[The Sabbaticus]

The motion is that individual apathy is the greatest threat to our climate. What's interesting here is that both sides are not discussing whether or not climate change exists, but rather what the best course of action is in redressing this issue. It's an example of 'framing the debate' in order to influence public opinion.

Climate change of course is fairly evident at this point, with even the hydrocarbon industry acknowledging it.

The most notable comments in my view were made by former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed (6) and Green politician Natalie Bennett (8). Both touch upon the socio-economic reality of dealing with climate change.

Especially the remarks of Nasheed should be taken as a sobering experience. The developing world will prioritize economic development and prosperity over climate change. This is relevant considering the scale of the rapid industrialization of these countries.



1. Student

2. Opposition student

3. Barry Gardiner is a British Labour Party politician.

4. Ernest Jeffrey Moniz is an American nuclear physicist and former United States Secretary of Energy, serving under U.S. President Barack Obama from May 2013 to January 2017.

5. Angela Christine Smith is a British Labour Party politician who was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sheffield Hillsborough from 2005 to 2010, when she was first elected to represent the new constituency of Penistone and Stocksbridge.

6. Mohamed Nasheed is a Maldivian politician, human rights and environmental activist, who served as the fourth President of the Maldives from 2008 to 2012. (He comments on the fact that he was deposed. )

7. Sir David Anthony King is an Emeritus Professor in Physical Chemistry at the University of Cambridge, Director of the Collegio Carlo Alberto, Chancellor of the University of Liverpool and a senior scientific adviser to UBS. He currently serves as the Foreign Secretary's Special Representative for Climate Change and Chairman of the Future Cities Catapult.

8. Natalie Louise Bennett is a British politician and journalist who led the Green Party of England and Wales from September 2012 to September 2016.