IPCC deputy chief says scientists are 'only human', can make mistakes

London, Jan.26 (ANI): The deputy leader of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Jean Pascal van Ypersele, has said climate scientists are "only humans" who can make mistakes like everyone else. he UN's climate science body is under fire after being forced to retract claims that the Himalayan Glaciers would melt by 2035.

"Aren't mistakes human? Even the IPCC is a human institution and I do not know of any human institution that does not make mistakes, so of course it is a regrettable incident that we published that wrong description of the Himalayan glacier," The Telegraph quoted Ypersele, as saying.

The scandal has led to calls for the chairman of the science body Rajendra Pachauri to resign after he described those who criticised the claim as using "voodoo science".

"I would personally not have used the voodoo science wording. I think humans can sometimes use words that are a bit too strong, but it is certainly not a reason to ask for the resignation of a chairman who has done an excellent job," Ypersele said.

"We are trying to do our best, we are going to reinforce the review procedures so the probability in the next report of such incidents happening is even lower. But to guarantee a zero fault product is probably not possible for any human enterprise," he added.

The 2007 report, that included the Himalayan claim, is the basis for the current international debate on climate change and has led the developing countries to demand billions of pounds in compensation for the consequences of global warming.

It also included a section that has been criticised for including a report that linked climate change to an increase in natural disasters, although the IPCC claim this is just one conclusion in a "balanced" report.

The IPCC are now working on the fifth assessment report that will be finalised in 2014 and also hugely influence world leaders.

Ypersele said the panel made up of more than 2,000 scientists will do everything it can to ensure there are not mistakes in the new report, although he emphasised that no scientist can promise a perfect document. (ANI)