Science questioning climate change should not be “rubbished or ridiculed”, a Westcountry MP charged with devising climate and energy policy for David Cameron has said. George Eustice, Conservative MP for Camborne and Redruth, says he believes there is a link between carbon emissions and warming the planet, but argues “all perspectives” should be heard. Mr Eustice is soon to be part of an eight-strong team of Conservatives developing policy within No 10, and will advise on energy and climate change. Conservative peer Lord Lawson, who established the Global Warming Policy Foundation, has accused climate scientists of “manipulating” records of global temperature and called for a “an open and reasoned debate” about climate change policies.—Graeme Demianyk, Western Morning News , 27 May 2013

I am personally persuaded that there is a link between carbon emissions and climate change but it is essential that all perspectives in this argument are heard. I don’t like the way that legitimate, yet contrarian scientific opinion on the issue has been rubbished or ridiculed. Sometimes those who believe in climate change have foolishly undermined their own case.—George Eustice MP, Western Morning News, 27 May 2013

When BMW, the German carmaker, was considering where to build an energy-intensive plant to manufacture carbon fibre for its forthcoming i3 urban electric vehicle, it did not pause long before selecting Moses Lake, Washington. The $100m plant – operated with joint venture partner SGL Group – relies on hydroelectric power produced by dams on the nearby Columbia river. They generate electricity that costs just 3 dollar cents per kWh. The equivalent electricity in Germany, where the lightweight carbon fibre is shipped to for processing and construction, would cost six times as much.—Chris Bryant, Financial Times, 27 May 2013



Europe’s comparatively high energy costs are increasingly a source of concern for its industry, which fears a loss of competitiveness, particularly in energy-intensive sectors. Last year gas prices in the US were about four times lower than in Europe and electricity prices were about 50 per cent lower. Critics say two factors are driving the divergence: the US shale gas revolution, which has lowered natural gas prices for US industry, and, more controversially, European climate and energy policies, including emissions trading and renewable energy subsidies.—Chris Bryant, Financial Times, 27 May 2013

The time has come to focus on something just as important: that 90 per cent of the measures adopted in Britain and elsewhere since the 1997 Kyoto agreement to cut global emissions are a waste of time and money – including windfarms in Scotland, carbon taxes and Byzantine carbon trading systems. Do I think we’re doomed to disastrous warming? Absolutely not. But do I think we are doomed if we persist in our current approach to climate policy? I’m afraid the answer is yes.—Myles Allen, Mail on Sunday, 26 May 2013

It has been widely claimed that the increase in global temperatures since the late 1800s is too large to be reasonably attributed to natural random variation. Moreover, that claim is arguably the biggest reason for concern about global warming. The basis for the claim has recently been discussed in the UK Parliament. It turns out that the claim has no basis, and scientists at the Met Office have been trying to cover that up.—Doug Keenan, Bishop Hill, 27 May 2013