Eric Worrall
Viv Forbes was a tireless campaigner for energy sanity.
From Viv’s family;
Vale Viv Forbes
Dear family and friends,
It is with deep sadness that we share the news of our father and husband, Vivian Richard Forbes, who has passed away.
Viv lived a remarkable life — born in Warwick in 1939, he became a geologist, economist, farmer, writer, and above all, a man of principle. He was devoted to his family, passionate about learning, and unwavering in his commitment to libertarian ideals. He also dedicated much of his later life to climate science, challenging conventional wisdom with rigorous study and advocating for honest debate grounded in evidence.
Viv was a Dux, Geologist, Economist, Intellectual, Libertarian, Writer, Poet, Political Commentator, Coal Miner, Sheep Farmer, Grandfather, Carbon Sense Coalition Founder and tireless campaigner for freedom. He will be remembered not only for his achievements but for the values he instilled in us and the legacy he leaves behind. Memorial details will follow in due course.
Please feel free to forward this information to anyone whose email we have not managed to dig out of Dad’s computer yet!
Warm regards, Derek, Lisa and Judy
Source: https://smedg.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Viv-Forbes.pdf
From Alan Moran, Spectator;
Sadly, Viv Forbes died a few days ago. A 30 year veteran in the struggle against climate madness, his icy humour will never be replaced.
Jeremy Barlow recalled this one of Viv’s pithy poems:
A Diesel in the Shed.
You can have your solar panels
and your turbines on the hills;
You can use the warmth of sunshine
to reduce your heating bills.
You can dream you’re self-sufficient
as you weed your vegie bed;
As long as you make sure to keep
A diesel in the shed.
Viv’s death occurred just as the Coalition was beginning to unpick the bonds of Net Zero and, hopefully, embark on the path of economy-repair. I had this piece over the weekend in Quadrant[EW – link updated].
…
Alan Moran [Journalist]
Viv mostly focussed on the Australian climate scene, but he sometimes entertained WUWT audiences with his sharp wit and relentless exposure of climate insanity.
e.g.
Back from when Greta thought climate change was important. Viv updated the cartoon to add “How dare you” on my suggestion.
Another Viv Forbes classic;
Viv’s tireless efforts to restore climate sanity upset alarmists enough to earn him his own page on DeSmog;
Our thoughts and prayers are with Viv’s family and friends through this sad time. Viv has passed, but his legacy of fighting for liberty and standing against the forces of exploitation and green superstition lives on.
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So the “settled science” was never convincing enough to convert a man of lived experience to “the cause”.
Rest in peace Viv, knowing that your conscientious efforts at “calling the bastards out” have paid off.
I will miss his comments.
Rest in peace knowing that you did move the balance in the right direction
.
Vale Viv Forbes
It’s always the good ones.
RIP, Viv.
Viv certainly did his bit for the climate of truth.
Rest in peace buddy!
Fun and enlightening to talk to. Well done Viv!
It is people like him who keep us going.
Several years back Viv and I exchanged some comments on life in Queensland in the 1940/50’s at “Canada Free Press”. A true gentleman. His passing is a loss to all of us. (I was born in 1941 in Brisbane.)
(Oh: Dux? In Hong Kong, Scotland, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand dux is a modern title given to the highest-ranking student in academic, arts or sporting achievement.)
What an enormous loss to Australian society and to all things sensible. I so enjoyed reading Viv’s work. RIP mate.