[AISWorld] [isworld] RE: Research opportunity?: garbage in the list!!!!

[Dr. Al Bento]

Kappelman, Leon wrote:
> With all due respect, an ad hominem attack against the 141 climate scientists who posed a timely and clear research challenge that involves an artifact of interest to our community (i.e., software) is a weak position to take against a cadre of qualified subject matter experts (see signers of the UN challenge below).  Whether wel agree or disagree with their conclusion that CO2 has more than a minor effect on temperature or weather is not relevant to the merits of their position or their challenge or its relevance to IS academics.  I would hope that if 141 IS scholars signed a statement about a research finding no one would dismiss it so casually.
>
> I believe we should all do all we can to protect and sustain our precious environment, but I do not think saying "it is true" or "it is green" makes it so.  Good science is not so closed-minded or dogmatic.
>
> I'm not interested in debating the merits of any position regarding AGW - I am not particularly qualified either.  I am however very interested in furthering good science, good quality software, critical thinking, holistic systems thinking, supporting decision making with quality information, and respectful debate and discourse regarding those kinds of topics.  Whether we agree or disagree with, or like or dislike one's beliefs or politics, should be irrelevant to the merits of their work or their ideas.
>
> The 141 signers of the research challenge which is at http://www.copenhagenclimatechallenge.org/ are listed here
> http://www.copenhagenclimatechallenge.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64 and here:
>
> Copenhagen Climate Challenge Signatories Signed by Science and Technology Experts well Qualified in Climate Science:
>    1. Habibullo I. Abdussamatov, Dr. Sci., mathematician and astrophysicist, Head of the Russian-Ukrainian Astrometria project on the board of the Russian segment of the ISS, Head of Space Research Laboratory at the Pulkovo Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
>    2. Göran Ahlgren, docent organisk kemi, general secretary of the Stockholm Initiative, Professor of Organic Chemistry, Stockholm, Sweden
>    3. Syun-Ichi Akasofu, PhD, Professor of Physics, Emeritus and Founding Director, International Arctic Research Center of the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska, U.S.A.
>    4. J.R. Alexander, Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Civil Engineering, University of Pretoria, South Africa; Member, UN Scientific and Technical Committee on Natural Disasters, 1994-2000, Pretoria, South Africa.
>    5. Jock Allison, PhD, ONZM, formerly Ministry of Agriculture Regional Research Director, Dunedin, New Zealand
>    6. Bjarne Andresen, PhD, dr. scient, physicist, published and presents on the impossibility of a "global temperature", Professor, The Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
>    7. Timothy F. Ball, PhD, environmental consultant and former climatology professor, University of Winnipeg, Member, Science Advisory Board, ICSC, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
>    8. Douglas W. Barr, BS (Meteorology, University of Chicago), BS and MS (Civil Engineering, University of Minnesota), Barr Engineering Co. (environmental issues and water resources), Minnesota, U.S.A.
>    9. Romuald Bartnik, PhD (Organic Chemistry), Professor Emeritus, Former chairman of the Department of Organic and Applied Chemistry, climate work in cooperation with Department of Hydrology and Geological Museum, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
>   10. Colin Barton, B.Sc., PhD, Earth Science, Principal research scientist (retd), Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
>   11. Joe Bastardi, BSc, (Meteorology, Pennsylvania State), meteorologist, State College, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
>   12. Ernst-Georg Beck, Dipl. Biol. (University of Freiburg), Biologist, Freiburg, Germany
>   13. David Bellamy, OBE, English botanist, author, broadcaster, environmental campaigner, Hon. Professor of Botany (Geography), University of Nottingham, Hon. Prof. Faculty of Engineering and Physical Systems, Central Queensland University, Hon. Prof. of Adult and Continuing Education, University of Durham, United Nations Environment Program Global 500 Award Winner, Dutch Order of The Golden Ark, Bishop Auckland County, Durham, U.K.
>   14. M. I. Bhat, Professor & Head, Department of Geology & Geophysics, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India
>   15. Ian R. Bock, BSc, PhD, DSc, Biological sciences (retired), Ringkobing, Denmark
>   16. Sonja A. Boehmer-Christiansen, PhD, Reader Emeritus, Dept. of Geography, Hull University, Editor - Energy&Environment, Multi-Science (www.multi-science.co.uk), Hull, United Kingdom
>   17. Atholl Sutherland Brown, PhD (Geology, Princeton University), Regional Geology, Tectonics and Mineral Deposits, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
>   18. Stephen C. Brown, PhD (Environmental Science, State University of New York), District Agriculture Agent, Assistant Professor, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Ground Penetrating Radar Glacier research, Palmer, Alaska, U.S.A.
