By environmental journalist Andrew Freeman, the Washington Post Weather Gang

Why AMS was mistaken in granting him its top honor… By honoring Hansen, the AMS has raised questions about the proper role of scientists in a world that is facing complex challenges that mix science and politics. A key issue is whether it is appropriate for prominent scientists to serve dual roles as researchers and advocates for political change, or if must there be a clear separation between the two.

In Hansen’s case, the line between science and politics has been blurry, as I discussed in a column last summer. In bestowing the Rossby medal upon Hansen, the AMS cited his “outstanding contributions to climate modeling, understanding climate change forcings and sensitivity, and for clear communication of climate science in the public arena.” But his tactics and tone have sharpened considerably as policy makers have moved slowly (much too slowly, in his view and the view of many others) to enact emissions curbs. Last year, for example, Hansen testified in a British court in support of six Greenpeace climate activists who were on trial after they scaled a smokestack at a coal-fired power plant and painted the name “Gordon” down the stack (in reference to the U.K. Prime Minister, Gordon Brown). The activists were cleared of charges in September. Hansen has called for a global freeze of coal fired power plant construction due to the associated carbon dioxide emissions, and issued a public letter [pdf] to the Obama administration containing his scientific views and policy recommendations. Further examples of his politically-oriented work can be found on his Columbia University web site.

Some AMS members have taken issue with Hansen’s outspokenness and political advocacy on climate change, and the reaction from some meteorologists has been harsh. Meteorologist Joe D’Aleo was quoted on the New York Times’ Dot Earth blog as saying that the AMS’ decision to honor Hansen was “a sad day and embarrassment for a once great society that has lost its way.” D’Aleo, like many meteorologists who specialize in day-to-day weather rather than long-term climate trends, is skeptical that human activities are causing climate change, and indeed has disputed whether the climate is warming at all. However out of step he may be with mainstream climate science, he represents a significant constituency of the AMS. 

Hansen’s vocal support for steep greenhouse gas emissions cuts and a ban on coal-fired power plants has caused some critics to dismiss his scientific findings as biased in favor of his political goals. Such sentiment was expressed by Craig James, an AMS member and retired television meteorologist who discussed his views on the “Icecap” blog. “I believe Dr. Hansen’s political ideology has taken over his science and renders him no longer qualified to be the keeper of the global temperature data,” James said.

Such advocacy, which is Hansen’s right as a citizen, threatens to paint the AMS as having a political agenda too. The AMS would be wise to publicly set the record straight on where it stands regarding the separation between a scientist and a political advocate, and how that relates to Hansen’s award.

Read more here.