Almost UK scientists have written an open letter to UK party leaders, urging an end to oil drilling, and an increased programme of renewable energy. The letter points to the obvious need to reduce fossil fuel emissions as the earth’s temperature continues to rise.

The scientists challenge some of the economic assumptions behind the push for more drilling. Their main arguments are based on the increasing havoc being wrought by climate change and the abandonment of previous emission targets.

The letter is a response to the oil and gas lobby’s aggressive campaign to approve drilling in the Jackdaw oil field off Aberdeen, and renewed efforts to allow drilling in the Rosebank field, which was stopped by the courts.

The Tories are predictably 100% in favour of drilling. The Libdems, SNP and Scottish Labour have voice support for a “balanced” approach. As we know, this translates into more drilling.

Scientists cannot sit on the fence. The experts in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have been hamstrung by their political masters. Their IPCC documents are framed as though the greatest dangers they have to guard against are in overstating the effects of global warming.

The role of responsible scientists should rather be warning of worst case scenarios.

The willingness of scientists who signed the open letter to speak out is welcome. The fundamental science around climate change is unequivocal, and the ways to address it, involving far reaching political decisions, are obvious.