>   19. James Buckee, D.Phil. (Oxon), focus on stellar atmospheres, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
>   20. Dan Carruthers, M.Sc., Arctic Animal Behavioural Ecologist, wildlife biology consultant specializing in animal ecology in Arctic and Subarctic regions, Alberta, Canada
>   21. Robert M. Carter, PhD, Professor, Marine Geophysical Laboratory, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
>   22. Dr. Arthur V. Chadwick, PhD, Geologist, dendrochronology (analyzing tree rings to determine past climate) lecturing, Southwestern Adventist University, Keene, Texas, U.S.A.
>   23. George V. Chilingar, PhD, Member, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow President, Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, U.S.A. Section, Emeritus Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
>   24. Ian D. Clark, PhD, Professor (isotope hydrogeology and paleoclimatology), Dept. of Earth Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
>   25. Charles A. Clough, BS (Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology), MS (Atmospheric Science, Texas Tech University), former (to 2006) Chief of the US Army Atmospheric Effects Team at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland; now residing in Bel Air, Maryland, U.S.A.
>   26. Paul Copper, BSc, MSc, PhD, DIC, FRSC, Professor Emeritus, Department of Earth Sciences, Laurentian University Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
>   27. Piers Corbyn, MSc (Physics (Imperial College London)), ARCS, FRAS, FRMetS, astrophysicist (Queen Mary College, London), consultant, founder WeatherAction long range forecasters, London, United Kingdom
>   28. Allan Cortese, meteorological researcher and spotter for the National Weather Service, retired computer professional, Billerica, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
>   29. Richard S. Courtney, PhD, energy and environmental consultant, IPCC expert reviewer, Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom
>   30. Susan Crockford, PhD (Zoology/Evolutionary Biology/Archaeozoology), Adjunct Professor (Anthropology/Faculty of Graduate Studies), University of Victoria, Victoria, British Colombia, Canada
>   31. Claude Culross, PhD (Organic Chemistry), retired, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.A.
>   32. Joseph D'Aleo, BS, MS (Meteorology, University of Wisconsin),  Doctoral Studies (NYU), Executive Director - ICECAP (International Climate and Environmental Change Assessment Project), Fellow of the AMS, College Professor Climatology/Meteorology, First Director of Meteorology The Weather Channel, Hudson, New Hampshire, U.S.A.
>   33. Chris R. de Freitas, PhD, Climate Scientist, School of Environment, The University of Auckland, New Zealand
>   34. Willem de Lange, MSc (Hons), DPhil (Computer and Earth Sciences), Senior Lecturer in Earth and Ocean Sciences, Waikato University, Hamilton, New Zealand
>   35. James DeMeo, PhD (University of Kansas 1986, Earth/Climate Science), now in Private Research, Ashland, Oregon, U.S.A.
>   36. David Deming, PhD (Geophysics), Associate Professor, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, U.S.A.
>   37. James E Dent; B.Sc., FCIWEM, C.Met, FRMetS, C.Env., Independent Consultant, Member of WMO OPACHE Group on Flood Warning, Hadleigh, Suffolk, England
>   38. Robert W. Durrenberger, PhD, former Arizona State Climatologist and President of the American Association of State Climatologists, Professor Emeritus of Geography, Arizona State University; Sun City, Arizona, U.S.A.
>   39. Don J. Easterbrook, PhD, Emeritus Professor of Geology, Western Washington, University, Bellingham, Washington, U.S.A.
>   40. Per Engene, MSc, Biologist, Bø i Telemark, Norway, Co-author The Climate. Science and Politics (2009)
>   41. Robert H. Essenhigh, PhD, E.G. Bailey Professor of Energy Conversion, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, The Ohio State University,  Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A.
>   42. David Evans, PhD (EE), MSc (Stat), MSc (EE), MA (Math), BE (EE), BSc, mathematician, carbon accountant and modeler, computer and electrical engineer and head of 'Science Speak', Scientific Advisory Panel member - Australian Climate Science Coalition, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
>   43. Sören Floderus, PhD (Physical Geography (Uppsala University)), coastal-environment specialization, Copenhagen, Denmark
>   44. Louis Fowler, BS (Mathematics), MA (Physics), 33 years in environmental measurements (Ambient Air Quality Measurements), Austin, Texas, U.S.A.
>   45. Stewart Franks, PhD, Professor, Hydroclimatologist, University of Newcastle, Australia
>   46. Gordon Fulks, PhD (Physics, University of Chicago), cosmic radiation, solar wind, electromagnetic and geophysical phenomena, Corbett, Oregon, U.S.A.
>   47. R. W. Gauldie, PhD, Research Professor, Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, School of Ocean Earth Sciences and Technology, University of Hawai'i at Manoa (Retired), U.S.A.
