Tory councillor schooled on climate breakdown

Edinburgh Tory councillor Cameron Rose told school student climate strikers yesterday that he was “sceptical” about the science of climate emergency.

This is despite overwhelming and compelling scientific evidence recognised by almost all environmental scientists and the United Nations.
Youth climate strikers were appealing to the city council for support for their demonstration on September 20, after councillors recently decided to limit permitted action days for school pupils to one a year.

The school pupils advised Cllr Rose to look up the facts on the internet.

Scottish Greens councillor Steve Burgess said: “As a longstanding councillor I’m sadly used to Cllr Rose’s well-known climate scepticism.

“However, to the young people who were giving a presentation on the urgency of climate action it may have come as a surprise, so well done to them for putting him firmly in his place.

“There is no doubt that the climate breakdown is real and already having an impact. There is no debate about the science. The only debate is about how best and how quickly to head off the worst effects. Any other claim is a distraction.”

Scottish Greens education spokesperson Ross Greer said: “We are in a climate emergency, have experienced the hottest summer on record and both the Amazon and Siberia are on fire, yet Conservatives are telling school pupils they doesn’t believe this crisis is happening. 

“No wonder young people are taking to the streets, striking and taking part in direct action protests. Every young person alive today will have their adult lives defined by a crisis not of their own making.

“They deserve better than being lectured to by conspiracy theorists like Cameron Rose. These school students and all others taking part in the Global Strike for Climate on September 20th have the Greens’ absolute support.”