MPs urged to 'listen to the science' on climate change

MPs urged to ‘listen to the science’ on climate change

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CHRIS Packham has urged MPs to “listen to the science” on climate change as he warned of a “dangerous wave of misinformation”.

The TV presenter and naturalist attended an “emergency climate change summit” on Thursday, where MPs, peers, business leaders and celebrities heard from experts about how the UK was unprepared for rising temperatures.

Delivering a speech at the start of the briefing, Mr Packham, 64, questioned why progress on the issue had been slow.

“Why are we unbelievably pulling back on rapidly and forthrightly addressing the greatest crisis to ever threaten our species, climate breakdown, and biodiversity loss?” he said.

“Well, to start with, climate denialism has been a mainstream thing again, thanks to the well-oiled machines of the rich, powerful and influential lobbyists from the fossil fuel and other industries.

“A dangerous wave of misinformation and lies fill our lives, but worse, it fills the lives of our decision makers and these are the people who shape policy.”

Mr Packham told the briefing that fossil fuel companies were “significant contributors” to some of the UK's political parties.