Extinction Rebellion Debate

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Department: Northern Ireland Office

Extinction Rebellion

Baroness Benjamin Excerpts
Thursday 31st October 2019

(5 years ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Duncan of Springbank Portrait Lord Duncan of Springbank
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I believe trees are an essential element of this. At COP 26, I would like to see every world leader who comes to Glasgow plant a tree. As a result, there should be a forest that stretches from Scotland through all the nations of the United Kingdom.

Baroness Benjamin Portrait Baroness Benjamin (LD)
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My Lords, nuclear reactors are one of the biggest contributors to climate change, unlike thorium reactors. What are the Government doing to encourage the use of thorium, which is a much safer and less-polluting form of energy?

Lord Duncan of Springbank Portrait Lord Duncan of Springbank
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I do not think that nuclear is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, but I recognise that thorium-based nuclear is certainly a way forward—its half-life is considerably shorter. Decoupling nuclear from the wider weapons question might well be a way forward for us all.