Sammy Wilson, Minister for the Environment in Northern Ireland has blocked a government advertising campaign on climate change.  Minister Wilson claims that the adverts are part of an “insidious propaganda campaign”.

The Green Party amongst others have called for the Ministers removal from office stating that he has made “a laughing stock out of Northern Ireland.”  Brian Wilson of the Green Party has said of Minister Wilson,”He is a climate change sceptic. We have got to take all measures we can to reduce our carbon footprint. Mr Wilson does not agree with that.”

Minister Wilson defends his position stating that the advertising campaigns were ”giving people the impression that by turning off the standby light on their TV they could save the world from melting glaciers and being submerged in 40ft of water”.  He states this is ”patent nonsense”.

Minister Wilson wrote to the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), stating that the campaign “was not welcome”.  He does not believe in its message that ”man-made greenhouse gas emissions are the main cause of climate change”.

Whatever Minister Wilson’s own belief’s are, his blocking of this campaign has caused many of his peers to call for his removal.  Tommy Gallagher, SDLP, accused Mr Wilson of “political sabotage of an important public awareness campaign”.  Friends of the Earth Director, John Woods has registered his disbelief at the Ministers actions calling them “Completely Irresponsible”. 

Despite Minister Wilson’s departmental website claiming that it takes a lead on climate change issues, Mr Wilson has told Whitehall that such messages will only be promoted within Northern Ireland on his say so.  

Many of the Minister’s peers are questioning his decision, is this based on personal opinion or consultation?