GMB's Laura Tobin hits back at Australian MP who branded her 'ignorant weather girl' by listing credentials
Good Morning Britain’s Laura Tobin has hit back at an Australian MP who dubbed her an "ignorant weather girl" following a tense debate on climate change on GMB yesterday.
The mother-of-one meteorologist listed her impressive credentials after climate change skeptic MP Craig Kelly criticised her after the pair clashed during a discussion about the Australian bushfires.
In a now-deleted Facebook post, Kelly wrote "Oh no! Ignorant Pommy weather girls calls me a 'climate change denier'."
Read more: Bindi Irwin vows to save as many animals as possible while Australian bushfires rage on
Sky News Australia’s Chloe-Amanda Bailey asked on Twitter if Tobin was in fact a meteorologist.
Tobin then replied: "Yes I’m a Meteorologist. A degree in Physics & Meteorology. 4 yrs as an aviation forecaster at the RAF. 12 yrs as a broadcast meteorologist. Attended a @WMO Climate course last year & upt o date with all the science #NotAWeatherGirl #IKnowWhatImTalkingAbout #DoYou? #ClimateChange."
Yes I’m a Meteorologist
-A degree in Physics & Meteorology
-4 yrs as an aviation forecaster at the RAF
-12 yrs as a broadcast meteorologist
-Attended a @WMO Climate course last year & upto date with all the science #NotAWeatherGirl #IKnowWhatImTalkingAbout#DoYou?#ClimateChange https://t.co/fvwTpzftTI— Laura Tobin (@Lauratobin1) January 6, 2020
Kelly later apologised for his comment, telling the Sydney Morning Herald: "I apologise to her. There was a bit of quid pro quo to it, it was at the end of a rather combative interview."
The politician also accused Morgan of "not wanting to hear the facts", which the journalist responded to last night.
In a tweet, he wrote: "Here are some facts, Mr Kelly: 1) Australia's just had its hottest year on record. 2) Most scientists say climate change is driving the heat higher. 3) Australia's currently suffering one of its worst ever national bushfire seasons. 4) Do the maths."
Here are some facts, Mr Kelly:
1) Australia's just had its hottest year on record.
2) Most scientists say climate change is driving the heat higher.
3) Australia's currently suffering one of its worst ever national bushfire seasons.
4) Do the maths. https://t.co/JKfFlMHsVv— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 6, 2020
On the ITV programme yesterday, Kelly said there was no evidence to suggest the globe's climate is getting warmer. He dubbed the suggestion that lower carbon dioxide emissions could reduce bushfires as "nonsense".
The fires continue to rage in Australia, with areas of New South Wales severely effected by the blazes.
Donations have poured in from celebrities in a fight against the crisis, with money contributed by singers Pink and Elton John as well as Australian natives Chris Hemsworth and Kylie Minogue.