2011 Nominees: 4C Climate Change Communicator of the Year

John Abraham/Scott Mandia/Ray Weymann

We strongly support the nomination of the triumvirate (Dr. John Abraham, Professor Scott, Mandia, and Dr. Ray Weymann) for the 2011 George Mason University Climate Change Communicator of the Year Award. This unusual three-person nomination is justified by the unique cooperative effort that these three individuals have undertaken in addressing climate science education, communicating with the public and media, and creating the Climate Rapid Response Team of scientists to address climate-related inquiries quickly and authoritatively.

Scott Mandia and Ray Weymann have long had a presence in online education.^1,2 Their sites have served to educate the general public about the latest scientific developments in climate change. Both Scott and Ray are recognized within the internet community for their roles.

More significant was a series of activities that John, Scott, and Ray embarked on, beginning in May 2010. Earlier that year, Dr. Abraham viewed a presentation given by an increasingly high-profile climate skeptic, Christopher Monckton. Dr. Abraham showed, in an unusually detailed and well-documented assessment, that Mr. Monckton had misunderstood or misrepresented the findings of others scientists and he provided a highly detailed audio/video online rebuttal presentation.³ This presentation gained worldwide attention and has subsequently been widely circulated.^4-9

Soon afterwards, Drs. Abraham and Weymann reviewed Christopher Monckton’s controversial and misleading testimony to the United States Congress on May 6, 2010. They orchestrated a collective effort involving 26 scientists to thoroughly refute that testimony. The work of Ray and John was submitted to Congress in September and was widely circulated within the United States and internationally.^10-11 The effort has lead to Abraham’s appearance on a BBC documentary (Meet the Skeptics) produced in 2010 and just aired in the United Kingdom on January 31, 2011.¹²

Most recently and most significantly, this trio has formed the “Climate Science Rapid Response Team.” This organization is a collection of scientists who volunteer to interface with media to answer climate-related inquiries quickly and authoritatively. The intention of this group is to enable scientists to share their work directly with the general public and to help improve the media and public understanding of the complexities of the climate issue. The success of the Rapid Response Team has been remarkable. The effort has been covered by many media outlets.^13-24

In the past three months, the Climate Science Rapid Response Team²⁵ has enlisted more than 130 leading scientists and has fielded approximately 100 media inquiries. The list of media organizations that have successfully utilized the Team is impressive and includes CNN, ABC, NPR, Science, AP, The Times, The Guardian, Voice of America, LA Times, American Public Media, the Chicago Tribune, and the Australian Broadcasting Company, to name a few. The impact this Team has made during its short existence is truly remarkable, particularly given that it operates without any financial support. The Team has contributed to a more accurate and civil debate within the larger public. It has also given climate scientists a clear vehicle to communicate their science more effectively to the public. Finally, the Climate Science Rapid Response Team has inspired a renewed engagement among scientists in the public discussion, allowing them to both educate the public and to challenge misleading and irresponsible assertions

When the collection of efforts that these three individuals have engaged in is considered as a whole, it is readily apparent that they have quickly and decisively changed the way reputable scientists communicate with the public and the media.

We fully support their nomination for the 2011 George Mason University Climate Change Communicator of the Year Award and would be happy to provide additional feedback if necessary.

Nominated by:

Dr. Peter Gleick

President Pacific Institute,

Member US National Academy of Sciences

Michael Oppenheimer

Albert G. Milbank Professor of Geosciences and International Affairs,

Princeton University

Naomi Oreskes

Provost, Sixth College and Professor of History

University of California, San Diego

Adjunct Professor of Geosciences

Scripps Institution of Oceanography