2008 Woodie Awards
NASA climatologist 'not interested' in defending own views on global warming at W&M
Nick Fitzgerald | Editor in Chief (VIO)
Last Updated:7/2/08 Section: News
Dr. James Hansen, NASA climatologist and major figure in the debate on global climate change, recently refused a paid invitation to speak and debate at the College about his positions on global warming. Braum Katz ('09) -- secretary for the College's Department of Student Rights, director of the newly-created William and Mary Society for Academic Freedom and Diversity and Informer writer -- invited Mr. Hansen via e-mail.
Mr. Hansen was one of the first individuals to discuss the potential impact of global climate change, speaking before Congress in 1988 to that effect. He has been in the media spotlight recently, saying that oil executives who are spreading "misinformation" about global warming should be tried for "crimes against humanity and nature," as reported by various media outlets. He likened oil executives denying global warming to tobacco executives who denied the link between cancer and the use of their products. Mr. Hansen recently told The Associated Press that as far as global climate change is concerned, "this is the last chance."
The invitation to speak at the College came after Mr. Katz contacted Dr. Patrick Michaels, who is a vocal global warming skeptic, former American Association of State Climatologists-designated climatologist at the University of Virginia and also a fellow at the Cato Institute. Mr. Michaels said he would be interested in speaking and debating at William and Mary about his oft-criticized positions denying the significance of global climate change. His UVA faculty Web site reads, "My research…leads me to believe that the next decade will see the emergence of a paradigm of 'robust earth,' as opposed to the fashionable 'fragility' concept….It is entirely possible that human influence on the atmosphere is not necessarily deleterious and that it is simply another component of the dynamic planet."
Mr. Katz, as director of the new student group hoping to expand academic and intellectual diversity, was looking to create a debate between Messrs. Hansen and Michaels, giving both the opportunity to defend and explain their views in a public forum.
"For this fall," Mr. Katz wrote in his e-mail to Mr. Hansen, "we are hoping to host a debate on global climate change and its implications. Patrick Michaels has agreed to come, and my organization would like you to come and debate Dr. Michaels in Williamsburg. The date is very flexible, and we can tailor the day of the debate completely to your schedule. We will be able to pay for your travel expenses and offer you an honorarium for your time. Please let me know if you would be interested."
Mr. Hansen's response was, simply, "not interested."
His reply -- devoid of any salutation, punctuation, capitalization or signature -- came an hour after Mr. Katz sent his original e-mail.
"I was truly taken aback by Dr. Hansen's refusal to debate Dr. Michaels," said Mr. Katz. "I gave Dr. Hansen a blank check to come to the College, and still he refused. Dr. Hansen's suggestion that oil executives who advance global warming skepticism be tried for 'crimes against humanity' and subsequent refusal to debate one of the most prominent academic skeptics is suspicious and unfortunate, to say the least. I still continue to hope that Dr. Hansen realizes the error of his decision and does eventually decide to debate Dr. Michaels. The William and Mary community deserves an open and honest debate about the implications of climate change."
Mr. Hansen did not respond to repeated attempts by The Informer to contact him for comment.
Mr. Hansen was one of the first individuals to discuss the potential impact of global climate change, speaking before Congress in 1988 to that effect. He has been in the media spotlight recently, saying that oil executives who are spreading "misinformation" about global warming should be tried for "crimes against humanity and nature," as reported by various media outlets. He likened oil executives denying global warming to tobacco executives who denied the link between cancer and the use of their products. Mr. Hansen recently told The Associated Press that as far as global climate change is concerned, "this is the last chance."
The invitation to speak at the College came after Mr. Katz contacted Dr. Patrick Michaels, who is a vocal global warming skeptic, former American Association of State Climatologists-designated climatologist at the University of Virginia and also a fellow at the Cato Institute. Mr. Michaels said he would be interested in speaking and debating at William and Mary about his oft-criticized positions denying the significance of global climate change. His UVA faculty Web site reads, "My research…leads me to believe that the next decade will see the emergence of a paradigm of 'robust earth,' as opposed to the fashionable 'fragility' concept….It is entirely possible that human influence on the atmosphere is not necessarily deleterious and that it is simply another component of the dynamic planet."
