On 19 November 2009, an unknown hacker published a cache of emails from the University of East Anglia’s Climatic Research Unit. Multiple enquiries would clear the scientists of any wrongdoing. But with their emails taken out of context and posted on climate science denial blogs, the scientists suddenly found themselves under vicious attack.

10 years on, this DeSmog special series looks back at the key players that manufactured the scandal that came to be known as ‘Climategate’. We find out how it felt to be a climate scientist at the time, look at how the science has moved beyond the myths sparked by cherry-picked quotes, and reveal where those responsible for creating the smog clouding the climate debate are now.

It was meant to be the hack that brought down climate science. But it made the research stronger than ever.

Edited by Mat Hope and Ashley Braun. Artwork by Jill Russo.