Climate change

Published 10 Mar 2010 09:53

I thank the primary seven pupils of St Mary's Primary for reminding me to support Earth Hour, which starts at 8.30pm on Saturday March 27.

I promise to switch my lights off.

I also wish to add a point about the big argument which has arisen over climate change.

Leaked emails from the climate scientists from the University of East Anglia show that a professor wanted certain papers excluded from the UN's next major assessment of climate science, which he denied.

It has been suggested that the emails undermine the case for climate change.

Some people are saying they have got things mixed up and because of this people do not believe in climate change any more.

A BBC poll has shown the numbers who believe in climate change has dropped from 44 per cent to 31 per cent, but that is not the whole story.

The BBC asked other questions as well.

What actually happened, although the total dropped, was 16 per cent of those who saw the news stories about East Anglia said the reports made them more concerned, only 11 per cent said it made them less concerned and a full 73 per cent said it did not make any difference to what they thought.

The evidence shows the East Anglia climate scientists strengthened people's beliefs in climate change and their need to do something about it.

But if it was not because of 'climategate', how come the total dropped?

What was it that caused people to think global warming was not happening and climate change was nonsense?

I bet primary seven pupils know the answer.

You just have to look at page five of last week's Reporter, where Loch Lomond was frozen over for the first time in 47 years, to see why.

James Graham, address supplied

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This letter appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 10 Mar 10

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