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
To give an award for communication to a man whose output is supported by a Public Relations company says everything you need to know about the state of “mainstream” climate science today.
It seems I have ruffled a few feathers at RC. I have posted a further comment, I hope it gets past the mods. Sorry for the huge amount of following text in bold, I just wanted to make it obvious as to which is the comment I am currently posting now on WUWT and which is the comment I posted at RC:
Andy says:
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
21 Oct 2011 at 3:33 AM
“drive-by denier” “hateful rubbish” “guileless” “lying little weasel” “silly little comments” “antiscience idiocy” “nothing but nonsense”.
Having made my previous comment (the first one that the mods have let through, which I thank them for), I went to bed for the night. I wake up this morning to read the thread once more, only to be greeted by the barrage of comments I have highlighted above. I could start returning insults, but that is not what I’m here for.
I had merely asked Gavin to keep the doors of discussion open. The true scientific method insists that no science is ever ‘settled’, and therefore the debate will never be over (in any branch of science and with any theory). I am not currently convinced by the AGW position and nor are many scientists all around the world – it is every scientist’s right to take a view that is contrary to others, without meeting a wall of derision (I implore you not to use the word ‘denier’ – whilst it doesn’t particularly upset me, Jewish sceptic friends of mine find it extremely offensive, for reasons that are hopefully obvious)
Now the mods have let one of my comments through, I hope they will allow more of my comments through on other threads here at RC. I look forward to having meaningful, constructive, and polite discussions with other visitors to this site.
Regards,
Andy
As I said in my comment – I hope RC will continue to let my post on their site. We shall see….
More smoke, more mirrors, more conning a jaded general public into unquestioning belief in a nonexistent (or at least very very minor) phenomenon. It’s a bit like listening to BBC radio, where the words “climate change”, often prefixed with “manmade”, are repeatedly forced into every possible programme (and quite a few others) to hammer them indelibly into the minds of the hapless listeners.
On the other hand, though, Schmidt has certainly “fostered respect and understanding for science-based values related to climate change”, as the existence of WUWT, and other real-science-oriented websites, proves. Therefore I hereby take pleasure in additionally awarding him Steve’s Award for Disinformation, for precisely the same activities. Sorry, Gav, no cash involved here as, unlike you, I don’t receive telephone numbers of money from governments for peddling propaganda. Congratulations indeed, Dr. Gavin Schmidt, SAD. May your good work continue!
Let’s take this opportunity to see if Gavin has done ANYTHING to address the poor state of documentation of his “climate code” Model E
NOPE. Nothing.
But he’s spending stimulus and other government monies running useless (and unnecessary) AR5 climate simulations. And his salary has increased by doubled digit percentages over the past several years.
Yes, Gavin is a great communicator, because he would rather spend his time being a publicity hound rather than working on improving scientific communication about Model E.
[By the way, why does NASA insist on maintaining an expensive branch office in New York City?]
Keeping a watchful eye on the West Side Drive?
More likely, due to its location on 114th Street (or so), it’s for close association with the boffins at Columbia.
>> “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.”
When trying to be the bigger man, it is not prudent to make mention that the other is the lesser man.
One could ask the same question of the picture Anthony uses of himself on this site. While it’s neither good nor bad, it’s an unfair criticism if you’re not going to apply it to our host as well.