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Climate of gear? Fear of climate: Nonie Sharp reports on what we weren't told before and what we know now.

Article Excerpt
Four Corners Interviewer: Were you ever pressured not to go public on climate change?

CSIRO Scientist: Yes. I have been in the latter part of my time with CSIRO.

It's 13 February 2006 and a leading climate scientist is speaking on the television program, Four Corners. Graeme Pearman was head of the division of atmospheric research at CSIRO from 1992 to 2002. He was made redundant in 2004. He was told not to say anything contradicting government policy on climate change, on the need for emissions reduction, or on a carbon trading scheme for Australia. Along with other CSIRO scientists, he was also 'put under enormous pressure' to refrain from engaging with the Australian Climate Group, a non-partisan association of scientists and members of the industrial community (including the insurance company IAG). Its aim was to communicate to people a sense of urgency on the far-reaching dangers for Australia of changes in climate. (The 'Wentworth Group', a group of professional people focussed on water needs was also seen as interfering with public policy and 'given a lot of trouble'.)

This scientist is not only telling his own story; he is also talking of how a scientific research organisation that should be fearless was made silent. It's a sad story of how scientists formed by an ethic deep-rooted in intellectual work--the commitment to speaking the truth--run counter to those for whom wealth creation and economic growth are first priorities. It's as though the market has stepped right into the scientists' lab and placed its demands; and the people who determine policy are listening to the strength of the economy and its 'need to grow regularly at its 4 per cent' (Dr Pearman's words). In such circumstances it's easy to 'dispense' with those who are getting in the way of pursuing market goals alone. In circumstances of their isolation from the ready support of colleagues they can be 'picked off' quietly and separately, or muzzled into outward conformity to save their jobs. On one 'off-limits' area--environmental refugees--a younger CSIRO scientist felt unable to comment publicly. Unlike Dr Pearman, who had been with CSIRO...

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