09/02/2009
Cool Reception For Minister's Climate Change Stance
A Stormont Executive Minister has come in for criticism over his decision to bock a national government advertisement campaign on climate change.
NI Environment Minister Sammy Wilson's claim today that the adverts were part of an "insidious propaganda campaign" has led to a call for his removal from the Executive office he holds.
The advertisements urged people to reduce energy consumption and cut carbon dioxide output.
Calling for his removal, the Green Party said Mr Wilson made "a laughing stock out of Northern Ireland."
Speaking on the BBC this morning, Sammy Wilson argued that they were "giving people the impression that by turning off the standby light on their TV they could save the world from melting glaciers and being submerged in 40ft of water".
Now, Mr Wilson said he had written to the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change to say that the advertising campaign Act on CO2 "was not welcome".
He explained that he did not believe in its message that "man-made greenhouse gas emissions are the main cause of climate change" and that the campaign was contrary to his personal views.
Brian Wilson, the Green Party's sole MLA said this is totally incompatible with him being Minister for the Environment and said he "should be removed from office for refusing to recognise climate change".
"He is a climate change sceptic. We have got to take all measures we can to reduce our carbon footprint. Mr Wilson does not agree with that."
(BMcC/JM)
NI Environment Minister Sammy Wilson's claim today that the adverts were part of an "insidious propaganda campaign" has led to a call for his removal from the Executive office he holds.
The advertisements urged people to reduce energy consumption and cut carbon dioxide output.
Calling for his removal, the Green Party said Mr Wilson made "a laughing stock out of Northern Ireland."
Speaking on the BBC this morning, Sammy Wilson argued that they were "giving people the impression that by turning off the standby light on their TV they could save the world from melting glaciers and being submerged in 40ft of water".
Now, Mr Wilson said he had written to the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change to say that the advertising campaign Act on CO2 "was not welcome".
He explained that he did not believe in its message that "man-made greenhouse gas emissions are the main cause of climate change" and that the campaign was contrary to his personal views.
Brian Wilson, the Green Party's sole MLA said this is totally incompatible with him being Minister for the Environment and said he "should be removed from office for refusing to recognise climate change".
"He is a climate change sceptic. We have got to take all measures we can to reduce our carbon footprint. Mr Wilson does not agree with that."
(BMcC/JM)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Cloudy with further outbreaks of rain this morning, heavy at times, especially over north Antrim. Becoming drier and brighter this afternoon with sunny spells and a few showers. Winds becoming light. Maximum temperature 9 °C.Tonight:Further showers this evening, some heavy, especially in the east, dying out early tonight. Then mainly dry with clear periods developing, leading to a touch of frost and icy patches. Minimum temperature -1 °C.