University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann has been ordered to pay National Review over $500,000 in legal fees, marking a significant turn in a legal feud that has spanned nearly 13 years. The dispute stems from Mann’s 2012 defamation lawsuit against the conservative outlet, which has now concluded with a major ruling in favor of National Review.
The Origin of the Legal Battle
Mann’s legal actions began when Mark Steyn, a Canadian conservative commentator, criticized him in a post on the National Review website. The post scrutinized Mann’s widely-debated “hockey stick” climate model. In response, Mann filed a defamation suit, alleging harm to his reputation. The lawsuit escalated when National Review editor Rich Lowry published a follow-up defending Steyn’s critique.
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The Court’s Ruling
After years of contentious legal proceedings, a Washington, D.C. judge ruled this week that Mann must pay National Review approximately $531,000 to cover a portion of the publication’s legal expenses. The court’s order requires payment within 30 days, bringing some resolution to a case that has drawn attention to issues of free speech and scientific debate.
In a statement, National Review’s editors reflected on the ordeal:
“The details of Mann’s conduct here remain astonishing — particularly in a nation like the U.S., founded on the principles of free expression. All those years, all those words, and all that litigation over a few blog posts that questioned Mann’s arguments during a routine political debate.”
Email Revelation and Its Impact
A pivotal moment in the case came during the discovery process when a 2012 email from Mann surfaced. In it, Mann expressed his hope that the litigation would “ruin” National Review, describing the publication as a “threat to our children” and aligned with “greedy billionaire corporate overlords.”
Legal Costs and the Outcome
National Review initially sought $1 million to cover its extensive legal expenses. While the court awarded only about half that amount, the publication’s editors noted that the funds would provide some relief after a prolonged and costly battle.
The “Hockey Stick” Climate Model Debate
Mann is best known for co-developing the 1998 “hockey stick” climate model, which aggregates various climate proxies to illustrate significant global temperature increases in recent decades. The model has been the subject of intense debate, with critics accusing Mann of manipulating data to achieve desired outcomes.
During the trial, Abraham Wyner, a statistics professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, testified that Mann’s model involved “improper manipulation” of data, rendering it misleading.
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Broader Implications
While this ruling concludes National Review’s involvement, the broader case remains unresolved for others involved, including Mark Steyn. A jury found Steyn liable for defamation, ordering him to pay Mann $1 million in damages. This case underscores the delicate balance between freedom of speech and protecting reputations in contentious public debates.
Conclusion
The long-running feud between Michael Mann and National Review serves as a cautionary tale about the intersection of scientific discourse, public criticism, and the legal system. As Mann prepares to settle the court-ordered payment, the case continues to resonate within both scientific and political communities.
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