THE Scottish Greens have said that a new report underlines the “urgent need” to end new oil and gas exploration.
The new report from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), published on Wednesday, indicates there's now a 66% chance we will pass the 1.5C global warming threshold between now and 2027 – the first time in human history.
The WMO also said there is a 98% chance of the hottest year on record being broken during that time.
Responding to the report, Doug Parr, chief scientist at Greenpeace UK, said the revelations must be a “rallying cry” to intensify global efforts on tackling the climate crisis.
With a decision on the Rosebank oil field imminent, the Scottish Greens environment spokesperson, Mark Ruskell, has also challenged the Prime Minister to “look young people in the eye while he tries to justify the climate chaos it would cause”.
The MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife said: "This is even worse than we thought. This shocking report underlines the need for urgent, transformative and global climate action.
“With temperatures and seas rising we have no time to waste, anything else would be a total abdication of our responsibility to future generations and would consign millions to an early grave.
“We need a dramatic shift away from the reckless and dangerous policies that have brought us to this point. Yet, even while we are right on the edge of disaster, climate wrecking governments like the one in Downing Street are pushing for even more oil and gas exploration.
“The decision on the Rosebank oil field is imminent. I challenge the PM to look young people in the eye while he tries to justify the 500 million barrels that it would ensure. It would mean climate chaos.
"With a ban on new incineration, a ground-breaking just transition fund and action to introduce free bus travel and curb train fares, Scotland is leading the UK, and we need to go even further.
“That means building on our successes, but it also means securing the powers of a normal independent country rather than being at the mercy of a Tory government that has shown a total disregard for our environment."
