Former prime minister John Howard has lent his support to a book aimed at school children which argues the theory of human-induced global warming is a scam.

Last night, the former prime minister launched the publication, the latest from controversial geologist Professor Ian Plimer.

The book, called How to Get Expelled From School, rejects the predominant scientific opinion on climate change.

The book is billed as "an anti-global warmist manual for the younger reader".

Professor Plimer launched the book, a follow up to his book Heaven and Earth, at the Sydney Mining Club.

The new work includes 101 questions which it says students can use to challenge their teachers on climate science.

Professor Plimer says worried parents prompted him to write the book.

"After Heaven and Earth came out I had many parents write to me and say, 'Look, what do we do, our kids are being fed activism. I want my children to have the basics of scientists, I don't want to be fed activism'," he said.

Mr Howard helped launch the book and last night said the "progressive left" had a "grip on the commanding heights of education instruction in this country".

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He also clarified why he went to the 2007 election promising an emissions trading scheme.

"I proposed an emissions trading scheme and some people say, 'Well why on earth did you do that?'" he said.

"[It was] predicated on the rest of the world moving in the same direction and also predicated on a structure that would preserve the international competitiveness of those industries that gave our country a competitive trade advantage, it could do no harm."

A peak body representing science teachers says Mr Howard does not understand the way science is taught in schools.

Science Teachers' Association of NSW president Margaret Watts says Mr Howard is wrong when he says climate change has a "significant capture" on the education system.

"What science teachers do is put all of the facts, pro and con, against any topic, whatever it is, and show the children how to work through the evidence," she said.

Ms Watts says it is clear Mr Howard does not understand the current syllabus.

The launch came only around 24 hours after the conclusion of climate change talks in Durban, at which the major emitters, the US, China and India, agreed to work towards a global binding pact.

Mr Howard also gave his thoughts on what the Durban talks had achieved.

"My reading of what was agreed at Durban was that there was an agreement to commence some negotiations in the hope of reaching an agreement," he said.

"Now, there's nothing wrong with that. I mean ... I have been involved in many international conferences where there has been agreement to have a further discussion in the hope of reaching an agreement.

"I once was involved in that in relation to trying to bring about the removal of a tyrant called Robert Mugabe, he's still there."

Attendees to the book launch said they thought Professor Plimer delivered an interesting, well-balanced speech.

"He brought up a lot of points that I hadn't thought about. So it was very good," one attendee said.

Another attendee said: "He's got a sensible attitude to the science. And he's a well known geologist and as he says geology isn't welcomed in the science debate."

Guests to the book launch were greeted outside by members of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition.

"We're here to remind people that it's so irresponsible to put out false science when the science is in," coordinator Kirsty Albion said.