Sammy Wilson slams climate change, science and…..

The Northern Ireland Environment Minister, Sammy Wilson in today’s Newsletter, has attacked those who believe that man is playing an active part in Climate Change as following a “pseudo religion”.

Mr Wilson’s article is a rehash of a well published selective and highly controversial analysis of climate change which is being peddled by some US researchers with close connections to the oil and gas industries. Like a good barrister, these ’experts’ cherry pick their arguments to create a consensus around the fact that CO2 emissions play a no role in climate change.  Good news for their clients, bad news for humanity.

Sarah Palin agrees with this analysis as do many evangelical Christians and the conservative right. The UN, the EU, the scientific community and the mainstream churches all disagree.

Many will believe Mr Wilson is playing politics in office and will be concerned that his behaviour is more about getting headlines then leading an important office of state. It also begs the question: if he thinks everyone is following a ‘pseudo religion’ what does he think scientists are?   

The well known broadcaster Dr Iain Stewart in the last episode of this latest series points to the fact that the earth’s climate has changed many times and the planet always adaptschange. Because of evolution, life has also continued albeit through differnet through the constant cycle of extinction and new species. 

That, he points out, is not the issue for us humans.

What we need to worry about is preserving ‘our earth’ – a planet that is capable of sustaining human life. Dr Stewart like so many of his peers is of the view that we could be accelerating our own demise. An inconvenient truth perhaps?

Mr Wilson has called for a reasoned debate. His biggest challenge will be to convince the scientific community, whose standing and reputation relies on reasoned argument, that this is a serious call.