date: Tue, 4 Jan 2000 14:45:51 -0000 from: Kass Gary subject: RE: climate committee to: "'Mike Hulme'" Dear Mike Happy New Year! The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee is conducting long-term inquiry into the use of scientific advice by government. This is being informed by a number of case studies; the latest of which is on climate change. The terms of reference for the inquiry are as follows: "The examination will take as given, the evidence that there is an upward trend in the temperature of the earth and that carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere are and have been increasing. The aim of the case study is to identify (A) the extent to which the Government has been advised of potential alternative explanations, how these alternatives have been assessed and what conclusions have been drawn; (B) what critical appraisal there has been of models predicting climate change, increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide, and other potential drivers; and (C) the degree of government agreement with scientists in relevant specialisations regarding accepted explanations of climate change." The Committee will be receiving submissions from organisations and individuals - written evidence is to reach the Clerk (Ms Jessica Mulley 0171 219 2794; mulleyj@parliament.uk) by 31 January 2000. Oral evidence sessions are expected to begin in February 2000. As far as I am aware, the committee is expecting to appoint one orr two senior academics in the area of cliamte modelling to act as specialist advisers, but to my knowledge these have not yet been appointed. Re the National Climate Change Centre, my Director is {Professor David Cope, ex-Director of the UK Centre for Economic and Environmental Development). He is an economist by training, but has worked in energy/environment matters for many years. He can be reached at coped@parliament.uk. His phone no. is 0171 219 2848. All the best Gary -----Original Message----- From: Mike Hulme [mailto:m.hulme@uea.ac.uk] Sent: 04 January 2000 13:18 To: kassg@parliament.uk Subject: climate committee Gary, Can you fill me in on an enquiry being conducted at present by one of the Select Committees into the use of climate change information by government? I have heard that such an enquiry is under way. I would also be interested in talking with your Director - David Cope - about the bud we are making to house the new National Climate Change Centre being funded by the UK Research Council's. Could you give me his contact details (and what his science background is)? Many thanks! Mike **************************************************************************** **** Dr Mike Hulme Reader in Climatology tel: +44 1603 593162 Climatic Research Unit fax: +44 1603 507784 School of Environmental Science email: m.hulme@uea.ac.uk University of East Anglia web site: http://www.cru.uea.ac.uk/~mikeh/ Norwich NR4 7TJ **************************************************************************** **** The estimated annual mean temperature in Central England for 1999 is +1.16 degC above the 1961-90 average, the warmest year recorded in 341 years ***************************************************************** The estimated global-mean surface air temperature anomaly for 1999 is +0.33 deg C above the 1961-90 average, the 5th warmest year yet recorded **************************************************************************** **** Neither of these estimates have yet been confirmed **************************************************