COUNCILLOR BLAMES WEATHER ON CO2 EMISSIONS

In my local district council the following question has been tabled for this evening's meeting by one of the small band of Liberal Democrat members:

COUNCIL MEETING – MONDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2014

PORTFOLIO HOLDER QUESTIONS UNDER STANDING ORDER 22A

From:  Cllr D Harrison (Liberal Democrat)

To:  Cllr E Heron, Environment Portfolio Holder

“On the 24 October 2011, Conservative Councillor Derek Tipp submitted a motion to Council, seconded by Conservative Councillor Allan Glass, on Climate Change. During the debate, Conservative Councillors supported the motion and indeed voted it through. It called on the Government, urging it not to make commitments to reduce carbon dioxide emissions further or faster than other major industrialised nations.

How many more extreme weather events, causing hardship to businesses and communities all around the country and a great deal of extra work for our staff, will it take to make your fellow Conservative Councillors think again about trying to influence government policy in the wrong direction?”

 

As you can see it refers to a motion I submitted back in 2011 which was passed by an overwhelming majority. I am sure Cllr. Heron will have no difficulty in explaining to Cllr. Harrison that extreme weather events occur randomly and do not herald a change in the climate. The inference of his question is that Harrison welcomes radical and costly measures to increase the rate of reduction in CO2 emissions. He may find this is not the most popular stance.

 

I will update this post after the meeting

UPDATE - Poor Cllr. Harrison had difficulty being heard above the laughter as he attempted to convince a sceptical council that he seriously believed that CO2 was responsible for the recent flooding. Cllr. Heron gently mocked his naivety. His follow-up question was lost amidst further hilarity. Oh dear!