While we are polar opposites, and Dr. Schmidt can’t find it within himself to respond to any of my emails or to allow my comments and many others to appear on RealClimate, let me offer congratulations anyway.
New Award from the American Geophysical Union Recognizes Excellence in Climate Communications
AGU Release No. 11–34 18 October 2011
WASHINGTON, DC — In recognition of his exceptional work as a climate communicator, the American Geophysical Union (AGU) has selected Gavin Schmidt as the recipient of its inaugural Climate Communications Prize.
Schmidt is a climate scientist at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies and co-founder of the RealClimate.org, a blog that covers areas of science related to climate-from present-day measurements to paleoclimate proxies, from natural climate variation to anthropogenic change. Schmidt has also worked with photographers on a popular science book, on museum exhibits, and on online courses and has often appeared on TV and radio and in print.
The award, which was established by AGU earlier this year, recognizes excellence in climate communication as well as the promotion of scientific literacy, clarity of messaging, and efforts to foster respect and understanding for science-based values related to climate change.
“AGU created this award to raise the visibility of climate change as a critical issue facing the world today, to demonstrate our support for scientists who commit themselves to the effective communication of climate change science, and to encourage more scientists to engage with the public and policy makers on how climate research can contribute to the sustainability of our planet,” said AGU president Michael McPhaden. “That’s why we are so pleased to recognize Gavin for his dedicated leadership and outstanding scientific achievements. We hope that his work will serve as an inspiration for others.”
Schmidt said, “Talking to the public and the media is often neglected in assessing people’s contributions, and yet, as taxpayer-funded scientists we have a collective responsibility to share the expertise we have with the broader public. I’m very happy that the efforts I’ve made-in collaboration with many colleagues-have been recognized by this new award. I hope that this can serve as an encouragement for more scientists to dip their toe into the public discussions.”
The prize, which comes with a $25,000 cash award, is sponsored by Nature’s Own, a Boulder, Colo.-based company specializing in the sale of minerals, fossils, and decorative stone specimens.
“This award will help increase communication of our scientific understanding of climate change and its consequences, and I congratulate Gavin for all that he has accomplished and what it means for the scientific community,” said Nature’s Own president and founder Roy Young, an AGU member. “Gavin has worked tirelessly to bring the work of scientists in understanding our changing world to both the public debate as well as to the broader scientific community.”
The award will be presented to Schmidt in December during the honors celebration at AGU’s Fall Meeting in San Francisco.
The American Geophysical Union is a not-for-profit, professional, scientific organization with more than 60,000 members representing over 148 countries. AGU advances the Earth and space sciences through its scholarly publications, conferences, and outreach programs.
h/t to Dr. Leif Svalgaard
So a group promoting AGW gives an award for best AGW propagandist of the year.
Shouldn’t this award be coming from Greenpeace or NRDC?
Is it called the ‘Goebbels Award’?
@MangoChutney
:’D
We can’t judge them too harshly for deleting comments – there’s more at stake than free debate and scientific dispassion!
“Congratulations to Dr. Schmidt, whose efforts have won him a well-deserved place among award-winning climate communicators like Rajendra Pachauri and Al Gore.”
http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2011/10/a-well-deserved-honor/#comment-217078
Yes, indeed! Let’s recall one of Rajendra’s finer communiques (on ice water):
http://sbvor.blogspot.com/2009/11/comrades-give-up-your-decadent-ice.html
Al Gore? Is any commentary required?
Another definition: “Climatologist” : A temperature and weather historian. If one projects to future events then they are “fortune teller” Weathermen do a somewhat better job of predicting the future- 30 to 60 % correct.
When Dr Schmidt was communicating especially when he was on RealClimate.org, was his time being paid by NASA?
Well, Anthony, you’re a better man than I am.
To Gavin Schmidt’s credit, on the handful of occassions that I’ve interacted with him via the comment section on RealClimate, I’ve found him to be courteous, knowledgeable, and to my surprise, willing to acknowledge areas of uncertainty. Even though I don’t much agree with his views, I do respect him. Your mileage may vary.
As for the moderation policy at RC, well… that’s a different story.
It’s the consolation prize from his henchmen for not even being runner up in the Bloggies.
Shame he has not got it in himself to communicate with sceptics and feels the need to censor the debate and posts on R.C.Why you are congratulating Anthony? i do not know? he has not got the decency to reply to your e mails. An arrogant self centred, self interested man,
“as for science based values”????he’s forgotten the meaning!
Its troubling when these kinds of organizations put money into the pockets of public officials as a reward for that public official saying things that promote the fund raising agenda of the sponsoring organization. I think public officials should be explicitly barred from receiving these sorts of monetary inducements.
Well Anthony I guess that one reason WUWT is such a successful blog is because of your graceful nature. That’s also one reason I ‘ll never have a blog as successful.
sorry,,,,, should read why are you congratulating “him” Anthony
He best enjoy his limelight while he has it because the scam is imploding quickly now and his reputation will be so much “hot air”.
Quite a legacy he will leave.
Anthony, please… the moderators have been very clear about this… SARC/
Then everyone is clear.
Could there be a genetic link for global warming? The pictures of Gavin is strikingly similar to Mann. With this data we can also conclude there is a robust link to testosterone as visually represented in the hairline. The increase in testosterone has been shown to make the human body warmer. This increase in warmth not CO2 is the direct cause of CAGW.
// silly off //
Congrats on the award hope he spends the cash on something nice like beach house in the Maldives.
Personally, I like Gavin Schmidt. I do not like his ideological approach to science. Propaganda is a means to an end. It is communication but is NOT science. So as long as it is a “communication/propaganda” award, I am happy for him. Congrats. GK
[SNIP: sorry, but that really is a step too far in the wrong direction. -REP]
Sorry, but I think he is a propagandist and slime.
There is no point in congratulating someone for acting like that.
Anthony, your grace knows no bound.
I respectfully disagree in this case. It’s a bit like congratulation someone on receiving the Joseph Goebbels award for public speaking, or the John M. Browning humanitarian award.
Perhaps I am a bit embittered to watch a public servant operate a personal website pushing a political agenda be rewarded in such a manner. If he was a cop, he couldn’t accept the cash. As a ‘scientist’ it is apparently okay to be rewarded for activism.
At some point reality has to come crashing into these people. I hope I live long enough to see it, and I hope they live long enough to realize the damage they’ve caused.
What an odd award. Are there similar awards in other fields of science? This award seems to be designed specifically to promote the alarmist view of global warming. They still think talking more loudly is a substitute for proof. With that in mind, Schmidt certainly deserves the award.
Seems to be a UN kind of trend, awarding on expected future behaviour.
Anyone got any idea how this award came to be awarded to Dr Schmidt? Usually there is a nomination-seconding type system…..is this the case for this award, and if so can we find out who nominated him?
Something strangely Orwellian going on here today…
“AGU created this award to raise the visibility of climate change as a critical issue facing the world today, to demonstrate our support for scientists who commit themselves to the effective communication of climate change science, and to encourage more scientists to engage with the public and policy makers on how climate research can contribute to the sustainability of our planet,”
Don’t the shrinks call this positive re-enforcement ? It is a shame that science comes in second.
Dang, you’re a devious barstid, Anthony, I love it.
w.