GLAND, SWITZERLAND — (Marketwire) — 10/23/11 — WWF has refuted as “ludicrous” claims in a new climate change denial book that it had “infiltrated” the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the respected international body charged with advancing knowledge on climate change and its impacts.
The sole evidence offered for the claim in the book The delinquent teenager who was mistaken for the world–s top climate expert is some overlap between some of the thousands of scientists who have worked for the IPCC and members of a Scientific Advisory Panel to WWF–s climate witness scheme.
“It is ludicrous to suggest that in seeking ensure that the observations of climate witnesses are consistent with the best scientific knowledge WWF is seeking to influence the IPCC,” said WWF–s International Climate and Energy initiative leader Samantha Smith.
“It is also ludicrous to suggest that IPCC reports are or could be influenced by the fact that some scientists have generously contributed some input to WWF–s climate witness scheme.”
WWF established the Climate Witness scheme to bring attention to the serious impacts climate change already is having on people and communities, particularly in the developing world. The Scientific Advisory Panel was set up to ensure that the climate impacts related in the articles were consistent with current scientific knowledge of impacts.
“Presenting WWF–s Climate Witness stories for independent review by senior scientists was the entirely proper and correct way for WWF to proceed, and in no way commits those scientists to endorsing or supporting any of WWF–s views or positions relating to climate change,” said Smith. “Senior scientists provide their expertise to a wide variety of organisations, and keep in place many protocols to ensure the independence of their scientific opinions.”
About WWF
WWF is one of the world–s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF–s mission is to stop the degradation of the earth–s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world–s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
Contacts:
WWF International
Phil Dickie
+41 79 703 1952
WWF Canada
Riannon John
416-347-1894