The House Committee on Science, Space and Technology formally thanked an ex-NOAA scientist for exposing a 2015 climate change study that relied on altered temperature data and bogus methodology. Dr. John Bates, now an agency whistleblower, recently told the Daily Mail about egregious data mismanagement at NOAA that deceived world leaders prior to an important climate conference.

Bates’ actions prompted renewed interest from the House Science Committee led by Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Tex.), who thanked Dr. Bates in a statement yesterday for stepping forward and telling the truth about NOAA’s senior officials using data to suit political agendas.

Bates is a recently retired scientist who worked at NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center and left with an impeccable record.

Background

According to Bates the Karl study was used to eliminate the pause and influence climate policy decisions both nationally and internationally. By cooling the 20th century’s land and sea surface temperatures, NOAA could eliminate the lack of warming between 1998 and 2015 and instead show a steep increase in temperatures. As it turns out, the study was based on tampered data, buggy software, and altered temperatures.

The Karl study also came under heavy scrutiny from leading climatologists who criticized its methodology given it was being relied on by world leaders.

Even still, NOAA refused to appear before the Science committee or turn over federal records. They even ignored subpoenas issued by congress.

What is NOAA hiding?

In 2015, whistleblowers also told the House Science Committee the Karl paper was published to influence the upcoming Paris climate talks.

Since then, it has been trying to obtain information exposing the allegations, but NOAA obstructed them at every turn. Smith repeatedly asked, “What does NOAA have to hide?”

Smith said Dr. Bates has confirmed what he believed all along: the pause-busting paper should never have been published, was rushed, and relied on manipulated data.

Smith also understands why NOAA has been stonewalling his committee. He went on to say Bates' comments prove what he already knew and underscore the importance of rigorous oversight.

Congressional Kudos

Chairman Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) also praised Dr. Bates for discovering and reporting what he learned about the data tampering. LaHood said NOAA must always be transparent and adhere to the scientific method. LaHood said policies should be based on science and not predetermined outcomes.

And Chairman Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) commended Dr.

Bates for shining a light on these unethical actions and hopes it serves as a warning against anyone thinking of using science to suit political goals.

In what climatologist Judith Curry called a “great irony,” it was scientists who worried that climate data would vanish under President Trump, which prompted a “hackathon” to save government data. NOAA has refused to comment but will be under new leadership once the new commerce secretary, Wilbur Ross, is confirmed.
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