Television naturalist Chris Packham has delivered a stark warning to Members of Parliament, urging them to base climate policy on scientific evidence or face catastrophic consequences for humanity.
Emergency climate summit addresses government preparedness
The wildlife expert spoke at an emergency climate change summit on Thursday, where MPs, peers, business leaders and celebrities received specialist briefings about Britain's lack of preparedness for rising global temperatures.
Opening the briefing, the 64-year-old broadcaster challenged the slow progress on addressing environmental crises, stating: "Why are we unbelievably pulling back on rapidly and forthrightly addressing the greatest crisis to ever threaten our species, climate breakdown, and biodiversity loss?"
Fossil fuel lobbyists driving 'dangerous wave of misinformation'
Mr Packham identified climate denialism as a significant barrier to progress, attributing its resurgence to well-funded lobbyists from fossil fuel and other industries.
"A dangerous wave of misinformation and lies fill our lives, but worse, it fills the lives of our decision makers and these are the people who shape policy," he told attendees.
The naturalist revealed that fossil fuel companies remain significant contributors to several British political parties, creating potential conflicts of interest in environmental policymaking.
Learning from past governance failures
Drawing parallels with the recent Covid inquiry findings, which he described as a "devastating indictment of poor governance," Packham emphasised that governmental failures cost lives.
"The failure to suppress the egos of government, their government departments and individuals, has cost lives," he stated, adding that "we didn't just elect you, we've given you our trust, and our lives and those of millions more are in your hands."
The climate activist stressed that the climate crisis represents a far greater threat than the pandemic, explaining: "It's not thousands, it's not hundreds of thousands, or millions of lives that are at risk, it's billions of lives that are at risk."
Cross-party cooperation essential for solutions
Packham called for political divisions to be set aside, declaring: "We are one species, on one planet, with one big problem, and one last chance to sort it out."
"We have declared war on our one and only home, we've set our house on fire, so we, that's you and I, that's all of us, need to lead the UK on an immediate route to recovery," he urged politicians.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who attended the summit, confirmed the severity of the information presented, stating: "This is an emergency, and needs to be treated as such."
He highlighted how addressing the climate crisis could simultaneously solve other pressing issues: "This is about warmer, more affordable homes, this is about public transport and active travel, that's walking and cycling, which is good for the health of our nation."
Polanski also criticised Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves for scrapping the ECO energy efficiency scheme, describing the decision as "outrageous and absolutely incoherent" given the urgent need to insulate homes and combat fuel poverty.
