Dave Lowe (atmospheric scientist)

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Dave Lowe
Lowe in October 2020
Born
David Charles Lowe

1946 (age 77–78)
New Zealand
Education
  • New Plymouth Boys High School, New Zealand.
  • Masters of Physics Degree Victoria University, Wellington (1969).
  • PhD Atmospheric Chemistry University of Cologne, Germany.
Known forAtmospheric science

David Charles Lowe (born 1946)

atmospheric scientist who was instrumental in setting up the Baring Head atmospheric CO2 programme in 1972. A researcher and educator, Lowe was one of the lead authors of a 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report which was recognised with a Nobel Peace Prize
.

Lowe has worked with others such as

global warming. He is an adjunct professor of atmospheric chemistry at the Antarctic Research Centre, Victoria University of Wellington
.

Lowe's memoir was published in 2021 and received favourable reviews in the New Zealand media.

Early life and education

Lowe had a rural upbringing in

PhD in atmospheric chemistry at the University of Cologne and noted "that my wife and I had four wonderful years in Jülich, and at the end of my scholarship I had gained not only a PhD but also two children born in Germany – as well as an enduring affinity with the country, its language and people".[7]

Career

After graduating from Victoria University with a heightened interest in

global warming. Keeling discussed the possibility of setting up a measuring station in New Zealand with Rafter and in 1970 Lowe was asked to coordinate this, culminating eventually in the establishment of what would be known as the Baring Head Clean Air Monitoring Station.[9] From the beginning of the programme in 1972, this site has continued to record the rise of CO2 in the atmosphere.[10]

In 1975 Lowe took a sabbatical and joined a group of scientists who went to California for the first conference of greenhouse gas experts.[4] He stayed in California and worked with Keeling at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography for six months before returning to New Zealand to continue the work at Baring Head.[3] For five years from 1978, while living in Germany and completing his PhD in atmospheric chemistry at University of Cologne, Lowe worked at several scientific institutes investigating the sources of atmospheric CO2 and methane.[11]

Back in New Zealand, Lowe worked as a research scientist at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), until the end of 2007, when he left to form a small company[12] specialising in climate change education and promoting renewable energy.[13] The same company contracts to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) where Lowe served as the NZ / Germany science coordinator from 2012 – 2018.[10][7] Until it concluded in 2016, Lowe coordinated funding support[14] with an initiative known as FRIENZ[15] that had the goal of facilitating research and innovation co-operation between Europe and New Zealand. He remains an adjunct professor of Atmospheric Chemistry at the Antarctic Research Centre, Victoria University of Wellington.[16]

Significant achievements

Baring Head Clean Air Monitoring Station

Lowe had a key role in establishing this station that since 1972 has been measuring CO2 in the atmosphere,

greenhouse gases were to blame for most warming in global average temperatures since the mid 20th century. After eight years, the project was considered important enough to be handed over to another respected climate scientist, Martin Manning[18] when Lowe won a scholarship to study in Germany.[17]

Carbon Watch New Zealand,[19] established in 2019, is a collaborative project to measure greenhouse gases and draws on the work done at Baring Point. In a podcast in 2020 related to this project Lowe recalled the early days at Baring Head. He also reiterated the importance of measuring CO2 and methane gases but explained that as the temperature of the atmosphere heats up, these gases drive an increase in water vapour which Lowe contended was a major cause of the temperature of the Earth rising, making water vapour "by far the strongest greenhouse gas".[20]

Nobel Peace Prize

In 2007, Lowe was one of several New Zealand scientists who contributed toward the

Royal Society of New Zealand Te Apārangi published a full list of the team of New Zealand researchers who contributed to this work, acknowledging the influence the group had on the project.[25]

Controversies

Rebuttal of climate change denial

In 2003, Chris de Freitas, then of Auckland University, challenged the scientific consensus that global warming caused by human activity was abruptly changing Earth's climate.[26] Lowe, along with other National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) scientists David Wratt and Brett Mullan all of whom had worked together on the 2001 Climate Change report,[27] rebutted De Freitas's viewpoint. De Freitas had claimed that "atmospheric carbon dioxide levels [were] being stabilised by increased plant growth and other feedback mechanisms", but Lowe, Wratt and Mullan presented a graph depicting "steadily rising carbon dioxide levels measured at Baring Head between 1971 and 2002...[which showed]...that atmospheric levels of the gas are increasing steadily...[ and that]...worldwide surface temperature rises are real...and not due to urban effects, as de Freitas argued".[26]

