Dr. Richard Tol writes:
One of the ideas that came out of the AR4 debacle was to create an IPCC wiki: Put the entire report online for people to comment and amend as needed. Wikis have two advantages:
- Anyone can take part
- Updates can be as frequent as required
Of course, the IPCC did not follow this suggestion. So I made a start.
I would proceed as follows:
- Upload the Fifth Assessment Report, one section per page
- Create links within the report
- Create links to the underlying literature
- Audit the agreement between IPCC report and literature
- Audit the quality and representativeness of the authors
- Amend the report with new findings
However, this is a wiki. If you want to use it to audit the responses to the review comments, contrast IPCC to NIPCC, or do whatever, that is perfectly fine. The second contributor, Donna Laframboise, started by adding links between IPCC authors and environmental organizations. I had not thought of that, but it is very relevant of course.
Wikis operate on the basis of a simple principle: If you want something done, do it.
The Fifth Assessment Report is long and complicated. Uploading it all will take many hours — and a correspondingly greater effort would be required if drafts and previous reports are added too.
It is probably worth it, though, if you focus on your pet peeve.
I picked Wikia. It is a user-friendly environment. Anyone can sign up, anonymously if they so want. Wikia uses the same syntax as Wikipedia. There are additional software bits that can be added if this takes off. Maps is one example. Semantics is another, which would automate diagnostic tests and uncover hidden links.
Let’s see where this ends.
See it here: http://ipcc.wikia.com/wiki/IPCC_Wiki
Donna Laframboise also has some words on this http://nofrakkingconsensus.com/2014/05/11/ipcc-wiki-launched-volunteers-needed/
Hans Erren says:
May 11, 2014 at 3:00 pm
You have to live with your misteaks here.
YIKES! This isn’t a good idea without express permission from the UN?
United Nations Partners on Climate Change
http://www.un.org/climatechange/blog/category/ipcc/
excerpts
Copyright United Nations 2014
“All rights reserved.
None of the materials provided on this web site may be used, reproduced or transmitted, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or the use of any information storage and retrieval system, except as provided for in the Terms and Conditions of Use of United Nations Web Sites, without permission in writing from the publisher.
News-related material can be used as long as the appropriate credit is given and the United Nations is advised.
To request such permission or for further enquires, please visit: https://unp.un.org/rights.aspx.”
Terms and Conditions
http://www.un.org/en/aboutun/terms/
United Nations’ Privacy Notice
http://www.un.org/en/aboutun/privacy/
“By accessing this site, certain information about the User, such as Internet protocol (IP) addresses, navigation through the Site, the software used and the time spent, along with other similar information, will be stored on United Nations servers. These will not specifically identify the User. The information will be used internally only for web site traffic analysis. If the User provides unique identifying information, such as name, address and other information on forms stored on this Site, such information will be used only for statistical purposes and will not be published for general access. The United Nations, however, assumes no responsibility for the security of this information.”
I was pretty sure there would be that old ‘reproduction’ problem. Quotes, yes.
However, you don’t have to live with ‘fair use’ common law. Write and ask them for permission to make a copy. A Wiki on it is sure to bring publicity and maybe even generate sales.
Another possibility is link to the chapters on the UN website, then have discussion pieces on each page (if you wish) at the wiki. But the document people read each time should be located at the UN.
A noble thought, Richard. The good news: it will be like Wikipedia. The bad news: will be like Wikipedia. But, as the famous philosopher, Homer Simpson, once said: “Don’t you worry about wikipedia. We’ll change it when we get home. We’ll change a lot of things…”
Scottish Sceptic says:
1. Getting an ad blocker – you then stop every site including mine and Anthony’s getting revenue. […]
2. You stop using that particular site – they loose revenue, they go out of business and a better behaved and less greedy site steps in to fill the gap.
Which do you prefer?
3. AdBlock, which can be configured to allow ads on sites that I want to support.