Climate change debate silenced
The famous tribute to 18th century philosopher Voltaire - "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" - is as apt today as ever before. Freedom of expression is one of the principles that underpin the health of liberal democracies the world over. It is also normal and indeed essential for scientific research to be subjected to scrutiny and to be challenged. That is why there is cause for concern about aspects of the current debate about climate change.