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Climate Scandal Prof Weighed Suicide

Under attack over Climategate emails, Phil Jones considered killing himself

By Caroline Miller,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 8, 2010 9:51 AM CST
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(Newser) – The British scientist accused of fudging data that might weaken the case for global warming was so traumatized by the torrent of hostility directed at him since what's been dubbed Climategate that he considered killing himself—"several times," the Times of London reports. Phil Jones, the professor whose hacked emails appeared to suggest that colleagues should destroy data that didn't help the cause, said he's been so distressed he's taking anti-depressants and sleeping pills.



He said he was unprepared for the rage directed at him, including two death threats in the last week: “I am just a scientist. I have no training in PR or dealing with crises,” he told the Times. He still stands by the research, and feels his unit was maliciously targeted by climate change skeptics.

Phil Jones
Phil Jones
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 29 comments
carpenocturne
Feb 9, 2010 12:26 PM CST
Oh, poor you. If you weren't so detached in theory, you'd have the balls to deal with opposition.
Fatquah
Feb 9, 2010 2:20 AM CST
I think Sniffer is just Michael Mann posing to make AGW non-believers look bad. Nice try Mike!
freethemall
Feb 8, 2010 11:46 AM CST
A scientist needs to consider the evidence objectively, not letting his personal feelings, or any agenda, other than determining the truth, to influence his efforts. But, since scientist are only human, this is a "tall order", so to speak, and sometimes personal feelings and agendas do seep into the process, and skew the results, (sarcasm follows) but I'm sure the "scientists" who work for the carbon producing energy companies are NEVER guilty of this, are they?

 
climate change • Phil Jones • Climategate • University of East Anglia

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