Memorandum submitted by Lalu Hanuman (CRU 07)

 

1. As a former postgraduate student of the University of East Anglia [UEA], and a British Citizen, I would like to comment on your committee's planned review of the disclosure of climate data from the Climatic Research Unit [CRU] at the UEA. In particular the issue of : "Are the terms of reference and scope of the Independent Review announced on 3 December 2009 by UEA, adequate".

2. The current furore that the UEA has created by it's falsifying of climate change information, has undermined global climate change action at the recent Copenhagen talks, with some countries relying on these UEA revelations to question the validity of climate change. The resultant catastrophic effect of the UEA's actions on future generations, cannot be exaggerated, as it has helped delay united action against looming climate change. A robust and thorough transparent inquiry is called for. Sir Muir Russell's review is inadequate at least as far as point 3 of his remit goes ie "Review CRU's compliance or otherwise with the University's policies and practices regarding requests under the Freedom of Information Act and the Environmental Information Regulations for the release of data".

 

3. From my experience as a former postgraduate student of the UEA, I have documentary evidence that the UEA as an institution and it's agents have often indulged in falsifications, distortions, and misrepresentations. Hence the CRU in distorting information was manifestly in compliance with the University's policies and practices. There is an urgent need for a wider remit, namely to look into the institutional failings of the UEA itself.

 

4. Declaration of interests: None.

 

5. DPA: I give permission for my name, and contact details, to be released.

 

Lalu Hanuman

January 2010