Climate scientists call on PM to press Trump on environment

Eight climate scientists at the University of Reading are among leading UK researchers who have written to the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, urging him to challenge President Donald Trump on climate policies during the upcoming US state visit to Britain.

The letter, signed by 175 researchers from universities across the UK, expresses concern about the United States' second withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the abandonment of domestic climate policies under the Trump administration. The scientists point out that as the world's second-largest greenhouse gas emitter after China, US climate actions have global consequences.

The researchers highlight the UK's recent climate impacts, noting that the country has just experienced its warmest summer on record, with hundreds of wildfires and heat-related deaths. They point to Met Office estimates showing the record warmth was made approximately 70 times more likely by climate change.

"There is not a single scientific academy in the world that rejects the evidence that climate change is happening and is driven by human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels," the letter states. 

The scientists add: "It is critically important that you and your Government stand up to President Trump and challenge him about his dangerous and irresponsible approach to climate change, which is damaging the best interests of current and future generations in this country."

The letter also addresses President Trump's recent comments during his July visit to Scotland, where he called for the UK to stop deploying wind turbines and made what the scientists describe as false claims about wind farms.

The signatories express concern about what they describe as the Trump administration's efforts to remove climate information from US government websites, halt climate research, and interfere with British climate and energy policy.

The University of Reading signatories are: