Oz PM's Economic, Science Advisors At Loggerheads Over Climate Measures (Or Lack Thereof)

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Among those who have used the phrase “groupthink” in relation to the debate about climate science are the head of the prime minister’s business advisory group, Maurice Newman, and the man chosen by the prime minister to head the review of the renewable energy target, businessman Dick Warburton. Two months ago Newman wrote a newspaper article describing climate science as a “scientific delusion”.

Chubb, who as chief scientist is supposed to provide high-level independent advice to the prime minister and other ministers, was speaking at the launch of the final report on Australia’s greenhouse gas reduction efforts by the independent climate change authority, a body the Abbott government is seeking to abolish.

“Climate science is one of the most heavily scrutinised areas of science I have ever experienced,” said Chubb. “The overwhelming bulk of it has stood the test of that scrutiny … I find a lot of the science compelling.”

He added: “As a scientist I would always put in the caveat we are dealing with probabilities … but we are seeing changes and if you don’t believe it you have to impugn the messenger, you’ve got to say it is groupthink or some stupid expression like that.

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http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/feb/27/abbotts-advisers-at-odds-climate-change