“We call for an end to McCarthy-like threats of criminal prosecution against our colleagues based on innuendo and guilt by association, the harassment of scientists by politicians seeking distractions to avoid taking action, and the outright lies being spread about them.”
Democracy is utterly dependent upon an electorate that is accurately informed. In promoting climate change denial (and often denying their responsibility for doing so) industry has done more than endanger the environment. It has undermined democracy.
There is a vast difference between putting forth a point of view, honestly held, and intentionally sowing the seeds of confusion. Free speech does not include the right to deceive. Deception is not a point of view. And the right to disagree does not include a right to intentionally subvert the public awareness.
Printed in Full -- The Guardian UK
Gleick et al. (7 May 2010) Climate Change and the Integrity of Science, Science, Vol. 328. no. 5979, pp. 689 - 690
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/may/06/climate-science-open-letter
Courtesy of Tim Lambert, Brian Angliss