climate scientists receive death threats

Climate scientists receive death threats
June 4, 2011 - 12:59PM

AAP

A Canberra university has increased security following death threats to its climate scientists.

The Australian National University has received a large number of emails with threatening and abusive language directed at some of its scientists.

Some of the scientists have been moved to a safer location.
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The Vice-Chancellor of the Australian National University, Professor Ian Young, said staff should not have to put up with such behaviour.

"Obviously, climate research is an emotive issue at the present time, but these are issues where we should have a logical public debate," Professor Young told ABC News 24.

"In fact it's completely intolerable that people be subjected to this sort of abuse and to threats like this."

Professor Young said the threats had unsettled the scientists.

"Academics and scientists are actually really not equipped to be treated in this way," he said.

"The concept that you would be threatened for your scientific views and work is something that is completely foreign to them."

The Australian Federal Police says it has not been contacted by the university although it is aware of that threats have been made

http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/climate-scientists-receive-death-threats-20110604-1flwf.html