Perils of Climate Change science

The recent controversies over leaked climate change research underscore the precarious nature of science and politics. Climate change arguably generates more controversy - and widespread too - than any other scientific research endeavour. Scientists who engage in the research are by no means neutral: many of them act on agenda, whether personal, financial, or ideological. I am not versed in the intricacies of the discipline, but I can imagine that many scientists feel pressure from their peers and sponsors. Couple that with outside groups, be they for or against climate change reform - and the whole scientific enterprise becomes far from neutral.

The law isn't immune from fault. Many recent controversies stemmed from scientists who wanted to guard their climate change research from inquisitive outsiders who held agenda of their own. They, nonetheless, claim a right to know under various Freedom of Information acts in the UK and elsewhere. In this case, the very laws that sought to enable transparency in science serve to undermine it instead. The solution isn't irretrievable: scientists have an equally valid intellectual property of their own. In fact, freedom-of-information acts should apply to government and public ideas, and less so to scientific research or private information. Let's hope the current legal mechanisms are in place to protect the scientists' rights.

Climate change aside, it is irrefutable that science and politics are interlinked. It is often a good thing: the NIH, for example, funds a large portion of scientific research in the U.S., and science can in turn drive public policy. Nonetheless, the relationship becomes deleterious when political factors start to influence scientific research, and silence that which debunks certain political agenda or beliefs. Climate change and stem cells are some of the more controversial topics. It is imperative that we protect science and help maintain its neutrality (again legal reform and mechanisms play an important role). Although scientists aren't wholly innocent in the recent mishaps, society owes a duty to help foster environments for neutral and open scholarly pursuits.