As the momentum continues to swing towards stronger action on global warming, the sordid details of cover-ups and obfuscation by governments will continue to come to light.

This week, the Bush Administration was accused of widespread and systematic tampering with the works of government climate scientists.

Details are coming to light in ongoing hearings by US House committee on oversight and government reform - now controlled by the Democrats - following years of complaints from the scientific community.

The interference went so far as removing mere references to global warming. A survey of 1,600 government scientists completed by the Union of Concerned Scientists revealed that 46% had been warned against using terms like global warming both in speech and official reports. The resulting culture through the community was described as one of "anticipatory self-censorship."

Additionally, 43% said that their reports had been revised dramatically enough to change the meaning of their scientific findings, and 38% reported direct knowledge of cases where scientific information on climate was stripped from websites and reports.

No doubt there will be more details to come.