Climategate 101

Climatic Research Unit e-mail hacking incident

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The Climatic Research Unit e-mail hacking incident, also known as Climategate,^[1][2][3] began in November 2009 with the hacking of a server used by the Climatic Research Unit (CRU) of the University of East Anglia (UEA) in Norwich, England, in the United Kingdom. An unknown individual stole^[4] and anonymously disseminated over a thousand e-mails and other documents.^[5][6][7] The university confirmed that a "criminal breach" of their security systems took place,^[8] but could not confirm the authenticity of the material at short notice,^[9] and expressed concern "that personal information about individuals may have been compromised."^[10] Details of the incident have been reported to the police, who are investigating.^[5] Later, Phil Jones, Director of the CRU, confirmed that all of the leaked emails that had provoked heated debate appeared to be genuine.^[11]

Climate change sceptics have asserted that the e-mails show collusion^[12] by climate scientists to withhold scientific information.^[13] Other prominent climate scientists, such as Richard Somerville, have called the incident a smear campaign.^[14] Jones called charges that the emails involve any "untoward" activity "ludicrous",^[15] and Kevin Trenberth of the National Center for Atmospheric Research stated that the sceptics have selectively quoted words and phrases out of context in an attempt to sabotage the Copenhagen global climate summit in December.^[16]

The BBC reported that the university intends to announce an official inquiry into the affair and will make information about the investigation into the hack available in the near future.^[17] The university announced on 1 December that Phil Jones is to stand aside temporarily as director of the Unit during the investigation."^[18]

^{Source: Wikipedia}