We encourage your correspondence, and although we cannot print all that we receive, we will include at least one short, perhaps edited, letter per issue.

Dear WeatherZine

In regard to your editorial "Reflections on Science and Policy" and the need for scientists to adopt an appropriate role with policy makers, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourteenth Session, Vienna, 1-3 October 1998, has offered the following principle:

"The role of the IPCC is to assess on a comprehensive, objective, open and transparent basis the scientific, technical and socio-economic information relevant to understanding the scientific basis of risk of human-induced climate change, its potential impacts and options for adaptation and mitigation. IPCC reports should be neutral with respect to policy, although they may need to deal objectively with scientific, technical and socio-economic factors relevant to the application of particular policies."

Only by protecting our objectivity and policy-neutrality can we hope to be effective. If we can produce and share valid scenarios, maybe then we won't be so skeptical of those whom we are trying to influence.

– Chris Doyle
Meteorological Service of Canada
Chris.doyle@ec.gc.ca

Comments? thunder@cires.colorado.edu

[ Top of Page ]