APS News

Review of APS Climate Change Statement "Going Smoothly"

The American Physical Society's Council and Executive Board are slated to review the Society's draft climate change statement in November 2014.

November 7, 2014  |  Tawanda W. Johnson

"I'm happy to report that the process is going smoothly," said William A. Barletta, a member of the APS Panel on Public Affairs (POPA) subcommittee reviewing the statement.

APS formally reviews its statements every five years. In accordance with that process, POPA formed a subcommittee to review its statement on climate change that was released in 2007. The charge to the subcommittee was approved by POPA and the APS Executive Board and is included in the supporting documents available online.

In October, physicist Steven E. Koonin, who served on the subcommittee, resigned from POPA, citing his desire to promote his personal opinions on climate science in the public arena. APS appreciates his work, knowledge, and expertise, which helped inform POPA's work during the last two years. 

During POPA's June 6 meeting, an initial draft of the statement was proposed. On October 10, POPA reported out a draft statement for consideration by the APS elected leaders and members.

Consistent with APS Bylaws, all of the Society's more than 50,000 members will be given an opportunity to examine and comment on the statement after the Council and Executive Board reviews are completed. APS has worked to ensure that the climate change statement review is a deliberative process and adheres to the rigorous scientific standards the Society requires of all public statements.