Emails indicate Administration tried to block scientist from discussing warming, hurricanes

RAW STORY
Published: Tuesday September 19, 2006

The Department of Commerce attempted to block a government scientist from discussing the impact of global warming on hurricanes, according to a series of emails obtained by RAW STORY.

In the documents, a request from CNBC's On The Money for an appearance by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) scientist Tom Knutson was, for some reason, forwarded to the press office for the United States Department of Commerce and answered by Chuck Fuqua, who was previously the 2004 Republican National Convention Director of Media Operations.

Mister Fuqua responded by asking the NOAA what Mr. Knutson's stance on global warming's impact on hurricanes was, specifically asking if it was consistent with that of two scientists who have claimed there is no impact on hurricanes from global warming.

After being informed that Knutson believed that global warming would lead to a "very small increase in hurricane intensity" that wouldn't be felt for nearly a century, Fuqua requested that "one of the other guys" be sent.

At that point, communication between Fuqua and NOAA was suspended.

Knutson told the Wall Street Journal earlier this year that he believed he had been censored at times by the Bush Administration for his views on global warming and hurricanes.

Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA), who obtained a copy of the emails, wrote a letter to the Department of Commerce today requesting "all internal documents or communications" relating to hurricanes' relationship with global warming.

The emails, as obtained by RAW STORY, follow:

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