The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars: Dispatches from the Front Lines

The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars: Dispatches from the Front Lines
Dr. Michael Mann
internationally recognized climate change scientist, researcher and author, contributor to 2007 Nobel Peace Prize

In 2007, the Nobel Peace Prize was jointly awarded to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Al Gore for “their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change.” For many years, the IPCC has led the effort to build consensus about the connection between human activities and global warming. The way it works is interesting–rather than conduct its own research, the IPCC works with thousands of volunteer scientists from around the work. They review and assess recent scientific, technical and socio-economic information relevant to the understanding of climate change. This information is then compiled and published in IPCC Assessment Reports, freely available here. So far there have been four: 1990, 1995, 2001 and 2007.

In 2001, Dr. Michael Mann was a lead author for the IPCC chapter on Observed Climate Variability and Change. In 2007, he contributed, along with other authors, to the IPCC work that led to the Nobel Peace Prize. We are delighted to have this internationally recognized scientist, researcher and author as our guest speaker on Tuesday, April 30, 2013.

Dr. Mann has degrees in Physics and Applied Math from the University of California at Berkeley, an M.S. degree in Physics from Yale University, and a Ph.D. in Geology & Geophysics from Yale University. In 2002, he was selected by Scientific American as one of the fifty leading visionaries in science and technology. And, he is a co-founder and avid contributor to the award-winning science website RealClimate.org. If you haven’t been there, check it out! Loads of good information and clearly organized.

Dr. Mann has also published two books, Dire Predictions: Understanding Global Warming in 2008 and The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars: Dispatches from the Front Lines in 2012. This most recent book, reflecting on controversy stemming from the 2001 IPCC report, will be the focus of his talk with us. The book gives a personal, behind-the-scene view of the 2009 “Climategate” scandal, in which climate scientists’ emails were hacked.

To top it all, Dr. Mann is a Penn Stater! He serves as Distinguished Professor of Meterology, holds a Joint Appointment with the Department of Geoscience and is Director of the Earth System Science Center. At Penn State, Dr. Mann is well known for his amicable ways and colorful, interesting presentations. You won’t need a PhD to follow this talk! Dr. Mann keeps the science real and understandable.

Dr. Mann will stay after his talk for a book signing. Firefly Bookstore of Kutztown will be at the meeting with books for sale, $28.95. We’re glad to be supporting a local independent bookstore! You may also free to bring your own previously purchased copy of the book.

We hope you’ll join us for this special opportunity! After the meeting, plan to stick around and chat with friends old and new. We’re also interested in your ideas for MAREA speakers, activities and services. Light snacks will be served. Hope to see you there! For questions, contact Vera Cole,[masked] or [masked].

FIRST TIME? You’ll find map and detailed directions here. (Scroll to bottom for map of TEKPark.) And there’ll be signs at the facility. If you need help night of the event, call[masked]-7908. We look forward to meeting you!