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Proceeding contribution from David TC Davies (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Thursday, 10 March 2011. It occurred during Grand Committee proceedings (HC) on UK Government's Energy Policy.


UK Government's Energy Policy

The hon. Gentleman should look at what I said. I said that I am not convinced that all the rises in temperature have taken place as a result of man-made carbon emissions. I am prepared to accept that some of them have, but I am not prepared to accept that all of them have. All too often, the argument is framed by people who say, ““This is the rise in temperature, and it’s all down to the fact that man has been emitting carbon.”” That is their message. I am not convinced of the argument about peak oil, not least because many of those who advocate it make similar arguments about global warming. If we stop and think about it, it is not entirely logical to say, ““Mr Davies, stop all carbon emissions. Stop taking oil from the ground and burning it, because it’s heating up the earth,”” and the next week to say, ““Mr Davies, the oil is about to run out, so we must start to build an economy based on basket weaving and other stone-age skills, because that’s all that’s going to be left.”” That is fine if people believe it, but they should stop worrying about global warming. If the oil is about to run out, we will not be burning any more of it, so the earth will not be getting warmer. For some reason, I have never received an answer to why those who believe in peak oil are the most fanatical about global warming. It worries me.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
WGC c37 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons Grand Committees
Subjects
Conservation Coal Carbon capture and storage Energy Electricity generation Nuclear power Railways Prices Wales Renewable energy Electrification
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk