Sammy Wilson: COP26 leaders arrive in gas guzzling cavalcades and private jets yet lecture us on carbon emissions

As a keen environmentalist, I applaud the commitment by world leaders to end deforestation by 2030. Yet the general public have every right to be sceptical of the COP climate circus taking place in Glasgow.

It has been the decisions of governments to transition from cheap fossil fuels to wood/ethanol fuels which has helped contribute to large scale deforestation.

Indeed, it is only recently and with great fanfare, that the government announced the introduction of E10 petrol. The ethanol for which comes from soya and corn produced on land previously forested but cleared for agriculture.

Rightly, many observers will conclude that those arriving to COP in private jets and gas guzzling cavalcades have lost the moral authority to lecture any of us about our carbon footprints.

Equally, many will be scratching their heads in bewilderment at the suggestion that world leaders can somehow control the earth’s thermostat simply by changing the level of C02 emissions, for which mankind is only responsible for 3%.

Those with a basic knowledge of geography, science and history would know that the earth’s climate is constantly changing and the natural forces which are responsible are well beyond the ability of man to influence.

Little wonder then that many ordinary people, who will be forced to pay higher prices for their energy as a result of the policies being adopted at COP, are baffled by the rhetoric from Glasgow.

Sammy Wilson, DUP MP, East Antrim

Date is set for massive Orange centenary parade — akin to 2012’s vast Ulster Covenant march

• Ian Ellis on COP26: Tackling climate change has to be a global effort if it is to succeed

• Letter: As in COP26, we need to cooperate both in conferences and parliaments

• Other comment pieces below, and beneath that information on how to subscribe to the News Letter

• Ruth Dudley Edwards Nov 2: Stephen Nolan seen as hero in GB for his reports into Stonewall

• Henry McDonald Nov 1: Touching novel raises the plight of Irish world war veterans

• Owen Polley Oct 30: Unconvincing poll was twisted by pundits to support the NI Protocol

• Writers Oct 30: We probe Irish nationalist myths in our new book which defends the Union

• Ben Lowry Oct 30: The return of inflation will suit debtors and punish savers

——— ———

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdowns having had a major impact on many of our advertisers — and consequently the revenue we receive — we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.ukand enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Visit

https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions

to sign up

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Ben Lowry, Editor