>   48. David G. Gee, Professor of Geology (Emeritus), Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, Villavagen 16, Uppsala, Sweden
>   49. Lee C. Gerhard, PhD, Senior Scientist Emeritus, University of Kansas, past director and state geologist, Kansas Geological Survey, U.S.A.
>   50. Gerhard Gerlich, Dr.rer.nat. (Mathematical Physics: Magnetohydrodynamics) habil. (Real Measure Manifolds), Professor, Institut für Mathematische Physik, Technische Universität Carolo-Wilhelmina zu Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany, Co-author of "Falsification Of The Atmospheric CO2 Greenhouse Effects Within The Frame Of Physics", Int.J.Mod.Phys.,2009
>   51. Albrecht Glatzle, PhD, ScAgr, Agro-Biologist and Gerente ejecutivo, Tropical pasture research and land use management, Director científico de INTTAS, Loma Plata, Paraguay
>   52. Fred Goldberg, PhD, Adj Professor, Royal Institute of Technology (Mech, Eng.), Secretary General KTH International Climate Seminar 2006 and Climate analyst and member of NIPCC, Lidingö, Sweden
>   53. Wayne Goodfellow, PhD (Earth Science), Ocean Evolution, Paleoenvironments, Adjunct Professor, Senior Research Scientist, University of Ottawa, Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
>   54. Thomas B. Gray, MS, Meteorology, Retired, USAF, Yachats, Oregon, U.S.A.
>   55. Vincent Gray, PhD, New Zealand Climate Coalition, expert reviewer for the IPCC, author of The Greenhouse Delusion: A Critique of Climate Change 2001, Wellington, New Zealand
>   56. William M. Gray, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Head of the Tropical Meteorology Project, Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S.A.
>   57. Kenneth P. Green, M.Sc. (Biology, University of San Diego) and a Doctorate in Environmental Science and Engineering from the University of California at Los Angeles, Resident Scholar, American Enterprise Institute, Washington, DC, U.S.A.
>   58. Charles B. Hammons, PhD (Applied Mathematics), systems/software engineering, modeling & simulation, design, Consultant, Coyle, Oklahoma, U.S.A.
>   59. William Happer, PhD, Cyrus Fogg Bracket Professor of Physics (research focus is interaction of light and matter, a key mechanism for global warming and cooling), Princeton University; Former Director, Office of Energy Research (now Office of Science), US Department of Energy (supervised climate change research), Member - National Academy of Sciences of the USA, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, American Philosophical Society; Princeton, NJ, USA.
>   60. Howard Hayden, PhD, Emeritus Professor (Physics), University of Connecticut, The Energy Advocate, Connecticut, U.S.A.
>   61. Ross Hays, Atmospheric Scientist, NASA Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility, Palestine, Texas, U.S.A.
>   62. James A. Heimbach, Jr., BA Physics (Franklin and Marshall College), Master's and PhD in Meteorology (Oklahoma University), Prof. Emeritus of Atmospheric Sciences (University of North Carolina at Asheville), Springvale, Maine, U.S.A.
>   63. Ole Humlum, PhD, Professor, Department of Physical Geography, Institute of Geosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
>   64. Craig D. Idso, PhD, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide and Global Change, Tempe, Arizona, U.S.A.
>   65. Sherwood B. Idso, PhD, President, Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide and Global Change, Tempe, Arizona, U.S.A.
>   66. Terri Jackson, MSc MPhil., Director, Independent Climate Research Group, Northern Ireland and London (Founder of the Energy Group at the Institute of Physics, London), U.K.
>   67. Albert F. Jacobs, Geol.Drs., P. Geol., Calgary, Alberta, Canada
>   68. Zbigniew Jaworowski, PhD, DSc, professor of natural sciences, Senior Science Adviser of Central Laboratory for Radiological Protection, researcher on ice core CO2 records, Warsaw, Poland.
>   69. Terrell Johnson, B.S. (Zoology), M.S. (Wildlife & Range Resources, Air & Water Quality), Principal Environmental Engineer, Certified Wildlife Biologist, Green River, Wyoming, U.S.A.
>   70. Bill Kappel, BS (Physical Science-Geology), BS (Meteorology), Storm Analysis, Climatology, Operation Forecasting, Vice President/Senior Meteorologist, Applied Weather Associates, LLC, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, U.S.A.
