date: Tue, 4 Jan 2000 14:45:51 -0000 
from: Kass Gary <KASSG@parliament.uk>
subject: RE: climate committee
to: "'Mike Hulme'" <m.hulme@uea.ac.uk>

Dear Mike

Happy New Year!

The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee is conducting
long-term inquiry into the use of scientific advice by government.  This is
being informed by a number of case studies;  the latest of which is on
climate change.

The terms of reference for the inquiry are as follows:

"The examination will take as given, the evidence that there is an upward
trend in the temperature of the earth and that carbon dioxide concentrations
in the atmosphere are and have been increasing.

The aim of the case study is to identify

(A) the extent to which the Government has been advised of potential
alternative explanations, how these alternatives have been assessed and what
conclusions have been drawn;

(B) what critical appraisal there has been of models predicting climate
change, increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide, and other potential
drivers; and

(C) the degree of government agreement with scientists in relevant
specialisations regarding accepted explanations of climate change." 

The Committee will be receiving submissions from organisations and
individuals - written evidence is to reach the Clerk (Ms Jessica Mulley 0171
219 2794; mulleyj@parliament.uk) by 31 January 2000.  Oral evidence sessions
are expected to begin in February 2000.

As far as I am aware, the committee is expecting to appoint one orr two
senior academics in the area of cliamte modelling to act as specialist
advisers, but to my knowledge these have not yet been appointed.

Re the National Climate Change Centre, my Director is {Professor David Cope,
ex-Director of the UK Centre for Economic and Environmental Development).
He is an economist by training, but has worked in energy/environment matters
for many years.  He can be reached at coped@parliament.uk.  His phone no. is
0171 219 2848.

All the best

Gary

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Hulme [mailto:m.hulme@uea.ac.uk]
Sent: 04 January 2000 13:18
To: kassg@parliament.uk
Subject: climate committee


Gary,

Can you fill me in on an enquiry being conducted at present by one of the
Select Committees into the use of climate change information by government?
 I have heard that such an enquiry is under way.

I would also be interested in talking with your Director - David Cope -
about the bud we are making to house the new National Climate Change Centre
being funded by the UK Research Council's.  Could you give me his contact
details (and what his science background is)?

Many thanks!

Mike


****************************************************************************
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Dr Mike Hulme                    
Reader in Climatology             tel: +44 1603 593162
Climatic Research Unit            fax: +44 1603 507784
School of Environmental Science   email:  m.hulme@uea.ac.uk
University of East Anglia         web site: http://www.cru.uea.ac.uk/~mikeh/
Norwich  NR4  7TJ                      
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 The estimated annual mean temperature in Central England for 1999 is +1.16
degC           above the 1961-90 average, the warmest year recorded in 341
years 
        *****************************************************************
       The estimated global-mean surface air temperature anomaly for 1999 is
     +0.33 deg C above the 1961-90 average, the 5th warmest year yet
recorded
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****
          Neither of these estimates have yet been confirmed
          **************************************************
