WASHINGTON, D.C. – In light of reports Bush Administration political appointees blocked the publication of scientific research regarding global warming and its relationship to increased intensity of hurricanes, a group of Democratic lawmakers led by United States Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) called on the Inspector Generals of both the Commerce Department and NASA to launch formal investigations.
“We are deeply disturbed by what appears to be repeated instances of scientists at these agencies having publication of their research and access to the media blocked, solely based upon their views and conclusions regarding the reality and impacts of global warming,” wrote the lawmakers.
Most recently, reports that political appointees at the Department of Commerce blocked the publication of legitimate scientific research that detailed the link between global warming and increased hurricane intensity and strength.
“We strongly believe that research paid for with taxpayer funds should be published, disseminated and debated, rather than suppressed because it does not support the stated positions of the administration,” the lawmakers stated in their letter. “Unfortunately, this recent incident seems to be only the latest in a growing list of actions taken by this administration to conceal legitimate and scientifically sound findings that do not fit the President’s stated ideological preferences.”
Earlier this month, it was reported that last October, political appointees at NOAA barred a staff scientist, Thomas Knutson, from speaking with reporters because he has published studies which link global warming and hurricane strength. In January, NASA prevented James E. Hansen, director of its Goddard Institute for Space Studies, from speaking to the media after he delivered a scholarly lecture in which he concluded that greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced in order to slow global warming.
“Global warming is a serious threat to the security and health of the entire planet. Instead of demonstrating real leadership, the Bush Administration continues to wave the ideological right wing flag as they wage their war against facts, figures and reason,” Lautenberg added.
Those Senators who signed onto the letter are Harry Reid (D-NV), Jim Jeffords (I-VT), Tom Carper (D-DE), Joe Lieberman (I-CT), John F. Kerry (D-MA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), Richard J. Durbin (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD).
A copy of the letter is attached to this release:
September 29, 2006
Inspector General Johnnie E. Frazier Inspector General Robert W. Cobb Department of Commerce National Aeronautics and Space Administration 1401 Constitution Ave., NW 300 E St., SW Washington, DC 20230 Washington, DC 20546
Dear Inspectors General Frazier and Cobb:
We write to you today to request a formal investigation into continuing reports of political interference with the work of scientists at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). We are deeply disturbed by what appears to be repeated instances of scientists at these agencies having publication of their research and access to the media blocked, solely based upon their views and conclusions regarding the reality and impacts of global warming.
Most recently, there have been reports that political appointees at the Department of Commerce blocked the publication of legitimate scientific research by climate change experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The report in question detailed the link between global warming and increased hurricane intensity and strength. Given the catastrophic destruction caused by hurricanes like Katrina, Rita and Ivan in recent years, and the administration’s continuing refusal to support mandatory controls on greenhouse gas emissions, this topic could not be more timely. A draft copy of the report obtained by Nature magazine posits that there may indeed be a link between global warming and hurricane strength, and recommends further research and study into the matter. We strongly believe that research paid for with taxpayer funds should be published, disseminated and debated, rather than suppressed because it does not support the stated positions of the administration.
Unfortunately, this recent incident seems to be only the latest in a growing list of actions taken by this administration to conceal legitimate and scientifically sound findings that do not fit the President’s stated ideological preferences. Earlier this month, it was reported that last October, political appointees at NOAA barred a staff scientist, Thomas Knutson, from speaking with reporters because he has published studies which link global warming and hurricane strength. In December of 2005, NASA prevented James E. Hansen, director of its Goddard Institute for Space Studies, from speaking to the media after he delivered a scholarly lecture in which he concluded that greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced in order to slow global warming. Furthermore, in April, staff scientists and contractors at NOAA interviewed by the Washington Post disclosed that “administration officials have chastised them for speaking on policy questions; removed references to global warming from their reports, news releases and conference Web sites; investigated news leaks; and sometimes urged them to stop speaking to the media altogether.”
These activities do a disservice to the American public and are delaying a rational and comprehensive response to the very grave and real threat of global warming. Most recently, a peer-reviewed study concluded that “the Western Pacific…and probably the planet as a whole, is…within approximately one degree Celsius of the maximum temperature of the past million years.”
In light of these and other troubling reports, we respectfully request that your office conduct a full and thorough investigation into the suppression of science and censorship of scientists at these government agencies.
