Climate scientists should not be afraid to voice dissent and criticism

Mike Hulme, professor of climate change at the University of East Anglia, has argued that insisting on scientific consensus can sometimes weaken the voice of science in the public eye. Speaking at the STEPS symposium on science and development on 6 February, Hulme suggested that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change should openly seek out criticism and embrace ideas such as “expert voting”. This, he argued, would better reflect how science works, contributing to greater public trust in climate science.