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		Conference challenges climate hysteria Thursday, 19th April 2007 Successful Counter-Consensual Climate Conference evaluates appropriate responses to global warming Brussels - At a packed Conference in the European Parliament in Brussels yesterday, a heavy-weight panel of scientists, economists and politicians challenged the current global warming consensus and questioned both the dubious science and the deeply damaging economics of proposed policy measures. East Midlands Conservative MEP Roger Helmer, who hosted and chaired the event, decided to organise the conference in order to provide a platform for those who had doubts either about the science of climate change, or about the economic relevance of proposed responses, following what he saw as the determination of the global warming lobby to stifle debate and opposition. Chris Horner, of the Competitive Enterprise Institute in Washington and author of the best-selling book "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Global Warming", kick-started proceedings by presenting a transatlantic perspective on the issue while the Conference’s key-note speaker, the former British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Lawson of Blaby, delivered a powerful speech calling for a more measured approach and outlining the dangers of massively expensive energy-reduction policies. Professor David Henderson of the Westminster Business School offered a ‘dual critique’ challenging both the science and the economics of climate change. He saw the global warming scare as part of a larger trend of "global salvationism", the creation of new supra-national authorities seeking to legitimise themselves by responding to perceived global concerns. He predicted that these could undermine democracy. Economist Roger Bootle argued that current green tax proposals, on air travel and 4x4s, amounted at best to window-dressing, while at worst they were merely new stealth taxes which would discredit green initiatives with the public. Meantime the economic damage and low growth resulting from aggressive carbon reductions would deny us the funding for future technologies which could reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels. Dr Benny Peiser of Liverpool John Moores University, publisher of the CC Net electronic abstract newsletter, discussed the financial and other pressures put on scientists who dare to challenge the alarmist consensus and the current ‘relentless outpouring of apocalyptic disaster scenarios’, while Open Europe’s Neil O’Brien reviewed the think-tank's critical report on the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme, remarking that "Only the EU could create an environmental scheme that took millions of pounds from NHS hospitals and gave it to big oil companies". The International Policy Network’s Julian Morris pointed to the damage which large-scale carbon reduction measures could do in the third world, denying many millions of poor people access to electricity and basic services, and condemning them to remain in poverty. He argued that money for possibly ineffective measures against climate change would be better used on providing clean water and healthcare in the developing world. The event was then followed by a screening of the recent Channel 4 film ‘The Great Global Warming Swindle’. Speaking about how his Conference sat with his Party's position on green issues, Mr Helmer said: "David Cameron has given the Party a new focus on the environment. But the Conservative Party is a big tent, with room for nuances in opinion, and for lively and constructive debate. I see my initiative as very much part of the Party's new emphasis on the environment". Mr Helmer has been repeatedly asked if his initiative is funded by industry or pressure groups, and affirmed explicitly that he was personally funding the event, using parliamentary allowances and his personal resources. He has not been offered, or accepted, any other funding.