Chris Packham: Is It Time to Break The Law?

We have all seen the antics of 'Just Stop Oil' and other environmental campaigners. As they have blocked traffic, tied themselves to various structures, etc. And as much, as it is, a nuisance to people trying to get somewhere, these people have a point. Maybe, there are extremists, as there are with all groups or beliefs, however, the planet is going to "Hell in a hand cart" as Packham rightly observed.

Many in the right-wing press think these climate campaigners are nutters. Most on the right, unfortunately, seem to think that climate change (due to man's activities) is made up. Look, at Presidential candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy, denouncing what he calls, 'Climatism'. He is very much for fracking, gas and oil. Using fossil fuels and ignoring the science, that our world, is in trouble. If Trump gets in, you might as well kiss goodbye, to the USA cutting back on its carbon emissions. What progress, has been made, by the Biden administration, I have no data.

Sunak, himself, has cut back on Boris' policy of cutting back on emissions by the UK. He has trashed all of that by delaying any action on petrol/diesel vehicles. He has defended it, by saying, it will save ordinary people money. It won't, it will cost the planet and then no one will have anything at all. Owen Jones, who no doubt, is a friend of Chris Packham has labelled Sunak a "liar and pants on fire". In other words, despite, all the promises on climate change, he has shown himself to be a man who cannot be trusted. He has promised to help the planet but has made a u-turn on this.

Many in his own party are turning against him. Sunak is a desperate man who sees his poll ratings in the bin. Liz Truss, an ardent right-winger, the woman who crashed the economy, is now in the ascendency. This disgraced Prime Minister is leading the Tory right, against what Ramaswamy called 'climatism'. Sunak is running scared and has adopted their agenda. Owen Jones, again, correctly observed that showing anti-climate change credentials will not save his pathetic job in No 10. Jones concluded that not only will Sunak face defeat at the next election. But it will be an absolute wipe-out and deservedly so.

Chris Packham has campaigned peacefully all of his life about the planet. He has written banners, demonstrated peacefully, and written umpteen letters and emails to governments of all hues. He believed in democracy the rule of the law and fair play, as is, so we are told, the British way. But in this programme, Packham, having seen the direct action of 'Just Stop Oil' and 'Christian Climate Action' is wondering if the time to be peaceful is over.

Packham travelled to Sweden, to meet an environmental campaigner, who believes, the time for action has come. The Swedish campaigner wrote a book advocating environmentalists to blow up pipelines. And other more serious actions of sabotage. Packham, sat with the Swede, discussing all this. Packham, said, if he was to do something like this or support it, he would be crossing a line. It would probably lead him to a long prison sentence. Something that Packham admitted, he could not contend with. The Swede replied that he was not telling anyone to use terror tactics. He merely suggested it in his book.

Packham met the leader of 'Just Stop Oil' who also said the time had come for action. Action, similar to what the Swedish campaigner had suggested. Packham, was a little shaken when the 'Just Stop Oil' leader told him that he must lead from the front. In other words, Packham himself must lead the charge to more direct action. So public figures, like Chris Packham, taking more extreme action (or supporting those that do) would inspire others to do the same. All this really gave Mr. Packham, food for thought.

Chris met with Tory Peter Lilley, who poopooed the climate change agenda. Lilley was one Tory who agreed to meet with him. Another Tory met with him, who actually agreed something needed to be done, before, it was too late.

Not all Tories are climate-change deniers, hence many backbench Tories are angry over Sunak's u-turn. One has even threatened to write a letter of no confidence in the Prime Minister. Labour and other parties must show their commitment to getting back on track with climate change issues.