted China. Now everyone blames Bush for not signing it.

More liberal, left wing, socialist propoganda.
Posted by bigwhtpony at 03:15 PM : Jan 30, 2007

Clinton wanted to as he helped negoiate it. The republican controlled congress told him they wouldn't ratify it so it would do him no good to sign it.

More right wing republican bullsh*it propaganda.

[ademeyer]

People who denigrate the theory of global warming are the same kind who might have hunkered down in New Orleans because "we've always ridden hurricanes before"....and drowned. Personally, I choose to heed storm warnings.

[macusweil]

Government for hire is the GOP way of life- Gas, Oil & Petroleum -- blowing smoke screens for BIG oil to hide global warming, not to mention gutting regulations and government oversight.

[juliemd]

Hey Bigwhtpony...go ahead, believe the misinformation and keep your head buried in the sand. We'll look away while your big a** glares back at us in ignorance. :)

[MIpapaof4]

I have been thinking a lot lately about global warming and el nino. You know, the effects these are having on our weather. It hasn't been out of the teens here and this week end they are calling for sub zero temperatures. I only wish for el nino for a little while. Sounds a lot like bull to me.

[bluestardad]

Surely you don't suggest that his royal hindend would surpress the truth about a subject do you?

[houser123]

Let us all remember this administration the next time two oilmen want to be President and vice President. What else could you get from two guys so entwined with the big oil. It would be great if we could see Cheney's Energy Policy, but hey, one more example of power that forbids the people to see how our elected officials operate. What's wrong with this picture. What are they hiding in the energy report? My opinion is if the energy report were ever made public record, it would shed light on how and why we went to war and why this administration has shunned the notion of global warming.

[mbcsmith]

More elitist liberal media spin. Over 2000 questionaires were sent. Of those, 279 responded. Of which, 112 responded positive to the "pressure" question. I compute a 5.6% positive response rate. Is it possible that these 5.6% jobs depend on the existence of the warming "theory"?

[huskerarmy]

"Yeah, they were edited because they tried to pass their JUNK SCIENCE off as factual."

bigwhtp(h)ony,
Come on now... If not for "junk science," you GOPers would have no science at all!

[christiansin]

Sure they would have science. They call it the "Bible."

[huskerarmy]

"Is it possible that these 5.6% jobs depend on the existence of the warming "theory"?"

Is that the best you can do? Billions of dollars are at steak and big oil has a vested interest in its denial. Do you honestly think the money to be made on global warming is anything comparable? It's amazing how hard you righties are willing to push against the winds of overwhelming evidence.

[huskerarmy]

"279 responded. Of which, 112 responded positive to the "pressure" question."

Thats 40% of those who responded. A significant measure by any reasonable interpretation.

[davek455]

I am slightly hopeful that the tide is turning against the Republicans on this issue, and it's turning among Evangelical Christians. As much as I deplore mixing church and state, the environment could use an ally in the evangelicals. They are starting to push hard for the Republican party to make the connection of protecting God's creation with strong environmental laws.

[renton244]

Canada emits more GHG tha the US per capita (only). In absolute figures, the USA emit more than ANY other country in the world.

Check this map out:
http://www.wri.org/newsroom/topic_content.cfm?cid=4141

[jhindson1]

What else is new. This administration has had a consisitent and total purge campaign of anyone with facts that contradict their policy of unrestricted Corporate greed and the imposition of Religious idealogy. There was the FDA cases, the 2 year delay in the Plan B pill, the restrictions on stem cell research and of course Global Warming. Shame on them for supressing the facts and failing to take action on this problem hat threatens the earth.

Well the effects will come. Major portions of the inhabited US coastline will be under water including most of the state of Florida.

[patriot_777]

There is NEW ABSOLUTE PROOF that 9/11 was an inside job. Google Video "911 Mysteries" or past the following: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6708190071483512003

[patriot_777]

Why is global warming such a "hot" issue. To distract our attention away from things that are TRUELY IMPORTANT taking place right now... like the stripping of our rights and sovereignty and the creation of the North American Union. It's no wonder Bush has never cared about our borders. Global warming is bunk science... it is true that just a couple decades ago it was "the coming ice age" we had to be concerned about. Search Google videos for "9/11 Mysteries" and free your mind.

