ODT/NZPA: Climate row undermining confidence, PM’s scientist says

In a speech given in Wellington last night, Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor discussed how the current debate over climate change is undermining confidence in the science system.

He also mentioned that much of the resistance to climate change had economic (as opposed to scientific) motives, and that the role of the media in the debate was extremely important.

An excerpt: (read in full here)

“He said there was “no real debate” that there was a baseline increase in global temperatures, and that the world would continue to warm for a long time even if all greenhouse emissions stopped tomorrow.

“”Even in New Zealand, whose temperature is buffered by the surrounding ocean, native beech trees are already producing more seed at higher altitudes and welcome swallows are breeding noticeably earlier,” he said.”