Climate change sceptic: green group 'quasi-religious' (From Bucks Free Press)

Climate change sceptic: green group 'quasi-religious'

12:20pm Tuesday 9th March 2010 in

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A MECHANICAL engineer, who insists man-made global warming is scientifically unproven, has sparked anger by labelling an environmental group as a “quasi-religious organisation”.

Anthony Weeden, 75, of Bockmer End, Marlow, has frequently gone head to head with carbon coach and Transition Town Marlow founding member Dave Hampton on the Free Press letters page.

He believes carbon emissions are not responsible for climate change, which he says is naturally occurring.

Mr Weeden, pictured below, thinks TTM, one of many such groups worldwide, does not base its views on solid scientific fact.

He said: “They are a form of quasi-religious organisation as far as I’m concerned.

“I’ve nothing against these transition towns, I just think their science has not been thought out.”

His comments were branded ‘insulting and ridiculous’ by one of the group’s members.

Mr Weeden, a former president of The British Electrical Systems, said although he does not subscribe to the man-made climate change theory, he supports the use of solar energy.

He said this was one of a number of renewable forms he backs, including ground or air source heat pumps, but its main drawback is the long payback time.

“That’s the big problem and people who are selling these products will give a very attractive payback scenario but they are in it to sell something so they are bound to,” he said.

“The big question is how much money do you save by putting in solar panels?”

Philip Ditchfield, a founding member of TTM, said Mr Weeden’s comments were “provocative”.

Mr Ditchfield, who has a background in aeronautical engineering, said: “People who are involved with TTM come from all kinds of backgrounds, some are scientists, some are engineers, some are parents and so to classify people in that way is utterly ridiculous.

“I don’t think it helps the whole debate on climate change.”