Group Calls on Planktos Inc. to Share Data, Provide Ship Time to Qualified Scientists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) May 4, 2007 -- Organizers today announced the formation of the Iron Fertilization Citizen's Interest Group (IFCIG), a group formed in response to the announcement by Silicon Valley-based Planktos Inc. of preparations for long-term studies of iron fertilization in the remote oceans near the Galapagos islands. The IFCIG released the following statement:

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“We are generally supportive of a long-term study of this potentially important new science. The Planktos project appears a reasonable follow-up to the 15 years of research already done on this topic. It is encouraging to see private investors committing funds to this work—the Kyoto climate treaty was written with provisions specifically designed to encourage such innovation, and so the Planktos announcement may represent a positive step forward for Kyoto.

However, as a group of concerned scientists and citizens, we want to ensure that the Planktos work is done in a way that is scientifically valid, ecologically cautious, and transparent to the public.

We point out that a great number of marine scientists in the academic community have already been studying this question, however, because of under-funding of the field, there is a chronic lack of available at-sea ship time for these researchers.

We are also concerned that, as a commercial enterprise, Planktos Inc will be pressured to keep data proprietary or confidential.

Therefore, we call on Planktos, as a signal of their goodwill, to do the following:

1. Provide ship time, berths, or lab space, free of charge, to credible marine researchers from academic institutions. Such research should focus on the same general topic – i.e. iron fertilization or plankton growth – but should be independently performed and not subject to influence by Planktos.

2. Share key data, either by publishing in recognized forums, partnering with other researchers, or other means.

3. Take whatever other measures are necessary to ensure that their work is scientifically valid, ecologically cautious, and transparent to the public.

By doing the above, Planktos can demonstrate their intention to advance the state of scientific understanding of our all-important, all-encompassing seas.”

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The ISCIG is organized by Steve Kerry, a 20-year veteran Environmental Chemist residing in upstate New York. Kerry is editor of the Carbon Sequestration News blog and has written numerous articles exploring the science and politics of ocean iron fertilization. Other members of ISCIG include members of the marine science community and concerned citizens from across the world.

Interested members should contact Steve Kerry at the Carbon Sequestration News blog website. Further efforts will be made in the coming weeks to organize and expand the group.