From CNN: The U.N.’s leading panel on climate change has apologized for misleading data published in a 2007 report that warned Himalayan glaciers could melt by 2035.
In a statement released Wednesday, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said estimates relating to the rate of recession of the Himalayan glaciers in its Fourth Assessment Report were “poorly substantiated” adding that “well-established standards of evidence were not applied properly.”
Despite the admission, the IPCC reiterated its concern about the dangers melting glaciers present in a region that is home to more than one-sixth of the world’s population.
“Widespread mass losses from glaciers and reductions in snow cover over recent decades are projected to accelerate throughout the 21st century, reducing water availability, hydropower potential, and changing seasonality of flows in regions supplied by meltwater from major mountain ranges (e.g. Hindu-Kush, Himalaya, Andes)…”
“The chair, vice-chairs, and co-chairs of the IPCC,” the statement continued, “regrets the poor application of IPCC procedures…”
The apology follows a growing storm of controversy which initially forced the IPCC to concede that data relating to the Himalayan glacier melt included in the 2007 report was not backed up by sufficient scientific data.
Speaking at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi Wednesday, the IPCC chairman, Rajendra Pachauri admitted errors had been made but said it was not an excuse to question the legitimacy of all global warming science.
“Theoretically, let’s say we slipped up on one number, I don’t think it takes anything away from the overwhelming scientific evidence of what’s happening with the climate of this earth,” he said, according to Agence France-Presse.
The controversy centers on a paragraph in Chapter 10 of the 2007 report which states: “Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world, and if the present rate continues, the likelihood of them disappearing by the year 2035 and perhaps sooner is very high if the Earth keeps warming at the current rate. Its total area will likely shrink from the present 500,000 to 100,000 square kilometers by the year 2035. ”
But is has recently emerged that the IPCC statement on Himalayan glaciers, which was based on information from a 2005 report by the World Wildlife Fund, was in turn gleaned from an article that appeared in the popular UK science journal, The New Scientist in June 1999.
In the article, “Flooded Out,” Indian glaciologist Syed Hasnain speculates that the Himalayan glaciers could vanish within 40 years as a result of global warming.
A glacier expert interviewed by CNN explained that the data published was flawed.
Michael Zemp from the World Glacier Monitoring Service said: “There are simply no observations available to make these sorts of statements.”
Zemp says that the figures quoted in the report are not possible because 500,000 square kilometers is estimated to be the total surface area of all mountain glaciers worldwide.
“The other thing is that the report says the glaciers are receding faster than anywhere else in the world. We simply do not have the glacier change measurements. The Himalayas are among those regions with the fewest available data,” Zemp said.
In defense of the IPCC, Zemp says “you can take any report and find a mistake in it but it’s up to the next IPCC report to correct it.”
Zemp also believes that the errors shouldn’t shake people’s belief in climate science.
“Glaciers are the best proof that climate change is happening. This is happening on a global scale. They can translate very small changes in the climate into a visible signal,” he said.
15 responses so far ↓
1 Solar Energy // Feb 7, 2010 at 6:22 am
Yes the glaciers are definetly the best proof that climate is changing. Hope we are not to late, and we can do something about it!
2 Joseph Smith // Feb 7, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Interesting post–I missed the retraction. Unfortunately even one major slip-up like this can hurt the credibility of the climate change argument.
Statistics can often be skewed to present any argument which I think is still one of the reasons that many people distrust the climate change theories.
3 Shooky // Feb 8, 2010 at 7:16 pm
That’s a sad story. It’s especially sad since there will always be large corporates which will make the best out of every opportunity to try and convince there’s no danger in what they are doing. Isn’t it a bit like the cigarette manufacturers?
4 Florida Fence // Feb 9, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Great information.
5 dance lessons in chicago // Feb 10, 2010 at 10:31 am
It’s really a shocking news for all of us, Himalayan glacier melt included in the 2007 report was not backed up by sufficient scientific data.
6 Beth Charette // Feb 12, 2010 at 6:15 am
This is the type of thing that sets the ecology movement back 50 years each time it happens.
One of the chief concerns of the scientists I meet is that the studies they read are ALL of this variety, with assumptions similar to those used in carbon dating. That is, one has to assume a universal standard that no one can prove in order to make a second or final determination.
What is man made are the overfishing and other kinds of abuses of the Earth’s resources.
So, I just hope in the future scientists will give us both the good news and the bad news with regard to their conclusions.
When they are based on assumptions that are in turn based on probabilities that in turn creates a house of cards of any scientific pronouncement.
And, each time one of those far reaching conclusions are shown to be a sham, attempting to advocate for the environment becomes ten times more difficult.
Beth
ToysPeriod is a leading online shop specializing in lego sets and model railroad equipment.
7 vianda // Feb 13, 2010 at 1:33 am
so scary
if himalaya going to melt what gonna happen to us?
8 Carson Rose and Associates // Feb 13, 2010 at 10:24 am
It is an issue on which the whole world should be united, Global Warming is the basic issue that all countries are facing.
9 Kay | Brochures Printing // Feb 18, 2010 at 3:02 am
I must admit that after I watched 2012 I am really and extremely worried about the massive changes in our environment. The sudden changes in climate especially. So I think we should also help in saving mother earth.
10 Printing Quotes | UPrinting Coupons // Feb 20, 2010 at 4:24 am
This doesn’t mean that we should just shrug the idea of climate change. It doesn’t matter when will it happen, but the issue here is it will happen if not in our life time then in our daughters and sons’ time. We have to to do something about this global concern.
11 computer repair tutorials // Feb 24, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Just like in the movies. Scary as hell if that’s going to happen. Let’s just live our lives one day at a time and pray to God.
12 computer repair tuts // Feb 24, 2010 at 12:35 pm
That’s scary if that’s really true. Lets just live our life one day at a time and pray to God for all the blessing he gave us.
13 men's health // Feb 26, 2010 at 6:45 am
How could global climate change affect the natural resources of a certain climate zone?
14 wholesale silver jewelry // Feb 27, 2010 at 3:08 am
Why is the USA blocking progress at the Bali climate conference?
15 buy computer electronics // Mar 2, 2010 at 7:01 am
The earth’s climate has changed in the past and will do so again in the future. Human’s are a part of nature and undoubtedly have an impact on nature. The real question is the degree of impact and the effect of that impact on us is important. How can we survive in difficult condition.
Leave a Comment