First thing you should know about the Third Viscount Monckton of Brenchley - he's kinda touchy about the whole lordship thing.

The controversial British climate change sceptic appeared at the National Press Club yesterday to debate Richard Dennis, of the Australia Institute.

Lordly air … The British climate change sceptic Lord Monckton defends his aristocratic credentials to the National Press Club yesterday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Among his statements about the ''non-problem'' of climate change - and the startling assertion that carbon dioxide is not a pollutant - the peer brandished some evidence of his own.

Not evidence of anthropogenic climate change, obviously, but evidence of his title.