>   71. Wibjörn Karlén, MSc (quaternary sciences), PhD (physical geography), Professor emeritus, Stockholm University, Department of Social and Economic Geography, Geografiska Annaler Ser. A, Uppsala, Sweden
>   72. Olavi Kärner, Ph.D., Extraordinary Research Associate; Dept. of Atmospheric Physics, Tartu Observatory, Toravere, Estonia
>   73. David Kear, PhD, FRSNZ, CMG, geologist, former Director-General of NZ Dept. of Scientific & Industrial Research, Whakatane, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
>   74. Madhav L. Khandekar, PhD, consultant meteorologist, (former) Research Scientist, Environment Canada, Editor "Climate Research" (03-05), Editorial Board Member "Natural Hazards, IPCC Expert Reviewer 2007, Unionville, Ontario, Canada
>   75. Leonid F. Khilyuk, PhD, Science Secretary, Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, Professor of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
>   76. William Kininmonth MSc, MAdmin, former head of Australia's National Climate Centre and a consultant to the World Meteorological organization's Commission for Climatology, Kew, Victoria, Australia
>   77. Gary Kubat, BS (Atmospheric Science), MS (Atmospheric Science), professional meteorologist last 18 years, O'Fallon, Illinois, U.S.A.
>   78. Roar Larsen, Dr.ing.(PhD), Chief Scientist, SINTEF (Trondheim, Norway), Adjunct Professor, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
>   79. Douglas Leahey, PhD, meteorologist and air-quality consultant, President - Friends of Science, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
>   80. Jay Lehr, BEng (Princeton), PhD (environmental science and ground water hydrology), Science Director, The Heartland Institute, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
>   81. Edward Liebsch, BS (Earth Science & Chemistry), MS (Meteorology, Pennsylvania State University), Senior Air Quality Scientist, HDR Inc., Maple Grove, MN, U.S.A.
>   82. Dr. Richard S. Lindzen, Alfred P. Sloan professor of meteorology, Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
>   83. Peter Link, BS, MS, PhD (Geology, Climatology), Geol/Paleoclimatology, retired, Active in Geol-paleoclimatology, Tulsa University and Industry, Evergreen, Colorado, U.S.A.
>   84. Anthony R. Lupo, Ph.D., Professor of Atmospheric Science, Department of Soil, Environmental, and Atmospheric Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, U.S.A.
>   85. Horst Malberg, PhD, former director of Institute of Meteorology, Free University of Berlin, Germany
>   86. Björn Malmgren, PhD, Professor Emeritus in Marine Geology, Paleoclimate Science, Goteborg University, retired, Norrtälje, Sweden
>   87. Fred Michel, PhD, Director, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Associate Professor of Earth Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
>   88. Ferenc Mark Miskolczi, PhD, atmospheric physicist, formerly of NASA's Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia, U.S.A.
>   89. Asmunn Moene, PhD, MSc (Meteorology), former head of the Forecasting Centre, Meteorological Institute, Oslo, Norway
>   90. Cdr. M. R. Morgan, PhD, FRMetS, climate consultant, former Director in marine meteorology policy and planning in DND Canada, NATO and World Meteorological Organization and later a research scientist in global climatology at Exeter University, UK, now residing in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
>   91. Nils-Axel Mörner, PhD (Sea Level Changes and Climate), Emeritus Professor of Paleogeophysics & Geodynamics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
>   92. Robert Neff, M.S. (Meteorology, St Louis University), Weather Officer, USAF; Contractor support to NASA Meteorology Satellites, Retired, Camp Springs, Maryland, U.S.A.
>   93. John Nicol, PhD, Physics, (Retired) James Cook University, Chairman - Australian Climate Science Coalition, Brisbane, Australia
>   94. Ingemar Nordin, PhD, professor in philosophy of science (including a focus on "Climate research, philosophical and sociological aspects of a politicised research area"), Linköpings University, Sweden.
>   95. David Nowell, M.Sc., Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society, former chairman of the NATO Meteorological Group, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
>   96. James J. O'Brien, PhD, Emeritus Professor, Meteorology and Oceanography, Florida State University, Florida, U.S.A.
>   97. Peter Oliver, BSc (Geology), BSc (Hons, Geochemistry & Geophysics), MSc (Geochemistry), PhD (Geology), specialized in NZ quaternary glaciations, Geochemistry and Paleomagnetism, previously research scientist for the NZ Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Upper Hutt, New Zealand
>   98. Cliff Ollier, D.Sc., Professor Emeritus (School of Earth and Environment), Research Fellow, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, W.A., Australia
>   99. Garth W. Paltridge, BSc Hons (Qld), MSc, PhD (Melb), DSc (Qld), Emeritus Professor, Honorary Research Fellow and former Director of the Institute of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Visiting Fellow, RSBS, ANU, Canberra, ACT, Australia
>  100. R. Timothy Patterson, PhD, Professor, Dept. of Earth Sciences (paleoclimatology), Carleton University, Chair - International Climate Science Coalition, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
>  101. Alfred H. Pekarek, PhD, Associate Professor of Geology, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Department, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota, U.S.A.
