GMB's Weather Presenter Laura Tobin Cites RAF Expertise After She’s Branded ‘Ignorant Pommy’ In Climate Row

Former RAF aviation forecaster turned Good Morning Britain weather presenter Laura Tobin put an Australian MP in his place by listing her impressive qualifications and military expertise after she was branded an ‘ignorant Pommy weather girl’ following a clash on live TV over climate change. 

Laura, who honed her skills as a meteorologist with four years at RAF Brize Norton from 2015, where she provided aeronautical reports to the Royal Air Force Transport Crews and forecasted severe weather for RAF pilots, corrected Australia’s Craig Kelly after a comment on Facebook following a GMB debate on the Australian bushfires.

The TV weather expert, who used to provide forecasts for BFBS during her time in the RAF and who has since worked for the BBC and then ITV, responded to being called ‘ignorant’ by listing her impressive scientific qualifications and career highlights, including her expert role in the Royal Air Force.

During a morning appearance on Good Morning Britain with presenters Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid, MP Craig claimed the devastating Australian bushfires, which have been burning for months, are not the result of climate change.

Instead, he cited Australia’s drought and fuel loads, the amount of flammable material that surrounds a fire, as contributing factors. 

He said: “Every single Royal commission we’ve had from our past bushfires has said we have to reduce those fuel loads, and that is the main issue.” 

In response, a visibly agitated Laura Tobin said:

“... [Australia] have the second-highest carbon emission per person on earth and you [Craig Kelly] are burying your head in the sand. 

“This is a climate emergency. You’re not a climate sceptic, you’re a climate denier.” 

Speaking to ‘The Project’, an Australian news and current affairs talk show, Laura explained why she reacted the way she did. She said: 

“Everybody just needs to be informed. 

“When I watched him yesterday having his interview with Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid I just felt really infuriated and suddenly had this outburst from the side of the studio because if he’s not informed and he’s setting these policies, or lack of policies, that has a massive affect not just across Australia but across the whole world.”

Laura has followed COP25, the UN Climate Change Conference, which took place in December 2019, with great interest.

At COP25, nations came together in Madrid, Spain, to talk about the global temperature rise in the hope that any increase could be limited to 2C but it was argued that international governments should aim towards a goal of limiting warming to a maximum of 1.5C. Laura said: 

“We’re reaching tipping points like glaciers melting, losing all of our coral reefs and … the nation who stopped the signing of that was Australia.”

Meteorologist Laura took issue with Australia's position on climate goals after COP25. She said: 

“If you guys [the Australian Government] don’t sign this article nobody can move forward and you’re not even going to commit to this new 1.5C. 

“They’re saying that they want to just limit themselves to that 2C and actually, you won’t even be able to meet that, you’re going to try and get carbon credit from other schemes and try and find a legal loophole.”

She told Craig Kelly to get his "head out of the sand" because she said the stark reality was daunting. Speaking to Project TV Laura said: 

“I think a lot of people don’t know that, yes a small nation, perhaps not as big in population as America and China but per person you’re [Australia] worse than America and China, just second in the world behind Saudi Arabia.” 

Laura said that 2019 was Australia’s hottest and driest year ever recorded, adding: 

“It is categorical that because of climate change, because of Australia being hotter, the wildfires are worse than they would have been.”

What Is Being Done To Help? 

Three thousand Australian reservists have been called in to tackle the country's worsening bushfire crisis. 

The reservists will fight fires alongside thousands of full-time and volunteer firefighters, as well as fire service personnel from the United States and Canada. 

What Impact Have the Bushfires Had?

Twenty-five people have been killed since the fires began in September, making it Australia's worst wildfire season on record. 

The fires have been fueled by drought and the country's hottest and driest year on record. 

There are claims that almost 500 million birds, reptiles and mammals have died in the blazes. 

Cover Image Credit: Ian West/PA Wire/PA Images