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Prof. Claes Johnson’s blogsite here reports on how an IPCC Vice Chair recently used his UN position to suppress scientific dissent and discourse. Hat-tip: Hans Labohm.Johnson, professor of applied mathematics at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, had been asked by the Société Européenne des Ingénieurs et Industriels (European Society of Engineers and Industrialists) to participate (along with Fred Singer) in discussions on climate science in Brussels Sept 1-2.

Spooked, an IPCC higher-up intervened and cancelled the discussion – obviously too much scientific dissent over a science that can no longer take it.

Johnson got the following letter from the SEII dated August 20 signaling a coming invitation:

SEII (Société Européenne des Ingénieurs et Industriels, Prof Henri Masson) organizes a conference for Fred Singer and Claes Johnson at the Fondation Universitaire in Brussels on September 1, at 18.00 h. Official invitation from SEII follows by E-mail. The next day 2 September there will be a workshop with some of our Think Tank. Our preliminary programme looks as follows: – 18.15 S. Fred Singer: What is new in climate change? – 19.00 Claes Johnson: Blackbody radiation and Climate Thermodynamics – 19.45 to 20.30: Questions and Answers”

But for Johnson, the invitation never came. Instead a letter (written in French) was sent August 22 by IPCC Vice Chair Jean-Pascal van Ypersele, who is also a member of the Belgium Royal Academy, was sent to the Fondation Universitaire.

The effect of the letter: The SEII/Fondation Universitaire seminar was cancelled.

Yes, that cancellation of open scientific debate was brought about by a “forceful intervention” by IPCC vice president Jean-Pascal van Ypersele, who wrote in his letter to the Fondation Universitaire:

[…] You should know that Fred Singer is a person who leaves very little to be desired when it comes to scientific honesty. His activities of disinformation are financed by the fossil fuel lobbies (see XXXXXXXXXXXXXX), and it is scandalous that such a person could be remotely or closely associated with the SEII and to the Fondation Universitaire. Some eiminent colleagues have also written me that M. Johnson is no better. One of his recent textbooks, where he spoke up against climate change, published by the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH, Sweden), should have been retracted because it contained errors. I thank you in advance if you’ll rapidly inform me of the measures the SEII intends to take in order to distance itself from this ‘event’? […] Cordially, Prof. Jean-Pascal van Ypersele

There you have it – a Vice Chair of the IPCC reacting to scientific dissent like Superman reacts to kryptonite. They haven’t learned that science is all about taking a hypothesis and putting it on the test-stand of rigorous scrutiny. Not that this has never been done in climate science – indeed it has been done many times. Therein lies the problem! The AGW hypothesis holds up about as well has a sugar cube left out in a hurricane. The only dissent that the IPCC accepts is dissent that agrees with their science.

“…these people will go to any length to suppress scientific dissent”

Here’s S. Fred Singer’s reaction, who got news of the suppression soon after:

– Why am I not surprised by this disreputable action of this IPCC officer? After all, we know from Climategate emails that these people will go to any length to suppress scientific dissent. Even to libel and to use bald-faced lies. – Of course, I am not supported by fossil-fuel industry. That is complete nonsense and invention. – My Europe visit is paid by the Ettore Majorana Foundation — to give an invited talk at a climate conference in Erice. I am using the occasion to accept additional invitations to speak (without lecture fees) at the Univ of Hamburg, Imperial College, Univ of Paris – Jussieu, and of course at the KNMI in De Bilt. By happenstance I was also invited to address 100+ engineers in Zurich. – Our IPCC colleague van Yp also questions my honesty. Well now — the IPCC has been using me as a scientific reviewer, I publish regularly in peer-reviewed journals and am an elected Fellow of several scientific societies. So there must be some who disagree with van Yp.”

The more the IPCC suppresses and tries to shut down dissent and debate, the more suspicious other scientists will get. Hardly a good way to build trust and respect.

UPDATE 1: Also read Russell Cook’s piece here.

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PS: You can contact the SEII and asked them why they refuse to have professors Singer and Johnson.

Tel.: Fondation Universitaire: 32 (0)2 545 04 00 (ask for SEII)

Fax: 32 (0)2 502 98 31

Email: info@seii.org or seii@tiscali.be