>  102. Ian Plimer, PhD, Professor of Mining Geology, The University of Adelaide; Emeritus Professor of Earth Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Australia
>  103. Daniel Joseph Pounder, BS (Meteorology, University of Oklahoma), MS (Atmospheric Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign); Weather Forecasting, Meteorologist, WILL AM/FM/TV, the public broadcasting station of the University of Illinois, Urbana, U.S.A.
>  104. Brian Pratt, PhD, Professor of Geology (Sedimentology), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
>  105. Harry N.A. Priem, PhD, Professor (retired) Utrecht University, isotope and planetary geology, Past-President Royal Netherlands Society of Geology and Mining, former President of the Royal Geological and Mining Society of the Netherlands, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
>  106. Tom Quirk, MSc (Melbourne), D Phil, MA (Oxford), SMP (Harvard), Member of the Scientific Advisory Panel of the Australian Climate Science Coalition, Member Board Institute of Public Affairs, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
>  107. George A. Reilly, PhD (Geology), Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
>  108. Robert G. Roper, PhD, DSc (University of Adelaide, South Australia), Emeritus Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.
>  109. Arthur Rorsch, PhD, Emeritus Professor, Molecular Genetics, Leiden University, retired member board Netherlands Organization Applied Research TNO, Leiden, The Netherlands
>  110. Curt Rose, BA, MA (University of Western Ontario), MA, PhD (Clark University), Professor Emeritus, Department of Environmental Studies and Geography, Bishop's University, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
>  111. Rob Scagel, MSc (forest microclimate specialist), Principal Consultant - Pacific Phytometric Consultants, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
>  112. Clive Schaupmeyer, B.Sc., M.Sc., Professional Agrologist (awarded an Alberta "Distinguished Agrologist"), 40 years of weather and climate studies with respect to crops, Coaldale, Alberta, Canada
>  113. Bruce Schwoegler, BS (Meteorology and Naval Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison), Chief Technology Officer, MySky Communications Inc, meteorologist, science writer and principal/co-founder of MySky, Lakeville, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
>  114. John Shade, BS (Physics), MS (Atmospheric Physics), MS (Applied Statistics), Industrial Statistics Consultant, GDP, Dunfermline, Scotland, United Kingdom
>  115. Gary Sharp, PhD, Center for Climate/Ocean Resources Study, Salinas, California, U.S.A.
>  116. Thomas P. Sheahen, PhD (Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology), specialist in renewable energy, research and publication (Applied Optics) in modeling and measurement of absorption of infrared radiation by atmospheric CO2, Oakland, Maryland, U.S.A.
>  117. Paavo Siitam, M.Sc., agronomist and chemist, Cobourg, Ontario, Canada
>  118. L. Graham Smith, PhD, Associate Professor of Geography, specialising in Resource Management, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
>  119. Roy W. Spencer, PhD, climatologist, Principal Research Scientist, Earth System Science Center, The University of Alabama, Huntsville, Alabama, U.S.A.
>  120. Walter Starck, PhD (Biological Oceanography), marine biologist (specialization in coral reefs and fisheries), author, photographer, Townsville, Australia
>  121. Peter Stilbs, TeknD, Professor of Physical Chemistry, Research Leader, School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), member of American Chemical Society and life member of American Physical Society, Chair of "Global Warming - Scientific Controversies in Climate Variability", International seminar meeting at KTH, 2006, Stockholm, Sweden
>  122. Arlin Super, PhD (Meteorology), former Professor of Meteorology at Montana State University, retired Research Meteorologist, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Saint Cloud, Minnesota, U.S.A.
>  123. George H. Taylor, B.A. (Mathematics, U.C. Santa Barbara), M.S. (Meteorology, University of Utah), Certified Consulting Meteorologist, Applied Climate Services, LLC, Former State Climatologist (Oregon), President, American Association of State Climatologists (1998-2000), Corvallis, Oregon, U.S.A.
>  124. Mitchell Taylor, PhD, Biologist (Polar Bear Specialist), Wildlife Research Section, Department of Environment, Igloolik, Nunavut, Canada
>  125. Hendrik Tennekes, PhD, former director of research, Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, Arnhem, The Netherlands
>  126. Frank Tipler, PhD, Professor of Mathematical Physics, astrophysics, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A.
>  127. Edward M. Tomlinson, MS (Meteorology), Ph.D. (Meteorology, University of Utah), President, Applied Weather Associates, LLC (leader in extreme rainfall storm analyses), 21 years US Air Force in meteorology (Air Weather Service), Monument, Colorado, U.S.A.
