Yesterday, I asked the Reform Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Ian Cresswell, whether he agreed that human actions cause climate change. Councillor Cresswell broadly suggested he did not believe human activity was the main driver of climate change. The response fell short of a clear endorsement of the scientific consensus.
This sparked immediate concern across the chamber. Many councillors expressed dismay that the senior figure responsible for environmental policy appeared unwilling to acknowledge the overwhelming evidence on the human causes of climate change.
Many Reform councillors shouted out to support Councillor Cresswell’s denial of a statement that almost all climate scientists believe to be true.
In response, I accused the Cabinet Member of being unscientific and failing to understand the scientific consensus. I said, “This is the problem we might have over the coming few years if we have people who don’t understand science running the council.” I suggested that all councillors needed to undergo the council-run climate change training. I questioned whether we could have someone in charge of the Environment who denies the basic science of climate change, and asked the Cabinet Member to consider his position. He declined to resign.
This isn’t just a matter of opinion. It’s deeply worrying that someone in charge of protecting our environment can’t commit to the basic facts. Worcester was flooded 5 times last winter, causing huge distress and upset for residents. Now, farmers are sounding the alarm bells about failed crops as we enter our third heat wave of the summer, after an exceptionally dry spring. Worcester and the wider county are on the frontline of climate change. We need leadership that takes the climate emergency seriously.
No further clarification was offered during the meeting, but pressure is now mounting for the cabinet member to explain their position more clearly and commit to evidence-based environmental governance.
You can view the video of the meeting below. I asked my question at 2:35:36 into the meeting, where the video will start.
In case you didn’t know: More than 99.9% of peer-reviewed scientific papers concur that human activities primarily cause climate change. https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2021/10/more-999-studies-agree-humans-caused-climate-change
I respect people’s concern for the environment but I ‘personally’ don’t believe humans are the ‘main’ cause of climate change. The Earth’s climate has changed naturally for thousands of years, long before industrial activity, driven by factors like the sun, oceans, and volcanoes. Just because many people agree on something doesn’t make it factual. Science allows for open debate, not forced consensus dogma.
I don’t agree with you Cllr Jenkins that Cllr Ian Cresswell should resign. Not having or holding a different view shouldn’t disqualify someone from public office. Anyone who wishes to question the dogmatic climate change narrative would be healthy and helpful for everyone.
Finally, as for the suggestion that Reform councillors need “training,” I suppose that’s just code for ‘re-education‘ to help us stop thinking critically for ourselves and start believing the narrative you want. Because in today’s climate debate, questioning the narrative is treated as a threat and only one “acceptable” belief is allowed.