cc: schlesin@atmos.uiuc.edu, coakley@coas.oregonstate.edu, charlson@chem.washington.edu, "Stephen Schwartz" , wigley@ncar.ucar.edu, rodhe@misu.su.se, Joyce Penner , jfein@nsf.gov date: Tue, 4 Sep 2007 22:33:54 -0500 from: Michael Schlesinger subject: Re: NOVA program on "Global Dimming" to: Reid Bryson Reid: Truly wonderful to hear from you. I do remember the supersonic sled ride of Col. Stapp. Was it 1947? I recall seeing the film of the wrinkling of his face because of the force of acceleration. How many remember so far back as we? Sorry to learn the Murray Mitchell scorned your idea about contrails from supersonic aircraft. I very much liked Murray. At a meeting at Lamont in 1982 (Lamont-Doherty, not Lamont Cranston - the Shadow knows), he told me about his relationship with his father - not nice. I think Murray was a gentle and very kind man. It is truly sad that he died so young. I would be delighted to learn from you about contrails and the British-Icelandic "Herring War". Your skeptical view on global warming greatly surprises me but, as I wrote Bob Charlson, you taught me that "a professor is one who thinks otherwise". Accordingly, please invite me to UW to publicly debate you thereon. We can both think otherwise in public. That would be great fun, and it would be wonderful to see you again. Be well, Michael >Hi Michael- > Just a note that might interest you, > I gave a talk in Dallas in 1968 (AAAS?) in which I spoke of >the possibility that contrails might have some effect on the climate >(was immediately publicly scorned by Murray Mitchell) Chairman of >the session by the way was Singer. > This was a hot topic at the time and thereafter because of >plans for the Concorde and an American competitor, so very shortly I >had a call at the office from Col. Stapp (remember the supersonic >sled guy?) who said not to worry about supersonic stratospheric >contrails because the AirForce had lots of experience and they >almost never made contrails there. I asked him why my AF students >had special course on how to avoid contrail-making in the >stratosphere. He hung up and never called again. > Someday when I am not so tired I might tell you about >contrails and the British-Icelandic "Herring War". >Thanks for the note. >Reid A. Bryson Ph.D. D.Sc. D.Engr. >UNEP Global 500 Laureate >Senior Scientist, Center for Climatic Research >Emeritus Prof. of Meteorology, of Geography, and of Environmental >Studies >Univ. of Wisconsin, 1225 W. Dayton St., Madison, WI 53706 >Ph. 608-262-5814, FAX. 608-263-4190 >http://ccr.meteor.wisc.edu/bryson/bryson.html > >"If what you are doing is wrong, doing it more efficiently makes >things worse." (V. Suomi) > > >On Sep 4, 2007, at 8:26 PM, Michael Schlesinger wrote: > >>Jay: >> >>I have just seen the NOVA program about "Global Dimming". >> >>I must say that I am very upset with the program because the wrong >>people were therein given credit for discovering this. >> >>I realize that there is only so much time in the program, hence not >>everyone can be mentioned. >> >>But, people were given credit for the discovery of this effect that >>did not discover this effect. >> >>Concerning the effect of aerosols on climate, now called "global >>dimming", how can there be no mention of Reid Bryson, Jim Coakley, >>Robert Charlson, Tom Wigley, Stephen Schwartz, Henning Rodhe, and >>many others, even me. >> >>I recall Helmut Landsberg telling me in the restaurant at the top >>of the Hotel Leningrad in 1977 that he thought airplane contrails >>might influence climate. >> >>All these scientists called attention to this issue long before >>those given credit in the program. >> >>That is truly dismaying. >> >>Does NSF not vet these programs before they are aired to check and >>correct such grievous errors and omissions? >> >>Regards, >> >>Michael