Click photo to enlarge
Niwa scientist Dr Jim Salinger discusses the latest Climate
Change Enviromental Report in Auckland. Photo Wayne
Drought/NZPA.
One of New Zealand's top climate scientists, Jim
Salinger, has been fired from his job at the National Institute
of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa).
The high-profile scientist, whose work contributed to a Nobel
prize, is reported to have been sacked for ignoring a new
Niwa policy against speaking publicly without prior approval.
"I can't understand it, it's not as though I'm doing bad
science, it's not as though I'm under-performing, so I'm
really astounded," Dr Salinger said on TV One News tonight.
TV One said Niwa had accused Dr Salinger of serious
misconduct after he took part in a programme the channel
produced about glaciers.
The Green Party said Dr Salinger was dismissed earlier this
week for helping TVNZ weatherman Jim Hickey with
climate-related inquiries.
The scientist has frequently appeared in TV climate reports
and has spoken in the media about climate change.
"Niwa's actions will make all government scientists nervous
about their jobs," said Green Party co-leader Jeanette
Fitzsimons.
"New Zealand is on a slippery slope when trying to provide
Kiwis with a greater understanding of our climate is a
sackable offence."
Ms Fitzsimons said scientists should be able to help the
public and the media with scientific problems, particularly
around issues like climate change.
"An investigation is needed into how it came to be that one
of New Zealand's foremost scientists was frog-marched out of
his job for what appears to be trivial and petty reasons."
Ms Fitzsimons said the Minister of Research, Science and
Technology, Wayne Mapp, should call in Niwa and tell them to
"get to the bottom of this messy matter".
Greenpeace said it wanted answers from Niwa and the
Government.
"Dr Salinger has done some amazing work to educate New
Zealanders about climate change and he is highly respected
internationally," said Greenpeace senior climate campaigner
Simon Boxer.
"He was very clear about the need for urgent climate action
in New Zealand."
All that Dr Mapp would say tonight was: "The matter is an
employment dispute, which must be handled by the chief
executive and the board."
TV One reported Dr Salinger was considering claiming
unjustified dismissal.
NIWA and Jim Salinger
NIWA can be autocratic when it comes to academic freedom. One of my areas of expertise is fall webworm biology, and when I was working for the Ministry for the Environment I came across some MAF data on fall webworm generation times that was not analysed correctly. MAF erroneously believed that the fall webworm would only have one generation time in Auckland so there was no need for control of fall webworm in autumn. MAF's mistake could have led to an incursion if left uncorrected (in fact they did use the precautionary approach but I didn't know that at the time). MFE were totally unconcerned when I mentioned this to them, stating that the cabinet deadline for corrections had passed. I pointed out that insects generally don't respect cabinet deadlines, and considered their obsession with process over results to be irresponsible to say the least. The Biosecurity Act actually states that it is not only a right but a duty to warn against an incursion if you have any reason to believe that one may occur, so I emailed NIWA (from my home address) asking for temperature data for Auckland, so I could make a better case for fall webworm having 2-3 generations in Auckland. NIWA promptly told my employer, who then got on their high horse about ruining their relationship with MAF, though MAF would not have known anything about my approaching NIWA if NIWA had not told them. It is the same with Dr. Salinger's dismissal. I have heard Dr. Salinger at a conference in Tauranga where I work, and he is extremely knowledgable about climate change. Dr. Salinger's dismissal is a symptom of a wider problem. The commercialisation of science has led to an erosion of academic freedom in all CRI's and in educational institutes. I urge all those concerned with academic freedom and the wise application of science to back Dr. Salinger. Kia kaha, Jim. I will ask my own union (the TEU) to support you. Dr. Michael Morris
Jim Salinger
It is sad that NIWA has made the decision they have.
New Zealand is behind the times with the attitudes displayed. A comment made to me by an overseas documentary film maker was that scientists are much more active in other countries with regards to using television for scientific communication with the general public.
New Zealand ought to be encouraging more scientists to follow Dr Salinger's lead, rather than censuring such activity. It is very important for our education system for New Zealanders to be encouraged to take an active interest in science, by seeing scientists on our TV screens, and we also need to honour those whose accomplishments are second to none. Powerful role models and spokespeople for science are needed, always. We can do better here.
Dr Salinger ought to be New Zealand's David Bellamy or Sir David Attenborough and be on our screens frequently. NIWA should change track on this, and in fact endorse frequent appearances.
Scientists need to be actively involved in public broadcasting and I salute Dr Salinger for his great work and hope that New Zealanders see him and other scientists frequently on television, all the time. The decision ought to be reversed, and more scientists encouraged to get involved with radio and television as a way of promoting an interest in science amongst the general population, as is always valued and needed.