‘Climategate’ inquiry shows scientist didn’t falsify data

This was mentioned as a link in my previous post, but I feel it deserves more attention given the way climate skeptics seized on the incident of leaked emails from the University of East Anglia that seemed to suggest that climate scientists at the university were falsifying data and that climate change wasn't really happening - otherwise known by the media-friendly term 'Climategate'.

An inquiry panel was set up earlier in January to look at the allegations against Penn State University climate scientist Dr. Michael Mann relating to the contents of emails stolen from the Climate Research Unit at the University of East Anglia in London.

Penn State University has concluded that there is no evidence to substantiate the claims made against Dr. Mann.

"While a perception has been created in the weeks after the CRU emails were made public that Dr. Mann has engaged in the suppression or falsification of data, there is no credible evidence that he ever did so, and certainly not while at Penn State," said the inquiry report, published by the university on Wednesday.

The panel of senior administrators at the university recommended that one of the four allegations made against Dr. Mann ( that Dr. Mann "engaged in, directly or indirectly, any actions that seriously deviated from accepted practices within the academic community for proposing, conducting or reporting research or other scholarly activities") be further investigated.

Mr. Mann released a statement:

"I am very pleased that, after a thorough review, the independent Penn State committee found no evidence to support any of the allegations against me.

Three of the four allegations have been dismissed completely. Even though no evidence to substantiate the fourth allegation was found, the University administrators thought it best to convene a separate committee of distinguished scientists to resolve any remaining questions about academic procedures.

This is very much the vindication I expected since I am confident I have done nothing wrong.

I fully support the additional inquiry which may be the best way to remove any lingering doubts. I intend to cooperate fully in this matter – as I have since the beginning of the process."

The full report of the inquiry panel can be found here: Concerning the Allegations of Research Misconduct Against Dr. Michael E. Mann