The Australia Institute was established to inform public debate, so in that spirit Executive Director Dr Richard Denniss agreed to take the opportunity to argue the case for action on climate change at the National Press Club on Tuesday, 19 July 2011. Richard’s opponent was professional climate change sceptic Lord Christopher Monckton.

Read Richard’s speech here

Lord Monckton is a hereditary peer and the Third Viscount Monckton of Brenchley. While entitled to use the courtesy title “Lord” he is not a member of the UK Government’s upper house, the House of Lords, although he has claimed to be. In August last year, the House of Lords wrote to Monckton asking him to desist from his claim to be a member. The House of Lords wrote again to Monckton on 18 July to ask him to cease and desist. Read the letter here.

Lord Monckton’s claims about the science of climate change have been roundly and thoroughly debunked over many years by qualified climate researchers who have published research in major scientific journals.

For a summary of these rebuttals, click here

For a video version, see Peter Sinclair here

Or for a comprehensive rebuttal, check out this presentation by scientist Professor John Abraham

To read statements from some of the world’s leading scientific organisations about climate change, click here

To read The Australia Institute’s analysis of the Coalition’s Direct Action Plan, click here