Collaboration on a popular book

In March 2008,

straw man arguments" in the Stringer document.[29]

After the publication of the book, some mainstream scientists expressed concerns about the book and the involvement of Lowe in its production. Dr Andy Reisinger, who assisted with the book, noted that while it was impressive the authors engaged "directly with scientific literature, rather than following only second-hand arguments", it was problematic that their stated goal was to "settle as independent judge and jury". [32] John McCrystal who co-authored the book, responded to Resinger's comments and stated that he and Morgan "didn't claim any special legal or scientific knowledge, just a willingness to apply ourselves, to the limits of our ability, to the expert testimony being presented".[33]

Lowe, Adjunct Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry, Carter, Professor of Marine Geology and Barrett, Professor of Geology, later reflected on their experiences as the expert panel tasked with trying to convince economist Gareth Morgan that global warming is the result of human activity and concluded that "the book will have a huge impact with the New Zealand public".[34]

Publication of memoir

The Alarmist (2021)

Fridays for Future".[37] Jim Eagles said the book gives examples of Lowe's creativity and resilience as a scientist, "using what we like to think of as typical Kiwi ingenuity to conduct innovative experiments on the cheap: something well-illustrated by the cover photo of a young Lowe standing on the exposed edge of Wellington's Baring Head in the teeth of a howling gale to collect samples of air fresh from the Southern Ocean...[with]... a fascinating cast of characters, too: a few narrow-minded administrators and colleagues with their own agendas who considered climate research unimportant and a lot of dedicated scientists around the world seeking to find out what is happening to Earth's climate".[2]

A review in

The New Zealand Listener headlined their review of the memoir with: "A Kiwi scientist's climate warning is lucid, persuasive and entertaining."[40]

Awards

Lowe was awarded the 2020 Wellingtonian of the Year Environmental Award.[41]

In 2022, Lowe's book The Alarmist won the EH McCormick Prize for the best first work of general non-fiction in the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.[42] It was noted the book had "a rich texture of family and a clear awareness that members of the scientific community are not always in harmony. It is enlightening as well as very readable".[43]