>  128. Ralf D. Tscheuschner, Dr.rer.nat. (Theoretical physics: Quantum Theory), Freelance Lecturer and Researcher in Physics and Applied Informatics, Hamburg, Germany. Co-author of "Falsification of The Atmospheric CO2 Greenhouse Effects Within The Frame Of Physics, Int.J.Mod.Phys. 2009
>  129. Gerrit J. van der Lingen, PhD (Utrecht University), geologist and paleoclimatologist, climate change consultant, Geoscience Research and Investigations, Christchurch, New Zealand
>  130. A.J. (Tom) van Loon, PhD, Professor of Geology (Quaternary Geology), Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland; former President of the European Association of Science Editors
>  131. Gösta Walin, PhD in Theoretical physics, Professor emeritus in oceanography, Earth Science Center, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden
>  132. Neil Waterhouse, PhD (Physics, Thermal, Precise Temperature Measurement), retired, National Research Council, Bell Northern Research, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
>  133. Anthony Watts, 25-year broadcast meteorology veteran and currently chief meteorologist for KPAY-AM radio. In 1987, he founded ItWorks, which supplies custom weather stations, Internet servers, weather graphics content, and broadcast video equipment. In 2007, Watts founded SurfaceStations.org, a Web site devoted to photographing and documenting the quality of weather stations across the U.S., U.S.A.
>  134. Charles L. Wax, PhD (physical geography: climatology, LSU), State Climatologist - Mississippi, past President of the American Association of State Climatologists, Professor, Department of Geosciences, Mississippi State University, U.S.A.
>  135. James Weeg, BS (Geology), MS (Environmental Science), Professional Geologist/hydrologist, Advent Environmental Inc, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, U.S.A.
>  136. Forese-Carlo Wezel, PhD, Emeritus Professor of Stratigraphy (global and Mediterranean geology, mass biotic extinctions and paleoclimatology), University of Urbino, Urbino, Italy
>  137. Boris Winterhalter, PhD, senior marine researcher (retired), Geological Survey of Finland, former adjunct professor in marine geology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
>  138. David E. Wojick, PhD, PE, energy and environmental consultant, Technical Advisory Board member - Climate Science Coalition of America, Star Tannery, Virginia, U.S.A.
>  139. Raphael Wust, PhD, Adj Sen. Lecturer, Marine Geology/Sedimentology, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
>  140. Stan Zlochen, BS (Atmospheric Science), MS (Atmospheric Science), USAF (retired), Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.A.
>  141. Dr. Bob Zybach, PhD (Oregon State University (OSU), Environmental Sciences Program), MAIS (OSU, Forest Ecology, Cultural Anthropology, Historical Archaeology), BS (OSU College of Forestry), President, NW Maps Co., Program Manager, Oregon Websites and Watersheds Project, Inc., Cottage Grove, Oregon, U.S.A.
>
> Water vapor is the most prevalent green house gas at about a 2700% greater concentration than CO2 which makes up perhaps .5% of the earth's atmosphere.  CO2 is critically important to life on this planet since just about all plant life and thus all animal life depends on it.  I hope it does not follow that we should outlaw hot showers and baths, or ban making tea and all other forms of cooking, or perhaps criminalize human exhalation which contains both CO2 and water vapor (my apologies for the sarcasm but it does seem to be where the logic of this could go).
>
> If excess CO2 is a problem we should deal with it.  It appears that climate experts do not agree that CO2 is a problem.  My question is, how can our community help resolve the matter since software is (at least in part) central to this disagreement?
>
> Respectfully,
> Leon
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dr. Al Bento [mailto:abento at ubalt.edu]
> Sent: Sunday, December 13, 2009 9:43 PM
> To: Kappelman, Leon
> Subject: Re: [AISWorld] [isworld] RE: Research opportunity?: garbage in the list!!!!
>
> Do we have a moderator is this list? What will be next?  Any discussions about the scientific evidences to resolve if  the Holocaust was a myth or reality? How about the scientific evidence of Obama birth certificate, or the like?  This is not what this list is for.
>
> Al Bento
> Professor of Information Systems
> University of Baltimore
>
>
>
> On 12/13/2009 8:46 PM, Kappelman, Leon wrote:
>   
>> Sorry Frank, I should have been more explicit.
>>
>> Although subject matter experts are critical for logical requirements, at the level of the physical requirements and functioning software, it seems to me that code is code and it either does what the requirements say it is supposed to do or it does not.  That is what software professionals and IT auditors do every day and what we can bring to the table.  I just don't see that as controversial.  And if IS and audit professionals interested in software quality had been involved perhaps the alleged software shenanigans at East Anglia's Climate Research Unit would have been less likely (e.g., http://courses.unt.edu/kappelman/blog/content/global-warming-fraud-computer-code-emails-analysis-and-more, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703939404574566124250205490.html).
