Gloves off, by George

He’s The Guardian newspaper’s Jiminy Cricket – the voice of conscience for a nation which act sas if there’s no tomorrow.

Geroge Monbiot writes a weekly column for that centre-left organ reminding us that our carbon footprint has a long-lasting effect on the planet we inhabit and there are serious consequences which accompany our deliberate actions.

This can range from racking up the air miles to taking the car on the 100-yard journey to pick up a pint of milk from the local shop.

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He has also published several books outlining the threat that we, and particularly big energy companies, pose to the world.

But such stuffy topics have little or nothing to do with light-hearted stand-up for the Magners International Comedy Festival – especially when it’s housed in the austere surrounds of Glasgow’s world-renowed Citizens Theatre.

Wrong. Monbiot can, and is, very serious about the topic of climate change – but let’s not be too po-faced about it.

The man who once accused Jeremy Clarkson of fetishising about cars because of concerns about his trouser department is bringing his one-man show to the city and offer laughs along with education.

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It is a rare one-night-only appearance at the Citz which will see Monbiot giving an amusing oratory on a chosen theme and, for the second part of the performance inviting the audience to question him on any topic they care to throw in the mix.

And while there will be Monbiot admirers sitting beside the merely curious, it is hoped that there will be those who want to question him over his beliefs.

He has, after all, pretty much lived as he preaches, residing in a low-emission home in Wales.

Such are his convictions that when, out of convenience for travel, Monbiot purchased a diesel-guzzling Renault Clio, there was public outrage and accusations of hypocrisy.

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One could probably safely argue that the loudest voices would have come from the Jeremy Clarkson fan club.

‘Gentleman’ George Monbiot’s Left Hook is at the Citizens Theatre on Saturday, April 2 at 5pm.

All tickets are £12.50.