The documentary puts forward the argument that climate change is in fact not due to rising man-made carbon dioxide levels, but instead to levels of solar radiation and a global conspiracy of self-interested scientists and environmentalists.
The film prompted a public outcry after one of the key scientists in the film, Carl Wunsch, told reporters that he had been 'misrepresented' through selective editing and underbriefing.
'If I had known the film's title I would never have agreed to appear in it,' he said.
Now, in response to plans by production company WagTV to release the documentary on DVD, several scientists have written an open letter to director Martin Durkin.
'We believe that the misrepresentation of facts and views, both of which occur in your programme, without amendment, are not in the public interest,' the scientists wrote. 'In fact, so serious and fundamental are the misrepresentations that the distribution of the DVD of the programme without their removal amounts to nothing more than an exercise in misleading the public.'
Martin Durkin hit back at what he described as a 'contemptible attempt at gagging':
'The reason they want to suppress The Great Global Warming Swindle is because the science has stung them. By comparison look at the mountains of absurd nonsense pedalled in the name of 'manmade climate change'. Too many scientists have staked their reputations and built their careers on global warming. There's a lot riding on this ridiculous theory. The DVD will be on sale shortly at a shop near you.'
The Ecologist published a rebuttal to the key arguments made in the film. To view our response, click here.
This article first appeared in the Ecologist April 2007
