The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) needs to come out with a process to clarify all doubts or else the climate change doubters will take precedence,South African Environment Minister Buyelwa Sonjica told The Indian Express. The IPCC recently apologised for claiming that Himalayan glaciers will melt by 2035,which,it has emerged,was not based on actual scientific data. There have been doubts raised on the findings of the IPCC. My fear is that if these doubts are left unattended,it will reinforce denials and doubts, said Sonjica. With rich countries being seen as those doubting the climate change phenomena,Sonjica said,We want to see the US leading the climate process. We know that climate change is an existing phenomena,but there must be a process to clarify all doubts. BASIC countries (Brazil,South Africa,India and China),meanwhile,also defended IPCC and its chairperson R K Pachauri. IPCC is a collective effort. We should not demonise a single person (Pachauri). We have to look at IPCCs collective value, Sonjica said. Brazilian Environment Minister Carlos Minc said: If one scientist makes a mistake,it doesnt mean the whole report is wrong. Science is not just about forecast,it is also about finding solutions.
