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Deputies who voted against recent proposals to appoint a panel of experts to help Guernsey achieve “net zero” have given comments on the recent extreme heat, which Met Office scientists said can be attributed to climate change.
One deputy raised questions over some climate change predictions, while another took the opportunity to clarify that he is not a climate change denier.
Deputies David Mahoney, Bob Murray, Andrew Taylor and Simon Vermeulen voted against the proposals, while Deputy Lester Queripel abstained from the vote.
Pictured: Deputy Vermeulen said that attention should be given to the sea wall at Fermain.
“Voting against the proposition to appoint an expert panel appears to have created some confusion or suggestion/inference that I might be a climate change denier, which is absolutely not the case,” said Deputy Taylor.
“We need to take steps to drastically reduce our carbon footprint. Appointing a panel of “experts” to discuss it doesn’t actually achieve anything, which is why I voted against it. We know what we need to do, we don’t need to sit around talking about it, we need to get on with it.”
In a statement issued last week, Met Office Climate Attribute Scientist, Dr Nikos Christidis, said that the frequency of extreme heat events could be attributed to climate change. The full article is available HERE.
“Climate change has already influenced the likelihood of temperature extremes in the UK. The chances of seeing 40°C days in the UK could be as much as 10 times more likely in the current climate than under a natural climate unaffected by human influence,” said Dr Christidis.
Pictured: The UK recorded it's highest ever temperature on Tuesday [19 July] at 40.2°C.
Deputy Murray said that the effect of human influence on climate was a “negligible” factor.
“The debate about how current weather is being driven by CO2 emissions is misinformed since the evidence challenges such a simple supposition,” said Deputy Murray.
“Anthropogenic, or manmade, causes of climate change are a negligible factor, For the avoidance of doubt, the "science" demonstrates that historical increases in temperature have occurred before an increase in CO2 not therefore as a consequence of.
“Whilst that might not be a popular narrative, it is nevertheless an historical fact and only one amongst very many which challenge the conclusions and predictions emanating from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.”
Pictured: Deputy Andy Taylor said islanders should "wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water" in high temperatures.
Deputies Taylor and Vermeulen questioned the impact changes towards “net zero” in Guernsey would have on a global scale.
“We won’t know if predictions are accurate or not until after the event, so anything else is just a guess," said Deputy Vermeulen.
“Because Guernsey is so small compared to the USA and China, any changes we make to a global situation will be minute. However, I am all for improving our sea defences, improving the quality of our air, and investing in renewable energy such as wind, tide and solar energy."
Pictured: Deputy Simon Vermeulen said he was in favour of investing in renewable energy.
Deputy Vermeulen continued: “I am not sure how Guernsey would get on with signing the Paris Agreement with our diesel buses, the Aurigny aircraft, Power station emissions and of course exporting our waste to Sweden. Even our cattle give off methane gas. Presumably we are going to see far more offsetting?”
Deputy Taylor agreed he was in support of improving the island’s carbon footprint.
“I’m all for cutting down on emissions and reducing our carbon reliance, it’s the right thing to be doing and will increase our sustainability. I’m fully supportive of this, but don’t believe our actions alone will give any meaningful change to our local climate,” he said.
Pictured: Deputy Bob Murray said: "Debate about how current weather is being driven by CO2 emissions is misinformed".
Deputy Vermeulen echoed Deputy Taylor’s comment that “action” was important.
“The great summer weather we are currently experiencing this week is perfect for a great tourist season,” he said.
“If only we could repair the sea wall at Fermain, which has been broken for eight years and the aquarium steps, which have been broken for three years. Perhaps, instead of getting caught up in process, we should just try a little more action?”
Responses had not been received from Deputy Mahoney or Deputy Queripel at the time of publication.
“Extreme heat events” can be attributed to climate change
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