Scientist who warned of threat to polar bears suspended and gagged

[pscot]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jul/28/arctic-scientist-polar-bear-oil

It was seen as one of the most distressing effects of climate change ever recorded: polar bears dying of exhaustion after being stranded between melting patches of Arctic sea ice.

But now the government scientist who first warned of the threat to polar bears in a warming Arctic has been suspended and his work put under official investigation for possible scientific misconduct.

Charles Monnett, a wildlife biologist, oversaw much of the scientific work for the government agency that has been examining drilling in the Arctic. He managed about $50m (£30.5m) in research projects.

Some question why Monnett, employed by the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, has been suspended at this moment. The Obama administration has been accused of hounding the scientist so it can open up the fragile region to drilling by Shell and other big oil companies.

"You have to wonder: this is the guy in charge of all the science in the Arctic and he is being suspended just now as an arm of the interior department is getting ready to make its decision on offshore drilling in the Arctic seas," said Jeff Ruch, president of the group Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility. "This is a cautionary tale with a deeply chilling message for any federal scientist who dares to publish groundbreaking research on conditions in the Arctic."

[Union Thug]

1. When I heard the news this morning...

...my first thought was that this a political hit. Your post reinforces my instincts.

[Autumn]

2. I read the PDF of the complaint

that was filed and that's what I thought.

[pscot]

7. Is this what you read?

http://www.peer.org/docs/doi/7_28_11_Monnett-IG_interview_transcript.pdf

That's a transcript of the investigator interview with Dr. Monnett. The smackdown is at the very end.

[Autumn]

9. There is a link to a letter of

complaint filed by Jeff Ruch, PEER Executive Director on behalf of Dr. Charles Monnett to the Office of the Executive Secretariat and Regulatory Affairs, which lays it all out. I think this is just disgraceful. I don't know how to post links but if you click on the link in this paragraph it will take you there

:The group filed an official complaint on Monnett's behalf on Thursday, accusing the government of persecuting the (PDF) scientist and interfering with his work. It seeks his reinstatement and a public apology."

[pscot]

10. It's not only disgraceful, it's stupid

It's blindingly obvious that they're trying to muzzle Dr. Monnett because they don't like his findings. Thet've outed themselves as the oil industry tools that they are.

[applegrove]

3. Scientists are being silenced in Canada too.

[flamingdem]

4. I hope Monnett comes back with support and makes this issue massive nt

[glinda]

5. Crazy selfish b*(&&% takeover!!!!!!!!!!!! I am sick of this! I am angry!!!!!!!!!!!

[tex-wyo-dem]

6. Quite a coincidence is it not...

That one of the preeminent experts on the arctic ecology would be accused of misconduct just as oil companies are trying to get the go-ahead to drill in these sensitive regions?

His report was from 2004, and just now they are making these accusations?!?

I call total BS on this!

[Nihil]

8. It's the sort of "coincidence" for which certain 'shadowy actors' are renowned.

> Quite a coincidence is it not...
> That one of the preeminent experts on the arctic ecology would be accused of
> misconduct just as oil companies are trying to get the go-ahead to drill in
> these sensitive regions?

:grr:

[pscot]

11. For anyone sufficiently pissed off

to want to do something about this, here are some contacts:

Boemre is Dr. Monnett's employer and the invetigating agency

Bureau of Ocean Energy Mnagement, Regulation and Enforcement
http://www.boemre.gov/ooc/newweb/contactus.htm

John Holdren, Whitehouse Science advisor
http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ostp/contactus

Dr.Steven Chu
Energy Secretary
202-586-6210
[e-mail]

Dr. William F. Brinkman
Director of the Office of Science
Department of Energy
http://science.energy.gov/about/contact-us/
[e-mail]