Last week I was among 120-plus Christian leaders who, in an open letter covered by the Guardian, challenged Sir Paul Marshall – a professing Christian, hedge fund manager and owner or part-owner of prominent media properties, including GB News – about climate misinformation on his news channel (Church leaders criticise Christian owner of GB News over channel’s climate attacks, 26 March). The letter also called for transparency regarding any financial interests in fossil fuels that Sir Paul may have, as well as transparency from GB News presenters and guests.
However, rather than address calls for transparency related to any financial interests in fossil fuels, Sir Paul has now written to the Guardian, claiming that the “net zero consensus is crumbling” (Letters, 30 March).
Like some other things Sir Paul has said about climate change and decarbonisation, this is not entirely accurate. Multiple surveys clearly show that the public still support decarbonisation efforts; what has changed, however, is that two of our major political parties now oppose a legally binding net zero target, though not, it would appear, because the wider public does. Which of course leads one to wonder: why exactly is anti-net-zero rhetoric being pushed?
It is both curious and disheartening that as our dependence on expensive and volatile fossil fuels continues to lead to dangerous climate tipping points and wild spikes in energy prices, Sir Paul and GB News appear so dedicated to keeping our unsustainable status quo intact. Why?
Rev Dr Darrell Hannah
Chair, Operation Noah
• It is a pity that Paul Marshall does not pay closer attention to articles in the Guardian, for he continues to ignore the scientific and economic evidence that warns us not to stick with fossil fuels. The Earth is not going through a “gradual warming phase” – humanity is heating the planet faster than ever before. Nor is the high price of energy in the UK the result of the high cost of wind and solar. Rather it is due to a pricing system that lets the high price of gas determine electricity prices.
Judith Russenberger
London
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