Stern: Climate change deniers are ‘flat-earthers’

Economist Nicholas Stern warns of ‘absolute lunacy’ of do-nothing approach of Czech president Vaclav Klaus and fellow climate change sceptics

Climate change deniers are “ridiculous” and akin to “flat-earthers”, according to Sir Nicholas Stern, who advised the government about the economic threat posed by global warming. The respected economist compared climate naysayers to those who deny the link between smoking and cancer or HIV and Aids in the face of mounting scientific evidence.

Stern


“If you look at all the serious scientists in the world, there is no big disagreement on the basics of this … it would be absolute lunacy to act as if climate change is not occurring,” he said.

His comments came in response to news that the Czech president Vaclav Klaus would this week attend a New York conference of climate change naysayers from around the world. Stern said Klaus was “totally confused on this issue” and liked to “gather rather confused people around him”.

Guardian