The new head of the UN’s IPCC climate panel, Jim Skea, has recently said that increases of 1.5 degrees do not pose the existential threat many politically motivated activists often claim, explaining that “the world won’t end if it warms by more than 1.5 degrees”.
I have long argued that the science should be presented accurately, and now implausibly high emissions scenarios should be treated as such. I was therefore pleased to see that the Scientific Steering Committee had taken action in accordance with this sentiment: https://rogerpielkejr.substack.com/p/big-news-climate-scenarios-are-getting
When I expressed the same view, I was called a “denier”, but I am pleased that my views have now been substantiated. We can tackle climate change without hysteria, predicting the apocalypse, or inciting needless anxiety in young people. I have always advocated for a measured and rational approach to reaching our climate targets.
Additionally, I have long warned about the dangers of groups that use extreme tactics such as Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion. Unfortunately, Sir Keir Starmer has given into the demands of these groups, effectively allowing Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion to write their energy policies.
Not only has Labour said these group’s extreme tactics work – blocking roads, stopping ambulances, diverting valuable police resources and disrupting cultural and sports events – but, to make matters worse, Labour’s Just Stop Oil plan would threaten our energy security and leave us vulnerable to states like Russia using energy as an international bargaining chip. Luckily, the Government is taking steps to ensure that this doesn’t happen.
As I have long called for, the Government is taking a rational and pragmatic approach to tackling climate change, considering what people can reasonably afford. We know we can reduce emissions without demanding too much or forcing radical lifestyle changes on the hardworking public.
For example, measures like Great British Nuclear will deliver our energy independence in a sustainable and climate-friendly way and granting more North Sea oil and gas licences will enable us to use our full gas reserves and reduce our dependence on imported LNG – often arriving on diesel-powered ships – helping to tackle climate change.
We must recognise that we have a choice. We can either reduce our emissions and tackle climate change in a pragmatic and proportionate way, or we can follow Labour and give in to climate extremists who wish to reduce our living standards, overthrow capitalism, and who ignore the very climate science they claim to represent.
