Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform UK, has dismissed the scientific consensus on human-caused climate change as “garbage”. He argues that climate change is a natural phenomenon, despite overwhelming evidence from scientists linking recent changes to human activity. Critics, including various scientists, have condemned Tice’s assertions, emphasizing the need for urgent action to address the unprecedented rate of climate change.
Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, has dismissed the widely accepted scientific consensus regarding human-induced climate change, labeling it as “garbage.” In a statement to Sky News, he asserted, “There’s no evidence that man-made CO2 is going to change climate change,” arguing that climate variations have occurred for millions of years independently of human activity. This claim came despite challenges from journalists pointing to a 2021 UN report indicating that human activities like fossil fuel combustion are responsible for recent climate changes.
The report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), endorsed by scientists globally, states, “It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land.” Tice, however, adamantly refuted this, maintaining that climate change existed long before significant human contributions to CO2 emissions.
Scientists express concerned over the alarming rate at which climate change is occurring, suggesting it exceeds natural variability. According to NASA, current warming is unparalleled in the last 10,000 years. Professor Sheila Rowan, vice president of the Royal Society, insisted that evidence proves human behaviors, particularly fossil fuel usage, lead to severe changes in the planet’s climate.
Dr. Andrew Jarvis, a scientist at Lancaster University, criticized Tice’s assertions as “categorically wrong,” emphasizing the scientific consensus that climate change is predominantly caused by human activities. Bob Ward from the Grantham Research Institute referred to Tice’s remarks as “pure misinformation,” stating that no credible scientific organization supports his viewpoint.
Professor Ed Hawkins from Reading University acknowledged natural climate variability but emphasized that modern warming trends have occurred over mere decades rather than millennia. The Copernicus Climate Change Service confirms that global temperatures have increased by 1.3°C since the pre-industrial era, coinciding with significant fossil fuel use.
In recent political initiatives, Tice proposed imposing taxes on the renewable energy sector and eliminating the UK’s net-zero target, attributing these policies to rising energy costs and Britain’s industrial decline. Despite having only five MPs, Reform UK topped a recent voter poll, illustrating a slight increase in support.
While acknowledging the complexities of climate policy discussions, many voters for Reform UK still prioritize climate concerns, although less enthusiastically compared to other groups. Research from More In Common indicates that two-thirds of Reform voters deem government attention to climate action as important. Dr. George Adamson remarked that Tice’s viewpoints appear misguided and unsupported by scientific evidence.
Richard Tice of Reform UK has vehemently opposed the scientific consensus on man-made climate change, attributing climate variations to natural occurrences. Despite his claims, significant scientific evidence supports the notion that human activities are significantly impacting the climate. Prominent scientists have strongly criticized Tice’s position, asserting that the rapid changes we face are unprecedented and require urgent action. The ongoing political dialogue shows a divide among voters regarding climate priorities, reflecting broader apprehensions about energy policies and environmental stewardship.
Original Source: www.star.radio
