‘Scientists can make mistakes’

Jan 25, 2010

New Delhi, Jan. 24: All four ministers expressed concern about the IPCC goof-up on the Himalayan glaciers. Chinese minister Xie Zhenhua said that, "Disputes do occur within the scientific community but we cannot forget that this is IPCC’s fourth assessment report. Three reports appeared earlier and did not create controversy." He added, "We need to know whether climate change is also being caused by a cyclical changes in nature and for this we must adopt a more open attitude. I believe for the fifth report, we must involve a broader spectrum of scientists to make it more comprehensive." Brazilian minister Carlos Minc felt that "scientists can make mistakes and that did not mean science of climate change per se be dismissed."

It was important to understand the study of the whole CDS mechanism which would help us modify agriculture accordingly, he said. He also stressed the importance of forests.

South African minister Buyelwa Sonjica was more forthright and felt all doubts relating to this controvery needed to be clarified.

Age Correspondent

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