Veteran broadcaster David Attenborough has expressed his disappointment at the rise of climate science denial in the US and Australia and called on voters toย respond.
Noting the prevalence of climate science denial in certain countries while giving evidence to a committee of MPs in the UK, Attenborough said he was โsorry that there are people in power and internationally, notably the United States, but also in Australiaโ where โthose voices are clearly heardโ. He said he hoped the โelectorate will actually respondโ to public figures that promote climate scienceย denial.
Attenborough also said it would be โa very sad dayโ if President Donald Trump succeeded in withdrawing the US from the Paris Agreement, praising the UN process as an example of internationalย cooperation.
He accused climate science deniers of cherry-picking their data, arguing it โisnโt proofโ to find a particular example of where glaciers had grown, rather than shrunk. โItโs just an example,โ heย said.
โThe proof is in the graphs, the proof is in the scientific records, the proof is in when you analyse bubbles from the sea ice and glacier ice to show you what has happened to the climate over the years,โ heย added.
However, Attenborough also said those that disagree with mainstream climate science should not be totallyย silenced.
โIt is very, very, important that the voices of dissent should have a place where theyโre heard and a place where the arguments between the two sides can be worked out in public and deterred and analysed in public. Thatโs very important,โ heย said.
โI think that the voice of criticism and the voice of disbelief should not be stampedย onโ.
Nonetheless, Attenborough praised the global youth movement for being the โstimulusโ for changing public understanding of environmental issues. โThe idealism of youth is something that should be treasured and respected,โ heย said.
Attenborough was an unusually popular attraction for what can sometimes be dry parliamentary business, with committee member and Labour MP Vernon Coaker saying the documentary-maker had โdrawn the youngest audience weโve ever hadโ to theย session.
