Climate change secretary Ed Miliband called those who deny the science behind global warming "profoundly irresponsible".
Speaking on the BBC's Politics Show this weekend, Mr Miliband had a heated debate with climate change sceptic Lord Lawson.
He said: "I think you're being profoundly irresponsible by saying we can stick our heads in the sand and just hope that this thing goes away. It's not going to."
Mr Miliband cited a number of research projects from countries around the world which support the theory that global warming is man-made.
His comments come as the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference gets underway today (December 7th), with 100 world leaders gathering to discuss the issue and press for global emissions targets to be set.
Prime minister Gordon Brown is among those attending. In an article in the Guardian he called on delegates to agree a political deal on emissions and to follow it up quickly with a legally-binding treaty.
He echoed Mr Miliband's views on climate change sceptics, describing them as "environmental luddites" who are trying to obstruct progress.
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