Sir

The science of climate change is under attack — an attack that is coordinated, well-funded and given constant play in the media. The stronger the scientific consensus on climate change becomes, the more the media suggest that the science is uncertain.

Lobby groups such as the Scientific Alliance and the International Policy Network have sprung up to offer climate ‘sceptics’ to the media. In the United Kingdom, the BBC appears incapable of hosting a discussion on climate change without letting one of these people claim that it is not happening.

The impression created in the public mind is that climate scientists are deeply divided, and action to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions would be premature.

Yet the consensus among climatologists, glaciologists and atmospheric physicists — that anthropogenic climate change is a reality — is as robust as is likely to be found on any scientific issue.

As environmental campaigners, we would like to ask climate scientists everywhere: why are we being left to carry the can?

We're not asking you to become campaigners or to compromise your independence. But we wish you would defend your profession as any other professionals would. This includes training people in media relations, sending eminent delegations to meet editors and senior journalists, writing letters to the papers to correct misleading articles and seeking every opportunity to put the record straight.

Isn't it time you started fighting for your science?

George Monbiot 82 Fairacres Road, Oxford OX4 1TG

Other signatories of this letter:

Mark Lynas 30 Ulfgar Road, Oxford OX2 8AZ

George Marshall Climate Outreach Information Network

Tony Juniper Friends of the Earth UK

Stephen Tindale Greenpeace UK