Nobel Peace Prize winner sacked

2/5/2009

Dr Jim Salinger (1961-65), one of New Zealand’s top climate scientists and possibly the school’s only Nobel Peace Prize winner, has been fired from his job at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA).

The high-profile scientist is reported to have been sacked for ignoring a new Niwa policy against speaking publicly without approval.

Dr Jim Salinger

Jim, principal scientist on climate at NIWA and a world-renowned authority in climate change and variability in New Zealand and the southwest Pacific, was one of a handful of New Zealanders on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change which has been awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. The IPCC, which works closely with the World Meteorological Organisation and the United Nations Environment Programme, combined the expertise of 500 weather and climate specialists from around the globe with the work completed forming a blueprint for the ways needed to slash gas emissions in the years ahead to prevent disastrous consequences.

In reporting Jim’s sacking, TV One stated NIWA had accused him of serious misconduct after he took part in a programme the channel produced about glaciers. He was said to have assisted TVNZ weatherman Jim Hickey with climate-related inquiries.

The Green Party has been vocal about Jim’s removal, suggesting all government scientists would now be nervous about their jobs and New Zealand is on a slippery slope when trying to provide Kiwis with a greater understanding of our climate is a sackable offence.’

Prty co-leader Jeantette Fitzsimons said scientists should be able to help the public and the media with scientific problems, particularly around issues like climate change.

‘‘An investigation is needed into how it came to be that one of New Zealand’s foremost scientists was frogmarched out of his job for what appears to be trivial and petty reasons,’’ she said.

And Greenpeace said it wanted answers from Niwa and the Government.

‘‘Dr Salinger has done some amazing work to educate New Zealanders about climate change and he is highly respected internationally,’’ Greenpeace senior climate campaigner Simon Boxer said.

Only 18 months ago, Jim was praised by NIWA for his working relationship with the media — the very reason given for his firing.

Documents seen by The Press newspaper showed the Crown research institute principal scientist was highly regarded by his employers as late as last year. In his employment review for the year ended June 30, 2007, Jim was congratulated for his expertise, teamwork and communication abilities, The Press reported.

‘‘Well-known by public as an expert on climate matters, [Dr Salinger] has a very responsible and accountable attitude to his work,’’ the review said.
He also had ‘‘a high public profile as a climate expert and [is] the face of Niwa to the media’’. A handwritten note last year acknowledged Dr Salinger had ‘‘rebuilt the relationship with TVNZ’’.

Jim is taking a personal grievance against NIWA over his sacking, and is considering whether to extend the case to include a claim of unjustified dismissal.

In recent days Jim has taken up an unpaid Honorary Research Fellowship in the School of Geography, Geology and Environmental Science at the University of Auckland. His Presidency of the Commission for Agricultural Meteorology for the World Meteorological Organisation will continue, not being affected by his dismissal from NIWA.