[huskerarmy]

"So they didn't have the guts to come forward and dispute what was being said on their behalf. I guess they weren't that concerned after all. I'm quite sure they could have leaked the information to any left wing newspaper..."

Winstrv, This is a new survey but hardly a new story. The "left wing" media has been covering it for some time. Get your head out of the Fox News/Limbaugh/Rove spin machine and you'd be surprised what's going on in the world around you.

[huskerarmy]

"Global warming is bunk science..."
Patriot777, there are student loans available.

[fryedbread]

It's amazing how violently some people will defend their own ignorance, even going so far as inviting their own destruction. We are well past the point where global warming can be prevented. The best we can do now is try to minimize its impacts, and yet we still have people standing their ground against progress -- even as that ground is literally melting away beneath them.

[imiri-2009]

I think that such a pressure can have devastating effects on all of us. We need new politics that could face more effectively this problem. We cannot continue to depend on old fuels which are higly polluting and dangerously subject us to oil producing countries. The climate is changing. I think optimistically that the nature has the strength to sustain this burden, but our time is running....

[steeepe]

Is it any wonder that the propagandists in the White House would try to mislead people about global warming? In their world, up is down and white is black. They have mislead us at every opportunity about everything. As far as I'm concerned, they have no credibility whatsoever about anything. If you want to be right, accept the opposite of whatever they say as the truth.

[rharrin1]

Global warming will interfere with bush and cheneys quest for oil in the mideast. The truth would really hurt their profit line.

[frankly6]

It's getting to the point where it looks like we'll have to impeach this lying, incompetent President before he's ruling from a bunker somewhere.

[frankly6]

It's amazing how violently some people will defend their own ignorance, even going so far as inviting their own destruction. We are well past the point where global warming can be prevented. The best we can do now is try to minimize its impacts, and yet we still have people standing their ground against progress -- even as that ground is literally melting away beneath them.
Posted by Fryedbread at 06:01 PM : Jan 30, 2007

so good it deserves a re-post

[racam-2009]

I actually cannot believe that Congress did not know this was going on. If they did not know it they are too stupid to be in charge of taking care of this country. I knew it, all my friends knew it, Al Gore preached it to anyone who would listen. This administration is about oil, the war is about oil, the previous administrations were about oil, and the next administration will be about oil, and no one is supposed to know this. Bush lied us into a war for oil, Bush lied us into not believing Global warming is the truth, and when all of the rest of his lies are uncovered we will be astonished again.

[j-whitman]

Badax,, Yes they have to be dealt with,, But not to the point that jepordises our National Security or disrupts the entire region.

We find out now that 6 weeks ago Bush was told his "Surge" won't work without diplomatic negotiations with Syria & Iran -- Guess What ?? The "Decider" decided to ignore that advice.

[j-whitman]

Badax,,, As in Global Warming, our "Decider" ignores his Generals, Scientists, & Advisors,, then lies to America.

[legendary240]

Global Warming - uh, so? It's like better than Global Cooling, right? You know, they (the Science Almightys) have said the earth is the warmest it has been in what, the last 1300 years? Well, what were we doing 1300 years ago to cause warming then? Burning Jerusalem or using too much sulfur on torches? What caused that warm period to cool down 1300 years ago? I know, Al Gore's Norman ancestor did an improvisational skit and convinced everyone to use cleaner burning olive oil. Good old Al.

[Syndicate]

If you are interested in reducing your personal dependance on fossil fuels check this out.

http://www.mrsolar.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=MSOS&Category_Code=ce

I would really like to get thier 5400 watt system, but I need to do a few more calcs first.

[one_american]

Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif is the inspiration for the Seinfeld character, "Pig-Man".

[legendary240]

Check this out!!

It's amazing how violently some people will defend their own ignorance, even going so far as inviting their own destruction. We are well past the point where global warming can be prevented. The best we can do now is try to minimize its impacts, and yet we still have people standing their ground against progress -- even as that ground is literally melting away beneath them.
Posted by Fryedbread at 06:01 PM : Jan 30, 2007

Good grief! We are doomed, doomed - unless we put all the liberals in charge of everything. Global Warming is caused by all the fuming mad Democrats who can't shut up! Their collective hot air is sustaining the warming. It's a plot, as soon as Hillary or Obama gets in office they will shut up, the earth will cool and it will look like the Dems saved the day.