date: Thu Jul 26 19:57:33 2001
from: Mike Hulme <m.hulme@uea.ac.uk>
subject: Re: Quaker conference on climate change
to: "Pat Saunders" <Pat_Saunders@btinternet.com>

   Dear Pat,
   Much as I would like to do this - it sounds an intriguing event - I am really overcommitted
   with talks and invitations for talks and I am really only accepting such invitations more
   than 6 months  ahead.
   Might I suggest you try asking Dr Jonathan Gregory at the Hadley Centre?
   Email: <jmgregory@meto.govt.uk>
   He is a Christian and would talk authoritatively about the state of climate science from
   the sort of standpoint you are wanting.  You could mention that I recommended him.
   Sorry not to be of more help on this occasion.
   Mike
   At 10:23 17/07/01 +0100, you wrote:

     Dear Dr Hulme

     I am organising a day conference on the science and politics of climate change on
     November 24 at Friends House, Euston Road, London.  I hope to have two keynote
     speakers.  One on the climate science.  The other on the politics.  I am wondering if
     you would be free on the day and willing to be the speaker on the science.

     Dr Saleemul Huq has agreed to do the second slot, focussing on the negotiating process
     and equity considerations.  I know Saleem, since I do work at SOAS on the historical
     geography of the Bengal Delta (with Bob Bradnock).  Bob and I are in the process of
     preparing a paper for 'Progress in Physical Geography, which is sceptical about much of
     the published literature on sea level rise and Bangladesh.

     Many Quakers are involved in the issues in their personal lives, some professionally,
     many as campaigners.  Our office in Geneva has also been working with developing country
     delegations to prep com and other meetings.  We are under pressure to make public
     considering more corporate work and are initiating a process of determining what that
     work should be.  We are hoping to use the day as a stage in this process.  The afternoon
     will be spent looking at what we are already doing and exploring possibilities for new
     corporate work.

     Friends have 5 historic testimonies of which 'truth' is one, interpreted these days to
     be truth in the popular meaning of not telling falsehoods, exaggerating, misleading, etc
     (though it was once Truth 'with a capital T' and meant Gospel Truth)   Thus we are
     interested in a discussion of the science which would enable us to evaluate the
     uncertainties associated with the IPCC process so that we avoid making statements which
     are either untrue or oversimplified. We anticipate sending out pre-conference reading
     material.  I expect we need a week long (month long?) course rather than half a morning
     but we have to start somewhere.

     Do you think you would be able to assist us with this process on November 24th?  Or
     recommend/ persuade a colleague?  I will provide more information if you wish.

     Yours hopefully,

     Pat Saunders

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