(Dailyliberal) Charles Sturt University’s climate change policy expert Professor Clive Hamilton has labelled the NSW Farmers’ Association’s call for a Royal Commission into the science that is driving the Federal Government’s policies on climate change as a “political diversion.”

Prof Hamilton said he did not doubt the science behind climate change and it was only for political reasons people refused to accept the science.

“The verdict is in and there isn’t any doubt that global warming is occurring and humans are causing it,” he said.

“I don’t think any serious person doubts that.

“If we don’t accept it, it will bring about dire consequences.”

According to NSW Farmers’ Association president Charles Armstrong the agricultural sector is already being severely impacted by ill-considered laws.

“The ban on development of farming land is impacting on the livelihood of farmers and their ability to supply the food required to meet growing demand,” he said.

“This ban has directly affected people such as Mr Spencer.”

NSW farmer Peter Spencer continues a 45-day hunger strike as he demands the Federal Government hold a Royal Commission into land-clearing laws that prevent him from felling native vegetation on his property.

According to agricultural minister Tony Burke the Government has taken action in relation to climate change that has resulted in any variances in the way farmers can use their land.

If anything, Prof Hamilton believes the association’s request will only jeopardise the future of primary producers.

“It is damaging to the people in rural and regional Australia as it will do nothing more than delay action,” he said.

“It is a bit rich for farming groups to want to be exempt from the costs of green house policy and call for measures so they’ll get greater

benefits, such as the carbon credits.

“You can’t have it both ways.”

According to the Bureau of Meteorology’s (BOM) annual climate statement released on Tuesday, last year was Australia’s second-hottest year on record

and closed the warmest decade on file.

The BOM states this temperature data “is consistent with global warming.”

Rate my professors for bias.