References

  1. ^ a b Macklin, Clarrie (18 May 2021). "Near collapse: A young glaciologist on climate crisis memoir The Alarmist". The Spinoff. Archived from the original on 14 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b Eagles, Jim. "Review: The Alarmist: Fifty Years Measuring Climate Change". Kete New Books from Aotearoa. Archived from the original on 6 February 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d Ryan, Kathryn (26 November 2019). "Climate pioneer Dave Lowe: 'We only have one atmosphere'". RNZ. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  4. ^ a b MacManus, Joel (21 September 2019). "Dave Lowe found measurable proof of climate change 50 years ago – he's watched in horror ever since". stuff. Archived from the original on 20 September 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  5. ^ "New Zealand University Education". Victoria University of Wellington Te Herenga Waka. Archived from the original on 4 February 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  6. ^ "Travelling Scientist: In other words". Goethe Institute. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  7. ^ a b Lowe, Dave. "Science Solutions in New Zealand and Germany". Goethe Institute. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  8. ^ "'Institute of Nuclear Sciences', from An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock, originally published in 1966". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  9. ^ a b "Baring Head greenhouse gases". NIWA Taihoro Nukurangi. 22 August 2007. Archived from the original on 6 January 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  10. ^ a b c "The Baring Head atmospheric CO2 record: An iconic part of New Zealand science but who knows about it?". Victoria University of Wellington Te Herenga Waka. Archived from the original on 20 February 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  11. ^ "Climate Change – Welcome to the New Normal". Eventfinda. Archived from the original on 19 February 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  12. ^ "About LOWENZ". LOWE NZ. Archived from the original on 6 May 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  13. ^ "PODCAST: Climate change and the role of an independent scientist 9 September 2009". Science Media Centre. 9 September 2009. Archived from the original on 5 October 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  14. ^ "General Inquiry contact: New Zealand funding support for research collaboration and travel with Europe:New Zealand". FRIENZ. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  15. ^ "FRIENZ concludes". FRIENZ. Archived from the original on 13 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  16. ^ "Antarctic Research Centre: Staff". Victoria University of Wellington, Te Herenga Waka. Archived from the original on 14 August 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  17. ^ a b c Gibson, Eloise (5 December 2009). "Measuring the air that we breathe". NZ Herald. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  18. ^ "Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand: Martin Manning". THIN ICE. Archived from the original on 22 July 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  19. ^ "Carbon Watch NZ Guiding Carbon Mitigation Strategies". NIWA Taihoro Nukurangi. 15 March 2019. Archived from the original on 23 September 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  20. ^ "Our Changing World for 15 October 2020". RNZ. 15 October 2020. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  21. ^ "The Nobel Peace Prize 2007". Nobel Foundation. Archived from the original on 17 August 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2008.
  22. ^ "Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Albert Arnold (Al) Gore Jr". United Nations. Archived from the original on 23 July 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  23. ^ "Changes in Atmospheric Constituents and in Radiative Forcing" (PDF). Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 1. Cambridge, UK; New York: Cambridge University Press. 2007. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 February 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  24. ^ "NIWA scientists part of Nobel Peace Prize". NIWA Taihoro Nukurangi. 16 October 2007. Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  25. ^ "New Zealand Scientists Part of Nobel Award". SCOOP Sci-Tech. 16 October 2007. Archived from the original on 26 November 2017. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  26. ^ a b Judd, Warren (November–December 2003). "TURNING UP THE HEAT". New Zealand Geographic (66). Archived from the original on 15 May 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  27. ^ "Climate Change 2001 The Scientific Basis: Contribution of Working Group 1 to the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change" (PDF). IPPC. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 February 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  28. ISBN 9781869790455
    .
  29. ^ a b "Poles Apart - Gareth Morgan's Book". LOWE NZ. Archived from the original on 16 June 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  30. ^ "Nature, Not Human Activity, Rules the Climate" (PDF). Sepp.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  31. ^ "Climate Change 2007: Working Group II: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability". IPCC. Archived from the original on 19 October 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  32. ^ Reisinger, Andy (19 May 2009). "Wrong process, right conclusion in Morgan book". Science Media Centre. Archived from the original on 21 May 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  33. ^ McCrystal, John (26 May 2009). "Poles Apart co-author responds to Dr Reisinger's comments". Science Media Centre. Archived from the original on 24 May 2010. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  34. ^ "Gareth Morgan's "alarmists": Poles Apart was worth the effort". Science Media Centre. 19 May 2009. Archived from the original on 12 June 2009. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  35. ^ The alarmist : fifty years measuring climate change. 2021. Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2022 – via National Library New Zealand.
  36. ^ Mulligan, Jesse (13 May 2021). "Dave Lowe: The Alarmist" (An interview on Afternoons with Jesse Mulligan RNZ). RNZ. Archived from the original on 4 January 2022.
  37. ^ MacManus, Joel (16 May 2021). "The Alarmist: Climate scientist Dave Lowe's 50-year fight". stuff. Archived from the original on 20 February 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  38. ^ Lee, Kerry. "The Alarmist: Fifty Years Measuring Climate Change" (Regional News). Eyes on Wellington. Archived from the original on 9 February 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  39. ^ Lowe, Dave (9 May 2021). "Humans already have the tools to combat climate change but we lack leadership" (This essay is an edited extract from: The Alarmist: Fifty Years Measuring Climate Change). Guardian. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021.
  40. ISSN 2381-9553
    .
  41. ^ "The 2020 Dominion Post Wellingtonian of the Year". The Wellys The Dominion Post. 2020. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  42. ^ "2022 Awards". New Zealand Book Awards Trust. Archived from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  43. ^ "22 Awards". NZ Book Awards Trusts. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.

External links

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