Source: [1]
Gerd-Rainer Weber is a scientist with the German Coal Mining Association where, according his profile at the Heartland Institute, he is "responsible for scientific research, policy analysis and consultancy in the fields of the environmental impact of coal use, particularly problems related to air pollution and global warming." He is also listed as a consulting meteorologist and independent researcher.
Weber has spoken at numerous climate change conferences and events. He is listed as a reviewer of the Climate Change 2001 synthesis report by the IPCC. [2]
"Most of the extremist views about climate change have little or no scientific basis. The rational basis for extremist views about global warming may be a desire to push for political action on global warming." [3]
"In a Democratic Society, Published opinion and public perceptions are the main drivers for political action, not indisputable scientific facts. Cases and point are the European Union's Climate Change Strategy of 10 January 2007 and the Green Package of 23 January, 2008, but also some regional activities in the US and proposed action by US legislative bodies. Those Policies and proposals have been justified by the extremist view on climate change." [4]
2008
Gave a speech titled "Inconsistencies in IPCC Predictions." at the Heartland Institute's 2008 International Conference on Climate Change and subsequently signed the Manhattan Declaration on Climate Change:
May 25, 2000
Was part of a team organized by SEPP to conduct an "independent review of the IPCC's Third Assessment Report." What SEPP called its "Science Integrity Team" briefed members of Congress, news media and other organizations on Capitol Hill about how, generally, climate change was a non-issue. [5]
Others who participated in SEPP's briefing included Hugh Ellsaesser, David Wojick, Richard Courtney, Vincent Gray, Wibjorn Karlin, Ross McKitrick, and other prominent global warming skeptics.
1995
Spoke at the "The Greenhouse Controversy" conference cosponsored by the European Academy for Environmental Affairs and SEPP in Leipzig, Germany.
The conference resulted in the formation of the Leipzig Declaration. [6]
Gerd-Rainer Weber's books include two on climate change:
A search of Google Scholar returns eight articles written by a GR Weber on the subjects of climate and temperature variation. His papers have appeared in the Climate Research Journal (see below) including one one paper co-written by fellow climate skeptic Robert Balling Jr. titled "Theoretical and Applied Climatology and the International Journal of Climatology" (PDF).
In 2003, Climate Research Journal published a controversial paper (PDF) by Willie Soon and Sallie Baliunas that prompted five of ten editors to resign in protest due to the flawed peer review process that allowed its publication. According to the acknowledgments listed in the paper, the study was partially funded by the American Petroleum Institute (API).
"Heartland Experts: Gerd-Rainer Weber," The Heartland Institute. Accessed February, 2012.
"Annex A. Authors and Expert Reviewers," Climate Change 2001 Synthesis report. Archived April 27, 2005, at Klima Climate Change Center.
Marc Morano. "Climate Skeptics Reveal 'Horror Stories' of Scientific Suppression," U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, March 6, 2008.
"Gerd-Rainer Weber," (Video) Presentation at the Heartland Institute's 2008 International Conference on Climate Change. Uploaded by the Heartland Institute, September 14, 2011.
"What's wrong with U.N. climate science: An independent scientific review of the IPCC's Third Assessment Report" (News Release), Science and Environmental Policy Project, May 25, 2000. Archived February 15, 2007.
"THE LEIPZIG DECLARATION ON GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE," Science and Environmental Policy Project. Archived December 6, 1998.
"CFACT Board of Advisors," Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow. Accessed February 23, 2012.
"Gerd-Rainer Weber," SourceWatch Profile.
Democracy is utterly dependent upon an electorate that is accurately informed. In promoting climate change denial (and often denying their responsibility for doing so) industry has done more than endanger the environment. It has undermined democracy.
There is a vast difference between putting forth a point of view, honestly held, and intentionally sowing the seeds of confusion. Free speech does not include the right to deceive. Deception is not a point of view. And the right to disagree does not include a right to intentionally subvert the public awareness.
This post is the second of a two part series. Read the first installment, Unreported Emissions From Natural Gas Blow Up BC's Climate Action Plan.
Methane leaks from British Columbia's natural gas industry are likely at least 7 times greater than official numbers increasing the entire provinces' carbon footprint by nearly 25%. That's like putting 3 million more vehicles on BC's roads.
As...
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