Older Britons are more sceptical about climate change than their peers in other countries, according to the first international survey of its kind. Almost a quarter – 23 per cent – of those aged 55 or above agreed or strongly agreed that many of the claims about environmental threats are exaggerated. Dr Benny Peiser, director of The Global Warming Policy Foundation, said the findings suggest scepticism about climate change is growing among Britain’s baby boomers, the generation who were ‘most exposed in their upbringing to the environmental movement. Most people still think economic growth is in some way in opposition to environmental protection, which is complete nonsense,’ he said. ‘I think people are now coming round to the more rational and less emotional view that a lot of environmental issues can be better solved if we have a better economy and better technology. It would appear from these findings that the British public is more rational about this than people in many other countries.’

(Dr. Benny Peiser)