Australian government and scientists refute climate denial propaganda to kids

Dept of Climate Change rebuts Plimer’s book for sceptic kids Crikey, by Amber Jamieson, 8 May 12 The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency have confirmed that the decision to commission and publish a document called Accurate Answers to Professor Plimer’s 101 Climate Change Science Questions was made in reaction to outrage from teachers and scientists about Ian Plimer’s climate sceptic book aimed at children.

As Matthew Knott reported in The Power Index and Crikey back in April, a number of teachers and climate scientists were concerned that conservative think-tank The Institute of Public Affairs had paid for hundreds of copies of Plimer’s How to get expelled from school: a guide to climate change for pupils, parents and punters to be sent to schools across the country.

After teachers and climate change scientists “raised concerns with the department that this book was being provided to schools” the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency put together a document rebutting each of Plimer’s 101 climate change questions, a spokesperson for the department told Crikey. ”The accurate answers document was developed in response to these concerns,” they said.

The 41-page “Accurate Answers” document announces in its introduction:

“Many of the questions and answers in Professor Plimer’s book are misleading and are based on inaccurate or selective interpretation of the science. The answers and comments provided in this document are intended to provide clear and accurate answers to Professor Plimer’s questions. The answers are based on up-to-date peer reviewed science, and have been reviewed by a number of Australian climate scientists.”

The report then goes on to number each of Plimer’s 101 questions and answer them directly, noting which ones are “misleading” or “incorrect”. Each answer has facts and figures, graphs often appear and there are links to other scientific resources…..

The document appeared on the department’s website last Wednesday — along with a list of other trusted sources on climate science, including the CSIRO, the Bureau of Meteorology, the latest Australian Academy of Science report and the latest review from the Climate Commission. No press release or public notice was sent out to coincide with its release. http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/05/07/dept-of-climate-change-rebuts-plimers-book-for-sceptic-kids/

May 9, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, climate change - global warming | climate change - global warming

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1.This month.

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