Seychelles Nation - 22.10.2007
Seychelles has been closely associated with this year’s Nobel prize, through the presentation of the coveted accolade to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on which this country has a strong representation.
Dr Payet (left) and Mr Agricole have a share in the award
Dr Rolph Payet said this at State House on Friday, referring to IPCC’s joint recognition with former US Vice-President Al Gore who also got the award.
Dr Payet has been with the IPCC since 2001 and is now Lead Author, while Wills Agricole, another Seychellois, who joined the IPCC in 2006, is a Contributing Author.
“It is a remarkable testament to the dedication and commitment of the thousands of experts and participants who have produced the Panel's rigorous and comprehensive assessments of climate change research.
"This is an honour that goes to all the scientists and authors who have contributed to the work of the IPCC, which alone has resulted in enormous prestige for this organization and the remarkable effectiveness of the message that it contains," Dr Payet quoted IPCC chairman Rajendra Pachauri as saying.
"It is the most significant recognition that the IPCC has received for providing policymakers with objective and balanced information about the causes and impacts of climate change and possible response measures," said Renate Christ, the secretary of the IPCC.
Hundreds of authors from all regions of the planet have devoted an incredible amount of time and labour to writing and reviewing the reports. None of them has been paid for their time.
The IPCC assessments are based on peer-reviewed scientific and technical literature. The IPCC reports are written by teams of authors from all over the world who are recognized experts in their field. They represent relevant disciplines as well as differing scientific perspectives. This global coverage of expertise, the interdisciplinary nature of the IPCC team, and the transparency of the process, constitute the Panel's strongest assets.
Mr Pachauri said the honour makes each of the contributors a Nobel Laureate.
“I am sure you would agree with me that all of us should be appreciative of the support of and facilitation that we have received from all the governments that are part of the IPCC.
“The fact that the IPCC has earned the recognition that this award embodies, is really a tribute to your knowledge, hard work and application. Indeed the Co-Chairs of the Working Groups have a large measure of the credit that the award carries,” the IPCC chairman said in a letter to the contributors, expressing his “heartiest congratulations and deep thanks for your outstanding achievement.”
