UK scientists hit out at 'Hollywoodisation' of climate change » Environment » 24dash.com

Two 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 BBC reports the pair 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.

Professor Collier told the BBC: "It's certainly a very strong statement.

"I suspect it refers to evidence that hurricanes have increased as a result of global warming; but to make the blanket assumption that all extreme events are increasing is a bit too early yet.

"I've no doubt that global warming is occurring, but we don't want to undermine that case by crying wolf."

The society's chief executive Professor Hardaker agreed, telling the BBC: "There's no evidence to show we're all due for very short-term devastating impacts as a result of global warming; so I think these statements can be dangerous where you mix in the science with unscientific assumptions."

The AAAS said it would not be commenting directly on the professors' remarks.

A spokesperson told the BBC: "We feel that the recent consensus statement of the AAAS Board of Directors speaks for itself and stands on its own."

The pair have contributed to a pamphlet called Making Sense of the Weather and Climate, which will be presented today at the Garden Quadrangle Auditorium at St John's College, Oxford.

Copyright Press Association 2007.

Don't miss the 24dash.com audio bulletins for the latest news and information - http://www.24dash.com/podcasts