AN environmentalist has pulled out of giving any more school talks to avoid upsetting children with the latest dire warnings over climate change.

The United Nations has said the world has just 12 years to avoid irreversible climate change which could result in catastrophic global warming and see famine and the extinction of species across the planet.

Jon Fuller, from the South East Essex Friends of the Earth, said: “I regularly give talks to schools, colleges and community groups on issues connected with pollution, climate change and energy policy, but I can no longer give talks on climate change to children of primary school age and today pulled out of a planned event in a local school in November.

“In light of the terrifying messages from the UN and the world’s scientists over the last couple of months how can I stand in front of primary children and tell them they will lose polar bears and thousands of other species of wildlife?

“How can I tell them they will lose virtually all coral and they must pay to preserve what they can in zoos and aquariums?

“And, in light of the damage now being done to global agriculture, how can I tell them they will grow up into a world where food will be in short supply, even for affluent families in the UK?

“Of course I could lie to children and pretend the UN Secretary General didn’t just say they faced “a direct existential threat”, and I could pretend the IPCC didn’t just warn that signs of deadly climate feedbacks have begun to appear.

“But I am not willing to lie to children.

“I have told the school that if it really wants the talk then they must expect children to be distressed and so should get parental approval in advance.

“My talks now carry a 15 certificate.”

Interested groups can still book a talk by emailing info@seefoe.org.uk