Climate change danger 'overplayed'

 

Two British scientists have hit out over global warmingTwo leading British scientists have hit out at the "Hollywoodisation" of fears over climate change.

 

Professors Paul Hardaker and Chris Collier, both Royal Meteorological Society figures, have criticised peers who they accuse of "overplaying" the global warming message.

 

The pair placed the highly respected American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) at the centre of their criticism.

 

The pair reportedly say some researchers make claims about possible future impacts that cannot be justified by the science. At a conference in Oxford they will say this damages the credibility of all climate scientists.

 

They think the "Hollywoodisation" of weather and climate only works to create confusion in the public mind.

 

The 2004 smash hit film The Day After Tomorrow blurred the lines between science and entertainment with its depiction of catastrophic consequences after global warming caused large areas of the Arctic ice shelf to break off and melt.

 

Professors Hardaker and Collier argue for a more sober and reasoned explanation of the uncertainties about possible future changes in the Earth's climate.

 

They criticised a strongly worded statement released by the AAAS at its last annual meeting in San Francisco in February which said: "As expected, intensification of droughts, heatwaves, floods, wildfires, and severe storms is occurring, with a mounting toll on vulnerable ecosystems and societies.

 

"These events are early warning signs of even more devastating damage to come, some of which will be irreversible."

 

According to Professors Hardaker and Collier, this may well turn out to be true, but convincing evidence to back the claims has not yet emerged.