BBC weatherman in global warming row

by This Is Hull and East Riding, U.K., November 27, 2009

A BBC Look North weatherman has become embroiled in a national global warming row.

Speaking on his Internet blog, Paul Hudson claimed documents allegedly sent between some of the world's leading scientists – which discuss how to "spin" climate data – were the result of an article he had written.

The weather presenter and climate change expert said he was sent the leaked e-mails, which were apparently taken from servers at the University of East Anglia's Climate Research Unit (CRU), a month ago.

Mr Hudson – familiar to East Yorkshire viewers for his light-hearted banter with Look North presenter Peter Levy – wrote: "I was forwarded the chain of e-mails on October 23, which are comments from some of the world's leading climate scientists written as a direct result of my article Whatever Happened To Global Warming.

"The e-mails released on the Internet as a result of CRU being hacked into are identical to the ones I was forwarded and read at the time and so, as far as I can see, they are authentic."

Mr Hudson's online essay, written last month, argued that for the past 11 years there had not been an increase in global temperatures.

It also presented counter-arguments to the belief man's actions are warming the planet.

In his latest blog, the correspondent – who is also honorary mayor of Wetwang, near Driffield – said an inquiry into the issues of climate change and global warming could be the way forward.

He said: "How will this all be resolved? Momentum does seem to be growing, from people on both sides of the argument, behind calls for a full independent inquiry that can once and for all get to the bottom of the many issues that have been raised.

"A recent survey showed climate scepticism in this country is growing and this episode may increase it further.
"Some would say an inquiry is the only way to bring clarity to the science of global warming and climate change that has enormous implications for all of us."

When contacted by the Mail, the weatherman said he was not allowed to comment and asked us to speak to the BBC press office.

A BBC spokesperson said: "Paul wrote a blog for the BBC website on October 9 entitled Whatever Happened To Global Warming. There was a big reaction to the article – not just here but around the world. Among those who responded were Professor Michael E Mann and Stephen Schneider whose e-mails were among a small handful forwarded to Paul on October 12.

"Although of interest, Paul wanted to consider the e-mails as part of a wider piece, following up his original blog piece.

"Last week, Paul spotted these few e-mails were among thousands published on the Internet following the alleged hacking of the UEA computer system.

"Paul passed this information on to colleagues at the BBC, who ran with the story, and then linked to the e-mails on his blog this Monday."

Link:   http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/BBC-weatherman-global-warming-row/article-1553969-detail/article.html