Letter: All at sea over the climate

Dr David Cromwell
Sunday 13 April 1997 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: While the UK indulges in the election campaign, a few scientists will be hard at work at sea, somewhere in the North-east Atlantic. Between 15 April and 16 May, an international and multidisciplinary group of oceanographers will be investigating the variability of biological activity and its relationship to ocean dynamics. The investigation of the ocean's role in climate continues, regardless of this election.

Or will it? A recent report by the Commons Science and Technology Committee warns that existing funds for climate research could be "spread more thinly and less effectively". There is disturbing evidence that this is a direct result of political pressure on both the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the Meteorological Office to become "more market-oriented". NERC resources are being squeezed

at the expense of oceanography.

One wonders if, at the end of our cruise, we will return to a post-election Britain which is prepared to make the necessary commitment to fund research into ocean science and the climate system at large.

Dr DAVID CROMWELL

Southampton Oceanography Centre

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in