Name Chris Freitas | Residence New Zealand Fields Climatology | |
Alma mater University of Toronto,
University of Queensland Thesis Beach climate and recreation : thermophysiological variation, preference and behaviour (1979) Education University of Toronto, University of Queensland | ||
Institutions University of Auckland | ||
Chris de freitas iccc5
Christopher Rhodes de Freitas (1948 – 5 July 2017) was a New Zealand climate scientist. He was an associate professor in the School of Environment at the University of Auckland.
Contents
- Chris de freitas iccc5
- Sean harper vs chris de freitas wcmma 14
- Education and professional career
- Global warming and scepticism about anthropogenic causes
- Selected publications
- References
Sean harper vs chris de freitas wcmma 14
Education and professional career
De Freitas, born in Trinidad, received both his Bachelor's and his Master's at the University of Toronto, Canada, after which he earned his PhD in climatology as a Commonwealth Scholar from the University of Queensland, Australia. During his time at the University of Auckland, he served as deputy dean of science, head of science and technology, and for four years as pro vice-chancellor. He also served as vice-president of the Meteorological Society of New Zealand and was a founding member of the Australia–New Zealand Climate Forum as well as serving on the executive board of the International Society of Biometeorology from 1999 to 2001. He wrote extensively in popular media on an array of environmental and climate-related issues. He won the New Zealand Association of Scientists' science communicator award four times.
Global warming and scepticism about anthropogenic causes
In 2003, de Freitas wrote that "I do see a cause and effect link between global warming and higher temperatures, through the addition of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. And I do see evidence in observations that warming is occurring." De Freitas stated "Do I think that global warming is something we should worry about? Most definitely, yes. There's a good enough chance that what we're seeing is the result of global warming. And although we pay more attention when it's in our own backyard, the real concern is what it's going to mean for developing countries in Africa and Asia. Do I think it's worthwhile trying to do something about it? Most certainly, and we have a responsibility in the developed world to try." However, de Freitas became well known for "frequently arguing that the potential impacts of warming had been misunderstood, misinterpreted and distorted - which often made him a controversial and criticised figure within the science community."
As an editor for the journal Climate Research he had responsibility for sending papers out for review. In four instances, questions were raised about the review process of papers he had handled. The last of these led to the Soon and Baliunas controversy, in which a flawed paper was published under his editorial responsibility. The publisher, Otto Kinne, subsequently conceded that the conclusions of the paper were not supported by the evidence, and appropriate revisions of the manuscript should have been requested prior to publication.