Mr. Katz, as director of the new student group hoping to expand academic and intellectual diversity, was looking to create a debate between Messrs. Hansen and Michaels, giving both the opportunity to defend and explain their views in a public forum.
"For this fall," Mr. Katz wrote in his e-mail to Mr. Hansen, "we are hoping to host a debate on global climate change and its implications. Patrick Michaels has agreed to come, and my organization would like you to come and debate Dr. Michaels in Williamsburg. The date is very flexible, and we can tailor the day of the debate completely to your schedule. We will be able to pay for your travel expenses and offer you an honorarium for your time. Please let me know if you would be interested."
Mr. Hansen's response was, simply, "not interested."
His reply -- devoid of any salutation, punctuation, capitalization or signature -- came an hour after Mr. Katz sent his original e-mail.
"I was truly taken aback by Dr. Hansen's refusal to debate Dr. Michaels," said Mr. Katz. "I gave Dr. Hansen a blank check to come to the College, and still he refused. Dr. Hansen's suggestion that oil executives who advance global warming skepticism be tried for 'crimes against humanity' and subsequent refusal to debate one of the most prominent academic skeptics is suspicious and unfortunate, to say the least. I still continue to hope that Dr. Hansen realizes the error of his decision and does eventually decide to debate Dr. Michaels. The William and Mary community deserves an open and honest debate about the implications of climate change."
Mr. Hansen did not respond to repeated attempts by The Informer to contact him for comment.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 28
Andy Yacos '86
posted 7/01/08 @ 3:59 PM EST
VA Informer, a debate is a great idea; one focusing on the second most important issue of our time (security being numero uno). As I tell my daughters, examine the facts, evaluate the arguments for yourself and then draw your own conclusion(s). (Continued…)
Jeff Mobley '62
posted 7/09/08 @ 12:28 PM EST
The idea of a debate, a real debate, on "Global Warming" is an excllent one. Forget the NASA guy; however, it would be OK to inform everybody that he was afraid to debate. (Continued…)
Timo van Druten
posted 7/11/08 @ 8:49 AM EST
It seems there is some kind of concerted effort to avoid debate and to insist on written and oral testimonies/statements without the possibility to respond. (Continued…)
jody first
posted 7/11/08 @ 10:24 AM EST
Such public debates on complex science can prove nothing. I have seen many debates on creation vs. evolution, and the creationists win in almost all those debates - but I doubt whether that proves anything. (Continued…)
Hud
posted 7/11/08 @ 11:41 AM EST
Of course he's "not interested" in being exposed on stage as an empty suit or your petty honorarium. In the final analysis it has nothing to do with science but money. (Continued…)
Alex A
posted 7/11/08 @ 12:51 PM EST
Hadn't you heard: The Debate is over and they (Hansen's side) declared victory a decade ago. Isn't that how science is supposed to work? Of course not and those who won't debate are simply afraid. (Continued…)
B Poli
posted 7/11/08 @ 2:14 PM EST
Just forget Hansen as a scientist. But acknowledge his fantastic talent in starting the greatest fake ever.
The emporer has no clothes and needs the cover of his supporters to hide his nakedness. (Continued…)
Jacques
posted 7/11/08 @ 4:08 PM EST
As the former top-ranked debater on the Iowa high school debate circuit (long ago, admittedly), and a debate judge both in high school and college-level competition, it is obvious to me why Hansen won't debate. (Continued…)
Rashid Aziz Faridi
posted 7/11/08 @ 4:27 PM EST
Maybe Hansen has his own reasons. Lets not jump to conclusions.
Bob B
posted 7/11/08 @ 4:38 PM EST
The reason Hansen and Gore don't want to debate is that they lose every time there has been a real debate:
http://motls.blogspot.com/2007/03/intelligence-squared-climate-debate. (Continued…)
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