This time the libel is related to climate change. For a long time leading scientists have tried to fight libel with facts and reason. Unfortunately, while the truth will win out eventually, there are still some who have no interest in reality and instead make up facts and slur scientists. In this particular libel case Dr. Ball stated in an interview that Dr, Mann “should be in the State Pen, not Penn State”. The libel notice is here.

I will also note that Dr. Ball was involved in another libel case a couple of years ago but in this case he was the plaintiff and he sued for $325,000. However he eventually dropped the case when the defendants were able to show that their comments were in fact true.

It should be noted that Dr. Ball is already in another libel case with Dr. Andrew Weaver. IMHO, a win for the plaintiffs in these cases would do a lot to move this argument back to the science where it belongs.

The comments are open for those who are more knowledgeable about the law than I am.