‘ There are still those critics who believe that climate change isn’t a particularly important issue.’

THERE exists plentiful reason to criticise the actions of Extinction Rebellion ( XR) and, in the wake of recent demonstrations, these objections are everywhere.

Direct action is always controversial, but in this instance, what should not be controversial is its overarching message – something needs to be done to tackle the climate crisis.

Unfortunately, there are still critics who hold the view that climate change isn’t a particularly important issue. Cries that “the weather hasn’t really changed all that much” or that “warming is part of a natural climate cycle” are common but wrong.

The UK’s weather patterns have indeed changed. The UK’s 10 hottest years on record have all occurred since 2002. Extreme weather events have become more common – the one- in- 100- year floods that hit this county in late 2019 are an example. Most people should never see more than one of these events in their lifetime. There have already been multiple in mine.

While it may not feel like these changes are particularly problematic on their own, the UK’s weather doesn’t exist in isolation – it is part of the wider global climatic system, and this is where more disturbing changes are taking place.

And while the UK’s average temperature rise might not seem too troubling in itself, the same temperature rise in southern Europe, North Africa and parts of America has caused droughts and fires predicted to only worsen over the next decade.

For residents here, these events can be life- threatening and, in coming years, many are likely to be displaced as “climate refugees”. In the polar regions, rapid ice melt is causing global sea levels to rise by nearly 1mm per year.

Britain is not isolated from these changes. As well as our coastal towns being susceptible, scientists have predicted that the warming of the Arctic Ocean could cause a breakdown in the

Oceanic circulation system that drives the Jetstream which could mean an end to Britain’s mild weather, with winters becoming piercingly cold and summers unbearably hot. And, no, these climatic changes aren’t caused naturally. While there are indeed natural climate cycles in operation, they occur over timescales almost imperceptible to humans.

The shortest cycle causes a temperature fluctuation of 1 º C over 500 years. A 0.5 º C temperature rise has already occurred across only the last 30 years, and the rate of increase is only accelerating. As if further proof was needed, the global average temperature should now be falling, not rising, according to natural cycles.

For those worried about XR’s impact on the economy, why not consider the problems if we don’t act? Rising sea level and extreme weather events are bound to have disastrous – and expensive – impacts on this country’s infrastructure.

Destruction of the coastal rail line at Dawlish Warren, in Devon, in a recent extreme winter storm cost the local economy up to £ 1. bn. Clearly there is a mandate for similar amounts to be spent on climate action.

Therefore, whether you agree with XR’s methods or not, arguing that climate change isn’t real or important now flies in the face of irrefutable fact, and should be seen as misinformation rather than valid opinion.

Unlike plenty of XR activists, I believe that it is possible and desirable to continue our current energy- intensive way of life by investing in emerging clean technologies and plentiful renewable or nuclear power. In my eyes, lifestyle change is not so important as systemic change, though others disagree.

These are areas where disagreement is possible, and this is where debate on the climate crisis must now be focused. Disagreeing about what to do and how we should do it is a natural part of a well- functioning democratic society and debating these views will, as should be the case, contribute to formulating the most beneficial outcomes.

But there is no longer a place in this debate for anyone suggesting inaction. Despite my personal divergences from some parts of Extinction Rebellion’s messaging, we are agreed on the fact that serious action will have to be taken on climate change.

Anyone refuting this needs to pick up a textbook, look at some graphs and learn. Swift and meaningful action on climate is anything but irrelevant – our economy, and indeed the long- term survival of humanity, depends on it.