Singer and left-wing activist Charlotte Church sparked ridicule after blaming the Syrian civil war – on climate change.

The millionaire former child prodigy, appearing on the BBC's Question Time last night, said global warming was 'a big factor' in the brutal conflict between rebel groups, ISIS and Bashar Assad.

Ms Church, who has become a high-profile campaigner against the Government's austerity programme, later took to Twitter to complain about the programme's audience after they responded to her complaint about climate change with silence.

Singer and left-wing activist Charlotte Church sparked ridicule after blaming the Syrian civil war – on climate change

Last night's Question Time featured (from left to right) Labour's new MP Stephen Kinnock, Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood, Margaret Thatcher's biographer Charles Moore, Ms Church, and Tory Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb

The millionaire former child prodigy, appearing on the BBC's Question Time last night, said global warming was 'a big factor' in the brutal conflict between rebel groups, ISIS and Bashar Assad

Ms Church, who has become a high-profile campaigner against the Government's austerity programme, later took to Twitter to complain about the programme's audience

Last night's Question Time was filmed in Ms Church's home town on Cardiff and featured Labour's new MP Stephen Kinnock, Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood, Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb and Margaret Thatcher's biographer Charles Moore.

The panel was asked if British airstrikes on ISIS targets in Syria should be ruled out.

Ms Church said we should ask the Syrian people who their real enemy is.

But she then added: 'Another interesting thing with Syria actually, lots of people don't seem to know about it, is there is evidence to suggest that climate change was a big factor in how the Syrian conflict came about.'

An posted on the Twitter account of Syria Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, a volunteer search and rescue group, shows the aftermath of an airstrike in Syria

The aftermath of a Russian airstrike: President Vladimir Putin called a pre-emptive strike against the militants

After blaming the Syrian civil war on global warming Ms Church was widely mocked on social media

Twitter user Ryan Thomas was one of a host of people who poked fun at the former child prodigy's remarks

Ms Church said those who criticised her should 'go do some research - come back to me and we'll have a conversation about 'the real world''

CHARLOTTE CHURCH IN HER OWN WORDS: ON SYRIA AND CLIMATE CHANGE 'Another interesting thing with Syria, actually, which a lot of people don't seem to know about this – there is evidence to suggest that climate change was a big factor in how the Syrian conflict came about. 'From 2006 to 2011 they experienced one of the worst droughts in its history, which of course meant there were water shortages and crops weren't growing. 'There was a mass migration from rural areas of Syria into the urban centres, which put more strain and resources were scarce et cetera, which apparently did contribute to the conflict their today. 'No issue is an island you know and we are trying to look at all the different factors in this. We also need to look at what we are doing to the planet and how that might actually cause more conflict in the world.' Advertisement

She said between 2006 and 2011 the country experienced one of the worst droughts in its history.

Ms Church added: 'This of course meant that there were water shortages and crops weren't growing so there was a mass migration from rural areas of Syria in the urban centres which put more strain and resources were scarce et cetera.'

She said this 'did contribute to the conflict there today'.

The singer added: 'No issue is an island, so I also think we need to look at what we're doing to the planet and how that might actually cause more conflict in the world.'

Her comments were met with complete silence from the audience.

After the show Ms Church admitted her appearance on the long-running programme had been tough.

She said the hostile crowd did not feel like any Welsh crowd she would recognise.

Ms Church attacked those on Twitter who had ridiculed her climate change observation.

She said they should 'go do some research - come back to me and we'll have a conversation about 'the real world''.

Ms Church also shared a message on Twitter that read: 'That [BBC Question Time] audience was not representative of the Wales I know and live in. Mostly ill informed. Mainly right wing.'

During last night's episode Ms Church also praised Jeremy Corbyn's vow never to use nuclear weapons.

HOW DID SYRIA'S FOUR-YEAR DESCENT INTO ANARCHY FIRST BEGIN? The four-year civil war in Syria – which has killed more than 200,000 people – began when government forces arrested and tortured a group of school children for writing revolutionary slogans on a wall. Following the teenagers’ arrest in March 2011 pro-democracy protests erupted in the southern city of Deraa. However President Assad’s security forces reacted to the protests by opening fire on demonstrators, killing several and prompting further protests. The unrest triggered nationwide riots demanding President Assad's resignation. By July 2011, hundreds of thousands were taking to the streets across the country. Opposition supporters eventually began to take up arms, first to defend themselves and then to kick out government forces from their areas. Violence escalated and the country descended into civil war as rebel brigades were formed to battle government forces for control of cities, towns and the countryside. Advertisement

Charlotte Church, appearing on the BBC's Question Time last night, said global warming was 'a big factor' in the brutal conflict between ISIS (pictured) and Bashar Assad

Ms Church said the conflict in Syria - which has left the brutal regime of Bashar Assad (pictured) on the brink - was partially caused by a drought between 2006 and 2011

The Labour leader has faced mounting criticism from within the Labour party over his admission that he would never authorise a military strike as Prime Minister.

But Ms Church said: 'I think that it's commendable. I think that if nuclear warfare occurs then you know, you've got the start of World War Three, so I actually think it's a really commendable place to come from to say 'no I would not be prepared to destroy hundreds of thousands of people'. Yeah I think it's a commendable place to come from.'