Gary Plazzon writes about the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Non-governmental International Panel on Climate change (NIPCC). The IPCC was created by the United Nations and is clearly a political organization. It is not “composed” of 2,500 scientists but simply reviews the work of others. In fact its charter includes the words — “it does not conduct any research nor does it monitor climate related data or parameters.” In fact, it even cites articles in such popular journals as “New Scientist” as if they represented real science and recently retracted statements it had made relating to the retreat of glaciers in the Himalayas.

I would suggest that Mr. Plazzon read the report of the NIPCC which contains hundreds of references to technical papers written by some of the leading climatologists in the world. It is difficult for me to see how anyone who has read this highly technical report could call it “fabricated nonsense.” A petition was recently circulated which contains the words “there is no convincing evidence that human release of carbon dioxide, methane or other greenhouse gases is causing catastrophic heating of the Earth’s surface.” It was signed by 31,478 scientists, 9,029 having PhDs or higher degrees. Their names are in the NIPCC report.

Dr. S. Fred Singer is a Professor Emeritus of the University of Virginia and has been in climate research most of his career. However, there are many eminent climate scientists who question the reports of the IPCC. Why does the popular media not give all sides of this very complex question?

Thomas D. Smith

Oak Harbor