>>
>> I think we all agree that the stakes are very high regarding the public policy, environmental, and economic decisions based on these computer simulations.  So I'd like to know what testing all this climate simulation software has undergone.  And I'd feel a lot better knowing that software quality and audit professionals, of the caliber of many of those on this list, had been involved in doing that testing.  MIT's Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change long-term weather forecast simulation studies seem to be indicative of the state of the art and science in these areas, yet not a single software professional, let alone a software quality expert or auditor, appears to have been involved in any of it (e.g., http://globalchange.mit.edu/files/document/MITJPSPGC_Rpt180.pdf).  Personally, I find that troubling given what is at stake.
>>
>> Considering the complexity of climate and how poorly the local news does predicting tomorrow's weather why should we think they're any better at 10-, 20-, or 100-year projections?  After all, it is basically the same computers and programs.  Would you bet your life on a 5-day weather forecast, or the economic future of your country and the world on a 40- or 50-year weather forecast?  Especially when it is unclear that even basic software quality, testing, and audit practices were involved in the simulations?  Personally I am not comfortable with that.  And I like to believe that no one else on this list is either.
>>
>> Since IT scholars do conduct simulation research including model validation, and we do study and work in areas of requirements gathering and validation, and software quality, testing, and audit, it seemed that the climate scientists' challenge to "substantiate claims that ... Computer-based models are reliable indicators of future climate" is a totally appropriate opportunity for IS researchers, whichever way they might lean towards in the so-called debate.  Of course, such research would require collaboration with other disciplines (the subject-matter experts of climate science).  But it is not just appropriate but critical for IT scholars to participate in it since only we (presumably) have the expertise in requirements determination as well as software creation, testing, and validation.
>>
>> Again, my apologies for assuming the IS connections were more apparent.  I am reminded daily that my imperfections continue to outnumber my strengths.
>>
>> Happy holidays and best wishes,
>> Leon
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: F.Land at lse.ac.uk [mailto:F.Land at lse.ac.uk]
>> Sent: Sunday, December 13, 2009 5:04 AM
>> To: Kappelman, Leon; isworld at lyris.isworld.org
>> Subject: RE: [isworld] RE: Research opportunity?: Scientists challenge UN to - provide evidence that computer-based models are reliable indicators of future - climate
>>
>> Hi Leon et al
>>
>> A brief intervention into your discussion with Kalle.  Your piece to
>> ISWorld might have been appropriate if you had argued a specific IS
>> concern or why IS should be involved.  But that is not what you did.  If
>> I had not known your IS association I could not have guessed that the
>> piece came from an IS academic.
>>
>> Best wishes
>>
>> Frank Land
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Leon Kappelman [mailto:Leon.Kappelman at unt.edu]
>> Sent: 13 December 2009 02:00
>> To: AISWORLD Information Systems World Network
>> Subject: [isworld] RE: Research opportunity?: Scientists challenge UN to
>> - provide evidence that computer-based models are reliable indicators of
>> future - climate
>>
>> Kalle, nice to hear from you.  I hope you are well.
>>
>> Not the way I see it at all.  I have never attempted to initiate a
>> debate about climate change on this list.  Nor do I think I ever offered
>> a personal opinion (although one may imply whatever they wish).  I
>> believe that every post I ever made that mentioned the topic of climate
>> research raised a question regarding matters that are (or at least
>> should be) of significant importance, relevance, and interest to IS
>> scholars on this list irrespective of their views on anthropogenic
>> climate change.
>> Specifically (if I recall correctly) matters such as the use of computer
>> simulations, the appropriate communication of findings based on such
>> simulations, and the effects on the public's view regarding the
>> credibility of science, research, and universities when scientists are
>> believed to have intentionally misrepresented their findings.  If I have
>> ever done other than this, I apologize, as it was not my primary
>> intention.
>>
>> It seems to me that the topics I tried to raise have many significant
>> implications to IS academics and researchers.  This is because climate
>> research is very visible to the public and policymakers and since that
>> research relies extensively on the use of tools and techniques that the
>> public and those policymakers see we IS academics as the experts about
>> (e.g., computer models, simulations, etc.).  I believe that how the
>> technologies we study and teach about are used (and misused) is of
>> concern to our community.  If not at is not the case, then I suggest we
>> consider whether it should be.
>>
>> Funny thing is, despite some private correspondence commending my
>> efforts to raise these issues, no one has ever thought that any of those
>> topics were worthy of discussion here.  Instead, public comments have
>> almost all personally attacked me and/or the sources of the materials I
>> cited.  Such silent, ad hominem, and diversionary activities are
>> peculiar and themselves raise some interesting questions about the
>> nature, openness, and courage of our community.  I want to always be
>> proud to be a member of this community.  I hope everyone in it wants
>> that too.
>>
>> I do hope all is good with you!
