Blowing cold on climate lobby

Sir, -If the climate lobby wonders why it’s losing ground in recent years, it should take a look at its public relations strategy. I have two pieces of advice.

First, can the hypocrisy. Every time there’s a cold-weather event, we’re told, in condescending terms, that “climate is not the same as weather”. But when there’s a warm weather event, this is offered as further evidence of climate change. Both may be true, but it’s difficult to take at face value.

Second, tone down the puritanical streak. Believe it or not, people love a bit of warm weather in the summer. Let us have our fun without ruining every good news story: there are precious few of them.

I trust the scientific consensus and understand that the data show a warming world. Climate change is a monumental problem which brings challenges for us all. But let’s be more humble and honest in our discourse, embracing our uncertainty and avoiding knee-jerk scaremongering and the temptation to preach at every opportunity. – Yours, etc,