Weaver said he initiated the lawsuit in 2010 when the National Post refused to retract the offending articles “that attributed to me statements I never made, accused me of things I never did, and attacked me for views I never held.”
“I felt I had to take this matter to court to clear my name and correct the public record. This judgment does precisely that.”
Dr. Peter Gleick, president of the Pacific Institute and member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, said the ruling “is a victory for climate scientists everywhere.”
There is “an extremely long history of efforts by climate deniers and contrarians to attack not just climate science, but climate scientists: to smear their scientific reputations, to distort their statements, and to make false and defamatory accusations,” Gleick told DeSmog Canada.
Gleick said defamation “has been a standard tactic for years, especially as the science of climate change has continued to strengthen and solidify.”
The attack on Weaver’s credibility is unfortunately only one of many examples, he said.
“While I'm sure the ruling will not stop the continued assault on climate science and scientists, it should certainly put people on notice that there is a responsibility to avoid such irresponsible attacks and a real cost for failing to do so. I hope this ruling has that effect.”
Weaver said he is looking forward to the defendants “publishing a complete retraction and removing the offending articles from electronic databases.”
The four articles in question, as listed in the court ruling, can be seen below.
Climate Scientist Andrew Weaver Wins $50,000 in Defamation Suit Against National Post, Terence Corcoran | DeSmog Canada
“I felt I had to take this matter to court to clear my name and correct the public record. This judgment does precisely that.”
Dr. Peter Gleick, president of the Pacific Institute and member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, said the ruling “is a victory for climate scientists everywhere.”
There is “an extremely long history of efforts by climate deniers and contrarians to attack not just climate science, but climate scientists: to smear their scientific reputations, to distort their statements, and to make false and defamatory accusations,” Gleick told DeSmog Canada.
Gleick said defamation “has been a standard tactic for years, especially as the science of climate change has continued to strengthen and solidify.”
The attack on Weaver’s credibility is unfortunately only one of many examples, he said.
“While I'm sure the ruling will not stop the continued assault on climate science and scientists, it should certainly put people on notice that there is a responsibility to avoid such irresponsible attacks and a real cost for failing to do so. I hope this ruling has that effect.”
Weaver said he is looking forward to the defendants “publishing a complete retraction and removing the offending articles from electronic databases.”
The four articles in question, as listed in the court ruling, can be seen below.
Climate Scientist Andrew Weaver Wins $50,000 in Defamation Suit Against National Post, Terence Corcoran | DeSmog Canada