>>
>> Happy holidays and best wishes,
>> Leon
>>
>>
>>     
>>> Dear  Leon,
>>>
>>> Let me ask you a simple question. Why are you using this forum to
>>> advance you interpretation and view of the climate change as those who
>>>       
>>> find evidence for its presence have not used this forum for that
>>> purpose? I find it totally inappropriate for the mission of this forum
>>>       
>>> and I therefore question your ethical right to do so. There are ample
>>> other forums available in the cyberspace to make your claims if you
>>> wish to do so, but do not bother other IS scholars and their attention
>>>       
>>> with your opinions.
>>>
>>> Besides. If I or anyone else wants to see this side of the argument on
>>>       
>>> this topic they can go to WSJ pages and find everything they need.
>>>
>>> Cordially
>>>
>>> --kalle lyytinen
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Leon Kappelman [mailto:Leon.Kappelman at unt.edu]
>>> Sent: Saturday, December 12, 2009 6:17 PM
>>> To: AISWORLD Information Systems World Network
>>> Subject: [isworld] Research opportunity?: Scientists challenge UN to
>>> provide evidence that computer-based models are reliable indicators of
>>>       
>>> future climate
>>>
>>> Open Letter from 141 Climate Scientists Challenges UN "to Provide
>>> Sound Evidence" for Catastrophic Forecasts since "the science is NOT
>>>       
>> settled."
>>     
>>> http://courses.unt.edu/kappelman/blog/content/open-letter-signed-141-c
>>> lima te-science-experts-challenges-un-secretary-general-provide-sound
>>>
>>>
>>>  From The ICSC Press Release:
>>>
>>> The International Climate Science Coalition (ICSC - see
>>> http://www.climatescienceinternational.org/) today released the names
>>> of over 140 leading climate experts from 17 countries who are asking
>>> the United Nations and other supporters of this month's Climate Change
>>>       
>>> Conference to produce convincing OBSERVATIONAL EVIDENCE for their
>>> claims of dangerous human-caused global warming (AGW) and other
>>> changes in climate. .
>>>
>>> Perhaps most significant among the scientists' challenges was for
>>> proponents of AGW theory to comprehensively substantiate claims that:
>>>
>>> - Recent climate change is unusual in comparison with historical
>>> records;
>>>
>>> - Human emissions of carbon dioxide and other 'greenhouse gases' (GHG)
>>>       
>>> are dangerously impacting climate;
>>>
>>> - Computer-based models are reliable indicators of future climate.
>>>
>>> "The science of climate change is not settled; it is evolving rapidly
>>> with critically important discoveries, many of which contradict IPCC
>>> findings, coming out every month," asserted ICSC science advisor, Dr.
>>>       
>> Robert M.
>>     
>>> Carter, also a Challenge endorser and Professor, Marine Geophysical
>>> Laboratory, James Cook University (Townsville, Australia). "The
>>> already weak case for dangerous man-made global warming is getting
>>> weaker still as our understandings advance.."
>>>
>>>
>>> Happy holidays and best wishes in the new year, Leon
>>>
>>> PS: The SIM Guide to Enterprise Architecture: Creating the Information
>>>       
>>> Age Enterprise is now in its SECOND PRINTING.  Details about the book
>>> at http://eawg.simnet.org (including a code for a 20%-discount and
>>> free shipping when purchased from publisher's website).  All author
>>> royalties go to further the work of the not-for-profit SIM EA Working
>>>       
>> Group.
>>     
>>> "When virtue is lost, benevolence appears, when benevolence is lost
>>> right conduct appears, when right conduct is lost, expedience appears.
>>> Expediency is the mere shadow of right and truth; it is the beginning
>>> of disorder." - Lao Tzu
>>>
>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> ----
>>> Leon A. Kappelman, Ph.D.
>>>   Professor of Information Systems
>>>   Chair, SIM Enterprise Architecture Working Group
>>>       Website: http://eawg.simnet.org/
>>>   Director Emeritus, Information Systems Research Center  Fellow, Texas
>>>       
>>> Center for Digital Knowledge  College of Business, University of North
>>>       
>>> Texas
>>>   Voice: 940-565-4698   Fax: 940-565-4935  Email: kapp at unt.edu
>>>   Website: http://courses.unt.edu/kappelman/ If you are so inclined,
>>> here's some easy ways to follow my adventures (at least the mental and
>>>       
>>> professional ones):
>>> . DrK's Blog: "All we will ever know is our models" -
>>> http://courses.unt.edu/kappelman/blog/
>>> . SIMEAWG on Twitter - https://twitter.com/SIM_Guide_to_EA
>>> . SIMEAWG on Facebook -
>>> http://www.facebook.com/pages/SIM-Enterprise-Architecture-Working-Grou
>>> p/14
>>> 9085698220
>>>
>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> ----
>>>
>>>
>>>
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