We are at a tipping point in public consciousness over our future, but it’s a dangerous time, one when those who feel powerless, or disbelieving can turn to dangerous conspiracies and denialism about climate and even about democracy itself.

It has already been a year where videos of climate protesters slowing cars have been watched alongside videos of cars being dramatically swept away by flash floods. Of raging wildfires and broken hearts. Here, winter is still to come.

Yet in one short crisis denying speech last week Rishi Sunak managed to sucker punch the world by revealing that, if he remains Prime Minister, the UK will choose to retract into a shell and hibernate its way through the storms that follow.

READ MORE: Rishi Sunak's anti-green move is a desperate act from a desperate man

So many people felt disillusioned by his climate climbdown because there was not a shred of honest leadership in that announcement. Standing at a plinth that read Long Term Decisions for a Brighter Future he signalled only short-term decisions that will destroy our future.

He railed wildly against efforts to decarbonise energy and transport. In fact, so eager was he to say no to things, he even ‘scrapped’ policies that weren’t on the table, simply making things up as he went along.

On the face of it, he was bounced into making the pronouncement early. A leak from frazzled Tories leading to a hastily arranged soap box flanked by Union flags and handpicked supporters.

The more cynical would say it was a ploy, and an attempt to put out fires before next week’s Tory Party conference. A last roll of the dice to see off speculation about his leadership and win over core Tory voters.

To many of us who were watching, it seemed unbelievable. A wretched broadcast designed to pit us against each other by trashing everything from low emission zones to building business confidence in green, renewable technologies.

It was part of a cynical Tory culture war that is using and exploiting wedge issues as a new way to divide us.

But the country suddenly seems somehow more united than ever against his plan to roll back the future.

Political and economic commentators found themselves in unfamiliar territory writing about business leaders including Ford’s UK chair Lisa Brankin and KPMG’s vice-chair Simon Virley being left agog at Sunak’s utterances.

READ MORE: Will Sunak's green policy u-turn save the Tories?

Vattenfall said the announcement was a ‘backwards step’ and damages supply chains at a time when skills for developing green heat need to be massively ramped up.

Piers Foster, chair of the Climate Change Committee, warned the Prime Minister would set the UK further back on its net zero targets. UN climate chief Simon Stiell questioned Sunak’s leadership entirely, and wasn’t alone.

Charities ranging from Disability Rights UK to the Race Equality Foundation joined environmental NGOs such as Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and The Good Law Project in looking at ways to counter his declaration of doom.

Among the most startling reactions have been those from other Tories. Former environmental spokesperson, Maurice Golden MSP, lashed out, so too Chris Skidmore the Tories’ net zero champion who warned that jobs would be lost as a result. It was even too much for Boris Johnson.

The ripple effects of Sunak’s illogical comments, the reactions and real levels of anger and protest have become a clarion call for all of us. A rallying message for us to stick and work together against the forces of climate denialism.

At the UN climate week in New York, Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf was withering of his opposite number’s remarks, describing Sunak’s isolationist views as the worst decision taken during his short and disastrous spell in Downing Street.

Having already taken up my call to invite all political parties and others to join in a climate summit, there is now real merit in the First Minister extending the conversation beyond Scotland to all four corners of the UK.

The respected Chris Stark, chief executive of the UK’s Climate Change Committee, has also talked of the need for “consensus” around what it is we need to do.

I can see from my inbox how busy other organisations are, calculating what these governmental u-turns mean, pulling together to make sense out of the chaos. They too will be eager for some kind of forum to push back against such irresponsible, irrational direction.

The wider mood is changing too. A poll of 20,000 people in south-east England reveals most will vote with their consciences on the environment. Campaigners, unions and activists are preparing days of blistering protest.

On Monday, 100 university academics wrote to the Prime Minister warning his actions would lead to a further rise in the cost of living, and slow down investment in green technologies.

That will be particularly acute here in Scotland where our efforts are towards turning our nation into the world capital for renewables, reimagining how we heat our buildings, our energy, and supporting our next climate change plan.

This week is Scottish Climate Week, which marks a tipping point in the climate emergency. 2023 is the year that the climate emergency arrived on the doorsteps of so many communities across the world, where fire and flood has taken the lives and livelihoods of so many people, it’s been impossible to ignore.

It’s the first year that I have looked at my own children and genuinely felt fearful for what the decades ahead will be like for them to live through.

Next week, 20-year-old Cameron Eadie, will stand as the Scottish Green candidate for the Rutherglen and Hamilton West byelection. His first national campaign, knowing he must fight for every single vote for climate to be central to the debate.

He said he is doing so to give the next generation a voice on climate. Stepping up so his generation and future generations can be heard.

More than ever, it is time for all of us to work together and do the same.

Mark Ruskell MSP is the Scottish Greens spokesperson for climate, environment and transport